Three weeks!

How did it get to be three weeks since I last updated this? Where has it gone?

Big Weekend in Lydiard Park was one explanation.

I sorted out my buttons.....
which gave me an extraordinary amount of satisfaction.

I visited three shops. What a contrast! The first one is some distance from home; I had a meeting and some spare time and decided to make a little detour. I often like to do this - my other half reckons I can sniff them out (since I managed to find one on our 'romantic' getaway in Iceland). But this had to be the least friendly and welcoming patchwork shop I have ever visited - such a contrast to the usual help and service you get.

The second is a gorgeous haberdashers in Cirencester called Sew 'n' Sew. Really friendly and helpful, directed other half to coffee shops in the area so I could browse unhindered. Patchwork and dressmaking fabrics plus just about every notion you can think of.

Finally, Lexi Loves (sorry the link is to a map of where to find her; I'm sure she has a website, but I can't find it at the mo). Limited but eclectic selection of fabrics (Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler style), books, buttons and other odds and ends that not only light up your day, but may inspire you to have a go yourself. I've been here a few times and no matter which staff are on (includng Lexi herself), they're willing to help if needed or let you wander as required.

But I have been buzy with the needle and thread, mostly working on a quilt for my son from another mother ;-)

Grant was pleased with my little creation. Have to say I'm rather chuffed with the design myself.

OK, I'll try not to leave it so long next time!

Time at home

First I'd like to show you what came through the post a week or so ago:A little treat from I know not who! I took part in a secret swap on Misi. You had to make something beginning with the letter of their name. Being a T caused my swapper a few problems, so she came up with a 'trio of gifts'. And a delightful little trio they were too!

So, there are a few perks to having minor surgery - the main one being time at home and forced to sit still. SO I've got a few things done.

A brithday card for my son's girlfriend, who is 18 today! Happy birthday Danni!

Some crochet flowers, ends finished neatly at last and ready for some final additions of buttons .

Chicken update: Here are the girls. Chickens are quite camera shy - my lovely ladies assume I have food and so come up to see what I am doing, which makes it quite difficult to photograph them.

This is the bossy one (now, you'd never have guessed if I hadn't told you, would you?)

And finally, some photos around the garden.

This angelica is nearly 5 feet high, and has grown just this spring! Aliums and wisteria are among my favourite spring flowers

Busy, busy!

Well, a little behind with the blogging! Chooks are settling in quite nicely, eating well and laying eggs, too.

Some ladies meet at my house on a Monday night for various creative activities (allegedly - more often it's an excuse for a good natter!). Last week, I made an apron for my florist friend Lesley.
Beautifully modelled, doncha think?? I need to get them to allow me to photograph their creative endeavours, too.

Then the fabric arrived for the prom dress (let's not go there). We found it had a flaw on the first 1.5m, but there was enough to get the dress out with a bit of careful cutting.

And much help from my Mum!
The original design didn't have straps, but Beth wanted some, so we added a little design feature

And here it is, not quite in all it's glory yet - shoes still need to be bought so the hem can be done

Beth wants beads on this - and lots of them! She wants it to look lke they've been spilled all over the dress

Looks like I will be busy over the next few weeks!

We took Cassie for a walk yesterday; found a nature reserve called The Firs. It's mostly oak and beech; abundant bluebells, wood anenomes and dog violets. We had a good - if muddy - time.

On the way there, through the lanes, we spied lots of bluebells, but I didn't have the camera with us (duh!). So we returned there today and I'm so glad we did. There were bluebells as far as the eye could see! It reminded me of my childhood, when bluebells always were collected in the spring (although that is no longer the case, of course). And the scent - we could smell it before we got into the copse

On the drive to Cirencester we saw some parachustists (?)

Also visited the first art car boot sale in the Brewery Arts car park. Lots of talented people selling painting, ceramics, glass and photographs. I bought a gorgeous papercut that asked me to take it home. Perhaps if there's a next time I will consider a pitch.....

Chickens are OK; two couldn't work out how to leave the roost this morning, so needed a helping hand. They're eating very wel - at least, the food is rapidly going!

A new flock

We thought we would get some more chickens eventually, just not yet. But then a friend told us a local animal rescue had an influx of hens from a battery farm and we decided we could give some a better life.

So here they are, for the first time in their new home.:

As you may have noticed (!), these are not in the condition the others were. They have lots of feathers missing, their eyes are dull and, with the exception of one, their combs are drooping - all signs of poorly chickens.

So we will feed them well, and give them plenty of access to the outside world once they've been with us a couple of days. I hope to document their improvement over the next few weeks

Warning - a soapbox moment! How is it possbile that allowing creatures to end up in this state can be condoned in law and morally? Please, if it's the only thing you do, don't buy anything other than free range eggs.

Sad day

We forgot. The first time ever.

No-one checked the ark was closed. Mr (or Mrs) Fox took the opportunity we presented them with.

I came down this morning to no girls. All gone.

Last day of the holiday for me

Well, I could have asked for better weather for the last day of my holiday. The only plus was watching a robin and several sparrows take an opportune bath in the puddle that has formed on my path.

Thought I'd share the cards I made yesterday - they were all from kits. Not my usual preference (normally I'd make from scratch myself), but they came my way as freebies. Only took a few minutes and it's handy to have a few cards in. Well, my eldest turned 19 today - what better reason to bake more cupcakes. Yes, he had a happy birthday, in spite of the weather

I've been thinking about doing this for a while. Do you ever get or see an idea and find it necessary to mull it over for ages until you actually get round to doing anything about it?

Well, my task was to cover some buttons and make hair clips. So I gathered together my supplies.....

Oh yes, the pleasure of being a procrastinator is that it gives you loads of time to get organised. If that's your thing (and it's certainly mine).

I fought - no, that's not too strong a word - to cover the tiny buttons. The larger ones were much easier.

I had intended on making the clips on the right of the photo. After several abortive attempts, including felt, glue gun and superglue, I gave up after the first 2 shown here, and switched to the coluored barettes. Much more successful. I had planned to put them in my shop but I'm not sure they're going to make it.

The three buttons at the top have been made into magnets for a swap I'm taking part in, the other is a button covered with a piece of Japanese fabric featuring a fawn and made into a brooch.

Funny word, brooch.

Wren update - Mrs Wren didn't chose the nest Mr Wren built in my wreath, but she has chosen one in teh clematis that grows over the front porch. So I get to watch them come and go anyway and I have a lovely nest I can admire without worrying I'm disturbing the little ones. Bonus!