September - you came and went ....

It's been a busy time here this past month.

The horticultural show went really well.  Over 300 entries this year and a good day had by all.

 

The Best in Show sampler was won by one of my cross stitching friends.  Lesley is a senior lady who stitches a lot of photostitch projects to give as gifts to family and friends - you know the thing, a chart is made of a photograph and then you stitch the picture onto the fabric using threads.  She has coveted the cup and sampler for a long time and finally was this years winner.  We were so busy we only managed a few pictures of the hall after the judging before the public were allowed in and for some reason there are no close up pics of the entries this year - someone forgot!  

 

The library is moving forward and the self service machine was due to be installed today at the Community Centre ready for the grand opening later in October.  The Book Borrowers have been having a photographic course with a college tutor for the past 3 meetings so the graphic panels that will adorn the new bookshelves will have our photographs attached of local points of interest.  Strange how you take so much of your local environment for granted till new eyes come along and point out things that they find interesting and you see it in a different perspective. 

 

A book that kept my interest this month was Barbara Erskine's latest, The Darkest Hour.  A lovely read.  My copy was a gift from Barb for my birthday earlier this year.  Thanks Barb, i really enjoyed reading about Evie and her family and their connection to the Battle of Britain.

 

 

I've still been going to my tai chi class twice a week.  Good for the mind and the body.  Although this past week i didn't get there as i was on holiday in Wales for the week. 

 

A caravan in the mountains ......

 

 

but this close to the beach as well ....wonderful!

 

 

The weather was very kind to us, warm and lovely most of the time, a little cool in the evenings.

 

 Hubby got his train fix not once but twice ....

 

 

 

and one day it rained but we still had another little train ride.....

 

There was a reason for all this train riding and not much walking on this holiday, I've not been so good in the couple of weeks before we went, i thought i was just tired as I'd been so busy.   Check ups with the doctor revealed that there might be a little problem with my heart.  This week I'm waiting for a phone call for some further investigations at the hospital to check it out more.  I was allowed to go away with some meds and very strict instructions to take it easy and rest and what better way than sitting on a train and taking in the scenery for a lot of the time.

 

Cardigan Bay looks out over the sea to the most beautiful sunset, each evening we sat admiring its beauty ......

 

before the short walk back to the caravan for a restful evening, hubby with his book and me stitching a little.

 

I took with me Santa Village number 11, Elves Workshop and its now completed.  That just leaves one more to go.

 

 

I'd finished CCN Silent Night just before i went away .....

 

 

Sally passed this chart on to me after she had received it from Barb.  I'm under instructions to pass it on to another blogger who would like to stitch it and then pass it on themselves.  So if you would like to receive Silent Night to stitch and pass on again, please leave a note in your comment and i'll draw a name next Sunday if more than one person wants it. 

 

 

Sunday was the reveal for the challenge at Needlecraft Haven.  Christine chose this lovely little design from The Little Shop Around the Corner for September.   My finish was a quick one, just a bit of evenweave band folded over at the back, sewn together and joined down the sides with a ribbon hanger, a quick finish but in time for the reveal even with a busy month.

 

 

A week of no internet and my blog reader is bursting with things you've all been up to and there's lot to catch up with at home as well, hospital visits and energy levels permitting.  There might be some of your posts that don't get a comment whilst i catch up a little, so please bear with me. 

 

Thanks for stopping by, see you all next month!

 

 

Just a stitch or two

Hello blog readers ....

Still not a lot of craft happening here. There are so many others things taking my attention at the moment.  This coming weekend its the Horticultural Show and then i'll be away for a little holiday.  

Also, the new library service is coming to the community centre mid October so that's been taking up a lot of time with preparation and organising of that. The Book Borrowers will still run as normal, but slightly different to how its been since I started it over 2 years ago...time for change, I hope it works well after all the hard work that's gone into it.

The reveal for the August  challenge was the last Sunday in August, mine was a little late. A quick stitch free design chosen by Christine from Woollen Sails.  I cheated and used a white fabric so i didn't have to stitch the snowman, just his outline and then did a quick simple finish too! 

 

 

A little progress on Silent Night, the church is now all stitched since I took this pic - I had planned to blog last week, but time escaped me and I've not got round to taking another update pic.  I'm using aida to stitch this as I had the perfect grey in my stash and didn't want to order fabric when it wasn't needed plus I have an idea for finishing it that might need the added stiffness of the fabric.

 

Half a little flower border added to Irish Garden.  Of course, last night saw the launch show of this years Strictly Come Dancing, so Strictly UFO stitching will be happening again in 3 weeks time when the show starts and continue each week up till Christmas.  Lots of ladies will be joining in with this to make progress on their forgotten projects whilst watching the glitz and glamour of the show each weekend.  Stitching something you don't enjoy so much doesn't seem half so bad when watching and humming along to this lively show.  Perhaps you would like to give it a go too? 

 

 

A little lavender stuffed owl was the Craftshare project.  A fun evening, mine turned into a little girlie owl ...... she's going to be a little extra gift for a friend who has a birthday later this month.

 

September and the start of the new school year.  My granddaughter Isabelle will start in the pre-school nursery now she is three and a half.  It certainly brought a tear to my eye when she came to show me her new school uniform.   How time flies ......

 

 

A couple of things to look forward to as the autumn moves in.  The Craftshare group are off on a bus trip, we're going to the Hobbycraft Show in November and there's a stitchers meet up being organised too. 

 

Thanks to those who still come to visit even though I've not had a lot to show you over the summer months.  I do appreciate your visits.

 

Time for me to have a blog read catch up session and see what you've all being doing this past week or so.

 

Till the next time ....

 

The first blog post in August...

Oh dear, what's happened? How can we be so far into August and I haven't blogged anything?  Time has ran away with me this month.

No excuses, there aren't any, just life in general, family times, work and sleeping!

I have done a little crafting, not a lot though and I've been reading too.

Finally stitched up the July challenge free chart that Christine chooses for us.  Only 3 weeks too late for the reveal date :-(

I had a new frame but when I unwrapped it for another project the glass was cracked inside.  I thought this design would make a perfect little Christmas stocking filler gift and padded the background to make it stand out in the frame.  I'm pleased with how it turned out and have used up an otherwise redundant frame.

 

The sampler I stitch for winner of the Best in Show entry into our local Horticultural and Craft Show is now completed.  Just need to find a nice frame ready for our show on September 13th. 

 

 

Thanks Jo for the heads up on this chart, it has turned out really pretty.   

 

Tricia, one of my Book Borrowers celebrates her birthday today.  This little pincushion pillow was stitched and made up, an old Lizzie Kate free design.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tricia, have a lovely day   *she does pop along and read my blog, and visit some of you too*

 

 

The Craftshare group is as busy as ever with lots of new skills being learned each week. 

 

I needed a new crochet hook holder, the plastic one that they arrived in when new was just not up to the job.  I created this new one from some vintage fabric....

 

and it rolls up lovely to fit into my workbox or crafting bag....

 

A few ladies had a try at learning other skills too last week.  We were given a pack with all supplies inside ready to make a book cover.  Applique, embroidery and more sewing machine practice - mine could have done with being a little bit more snug on the book, but not a bad attempt and we had fun putting them together, they were all so different.

 

 

The whole group has made another wall hanging to celebrate Summer, this now hangs in the lounge of the community centre as the poppies we made for the WWI celebrations have a new home.

 

The organisers of the group planned what individual things they thought would depict a nice summer scene and bring a touch of colour to the room.  Small pieces of paper were folded into a little bag and each member drew one out with an item written on it that you had to make and attach to make up a seaside picture.

 

I drew out the word 'deckchair' and decided on plastic canvas to stitch mine onto to give it a bit more rigidity.  A quick easy stitch lol.

 

 

The final hanging looks like this .....  the plane is pulling the banner "Here Comes Summer"

 

Can you find my deckchair?

 

 

There are lots of blogs I read that have been quieter over the summer months, I hope you have all been enjoying yourselves in the garden, having outings or away on your summer holidays.  The weather seems to be turning a little cooler recently so I expect you'll all be back to crafting as the autumnal days draw closer.

 

My brother recently had a day out and went off to visit Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey.  He brought me a little gift......

 

 

He sent me a surprise text on my phone with a picture saying he was having tea on the lawn with Lady Ann (his wife lol), unfortunately not served by Carson!  I didn't know he had plans to visit there.  He said it was an amazing place to visit and now as they watch the new series when its aired will have more idea of the wonderful surroundings.

 

I've still got a little holiday to have next month, i'm looking forward to that.

 

Happy crafting!

 

 

 

*****Edited *****Thank you Carm for your comment.  You asked for the link to the cardinal free chart, unfortunately you have left no way to contact you direct so I am adding it here for you. 

July ....

Dear July, you came and went in a blur of fun happy times spent with friends and family. 

What a busy month its been since I last posted, computer time has just not happened this month.  It's my birthday month and there have been lots of other things happening too.

A month of beautiful sunshine for the most part. The local station looked so lovely as i waited for a train to meet a friend for an early birthday lunch last week.....

with the odd stormy weather thrown in to surprise us, some getting more than others here in the UK.

 

A visit to the theatre with the Book Borrowers to see A Midsummer Nights Dream, a wonderful performance, loved by all.  Meetings with the powers that be about the new library service that will definitely be coming and should be all up and running in October, changes afoot for all.

 

For the World War I centenary, the Craftshare group have made a wall hanging for the Community Centre.  Everyone took part.....

 

I was asked to chart and stitch the 4 famous lines from the poem The Fallen by Laurence Binyon

 

 

We tried our hand at glass painting too, the poppy seemed a good idea .....

 

 

very effective when the candle is lit ....

A long weekend at the seaside spent with family...

It was the weekend of the supermoon.  11pm and the moon was so bright, it looked so close as if you could reach out and touch it....

 

Family gatherings at home, they arrived bearing flowers ....

 

 

and I baked some cakes.....

 

 

 

Workmen were here for 3 days, that caused some disruption but I now have a lovely new replacement conservatory to sit in ....

 

 

A gift arrived in the post from Jacqui.  She's such a happy lady, she's sent smiles to lots of us, thank you Jacqui its beautiful.  Pop over to Jacquis and see what other crafting she is having a go at, there's always something lovely to read and see.

 

 

A little blip, and I was in the hospital having xrays on an old ankle injury.  Much better now after some rest and taking care, but not back to normal - it never will be, but for a while it looked like it might be worse.... phew!  Monitor the situation they said.

 

Paper flower making at the Crafshare, something else new to try ...

 

 

and a bit of ribbon weaving, I used mine for the background of a fun card ....

 

 

Last week was an exciting whole day.  6 hours of learning patchwork and quilting at a beginners class.  Having recently got a new sewing machine, it was wonderful.  Look what I made in that time -

 

A disappearing 9 patch, cut once and made into a cushion, you could cut more times but the fabric that was in my pack would have not showed the fruits if I had.

 

 

and 2 patchwork squares.....

 

It's very addictive, do I need another hobby??

 

Just a little stitching since last blog post, a finish on Gingerbread Emporium ....

 

 

and I was asked to stitch a card by our local councillor for the family of a well respected member of the community centre who sadly lost his battle with the big 'c'.  She didn't want a sympathy card, but asked for these words to be stitched onto it.... "The joyfulness of knowing you" and she was to write some poetic words herself inside that she had penned for the family. 

 

 

Yesterday was my birthday, a lovely end to a lovely month.  A full day filled with happiness, love and laughter, spent with family and friends.  Lovely flowers from my DH, and wonderful gifts received too.

 

From Maggie, Barb and Clare...

From Sally, Angi, Kathy, Christine and Fi

 

Trish from the Craftshare hand crocheted me this wonderful set of coasters I just had to share with you.  I need to learn to do this!

 

In the evening DH and I enjoyed some quiet time in the countryside with a lovely picnic ....

 

Bosworth Water Park, a short drive away from home...

 

the swans were gracefully swimming ....

 

 

we watched Mrs Duck and her babies .....

 

We sat and read awhile, soaked up the evening sunshine, had a lovely walk around the lake, there were lots of families with the same idea on a lovely summers evening and lots of children playing in the play area and in the sand and water. Happy times in the sunshine for them all.

 

 

Soon the sun was going down and it was time to head home....

 

 

Thank you to all who sent cards, gifts and messages to help celebrate my birthday, I felt very spoiled indeed.

 

Tomorrow will see us head into August, I wonder what that will bring my way.  Whatever it does, i'll embrace and perhaps I might just get a bit more stitching and crafting done.  You know I really do have to set too with the best in show sampler, there's only the first 4 letters done so far and September will be here before I know it the rate this year is moving along. 

 

I hope July was a good month for you too and it held happy memories of long summer days spent enjoying yourselves, although I do know some that have had quite difficult times and send you love and {hugs} as you walk along that pathway.

 

Thanks for stopping by, see you next month!