Just read this and I know why we missedyou and your wonderful sense of humor so dearly ;o)
Greetings, Bettina

You are a hoot! Those of us unfortunate enough be over the pond will have to rely on your expert story telling to gain access to the new series. Or we can just wait 2-3 years when it airs here. Lots of folks are going around all snooty anyway from Downton Abbey. Better watch out you may have an influx of foreigners converge on your county!

How about the Reduced Sewing Bee.
I was reading the website this morning and looking at the background of each participant. Will Dewi Draig appear on the new flags? (the red dragon of Wales)

I have set the recording device already!
I was going to enter, but I didn't think they were ready for me.

Will you and Sue be on the same team or opposing players? Now wouldn't that be fun! You will have to keep us updated on the program.

Oh! Dennis I see you are a fan of Curling! I reckon it's as exciting as watching grass grow, don't you? Almost as enthralling as synchronised swimming! No really - tongue in cheek, no offence meant. I have loved watching the Great British Sewing Bee series and can't wait to see the next one. Meanwhile we are waiting patiently for Downton Abbey series 4 to start - it begins on the 24th February and by looks of things it's going to be a great series. Glad to see you back on here more frequently. Love Chris

What did you all think then?
I thought the first two tasks were quite sensible but the third one scared me to death! If they are expecting contestants to make a perfectly fitting silk nightdress in the first episode, what on earth will they have to do by week 8?

Wish we had Sewing Bee here. We do get masses of cookery programs!!!! Hope you are feeling better Dennis and haven't been washed away by the floods.

I had just finished a lengthy report on the Sewing Bee, clicked submit and it all just vanished..............................Grrrrrrr

I can watch it this year and watched the first episode; last year I could not get BBC2 but got it on DVD from one of the Cuties. Hope it turns out a bit more creative this year.

Love the SLUK - got about 100 pounds in bills by the Bank of Scotland, should start spending :)

Well, it turned out that the projects in the first episode did not include designing and making a new flag! That said, in my case the flag would have been easier than the projects.
I think it was kind of Sue not to mention how the men got on. For the first and second project the men came last, next to last and fell off the bottom! And yes, there were only three.
I was sorry for the retired prison service Buddhist monk (I didn't know we had such people serving in our prisons) who I think found the second project such a problem that it made him ill. He failed to complete the project and returned home.
I did like the little Welsh lady munchkin. Such a laugh. I admired her spirit, her attitude to life and the way she addressed her personal hearing disability.
The silk nightgown project was interesting, with one of the remaining men (a policeman recovering from knee/foot surgery) being applauded for his work by the judges. Mind you, I thought his design was more Barbie Doll than nightgown! Must have been a man thing.
The next few weeks should be interesting.

Went into one of my local sewing shops today and there was an advert for people to apply for next year...Any UK Cuties interested?