Working with wood

1st attempt at woodwork, 

In truth the design was made on the computer 

and the cutting machine did most of the work.

I painted the letters so they stand out. I also uses different types of sanders to ensure it finished off nicely. I love the block of wood, the imperfections add to the design. 

 This was much better, using a paper template I used a bandsaw to cut this lovely hedgehog out. It's not completely the same as the template.

 I then did a Pyrography class (burning onto wood) and completed the sign.

 I loved the choices from the wood piles.

I also brought this bird box home to decorate and hang outside.

My 2nd attempt at Enameling

These are charms for my cross stitching

I last did this about 5 years ago. 

 Raw materials, glass of all sizes (all being really small)

and the copper base plates. 

All the above classes I did with my sister, whilst our other half's were playing golf, each class lasting about 2 hours, but we had use of the finishing rooms to complete everything. I really enjoyed doing the woodwork, the bandsaw was much easier than expected, some of the designs were very complicated, the hardest being where straight and curved lines which had to be cut true.  It's not a hobby I would want to take up, but it was fun to try. Both my signs are for the bottom of our garden, once they have been varnished.
I also did a water colours class, which I found very informative, giving me enough information and confidence for me to have a go, I won't share my results, as they are not the sum of my learning, just my poor attempt at art.
We also had loads of lovely walks around the site, set in the heart of Devon, very near Okehampton. We did not leave the complex, shopping and site seeing was not on our list of things to do.
The previous weekend with my Brother in Somerset, was fun, we had a lovely meal out, and spent Saturday afternoon, sat in the sunshine in a local beer garden.
I have checked my greenhouse and all is well, the capillary mat worked very well, I have plants outside this afternoon, starting to harden them off for redoing my pots around the house.

Less and less

Will in his Bumbo seat

after his last photo where he looked startled, 

I thought you were due a cute one.

I finished this book in record time,

could not put it down, great story, can't say any more it would give it away.

I will look for another of her books. 

I have not done much since my last post, the garden is looking good, which is pleasing as we are away tomorrow for 6 days, and it will have to look after it's self. The capillary mat in the green house works well, the plants stay moist, and the pot of water last 5 days,  which is enough for whilst I am away. 

I have been walking much more, I am now averaging 10,000+ steps per day, and with my sensible eating, I have lost a few pounds, I still have loads to go, but everything is looking good. 

Each work day I get to the office an hour early, this helps me avoid the worst of the motorway traffic, it's only 13 miles, but the M27 is very congested. I go each morning for a 20 minute walk around the business estate before going inside, a friend has started walking with me, at lunch time we walk again, this time through to the housing estate. After work hubby and I walk around our local park, or Portchester Castle. 

At weekends, it's walking in the park again, or the castle, along the coastal path, we are not very far from the water front. 

It's a simple change but the benefits are showing, and I am feeling much better.

We do not eat process foods, I avoid foods with flour in, so cakes, biscuits and bread are an occasional treat, I don't drink fizzy drinks or eat crisp at all, and I'm not interested in sweets. 

Wine and chocolate are my vices, but I do limit how often we have them. We do go to a local Bistro for a nice lunch a couple Saturdays in the month, I love their Paninis with a black coffee.

So I find it difficult to diet, I don't eat the normal things you would give up.

I am finding as I get older, the weight finds me and sticks, it's only a couple of pounds each winter, and if I work hard I can remove them by summer, but this year I would like to lose a bit more, some of my clothes are a bit tight, and as I love my clothes and would not want to change them, I need a remedy. 

So watch this space to see less of me.

Dull out, bored in

I have wanted a rain chain for ages

 I also wanted water for the smaller birds

 This does everything and it looks good

I still have the bird bath on top of the Chimera  

This single Iris is looking good in the garden
the birds must of gifted it to me, as I have not planted it.

Our friends came over for morning coffee
and brought their 4 year old grandson, so I baked cakes, which we all enjoyed.

It's very dull here on Bank Holiday Monday, we have had a bit of rain, but we need much more for the gardens. Luckily I don't have much to do in the garden, everywhere is waiting for warmer sunny days to arrive and plants can get growing.
Hubby is replacing some wires in our van, ready for our 1st trip later this month.
I do have some sewing to do, but I'm not in the mood to get my sewing machine out, it's a stay a home day for us. Later I plan to read, but for now I can lose myself in the wonderful world of the internet.

That's April done

What have they done to Will, he starts his swimming this month and daughter was told he would need googles, these are the smallest, but still too big for him. 

He went to the pool this morning for the 1st time. 

It's that time of the month when I look at my spend

I stayed under budget this month, but I'm still over by £1.84, not that it bothers me, I'm on plan, it will be harder this year as prices are creeping up, so not looking to save, just to keep my spending at a similar level. As always it's the garden  which has the most spent on it. In real terms it's not a craft, but I do like to keep an eye on spending, with so many nice things for outside, I could spend a fortune.
I won't buy any more garden magazines, Amateur Gardening, was interesting but I learn't nothing new. Modern Gardens are for the plastic gardeners, those who buy and not grow things, some of the idea's were really just strange.
I will always love Gardeners World, full of interesting things to read, and helped me keep up with Monty, as Gardner's World was not on TV this weekend.
Whilst in the village I got 3 packs of 6 bedding plants for £5.00 on a 3 for 2 offer, the plants are hardy and just enough for the pots along the side of the house.
I am feeling pleased with my self, I popped to Superdrug to get some personal items for me, and I bagged loads of bargains, my shampoo was less than half price, my L'Oreal face cream was BOGOF, face wipes half price, deodorant reduced, and I want a couple of nail products which were 3 for the price of 2, so I saved about a third off my shopping. As they say every little helps.
This afternoon we have had rain, it's never enough, but at least I don't have to water the garden, so an afternoon inside with Will to cuddle. Family afternoon's are always fun.