2023 July

 If you asked my I think I'd say I've hardly done any crafting in July, but when I look at the photo album and chose photos for the blog I'm clearly lying!

So here we go . . .

The needle felted puffins  went from this . . . 

. . . to this

and there is SO much roving left, I might have to make some more!

Jackie came over for a flying visit.  We made a coupe of these

and some of these (two vinyl zipped pockets for projects)

and some more retreat bags thanks to amazing Kathy who found us some frames

I found a patchwork book in a charity shop.  23 of the 24 projects seemed easy, but I really fancied making this hexi / pentagon ball. I bought the book, photographed the page, and the donated the book back to the charity shop!!

And made these!

Lizzie did some embroidery for a customer

Some friends and I went to see another friend in Minehead.  We had a great few days and I snapped a few pics: 

We all had a great time

I found a stream flowing over stones - and couldn't resist!

Sadly getting home wasn't a much fun but at least we were safe and together

We mums all worked together at the village primary school, but our girls have also been best friends since they were 5.  I Love this pic of Niki and the 3 bonus daughters, and the lovely words!

I skived off work for a few days and attended a "Summer School"  I learned lino printing

 

And the beginners MahJong!  I loved it!  

2023 June

 Hello lovely people in Blogland, and future me who uses this as a reference library!

Here are a few photos of my June!

Basil came to me for repair while his 'mum' was on holiday: it was difficult to match the thread to his ears!

I then washed his onesie while he looked on!  He's now home where he belongs

Chertsey groups made thread holders

and Llamas!

Our bed went from this 

To this: lower but much less storage 😱  I have actually managed to throw/donate some stuff!

The Tula Pink blocks came with me on holiday

with these lovely ladies

We were quiet inspired by these scrappy woven bags . . . something else to add to the "I want to make" list!

The name badges for an old school friend all look good

I have a short trip to Jackie's: caught up on all the family which was great, and we made some soup bowl caddies

Some retreat bags

and a Peppa Pig quilt

We went to a local village which had yarnbombed various building and benches etc with crochet and knitted flowers - doesn't it look great!  The Coffee Morning knitters are working on a plan to do the same for our village next summer!

Jackie had a vision of some pots for wool to stop it getting tangled as she knits . . .  hopefully we made enough!

She took me to an exhibition of Borris Lace: the cross was made by her sister-in-law!!

I joined Windsor Baptist Church preparing for a Pride Soirée: three hours, 4 sewing machines and 8 ladies (plus two pizzas, plenty of cold drinks and fruit kababs!) and I think the church can be seen to be supporting Pride!  ("will we get enough to go across the church?"  LOL, yes, and half way to the river Thames!!!)

My Tula Pink EPP block collection is growing

And I went out out in a new dress - I love it!!!

And finally I've finished a felting kits project I got for Christmas - aren't they cute!  

The kit was SO generous in the wool that came with it: just look what's left!

2023 May

 Pinch Punch first day of the month!

Here are a whole load of photos about my May!

We celebrated the Coronation with a lovely afternoon tea in the village hall . . .

and two gingers from Sue's Memories in thread collection

I finished an order of 100 dogs for a customer

and a dozen of the blue and gold patches to go with the previous name patches for a group of friends off to Le Mons 24 hour race

And two completed borough banners for the new Mayor or Ruinnymede

A busy Stitch morning

Jackie's son Paul captained a winning county team in the hurling championships

so a Ginger was necessary!

And Lisa's lovely Boris (a Berber Skink) passed away, (he's under the shell, his favourite shell!)

so another Ginger . . .

Our bed is quite high as there otherwise wouldn't be room for the chests of drawers in the bedroom.  We needed a new mattress and ordered one without having measured the old one.😱  The new one is 10cm/4" *higher*!!  There is no chance I can get in 😂

So off to Ikea to get new, lower, drawer units: guess what we'll be doing at the weekend!

Do you remember Basil?  A friend's very loved 40+ year old teddy.  I mended him during lockdown and make him a onesie to protect him.  He's come back to me while she goes on holiday for week - this time his earls are falling apart!

Lisa got me this kit for Christmas and I finally found what I was looking for as a stab board (not the right word, LOL)

So I have started creating the sea and the sky and a few rocks.  The kits is stuffed with different colours of wool - a really generous quantity!  Lots of fun stabbing!!

And talking of generous . . . I "met" Kathy many years ago when blogging was a place to appreciate other crafters creations.  She blogged at www.runningwithrocket.blogspot.com.  She now runs an Etsy shop with pre-loved sewing stuff (Running with Needles) and posts some of her finds on facebook and instagram.  I have made a few "Retreat" pouches using these fab frames, but the daughters seem to have appropriated the pouches, and I cant get the frames in the UK . . .just look what arrived in the post today!  Thank you Kathy, I cant wait to get started!!!