Spring and things.

 

This is a happy Tally.

Another walk along the estuary on a beautiful sunny morning, plus some water and a lot of mud, topped off with a dash of drift wood, all equals one happy dog.  

 

It was a really quite chilly but the picture makes it look warm with that big expanse of blue sky
 and a few cotton wool clouds.  

I love the light at this time of year and can almost feel myself waking up as the days get longer.
It is definitely my favourite time of year.

 

On the making front, I have finally finished my Moorland Blanket.

Thanks again to Lucy from Attic 24 for such a great pattern.  

 

I think this may be my favourite blanket so far. The wave pattern of stitches makes such a close weave (if there is such a term in crochet!!) and the result is a really cosy blanket.
And then there's the colours.. 

Sky colours are not my usual choice but in combination with the rest I am a converted person. 

 

That's better. The right way up.

I would have had a lovely picture of this held out carefully by child number 1, but the risk of using teenagers to do that sort of job is that they use the opportunity to hold up various fingers as well as the blanket!!! And their daft mother doesn't see until she uploads the photo.

So this 'draped in the tree' version will just have to do.   

 

And finally a garden catch up.

This blue is so vivid. I think the plant is Lithodora but don't hold me to that.  

 

A patch of marguerite daisies that all came from one tiny cutting given to me by a friend about 6 or 7 years ago. I just keep taking more cuttings and planting more because they are so easy to do and look after themselves - my sort of plant.

 

And its apple blossom time again.

Oh, and new peg bag time...
 

 

I hope spring is springing with you too.

xx

Still here..

It has been a very busy few months here which left little time for blogging but things are starting to settle down and here I am!



It was a gorgeous sunny morning here so I ventured outside with some stuff to get pictures and Tally came along to "help". I just love this picture of her rummaging for a stone and completely oblivious of the stir she was causing with the cows.

On to crafting....



The crochet blanket has continued to grow with a big stripy border and it is nearly about the size it needs to be so I am contemplating the edging. The nosey cows came to take a look too!



And on the sewing front there have been a few small projects that I failed to photograph but this is the main bigger one. A quilt top inspired by a quilt called "Summer Chelsea" from the book Kaffe Quilts Again. I think it was designed by Pauline Smith.



I have used recycled shirts for the background as usual with appliqued shapes added on top.

And finally the garden. Lots of successes but also lots of weeds due to mild neglect but I am slowly learning to plant more carefully to minimise the amount of time that needs to be spent on it. I love being in the garden but it's all a matter of juggling the balls if you know what I mean?



The apples are good this year and we are collecting them up ready to be taken to Derek for juicing.
Someone sneaked in while I was getting a picture and tried to steal one!!!!

Cock-a doodle-doo!

I have been on a trip to Cowslip this week and was lucky enough to be given a workshop for my birthday. It was a whole day spent making chickens and cockerels which may sound a bit strange but was really good fun and quite challenging. I can never believe how quickly the time goes on days like this. Before you know it it's time to go home and I feel like I could just settle in for the week!
The day was run by Helen and Ellen who were lovely.

So the workshop was called Cock-A-Doodle-Doo and here is my cockerel which I have just been finishing off today..

 

He is about 16" tall and stands alone without any props.
He is made from fabric and stuffing with some wire in the tail feathers and legs and you get the patterns for both the hen and cockerel to take home.

 

We have been exploring the garden together and he looks in his element out there. I'm not sure where he is going to live exactly. The chickens and cockerels on the tables in the café at Cowslip looked fab but he is a bit on the large side for our table so he might be relegated to the fireplace
or a sunny window.

Meeting our girls..

Just wanted to show you these angelica plants too that I am loving at the moment.
The tallest ones are around 4 ft.

 

And finally this spell of sunny weather has meant the farmers have been out working on the fields. This one is near our house and I love to walk through the newly cut piles of grass
 following their wiggly lines.

And so does Tally, if a lot more slowly than she used to.