especially if she is a seamstress! Always on my wish list, but especially since I did my ‘Sew Better, Sew Faster’ Craftsy Course with Janet Pray when she advocated this;

No, not the machine, but the surface it is let into! It was our wedding anniversary on the 2nd August, and my DH made me a raised surface, the same size as my sewing desk with a cut-out that my lovely Singer 201 fits into beautifully.  My better half is something of a craftsman and anything he does is always finished to a very high degree. Me? I just wanted a platform that could have been stuck on runners for all I cared as long as the surface was there, but always going the extra mile, I got a beautifully smooth and finished new surface. The difference it makes is unbelievable. We just used up some ply that we happened to have, filled, sanded and painted to a smooth silky surface. Definitely the best present ever.[apart from a new super duper sewing machine for buttonholes and zig-zags that I am lusting after needing right now, as sadly my nice cheapy £99 one is chewing up more than she sews].

Finally, just a beautiful burst of colour, just for eye candy. I wish I was as brave to wear these colours together – perhaps one day soon?

These phlox have the added beauty of a lovely scent too.