jean gibson: patchwork queen

Being burgled

2011-07-30T18:19:00.002+01:00

I live in a comfortably safe middle-class area, presumptuously described as 'little Switzerland' by estate agents who presumably have never set foot in Switzerland. I've lived here for a long time, over thirty years, in that time my children have grown up, my parents have spent many happy times visting, lots of parties, the wakes of my father and brother, when anything is wrong everyone

moving an external cable ten feet....

2011-07-30T11:35:00.002+01:00

I am undergoing long overdue building work on my beloved house. Plans were passed in 1988, that's how long it's taken to get to this glorious stage. I'm using my pathetically small life savings to pay for it, mainly because the interest rate is so poor it's pointless keeping it in the bank and my son Toby will do the work giving us both the opportunity for creativity. And it will greatly improve

The Killing BBC4

2011-03-27T10:24:00.006+01:00

After twenty gripping episodes of The Killing: some of the best television in years I'm bereft. Saturday nights will seem just that bit emptier from now on, back to the lobotomised bilge usually on offer. British program makers take note. But where was the hype? It was never mentioned in the newspapers as a 'must see' and found by accident when - bored witless with the usual Saturday night

how not to be a responsible cat owner

2011-03-12T08:32:00.000Z

Sitting here at the desktop, I’m suddenly aware of not being alone. Scratching noises and paper crackling. Looking to where the noise is coming from I see a mouse under the table. The normal reaction should be one of horror I suppose. Having experienced a rat running across my stomach whilst asleep in bed and feeling nothing more than irritation I’d been woken up and having to get up, find the

lace: what you didn't know

2010-08-05T12:49:00.000+01:00

Lace: a history of

2010-08-05T07:57:00.006+01:00

Lace; it's origins and history. It's hard to believe but an innocuous doilie, now much derided by the fashion police would have been on a par with something like cocaine today but far more expensive. Much sought after and using any means to obtain it no matter how illegal. So smuggling was rife, resorting to putting lace in coffins alongside the corpses, even dismembering them to make more

Oil and hypocrisy

2010-07-06T07:49:00.003+01:00

Having watched the televised savage mauling of BP chief executive Tony Hayward by members of the American Congress, I felt vague unease. Is this another 'banking' fiasco but with a different hat? Ie all down to government regulators, of which we've heard very little in the vociferous public baying for blood. You could argue the reason for this appalling environmental catastrophe is to some

william morris arts & crafts movement

2010-07-05T19:46:00.001+01:00

William Morris was born in Essex (hoorah) a man of the people and believed art should be for everyone, not just the elite. Reviving many ancient crafts, tapestry weaving amongst them, was an opportunity to do this. I have William Morris wallpaper in my dining room - which I have never tired of in the thirty years it's been on the wall - so can attest to his success in achieving this aim.

My birthday treat from Celia - tea at the Ritz

2010-06-29T17:01:00.000+01:00

how to dress a decadent bed from Linen Lace & Patchwork

2010-05-14T16:57:00.003+01:00

bed dressing tips

2010-05-01T07:48:00.000+01:00

How to be an essex man - definitive guide

2010-04-09T10:43:00.011+01:00

A short cultural overview of what life is like in the happy county of Essex and relevant criteria visitors need to be aware of. You won't need a passport or jabs, though a shot of penicillin may be advisable. Reading material mandatory: The Sun. This will give you your opinions on politics, women and sex (one and the same in this instance) the stance on Europe (who Berlusconi is shagging and

internet pornography

2010-03-20T09:51:00.011Z

I was talking to my friend today about a Channel 4 programme I'd watched called 'Why men watch porn' and he said 'why not write about it' so this is simply my take on it. There were a few issues that were skated around regarding the programme. The 'experts' on the show gave the impression that watching internet pornography regularly is socially acceptable and women are OK about it. I'm not

ES Homes and Property, 17 Mar 2010. Page 10

2010-03-17T22:13:00.001Z

ES Homes and Property17 Mar 2010

the outlaws

2010-02-20T08:49:00.001Z

We have arranged to visit my mother-in-law in Basildon Hospital. Celia picks me up and we drive over to Hullbridge first to collect Toby as he has no diesel and they're skint. Bill is please we're going as he has to go out that night so can't be with her. It's a filthy night, pitch black, cold and pouring with rain. On walking into the ward we see my sister in law and brother in law standing

my way the sex pistols

2010-02-11T09:36:00.000Z

the wonderful john otway & wild willy barrett

2010-02-09T19:35:00.000Z

Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers dinner dance 1980

2010-02-02T19:24:00.009Z

It was the annual dinner and dance for The Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers held in the beautiful Art Deco Derry & Tom's building on Kensington High Street. Remember wearing an Antony Price (the all important dress designer behind Roxy Music) silk jersey strapless dress, very cleverly ruched, in a gorgeous shade of grey with a hint of mauve, with very long matching gloves

Celia - it's a girl - think pink 1976

2010-01-03T15:13:00.008Z

It's been less than two days but know, just know I'm pregnant. I have my son Toby, living a reasonably comfortable life in a rented modern bungalow on the Chalvedon Estate in Pitsea, Essex. And we have lots of friends and my parents have moved just up the road so life is very sweet. And so happy to be having another baby. I'm never more happy than when pregnant, such a fantastic state of

My brother John and Schizophrenia

2010-01-03T12:20:00.002Z

The phone rings, it's someone pretending to a be a policeman, I'm convinced of that. And I tell them so. I ring Celia and say I've had a weird phone call. They'd asked if I lived at an address that was Dads, feeling alarmed it may be burglars looking to turn over his house I also ring Bill. Matt, Celias boyfriend said he didn't like the sound of it anyway and that they should come over to me.

end of a decade

2010-01-03T11:53:00.001Z

Happy New Decade!! For me this has been a momentous ten years. Triumph and tragedy in unequal measure. Been given two wonderful, beautiful grandsons, Tobias and William. I've lost both my parents, my younger brother John and my oldest friend in this emotional roller-coaster decade. Attended three immediate family funerals and read two eulogies. Discovered the waste, sadness and destruction

Mum's demise and care homes

2010-01-03T11:42:00.004Z

In 1992 Mum was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica. None of us had heard of it before. Getting the diagnosis had been a struggle, the consultants weren't interested. I had to resort to writing a fax knowing it would land on his desk and have no choice but to address it. The contents were mildly critical but it worked. The hospital rang and he saw her next day. It's a wasting disease of

the lean years 1992-1995

2010-01-03T00:39:00.009Z

Bill has packed Toby's old Millfield school trunk with his belongings and gone: for good. The last five years have taken their toll. He takes a well-paid job in the Pharmaceutical industry, Glaxo in Ware, Hertfordshire. And agrees to carry on paying the mortgage and give me £50 a week to live on. Toby is 18 and Celia 16 and still at college. I have no savings and no job. So it's over. I'm

Southend seafront police harassment

2009-12-13T23:25:00.002Z

I have just bought my son a van from a chap who lives on the Kursaal estate, Southend seafront. My son, slightly worryingly, reliably informs me this is where the drug dealers and prostitutes who have done slightly better for themselves live. Upward mobility from a crack estate. We do the deal and with some relief drive away onto the seafront. It's late, I'm tired and want to get home. As

Abu Dhabi Television newsreader training 1983

2009-11-22T15:55:00.004Z

Thursday 29th September. We see beautiful pair of turquoise Dogs of Fo in Wong's Emporium shop window. They are priced up at 600 dirhams. I have a mental picture of them in my house in Benfleet UK and know they would look stunning with my other furnishings. But Bill says they are too expensive so no, I can't have them. Mohammed is my houseboy, he comes from Sri Lanka and is lovely, very kind

Annabel's and the Prince 1985

2009-11-22T15:21:00.001Z

'Can you come up to London tonight, I know it's short notice but we need you?' it's a phone call from John Bridgen, Bill's business partner. He goes on to explain there is a meeting tonight at the Intercontinental Hotel, Hyde Park and my presence would be useful as I'm good at dealing with the Arabs. 'Does Bill know you want me to go?' I ask of him. Bill has gone back to Abu Dhabi on his own to

the Corniche Womens Hospital - Abu Dhabi

2009-11-22T10:26:00.008Z

Celia has an insect in her eye, it must have embedded itself whilst we were driving with the top off the jeep. I pull over and make several unsuccessful attempts to remove it. It's quite big and seems to be actually adhered to her eye. I'm panicking as know the dangerous diseases some insects carry. As we're on the Corniche race up to the Corniche Womens Hospital as sure they will be able to

shopping in Abu Dhabi souk – causing an affray march 1982

2009-11-22T09:33:00.002Z

Shopping in the souk in Abu Dhabi is an intoxicating experience after the hermetically-sealed, sterile supermarkets on offer back in the UK. I love it. The vibrant colours, pungent smells and colourful people, a rich sensual blend and heady stuff. It's monsoon season, the roads are badly flooded. In some parts we wade through 6" of sewage infested water – there is no drainage system in place

HMS Avenger and Prince Andrew 1982

2009-11-21T20:28:00.002Z

The Falklands war is over. Thankfully we've been spared the jingoistic tabloid headlines back in the UK as it's very small beer here, making only page 14 of the Khaleej Times. However, the men fighting the war and the politicians making it are two very different criteria. HMS Avenger is in town as part of a post-victory PR tour. HMS Avenger is a naval frigate, rather more famous for one of

Toby my wonderful son 1973 - 74

2009-11-13T20:43:00.002Z

I looked in disbelief. There was no mistake, it was positive. I or rather we were going to have a baby. The reaction from everyone else was less than predictable too, they ranged from 'what you?' accompanied by raucous laughter to 'you'll never look after it properly' which didn't sound like the greatest vote of confidence in my mothering capabilities. It's 1973. Two years since we married.

patchwork history by jean gibson

2009-11-09T08:28:00.003Z

Out of the last decade, one of the better things to emerge has been the rekindling of interest in recycling and inevitably the decor that goes with it: Shaker - the early American Quaker lifestyle, which was prudent and fairly spartan, coming as a welcome relief after overdosing on designer-label mania. It may be thought that patchwork - a very important part of the Shaker lifestyle - is a

The Gibson Wedding October

2009-11-06T00:00:00.005Z

It’s Saturday 10th October or was it the 9th. I’m getting married. To Bill Gibson at 10am, Brentwood Register Office. I have a massive hangover. From my hen night the previous night. That’s what we did in those days. We just didn’t care. And were stupid. My sister-in-law brings me home as I was unconscious, this generation didn’t invent binge-drinking, we did. My mother greets this with triumph

heathrow - bahrain outward bound 1977

2009-11-05T22:22:00.001Z

How much longer? I enquire anxiously of my brother-in-law. We've been on the road for three hours and still in West London. Traffic on the North Circular is horrendous. He looks at me and can sense his anxiety too. This is pre-M25 and QE 2 crossing era. 1977. We’re en route to Heathrow. Leaving for a better life, there’s a recession and the Middle East is where everyone in engineering is

Linen Lace and Patchwork

2009-11-05T13:49:00.001Z