A time to reflect , as the header says, the last year and the last few weeks of it.Well folks, I hope you are and have had a good Christmas and you were spoilt with good wishes and all the things the season brings. I had something the season brings and it hasn't been good , the lurgy has struck and I was home alone feeling Bah humbug on Christmas Day. Other half did not want to leave me but I said family must come first and I did not want to breathe germs on any of them . Feeling slightly better now and I will try not to breathe anything on to you ,can you see I am wearing a mask lol.I did have lots of goodies from stitchy friends family and blogging friends so if I do not mention you specifically please take this as a big THANKYOU!!!

Well I managed to finish a couple of bits of stitching , firstly the private exchange with Sally ,this is the ornament she stitched for me ,

.

I stitched Sally ,Tis the season by Shepherds Bush and she was delighted with it ,but I cannot show you a pic as I forgot to take one If you want to see it you will have to skip along to Sallys blog  to have a look.I have been stitching along with Sally for a few years now and I hope to continue in the years to come . I have been playing catch  up with Tricitone and hope to get it finished very early in the new year , or even before this one ends if I am lucky.I stitched along also with Miss Julie on UFO Strictly nights and I was almost dancing along on the final night but not quite, I finished this the day after.

This is a Lily Violette design ,It will be a magical Christmas with you .I am really pleased with this and thankyou to Julie and girls at Needlecraft Haven for the encouragement ,and the Strictly come dancing team for the company too. If you watched it ,Wasn't it exciting this year.

Another finish this time my first Hallowe'en one with Sally the first of a years stitching, I have to make up my mind for my next month which one I shall do , be shared with you in due course.

Here is Wicked by Barbara Ana

I really loved stitching this one ,wonder what will be next ,but next time we will be stitching different designs, so that is  a mystery for the moment.

Just before Christmas I did a card making workshop day , which was a bit of a dismal failure I have to say, I have made some of my cards this year (first attempt at this craft) I have heard from a few people I sent to they loved them here are just a few .

And another.

Not very clear I am afraid. Going back to the class I did I was very disapointed with the tutor I thought we would be shown how to make masterpieces lol,but it was just sticking things onto card, if you get what I mean, and no way was I sending any of those out. In the afternoon though we did a couple of needlefelted pieces to mount onto card. This I really enjoyed, I did start out going to felt a sheep ,but of course!!!!! However then it was turned into a cat, and last of all I had a christmas mouse lol.

I thought I may stitch in onto a piece of stitching of the poem "A night before Christmas" but maybe I am being a bit ambitious ,that is a watch this space thing. The other felt piece I did was this, again for a Christmas card but have not decided that yet.

I really enjoyed the needle-felting ,so much so Martin signed me up for another day ,this time doing a needlefelt sheep (free standing I think) wonder what that will turn out to be. It is on January 3rd and I am wondering if it will go ahead as there were only 2 names on the list. We will see.Every year at Christmas we have a new "thing" for want of a better description for the mantle or somewhere ,this year we saw these at a garden centre display.

We came home with this one.

We have had lots of people admire it. Talking of admiration this too came in for a lot of admiration.

Scuse the tele etc. On the tree here are many ornaments sent and made through the years, my memory Christmas tree. Hope it will hold many more for years to come!Every year a stitchy friend and I exchange ornaments at Christmas and although they started off stitchy they have transgressed into whatever takes our fancy. This year she made me this little fellow and as I used to bead I simply loved him. Barbara if you are reading this Thankyou again.

Photo does not do him justice. He is so pretty and sparkly. Another little pressie I had from Christine I was delighted with, you may remember the little sheep brooch she made me for my birthday. Which is worn a lot! Well here is what was sent to me for Christmas (an idea I think I may be using myself\)

Thankyou Christine for a lovely little brooch. I have been very lucky and had sheepy things and a new laptop ,which is so quick compared to my old one! I am not swearing half as much, so thankyou to my other half,who has also been helping me with handmade pressies for special people you know who you are. For all of you who have thought of me through trials and tribulations this past year and for the kindness you have shown ,Bless you.

The header on this post is a place Martin and I went to back in the early summer, when things were a little black for me, I did say I would share with you some of the pics of the day well I will share a couple now as there is a special reason for showing you.This is Pallington Lakes just outside of the County town of Dorchester, A sculpture park set in acres of lakes ,no set way round just wander and find what you will. No children allowed (due to the nature of the place,water and children hmmm)

I felt really at peace here.

There are many sculptures dotted around here and nothing to disturb the tranquility as there are a limited number of visitors allowed in a day .

Also a wildflower walk.alongside a lake with swans ,these pictured are not real ,although there were real ones there.

So a few summery pics now the explanation why. Well on Christmas day Martin was sent home by Graeme and Sue with parcels and a present only to be opened when we were both together. This is the Riverkeepers hut. 

A shepherds hut by the river , we have been given use of it for the day as our Christmas present, they knew how much this placed seemed to heal me when the depression struck and thought it would be a nice way for us to spend a day and have somewhere to Reflect ,it has a woodburning stove and is all cosy inside. I cannot tell you how much this has touched me that they thought of this . We have not decided when to go yet either when it is cold so it will be cosy or when the wildlife are stirring in the spring. I cannot wait,unfortunately we cannot take Ollie,so Graeme said he will take the day off and come and look after the dog. Talking of which I cannot leave with out a pic of him with his Christmas sheep ,his friend Barklay bought it for him .

He had to have an operation the other week to remove a grass seed from his ear hence the bald patch on his leg,his feet are dreadful at the moment ,but he seems happy enough . As I said his friend came over to see him he is 12 weeks old and weighs 2 stone ,still has to be carried on roads but oh so cute!!!Here he is ,was not allowed to keep him.

Lastly on the animal theme here is Graeme and Sues cat Misty on the table awaiting Christmas dinner.

She is almost bigger than Barklay

.So I will leave you with a pic of  him and me looking over a bridge into a lake.I would like this made into a picture the words are in the water. Hope your reflections of the past year will bring you lovely memories: and now it is time to make new ones.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year ,with lots of stitching ,crafting or whatever you would like to do. Hope you will join me again on my ramblings next Year.

Hugs and much love

Barb.x

I am back after a long absence with lots to share.Be prepared

I hope I have been missed a little, as I  have been such a bad blogger. I have had issues with health things,nothing really serious ,but I have not felt like being a dismal Dora and sharing it all with you. Suffice to say I am back and have lots to tell you and pics to share. Before I start though I would like to say a big thankyou to those who sent cards and words of support ,you know who you are ,but to my special friends Julie and Sally and Tina who helped so much.
So now onward with the news from here in Weymouth.Oh forgot to apologise for lack of comments from me on your blogs, I have visited but just not felt up to commenting please forgive me.
I have some pics of a place Martin took me when I was in the throes of despair, I will share them with you but not today as they were taken in June. So maybe I will use those to brighten January days. I have also something else to share with you , Martin (and I)decided we needed a new summer house (garden room)so a before and after pic follows.

This was the dumping ground for all the rubbish and after clearing here is what we put there.

 It is just so nice to sit and read or stitch in here watching the birds or just being.This is from the inside To the left.

This is to the right.As you can see lots of books and knick knacks.

Martin put electricity in so we have a small radio and lighting out there too.

Of course there had to be a Jane Austen quote in there. I also found this one I really felt drawn to.

It reads, Happiness is like a butterfly,

The more you chase it,the more it will elude you.

But if you turn your attention to other things,

It will come and sit softly on your shoulder. 

The frame of mind I have been in seemed to suit the peaceful room so perfectly.

Of course I had a lovely new place to sit ,so only fair Martin had something too so he has a new shed and has his glass etc in there so he can work whilst I sit.

You will have to excuse the washing ,the new shed and Summer house sit almost opposite ,Dale the gardener has been again and laid a path so Barb does not get her feet muddy when wandering down the garden. So that has been our main project this summer and who needs to go away when you can laze at home especially in the summer we have had.

Kate dd,and Graeme ds,came with their girlies to  have a look.They approve!!

Sue ddil   had a bit of a squeeze to get inbetween but she managed. Of course I have to show you my gorgeous girlies but then I am biased.

We reckon Caitlin has a look of Jill Halfpenny what do you think.

 Now it is Autumn and I HAVE Spooky stitching to share. As you have seen by the header I have at last finished the Wordplay series . This was finished with the help of Julie and Mr Stick over at Needlecraft Haven and so I thought I would take a pic for you to see them all together ,just to prove I did it. December Wordplay finished.

Now as we are in the spooky week and Tina and I have done a private exchange I shall show you what I received from a very wet postman this morning. I am thrilled with it Thankyou again Tina, Sally will like this one too I am sure as yes it features a SHEEP!!

Of course I simply love it and I had few Trick or Treat packages to open too. The trick in the pic is the black and white threads -Tina had put the colour labels on the opposite one,which at first puzzled me as I thought the manufacturer had made a mistake ,I am of very little brain you see, Martin said hmmm I think someone has played a trick on you . Dur so then I got it. A little ghost chocolate lolly , and a spooky pumpkin pin completed a perfect package. Tina was getting a little worried as it took longer than she thought to get here, but it is here safe and sound.

Dont you just love those orange pom poms , all those stitches , Tina you are a star. Now I expect you are wondering what I did for Tina ,well I will show you.

I hung it on my chimney so you could see how it looked hanging. It is a Madame Chantilly design I have not got a clue what the Title of it is as it is in Italian perhaps someone could translate. Volevo un gatto nero!

This was the backing fabric. I got it from Plush Addict , they provide good service and stock some unusual fabrics. 

We have decided to make this an annual thing so we are putting the year on them in future. Cannot wait until next years spooky stitch exchange now. 

Talking of all things Hallowe'en , Sally and I are doing a Hallowe'en stitch along and have just started Wicked by Barbara Ana ,here is progress up to Monday lasts.

I think the cats may have green eyes ,not as pattern but I shall see when I get further along.I also had a very special giftie from my Martin, he made me this. to hang in the window.

I think she is A-MAZ-ING, he even gave her Dorothys red shoes.!

So that is almost all my spooky bits, just going to finish this part with a pic of my mantle.

I also have had another set of finishes ,again with Sally we stitched the 12 days by the Little Stitcher , I know Sally has shown you hers so here are mine.

Also I have had a finish in the parlour at Needlecraft Haven and this is Snow Trio.I made it into a mat to hold the candle DD gave me.

So I have not been totally idle, now onto Wips in progress if you are still with me ,WELL DONE!

I am stitching along with Miss Julie as i said and as I have now finished December I have another ufo that was a ufo restarted last weekend.

It is a bit blurry sorry, this is over one and its It will be a magical christmas with you by Lilli Violette.So hoping to get that finished before the big day arrives in a few weeks!!!!

Mondays you have already seen the spooky night with Sally piece.

Tuesdays are a new start Moonlight by LHN not enough of that to show you this time as I had the fabric the wrong way round and had to restart. That happened with the Wicked one too, what is wrong with me as so many false starts lately.

Wednesday I am in the parlour over at Needlecraft Haven and I am stitching Joy Love Peace by Country Cottage Needlecrafts.

Sorry about the angle of the tree it is straight really!!

I was stitching on a Stitchers Prayer but we decided that we should do Christmassy themed ones up until Christmas.  Here is where I have got to on that.

I am thinking this may need to be tea dyed as it looks very white at the moment ,I shall see when it is done.

Thursday is a private exchange for Christmas with Sally a christmas ornie so cannot show you that. 

Friday is Tricotine again with Sally (she does keep me motivated ,thanks Sally). I have had 2 bad starts on this one,first one fabric was wrong way round so would not have fitted,.secondly I got the girl done then snipped an away knot and snipped fabric too,tried using a thread from the side but wasnt happy,so Sally is way ahead and here I am with my 3rd time lucky girl.

Thats a bit blurry too. I was supposed to take part in a summer exchange over at NH but that was when things came crashing down all around me so Clare stepped in and stitched for Kate. This is what I had started and as yet it is still where I had got to. 

Kate sent me a lovely little patchwork bag and I felt so dreadful that I had not stitched for her. I did send her a little something later for her to stitch. I also had Martin make me this for Clare for stitching something for me.

I think for now I have bored you to tears,so I shall end this here as Ollie needs to go for a walk (we always know what time it is when he starts to stir)hope to get out before its dark. I shall catch up again soon ,I promise . Another apology to make for those of you who had birthdays in my down time sorry I did not send cards ,so here I am ending this as I started it apologising lol. Take care all and I hope your summer has been a good one. More catching up next time.

Hugs 

Barb.

Easter over and the Grand Affair.

Well hello all , something of a flat feeling here, all has gone and now back to normality. Thanks to those who left me a little comment last time ,they are much appreciated. So now what has been happening since last I wrote, well not much stitching as I have been having problems with the back and not felt like much. However today it feels betterish so I am going to try and do a little later. Martin has got me hooked on a game on my tablet called Hay Day,so I have been forever feeding chickens, milking cows harvesting and sowing crops. I have 5 sheep and 10 pigs too. So life has been busy for a virtual farmer. If you fancy having ago it should come with a warning -highly addictive.
Hope you all had a good Easter, I coped with cooking for the multitude , but had to go lay down and rest the back after. I had a lovely surprise and some really sweet cards thanks to those who sent.My friend Jane who has been really having a tough time lately with family and her own health, so pleased you are on the mend now Jane. If you do not know who I am talking about , Jane is Buttons and Stitches who owns Tilly and Oscar the bunnies and Monty the dog. This is what she sent.

I LOVE IT. That was not all.

I know this is really a peg bag ,but I have it hanging over the radiator by my chair so I can pop stitchy things in it. They were all wrapped up in the pink tissue paper with the bunny stickers on each one, reminding me of Tilly and Oscar. The little sheep bookmark you can just see against the spots of the bag came in its own little box. I just felt so special when this arrived. Thankyou so much Jane.

As I said not much done in the way of stitching by me to show you this time. Sally must have been despairing of me this last week and the ladies in the parlour. NEXT TIME promise.
I have been mentioning my Dress to Impress grand affair, my much loved Son and Daughter in laws Silver Wedding celebration. Well here as promised are some pics .

This was taken outside Kate much loved daughters home before setting off.

Disaster as Jack notices a hole in the back of Caitlins dress. Nanny to the rescue with needle and thread .

A now smiling Caitlin and a very proud grandad.She looked absolutely stunning.

Dad and our daughter Kate.

Ok I do not like having my photo taken as you all know. So left to right me, Martin, Iain sil, Kate ,Caitlin ,Katy and Jack.

Jack eldest grandson and Caitlin posing by their dads car. Of course Jacks girlfriend Katy had to get in on the act.

So we set off Kate drove us and the others went with Iain. The next one was taken as we arrived but I was in the car and Kate was driving. Hence it is a little blurry.

A red carpet welcomed us. Along with Ella Graeme and Sues daughter.

Then onto the entrance hall.

The arrangement you can see in the lopsided table ! Is white orchids , white lilies and it was beautiful.

Of course the main people of the evening were these 2 very special people. Sorry the photo is of them seperate as I could not get them together at the time , so Graeme our son, Kates brother. 

His bow tie even had silver speckles in it. And the girl who looked a million dollars. Sue our daughter in law of 25 years.

This is them on their wedding day. A voucher we all had to play on the gaming tables. Yes it was a casino night-why Sue said think James bond. 

We were given champagne when we arrived and Graeme did a lovely speech ,even had Sue in tears. He mentioned how they had first met at bakery college ,well on the train there and had done a film to go with it. Lump in the throat job. Then back to the tables .

The lady on the right was bridesmaid with Kate on the couples big day.

Sues mum and dad, the orchids were on the tables and were presented to  family and close friends at the end Mine is here on the window sill , hope I do not kill it. They really celebrated their 25 years in style. I did say to my son in law I hope he was taking notes as it is theirs in September. 

The dresses were a mix of short and long and some more there than others but everyone looked fantastic and I am sure had a good time. We all felt rather flat and rather lethargic the next day ,we did not get to bed until 1a.m ,not used to that. 

Sam and Alfie did not come as it was not a children friendly thing really. Sam though is on crutches as he has broken the growth plate in his foot. Slipped on the stairs, he cannot see the consultant until Wednesday but that is what the hospital said when Kate took him. 

So my dears ,sorry it is not much about stitching this time mainly family .I shall leave you with a pic of the 2 grandaughters together.

Will catch up again soon,meanwhile stay safe and just think it will soon be MAY!!!!

love Barb. x