New year' s resolutions.......

 ....we don't make them, whats the point, most would be blown out of the water after week two, with the bottle of red that is sooo needed or that meal with friends that must include the cheese at the end.
So no resolutions but being another year older and past that dreaded 50 (only just I might add) we are both aware of the need to make the best of  time........so we promised ourselves lots of days out a deux, in preparation for there being only two of us pretty soon...... also to try and save a bit each month(we will have two in university by the end of the year, all being well).
So with that in mind last week we took ourselves off to Anglesey Abbey, our favourite national trust place to date, to explore the gardens. The rain was torrential but that didn't deter our guide Joe, a NT volunteer from giving us a cracking tour of the gardens. He phoned ahead to the flour mill and said we were coming so we had the full tour and talk of the mill as it was in operation. Fantastic.... and there were only the 4 of us.
 If you are in this part of the world Anglesey Abbey is a real treat, and the house when open is wonderful 1920's decor.

 Today H suggested a trip to Maldon to see the Thames sailing barges.....these magnificent barges with distinctive rust coloured sails are a sight to see......but not in January. It was so  so cold that I barely stopped to take these poor snaps.......we were so cold in fact we didn't do the place justice and were very soon back in the car scoffing H's delicious egg sarnies and coffee....with the heater on......then home.We will go back when its a little warmer as the walk along the river looked wonderful.

Finally this lovely fabric arrived from the US...  am not sure what I will do with it but I just had to buy it and couldn't get it here........do others find its cheaper to get fabrics from the states?....theres nothing round here apart from John Lewis which doesn't have a great stock, will need to do a bit more research. 

Oh I just remembered youngest has booked her trip down under, it looks amazing and I am extremely envious...will tell details later

am in the mood for a bit of hooking and a movie so that's what I'll jolly well do! happy weekend x

Loving....Bargello!

 I was in the book shop the other day and noticed a new Cath Kidston on the shelves called Stitch. As you may know I am not a great fan of all her stuff but do like her reintroduction of certain colours and items in the vintage style. Anyway I digress.......this book is of much more interest to me as my original love was for needlepoint and tapestry especially Bargello and she has included some Bargello patterns in the book.......this form of needlework has not been popular lately but maybe Miss Kidston will change all that.

If your new year crafty resolution was to try something new.....give it a go.....all you need is a tapestry needle, some canvas and the tapestry wools(I use appletons). Its really fun if you like playing with colour and patterns and there are so many designs in blogland if you look. Some of mine are copy's and others are my own or adapted. I have started a group on flickr so would love to see your stuff on there if you give it a go.

ps most of the finished items were given as gifts so I only have these pics to show.....

I have a new love for 2011

Inspired by certain blogging pals in the UK and down under, I have taken up patchwork with gusto. Unfortunately my stash of fabric does not match my enthusiasm nor indeed does the bank balance, but its coming on a pace and I have invested a little online....will show you when they arrive. 

Meanwhile on a little trip to Cambridge to return H's Christmas jumper from us three girls(he hated it!), I spotted this absolute bargain in John Lewis. Orla Kiely bedding. 

Maybe not the most exiting bargain to some but I love her designs and it was an absolute must have for the price. Luckily H liked this purchase but cannot believe that I would post a picture of it on the bed nor that anyone would be interested!.......ha ha he just doesn't understand 

 This is  a new cushion that may be on its way to the Netherlands, it just needs a bit of blocking and making up(and the ends sewing in of course!). I have used merino wool so it is lovely and soft

Finally we have just put eldest on the train back to uni with all her bags......will miss her dreadfully......am just off to clear the mess she has left in her room .......

Happy New Year everbody.....

I have made some lovely friends through blogging, who have offered much appreciated words of support during the year....with my girls growing up and leaving home or about to, I have found that I have been able to fill that gap in my life with rediscovering a love of making stuff and talking to and enjoying other people lives in various parts of the globe. Its fun and interesting and encourages creativity and it has become an important part of my life. H and I are busy creating the next chapter in our lives and I am no longer dreading it.Thank you x