I love this world.....

blog world that is....I have got so much from it in the last few years that it has become a really important part of my life. I love the friendship and creativeness of the people I have 'met' and the generosity  just goes to prove that despite what gets said in the media we still have the capacity to be thoughtful and kind towards our fellow man.
That said I am feeling neither towards the people at the beeb who have replaced my much loved BBC7 with something else entirely. Why mess with something that isn't broke......I loved all those rerun dramas from the 70's and 80's!
 I must show what a friend sent me.......it came beautifully wrapped (something I can never do)

 a wonderful handmade card

 with loads of detail

 and this beautifully adorned heart,,,,the picture doesn't do it justice. What a lovely thing to make for someone and we haven't even met......yet....check out the lovely Diane at  heartshaped

Thanks for the comments regarding the last post.....youngest has been in Thailand for a week and is now arriving in Kuala Lumpur. She has already ridden an elephant, been snorkeling, island hopping where 'The Beach' was filmed, participated in the national water fight that is the Thai new year celebrations and seen a mahoosive spider. We get a text every day so far and we are all thrilled she is having such a fab time.....but she is sorely missed.....I have one more day at work then am off for a fortnight when I will put my current self pitying state behind me and get on .....

only 3 days to go.......

until youngest flies off to the other side of the world........on the outside I'm excited and cool, inside I'm jelly and the darkest thoughts invade my sleep and wake me up........then keep me that way until the lights creeps in..... of course she will have a wonderful time and an amazing experience...........never thought i would feel like this about it though.

Bath...........

One of my favourite places in all of England

Dyrham Park...a national trust treat(or national thrust as H calls it!)

 Not one but two stitchy shows....one locally and one at Olympia.....not as good as the Ally Pally one in the autumn but a few purchases made ...of course

Liberty type lawn

Actual liberty lawn

Some blossom from a friend

..and a bit of stitching

Not a lot of words I know, but am a bit preoccupied as youngest going on her 3 month trip in 10 days to the other side of the world.....yikes!

Happy Sunday x

And so it grows

this flower garden of mine......but oh the dreams of wrapping myself in this little beauty with the admiration of all around me are fading fast.
The comments have got worse and dare I say it, my beauty has become a joke round here with friends drawn into the debate and the consensus is universal. .......''its pretty but, no you can't wear it!'....that from a good friend. I ask you.
What kind of uncreative unappreciating  bores am I surrounded by.
Looks are exchanged when its brought out so I will finish and block it somewhere out of sight.
BUT I WILL WEAR IT, I PROMISE.

So in public at least I have taken up the needle for some experimental embroidery, courtesy of a fantastic french tutorial. I dont understand everything she says but great visual instructions. No comments from the family on that yet!

Sunday found us in the city of Sheffield for a university visit.....and we all LOVED it.(Diane that was for you).

After the usual tour of the uni and accommodation, which was impressive, we had a couple of hours in the centre itself and it certainly lived up to expectation. Much better than the descriptions I could give you, visit diane who is a great advocate for Sheffield and the surrounding areas....we are all sold , but she is visiting others on the south coast and  Nottingham so its not a done deal yet, but fingers crossed.

spring is round the corner......

I feel, don't you?.....longer days, bluer skies and the odd spots of colour here and there in the garden.

I saw a recent post on the Attic24 blog for a gorgeous wrap and quickly picked up hook and started producing these wonderful little flowers. Lucy at said blog  is one of the most generous bloggers I have come across when it comes to sharing her passion which is crochet. She has a huge following here in blogland and if you haven't yet come across her, have a peep, you will not be disappointed.

My colours are a little more muted but all the same for this house where white and grey generally rule this is colour with a capital C.

Youngest declared it to be really pretty.... what is it?....a shawl....you don't wear shawls! ...Well I'm getting older and  I need a shawl sometimes......You're not going to wear it out are you!!!

I don't feel quite so enthusiastic now............

thank you for your patience....

Its been such a hectic week that I am only just wrapping the giveaway gifts......but for those who sent me their address they will have a package by the end of the week I promise (overseas may take a little longer).....its been lovely making these little babies, but as H thinks they are ''nice but pointless'' they deserve better homes.   

Pip and Pop

Amazing psychedelic landscape installation in sugar! 

Its on at Smithsrow in Bury St Edmunds and if you are in the area you must try and catch it before the end of the month. Youngest and I paid a visit on Saturday having seen it on another couple of blogs(thank you purplepoddedpeas  and  silverpebble)  and it was  even better than anticipated. Everyone that walked into the gallery couldn't help but wear a huge grin. Its detailed, intricate and you would see different things, I'm sure if you stood there for a month. Its made from 700 kilos of coloured sugar and took 14 days to complete. Adorned with glitter, sequins, aquatic greenery, tiny little figures and beautiful origami pieces, all in the most magical colours. 

Its a free exhibition and am sure would not disappoint a soul, old and young alike. We loved it...