I'm Back!!

Grovel, grovel!! Sorry I have been away for so long, but we went on holiday to Penicuik and Leeds and back to Penicuik, and then we had our granddaughters for nearly seven weeks. We had such fun! The weeks just flew by, and not much housework was done, but we certainly covered a lot of ground!

The pictures above were in an older shopping centre in the middle of Leeds. The ceilings were absolutely amazing. (Sorry about placement. I don't seem to get the hang of this.) Leeds was very hot and uncomfortable, but we had a great time seeing my son's new house, being with the grandsons again and eating wonderful food our daughter-in-law made.

As you know I was not happy with my Bernina 440. When I went to see my daughter on the way down to Leeds, I popped into the dealer. I had already been talking to him on the phone, and he tempted me with a new Bernina 630 with the embroidery unit thrown in for free. It was such a good deal! I would like to introduce you to not Lucy Locket, but Loopy Locket - no - not because I am loopy (my hearing is really good!), but because my new little beauty loops and locks to her heart's content. She is lovely, we understand each other and she sews like a dream.

Eye Candy

Just some eye candy to keep you going, till we get back. Wish I knew how to upload pictures, so that they stayed in a straight line!

tich

Clutch Bag

I got a fleece from a friend. It was a bit rough, so I decided to felt it. I made the felt into a clutch bag and felted a 'C' on it, for one of my friend's girls. I lined it and then added some beads and sequins. It is still rough, but it was just an experiment. This post is post dated, as we are still away.

tich

Docken Leaves

I got a new camera for my Christmas. We bought it quite a bit after Christmas, so I am still getting used to it. I like taking pictures of plant life, close up. These are what we call docken leaves. As they get older they turn red. They are inspiring.

This post has been post dated, as we are away to see our family.

tich

David

This is King David from the Old Testament, and I see it every time I sit down in the lounge. I hasten to add I did not embroider it. I did a City and Guilds in Embroidery parts I and II a few years ago, and one of the ladies a year ahead of me embroidered this. I kept on looking at its progress every week. It was spectacular! I can't remember the name of the lady who embroidered it (perhaps Pat?) but she was so talented. I fell in love with it, and said if she got fed up with it, no matter when, I wanted it. As soon as the finals were over she sold it - to my husband! He bought it for me! I still love it! I have had it nearly thirty years, and I still adore it. Every day, David's expression changes. Sometimes he is sad, reflecting on his past life, other days he is smiling. He gets a new poppy every year, after the 11th November, Remembrance Day.

Hope you enjoy the picture.

tich

Froghopper

I'm really proud of this photograph. We went on a guided walk last week, and the Ranger showed us a plant with froth (cuckoo spit) on it. Inside the froth is a tiny nymph. This is what the nymph looks like on the Ranger's thumb.

Just had to show off!

tich

Sheep Shearing

I was invited this afternoon to come and see my friend shearing sheep, belonging to one of the spinners on the island. I had a great time. The sheep were gathered into two pens, one inside the barn and one outside.

Ian literally zipped through the fleeces. He made it look so easy. The younger sheep struggled a little, because they did not know what to expect, but the older sheep, who had had their fleeces taken off previously, just lay back and let it happen. It did not hurt the sheep, and they seemed relieved that the heavy fleeces were off, and that they were now able to dance about in the sunshine. The fleeces were beautiful, and some of them were extremely large. The resulting wool, spun from from these sheep, will be of extremely high quality. A very interesting afternoon. Thanks Ian!

tich