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.

Hunting for a little house in the country for the parlour maids

The title may be a little obscure to some so will endeavour to explain. On a Wednesday I post on Needlecraft Haven a little message to all my Parlour maids. We choose to stitch a design from one of three designers (sometimes there is more than one of us doing the same design) the designers are Little house needleworks,Country cottage needleworks and lastly The Sampler Girl . We have been discussing various rooms we may have and always enjoy our evenings in the parlour. The annexe has been added to enable those that are doing LHN  series Santas village .On Monday of this last week ,Martin and I took a drive out to a small village that is on the outskirts of Weymouth. To look for our Little Cottage in the the country so I could play pretend with the ladies . Are you with me so far?!! Anyway this was the Cottage I chose to photograph and "wish" it was mine. I thought the end of the cottage could be the annexe and the window  next door to it could be the parlour. I have shown the ladies and they would all like to come stay in this virtual cottage of ours.
This is in a little village called Sutton Poyntz and has a lovely duck pond which is fed by the River Jordon. Alfie our youngest grandson was baptised in the River Jordon one Christmas Season a few years ago.Then we sang carols but thought we may get odd looks if we started singing carols at this time of year.lol.

Sorry it is not very clear . Here is the river Jordon where Alfie was baptised.

At the far end is the duck pond and yes ducks were a dabbling up tails all. I did not manage to get a pic of the up tail though just head down.
It really is a pretty village and does not boast any shops only a pub called the Springhead. I think i shall be getting a reputation of the woman carrying dog biscuits as I was lucky to meet a few dogs and they were lucky too as they had dog treats much to their owners amusement. Ollie was not with us, he would have been in with the ducks. I also needed to have a sheep fix,and did not want to take Ollie as although I do not think for one minute he would chase them he may bark at them. He loves Country file and whines at them on the T.V. For those of you who are not in this country this is a programme about the countryside ,farming and lots of lovely animals -and sheep!!!!! Anyway I digress,hope you will not be bored with this post it may be a long one. We wandered about willynilly and found a friend who I could have brought home with me.

He/she even let me pick it up for a cuddle. I like cats but Martin is not too keen they upset his asthma . Although he was ok with the two we used to have and he was ok with Misty cat. I think he just wants me not to nag him that I really really need a cat!!!!!!!!!. Another good reason that Ollie wasn't with us as I think the cat would have not come to greet us ,and Ollie would have pulled someone's arm out of its socket ,as he would like to make friends hmmm so much !!!!Round the corner from here were some beautiful daffodils in a garden so of course the camera came out.

In the wall of one of the houses was this sundial and also if you look at garden after that you can see ,well can you spot it, a splash of blue a bluebell. So pretty a little haven to sit in.

It reads life is but shadow.

The bluebell is about a third of the way up from the bottom on the right hiding in the yellow. So we then said good bye to the ducks ,

Just had to take pic of the weather vane , it is a little blurry as it was windy.

So now  think I had better show you some stitching before I show you where we went next. This was our wedding anniversary by the way and we had just been out for lunch.Whilst on that subject thanks so much for your lovely comments to us both they were much appreciated.

SO onto the stitching and here is my Hope the sheep virtues I am sal with Sally, I am afraid I imitated Carin and used fine Chenille from Victoria Clayton for my sheep and "ewes not fat you's fluffy"!! So I am doing all these sheep in it.

Just awaiting the wool for the backing. I am also waiting for the next in the series which is Love.I have almost finished April so will let you see the almost finished article.

Next time hopefully it will be finished completely. As I mentioned at the start I meet with the girls in the parlour and  this is The Tea Room or at least the downstairs!

So that is the stitching that I have to show you.
Family news perhaps not so good, Jack eldest grandchild has suspected glandular fever ,but hopefully it is just a bad case of tonsillitis  He has not been able to go to college this last week. Caitlin his sister is having problems at school too. Ella too has school and friend? problems . Oh I am so pleased mine are grown,but let me tell you ,you still worry about the grandchildren.
Now are you ready for Mondays continuing travels. Well Martin knew I had to have a sheep fix so we got in the car and drove down to Abbotsbury. We went along the back roads and just before we got to Abbotsbury proper I espied some shhhhhheeeeepp .

Now don't you think they look like my woolly sheep hee hee.I think the one on the left looks as if it has been eating too much grass. Although the one on the right is quite fluffy too. Maybe they are pregnant.They have a yellow dot on their backs. I could show you a few more sheepies but will just share one more for the view they look at.

In the background is the Abbotsbury Swannery.Which is explained here,

We did not go into the swannery as it is walking and that is a no no. We did go into the little shop and admired this outside.

Then we visited the coffee shop where I was presented with this by Martin ,coffee cake yum but I think it was meant for 2 lol. Martin as you know is allergic to egg so none for him.I did share it with the birds.!

It was even warm enough to sit outside . So there you have our afternoon out but I have a couple more to show you , not many litter bins like this about.

Perhaps if you are ever in this part of the country you may like to visit here. On the drive home we stopped to take a picture as another thing you do not see very often . Is thatchers at work.

This is another a little closer .

As I know he will read this ,I would like to say to my husband of 46 years -it was a grand day thankyou sweetie.
I think also my son Graeme may read this too, so I will say thanks again to him as these are the flowers he sent for Mothers day. This was taken yesterday so they are lasting well Graeme.He wanted to know what we got up to on Monday so I am sending him this way to see. Hope you managed to get to the end it was a bit long this time . So thanks for visiting and I shall see you next time -
Hugs and much love

Barb xx

March Madness

Martin and I celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary this month and in a moment of madness I

agreed to knit him an aran jumper,I haven't knitted him a jumper for quite a few years,and it may be quite a few years until he gets this one lol.Anyway duly ordered wool and pattern and it arrived yesterday.this is the pattern.

A ball of wool -THAT is a ball of wool.

 

I could not believe how BIG it is ,it only takes 2 balls to knit the jumper. So I expect you may see a lot more of this before it is finished. I am a bit concerned if the wrists will hold up. We will see.

So my dears I hope you are all well ,thanks for the comments ,I think I have answered questions that were asked last time.I have been looking at peoples blogs and saw a pic from Tom Tit moves house,but cannot remember whose blog it was. I loved reading this to my children when they were young. I was sure I still had it and decided (March Madness again ),to climb the mountain that is the stairs and have a look in one of the lofts and see if I could find it.





 

Shall I show you  some of the pages , it is about a group of animals that have to move when a building site overtakes their homes.

 

 

Aren't those little bunnies so sweet. I shall have to show this to Kate and see if she remembers it.

 

I am so pleased that Hop frog found a good home because now I know he will not be bothering me . It is that March Madness affecting me again.

Did you all have a good mothering Sunday , I was waited on by Martin and even Ollie had been shopping . He apparently spent all his dog biscuit money on a cd and a box of Thorntons chocolates and a dear little card with retrievers on. Graeme I did not see ,just had phone call,as they are all full of cold so although we were invited to go up we decided to give it a miss . I do not want the lurgy again !!!. Kate came over with the tribe ,which was lovely but noisy. She brought me flowers and bath oil .Whilst she was here I had a delivery from Marks and Spencer some flowers from Graeme. So I was spoilt yet again. I also had an invite out for lunch just dd and I  yesterday. She picked me up (not literally) and took me over to the Cove (where I had my birthday meal) .We had a lovely lunch looking at the tankers out in the channel ,the sea was so calm and although bitterly cold it was a lovely sunny day. After lunch we went to Kates favourite place ,she loves going here she said if she is stressed or feeling sad(in her job it happens unfortunately ,she works as a charge nurse at our local hospice) she goes here.

 

 

Portland Bill Lighthouse.

 

The sea on this side of the island was all white horses ,but I was told I was not allowed to go look as it was so bitterly cold and it is as you can imagine quite exposed.That is also the reason it is not a brilliant photo ,as it was taken out of the window of Kates car.

 

 

I had a phone call from Ella, Graeme and Sues daughter this morning, she had just come out of having a mole removed at the middle of her neck, they have sent it off but do not think it is anything to worry about.She had 4 stitches and apparently was very brave. On the subject of Graeme and his family I have an update for you. Taken on Mothers Day ,a Chocolate box kitten.Misty the cat.

 

Well my dears I am now off to the kitchen to get dinner for a hungry man ,take great care and maybe next time I shall have stitching to show you. I am off to the parlour tonight to do a little on my Tea Room. Still building at the moment. I shall be able to show you my Little Sheep Virtues that I have been stitching with Sally as I have been told that the threads I ordered are on their way.

Really going now ,

Hugs n stuff

Barb x