It is almost May ,tomorrow in fact,so as I finished Mays Wordplay I thought I would share it a day early. I do like stitching these and I think this one is lovely. I did not put the american flag on the bee hive though,just added a few more bees.When I finish one of these I just cannot believe another month has disappeared it seems to happen more frequently too!!
Anyway a pic of May on the header and one taken in the little plants that are doing rather well.

In fact a few pics to show you of the flowers in the garden .We bought these daffodils to put in tubs and although they seem very late they are rather lovely.

At the bottom of the garden not fairies but these scented narcissus.

I have a bunch of these indoors and the scent is divine, although Kate dd,does not agree she hates the smell. We also have a new addition to the garden to join the peacock (supposed to be a chicken that Martin made 5 years ago.He did a course with our local vet (now retired), he has a fabulous sense of humour and made life size animals out of paper maiche that adorned his practice waiting rooms etc.

Anyway he ran the first workshop for our craft group and this was the piece that came home.



I still think it it more a peacock than a chicken ,much to Martins disgust. Anyway they did  another a few weeks back and now we have Gordon too ,well that is what I call him. He is a goose , and I think he actually looks

like a goose. He gets this curious nodding motion,ever so slightly  when the wind blows .Well my dears I hope you are all well ,or as well as can be. Thanks for the well wishes and the comments. Perhaps before giving you an update on the stitching, I had better answer anyquestions asked.

1.Vickie you asked how I made my sheep woolly- I borrowed Carins idea and used Vicki Claytons chenille thread fine white .It is a little difficult to see where you have been when you  stitch with it but it is just so effective.

2. Carin as regard Julies blog ,I think you have realised who the Julie is and as she has just won a giveaway you had then I do not need to give you her blog link.

3.Not really anything but a comment , Carol not only are we stitching in the parlour, you are doing the Wordplays too and also I see in your reading list you have read Peter May's trilogy The Blackhouse, The Lewis Man, and Chessmen. Gosh that's spooky.

Any questions in the comments I shall answer or try to next time.

OK I had better show you some stitching had I not. Well as you know my friend Julie came to visit and she kindly stitched me a little something. I was asked to keep it secret until the reveal day had passed. I think Christine has not posted yet but I have decided to show you anyway as it is almost May. Hee hee Christine just a gentle reminder.

So here is the Snow flower diaries freebie made for me by Julie.

Isn't it just so sweet the little wind chimes catch the breeze coming through the door. Thanks Julie as you know the things I receive are all around me and I am so blessed to have you as a friend.

Well I did the same thing and here is mine as a gift to Cath of the stitching chicken, the title says it all she loves her chooks. I sent for some chicken buttons that I spied and also some chicken fabric.

And this is the back.

I also did another design by this designer and sent it to my friend Jane who has been having some trying times lately- Jane send me mail to let me know any news please. Jane has a lovely blog called Buttons and Stitches. She has 2 dear little bunnies named Tilly and Oscar who I would dearly love to cuddle. They have spring fever I am told at the moment and so as Love is in the air I thought I would stitch this .

Ok I got this far and also did more and when I came to look at the blog this is as far as it got ,so how did that happen. Now comes the question with how long it takes me to do this blog at least 2 hours is it worth it for it to do that to me. ARGH!!!!
So now I have to remember what else I wrote. Also those who left comments because I must have published it perhaps you will read it again.Oh I do not know what I am doing.
Here is a pic of the back ,the button this time is in remembance of Buttons who is over the rainbow bridge.



She was delighted with it and now I have my very own shelf in her home.

These were both done over one on 28 count fabric and I have to say I was pleased with the way they turned out. I have also been stitching for the dresser . I like little tea designs and have had this for a while, by the Sampler Girl again stitched over one and adorning said dresser.

Another in a Jane Austen tea cup. I am really pleased with it.,and a really quick stitch too.

So only one more to show you and that is The Tea room which will go on dresser when finished, I did not stitch alot  last week as I ran out of thread for the rooms ,but that has been addressed so I shall be back building tomorrow ,or I may be letting the tree come into bloom , Progress so far,

I started a berry design for my berry and bird dish on Monday with Sally as Peace has not arrived yet. In fact family wise it is far from peaceful. Kate is going through the mill, Caitlin is being bullied at school it has been reported by the P.E teacher she witnessed it . In a way it is a relief as there has been real problems with Caitlin wanting to go to school . At 15 she has an important year ahead and has to get her act together.It has been heartbreaking to her though. Now at 10 she has Sam being bullied too. WHAT is wrong with some of these children.

Well my dears I am now off to put the feet up and peruse these that came this morning. 

So now my dears I must love and leave you.Take care and hope I shall speak toyou again soon.

Hugs 

Barbx

A very important visitor came to stitch with me this week.

Hello it is a little while since I last wrote a few lines, and as  an exciting occurrence(for me) has happened this week now would be a good time for a little catch up.
Since writing to you last- April has arrived,yes it is that long. I finished my April the day before April started and as you see by the header it is now hanging on the fireplace. I have started May but I am way behind due to having a few health problems during March. Anyway I still have a few days to get May completed .Here is where I am with it.

As you can see I have not done a lot on this . 

Easter also has been and gone as this bunny has too. It took me a little while to pluck up courage to eat him ,he was just so sweet.

I did have a little help though!!. Back to stitching and I have been stitching along with Sally on our Monday nights with the flock and I had a little finish this week. I have not stayed completely true to the design as I have got woolly sheep and the little stitched heart did not show up so I used 2 little red heart buttons instead, no idea how I am going to finish these . Time will tell. 

These were stitched on the same fabric but they look different in the photo.Now awaiting Peace.

I was treated by my dear hubby Martin a couple of weeks ago, I have been admiring Portmeiron china for years and he decided the dresser needed a little change so now here I have a new tea service along with other pieces I have collected. 

I am really pleased with it now.I am now hoping it will stay tidy.

Last Sunday I was absolutely thrilled to welcome a blogging friend who I have been in touch with for 4 years, through Needlecraft Haven and never ever thought I would get to meet. Anyway to me she was/is a very important visitor and when she said she was coming to spend a week in Weymouth staying with her hubby in a cottageand she wanted to come and spend some time with me ,well you can imagine I was nervous but very very excited.They both came on Sunday and I was presented with these.

Aren't they just lovely,they are now almost fully open and look really elegant. I was also presented with a small stitched gift which I cannot show you yet. Also with this which is marking place in my book now.

I know some of you that read this will know who my vip was but if you can bear the woman in black in the photo ,here in blue is the one and only Old Bagpuss ""Miss Julie"".

You also have to excuse all the gubbins behind me . My corner is stitching and books I am afraid. I so admired Julies frame , and ordered one the next day!!oh by the way this was taken on Wednesday evening when Julie came to stitch in the parlour with me. Thanks Julie you were great company and I was sorry to see you go when Paul came to collect you.I look forward to you maybe getting this way again. We did not get much stitching done in fact I only managed a table set with a teapot,Oh well I stitched on it last night to make up for it. Here is the progress on The Tea room .

Sorry it is a bit fuzzy.This morning I opened the door to the postman and this was handed to me , I now have my own ,thanks for enabling me Julie.

I have put May on it and I shall be taking my first stitches on my new frame this evening.I have no real other news as this was the highlight of my week. I do have a couple of little things to show you though that have been sent off as gifts but I will show you those next time.

So my dears on that note and I am sorry it is not very long this time -will try harder, I expect Miss Julie will be telling you all about her visit somewhen soon. Will give you alink if you do not know where to find her next time. Meanwhile someone has come out of his /her winter slumbers and has remembered where the seeds hang.

The wigwams have been taken off now and hopefully everything will start to grow. Take care my dears and if you have been watching Broadchurch the suspense will soon be over.!!!!!

Hugs n stuff

Barb x 

P.S. would love a comment if you can spare a few moments.