Photo Scavenger Hunt : April

I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but after seeing Thimbleanna's pictures last month and Karen's the month before, I have decided to have a go at Postcards from the P.P.'s Photo Scavenger Hunt.  These are my April pictures.  I'm rather pleased with the "Set of Keys" picture and the shot of my camera taken with my point and shoot.

1. April a church, 2. April a cross, 3. April a sculpture, 4. April set of keys, 5. April an interesting shop name, 6. April Showers, 7. April Breakfast, 8. April eggs, 9. April something to do with Shakespeare, 10. April something to mark St.George's Day, 11. April Something Yellow, 12. April My Camera

Until next time...

If April Showers bring May Flowers....

Then what happens if April is sunny?
Weather-wise, Britain has just had the nicest April..let's just hope it lasts for one more day for the happy couple getting married in London tomorrow.  I have plans to watch with great interest..just as I did 30 years ago when Charles and Diana married.  Of course, back then I was living in Canada and to watch the wedding one had to get up at a very early hour!  I seem to recall getting up at 5 a.m.!

I've had a nice break with the children.  They've had school for 2 days this week which has given me just enough time to whip around the house and put it back in order before we start round two of the bank holiday weekend.  Easter was glorious and was spent with family.  DD2 had a wonderful time hiding plastic eggs in the garden for the younger ones to find.  This was a great game that kept them amused for hours...that was of course until DD2 couldn't remember where she had hid them!  LOL  I suspect the remaining eggs will be found throughout the next year as my in-laws maintain their garden.

Along with all this glorious weather we have had a real treat with the birds this year.  This is a greenfinch (below) and I only saw him a couple of times before he moved on.  I'm so glad I caught this pic of him.  We also saw goldfinches and chaffinches at the feeder at the same time.  We were also privileged to have a blackbird nest in the hedge.  For weeks we have watched the mother build the nest and for the last 2 weeks we have watched both mom and dad feeding them.  Late last week we started to hear the little cheep-cheeps as they were being fed and then over the weekend the cheeps became louder and finally they fled the nest.



There really hasn't been many April showers to speak of and as a result the blossoms on the tress seem to have lasted extra long this year.  Normally the wind brings them down...so getting sights like this has been very special.





Got you treat you to yet another squirrel picture.  We seem to have the same one at the feeder this year and she isn't too greedy :o)  She stayed calm and still so I could grab her picture.



Well, I wish you all a wonderful weekend!  Enjoy the wedding, if you are into that sort of thing!

Until next time...

"Hoppy Easter!"

Have a wonderful day with friends, family and a bit of chocolate ;o)

A blast from my past...

I'm over HERE today..airing out my dirty laundry! Pop on over and see what I'm talking about!

Until next time...

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I know...not all that impressive, but I still love it when I can snap a pic of the "wildlife" in my garden.  Things are getting busy in the garden.  The goldfinches are coming back to the feeders and the blackbirds have been busy making a nest in the hedge.  I love this time of year when everything is blooming :o)

Until next time...

Wonderwool 2011

Last weekend, on probably the nicest day we've had this year so far, we took to the road and headed west to Wales for...

Wonderwool Wales! 
My eldest, who is the knitter in the family, asked (begged) to have a trip to Wonderwool as her birthday present.  As it was a very reasonable request and a most unique request for a 17 year old, we couldn't really say no. 



To say she was delighted would be an understatement.  There must have been over 100 exhibitors and had everything from wool, to needles, roving to spin with and accessories to finish any project.  Some of the stalls even bought the sheep that their wool was spun from.



There were people of all ages and plenty of shopping being done by all.



I just loved this creative banner of sheep!  (The stall was selling dyeing equipment...so it was very appropriate!)



While DD1 and I made our way around the Royal Welsh Showground, the DH and DD2 went walking in near by Builth Wells. 
Just look at this scenery...isn't it just the view to sooth the soul!
(BTW, the white dots in the picture below are sheep!)



On the way home we stopped off at what is bound to become a favourite mid-trip stop off point...DiMarco's Fish Restaurant in Leominster (HR6 8EX).  Twice now we have eaten here and twice we've eaten well.  If you do visit...go with a good appetite as the servings are generous!  Everything is served with a smile and I look forward to our next trip west, just so we can visit DiMarco's again!

Until next time...

Wordless Floral Wednesday

Taken in the garden on a sunny morning....a beautiful cluster of mini daffodils. Just oozes warmth and thoughts of Spring.

Until next time...

A new member of the "family"

I just had to share with you the newest member of my iron family.
Some people collect thimbles, some people collect sewing machines...and it would seem I'm collecting irons! :o)
Isn't she cute!?

To see what I mean you need to see her next to my travel iron and my normal iron...which in this picture looks monstrous! LOL



I bought her from the Stitch Witch and she's really low wattage..so there is very little guilt about leaving her on stand-by between piecing.  She doesn't get as hot as the travel iron, but her heat setting is perfect for fusible web, bias tape making, foundation paper piecing and for pressing the seams to one side.  She's not quite warm enough for starch appliqué (the travel iron is good for that) or for pressing yardage..like the big mama of the group.  My dad always said one should have the right tools for the job and I think now I must have the perfect iron for any pressing task! :o)

Until next time...

I really do like pink...

When things get quiet on the blog, you will just have to assume I'm sewing!...and that I have been!  I dusted off the Accu-quilt and the 6 1/2" tumbler die and have pieced this top.  I was really pleased at how easy it was to cut the pieces and sew them together.  The Accu-quilt cuts the dog ears off the corners and makes matching the pieces a dream. 

I haven't decided how to quilt it..but I would love any suggestions you have! 
I've bought some Aurifil 28 weight cotton thread for the job from New Threads (U.K. shop that carries Aurifil..quick delivery...I'm not affiliated, just impressed with their service)



After piecing with all this pink I have decided I rather like pink...just has to be the right shade! :o)

Until next time...