I'm so excited

My knitting is really growing, 25" or 64cm, which ever you prefer, well over half way, I want it to be big, so I will use all the wool in my giant ball, I am using a pillow in side, cut down to a square, I always keep a few spare for use as stuffing, this will wrap around and have huge buttons on the back. So you can see why my stitching has come to a halt.

 My book came today, Florentine Embroidery by Barbara Muller, I got it from Amazon, it was not cheap, I had to pay £20.00 for it, but it is out of print and there are not many around, I have seen it on sale for over £40.00, so I was pleased with the price.

 The patterns inside are great, I love  projects which fill the material with stitches, this is all different length long stitch, so it is quick to sew. I want to use my silks (Floss) and have a neat shiny finish.

 Here is a cushion I have had for about 10 years, for ages it was in the spare chair, but now it lives on my spare bed, I purchased it as a kit, it's stitched with crewel wool, I love the colours, and the balance of the pattern. I am going to have another look at my waiting in the wings, and re access what I am doing next.

The weather has been very kind in the past couple of days, heavy rain at night, but cool sunny days, so I have walked in my lunch break, it's a bit dark to cycle after work, so we must plan a trip on the weekend.

Well I waited and Blurb, who I have my second year book for this blog has sent me another discount for my next book, so over the weekend I will give it it's final 2/3 reads to ensure all is OK, I don't want to see loads of mistakes once in print.

TUSAL

 I hang my head in shame, this is from a month's worth on stitching, I really need to pick up my frame. On the plus side the cushion I am knitting is growing, pic next time.

 We had a busy weekend, Josh and Sammy came on Sunday, we had loads of fun, Josh loved racing the cars, and got good at it very quickly.

 Sammy is just mad on every thing about Bob the Builder, I love his curly hair, so cute.

I managed to sort a few pots in my garden, planting bulbs and winter pansies, I have a few more to do, but their flowers have not died down yet.  We went for a cycle ride which was fun and saw Su, Gav and Shannon, so a true family weekend.

Perfection

 What else can you call it, for all the summer this dahlia has been dormant, then last month it started to grow, as you can see my garden is looking like autumn, but what a beautiful sight each day, with a few more buds, we can only hope.

 The last part of Sweet Flowers has come, I love this, so I will be stitching this weekend, just the side to finish and a small panel along the top.

 My knitting is going well, I am making an Aran cushion for Su, she has just finished her bedroom and this will be on her bed.

 It's very easy to knit and grows quickly, here is two evenings work, grey is not my favourite colour, but it will go with her room.

We have nothing much planned this weekend, hope to see Josh and Sammy, Grancha has a very sweet treat for Josh, and Nanna just wants loads of cuddles.
I hope to do my pots in the garden I have mini pansies and bulbs for them, I love to have colour around the doors.

I have ordered another book , I now have 4 coming, but I am very excited about this one, Florentine Embroidery by Barbara Muller. Can't wait to see inside, it's second hand, they are hard to get and quiet rare.

Life's ups and downs.

 For some one who is not good with heights, I do get myself in the most strange of places,  these pods were very interesting, the view was fantastic, once I got over my shock of being in it. These are on their way down at almost the half way point.

 We stayed just outside Derby, I have never been in this area of England before, it was stunning, once up the top we went into a mine, which dropped into the hill side deep, I'm not good in confined spaces either, so it was a relief once we were down at ground level again.

 The village, Matlock Bath, was a bikers haven, the main street was full of all types of bikes, not boy races, but real bikers, hubby loved looking around.

 This I could not pass by, it was on top of the ice cream booth, we were able to walk up and around the booth, it appeals to my sense of humour, another silly cow.

We got back yesterday, tired but happy after a fun filled weekend, can't wait for Josh to visit this weekend, hubby brought a Scalextric set, with two Aston Martins and loads of track. Gav has already said he will pop in to see it, so a boys day on Saturday.

I have not done any stitching, no time and I have brought a ball of Grey Aran wool to make a cushion for Su,  she saw one in the shops but wanted me to make her one, so I will get out my knitting needles and work out the pattern, you can get a better view here