Happy Easter one and all

Easter greeting from me to you. Thanks come to all of you who read this little blog of mine and to those who comment. As you can see from the header April is hanging on the chimney breast and thanks to Miss Julie and Mr Stick I have a new finish ,I told you last time that I was attempting to chart a British version of November ,and whoo hoo I have done it. What do you think?

Right hand side.

Left hand side.

This week I am stitching December started last year and hopefully finished this, I know it is here somewhere I saw it the other day ,since when my old head has forgotten where, it happens quite a lot these days. What a lovely few days we have had, it is such a delight to see the sunshine and everything growing rapidly. We are having Dale come back soon ,he is having a think of what he can do. We have a border out back which I wanted as a cottage come flowering garden ,but it never seems to look anything ,the rest of the garden is manageable but this patch isnt. So I will  be showing pics at a later stage. He is also going to remove a couple of trees damaged by the storms and finding something to replace them . You may remember our garden eighteen months ago when Dale revamped it.

The almost same spot, it is growing well .No flowers though just green .

Just love seeing the shadows of the restio on the grass. We have been out there tidying this last weekend. The weekend before I think I told you , I did a workshop on Silk Ribbon embroidery,very intensive although enjoyable. The tutor certainly kept us all in order , no lunch until we had got to a certain point , no talking unless you could work and talk. Several times I heard "Barbara , take that needle out of your mouth".I think Martin had had words with her to not let me come home with something else not finished. Saying that I did not finish it quite but I did on the Monday morning. Here is my rose sampler ,not perfect by any means but for a first attempt not a bad effort.

I also had to buy a couple of her books ,one which is out of print but she had one there. 

I also got the one behind . Oh such beautiful work she does, she had a basket of flowers that she had done in a frame , all spring flowers ,just lovely and I did not get a pic. The next day Sunday , my friend Jan and I went off to the Quilt show at Exeter. Lots of lovely quilts to look at and stalls too. Well I had to take a pic of  one that I loved  didn't I.I cannot  show it to you until I fathom out, or ask a man that can, how to get it  is off my camera. A clue though is a little gift that came from Miss Julies hols.

Yes it was a sheep quilt featuring 30 sheep and a sheep dog fast asleep counting them . Thanks for the stickers Julie , you really are a sweetie. 

Whilst I was at the quilt show, of course there were things to buy, I did not go with the intention of buying anything but you know how it is at these things. Some of my purchaseds for you to see.

Just loved this pattern and I will be stitching that one soon I hope. I also bought some fabric, ribbon and buttons but won't bore you with those. I did see this on a stall and just had to have it. Malbrigo wool and patterns that just take 1 hank. I won't tell you how much a hank is though!!!!!

The lady selling it was lovely , I said my husband will bless me having to hold a hank of wool for me, to which she said come back in a little while and I will have it wound into a ball for you. How is that for service. One of the patterns in the book was this ,so I may have to get some this colour too.

So I came home with a few goodies. My friend June has said there is another show in Somerset the weekend after this ,but not sure about that one as it is the weekend of the Grand Affair and I am not sure if we will be up to a longish drive. 

I usually have the tribe for Dinner on Tuesday but I have this week off, SIL is having the children for 3 days while Kate is at work. 

That is why this is getting written on a Tuesday. Yesterday I had a lovely suprise from Clare at Needlecraft Haven where I open the Parlour every Wednesday for those who want to stitch along on LHN, CCN,or the Sampler Girl designs. I sent her a few patterns I had no need for and she sent me this . Here it is hanging in situ.

I love it Clare , thankyou once again. She also sent some Easter crackers for the grandchildren. Also this week came my April Calendar girl one of the Sals I am doing with Sally.

I am afraid March had frogs visiting last evening, so her arm had to come off. Will try and catch up a bit in the week. I do have another finish again a SAL with Sally this time on Fridays and the 6th day was put together this morning.

I think her skirt maybe the wrong colour as I am sure Sallys is red, I have had to order more pins as I cannot find the other wheel I thought I had. Told you my memory is shot.

Well all I am off now with the man of the house to walk the dog of the house ,I expect said dog will be on the beach and in the sea before we get there.

Some bluebells in the garden for you, Love the colour.

 Take care and I will speak to you again soon.Hair cut tomorrow -scary ,new hairdresser too. 

Love Barb.x