You don't get if you don't ask

As I get older, I go by the above title more. And it happened twice today.

When I got back from Japan, I wanted to do some more ikebana flower arrangement but was astounded by the price of the ceramic holders. So I asked a local potter if he could make some - and today I took possession!!

 And here they are. Very Japanese looking and just the thing. The two tall vases are seven inches high.

And then I visited Beckford Silks for coffee and cake and a look round. I bought a remnant of white velvet to play with dyeing but I also bought a length of printed velvet.

This was hanging up with several other patterns in a special display and, when I asked where the roll was, I was told it was finished, so I asked if I could buy that length and the young girl said no in horrified tones. I went off and found the owner and asked her. Result - one happy customer departing with 2.7 m of gorgeous dark blue Art Deco patterned velvet to make a jacket out of. I did shock the owner when I said the next problem would be to select a lining, how about bright red or black with some embroidery. She thought gold.  I think that's a bit dull. I will have to consult Gill Arnold about this.

Today the central heating was finished, the ceiling is done and the plasterer comes tomorrow and the computer engineer is currently trying to fix both machines at the same time.