Hopefully no gremlins this time.....

Well it is now Sunday almost teatime and it has been a really beautiful day, Ollie has just gone off for his daily dip in the sea. As soon as the spring comes and he gets to the fields, and is off his lead, it is head down and go as fast as poss until he gets to the beach. It is a little sandy cove and once he is in the sea its the devils own job to get him out again. Sundays he gets to stay in a bit longer.
Tide is out in the picture above.Much to his disgust.

I have not caught up properly with you as health probs have not been kind, not going into details,but today is a Good day and the sun is shining ,so maybe the cough is getting better (at last) and I shall be back to normal,however that feels!!
Last weekend we had Caitlin to stay as she had a history project to do.Her grandad helped her do something that was invented in medieval times ,a stained glass window. She was a little apprehensive cutting the glass and breaking it but she managed fine and here are some pics to show her progress. This is her design she drew right at the beginning.

Next shows her nailing the pattern to the board then cutting some glass



Practising grinding the glass to shape ,she then had to wash all the cut glass to get pattern markings off.You will have to excuse my messy kitchen.

That was Saturdays progress.
Sunday last week saw this


Sorry about the lead and soldering one not sure how to put it right way up. However we are really proud of her she did good.
When she and grandad had finished we were late to dinner at Kates but not too late!! Then we had to see the whirling dervish on his new bike and the others on theirs.

That was last weekend,this week we had the 2 oldest boys Jack and Sam, they wanted to go to speedway with Grandad on Friday night,Sam came over early Friday and here he is with his first piece of stitching.


Well thats family news for now, Sue been given her instructions regarding the blood disorder,she still has to see the dr about the giddyness on Wednesday this coming week. It is her birthday on Thursday and their 22nd wedding anniverary on the same day.

I can hear you all shouting where is the stitchy news well after the vine can I top that. Thanks for the wonderful comments about it by the way, I have to go ferrett in my drawers (lol) for another ufo for Tuesday.
I have started 2 new stitchy things. I have done a little more on this but will post next week.It is At Home with Jane Austen a sal I am doing with Sally Hazel and Lesley Anne.I am having a problem putting this one down.


Been busy roofing .
Then another new start this one is the Carriage House Samplings one that I got from e bay and I am stitching it over one on Sassys Khaki. Love the colours together.

Stash accumulated is 1.




So there you have it ... a catch up...I am hoping to have progress on QC next time and maybe another finish oohh I do love my stitching.

May I say special thanks to Karan I think the HB worked and everyone is getting sorted bless you you are an angel. Julie you too are a star and kept me up there this week. Sally just for the comment and Heidi for making me smile with her being tired as she has been dancing for both of us. All of you who left a comment I am so touched by your words bless you all.
Ok 24 is on tonight and after just watching Time Team we will be watching Foyles War.
Take care all till I ramble again, not too long with luck.
Hugs n stuff
Barb

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!

Well had to get your attention there didn't I? Only one word for it ,although Julie and Mr Stick had a good one when she knew I had finished it . 'Fandabidoze' Yes I remember that word too Julie.
You are wondering what I am prattling on about aren't you , Julie and my friends over at Stitch and Stash know (hee hee). Shall I keep you in suspenders ?
Yes I HAVE been on the Happy juice ,well that is how it feels, the Wandering Vine is FINISHED. Do you know what I thought to myself ?

A couple of cushions to match would be nice ,but maybe that is going too far.

Anyway drum roll,fanfare of trumpets,choir of angels -whatever.
'A wandering vine 'afghan. stitched with 5 perle thread and much muttering and gnashing of teeth at times. A Shepherds bush design.





I am holding it up gives you some idea of size (and how tall,(small)I am.lol)
Julie and the other ladies will be so pleased I will not be whittering on about the darn vine anymore. So hop,skip and jump with me as I do my celebratory Happy Dance . I put 2 oz wadding in between the backing fabric and then stitched a border around it. The little sheep buttons I had from Kate with the ornie exchange we did last Christmas, it has blue flower shape buttons and heart shaped pink buttons around the middle. The ribbon for the bows is some that Anne sent me (see last post).
Here is a pic of it folded with some of the middle showing.


I have just tried to edit this because I published it before I was ready, then half way through adding more it decided to disconnect me from the internet ,so I will catch up in a couple of days as I am now spitting feathers lol.
Take care all thanks for your comments in advance and I will see you at the weekend.
Hugs Barb

Morning has broken

I know some of the ladies over at stitch and stash will have seen this finish but not framed,so ta-da here it is in all its framed glory . Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird designs, stitched over one on Sassys fabric Celery with the called for threads.
I also couldn't resist the music to go with it. If you dont want to listen just turn the volume down.
I think this maybe a bit long ,so if you want to go grab a coffee ,feel free!

Will do stitchy news first this week ,just to ring the changes.
I also finished for the s/s monthly challenge , 'BE TRUE'by Plum Street Samplers. Again it was done on Celery over one with DMC threads. As it was a blackbird I have had it framed for my 'wall'. Thanks to Christine for choosing this free design for us to stitch .Wonder what will be next months.


By the skin of my teeth I finished March ornie challenge over at S/S.
Entitled Merry Winter by Country Rustic Primitives ,I do like these little designs and have got 4 more to do ,so that will take me to July!!
This is stitched on Osnaburg fabric and with the DMC threads asked for. I used hairy string for a hanger.
Very simple but I like them.


I think that it is about all for my finishes, but here is my wip for QC for March,Oh I am so pleased with this.


Page 2 is finished ,onto page 3.

Sally ,Hazel and I are starting a SAL ,The Sampler Girl At home with Jane Austen. We are starting on the 9th April and I am really looking forward to it.

Speaking of Sally, this week I have been awarded by Sally The Beautiful Blogger Award, which i was so thrilled to get.
Then I had Sunshine Awards from Clare, Babs and Chris . Awww thankyou so much and I really am absolutely delighted that you think I am deserving of an award, however although I am chuffed to bits, I have decided not to put these on my blog, (I have told the ladies involved as I should hate to hurt anyones feelings )I have decided to make this an award free zone. So to all of you who read the rambling woman and comment ,you are all special to me and I do hope you continue to visit,and read me go on ,and on ,and on ,and on !! lol.

Now next is Stash for this week well on Friday I opened the door to a smiling postman, yes we have a smiley postman,and I was absolutely speechless when I opened a parcel from my Irish friend Anne , she has recently returned from NY and thought she would send me a 'few' goodies from the big Apple. Just thought I would share.


Anne visited a shop called Annies Attic and purchased some Soy Silks hand dyed threads. Of which she sent me 3, in pink lilac and cream.I hadn't heard of these threads before and I will enjoy doing something in these along with the Mandarin Floss that she sent
Also in the parcel was

and......


and.......

Then there was this


Shaun the sheep is now hanging on my bathroom door handle. I cannot beleive that ANNE sent me this parcel of gold ,she is so very generous and she made a dull Friday into a rainbow of a day. Thankyou again so much Anne, I know you read this ,but she has not a blog of her own , her work is fantastic too and I think she should have a blog to show you it all ,shall we nag her girls as Julie and Karan did me!!See what you two started.

My purchases were these This I got from e-bay but I do like the little verse .


This one I saw and liked (because of the birds)


This one is for Martin at some stage -he likes his boaty sea themes.

AND that is All my stitchy news friends for this week.

Not much other news ,visit to the Drs this week for antibiotics, and Martin had a hospital app , Jack has his braces fitted on Tuesday. Graeme Sue and Ella came for a quick visit yesterday. Sue has to see top consultant in London on the 8th April.Good news is her dads cancer is treatable they think .Karan you will know what I mean when I thankyou for that.
Well my bloggy friends I hope you have liked looking at the bits and bobs and maybe listening to the music. I love the cherries on this background maybe finally I am getting this blog together. Please look after yourselves and thankyou for all your lovely comments , I feel so lucky to have found you all.
Hugs n stuff to all ,speak to you again soon
Barb

You must remember this ,a kiss is just a kiss a sigh is just a sigh as time goes by

43 years ago today I married my Martin, and at times its been tough and the way not always easy, but here we are, as he said at lunchtime ,heres to the next 43!!!!!!!! He said "I will only be 107 "In your prime then I said!!We were engaged for 2 years before marrying and "courting" before that ,I met him when I was 15. Ah loves young dream. I wouldn't change him for the world he is a real "gentle" man. He doesnt do opening doors and putting on coats though lol.
We went out for lunch today , and guess what he did this afternoon after we had been out and bought 2 ,yes 2 new bookcases, he cleaned my cooker -oh what a man! He knows I have not got the strength in my wrists and knees are painful to kneel on and I really hate the cooker being dirty.So there you are as the saying goes;-


On the family front our dear Ella, of cooking fame, did her bit for sport relief and swam 118 lengths of the pool, one and a quarter miles.Go Ella. We had a text from Sue to say she had done it and everyone is so proud ,she was the only girl and only 9. Sue also texted Kate our DD,who said back "Blimey whats next the channel"?

As some may know it was Mothering Sunday in the UK last Sunday, Graeme DS came down on Saturday,he was kayaking near by. He got me Lost in Austen dvd, and some gorgeous red tulips. Kate I did not see until yesterday as I have been full of yukky cold, and didnt want her to catch it and give it to the tribe.Plus she was working on Sunday so her Mothers Day wasnt brilliant. The children (or Iain got her a pressie though ) and Jack gave her a kit-kat and said there you go Mum have a break. For those of you who haven't a clue what I am talking about, a Kit-Kat is a chocolate biscuit bar that has the slogan have a break have a kit-kat, as it snaps quite easily.I think sometimes with 5 she could snap quite easily lol.

Martin has got me the Time Travellers Wife dvd so I am well equipped if the RA flares up and I can only watch tele. Health news ,yukky cold and cough and general aches and pains but nothing too serious.
I do not have any stitchy pics of recent days to show you ,but thought I would share this as it is that time of year. This must have been done about 20years ago ,I think I need to change the colour of the outside mount.

We have seen a pair of coal tits trying out the nesting box we can see from the kitchen window, I don't know if the accommodation is up to scratch ,could just see him/her having a good fidget to see if the fit was right. Very exciting if they take up residence.
I also have a pair of ring neck doves ,so pretty ,trying to nest in the viburnum just outside the lounge window, usually there is a great comotion when I go out to feed them in the morning .A great flurry and battling to get out of the tree so I won't see her.
I have got a little stash this week ,but at the moment not taken pic of it , I got a carriage sampling chart from e-bay ,it is called, "The song they Sang" the verse reads
"It was early,early in the spring.The birds did whistle and sweetly sing.
Changing their notes from tree to tree,the song they sang they sang for me."

It is such a nice design too.
Then I got from Plum Street Samplers Salem Sisters, and Morning bird .Still hooked on the bird theme you see.
Also got some books -well i have bookcases to fill lol.
This is a short post for me but hopefully there may be another coming soon lol.
I know some of you that read this have been feeling rather grim- Please feel better soon. Thanks for all your comments they are very special to me and I do read them all.
Heidi for all your help and nice words thankyou .
Kathy and Rory for all the laughter ,(almost had to have a nappy there ) if any of you havent seen Rory in his dressing up outfits take a look at Kathys blog . He is a STAR!!!
OH I havent mentioned my woofit. He is fine laying down by my feet, he has been out for his run and got soaked as the rain has started. He comes in and sits just inside the front door awaiting his rub down ,(and thats just Martin lol)
If I havent mentioned you then forgive me and BIG HUG From me to you.
Tina who hasnt got a blog, but I know reads this ,hope you recover real quick .Will give you pics of stitching next time -promise.
Meanwhile
Hugs n stuff
Barb

2 posts in a week ,but look what I got this morning

This was the win from Sarah (craftymoo blog) who sent me this for her blogaversary.The fabby is right up my street colour is fantastic, the VC silks are sublime, charts will be done at some point,the magnetic bookmark is brilliant, crystals always handy and Chocolate too, I think a Martin may have his eye on that,I may let him as I have had lots of goodies lately.
Thankyou so much Sarah, you will have to look out for mine when it comes along ,but not just yet lol.
I thought this would be a post on its own ,as its a bit special.
The previous post has all this weeks news.
Stitchylicious wishes to you all- I will speak again soon.
Hugs n stuff
Barb

Doesn't it make you want to spit.

Here is a pic of a little gift I sent to Tracey in the US, we traded charts and hers arrived within days of her posting it , mine although I posted it 2 days before hers it arrived a week later. I know she got the chart ,but the envelope had been torn open and my little cushion did not arrive.
So yes, it makes me want to spit.Rant over!!! This is the chart I had in my trade and she kindly sent me 2 of the Weeks needed to go with it. Isn't it cute. It will go on my birdie wall WHEN i have stitched it!

Well folks how has your week been , hope it was a good one. I found out I have been the lucky winner on Sarahs (craftymoo)blog , gosh two months in a row, I am deffo going to buy a lottery ticket this month lol. Will let you know what I receive .

Family news and health update.
Sue saw yet another consultant this morning ,she had to have her head shook as they thought she may have labrynthitis ,but now are going to refer her to a ent consultant. Poor girl is really going through it at the moment. Her dad has just been diagnosed with cancer and is going for an mri scan tomorrow to see if it has spread.


Jack has had both of his adult teeth out and had a bit of a traumatic experience with one of them as some of the root got left behind.He now has to see the orthadontist to see if he needs an op to remove it before he can have his braces fitted.

Martin had a trip to minor injuries this weekend just gone, he had an infection in his hand which was bright red and spreading up his arm. They couldn't find anything in it, but gave him antibiotics and it is getting better. Then the other hand started with the same thing. He does not do normal, always has to have something for the medical people to ponder over .It did look angry though.
I am fairly pain free at the moment and it is wonderful!

More family news.
Ella is thrilled she has been chosen for the netball team.
On Sunday we took a little trip out as I needed a sheep fix, we did not go far about 6/7 miles away but these are the pics we took.


St.Catherines dates from the 14c .It was built by monks of Abbotsbury,possibly as a beacon for pilgrims coming to worship at the Abbey in the village below.The chapel survived the dissolution of the Monastries unlike the Abbey, probably due to the fact it was valued as a navigational beacon for sailors making the crossing of Lyme Bay.
Dedicated to the patron St.Catherine who was the patron saint of spinsters, the chapel became a place for women to pray for a husband . I have no comment to make on that lol.
Words of an old prayer
A husband St.Catherine
A handsome one St.Catherine
A rich one St.Catherine
A nice one St. Catherine
And soon! St.Catherine.
Well it made me smile.
Then we saw what I had gone out to look for Sheep!!!

I was hoping to see lambs but prob a bit early yet.The one on the left had a limp poor thing.,
So I had an outing this last weekend. At some point I will share with you some other places that are close to where we live.
Now onto stitchy news.
Well I do not have a lot to share with you in the way of my stitching ,I have to let Yoyo get the progress on QC before I share with you,hopefully you may get that next week. I have made progress on Awake the Dawning Day though and I am really enjoying this.

I just love the colours too and it is stitching up nicely.
When I spoke last I promised I would finish my right hand border of the vine,which I more or less did, but when I came to do the heart at the bottom, all was blooming nicely ,leaves were growing ,(and there are an awful lot of them) and flowers were blooming when the dratted frog came for a visit. My heart was broken! it would not meet.So rip it rip it became my song . Oh well perhaps the heart will be fixed tonight as it is UFO night on Stitch and Stash with my friend Julie and MR Stick!!
For those of you who have not seen the vine and wondering what on earth I am dribbling on about, I have taken a taster pic for you . 2 squares of the right hand border and 2 inner squares for you to see. I don't know whether it is because it is done with perle thread and seems clumpy after my over 1 on 28 count but boy will it be a major HD when this one is finished (you will feel the earth move over the pond)


See ya later Julie.
That is all my stitching this week doesn't look much does it. Have finished another book though Rose of Sebastapool.Also received a little stash.
This is the fabric for my Quaker Diamonds from Picture Plus .

Next actually an early anniversary present as I wanted these two charts to do for my birdie wall.

That is all my goodies for this week, but thought I would share with you a little someone that Martin made for me this week ,she goes with my Little boy with the umbrella. I will take a pics of some of his work for you to see at some point.


Now just for you that leave me the super duper comments (and thanks for the encouragement on the Blackbirdie wall! a few flowers.


For those of you who read my posts if you need a hug,you got it! Take care and have another stitchylicious week.
Hugs n stuff Barb

Mad as a March Hare

I suppose he is a chip off the old block.This is Jack playing hide and seek ,well at least I think that is what he was doing I don't think he realises just how tall he has got,either that or like me trying to get away from the camera.

Well how are we all this week, another month slipping off the calender and into the ether,where does the time go- and can anyone tell me when a day seems to go really slowly the week has gone before I can blink.

Healthwise not too bad, Sue saw the Oncologist ,she still needs to see another consultant and Ella has to be tested at a later date,but its looking more hopeful that although she has a blood condition we think it is controllable.
Everyone else is fine, well I haven't heard that they aren't, so no news, is good news they say.
I found some violets in the garden this morning, not quite in bloom yet ,but with a little bit of sunshine,we do have some today ,they will soon be out properly.
Thankyou so much for your comments regarding the tulip quilt, I was absolutely
gobsmacked I can tell you ,as I think I said, I am not lucky with raffles or lottery or anything like that usually.
Before I start proper, may I just take a moment to thank those who have left me comments on my last 2 posts (and the ones before of course). To answer them here goes:
Jules-thanks for the Florida Sunshine , its lacking the heat at the moment ,but its lovely just to see the sun for even a day or two.

Heidi- Not thought of seeing if Clarice Cliff did (ordinary ) designs before her famous ones,taken a pic of the back of plate for you to see. I too like the tea with JA and I love the quote and really must get ,the chart for the summer, "What dreadful hot weather we are having ,it keeps one in a continual state of inelegance" I think it is brilliant,especially as although the summer helps my pain I do not like it hot .

Tina -Karyn -not sure when the start will come for QD as I am still awaiting fabric from Picture Plus in the States. I have had e mail saying it has been posted so hopefully I will be able to let you see that next time. Not the start the fabric lol. Did you get the 3 ply threads Karyn?
Stitchinfiend- Jane thanks for the kind comments on QC, bit more for you to see this week.
My Julie friend oldbagpuss and Sally awww just thanks for being friends.

Now in time honoured tradition I would like to thank my parents,my family,neighbours
friends and the cat next door ,not forgetting Oliver the dog. Sorry I lost the plot there for a while must be the rare occurence of sunshine.
Just been to fetch serious head from the dusty cupboard.

I expect you would like to see what I have been doing and also what I have received this week (our postman is becoming quite a friend these days ).
An unstitchy pic first, as Heidi seemed interested in my Clarice Cliff plate here is the back.

Not a brilliant picture but readable just.

Next is a picture of my Blackbird wall ,they have actually made it to the wall now,the big picture that you can see above will eventually be replaced by my birdies.


Then a picture of my new start ,on 28 count Sassys Celery over one, this is Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs ,another I am loving. This has birds on it too, so if I can get Don (my framer) to do it, this one will go on the wall too.


Quaker Christmas has grown a little this week ,and I shall be stitching along with Yoyo and the others on the Christmas Sal this week at some point. Progress for you to see.


Next week hope to have a progress pic of vine, as I may get the right hand side finished this week , Julie and Mr Stick will be beating a path to my door if I don't get some done soon .
Also finished off the LHN ORNIE pear tree for the Sal , I quite liked the idea of putting a little bar of chocolate in it. What do you think? I thought I would try and get a miniature flake for "He is a flake "one.


I can also show you a pic of the monthly challenge I did for Stitch and Stash , we are given a design to stitch in any finish and I finished mine into a bookmark for Martin ,along with the chocolate gingers. He is using it so must have been pleased gingers did not last too long!



When I come to doing this, I realise just how much I am trying to keep all the needles in the fabric ,well its a different take on balls in the air ,isnt it.
I love the design chosen for March (it has a bird on it so sorry folks no fancy finishing this time as it will be for the wall).

I have another finish to show you for my Jane Austen corner it is taken from one of the Sampler Girls Tanyas pattern books and I thought the quote quite cute ,it will sit next to Emma on the wall ,with Mr Darcy underneath. Martin put a black card surround around it as I hadn't done it properly (story of my life).



I think thats all my stitching for this week phew.

I do have another persons to show you though ta-da!!!!
Mother -in -law has finished her thatched cottage, here she is proudly displaying same after we had picked it up from the framers. I am so proud of her finishing it, she started with the teddy that I will post pic of under this one,then went on to this. Many tears were stitched into it as she started cross stitching when fil died 2years ago, and some nights and days she could not see to stitch through tears. Perseverance paid off though and despite all that she has finished it .She said when she saw the picture "you cant show them that, look at all my wrinkles and my hair looks a fright she is 85 ,bless her so we can forgive her a few wrinkles.
She has now started a Dimensions Gold Collection kit we bought her for Christmas ,all teddies.Will let you know how she progresses from time to time.



I had typed all this yesterday took ages as BT are playing about with Broadband in this area, due to the Olymics in 2012 the sailing is being held here.It is just so slow and would not upload pics and I see the typing that I did below mums progress from time to time, has not been saved -grrrr dont you love these confuser things.
So what did I write next -heavens knows.
I have not shown you stash from last week so here is my Heartstring Sampler from Beth Twist

Then I at last received my Loose Feathers 39 from Blackbird Designs,they were a bit late with this one ,so it will go in the pile.

Threads arrived for one of the samplers from the Sampler Girl that Kate got for my birthday.

Last but not least my friend gave me a WH Smith voucher for my birthday and I bought these books to go on my reading pile .At the moment I am enjoying Jamacia Inn on my MP3 player and my book by the bed is The Rose of Sebastopol.

Well folks if you are still with me,well done,I do tend to ramble on a bit! I hope you enjoy reading about the bits and bobs and will come back for more. Take care wherever you are in the world,I would never have thought my humble little ramblings would be read by so many people so far away Bless you.
See you next week have a stitchylicious one (I am sure I will)
Hugs n stuff
Barb.

This deserves a post all to itself will update you with the rest of the news at the weekend probably.I entered The Prairie Grove Peddlar weekly competiton on her blog and this arrived this morning. I actually won on my birthday too -how great a surprise was that. I love it and included was a lovely birthday card too. Just so thoughtful.
I love the colours and I have draped it over the settee in my stitching room , as then Ollie wont decide to lean against it.
If you get chance pop over and say Hi to Cheryl I am sure she would welcome you.
Thanks Cheryl so much.
Here it is in situ

Take care and hugs to all
Barb