Here again ,with the monthly update.

Hello everyone, Thankyou for coming along to visit me. Your comments are always so welcome. I  am a proud nan today as yesterday my grandaughter Caitlin took her driving test again and this time passed. So thrilled for her as it was someone elses fault she failed the first time. Well done my darling girl. I will stay on the theme of family to start as we have an updated photo of Caitlins brother Jack and his fiance Katie.

I am biased I know but aren't they such a nice looking couple.  Another visit to the vet for Ollie yesterday,, more antibiotics and tummy settler. He does seem better today so fingers are crossed. Vets bills are soooo expensive,  but what can you do if you own a pet you have to do the best for them, the love they give you unreservedly if they are treated well. 

Anyway that is up to date family news,

Now for the stitching I have done since I saw you last. I have just  finished a ornament from  the JCS christmas mag 2016 ,I just had to stitch this ,but I am  afraid it is  not put together yet.

It is just so me. I am going to show  you a couple of finishes that I show you in some  trepidation  as I have never made  a bag before. I am pleased with them and I  have just to say a big Thankyou for my inhouse measurer and cutter of straight lines, Martin . Before I do though ,a  couple of weeks or  so ago I asked my dear friend Julie if she would take a commission to make me a red and white tape measure as that was the only thing I had not got. I received  this and it is perfect , do you not think.

Thankyou so much Julie it is just perfect,and  sits in  the little pocket perfectly. If you would like to see my red work book  that now sits in my red work bag. Both these designs were taught me by Annette Bolton , you can google her and  see some of her work .  She is a lovely lady and if by any chance  she reads this ,well there you go Annette I have  actually got  it done. Anyway this is the book  I did with her in 2007.

I forgot to take a pic of the front or the needle book that is in the fold under the girl. Still this is not the finished bag. Here it is.  Drum roll.

It has a different design on each of its 4 sides. 

I love red ,  I have just bought some red curtains for the lounge and  it  is so cosy when they are drawn.

I had to have a sheep didnt I. 

The inside is like this.

Again  with the goodies inside.

I love my little red bag.  You can just call me The bag lady this time. As yesterday I finished another one ,again first attempt and again help with problems talking things through with better half./ I also had a bit of  talk  it through from Susie dil as I was having a bit of  a melt down puting it together. 

Really pleased with how this eventually turned out. It is from Quilting Cats and Dogs by Lynette Anderson.I am hoping to do the one that is pictured on the front of the book. If I can pluck up 

courage.There is  also a purse to go with it so maybe I will be attempting that too.

Here is a pic of the  inside.

You will be thinking no cross stitch this time. I do have another finish to show you but I am going to re do it , as I am  not happy with it. The design is fine  but the finishing is  not  good. So I will at some point do it over one so it is smaller. 

My friend from Orlando sent me the chart of this and I  had to stitch it as soon as it arrived. It is just a little too big for my liking. Thanks Barbara for enabling me to stitch this not once but twice lol.  

I have been in the parlour over at Needlecraft Haven and on a Wednesday I have been stitching along with the ladies. At the moment I am  stitching on The Primitive Hares Christmas Cubes ,started M last week ,but here are S and T for you to see.

Now T.

I am really excited about these and seeing them all finished. 

I have also been stitching on a Friday with my friend Sally doing a sheep design. This will be shown a few times as I still have lots to do on it. 

Don't you just love the sheep in the tub, his friend is a bit grubby that is waiting.  I have still 2 sheep to put in on the other side of the tree, but cannot wait to get to the next line underneath . Just love it.

Then on  Strictly nights last  week was 2 nights ufo. So I got Miss  Violet out and  here are pics of the start again  and where I am now. 

 I will show you a pic next time of where I am with this. It is very pale.but so sweet.

I think that is all  the stitching to show you, September has been a book buying month ,when are  they not. I borrowed Room  10 one from  my daughter and the first book she had written was on offer so had to have that ..

Then this was released this week and of course had to have it. I love his dog Nigel ,well he is a retriever enough said.

My bookcases are like my stash overflowing but I still keep buying just no hope. 

I also had to have a wool fix after seeing  this months Landscape magazine that I subscribe to.Just had to knit these pumpkins.

Will let you know next time how they turn out , I ordered the wool from Love Knitting and this is how it arrived.

All done up in a little net bag. 

On the order front I have asked Chris at The Nimble Thimble to order some new Shepherds Bush items so Sally and I have decided to go back to SB stitching next year. It won't be long in coming I am sure ,

The nights are drawing in and mornings have that lovely autumnal chill , spiders webs covered in dew, sparkling like tiny diamonds. Until a certain dog goes through them in the fields. However the header pic is one he could not reach in the garden, So now my friends I will be back maybe a little earlier next time as I have an exchange piece to show you ,Tina has said it should be posted the first week in October so whoo hoo I am looking forward to that. Meanwhile take great care of yourselves ,hope I have not bored you to tears.

Much love 

Barb x