77 Belle

Doodling

2012-01-20T22:42:00.000Z

I have to tell you the Granola is well worth making so much nicer than a well known brand that I usually buy from the supermarket. Dave has given up his usual weetabix in the morning, the outcome is I need to make more, much sooner than I had planned. Bread will be made this weekend I hope.........

On Tuesday I went to the ballet with Becky and Rachel, this was a birthday treat for the three of us, which was delayed, originally I booked the tickets for the 4th January (closer to our birthdays) but we needed to exchange them as Rachel was in Australia! This was Becky's first trip to the ballet she really enjoyed it and I think we will all go again, maybe next time a traditional ballet.

The quilt is coming on well and I hope to get it layered up next week at Ladybugs, previously I've layered up on the living room floor, Betsy would make that impossible, plus using the tables at class will be easier on the knees!

Sorry I don't seem to be able to write a post without a photo of Betsy!

I've been spending my evenings doodling for the Sketchbook challenge. It's been really enjoyable doing this months project I hope I enjoy the next one as much, I've been doodling using Pitt Artist Pens and coloured them using Caran D'ache.

This post is very photo heavy hope I'm forgiven...........

Articulated Materials: Bridging Waters Exhibition

2012-01-12T20:18:00.001Z

Two post in one day, well I just had to tell you about the upcoming exhibition..........

Hope to see you there!

Leap into Granola!

2012-01-12T14:26:00.001Z

I've made a leap ( get it?) into the new year by making a start on a quilt for my nephew and his fiancee, they are getting married in July 2013 but I need to get moving with it. The Material Girls have a lot on this year and I don't want to have to rush anything, the plan is to keep ahead of ALL projects so its busy, busy!

Cutting the strips

Rachel arrived home yesterday and is staying with us for a few days before so goes back to her own house. I like to think its because she missed us, but maybe it's the fact that I have already done several loads of her washing for her while she doses in bed! I really missed her, not that we see a lot of each other (Dave sees her every day, they work together) but it felt as though she was away for months not just 3 weeks, it was probably because it was our time of year for birthdays and Christmas, usually she stays with us at those times! She had a fantastic time and has come home looking tanned and really well, I look so pale beside her, I need a holiday in the sun soon please.........

As I said in my previous post I'm not making new year promises which I would only break, but everyone in blog land seems to be starting new projects. So my project is to cook more varied and different food, I've lost the passion I used to have for trying different recipes its all become a bit boring! I also want to be more organised about it ( especially after this morning when sorting out the cupboard and finding three bags of plain flour two half used ( in date) and two bags of unopened self raising flour (in date too). A good start today when I made my own granola, Silverpebble mentioned making her own granola and Sue posted a link to the recipe on her blog, take a look her blog is full of brilliant recipes and lovely photographs.

Granola- Just need to add the fruit

Must dash the last load of washing needs to go in the machine! But I just had to post a photograph of Betsy, she was six months old on 27th December.

Betsy

My 2011 Mosaic

2011-12-31T23:33:00.002Z

My 2011 Mosaic, originally uploaded by 77belle.

A selection of 2011 including Betsy, the garden, some textile work and a family holiday in Lanzarote!

Happy New Year - Here comes 2012

2011-12-31T22:45:00.000Z

Christmas has come and gone in a flash, as things worked out it was for the best that Dave's Dad stayed at home, on Boxing day I didn't feel all that great and the day after I had an upset stomach which lasted a few days. Thankfully I'm fully recovered just in time, today is my Birthday! Yesterday it was Rachel's Birthday and she celebrated in style in Sydney, she's had an eventful time since she arrived to stay with Mark, involving a lost wallet and a car break down, but thankfully everything turned out well due to the kindness of a farmer who towed them and a lovely family that loaned them a car until they could hire a car. We've spoken a couple of times since she's been in Australia and yesterday she called so we could wish her Happy Birthday. It was Becky's Birthday too, we were due to go out for dinner with her and James but because I was ill we had to cancel! So that's our Birthday Month Over!

Again this year I'm not going to make any resolutions as they only get broken. Things have changed this year we have our new addition BETSY, she has only been with us for 3 months and our lives have been turned upside down, I'm not complaining I wouldn't have it any other way. In May I had to give up going to the Gym after my back problems, but I think Betsy is now giving me all the exercise I need, lots of walking!

2012 is promising to be an exciting year with the Material Girls-Bridging Waters exhibition taking place. I have also been offered a place in an exhibition which will be at a venue in London in 2013, I will have to start work on my pieces during this year, I'm very excited and a bit scared about this project. BUT I'm always up for a challenge and this will stretch me, it is just what I need. I will post more about it during the coming months.

I'd like to wish everyone who ventures here a Happy Healthy and Creative New Year!

Dinners over

2011-12-25T16:24:00.000Z

Hope everyone is having a great day! Dinners over and I'm sitting with Betsy on my lap reading a book on my new toy. Yep! Santa left me a Kindle!!!! It's our first Christmas day on our own since we married in 1978(yes I was a child bride, cough). The reason we're on our own is Dave's Dad decided not to come to us this year as our chairs are too low and he was worried about sleeping in a strange bed. The problem started a week ago he had a fall when he was staying with his other son, he was put on the train and sent home, ever since he's been suffering with his back. So we're doing meals on wheels, the problem being he doesn't live around the corner it's almost a 40 mile round trip, I hope wasn't expecting hot gravy....... I'm sure everything will work out fine it just means that Dave is trekking back and forth, and we may have to have a few Chinese take aways in the new year as our stock of plastic dishes are disappearing fast.I don't blame him for staying at home there is no place like home when your not 100%. Tomorrow James and Becky are here with us for the day, so that will be good,Rachel is having an interesting time in Australia but more on that in the next post.Best get back to my reading and probably time for a g&t.....

Happy Christmas

2011-12-24T17:17:00.000Z

We were delivering Christmas presents today so we decided that Betsy should meet Louis my brothers English Springer Spaniel. Betsy was straight in, made friends with Louis and took over his toy box! Typical woman she had him wrapped around her paw in a few minutes.

Hello, What this?

I know your bigger than me but.......

I'm a woman and I know how to get my own way!

I want to say a big thank you to everyone that reads and comments on my blog.

I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-21T12:25:00.000Z

The rush of last weekend is over, as planned Rachel came to us on Sunday and Becky and James joined us for a lunch which included home made Soda bread, if I say so myself was a great success I'd never made it before but I'll be making it again over the holidays, it was perfect with homemade Leek and Potato soup. It was easy to make, I used a Creuset casserole (the only wedding present that I use on a regular basis after almost 34 years!), look at Purple Podded Peas blog for the recipe. That wasn't all we had for lunch as Rachel does eat fish on the odd occasion we had Salmon en croute and a Heston Blumenthal Black Forest Buche (don't be too impressed the only thing I made was the bread and the soup, but I do take credit for the menu and the defrosting and popping in the oven at the right times) And no smoke alarms went off!

Ready to pop into very hot Creuset

Done and Ready for the Butter!!!!!

After lunch we gave Rachel her Christmas and Birthday presents, we'd already given her a Kindle so she had time to load on her books for her holiday! For my birthday Rachel had looked through a suitcase of photographs I took from my Mum's house when we were sorting out. While we were in France during the summer Rachel stayed here a few nights and sorted and scanned photo's of my Mum and Dad from when they were young up until their 25th Wedding Anniversary, my Dad died a few years after that, Rachel never met him. She included photo's of my Nan and my Grandparents, and photo's of my brother and me when we were young. I don’t think I have to tell you there were a few tears! She'd taken such trouble to sort the photos and have them printed into a book, it's volume one, there are so many photos left, I've not opened the case since I brought it home, I don’t think I can at the moment. When the time is right I'll make volume two and three, maybe something for the new year!

Monday we were up at 5.00 am, even before Betsy! It took me 2 hours to drive around the M25 to Heathrow airport, we'd allowed lots of time. When Rachel had checked her bags we grabbed breakfast before she went through security, we said goodbye and she disappeared through the doors and I started my journey home. The return journey only took 1 1/2 hours, I phoned Rachel when I got home and she'd just taken her seat on the plane. At 0.38 the following morning she text to say she was at Singapore Airport and was waiting to reboard for the next leg of the journey, at 11am yesterday she text to say she was with Mark and in his apartment ( I've seen a photo it looks beautiful overlooking the water at Kirribilli, Sydney) and going out for dinner. Dave heard from her this morning she's spent the day on the beach and they were going food shopping. Mark has arranged for them to go camping over Christmas. Looking out of the window here this morning, it's wet it's dull and I wish I could spend the day on the beach.

Friday James is 30, Becky has some lovely things arranged for him during the day, in the evening we are going to theirs for a family celebration. Then it's all systems go for Christmas... I do feel a bit at a loss this year, everything is done shopping etc, just need to wrap the rest of the presents. Still not 100% sure what Dave's Dad is doing, I think it's a matter of watch this space. I've had an idea Karen Ruane is leaving the frozen North to spend Christmas with her daughter, just a few roads away from Dave's Dad so maybe..............

See I can make a cake from Scratch......but I wouldn't eat it......

2011-12-17T17:31:00.000Z

Last Saturday Dave celebrated his 60th birthday Rachel, James and Becky came out with us for a meal at The Cricketers, Clavering, Essex, the meal was lovely, I'd ordered a birthday cake which was brought out with candles and the waiters and waitresses singing "Happy Birthday", much to Dave's embarrassment, he doesn't like a fuss, I think secretly he enjoyed it. I'd booked us rooms for the night so the wine flowed, the following morning breakfast was served by Jamie Oliver's Dad!!! Rachel had a potato cake with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, one of Jamie's recipes while the rest of us tucked into a full English Breakfast. I know it wasn't my birthday but I had to treat myself to a cookery book, a few weeks ago I sorted out my cookery books and got rid of the ones I never use, time to start collecting again!

Betsy got to spend the night back with her Mum and Grandma, she came home exhausted. While she was there she had a trim, she looked smart...... well for 5 minutes anyway.

This week has been no end of lunches the Material Girls on Tuesday and then ERTF had a meeting with yet another lunch! Thursday evening the trainer Joan that Betsy and I go to every week came to visit us at home. When out for a walk Betsy pulls on her lead and barks at people other dogs and isn't that brilliant with cars buses etc. Joan came in the evening so Dave could come along too. We spent a bit of time at home talking about Betsy's behaviour indoors which is quite good. Then we went for a walk, lots of stopping and starting again and Joan showed us how to correct her when she's pulling. I have to say that we have been out walking since and she's so much better. Joan gave me a recipe for a 'Liver Cake' Betsy loves it, I made it today and she's really enjoyed it. It's just liver, eggs and flour with a dash of garlic powder, put into a dish baked in the oven on a low heat. It can be frozen, Joan uses it as a treat. I think this time I over did the garlic but at least it will keep away the vampires when we're out walking in the dark. Looks yummy doesn't it?

Not a Cake I'd Eat!

Tonight we are putting up the Christmas decorations, no tree this year, there will only be the two of us and maybe Dave's Dad, he's still not sure what he's doing...... Tomorrow James, Becky and Rachel are coming for lunch, we'll be giving Rachel her Christmas and Birthday presents then it will be up very early on Monday. I'll be driving Rachel to Heathrow and she'll be off to Sydney. Apparently the weather isn't so good there at the moment lots of rain? At least it wont be as cold there, as it is here we had a bit of snow today but it's not settled.

December Celebrations

2011-12-07T12:51:00.000Z

This month is certainly whipping through, just enough time for a quick catch up, I really should be writing Christmas cards and doing the ironing so this is a delaying tactic!

We have some big birthday celebrations this month (our family all have December birthdays) Dave turns 60 on Saturday, we have a family meal arranged, in fact it's been all family meals recently! On the 23rd James will be 30, he doesn't want to celebrate, I think something will be arranged not sure what yet. Next Sunday will be another get together, we will be giving Rachel her presents, she won't be here for Christmas or her birthday or New Year, lucky girl will be on a beach somewhere near Sydney, Australia!! I'm not envious AT ALL!! It does mean that I wont be cooking vegetarian options on Christmas day, I'll be roasting potatoes in goose fat and putting pancetta on the brussel sprouts.

I have been getting some textile work done, still can't show it yet not until the first exhibition is up and running. Ok, just to prove I've been doing something, I've been using romeo, for those that may not know what that is, it's a soluble film that can be stitched through. There's always that moment when it goes in the water that I think will it all just come apart and hours of work be wasted, Thankfully that didn't happen.... not this time anyway. Am I the only one that thinks that?


Betsy watching the swans coming out of the water

Betsy will be six months old on the 27th, she's a real character, she loves her walks at the weekend when we take her into the woods or by the ponds. Last Saturday all the ducks and geese were on the path as we passed by and on the return the two swans and the cygnet started to get very interested in us and came out of the water, we decided not to hang around and made a quick exit.

Have I mentioned the obedience training? We attend a class for an hour every Monday, this week she was a little star and didn't put a paw out of place, sitting and laying down on command (not too much barking at the other dogs). I did have to laugh, this week there were a few new pups and owners, one lady said to me ' OMG this is such hard work', I was so relieved when she said that, for the first couple of weeks I left there feeling absolutely exhausted. It felt as though I was never going to get it right, but it seems to be coming together. Having said that Betsy still pulls when we walk her and wants to play with everyone, (people and dogs) that we come across when out for a walk, so the trainer is going to come here one evening next week for a one to one session, Dave can join in too (that should be a laugh). We are getting there.

Must dash things to do and someone needs to be taken out for a walk........

It was Lovely

2011-11-18T18:51:00.000Z

Thought I'd just let you know that the casserole was very tasty, I'm not really a fan of the slow cooker, as I'm not a domestic goddess when I've used it before it's not been very successful. Some might say I need more practice! I thought I should use it as last weekend I had a go at cooking Heston Blumenthal's three times cooked chips, they were lovely. In passing I said " Maybe we should get an electric fryer" I'd used the wok, a comment was made " Good idea, it can stand on the side next to the slow cooker, bread maker and the ice-cream maker that never get used". So yes you've guessed it in the coming week I'm planning on cooking another casserole with bread and for dessert.......

There is a give away on Silver Pebbles blog take a look! She's giving one lucky person the chance to win Kirstie Allsopp's book and also a Silver clay starter pack.

Domestic Goddess (NOT)

2011-11-17T20:03:00.000Z

Things with Betsy seem to be settling down. Betsy and I have started going to obedience classes once a week, Dave says he's noticed a difference in ME not the dog!!!!!! She is still waking at six in the morning but I'm used to it now and don't mind it at all anymore! I probably shouldn't speak to soon but the toilet training seems to be getting there too, 2 wee's yesterday on the floor (thank goodness for laminate flooring) and only one today! Look at that face, I can forgive her anything..........

No textile work to show, I have been getting on with work for the Material Girls next exhibition, 2012 is going to be a really busy year for us.

Last weekend we went to George's Naming Ceremony, it's the first of these I've been to. I was really thrilled to be asked to be a witness, I wasn't sure what to expect as I've only been to Christenings before, but it was a lovely day and a great way of welcoming a baby into the world.

Christmas is approaching fast, I'm buying most of the presents on the internet this year, I'm not in love with shopping. Last year proved a bit of a disaster, a couple of parcels didn't arrive at all, but I decided to give it another go. I've started earlier this year and the first parcel has arrived today, so that's a good start.

I've even made the Christmas cake, I'm giving the Delia 'cake in a box' a try, all I needed to add was the butter, eggs and the peel from a lemon and an orange. So easy and I feel like a domestic goddess without all the mess! There is a casserole in the slow cooker, just waiting for Dave to get home, he's been away for a few days, boy he'll be impressed when he get's home.

2011-11-04T19:52:00.000Z

This afternoon I went to 'A Celebration of the Life of Freda'. I met Freda 26 years ago I was an assistant in the local adult education cake decorating class, I know it was 26 years because I was pregnant with Rachel. Freda was one of 12 woman in the class and she was a warm and funny lady, we lived near each other and I would often give her a lift to the class. She then asked me to join her and her sister in law at a fabric painting class, we lost touch for a few years. I'd progressed with my cake decorating and was teaching a class of my own when we met again. We were both invited to take part in a 'Focus on Crafts' in our village, I was painting on sugar and Freda and her daughter were doing 'Quilting', it was lovely to meet her again and I said I'd always fancied having a 'go' at quilting and patchwork. Freda always keen on people trying something new was quick to invite me along to the class she attended and so my journey into the textile world started and my life changed! It's amazing how one person can change and influence your life. Today the church was full to bursting with family and friends of Freda, a testimony to a lovely kind lady 'gone but never forgotten'.

1st November Already-only 54 days until Christmas!

2011-11-01T16:51:00.000Z

I don't know whats been happening here, that's not strictly true BETSY is what's been happening! I can't keep using her as an excuse. I must get myself organised and get on with things, so many deadlines have been missed. I knew I was getting a puppy so decided not to submit work for selection for the ERTF exhibition in September, it would have been impossible to leave a pup and go off and do the necessary requirements if I had been selected. Since then I've missed the deadline for ALQS6, I was really hoping to take part in that, maybe I'll have a chance another time. Then I said I'd knit cup cakes for Gina's Pink Friday Party, I even went out and bought the wool from Craft Arena, Denise loaned me cupcake knitting patterns, but the parties been and gone and the wool is still in the bag. I've returned the patterns. So sorry to all those I've let down. From now on I must either do the things I say I'll do or keep my 'BIG' mouth shut and don't say I'll do them in the first place! I have really let things slip, I don't think I've commented on other peoples blogs either, not always my fault, sometimes it's blogger, I type out the comment and then cant get it posted. I have been reading blogs, that's easy I can sit with Betsy and check on my i phone. A big thank you for everyone that comments on my blog I really do appreciate it. I do manage to get bits onto my facebook via my phone on a regular basis but getting posts onto blogger isn't a success for me via my phone even using the app! Well enough of my problems and failings. Hope you've not dozed off or cried your eyes out yet.

Now for what I have managed to do! Lots of walking Betsy, she gets me out at least twice a day, evening walks are a bit difficult since last week the odd firework is 'let off', why so far in advance of 5th November? She really doesn't like them and so I'm taking her out earlier, how do other dog owners manage any tips gratefully accepted! The weekend walks are the best Dave and I take her to various woods all within a few miles of where we live. Despite being able to get into London in next to no time we have lots of green spaces Thames Chase. The nearest place for us to walk Betsy are Berwick Ponds and Woods its about a 5 minute walk from our house, that's where we walked on Sunday and Betsy had her first meeting with ducks and geese, she didn't turn a hair!

Despite missing some deadlines there's one I just have to make, so there has been some work going on, not as quickly as it should have been, but it needs to be completed by next Tuesday for the Material Girls monthly meeting!

Tonight I'm putting the backing on and it's done then I need to make a start on my 3D work or at least have something in my sketch book to show. I know what I'm doing just need to get it out of my head and into the page! Are you convinced? Good.

Looking forward to next year, we've booked a cottage for a week's holiday. We are going to Norfolk in May, when James was a baby we had a couple of lovely holidays in Norfolk. The cottage is on the coast and I'm dreaming of long walks on those lovely Norfolk beaches with Betsy (hope the obedience classes have worked by the time May comes). We've also booked a holiday for later next year (without Betsy) after reading Purple Podded Peas accounts of her road trip from LA to San Francisco, a trip we did with the children. I seriously thought about doing it again for the third time or going back to New England and visiting Rhode Island a place we have never managed to visit. On Saturday I left Dave with two brochures one for America and the other Worldwide and off I went to have my hair cut when I got home he'd picked where he fancied going. SO we're off to Mauritius for 11 nights!!!!! I must admit I was looking forward to visiting all those wonderful textile shops in the US, I'm not that disappointed though, I've been told that Mauritius has lovely textiles (keeping that to myself) and it's good to widen your horizons.

Oh well better get on Internet, Christmas shopping to be done, only 54 days until.........
But before I leave a photo of Betsy, it's not easy getting a good one, she doesn't sit still for long!

Catch up!!!

2011-10-20T10:01:00.001+01:00

The Material Girls exhibition at Craft Arena has been and gone, the work got some good comments and the 'Liberation of the Heart' hanging looked as though it was meant to be there, despite not being made for that exhibition it fitted in very well and I was relieved to get it back. There are lots of exciting things in the pipeline for The Material Girls, we'll be exhibiting the 'Articulated Materials-Bridging Waters' work at three venues, more about that in future posts. I've still a way to go to get my work completed, as I have a helper with me ALL of the time, but things are getting a lot easier with Betsy.

I went to the Knit and Stitch with my sister in law, it was her birthday treat from me, we had brunch which was very nice and saved stopping for lunch! Michelle enjoyed it and bought herself a new pattern book and some wool to knit a scarf. This year I spent very little and came away with money still in my purse? First time ever, I usually spend my cash and then hit the credit cards!

Last Friday I met up with some of the Essex ERTF members at another members home, we were having a meeting to follow up on a sketching day we had on a very hot and sunny day in August at Southend on Sea.

After a lot of chatting and some delicious cake that our lovely hostess provided, our sketch books were produced and we discussed how we were developing our ideas, I'd only managed to progress with the designs, others had developed onto stitching, felting and printing. It was a day I really enjoyed I hope that we continue with this project, it's definitely the sort of thing I need to move my work on, I also like to see the way others work ( that's because I'm nosy). Rachel took the day off work and puppy sat, Betsy has been left for a few hours but I think Rachel wanted an excuse to look after her without us around and as she was coming home for the weekend anyway.......

The garden situation, well it's no longer looking so great, nothing to do with the weather! Betsy has dug up, chewed or trampled her way through most of the flowers ( No Photo's sorry) The vegetables are almost over I have some parsnips, swede and celeriac still growing. I did have a glut of tomatoes so made lots of sauce which is in the freezer and three large kilner jars of chutney, last time I made chutney I used it in curries and it added a depth to them, so I'm looking forward to that. I also have a supply of onions which should last until well into the new year. I would call that a successful year, well for me anyway, not sure if it will be so good next year. We need to find a way of keeping Betsy off the veggie patch!

Last week Betsy was a bit of a nightmare she suddenly decided that she would wake up at 5 am, not good for me! But things have improved this week, she seems to have settled down again and we are into a routine that seems to suit us all. Last week I started taking her to training classes and she now behaves better when we are out walking. Not that she was badly behaved before it's just that she barked at every one we met and every dog, she just wants to play and be friends with everyone and sadly not everyone wants to be friends with her! She has also stopped barking every time she is in the garden and my neighbour is out there, so life is calmer, well for the moment anyway. We have also been taking her to puppy socialisation classes at the vets, she meets other pups of about the same age but not the same size in the group there are two Rottweiler's, Betsy is not afraid to play with them and she stands her ground which is a bit scary for us. There is so much conflicting advice out there, the dog trainer says we shouldn't do both, the vets say we should, Rachel has a friend who is a dog trainer and she says its good to do both. I've decided to ignore everyone and do what I think is best for us, Betsy enjoys playing with the other pups and there is only one more session to go, we will carry on! Betsy is developing a lovely character she loves to have the last word, something that I think is a mini schnauzer thing. She does something I can only describe as grumble. If she barks and I tell her to stop, she'll stop barking but carry on with this low grumbling, she does it at the training class and everyone thinks it's really funny. Now I only have to stop her weeing on the floor and we've cracked it!! Thankfully we have no carpets only a couple of small rugs easily replaced when this stops, it does stop doesn't it???

Growing Fast

2011-10-05T21:51:00.000+01:00

Betsy is growing up so fast!

The First Time I Saw Betsy (2 Weeks)

A Few Weeks Later

First Day With Us (11weeks)

This Morning (14 Weeks)

This Afternoon ( She's been clipped)

Playing in Veggie Bed

Challenges

2011-09-18T20:49:00.000+01:00

Well it was definatly a challenge, trying to keep Betsy away from the bits of plaster! Luckily the plasterer liked dogs. At least it's all finished and the living room is usable, I cant say the same of my work room, all my 'stuff' as Dave calls it is in boxes and stacked in another room, ideal oppertunity to sort out! But really I should be working, I've a few projects that need to be completed by October! Next it's painting, that should be fun keeping Betsy out of the paint pots!


Thinking about it!

Chewing it over

It's been a hard weekend!

News about the hanging 'Liberation of the Heart' see image in sidebar, last week I found out that it was in fact still with the gallery. I phoned and spoke to the lady at the gallery, she said like me she'd been contacting the person (who shall remain nameless) without any response trying to find out my address, I spoke to the gallery on Monday and by Friday it was delivered, hooray!!!! From now on I'll be careful whose group I exhibit with. Now it will be hung in the exhibition of Material Girls Work at Craft Arena.

Betsy

2011-09-14T08:40:00.002+01:00

Last week we were in France for a weeks holiday, the weather could have been a lot better, I've been told it wasn't that great at home either. It wasn't quite as we had planned, no long lunches sitting outside or lingering over coffee watching the world go bye. No, that's not strictly true we did have a few of those but not as many as we'd imagined. We still had a great time in Normandy, the cottage was beautiful, in a great location and we could walk to the restaurants in the evening in about 10 minutes, always with an umbrella. We did all the usual things that you do that part of France, the Beaches, Pegasus Bridge and The Bayeux Tapestry, which all of us textile people know is NOT a tapestry but an embroidery, I'm glad I got to see it, it's something I've wanted to do for a long time, that day it was torrential rain so the place was heaving, we didn't spend lots of time standing and admiring this impressive piece of work, and we didn't walk around Bayeux and see the rest of the town because of the weather, shame but we may get to go back sometime!

UTAH BEACH

PEGASUS BRIDGE

We got on very well with or poor french, the people were kind as we struggled through menus, Dave did french at school( I don't think he'd like it if I said how many years ago) I only did one term. As we've been to France a few times recently we must try to learn the language, that's something we talked about on holiday. Another thing to add to the ever growing list of 'must do's'

On Sunday we collected Betsy, she's now 11 weeks old and what a bundle of trouble she is! She's keeping us very busy, I'm now up at 6 every morning as Dave doesn't have time to sort her out and catch the train on time, and this was one of the conditions when I said I'd like a dog.

There is not much time during the day to do much other than take care of her, does this last? Please don't say yes. No it's not that bad, in fact so far she's very good, she cries for a while when she's put in her crate but goes through the night dry, she is absolutely bursting to get out in the morning when I go down to her. The first day she would only sleep on someones lap but now she's sleeping during the day on the mat and Monday she went into her crate and slept while I did the ironing. Yesterday she came to Slimming World, I lost 1/2 pound not bad considering the French food and wine consumed, then we went off to Material Girls, she was very well behaved and is now an honorary member, hopefully that means that very soon she'll let me get on with some stitching.

Everything happens at once doesn't it? This weekend the plasterer is coming to plaster the ceiling in my workroom remember, the leak? Foolishly we asked him to re plaster the ceiling in the living room and the hall stairs and landing, they have a very 1970's swirly design that was here when we moved in and have always said we'd get changed, we were mucked about by one plaster that time slipped away, we hoped to get all this done before we got Betsy, so this should be fun!

Monday I'm going with Chris and Diane to Craft Arena to set the Material Girls Exhibition, that will be the first time Betsy will be left on her own for a couple of hours. I have been putting her in her crate while I go upstairs, I'm upstairs now sitting on the bed typing this, she quiet in her crate, so maybe tomorrow I'll do the same and try and get some work done on a project that I must finish by the next Material Girls meeting!!!!!

I've a feeling life will never be the same.
ps, I have good news about the missing hanging, no time to post about it now someone needs attention.

My Garden Today

2011-09-01T12:10:00.001+01:00

The garden is looking good despite the summer weather doing it's best to sabotage my efforts, in this part of the country there's either a complete lack of rain or a deluge and very little sun.

The dahlias are doing well I think it's the 3rd year I grew them from seed and still have 3 plants in the garden, I don't do anything to them except dead head them on a regular basis!

Can't remember what these are called but I grew them from seed too and they come up every year. Are they Sweet Williams?

The wild life seems to be doing well too, this Red Admiral fluttered into the garden landed on the flower then took a liking to my jeans, I tried to get a photo but by the time I'd got it in focus it had flown off again!

I'm into brighter colours in the garden this year and tried to introduce oranges and yellow's instead of the pinks, blues and lilac's that I've had for years.

After fluttering around the flowers and not landing long enough for a good photo the butterfly posed for ages on the marrow plant, the antennae are fascinating (click on the image to enlarge). I swear it sat there for so long, I got fed up and I fluttered off!

These Sunflowers are not exactly where I would have positioned them in the garden but I didn't plant them, they appeared with a few others around the garden, it seemed a shame to pull them up so I've left them. I suppose they were planted by the birds, at least they fit in with the colour theme!

The vegetable garden is doing well too!

Marrow

Tomato

Swiss Chard

Swede

Chilli

The tomatoes are doing well they are hanging like grapes, I've removed most of the leaves hoping that if the sun does shine they get as much light as possible to ripen them. I get two or three red ones every day, but I think I may have to dig out a recipe for 'Green Chutney', a few years ago when we were in Virginia we had fried green tomatoes, maybe I'll find a recipe for that as well, it was delicious and as 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe' is one of my favourite films I had to give them a try.

And the plastic bags, well I been dyeing fabric and I might use the bags! Well that's a tour around my garden on the 1st September I wonder what it'll look like on the 30th?

The Material Girls Next Exhibition

2011-08-28T15:12:00.002+01:00

For more information see www.the-materialgirls.co.uk or http://craftarena.blogspot.com

Betsy

2011-08-23T21:08:00.000+01:00

It's not long now and Betsy will be coming to live with us. Today I went to visit and boy she's a lively little bundle of trouble. This time I remembered to take some photos, but..... she was so quick most are just a blur or I missed her completely. So I can only show you her tail end and the photo below is Betsy shes the pup attacking the spray and you can see her sister who is really, really tiny, but very cute with it. Oh! if only I could have them both but........ sense takes over and I think I'll have my hands full with one.

Betsy

Betsy and her Tiny sister

Eventually Betsy fell asleep on my lap and looked so comfy I couldn't take a photo and disturb her. I have a feeling that life is never going to be the same once she moves in.

I also got to unite the second quilt with her new owner an absolutely beautiful baby girl named Ella.

I could have quite happily brought Ella home with me but I know her Mum and Dad would have objected. Still I did get to give her a cuddle, I hope to get lots more cuddles when I can.

It's Five in the Morning

2011-08-22T05:20:00.001+01:00

Yes it is Five in the morning, I've been awake for hours!

Thought I'd share this Dylan Thomas poem with you......

In my craft or sullen art

Exercised in the still night

When only the moon rages

And the lovers lie abed

With all their griefs in their arms

I labour by singing light

Not for ambition or bread

Or the strut and trade of charms

On the ivory stages

But for the common wages

Of their most secret heart.



Not for the proud man apart

From the raging moon I write

On these spindrift pages

Nor for the towering dead

With their nightingales and psalms

But for the lovers, their arms

Round the griefs of the ages,

Who pay no praise or wages

Nor heed my craft or art.

Hello Anyone Out There?????

2011-08-14T18:55:00.000+01:00

I know, I know it's been an age since I posted on here, it's been a while since I felt like I had anything that I wanted to write about.

I've not been idle, lots of hand stitching getting texture into a piece of fabric, I can't show you, it needs to be kept under wraps until the exhibition.

Last weekend we went with my brother Ray and sister in law Michelle to France, we stayed in Lille we were there to visit the memorial of my Nans older brother Arthur Edward Burton, he was killed at Armentières, Flanders, 11th November 1915 at the age of 24, he was serving with the 1st Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment. Ray and I remember my Nan telling us stories of her older brother, once we found that his name was on the memorial at Ploegsteert, we decided to visit . His daughter was born after his death and was named Eva Armentières.

Ploegsteert Memorial

Michelle has a Great Grandfather and a Great Uncle that were killed in the Somme, they are both named on the same memorial, we paid a visit to their memorial too.

Thiepval Memorial

It wasn't all memorial visiting there was plenty of time for French food and wine!!!!!

This week I gave one of the quilts I made a while ago, to this little person, meet George my cousins grandson. George weighed in at 8lb 8oz, he really is lovely, I've already had a cuddle but I'm visiting again tomorrow for another cuddle. They stupidly said "You will come again wont you", I will be visiting often, you can't get or give enough cuddles can you?

George 2 days old

The other Quilt is still waiting for the arrival of it's new owner, she's 5 days late, I've heard that Mum has eaten lots of curries and is taking long walks. George's Mum tried that too, but he still kept her waiting for quite a few days!!!

Yesterday was a day for getting bits and pieces ready for Betsy, we've already got her crate and a travel crate. On Monday I went to see her again, I only meant to pop in but when I left I realised I'd stayed for an hour and a half, oops!! I'm going to have to watch it when she moves in with us, she's going to be a real distraction.

Meet Betsy and Her Sister

2011-07-19T12:58:00.001+01:00

Betsy

Little Sister

This is Betsy, she's three weeks old! If everything goes well she'll be coming to live with us in September, I can hardly wait. Her sister is very cute too! Oh yes she's a Miniature Schnauzer!

Afternoon Tea

2011-07-15T16:36:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I made a trip into town to meet Rachel, she had planned to take me for Afternoon Tea in London for Mothers Day, but I had a bad back and with us both being busy it didn't happen until yesterday. I took the opportunity to go up early and take a look in John Lewis, I love that store. There is so much I could buy if only I'd won the Euro Lottery this week, as a consolation prize I treated myself to a knitting book and some buttons. Tomorrow Rachel and I are invited to a 'Baby Shower' a first for me, when Rachel arrived we looked around the cute baby clothes, Lisa and John (Becky's sister, extended family is so complicated) know the sex of their baby it's a GIRL, we settled on a little romper and some incredibly cute socks, and in case it's a BOY a gift receipt, not forgetting 'Mum To Be' we bought her some luxury bath stuff.

After all that retail therapy we took a stroll through a part of London I don't really know, very posh shops the security guard at this gun shop looked very unimpressed when he saw me taking this photograph, I was expecting him to fly out through the door and snatch my phone!!!!

It was a beautiful afternoon and with time to kill we sat in Grosvenor Square and enjoyed the sun and people watching.

Grosvenor Square

It was a short walk to Park Lane and The Dorchester for Afternoon Tea in The Promenade, a real treat we were thoroughly spoilt and totally full by the end of the afternoon. We started with our choice of tea, I don't drink tea so had a pot of coffee, Rachel selected the blend of tea she wanted, both the tea and coffee pots were refilled during the afternoon. Then they presented the sandwich selection (present is what they did) after this, our pallets were cleansed with a mango puree topped with coconut creme, it was onto the scones with clotted cream and home made jam next. After a break it was the cakes, by this time we could only manage one cake each!

I should say that you could have as many refills of sandwiches and scones and probably cake as you wanted, I feel full again just writing about it! We just had one selection of each who could eat more, as we'd left the cakes we were presented with them in a box to take home and they had added extras (sadly they didn't travel well, too hot on the train). Rachel said I should take the cakes as it was my treat, plus Dave would enjoy them! We both were given a bag containing a tin of blended tea, some jam and various other bits. A truly lovely afternoon, thank you Rachel! We did a bit of celebrity spotting, sadly we knew the faces but not their names, an actress an actor and a TV presenter, (sounds like the start of a joke)

I shouldn't have parked my car outside the Dorchester the tube would have been better!

They didn't travel well, but Dave enjoyed them

When I got home I couldn't eat another thing all evening or face a coffee until about 10 o'clock.

ANLQS6

2011-07-13T15:41:00.000+01:00

I've just signed up for 'Another Little Quilt Swap 6' . Yesterday Sharne posted that she's signed up again this year and Diane said she was doing it so I thought I'd join too! I'm a quilt swap virgin, so here goes...... I'm up for the challenge and thanks to Kate I've found it.

Cropping!

2011-07-12T18:21:00.000+01:00

A visitor to the veggie patch, he or she (anyone know how you tell?) seems to like the onion patch, I prefer the grasshopper to the slugs and snails that seem to like the whole garden........

We enjoyed a good crop of blueberries at the weekend this was the second large bowl I've collected, Dave made a cage to protect them from the wood pigeons they seemed to take a fancy to them.

This was the crop for Saturday, lettuce to go with lunch, peas, beans our own potatoes and roasted beetroot with stuffed marrow. The marrows are prolific so I need to find another recipe for marrow any ideas?

Today some of The Material Girls met at my house, I feel inspired to get on with the next project sorry, I cant show you much, but here's a taster of my initial ideas, needs refining and tweaking, but its getting there!

And the disasters on the home front well, the ceiling has dried out and it looks as though it will need re-plastering. No flying ants have appeared but if they do I'll be waiting with the ant powder, horrid things.
I've a trip to London planned later in the week with Rachel it's my belated Mother's Day present (belated because I had a bad back), but I'll post about it later in the week.

Big Drip!

2011-07-08T17:49:00.002+01:00

I've just spent 7 days in Lanzarote with my family, it was Rachel, James and Becky's first visit, we had a lovely relaxing break lots of sun. On this visit to the island we went to The Caves of Los Verdes, last time we went to the rim of the volcano this time we went under the volcano, brilliant textures, I took lots of images, what I'll do with them I've no idea!

We all went for lunch in Puerto Calero.

Wall Art in Puerto Calero

Not Lunch

There was lots of reading,

I also read 'Never Let Me Go' by Kazuo Ishiguro, I've still got lots of summer reads left!

When we arrived home there was a flying ants nest in the dinning room, lovely start! Wait it gets worse........At 4am I got out of bed it was raining, don't switch off yet...........
I heard a dripping coming from the spare bedroom (my workroom), stupidly I switched on the light water was pouring from the fitting onto the carpet. A shout (more of a scream) to Dave and we quickly removed 3 sewing machines and anything else that we could, then it was hunting for plastic sheets in the shed to cover up the rest of the 'stuff'. Apparently a tile has slipped and water managed to get through, damage has been done, the ceiling in the room has cracked and needs to come down and the room will have to be cleared out. Welcome Home........... I'm just so glad we only went away for one week what would have happened if we'd gone for two?

ERTF Exhibition

2011-06-29T16:45:00.003+01:00

For more information go to the ERTF website

Feast

2011-06-26T20:49:00.002+01:00

Yesterday afternoon we went to the 'Feast and Fayre' at Horndon on the Hill, James and Becky's brother in law, Jon played his guitar and sang. It was lovely sitting in the sun and watching the world go by, as the fayre wound down we strolled through the village to Jon's parents house for a BBQ. Sadly the cheesecake didn't make it, it cracked across the top and I wanted to make a good impression, well you do don't you? (note to self, need to practise) It was a dash to the supermarket yesterday morning and the purchase of strawberries, cream and meringues and an Eton Mess was taken to the BBQ, it went down very well! We still have the cheesecake in our fridge, would you like a slice?

This afternoon I took time out and sat on a sunbed in the garden and read a book...... not me at all, there's always something else to do. Well, I deserved a treat I had spent the morning deadheading, and weeding, I was serenaded by a blackbird that sang almost continually from mid day until 4pm without a break it was beautiful, what with that and a perfect blue sky, a great day. A few photos of my garden taken this afternoon.

Thalictrum 'Elin'

Bottle Brush

Why the image above has a line through it I don't know, it must be a blogger thing. I've uploaded it on flickr without any problems. http://www.flickr.com/photos/77belle/5873691182/

Aubergine

Beetroot

Marrow

The marrow will be tomorrow's dinner, the little veg patch is doing well. Last week we emptied the first bag of early potatoes, it is enough for us for a week, the spinach and chard is providing enough for us with enough to give some away. As for the lettuce I've given some to my neighbour a few times and Dave took some to his Dad today. During the week we'll also be eating peas and courgettes, I can't believe how much a little patch provides. Oh yes, on Friday we had a bowl of blueberries after dinner, brilliant, next year I'm going to try growing strawberries.

New Neighbours and New Books

2011-06-24T11:53:00.001+01:00

Since my last post I have met my new neighbours, 6 girls have taken up residence with Bert who is an elderly gentleman living across the road. He took me into his garden to show me his new friends something that he said he'd wanted for years, I think he's 82 so it's taken him a while to get around to it! (sorry it's not a brilliant photograph, but I'll be visiting again soon)

Then there are the 7 new books I bought to see me through the summer, but after all the reading planned I thought a treat was in order, two Christmas's ago I gave Rachel and Becky the Hummingbird Bakery book, they both have been using it a lot and saying how good it is. Occasionally Rachel sends home a cake for me, so it had to be the new Hummingbird book, was it a mistake?

Apple and Oat Cookie

Honey and Walnut Loaf

Baked Strawberry Cheesecake, a Fathers Day special

Today I'm making a Berry Baked Cheesecake to take as our contribution to the BBQ we've been invited to tomorrow. The favorite cake so far has been the Orange and Almond Loaf but it went so fast there was no time for a photo. I've really got back into baking, sadly it's not doing my waist line any good!

Between all that baking there's been creativity going on too, I've finished a Material Girls project, sorry no images until the exhibition, now I'm working on the next piece. I can show the two baby quilts that are completed, both quilts are waiting for the 'Happy Events' so I can sew the labels on, both babies are due at the end of July, so I'm ready! To make my life easy I used the same fabrics and design for both. To preserve my sanity and keep me from getting bored, I appliqued circles on one, although with the bright colours and jazzy patterns I don't think that would have happened. My only problem will be which Mum to give which quilt to, they don't know each other so that's not a problem.

Puppy update, two weeks ago I went to visit a lady that has Miniature Schnauzer's, and guess what, one of her bitches is expecting pups, they are due on Sunday, soooo we will be having a new addition to the family in September, fingers crossed.

Apart from that, not much else has happened apart from having a verruca blasted, I've never had one before, painful is all I can say! And we had a wasps nest take up residence in our roof, hopefully the 'Wasp Killers' will be coming this afternoon to remove them, sadly it's in the flat part of the roof so there wont be a lovely nest for me to see, it will have to stay where it is without the wasps hopefully.
Just a moan here, trying to keep things local I telephoned a company in the area I live in, they could come the next day, I waited and waited, then I phoned 'sorry the van had broken down, and they were so glad I'd called they had mislaid my number' MMmm! They would be there the next day, did they turn up, did they call? NO. Today I phoned another company so we'll see what happens. At this time when financially times are tough and every day there's news of businesses going to the wall, why would you let a customer down, I know it's only one small job but it would have been £65.00 earned in about 30 minutes.

RHS Hyde Hall - Last Day in May

2011-05-31T21:41:00.001+01:00

After a busy and sad week. Yesterday Rachel came over for lunch, James and Becky visited in the afternoon for coffee and cake, the weather was really lovely and we sat in the garden. Today with Diane and Jacqueline, I went to RHS garden Hyde Hall, we visit this garden on a regular basis. Good company and lovely gardens, a jacket potato and Ginger Beer for lunch what more could you want. The weather forecast of thunder storms and rain, kept away until I was on the drive home!

1. RHS Hyde Hall, 2. RHS Hyde Hall, 3. RHS Hyde Hall, 4. RHS Hyde Hall, 5. RHS Hyde Hall, 6. RHS Hyde Hall, 7. RHS Hyde Hall, 8. RHS Hyde Hall, 9. RHS Hyde Hall

Some of My Favourite Places

2011-05-24T22:25:00.001+01:00

1. Arizona, 2. Gull on Skye, 3. Skye, 4. Brecons, 5. Llangranog, 6. Rose Hip Hyde Hall, 7. Fall in Maine, 8. Nelson's Dockyard- Antigua, 9. Thames Walk Limehouse

I've been trying to work out how to make a Mosaic using my flickr images for ages, mucking about on the laptop tonight, I've come up with this! Not quite right yet but I'll get there,

Out for Lunch!

2011-05-22T18:32:00.001+01:00

It's been a really busy week lots of stitching trying to get the second baby quilt finished, photos when both are completed. Thursday evening I met Dave and Rachel in London and we went to Chris Spencer's Graduation show at a gallery in Shoreditch, a 'trendy' part of East London. The gallery was packed it was so hot, I didn't worry too much about looking at the work, I knew I'd be back the following day! The three of us then went to S&M (Spitalfield's) for dinner, it was lovely to see Rachel as I've not had a chance to catch up with her since Dave and I came back from our holiday.

By Christine Spencer

Friday it was back on the train to London, (I don't know how I did that every day) I met with the rest of the Material Girls and had a good look at all of the work. Chris's work is lovely, but the light in the gallery didn't do it justice 'in my opinion'. As for the rest of the work, some I loved some, some I liked and one ? But that's what 'ART' is all about isn't it? Then it was out for lunch, back again to Spitalfield's with the Material Girls, Janette Bright, Lesley Turner (there are images of the show on Lesley's blog), Ingrid Lincoln the later two are from Articulation and two of Chris's co-graduates. We had a long and leisurely lunch, nice food and lots of chat. It was really lovely to meet Lesley as I've read her blog but it's nice to meet in person. Ingrid and Lesley will be graduating next year so I'm looking forward to visiting their show. The Material Girls and Articulation are joining together for an Exhibition 'Bridging Waters' in 2012 in London, the work will be traveling to Canada in 2013, really exciting!

Jill Material Girl-Janette, Lesley

Yesterday I attended a workshop in Chelmsford run by Lynda Monk, it's the second workshop of Lynda's I've attended. If I get a chance I'd attend a third, fourth........

Images of my work above, I have a book that's in the process of being finished too!
For more images see Sharne's blog .

Did I get a chance to put my feet up today no! Out shopping, well a girl can never have enough shoes, lets hope these don't cause blisters!!!!!! I hope they don't I've two trips into London planned for this week!
Oh yes! My back is so much better, going back for another session tomorrow. And the work still hasn't appeared and no reply. Thank you for your comments on that, it does help. I'll wait for the Karma!

Kiss it Goodbye?

2011-05-16T19:06:00.002+01:00

The watering system for the garden seems to have worked well while we were away, a cucumber plant has suffered,but that's all.It's probably because they were put out a bit early.This weekend we had a salad that included lettuce and radishes from the garden. Some of the flowers suffered a bit but a few evenings of watering and they have recovered.

Wisteria

Princess Diana Rose

In March I was really pleased to have two pieces of work in the Jersey Textile Showcase, one in an exhibit with The Textile Group that I belong to Material Girls and one with a group of Textile Artist from various parts of the country. The work was returned from the Material Girls and we'll be using it in another exhibition later in the year. I was hoping that I'd also be able to make use of the other piece of work, BUT I've emailed, spoken to the person that organised the exhibit face to face at a textile conference, she assured me it would be posted to me, another member of her group has my piece, after a few weeks STILL nothing! I emailed still nothing then sent a text message so now after two weeks no reply to that either! Is it me am I too trusting, this is a person that I thought I new. I think I'll have to mark it down to experience and this piece of work is lost, I'll never trust this person again. I feel completely let down and betrayed, if she would just reply to my emails or text, in my opinion it's bad manners not to let me know whats happened to MY work! This is the work that I've kissed goodbye!

In previous posts I've mentioned how my back has been giving me a lot of pain for 10 weeks! The day before we went away it started to really hurt again and I went to the workshop in awful pain, but thought if I couldn't attend that how could I fly on a plane for 4 hours. When I got up the next day it was so much better, during the holiday it seemed to improve, but since I've been home it has been getting worse. Today I bit the bullet and phoned for an appointment at a Physiotherapist, I went this afternoon and apparently it's nothing serious but does need sorting out. At the moment it feels quite painful which is normal..... he thinks I'll need about 3 or 4 sessions, it would have been better if the GP had referred me 8 weeks ago when I asked if I needed a Physio, I even said that I would pay! Oh well, things are looking up, apparently I should go back to the gym, so next week....

If you happened to be in Topman Oxford Circus, London on Saturday you would have heard my son and band member Andrew, they were guest DJ's for the afternoon, just thought I'd share that bit of information. Their band has released it's second album and they are played on BBC radio and even were played on Radio 2!

Holiday Holiday Part2

2011-05-15T22:18:00.001+01:00

I've been away....... but the day before I left I attended a workshop at Lady Bugs it was Trapunto, Italian corded work, French cording and English Quilting with Sylvia Critcher. I made a Spring Flowers pin cushion it was almost completed by the time I left the class. It needed to be quilted the back sewn on and stuffed which I did today. I can never resist, I had the idea of taking a cushion to stitch on holiday so bought two kits, then the thought of the cream fabric, suntan lotion mix didn't seem such a good idea, so the kits stayed at home!

Now the holiday.... Dave and I have been to Lanzarote for 7 days of laying by the pool of the villa we'd rented. This year we decided that we'd see a bit of the island unlike last year when we only left the villa in the evening for a walk to the harbour for dinner. So we visited Timanfaya National Park a volcanic mountain, some wonderful formations made by the lava flow, we ate lunch in a restaurant where they cook on the heat provided by the volcano! On the way to the park there were camels giving rides to the tourists, no we didn't.... what with my back?

Volcanic Crater

Lava Flow

On another day we took a ride out for lunch and sat at a beach side cafe and had Limpets (not something I'll eat again) I've told Dave that he's become very clingy ever since he ate them! The jokes wearing a bit thin now so that's the last time I'll use it. The baby sardines, canarian potatoes and mixed salad were much more to my taste.

Limpets with Green Mojo

Apart from that we sat by the pool reading books and soaking up the sun, a really relaxing holiday. We are going back again in a few weeks, next time we'll have our family with us so not so quiet I expect!

Holiday -> Holiday

2011-05-02T13:33:00.000+01:00

It's one holiday after another, Easter was spent doing the garden and spending time with family. Diane, I did succumb to the chocolate but not lots, I was very restrained. I did buy an ice cream maker, there's been experimenting with frozen yogurts and next I'm going to try sorbets. No images the frozen delights don't last long enough!

Friday I spent much of the day watching THE WEDDING on the tv, there's nothing about the occasion that wasn't perfect. The dress was beautiful, the lace on the dress was beautiful, the music, the service I loved it all. The Duke of Cambridge doesn't scrub up bad either does he? I'm glad they stuck to the tradition started by his parents with the kiss on the balcony. LONDON did it's self proud and shone, Dave said that a week or so ago the streets around St James' were being steam cleaned. I think we all hope that they will have a long happy marriage.

The vegetable garden is coming along, the seeds I put in are coming up after a bit of a hiccup, the first lot of seeds were eaten or thrown all over the plot by the two wood pigeons that like our garden! But you learn by your mistakes and this time I covered the seeds with a net until they started to come up!

Some plants cleared, but before raised beds moved

Raised beds in position and planted

Now just water and wait

I've persuaded Dave to invest in a watering system, last year he tried running a system from the water butts but it drained the system so quickly that it was next to useless. Water is precious so we'll use the rain water for watering by watering can, hopefully this system will use less water. Here are some images of established plants in the garden that are growing well, despite the slugs eating the pink lily of valley's leaves!

As for my creative work, I've sewn together the baby quilts that I think I've mentioned before, I've almost finished hand quilting one of them, images when it's completed. I've also decided a few things over the last couple of weeks, I'm not going to continue going to the quilting group that I returned to last September. The group meets in the evening, it's the group that I used to attend before I did my City and Guilds, although they are a lovely group of ladies and I'll miss them, the evening they meet on is always difficult for me, so it's time to leave. Work for the ERTF Concepts and Meanings should be put in for selection in the next few months, I've decided not to put anything forward. The reason for this is, if we are getting a puppy in September, it coincideds with the Exhibition and it wouldn't be fair to leave a young dog alone. If I was lucky enough to get my work accepted I would need to steward the exhibition and this would involve staying away for one or two nights, Dave would be at work all day, sometimes things have to give. This means I'll have more time to concentrate on other projects that are being planned.

This Air Ship has been flying over our house for the last month, it is flying from a small airstrip about 1 mile from here. Apparently there have been photographs taken from it in the national newspapers, views of London. Becky says she's seen it as far down the River Thames as Tilbury. Personally I think it's checking on the changes being made on my 'estate', so look out in the gardening magazines and publications for updates on my gardens progress! It does fly quite low, and it's not a quiet as you might think.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-22T09:57:00.000+01:00

My plan for this holiday is No Chocolate!!!!
Hope you all have a lovely holiday whatever you do.

Cake with Eggs Added

2011-04-13T14:29:00.002+01:00

As promised the recipe for the cake, it's from a book I've had since 1985. When the children were small the programme was on TV and I remember watching it and cooking lots of meals that they demonstrated.

Mincemeat Cake - Mrs Ward Warwickshire

75g margarine ( I use butter)
25g lard (I don't use this I add extra margarine or butter)
2 large eggs
125g soft brown sugar
325g mincemeat
190g self-raising flour
a little milk if necessary ( I sometimes use sherry, brandy or whatever I feel like adding)

grease and line a 18cm round cake tin (sometimes I use loaf tins)
cream fat and sugar then beat in eggs.
stir in mincemeat and fold in flour. Mixture should be moist (this depends on who much liquid in the mincemeat) If necessary add the liquid.
Bake in a moderate oven Gas mark 3, 325f, 160c for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to Gas mark 2, 300f,150c for about 1 1/4 hours until the top is firm and cake is shrinking slightly from the edge of the tin.

I find that this cake freezes well, it will keep in a tin for a week, I can't say if it keeps longer for obvious reasons. If you do make it I'd like to know what you think, I think it's OK for an everyday cake it's easy to make.

My back has improved, thank you for your good wishes, especially Sharne, who emailed me as soon as she heard about it, she offered to help out in any way she could as she's on holiday. That was really so kind of her, Sharne is one of the busiest people I know, so it meant so much! I'm still not going to the gym, but I don't need much of an excuse not to go there! When I get the dog I'm going to give up the gym altogether, I think walking in the fresh air will be so much better for me. Beverley I think you could have been right, the idea of a pony troting around the living room made a dog seem much more appealing!

It's just as well my back improved, since Saturday I've spend an awful lot of time sitting in a car as a passenger and as driver, Saturday it was the ERTF AGM and conference, it's nice to go to these events it gives us a good chance to catch up with like minded people from the region. The venue was very impressive Girton College, Cambridge and a very interesting speaker. Then due to events at the AGM an extraordinary committee meeting was called, everything was resolved so all crisis over and things will continue running smoothly as usual but it did involve a round trip of 141 miles. I'm no longer on the committee, but three of us were invited to the meeting as we were the founders of ERTF. I'm looking forward to seeing how the group moves on and evolves, which reminds me I must amend my profile on here. Many things are changing at the moment the textile group I belong to The Material Girls is going through a change. A few members have decided that now is the time for them to move on, it will be interesting to see how the group changes, there are a few interesting things in the pipeline for us, we'll be exhibiting in a new venue for us later in the year and in 2013 we'll be exhibiting in Canada, I'm really excited about that. Who knows I might even get to Canada for a holiday, we do have some air miles saved what better way to use them?

Mum's house was finally settled two weeks ago, it all went through with no glitches. So far I've resisted going to have a look at the house. My brother has driven by, not so easy as the house is in a cul-de-sac. I did drive close by yesterday on my way home from the Material Girls meeting, but resisted all temptation.

It's been so long

2011-04-10T13:05:00.000+01:00

....... I've looked at my calender to see what I've been up to since my last post! In fact it's been more like what I've had to cancel, I've had a bad back for just over three weeks now. According to my GP I've been lucky, previously getting over back episodes (if that's what they are called) in a week it's likely to take 8 weeks to recover completely. For the first week I had trouble sitting or standing for more than 5 minutes at a time and in fact I spent the first week totally uncomfortable. During these weeks I did finish reading a book that I started last year and started reading a book that Rachel gave me a few weeks ago. Dave says that since he's seen me reading 'One Day' every one seems to be reading it on his journey to and from work.

I've also knitted another baby cardigan, when I've got the buttons sewn on I'll put photos of both up here. Rachel's scrap quilt is finished with the binding on I'm really pleased with it and next time she comes home she can take it back with her. I've also spend far to much time watching day time tv and films. I had to cancel coffee with a friend twice and both Quilting groups I go to twice. Thankfully I can now get out and about again and life has started to look up, Thursday I went out with a friend for lunch at RHS Hyde Hall, that seemed to be a less risky option than the day out in London that we'd been planning for a time. I'm so glad we didn't book the theatre tickets that we'd talked about doing! Friday my lovely friend Sheila came to visit, we spent a nice afternoon chatting having lunch, and she gave me this selvage pin cushion that she'd made, how lucky am I? So it's not been all doom and gloom.

Our garden is going through a total re vamp the raised beds are now in position and some vegetable's have been planted. It's a small garden and we are trying to get the most out of it, at the moment it looks a total mess. As things always go the week my back went we had lots of things delivered for the garden, things are going slower than we planned but we will get there. Next weekend a skip is on it's way, then things should start to improve. A week or so ago the Camellia was looking fantastic! It still looks good even now. Thankfully the shrubs and plants that we moved from one side of the garden to the other seem to have taken and the clematis are starting to climb up the new trellis.

The other good news is Dave has agreed that we can get a puppy...... I'm not sure if I've blogged about this previously, but he'd said before "that if a dog moved in here he'd move out". With very little persuasion he's given in. We'll be looking to bring the new addition into the house in September as until then we have too much going on to devote enough time to a puppy. I'm thinking of a small dog maybe a Shih-tzu, any one out there got any tips on the breed we should think about? In an ideal world I'd like a Labrador, but they are too big for our house and garden.

Sorry this post seems to be going on a bit. But another couple of things to say.... Gina sorry I've not put the recipe on yet for the mincemeat cake I'll do that later this week. Thanks for all the comments on my last post. Must finish this post now before I get stuck in one position, keep moving is the thing to do!

From Barbara to Baking

2011-03-07T21:43:00.002Z

Things never go to plan, I woke up on Saturday with a bad headache, not a migraine thankfully. We had tickets for Saturday evening to see Barbara Dickson performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre. The plan had been to go to London early and go to the Tate Modern or just have a wander. Instead of an early start I took a couple of tablets and a doze a chill out afternoon and I felt better. We'd booked an early dinner at the Skylon restaurant, we had a lovely meal the table was by the window so the view was over the River Thames. I thought concert was great, Dave wasn't so keen but it was my choice, not the usual sort of gig we go to, I think our last one was Queen at Wembley, it would have been Barry Manilow if he'd turned up ( it's still a sore point with me). Anyway back to Barbara, she sang a whole range of songs from Bob Dylan, Celtic folk songs, and her more popular songs, including my favourite Caravans, boy that took me back.

London Eye by night

Mincemeat Fruit Cake

Yesterday we had more drainage problems so we couldn't go out. I took the opportunity to do more in my sketchbook, it's time I stopped playing there and started doing some stitching! I also used up a couple of jars of mincemeat left over from Christmas in a cake for Dave. I must be coming down with something this is the second time I've baked cakes in the last couple of months! Maybe it's reading all these blogs with people baking and cooking I get this left out feeling, hope it stops soon........ I might start baking bread again and I don't want to do that, I can resist the cake, bread is another story.......

Coloured using Koh i Noor on Tea bags

Hearts coloured using Koh i Noor

Foundlings

2011-03-04T18:51:00.000Z

Drawn using Faber&Castell Artists Pens

After an eventful weekend, this week has been quiet, I do find that when it's quiet I'm not very creative. I'm knitting another pair of fingerless gloves and also working in my sketch book (see the images). Dave was out for dinner on Wednesday, Rachel decided to come home for the night, she brought a girly dvd, we popped some popcorn and had a really lovely evening. She spotted my fingerless gloves (earlier post), I thought she was going to ask if she could have them, instead she asked if there's any wool over after I've knitted her socks could I knit her a pair of gloves, no pressure there then!!!

Today with a small group of ERTF members I went to see an exhibition in London at The Foundling Museum , "Threads of Feeling". We were lucky enough to be guided round by Janette Bright, a member of ERTF. Until I met Janette a few years ago I'd never heard of The Foundling Museum, I went along to a talk given by her at an Embroiderers Guild meeting. She gave an inspiring talk, relaying such sad but interesting stories, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. This was the first time I'd met Janette, she was so passionate about her subject, the textile work she does is often inspired by her research at the museum. Today as we were looking at the exhibition the group seemed to expand as other people there listened to Janette's talk. This is a big benefit of belonging to a group like ERTF, members are happy to share their expertise with other members and are so generous with their time. After a lunch of a scone, cream and jam and a catch up with friends it was on the train and home, I really should not have eaten the scone, I'll have to make up for it, I'll put in extra work at the gym????

Mum's house selling saga is still going on, contract's were exchanged today and complete on 31st March. I'll believe it when it happens! It has really put me off the idea of moving, I don't think I could stand the stress. I think I've said this before I have no real connection with the house I never lived there, it was where my Mum lived and my Dad died there. It will be all done before the garden starts needing attention hopefully. I wont miss going to the house, of course it's not the same for my brother, he lived there, so his feelings are different.

We have a few nice things planned for the weekend, tell you about it next week. Sitting here typing this there is a red glow in the sky, hope that means the weather is going to be good tomorrow. RED SKY AT NIGHT........

Face Lift

2011-03-02T13:47:00.000Z

Hope you like the new look blog. Diane told me about The Cutest Blog on the Block , I decided to give the blog a bit of a face lift for the spring. I may change it again, I'm not sure it's me, what do you think?

A few questions answered from yesterday, Gina, I cheated and bought the snowdrops already in bud, I remember doing this once before, where they went I've no idea! Worth another try I thought, fingers crossed they come up again next year. I've driven on a flat tyre too, if I had been driving and Dave wasn't there I probably would have driven home, got indoors and said " I think there's something wrong, a light came up on the dash, just up the road" He would never have known unless of course the engine had fallen out!!!!!

Sorry Diane if you thought I was having a breakdown, No not me, well not this week!!!! Standing beside the M25 is terrifying, really noisy and dirty, the mirrors were filthy, if I knew how to put a movie on here I could have shown you. I don't know if your fingers get cold I've never worn fingerless gloves before. I decided to knit them after the last trip to London I was taking photos and kept taking off my gloves, in the end I left off the gloves and it took hours to get any feeling back into my fingers so thought I'd give them a try!

Breakdown

2011-03-01T22:51:00.002Z

The snow drops I planted a few weeks ago have become well established in the front garden and look as though they have been there for ever, with any luck next year they will have spread a bit.


Snow Drops

The cardigan I knitted for Rachel as I suspected didn't fit it was more like a size 12 than a size 8, luckily it fitted Becky, she'd already said she liked it, I asked her to take a photo of her wearing it but.......
Last Friday my sister in law, Michelle and I went to Textile in Focus at Cottenham, we had a lovely time. I bought threads and bits and pieces I need for the projects I'm working on at the moment. Michelle has decided she'd like to have a go at felting after watching a demonstration, so she bought some wool tops.

Rachel photographing the sheep at Unravel

Saturday Rachel and I went to 'Unravel' at Farnham, thanks to Yarn to Knit's generous prize. It was quite a day, Dave offered to drive us, then meet up and have lunch, I'm so glad he did! After spending and hour or so there and buying more yarn than I planned, sock wool for Rachel and me, and for Becky yarn for a scarf, we met Dave for a lovely lunch.
The weather was awful with a hail storm as we left Farmham, we were travelling on the M25 an alarm went of in the car, a light started flashing, engine malfunction. After standing on the hard shoulder for an hour, waiting for the AA(it was freezing, Rachel wore Dave's gloves to try and keep warm). We were towed off to a service station, the car was checked, it was safe to to drive home! No kicking down or accelerating hard, (my style of driving) good then that Dave drove. I took the car to the garage yesterday, it has the all clear, it was a connection to the throttle? Means nothing to me, things were easier when you drove the car until smoke came out of the engine, or the car stopped, all these alarms and lights flashing make life so complicated.

I have been doing a lot of work in my sketch books over the last few weeks so nothing to show at the moment. If I'm not stitching I knit, I've made a pair of fingerless gloves (pattern from Jacqueline) for next winter. I've started knitting another pair using some of the wool from Saturday, a girl can never have enough fingerless gloves!

dianehobbit: Scrap Quilt

2011-02-15T15:28:00.000Z

dianehobbit: Scrap Quilt
http://77belle.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-was-right-it-has-been-busy-week.html

Yipeee!!!! I'm a Winner

2011-02-14T11:50:00.000Z

A week or so ago I entered a competition to win two tickets to 'Unravel' through the Yarn to Knit blog, it's a site that I've been following for some time, I'm really pleased I won. Rachel and I are off to spend a day browsing and buying lots of lovely wool. So a big thank you to Yarn to Knit.

http://theyarntoknitblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/win-pair-of-tickets-to-unravel-2011-in.html

Sunshine, Daffodil's and Snowdrops

2011-02-09T18:19:00.000Z

When I opened the curtains in the dinning room this morning, the sun was shinning and the daffodils looked lovely, it made me feel bright and cheerful. The feeling has carried on all day!

After breakfast it was off to Lady Bugs, Diane had made a couscous and lemon cake delicious, she also made a scan bran cake, that one I'm not 100% sold on, an acquired taste I think, but thanks Diane for the low sin cakes. On the way back from the group I drive past a garden center, I dropped in to see if they had a plant for the window sill where the vase of daffodils are at the moment. As a consequence I now have snowdrops in the front garden, 20 potatoes chitin on the kitchen window sill, two scented candles and a plant for the dinning room! Next time I should drive past, but I wont, I think this will we a regular drop off. I met another of the group inside she was buying potatoes too! In the car park I met Pat from the group she was going in for a coffee, she suggests that we all go for lunch there in a few weeks time after class, it's obviously a regular haunt since we moved the meeting hall.

When I got home I blocked the cardigan/jacket, the colours don't really come out well in the photograph, it needs a kilt pin to fasten it. I'm not sure that it will fit Rachel it looks too big, but she's coming home on Sunday for Vince's birthday lunch, (that's Dave's dad) he'll be 88. So she can try it on then, or maybe Dave can take it to work with him to pass on (they work for the same company). Rachel gave me some brilliant news yesterday, they have moved offices from St. James's Park to the South Bank near to the Tate Modern, on a lunch time walk she discovered I KNIT LONDON, not such great news for Dave, I think I might send him along occasionally to pick up the odd ball of yarn for me!

2011-02-08T18:56:00.001Z

A few things crossed off the list in the last few days. Two pieces of work were delivered this morning to Material Girls so it can be sent off with the rest to Jersey. Take a look at the Material Girls Blog or Website to see all the work that will be in the 'Primarily Colour' exhibition.

I have also finished Rachel's cardigan that I mentioned in the previous post, just needs to be blocked or whatever the word is? Before I can take a photo and post here!
My mood is improving I think it's because I have actually managed to spend sometime outside in the garden. It really does need whipping into shape, it was let go last year and needs a lot of attention. We have big plans to make a proper vegetable come flower garden, at this stage they are only plans. But you never know, our garden isn't large by any stretch of the imagination but we are happy with it. At one point I longed for a larger plot, then remembering the garden we had when I was growing up and how much hard work that was, I'm happy with my lot, or should that be plot? It's great to spend a few hours in the garden working then sitting back and enjoying it!

It's on the Bed!

2011-02-02T15:23:00.001Z

Thank you for the comments on the last post, it's nice to know that there are people out there who actually read this!

I can't believe that this is the last week of Silver Pebbles Splash of Colour take a look there are some lovely cheery photos on here to brighten up these dull days. It would be great if Emma does this again next year, but I can imagine it's been quite a lot of work, it has been appreciated, so thanks Emma. I popped into the garden this morning to find something to put on the Site not a lot there apart from weeds. There is more colour indoors with the house plants.

Hellebore

Phalaenopsis (moth orchid)


Phalaenopsis (moth orchid)

Phalaenopsis (moth orchid)

Not a lot of creative work going on here at the moment, I'm trying to get a few things finished before I start on anything else. The quilt I started way back when...... ( I've looked back in the blog, Oh dear, I started this quilt in June 2009, I don't believe in rushing things, hahah!), is at last on our bed, I'm really pleased with it. Now I'm knitting like a thing possessed to get a cardigan finished for Rachel, then the way will be clear to get the other projects underway. I need to prioritise, everything has deadlines at the moment, baby due dates and exhibition deadlines, I need to plan, plan, plan!!!!

The scrap quilt still needs to be hand quilted, I'll work on that when I go to classes, see the planning has started.

I was right it has been a busy week

2011-01-28T18:55:00.000Z

Monday I had lunch with three good friends, Diane, Sheila and Jacqueline who is also my cousin. We met at the Tiptree Jam Factory for a lovely lunch and of course lots of chat and lots of laughter. Of course I had to buy a few treats, lemon curd and gooseberry chutney for me and strawberry jam for Dave. Well you have to don't you? Then it was on to the Cheap Shop, an Aladdin's cave for those of us with a weakness for fabrics and yarns. Another treat for me some wool to knit myself some fingerless gloves and some baby wool (more on that later). Actually it turned into more than lunch, I went to Jacqueline's for a coffee and didn't get home until just before Dave, so I suppose it was more like a whole day out! Tuesday was a colour and cut for my mop of hair, do I feel like a new woman? No just a woman with very short hair! Wednesday and it was Lady Bugs in the morning. Thursday I delivered a piece of work to Caroline, it's being included in her groups exhibit at Jersey's Textile In Focus. The Material Girls are exhibiting there too, very exciting!

Liberation of the Heart

Today has been a quiet day just the gym and shopping.

I feel a lot better about things this week, maybe my feeling down is due to the weather? It seems to have brightened up and so has my mood! Talking about how I feel with friends has helped and it's amazing how many other people feel the same.......

I've lots of project's to keep me focused and the list is getting longer. There is the ERTF exhibition later this year, The Material Girls exhibition in 2012. And two other projects that have come my way, one of my cousins, my gym partner is going to become a Nan in July, so I'm going to knit a few things, so the baby wool, and I'll make a quilt too. Becky's sister is also having a baby in July so a baby quilt for her too and maybe a knitted something if there is time. I also promised to make Rachel a lap quilt, she snuggled under mine over Christmas. I've got it together and now I'm starting the hand quilting. I'm pleased with this quilt, it is truly a scrap quilt.

I have bought nothing to make it, the batting was the only problem, I joined three bits together, the top was made from bits and pieces from my stash or leftover blocks from other quilts I've made. When Rachel finally gets it she'll see fabrics from other quilts I've made for her and the rest of the family over the years, there is even fabric in it from the first quilt I made. Who says hoarding doesn't pay? I have lots of bits left to make several more, I just need the time......

January Blues?

2011-01-23T00:56:00.003Z

I just cant believe it's been so long since my last post, 14 days! What have I been doing? Nothing very dynamic sadly. Last Sunday I went on a mini bus trip with a patchwork group I belong to, it was a textile sale and exhibition. The place was crowded beyond belief, a health and safety hazard, I'm sure! I ended up coming home with some fabrics after elbowing my way through the crowds, but didn't get anything that I had really gone for!!!! I wont bother to go again, I'd rather pay full price and shop in comfort. I didn't even like the exhibition, (maybe it's me, I think I'm a bit down at the moment). When I went to the group this week the others were saying how inspired they felt by what they has seen, I got home from the exhibition feeling like I'd wasted a whole Sunday! Are you feeling as though you want to click off this blog now?

Suzanne Jarvis - Lace Maker

Friday evening was the ERTF Owen Jones exhibition private view and I'd been asked by the chairman to go along and do the 'meeting and greeting'. I was worried about it, (see above) I hope I covered how I'm feeling no one seemed to notice, and Beverley the other meet and greeter did a fantastic job. The visitors and guests really gave the exhibition a great response, the work is so diverse, I loved it. The venue is brilliant, it's the first time I've been to Chelmsford museum, well worth a visit. Speaking to a friend of the museum he said there is a Grayson Perry vase in one of the galleries, it's definitely a place I'm going to revisit! For more information click on the link in the side bar for the Owen Jones Project blog.

Today after a visit to the father in law, we went to a quilting shop so I could buy the fabric I didn't get last weekend. When we got home I put some of the fabric in the washing machine to rinse and we settled down with a well deserved cup of coffee and the newspapers, time to relax. Lovely and quiet, then a strange noise started to come from the downstairs cloakroom, water was flooding the floor from the loo. Smelly nasty dirty water, yep! A blocked drain. Dave looked outside and water was leaking out of the drain cover onto the drive. YUK!!! Unfortunately our drain is shared with our next door neighbours and the insurance we pay doesn't cover the work, it was on their side and they don't have cover. Expensive but at least the plummer came quickly, and now we can flush.

I've a really busy week coming up, so no time to feel sorry for myself next week.

All In The Name Of Research!

2011-01-09T21:00:00.002Z

We'd a visit to Kew Gardens planned for today, after visiting James and Becky yesterday and telling them that we were going on a 'research' trip to get some inspiration for the Material Girls next exhibition. James suggested Limehouse Basin and the locks at the start of Regents Canal. In December James and some friends walked from there to Little Venice, something we'll do when the weather improves. Instead of the journey across to West London we stayed on the East side and took a walk along the 'Thames River Walk' between Limehouse and Shadwell Basin's (then back again) not a long walk in length but in time..... After stopping to take photo's it took a few hours, I managed to take over 100 images, lots of inspiration. Dave is very patient, although he said he cant always understand why I photograph certain things.

Dave being very patient

Obviously we see things differently, maybe it's just me, after a few days away with my brother and sister in law, they said they thought I was strange taking photos of doors, grids and manhole covers.........

Lock between Thames and Limehouse Basin

Dave's always happy as long as there's a good pub or restaurant this time we went to The Narrow, this is a Gordon Ramsey restaurant, I must say the food was better than his TV programmes, which I avoid!

After lunch we walked round Limehouse Basin and the lock on the Regents Canal, then back to the car and home.
Sometimes I think I would like to live further away from London than I do, but I'm a townie at heart. To live in one of the apartments overlooking the Thames would be my idea of heaven, at least for a few years. But I'll have to make do with living a 20 minute car journey away from the Docklands.

River Thames looking toward Canary Wharf

Creatively I've not been idle this week, I've been working on a project which is now finished and just has to be delivered, I cant say any more about it at the moment. I'll just tease you with this........

150 Posts

2011-01-06T10:55:00.001Z

This is my 150th post, my first post was in October 2007, I started very slowly with only one post that year? Since then my posting has gradually increased. My posts are not dynamic, not always about my creative work, I tend to write about things that are going on in my life the ups and downs. Sadly last year there were more downs than ups but as I said in a previous post, I'm going into the new year with a positive attitude. So a big thank you to those that read and comment on my posts. I hope it doesn't take me 3 years to do the next 150 posts!

I have never been a great diary writer, I do remember receiving diaries when I was a teenager and starting off with good intentions then after a week or so abandoning them, blogging is different I dont know why maybe it's because I know you are reading them. I enjoy blogging and I enjoy reading other people blogs too!

A blog I would recommend is Pebbledash take a look, yesterday she blogged about Wordle, something I'd never seen before. This morning as Pebbledash suggested I had a play, I put my blog address into wordle and it came up with this.

What a Difference a Year Makes

2011-01-01T16:16:00.003Z

We did our usual new years day stroll along the south side of the river Thames this morning, between Butlers Wharf and up to London Bridge, not very far but enough to work up an appetite for lunch! Last year it was freezing cold but bright and clear, today it was damp, cloudy but mild.

January 1st 2011

January 1st 2010

I'm leaping into 2011 positive and with lots of new challenges! I have decided to take part in the Sketch Book Challenge, my drawing isn't brilliant, but I'm going to give it my best effort and see where it leads! And positive, I've felt very negative about things lately, but things are going to change...........

Three Birthdays and A Happy New Year

2010-12-31T18:25:00.001Z

Well since my last post, we've had 3 more birthdays Rachel and Becky celebrated theirs yesterday and it's mine today! Last night we joined Becky's family for a celebration dinner Becky is 30, Rachel went out with her friends to celebrate her 25th birthday!
This morning I had a lovely basket of flowers delivered, a gift from my cousin and gym partner Tina, I was really lucky to get a scarf and 2 dvds from James and Becky and Gwen Headley's book Drawn to Stitch from Rachel.

Then Dave and I went out for lunch to the George and Dragon in Ingatestone, I went there for lunch a few weeks ago with Lady Bugs patchwork group. We are going to spend a quiet evening in tonight and go for a walk tomorrow, this has become a tradition.

I am hoping that 2011 is a better year than 2010, which hasn't been a great year for me or my family, we miss my Mum a lot. I'm not making any resolutions which I will break in the first few days, I just want it to be a good one.

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Christmas!!!!!!!!

2010-12-28T17:36:00.000Z

Christmas is almost over, we had a lovely time despite the sore throats and sniffles (yes I have got a sore throat). Dave's Dad spent Christmas with us, he has now returned home. He says he had a lovely time and enjoyed himself, shame his face didn't show it, it's hard work! At least this year the work was shared as most of the holiday was spent at James and Becky's. It was the first Christmas in their new home, considering that they only moved in two weeks ago they made a lovely Christmas for us all.

Yesterday we went to see Jacqueline and her family for a few hours. We sampled the Christmas cake, that Charlotte and Jacqueline made, not the pink one Charlotte had taken that one home, never mind! The one we tasted was lovely and I was lucky enough to get a lovely hand made bowl, emery boards and a soap from Jacqueline, and yes I did try the bowl on my head!

Today we've stayed in and watched dvd's and films on the TV. Thankfully the Christmas food has nearly all gone...................

Twenty Fourth- Advent Blog

2010-12-24T14:07:00.000Z

All the presents are wrapped and under the tree, Hooray! I have found blogging every day for twenty four days to be a challenge, but thanks to Gina I've found some lovely blogs which I will continue to follow into the new year!

So far this month we have celebrated 3 family birthdays Dave, Matt (my nephew) and James, we still have 3 to go, Becky and Rachel both on the 30th and mine on the 31st, Christmas is just a blip that happens in between Birthday cakes...........

Thank you to everyone that has read or commented on my blog during the last year.

I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Twenty Third Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-23T23:19:00.001Z

Today is James' birthday he's 29, we went to James and Becky's house for drinks and birthday cake. Becky's family were there her sister, her husband, Becky's Mum, Dad and Granddad. Rachel came home today and is staying with us for a week, it was nice all being together, in fact we will be together for most of Christmas.

Becky and James cutting the cake

Dave gave up on the turmeric and honey after keeping himself and me awake all last night coughing, he finally went to our doctor, who prescribed antibiotics. Hopefully by tomorrow he'll be coughing a lot less......... Lunch time he went off to pick up our new car it's a Ford Kuga, I driven it to my brothers house, it's lovely car to drive, I've been a bit worried as it's so much bigger than the Fiesta.

Sadly the decorations v. dusting theory doesn't work, I had to give the house a thorough clean today.

Twenty Second Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-22T18:17:00.000Z

I'm feeling a lot better today, my throat is not sore, although I do have a bit of a headache which does not want to shift. Seems as though I don't have the nasty bug Dave has, thankfully! He went to a Walk- in Medical Center yesterday in London, the doctor listened to his chest looked down his throat and agreed he had what everyone else has, and prescribed 1 teaspoon of honey mixed with 1 gram of Turmeric 2-3 times a day.......... After a bit of research on good old google Dave decided to give it a try, he's had 2 doses and says he feels much better. Who would have thought it? I'm waiting to see if his teeth and tongue turn yellow!!!!!!!

Well the two Christmas cakes are decorated, one for us no photograph, it's just iced with no decoration. Becky and James' cake has a bit of decoration but very minimal. I should be ashamed really, when we deliver it on Christmas day I'll have to smuggle it out of here. My next door neighbour is the niece of the tutor I had a college, if she sees it and tells him, well I don't know what he'd say...........
I have just piped dots onto the icing and used gold leaf here and there, I've never used it before but thought I'd give it a go as I don't own any food colouring. I did think about adding some acrylic paint to the icing but thought twice ( that is a joke by the way)! Jacqueline told me a story today ( I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it) She was in a cake decorating shop buying bits to decorate her cake, (take a look at her blog Charlotte's cake is lovely) another customer was buying edible glitter and said to the assistant "I didn't know you could buy the edible stuff, I usually just put craft glitter over cakes" The assistant was astounded and said "you don't eat it do you?". "Yes it just passes through". I can always rely on Jacqueline to make me laugh and cheer me up. Moral of this story is all that glitters is not edible!!!!!! The gold leaf is.

Twenty First Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-21T18:02:00.000Z

Urrggh I feel really grim today. Dave has had a sore throat for a few days and it's developed into a really bad cough, I think I'm coming down with the same........ I have a sore throat and a bad headache. I'm hoping this doesn't develop into anything more, why do these things always happen around Christmas.

Today was the Material Girls Christmas lunch, I missed it as I was feeling so grim, it was a shame but I really didn't want to pass anything on.

I have spent time today wrapping presents, every year I say I'll do it as I buy them but never do!!!

An update on the Amazon situation, they have resent the books that went astray in the Royal Mail but this time they have sent them separately. So far I've received one book another two to go, fingers crossed they get here before Christmas.

I don't like to post without a picture, this was taken a week or so ago, a squirrel looking for it's nuts I presume, it did this all over the garden, why I don't know. There were nuts in the feeders and usually it climbs up and helps its self?

Twentieth Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-20T14:12:00.001Z

The things that bring colour into my life!

New paints...........
New project.........
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Eighteenth and Nineteenth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-19T18:39:00.001Z

Oops I missed a day, but this one is for two days, a bit long I know...........

Friday I went off for the weekend with Dave, my brother Ray and sister in law Michelle to Belgium. I did think if it snowed Ray may decide not to drive all that way, I knew that it would be unlikely that he would call it off. This is the reason I thought I may come back twitching, but I'm not!! It did snow and no he didn't call it off, he picked us up and off we went, actually the worse road was ours. Once we were on the main roads it was fine all the way to Ypres, that's where we were staying. That evening we went to the Last Post Ceremony it happens at 8pm every evening of the year at the Menin Gate. It was really very moving, but absolutely freezing!

The Last Post Ceremony, Menin Gate

Ypres

Town Square Ypres

Shame the shop was closed

Thankfully the shop was closed!!!!!!!

Saturday after breakfast we set off through the snow to visit Memorials and War Graves from the First World War. Our first stop was at Sanctuary Wood, and Hill 62 here there is a memorial to the brave Canadian Soldiers how fought in defence of Ypres from April to August 1916.

Sanctuary Wood Trenches

Hill 62

After a coffee break we visited Tyne Cot War Graves, there are 11,954 graves 8,367 are of un-named soldiers. As you can see it was deep snow, thank goodness for our walking boots!

Tyne Cot

Tyne Cot Block House

Tyne Cot

Grave with No Name

Then we went to pay our respects to Michelle's Great Grandfather Stephen, his grave is in a small cemetery next to the road in Elveringe. I do have to say that all of these cemeteries are kept in the most wonderful condition and show such respect to these brave men. Ray and Michelle have been visiting Stephen's grave every year for I think 8 or 9 years. This is mine and Dave's second visit to the area, last year the weather was a lot better.

Stephen Ferry

Then it was back to Ypres and more food and a couple of well deserved drinks!

It was decided that we would start for home straight after breakfast today as the weather didn't look as though it would be too good. It was a very good and quick journey home, we got onto an earlier train than we had booked, we were home for lunch......

Here's to next year, we are planning to pay a visit to Ray and my great uncle's grave and Michelle has another 2 relatives buried in France so we are going to make a visit to them as well, but in better weather. It wasn't all visiting war graves we did a bit of shopping and a lot of laughing, we had a really great time. I was so glad that Ray insisted we went and didn't give in, but then Ray never gives in, he has a lot of courage, for many reasons he is someone I admire.

Seventeenth Day -Advent Blog

2010-12-17T10:02:00.001Z

Not much dusting to do, cover most surfaces with garlands and decorations then you can't see the dust. I just dash round the floors with a mop and it's all done. Mind you it's a different story once Christmas is over ( I know some of you will be thinking she never dusts anyway!)
Thanks for the comments on yesterdays post, that's only the second time I've seen a woodpecker in my garden in 25 years, so I was lucky to catch it with the camera.
By Sunday I think I'll be twitching rather than a twitcher tell you more Sunday watch this space......
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sixteenth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-16T15:22:00.000Z

Is this a woodpecker? I spotted it in a neighbours tree which overhangs into our garden. Sorry not brilliant images but I couldn't get it to pose properly! Can you even spot it in the bottom image?

Fifteenth Day - Advent Blog Update

2010-12-15T21:39:00.000Z

Just so you know I have received 4 orders from Amazon no problem! It's just one that hasn't arrived, but as they are Christmas gifts it's 1 to many, and I ordered them in November!!!!!!

Fifteenth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-15T16:26:00.001Z

Today is the second of the Birthdays that our family celebrate in December, Happy Birthday Matt.

The bathroom is fully complete now, the blind was installed today. I can have a shower with the light on! That'll be good, I'm fed up on these dark mornings when I get up early to go to the gym. Our bathroom is at the front of the house and I've been told by Dave and Rachel that no one can see but.........

The mincemeat pies were a great sucess, Dave took a few to work and I had a phone call to ask how did I make the topping, one of the girls wants to make some. I think I may cancel the ones on order and make more of these. If I do I'll have to book in extra visits to the gym in the new year.

This afternoon I posted the remaining Christmas cards and a parcel, fingers crossed they get delivered before the big day. I'm waiting for a parcel from Amazon to be delivered it should have been here on the 9th, I'm not holding much hope. I'm waiting to hear from Amazon, I've emailed them but not heard back as yet, it may be too late for Christmas, one of the downfalls of internet shopping I suppose.

Fourteenth Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-14T15:02:00.002Z

This morning I went to get weighed lost 1lb which is a miracle and better than I deserve, considering quite a few meals out this week and of course the fish and chips on the move day!!!!!!! I decided not to stay for the meeting but dash across to the super market and pick up a few supplies to make the frangipane mince pies from Gina's blog. I cant say that they were a 100% success but they do taste great, (ssh! don't tell anyone I've eaten two), some look fine and some will be ok with custard over them to hide the defects. I forgot to add the flaked almonds on two batches, and maybe I overfilled the cases with the mincemeat, but at least I tried. I'm going to put some of them in the freezer so there will be some left for Christmas. Glad I have a ordered a couple of boxes as a standby from Waitrose.

Rejects below - overfilled and I managed to slice the top off a couple!!!!!!!

Bet you cant wait for the blog where I decorate the Christmas cake...............

Thirteenth Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-13T19:06:00.001Z

It's hard to believe that today is 13th December, Christmas is certainly coming at a pace! All my gifts are bought, not wrapped as yet. But, I have those two huge bags of ironing done, phew!!! If I ever offer to do that again shoot me please! It was for a good cause and I love them (not the ironing, James and Becky) and that's what Mums do isn't it? Anyone else do things like that for their children?

Anyway going back to the nuts, fat balls etc. While I was resting my back from all the ironing, I sat by the window with my camera poised. I caught these on camera, Gold Finches I think, I should have asked for a bird book from Santa. At one point there were five on the feeder or waiting their turn. The Robin was hanging around and was swooping in from time to time trying to scare them away but was so quick I couldn't get it in shot a bit out numbered today though. I'll keep trying............

Yesterday we put the tree up, not a real one, I cant be doing with all the mess, but I do miss the smell. I must say it does look better in the flesh. I've pictured a few of the decorations that we have bought while on holiday in America over the years.

Twelth Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-12T16:04:00.000Z


Taken on 1st December 2010

Decided to try and attract more birds to the garden by not only putting nuts and seeds into the feeders but fat balls too, it seems to be working. Great Tits and Blue Tits as well as the Robins are visiting the fat balls as well as finches........ especially during the snow.

Eleventh Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-11T23:42:00.000Z

Well it was up with the lark this morning, a bit of a house clean here, while Dave took Rachel home and visited his Dad. By 2 o'clock we were back at James and Becky's to carry on with helping them get straight. Becky's parents were there too, after a lovely lunch of butternut risotto, I decided to clean the oven, if I was moving house and leaving my oven I would clean it!!!!! After a couple of hours the oven and hob were shining like new, (well not new, but a lot better than before I started). By the time we all left there were Christmas lights decorating the outside of their house and indoors the Christmas tree is decorated, a sorted kitchen, bedrooms, living room all sorted. They have quite a lot of boxes still to unpack, I stupidly offered to do their ironing so I now have two huge bags of shirts etc. I must be mad.......

Sorry no pictures today either, must do better tomorrow.

Tenth Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-10T21:36:00.000Z

Today is the first of the family birthdays - Happy Birthday Dave. Next year it's a really big birthday for him so I'm planning to do something really special for him! This year he had a busy and tiring birthday, James and Becky moved house today! We were on the moving and cleaning team, with Rachel Becky's Mum, Dad and Granddad, her sister and brother in law joined once they finished work, everything went to plan. They got the keys at twelve o'clock so we spent all afternoon getting cupboards wiped out I cleaned three bathrooms!
Tonight we all celebrated the move and Dave's birthday with fish and chips, champagne and birthday cake.

No photographs today sorry, promise there will be one tomorrow.

Ninth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-09T21:16:00.000Z

Today I met my daughter Rachel at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) we visited the Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes and the Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City exhibitions. We have been planning to go to see the Diaghilev exhibition for ages, we both really enjoyed both exhibitions. No photos I'm afraid but I took these of a red shoe and a patchwork dress.

This has a lot of reflection but you get the idea!

We then went to Oxford Street for a quick bit of retail therapy and left before the student protesters arrived thankfully! All this before lunch.........

For lunch I took a journey down memory lane, the Barclays Bank branch that I worked in 29 years ago, 9 Gracechurch Street, is now a restaurant bar! The building was listed so the interior is still the same, dark wood paneling and marble columns. It's the first time I've been back since I took James, when he was about 3 months old.

My desk was by the window just behind where the two men are sitting! We then walked back to Fenchurch Street Station after a walk through Leadenhall Market, it wasn't quite so glamorous when I worked there it had a couple of pubs, a fish shop, cheese shop and fruit and vegetable shops. Now there are expensive clothes shops, how I would have loved that, I remember being over the moon when a Chelsea Girl ( I think that was what it was called) opened in Fenchurch Street. Well that's enough of my nostalgia.

Eighth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-08T20:57:00.001Z

The last two days have been busy, very little stitching done. Last night I went out for a meal with some of the ERTF Essex members, we had a really good evening.

This morning I was at the gym early I was going to Lady Bugs the quilt group, I rushed from the gym to the car park put my ticket into the machine and the £1.20 it asked for. I got to my car opened the boot (trunk) put my gym stuff in, took out the bag with my work for patchwork, got into the car and thought where is the ticket? I searched the car, coat pockets, handbag, boot, gym bag in fact everything, walked back to the machine, no ticket. It then cost me £10.00 to get a replacement ticket, I wont be making that mistake again!

Sheila's Quilt

Sheila, finished a lovely quilt she brought it along to show us. The 100 hexagons were bought at a charity shop, they were already on the papers she only needed to buy some fabric to match the dark blue and I think she said the rest came from her stash the backing is a bright green fleece. She is going to use it on her boat so the fleece makes it extra snuggly. Sheila isn't a blogger but sometimes drops into mine for a read so I asked her if I could take a picture of it and put on here she said she'd be pleased. It's nice that something, the 100 hexagons that were given to the charity shop have found a deserving home and will be used and appreciated. After the group 5 of us went out for a nice pub lunch, it's that time of year isn't it?

Seventh Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-07T09:05:00.002Z

Not many words today, some may say what a blessing!

Thank you for all the comments on these advent blogs.

For more Advent Blogs check these out.
Fan My Flame
Purple Podded Peas
Happiness is a Bottomless Button Box
Tiz Duster
Stitch & Bake
Pebble Dash
Dragonfly
The Patchwork Dress
Handmade by Mia
Jam Jar
Diane Hobbit

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sixth Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-06T22:31:00.001Z

Playing on my i phone.

Fifth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-05T12:01:00.001Z


Lang Melting Pot art work by Karen Good 'Happy Holidays'

The first Christmas Decoration to show it's face every year and usually the last one to be put away. This was a souvenir from a holiday in New England 2003, I can remember buying it from a shop in Stowe VT.

For more Advent Blogs check these out.
Fan My Flame
Purple Podded Peas
Happiness is a Bottomless Button Box
Tiz Duster
Stitch & Bake
Pebble Dash
Dragonfly
The Patchwork Dress
Handmade by Mia
Jam Jar
Diane Hobbit

Fourth Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-04T16:09:00.000Z

Ok! this is a cheat ( I may have even posted a picture of this little chap before) I took the picture when we went to Wales in the summer, but I thought that it was appropriate. I do have Robins in my garden but they are not that easy to photograph this one was really very friendly. Yesterday I sat for ages watching a very vicious Robin keeping other birds away from the bird feeder, it hid amongst the leaves of a climbing plant and when the other birds flew onto the feeder it flew out scaring them away.

Third Day - Advent Blog

2010-12-03T16:13:00.001Z

Hope you've not fainted with shock, I surprised myself. Yes it is a cake, I baked it.......... Apple and Cinnamon Cake.

Well someone had to sample it, lovely even if I say so myself.

I've even written the Christmas Cards, and this afternoon I'm going to get working on finishing the King size Quilt.

Second Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-02T16:10:00.004Z

As promised photo's of my finished Jelly Roll lap quilt. Hooray!!!!!

If the weather carries on like this I'll certainly get the use out of it this winter. The last time I remember it snowing like this at the beginning of December, I was pregnant with James 1981. My Dad used to call in on me at some point every day while Dave was at work, as I couldn't get out. James was due on the 10th, Dave's birthday. I had a false alarm on the 15th, we had a dash to the maternity hospital, I remember the date as my friend Ann was being checked in at the same time, she delivered a boy that day, I was sent home! James wasn't born until the 23rd, the snow stayed I think, into January. I hope it wont be the same this winter.

The roads in this part of the country are very bad, so I'm not going to venture out unless it's necessary. This morning I checked on an elderly neighbour, she has everything but will need milk, Dave is going to get that for her. He's braving the weather and had managed to travel into London every day, thankfully the trains are running on this line.

Jacqueline had fun yesterday with her two lovely little granddaughter's check out the pictures of their snowman, it had me laughing all morning. I think maybe I'm lacking company and maybe going slightly mad, hope the thaw comes soon or I may end up talking to myself........

There are a few of us that have decided to join Gina in this Advent Blog have a look at them. If you are joining in let me know and I'll add you to my list.
Fan My Flame
Purple Podded Peas
Happiness is a Bottomless Button Box
Tiz Duster
Stitch & Bake
Pebble Dash
Dragonfly
The Patchwork Dress
Handmade by Mia
Jam Jar
Diane Hobbit

First Day- Advent Blog

2010-12-01T16:08:00.000Z

Sorry no pictures of finished quilt maybe next blog? Nearly finished.......

Due to snow and bad road management the lunch yesterday was canceled, never mind these things happen and we'll get together after Christmas.

Christmas Potpourri

Today is the first day of December and busy month in this family as we have not only Christmas but 6 Birthdays, yes I did say 6! Gina is blogging everyday this month and asked if anyone was going to join her, I thought I'd take up the challenge, maybe some days it will be short or just a picture but there will be something here everyday an Advent Blog. I must be mad..............

Wet Room

2010-11-29T17:09:00.002Z

Firstly a big thank you to everyone that reads and comments on my blog I really appreciate it, I do my best to comment on other peoples blog's when ever I can.

old bathroom in front garden

I haven't posted for the last week or so, we've had a wet room installed and although the builder said it would take 6-7 days it in fact took over 2 weeks. Quite honestly it feels as though it took over my life, lots of tea coffee and biscuit's were made (by me).

Finished Wet Room

After the first week I became stir crazy, I'd planned to get lots of sewing done, did I? NO. I've a king size quilt almost finished and I want to machine quilt the the border, it's something that I've never done before so what an opportunity. The plan was to machine quilt a cushion cover first then when in the flow, machine quilt a small quilt (I'd made the top for before my holiday). Then there would be no stopping me straight onto the king size quilt border. Everything was going great with the cushion when the builders said the powers going off for a couple of hours, that was the end of that, a cushion cover half finished the king size folded on a chair waiting and an almost finished small quilt, hand quilted instead . Oh well! After reading Jan's comment I realise I should have said it was all worth it! And we are much cleaner and smelling sweeter!

Friday I left the builders here and spent a lovely day with Rachel shopping in Cambridge, can't call it Christmas shopping as we didn't do a lot of that. We spent ages over lunch, she tried on dresses and I bought a new coat 3 sizes smaller than I would have bought last year! I also found out that Rachel reads my blog, Mmmmm. It does not bother me, but I've been told that if I join face book, she wont be my friend. I discovered she reads this blog whilst walking through the furniture department of John Lewis (my favourite shop) we sat in a snuggler I said 'Kate has one of these I think, Jacqueline (Rachel's Godmother) is knitting her some cushions for it', 'Yes I know' said Rachel....... You've been reading my blog, yep I wanted to see who your holiday pictures James tweeted about them so I thought I'd see who your friend were while I was there. I told her that from now on I'll blog about her and may even put pictures of her on here.

Everyone is weather obsessed here at the moment, if the TV or radio is on it's all about snow. I like the snow for the first day after that I want it gone, so far my part of the UK has escaped but it's due anytime, but even without snow it's very cold, so I thought I'd take a leaf out of Gina's book and get organised and do some cooking. So it's a beef casserole for dinner tonight and I plan to pop a few dumplings on top as long as the suet isn't out of date, must go and check that! If not I'll slice a couple of potatoes on top!

I hope the snow doesn't come until Wednesday, tomorrow Jacqueline, Diane and another friend are due to meet for lunch, snow could stop the plans as I live quite away from them and it means driving down winding country lanes, not sure Jacqueline's other half would appreciate me staying if we get snowed in, until the thaw!!!!!! Plus we are going to the home of Wilkinson's Jam in Tiptree and I would like to buy a couple of presents in the shop.

Last week Christmas dinner landed in the garden, but flew off again before I could measure it to see if it would fit in my oven, another downside was it wasn't oven ready....... So looks like it will be the usual Turkey Breast for us then.

Next post : I promise pictures of finished quilt.

Photo's

2010-11-14T23:03:00.001Z

I've put some of our holiday photo's on the side bar under the title Arizona and Nevada.

NORWICH

2010-11-14T19:08:00.002Z

Wednesday I went to a Kantha workshop with Libby Smith, it's the first time I've ever done it, I have some good samples of the stitches for when I need reminding!

Friday, I was up early to catch a train to Norwich, it was the start of two brilliant days with ERTF. Twelve of us spent Friday firstly at the Norwich Cathedral Broiderers', we were shown the new project's that they are working on and a repair project that they have just completed. After lunch in the Refectory, we took cabs to Carrow House, a textile and costume study centre. I was particularly interested in a piece of work from 1900 by Lorina Bulwer, it's one of those things that just stays with you. The curator was really very helpful and chose textiles that she thought would connect to the subject of the ERTF conference Concepts and Meanings. We had a lovely time there and Gina was a good sport when we suggested that she try on a Victorian hooped skirt and a Norwich Shawl!

Saturday was the conference in the Dragon Hall Norwich, there were four speakers two in particular were really brilliant a textile artist Debbie Lyddon and Les Bicknell a book artist. By the time I was sitting on the train on the way home my head was full of ideas, the speakers gave us such a lot to think about a really worthwhile day. Saturday was the launch of the second ERTF juried exhibition which will be held at Dragon Hall, I have ideas already!!!!

Boy, How Wrong Can You Be?

2010-11-08T18:26:00.002Z

Why is it everything is going along fine, then BANG??????

My brother called a while ago to say that he'd received a phone call,from the wonderful estate agent (that's said with a ~~bit~~ lot of sarcasm), the people that were buying Mum's house have a had a problem with their buyer and have had to pull out of buying our place!!!!! I know it's not a major thing in the big scheme of things but I was hoping that we could have everything finalised before Christmas, I think it's called moving on...... not that I want to forget my Mum, I never want too, I just want this house thing over with. I realise that it's all not that long ago, but the house is just there and I don't want to have to keep going back there, it's no ones home anymore. I have never had an attachment to the house it was just where my parents lived then my Mum lived (it was never my home).

This blog sounds like I'm all whingeing but I'm not. It's just that if I didn't write this down I might scream or cry, so thanks for listening. I feel better now.

It wasn't All Food and Drink, Honest!

2010-11-03T15:12:00.001Z

Desert on the first night..... we shared of course!

Crab and Lobster Cakes with Sweet Potatoes Chips

I cant remember what this was, but it must have been good!

The infamous Cosmopolitan.......... well one of them.
As I said it wasn't all drinking and eating, last night I went to have the first weigh in after the holiday at Slimming World. I knew I had been reasonably careful but I can't say I was confident, I thought that maybe I'd gain at least 4 lbs. What a relief I'd only gained 1/2 lb, it must have been all the walking we did.

Splash Of Colour

2010-11-01T13:05:00.002Z

Well I'm back from my holidays!
Looking on Emma's blog yesterday I saw this. Splash of Colour

This morning I thought I need a bit of Colour in my life, go on be honest don't we all? Take a look at Emma's blog it really cheered me up.
I've used this image that I took on holiday in the summer when we visited Aberglasney Gardens.

As soon as I manage to catch up on everything emails blogs oh and ironing I'll post some more pictures of our Arizona holiday, I also have a few videos not sure how to load those on here yet, make take me a while but it's good to learn new things!!!!!! I think I have to register with you tube first!!!!!

Winner?

2010-10-29T20:44:00.001+01:00

I had one too many Cosmopolitan's, it must be because I'm not used to it!!! I ended up not being able to go on the slot machines last night. But I did enjoy the evening from what I can remember!!!!!
After breakfast this morning we had a go on the slots and won over 50 dollars which we cashed in, just as well we did as we are spending it now, we checked in for our flight early so we could upgrade for extra leg room, only to find the flight had been delayed by 2 1/2 hours. So we have taken a taxi into a shopping mall, sitting in the sun drinking coffee and killing time.
This has been a great holiday, I do feel a bit guilty no stitching and despite bringing a sketchbook, paints and pencils they've not come out of the bag. But I've loads of photos that I'm sure I will use in the future.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What Happens in Vegas

2010-10-29T01:55:00.002+01:00

A long drive today from Flagstaff, it was another cold bright morning, wearing three layers. We did drive over the bridge, at nit disappointing no view!

That was it!
We arrived in Vegas it was a shock the weather is lovely, not that we've been outside that much. The hotel we are staying in tonight is the Palazzo, here's a photo of one of the shopping

malls. Now we're sitting in a piano bar, well it is our last night, Dave's hitting the Fat Tire beer and I'm on the Cosmopolitan's! Planning on spending the winnings after dinner.
-posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Painted Desert

2010-10-28T02:16:00.003+01:00

When we were looking through the guide books last night we decided to give the crater a miss! Instead we went to the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest, it was a good choice. I did offer to drive today but Dave said he'd seen enough petrified things without joining them, haha how I laughed!
We are now sitting in a lovely restaurant we found in Flagstaff enjoying a glass of wine and waiting for our dinner to arrive. Tomorrow we are driving back to Las Vegas for our last night. Diane we will probably drive across the Hoover bridge traffic allowing. I've still got my winnings tucked away so plan on a trip into the casino, not that you can avoid it!
A few pictures taken today.
The desert.

A tepee, this is a natural formation, aren't the colours amazing?

The photo below is of a petrified tree!

This has been our seventh road trip in the US. At the start of the holiday we convinced ourselves that it will be our last, today we've started talking about where to go next! So watch this space. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Today

2010-10-27T02:27:00.002+01:00

We did get to the south rim of the canyon, but before then I got to go to a fabric shop!!!!! I wasn't so restrained this time 2 jelly rolls and another pack of fat quarters.
Onto the canyon it was a fantastic sight words and photos can never portray the beauty or the vastness of it. I have seen films of the canyon but nothing can ever prepare you for the sight! It was a lovely day cold bright and just a few clouds, not too many people unlike when we were at the west rim. Enough words now for a few photos!

Tomorrow we plan on visiting Meteor Crater? Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Yesterday

2010-10-27T02:06:00.002+01:00

We didn't get to the canyon yesterday low cloud and high winds, decided not a great idea! We went to Sedona and the saw the red rocks instead! It rained but didn't spoil the day.

We also went to an old mining town called Jerome, these were all reached by driving along Route 66, so Dave was happy that's an ambition of his to drive the whole route.
The weather today is lovely clear blue sky's so it's the canyon today. We've circled the wagons for breakfast, then we're off!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Flagstaff

2010-10-25T03:25:00.000+01:00

Well we did get to a fabric shop, I was very restrained and only bought 3 pieces! Then we did get to do a small section of the Apache Trail

Pictures just don't do it justice! I love the cactus!
Today we made the drive to Flagstaff it's a lot colder here, we've gone from temperatures in the 80's to 50's. From here we will be able to visit the south rim of the canyon and also we plan to go to meteor crater.
Hope to blog again soon, getting free wifi isn't easy here!

Still in Phoenix

2010-10-23T21:38:00.002+01:00

At the moment we're having a coffee sitting in the courtyard of the Heard museum, Phoenix, we only planned on being here for a short time but it was fascinating they have a wonderful collection of American Indian artist work as well as a lot of historical artefacts . And you can take photos!

When we leave here I might get lucky and visit a fabric shop. Then the plan is to drive along the Apache trail, how amazing is that?Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tucson

2010-10-22T21:50:00.002+01:00

Today we are in Tucson, it's quite warm today and we are doing the historical walking tour. I couldn't resist a hibiscus

lemonade!

Our lunch Dave's enjoying it!

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Update

2010-10-21T19:48:00.002+01:00

We did get to the grand canyon west rim, we went on a pink bus tour. Words and pictures can't show the vastness of the canyon.

As you can see I didn't get close to the edge, you never know do you Dave could have been checking the insurance!!!!! We drove over the Hoover dam this was the last day you could do that, they have now opened a new bridge.
Yesterday we drove 300 or so miles to Phoenix, most of the way in a rain storm.
I've not found any textile shops yet but I know they are out there! We're staying in the art area so it's just a matter of time.

A picture of the new bridge from the hoover dam. Oh i can post this as we found a starbucks!
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Frappuccino

2010-10-18T19:02:00.001+01:00

If you sit long enough outside a starbucks sucking ice up a straw your bound to work out how to put photos up !!! Sculpture by Dale Chihuly in the lobby of our hotel

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Location:Las Vegas Blvd S,Las Vegas,United States

Hi

2010-10-18T18:31:00.001+01:00

Have you missed me? We are in Vegas. Having a great time, booked to see Barry Manilow he cancelled 20 minutes before he was due to come on. According to the Barry fans he often does this, I wouldn't bother again and defiantly won't be trying to book to see him at the O2! Then we were up at 5am this morning to go on a pink jeep trip to the west side of the grand canyon but that was cancelled due to flooding, there was rain here yesterday! Still we have managed to rebook the trip for tomorrow fingers crossed.
I don't usually blog whilst I'm away but I found this app, not tried to post pictures yet well you can't have everything! Moving on from here in the next few days to Phoenix so when I next find a Starbuck's I may post again.

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Location:Las Vegas

I'm In Love!

2010-10-12T18:50:00.002+01:00

I've fallen in love with my new sewing machine it's a Bernina 440QE, today I made this quilt top. It's a small throw made from a Jelly Roll that I bought years ago on holiday in Charlottesville, W Virginia. While I was sewing I was watching 'A Walton's Easter', it was a real coincidence while we were in Virginia we visited the Walton Museum. I was telling my quilting group about finding the Walton's museum only last week.

I've got a new machine and last weekend my Mum's machine went to a new home, I was quite sad to see it go. That machine made my wedding dress, and a few other wedding dresses too! It also made most of my clothes when I was a child. But it was nice to know that it's going to be put to good use, Rachel's friend has taken it he's going to make a new top for his convertible car. I think Mum would have approved and the machine will cope, she once made us a tent using that machine.

At the weekend we had a bit of a tidy in the garden, there are still lots of things blooming. So today I took out the camera and thought I'd share with you.

Princess Diana Rose

I'm Still Here!

2010-09-27T17:35:00.000+01:00

Thought I should let you know that I did manage to get out of bed on Friday and I went to the gym! The only part of me that caused any problems were my knees, they still hurt, they feel as though they are bruised, hopefully they will be recovered before Thursday when I go to Yoga again. I do seem to have a problem when I kneel for a long time, one reason I don't like pinning out large quilts although I foolishly still do them, I always think this will be the last one I'll do, then I do another one........

Mum's house is almost cleared and today we signed some papers at our solicitor so I don't think it will be long before everything is finalised, it's very hard!

Yoga and Quilting

2010-09-23T23:48:00.001+01:00

Today has been an interesting day, when I woke up this morning I thought why do I do these things to myself? Yoga me.... I even sent a text to Jacqueline for support, did I get any, no! She said it would be ok to giggle during the class or something like that..... I went, I was so glad I did and I really enjoyed it, cant wait for next week, of course I may not feel like that when I wake up in the morning! Of course the image below isn't me (I wish),she's a lot of stones lighter, maybe next week who knows.............Talk about getting tied up in knots.

amsterdampoweryoga.nl

This evening I went to the 'old' Quilting Group, I haven't been there for three years, it was lovely to catch up and just sit, stitch and chat. Next week I'm going to take in some of the things that I did on my C&G course to show them and also some fabric I dyed using the microwave.