Two finishes

Front

 Back

 Inside

 One piece made up

 Full on

 Up close

Yesterday day was busy, in a great way, I got my sewing machine out and played. First I did the house things, mending a couple of pillow cases, I also cut two old hand towels in half, hemmed them for hubby to use on the golf course.
Then I had fun, I made the small cushion first, I was also hoping to make skaters into a small cushion, but none of the fabrics I had went with the pale blue background, so I have packed it away to do another time.
I was going to make my patchwork into a cushion, but decided I could not have enough bags, I had the green lining material in my stash, and when I found I had the matching thread, it was decided, the size was easy I used the two patchwork pieces, which I had made last February, it is the first time I have made a bag, and I am very pleased with it, all the strength of the bag is in the lining, but I don't think I will be using this for shopping, for now I have all my Christmas material in it, I have for ages wanted to make a tree skirt, and I am thinking of doing some patchwork, I have loads of lovely cotton Christmas fabrics which I don't want to pack away.
I have cut out my skirt and lining, all I have to do is stitch them together, plus I have a man's shirt to take in. I also cut another two fat quarters into hexagons ready for stitching.
Today was good, had a long walk at lunch time in the sun shine, it poured down all afternoon, and is still raining now.  I am being good and stitching the white on Sheffield, it's a pain to do, but most of it will be done soon.
Paula, Katie was our latest storm to arrive in UK, we now name all our storms.

Another finish

Au Fil de Noel is finished

 With golden shiny stars

The reindeer's antlers are brown, the white did not look right to me

 Just the right amount of colour

 Another small cushion to go with my Christmas collection. 

Not sure what to stitch next, I have the 3rd part of Carrie Rose in 10 days time.

I am still reading the book Perfect. 

 In other news, we have a lawn

and a very tired hubby

The lawn is now flat and level, there was always a huge step down from the decking to the grass, hubby is very pleased, we got the turf on-line at a good price. We did not consider seed because we encourage the birds into the garden, so it would have turned into a feast for them.
It's really cold here today, I have walked around the garden, checking all is OK, saying hello to all the wonderful things growing there. This weekend I will have to thin out seedling and plant a few more. I am formulating a plan to build another small raised bed at the back, only big enough for salad items, not told hubby my plans yet, I will spring it on him soon. I also want to get the table and chairs finished, I gave in and purchased white spray paint to do them, the design would make it hard to paint the table top, plus hubby will use the green paint to do the garage door to match the gates, so no waste.
We have been trying different ideas with our bread maker, at the weekend we purchased some dried Italian herbs, which we mixed with our bread recipe, it taste wonderful, we will make it again. Perfect for sandwiches, we had some cold home cooked gammon, simple combination.

Simple post

Dawn sent me some oca

they look a cross between bugs and potato

These already have nice growth on

 They should be planted in pots undercover and put out in May, I choose to plant them in potato sacks today. The flowers are very pretty, so they are here behind the trellis by the 1st greenhouse, we should be able to see them growing from the front of the garden. Which is another good use of an awkward small space. 

 Hubby brought me a magazine, 

this one is always my favourite, 

I can not remember the last time I got a magazine, 

so it's a real treat for me 

 I have done some stitching, I finished the red and white tape on the right hand side, I forgot to stitch it before. The snowman has black arms, I used cotton, it's thinner and looks better. I did add the reindeer's antlers using white cotton, but they do not show up, so I will do them again with white silks. The stars are going to be gold. I hope to finish this soon, I have not been stitching much in the past week, the garden has been calling.

The 5th stage of Maryse SAL 215 arrived in my in box today

Yesterday was spent in the garden, hubby forked over the lawn area again, then raked it level, and rolled it, it does look very good, he will roll it again before laying the top soil and turf.
I pottered until about 3ish, after the overnight rain, the sun came out and it was lovely and warm. My cucumbers finally grew, I have three seedlings in small pots. I put some sweet pea's with my climbing French beans, thanks Pam for the tip. Our three tomato plants are out, this year they are growing in a huge pot on the decking, they are looking good this morning.
I also had time to sort my shed, I now have room to move about, everything I stored over winter is now being used in the garden.
We had one problem, the rain butt was not sitting properly on it's raised platform, we had to empty the water out, place a paving slab underneath it, which gave it a flat platform, the rain we had last night has already collected in the butt.
We sent out for a pizza last night, very naughty for the waist line, but it was a rare treat.
Today I have an eye test, so we will pop into town and then on to B&Q for another can of primer for the garden table and chairs, nothing else planned, it's down to the weather, I am happy to potter around the plot for the afternoon.

Night and day

Almost there

more stitching last night

Loving Santa and the reindeer

but the reindeer have reins and the snowman above has arms

these should be done in white I'm not sure

Also there are stars to be added, again in white,

I have some beautiful gold thread, and stars are gold

What do you think?

Flowers on the blueberry bush

 These cyclamen should not be flowering 

 Love this sign, it's over my raised veg plot

We spent a very warm afternoon in the garden, not getting back inside until just after 7pm, hubby has sorted out a slim water butt for me, sits just in front of our garage, so the blueberries can be watered with rain water. I potted on some flower seedlings, weeded all round the plot. We have a change of plan and the beautiful red rose can not sit by the gate, there is not enough room for a huge pot, so I have put my tower pots there instead. Now I have to find a home for the rose, that's a job for later today.
We going into town to look for a dress for the garden party, but in truth I'm not sure if I want to go, will have to see how I feel later, I have a bit of housework to be done.
Later I would like to go out with our camera's and take some photo's around Fareham, we have a lovely creek, when the tide is in it looks beautiful, with the local golf club along the bank, nearby a cricket pitch, and loads of lovely walks.

Stitching progress

I'm nearing the end on this

Just a couple sections to finish

These stitches have been done over the past few evenings

 So simple and yet so effective

my stitching taste are changing

 Now I must start thinking about my next project,

section 3 for Carrie Rose is not due to May

1st photo is my orange pip, with the smallest of shoots, to say I'm pleased is an understatement, lemon and lime plants are still in the warm green house, I won't put them outside until next month, they are still a bit small, so I want to give them all the help I can. 

 The leaves on my avocado as such a beautiful colour, they often droop, but so far the do come back, again this lives in my warm greenhouse. 

 Staying on the Mediterranean theme, 

my olive is outside on my decking, and is looking good, I added blue slate to the top of the pot, looks much neater and keeps moisture in.  

Our passes came today for the garden party, with dress code and a huge list of things not to do, including taking photo's. How am I going to manage not being able to take photo's?
On a plus side I am going shopping this weekend for a new dress, I have a nice jacket and hat, but it will be nice to wear something new, and to make it better I have a couple of weddings this summer, so it will be worn more than once.
I have finished Girl on the Train and have passed it to Fliss to read, I also have a few other's who will read it before it gets passed to a charity shop, a very enjoyable style of reading.
We are enjoying the beautiful weather, plus I arrive home each evening by 4.30, which gives me time to relax and time to get out into the garden, each evening all the solar lights work so we have an enchanting view, life is very pleasant at the moment.

Saturday at home

When I woke up this morning it was raining,

by lunch time it was sunny again, so I spent the afternoon here

 I hung the sign at the start of my back section, this area is mine, 

hubby does not come up here much. 

I have sorted my difficult little pot, the two plants are plastic, 

but they are a good size for this lovely pot. 

 Every where I have seeds and tiny plants.

 If every thing comes up, I will have far too much, 

having said that something has ate one of my chilli plants in the greenhouse. 

 I was not on my own, this little fellow stayed for ages, this is the best shot I got of him, he was checking to get every last dried worm out of the feeder.

 Hubby has put up the first gate, he had to drill into the concrete to ensure the upright posts will hold tight. He is finishing the second gate, it will be great to see gates after almost 6 years here. 

 This is coming along, the tape is all finished

 I love the design with only a few colours,

all perfectly balanced

I am going to have to start thinking about my next project.

We went shopping this morning, firstly to The Range, I wanted compost and potting compost, every year I have got them from B&Q, but last year the quality was so very poor, so this year I wanted branded bags. The prices were very good, and I got the seed compost buy on get one free, perfect. We then went to B&M, never been there before, but I was told they had the plastic plants, I also got a new set of solar coloured lights for the back fence, the last set are refusing to work. Got a few things from the latter shop, cat food was on special, plus our marmalades. I also got some red onions, reduced to half price, I managed to use just under 30 plants, which is enough for my small plot.
The day has been pure pleasure, we popped to see Su and David also this morning, who had a huge bag of blue slate and another bag of bark delivered, so their task today was to get it all put down, they have a couple of drain covers in their front garden, so we came up with a solution to hide them.
This evening we will watch a film, glass of red wine, just hubby and I, Fliss is away for the weekend. Josh and Sam are back from Manchester on Monday.
Tomorrow I hope to start on the table and chairs, get the primer coat sorted, then I will paint them dark green, hard work, but another great job to have finished. I love weekends like this.

This and that

I came home to an unexpected parcel

my sister had a saw this and thought of you moment

Nice way to start the weekend

 Seedlings in the raised garden

so tiny and so much pleasure.

 Last time I showed you our Magnolia tree in full bloom, today I am showing you the hard work it gives me, this is just one days drop, even on a calm day, it give loads of petal, each day I pick these up from the lawn.

 Purdy loves to follow me around, she loves to check out the garden.

 Stitching

 The tape just goes along two sides,

 so this bit is almost finished. 

 I popped into our local library yesterday, to find a different author, it sounds as if it might be a good read. I have also ordered Girl on the Train, I have read a couple of good reviews, so it's on it's way to me, got it 2nd hand off Amazon.

Yesterday's lunch was great fun, as a group of people we get on so very well, John loved the card I made him. We spend all the afternoon catching up, chatting, swapping photo's of grandchildren. I had a hair appointment before, so it was a indulgent day.
I have done nothing else, water the garden and greenhouse's, watch Master-chef, hubby is a real fan of the programmes, and stitch.
We have very few plans for the weekend, the hope is for the weather to stay dry and warm, we can then have a trip out on the bike, which will be the 1st time this year for me.
Hubby's mate is using his Rotavator this weekend so the lawn is put off for a few days, it's nice to be on top of every thing else and have time to enjoy the nice weather.
I have been wearing my sandals this week, what a joy to pack the boots away, I do love my boots in the winter, but as soon as the warmer weather arrives I love my sandals. The sunshine makes every thing so much more fun and enjoyable.

Sunshine

Nothing better for showing a sunny day

 than the view through the blossom on our Magnolia tree.

 I am still getting on with this

 It's not going to take much longer

Tomorrow I am out to lunch, a friend from my Sea Cadet days is retiring, and I have been invited back for his leaving lunch. I am really looking forward to spending time with them all again. Normally these lunches go on for most of the afternoon.

I wanted to make him a card, my effort is below.

 Silly final photo

I collect silly cows (takes one to know one)

I love this one last night just as it was getting dark

It's great to see solar panels working again.

I came home early from photography class, they were on top of the flat roof looking at stars, I'm not good with heights and it was cold, so I did not stay. So last night I managed to do some stitching.
Work is good, I have learn't another level to my role, the ladies in our section are great, we have time for a laugh and natter.
After work today I popped into my garden, I so love being home early enough to be outside, plus just having simple jobs to do.
I have lovely rows of tiny seedling coming through on my raised bed, and in planters in the greenhouse. The herbs are looking good, and I am keeping the cats away from them. My fruits are showing loads of promise.
Hubby has ordered more top soil and turf, which will arrive end of next week, his friend is coming around this weekend with his rotavator, so we can flatten and level it.
I am pleased we have stopped using the heating in the evenings, if it does get cold we can always pop it back on for an hour, but summer saving are here. Tonight we had a frozen Chinese meal, we walked to our local shop, it was lovely and loads cheaper than a take away.
News on our coffee maker, it is working OK for the moment, gives us time to shop around.
PS; Paula, the buttons are made of wood and was sold a a Christmas Tree decoration, but I had to have them, but not for my tree.

And rest

I love this little pot, it makes me think of my dad

for years I had silk white daises in it

Dad always grew daises, they were the only flower he grew, 

'if you can't eat it, why grow it' I can still hear him now

 When I was sorting my side of the office, I found it in the back corner of the window sill, behind my monitor. So I have filled it with some of my large buttons, and it's on my shelf. Did I tell you I love buttons, 

I will purchase buttons, with out any reason, just nice to have them.  

 I did do a small amount of stitching, after the day in our daughters garden, 

I was really tired last night. 

 It's growing nicely 

 Our mini Orchids are doing well, these are really pretty.

Our daughters front garden is not so overgrown now, it has been uncared for, for the last few years. Outside her front window were 4 small tree's all gone wild, we have trimmed them and cut loads of lower growth, ensuring there is only one trunk, I also used our loppers and trimmed the top of the trees, they look much better. They had an enormous spiky plant in front of the trees, which we managed to dig out, it's not all gone, but looks good for now, it won't die, because we want to get rid of it. They had overgrown shrubs along the long boundary fence, which I have cut back to ground level. They had wanted to dig them all out, but if they come back smaller, they will look good and save them money, we also trimmed the neighbours plants.  When we left, they were planting 42 small box plants in two lines,  to form a hedge along side the garage wall.
Hubby cooked a lovely meal, liver, bacon and leeks, it was delicious, after 3 trips to the tip with huge bags filled, a hard but rewarding day. We will need to go back another day, just a few more task  and a couple of things to do in the back garden.
Today was another busy day in the office, we are not work horses, but we do get loads of bills sorted. I now sit next to a window, which was open most of the day, the sunshine was wonderful, and home by 4.30, perfection.
Later I have photography club, life is good, just counting down the last few years until retirement, government says I now have wait until I'm 66 for my pension, but I'm lucky and will only have to do a couple more years and then hubby can keep me.