I know that some of you keep a look out for Tommy when he awakens from his Winter hibernation so I am happy to report that he woke up a few days ago. He doesn't look too happy does he? He is now wandering around in the Spring sunshine although he's not eating as yet and he still goes back in his box overnight.  As we come into Summer he stays out 24-7. Our garden is completely walled in so there is no way he can escape. I have been asked how old he is and to be truthful we don't really know but can trace him back to around 70 years ago but he may be even older than that! 

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There are still a few spaces left on iStitch Designs Blue Band SAL so if you are interested please get in touch. I posted a video (my first ever video) on iStitch Designs Facebook page. If I can work out how to do it I will post it here!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Carol

Week 10 of the Randje per week SAL brought Bands 21 and 22. I downloaded the chart on Saturday morning but only managed to stitch only half of band 21 that afternoon before I fell asleep. What was strange about this band was that I had already added it to my own blue Carol's Band on the Friday morning - what a strange coincidence! 

And here is as much as I have stitched on Carol's Band. I have a lot more charted so it's nice to work on this one in between the Randje per week SAL.

Still no finishes of other stitched pieces but I hope to get around to it soon. I am due to have surgery on my leg this Friday and it will be plenty of rest so I have plenty of stitching lined up and my Kindle is fully loaded! Wish me luck.

And for those of you who remember Tommy you will be pleased to know that he has once again awoken from his Winter hibernation. Look at his lovely little smilie face - I think he's happy to see me!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Photo by Vera

First up is Cynthia's (no blog) version of Sew Patchwork. Stitched on 28ct light green Jobelan with Cosmo threads it is framed in a studio moulding in matte grey. Cynthia also has a thing for peacocks so she changed the charted bird to a peacock! Isn't this pretty? Thank you Cynthia for allowing me to share this here.

Michele of Just Another Stitching Blog also sent me a picture of Sew Sew finished as a needlebook for an exchange. I do not know what fabric she used but I do know that the thread is Belle Soie's Poison Apple. As you can see Michelle also altered the original chart by removing the alphabet and the border and substituting her exchange partner's initials for one of the motifs. I am sure there will be more pictures of this pretty needlebook over on Michele's blog so pop over and have a look. Thank you Michele for allowing me to post this here.

Both Sew Patchwork and Sew Sew are still available *here* or by clicking CHARTS on the sidebar.

Hector came to visit this afternoon (although that's not entirely true) I called at my daughter's house to collect something and Hector was home alone so I dognapped him and left a ransom note. I received a text from my daughter on their return home saying 'We'll keep the million you can have the dog'. As you can see him and Tommy get on quite well even if Hector did decide to eat Tommy's food - ever seen a dog eat tomato, spring greens and lettuce? He is such a funny dog! As you can see Tommy just turned his back as if to say 'this is my garden not yours'.

Once again I was hoping to make a start on Jane Rees. I duly cut my linen to size; I overlocked (serged) the raw edges on the snazzy overlocker (thank you Caroline) and then, the curse of Jane Rees struck again - I could not find the right size bars to my Millenium frame so I decided to order some new ones. I went to the website, added the bars to the cart and went to checkout but when I hit the 'pay by Paypal button' it took me to Paypal Sandbox! Now what on earth is Paypal Sandbox? I was unable to sign in with my Paypal details so it must be something different to 'normal' Paypal. OK so I'll pay by card but I then discovered when I found my new card that it had a sticker on it saying to ring and get the card authorised and the bank is closed on a Sunday! Ken was out so I couldn't use his card so I will call Needle Needs tomorrow after I ring the bank to get my card authorised. Meanwhile I thought that maybe I could borrow some so I called a friend who said to go round and pick them up. Again the curse struck, they are not long enough. So all in all what with the long time in deciding on fabric and thread, then waiting a month for the Gander linen to come from France, I now have to wait for the bars! I wonder if Jane is trying to tell me something?

Thanks for visiting

Take care

No stitching pictures to show except for a little stash photo. These are Vikki Clayton HDF silk threads in a variety of shades lying on a bed of Gander linen. 

I was sitting out in the garden earlier this week and noticed this unusual cloud formation so out came the camera and I took a few shots. 

And then I took a picture of one of the flower pots on the wall of the house. I think the yellow and blue look really pretty together.

I think it's time for a little giveaway so, as I was making some scissor fobs, I made a few extra. As the picture shows there are three fobs, one with rose quartz, one with jade and one with amber beads. All have heart charms at the bottom. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post only together with an email address if it is not shown on your profile. No email address - no entry - sorry but I do not have time to search for you if you win! You have until mid-night (GMT) on Friday, April 24 to enter. Good luck! There will be 3 winners.

**Edited** There are comments being left without email addresses - you will not be entered so if this is you - please comment again. I don't make many rules - in fact this is the only rule so please, please leave me an email address if it is not shown on your profile. You have to be in it to win it!

The cherry tree has now blossomed. This tree was given to us by my sister the Christmas before last and is no ordinary cherry tree, it's an 'Iford Weeping Cherry' and has a story to it. This tree was first discovered on an expedition to China by Harold Peto, one of the UK's foremost plantsmen of the 20th Century. A romantic at heart, Peto planted the trees on the terrace of his famous house, Iford Manor in Wiltshire so the branches would shower the pathways below in a carpet of delicate pink flowers for the ladies of the house to stroll through ...

After his death in the 1930s, the house fell into disrepair and the tree was lost in the encroaching undergrowth. Re-discovered after the 2nd World War, the current owners lovingly restored the house and garden to its former glory but only during the 1990s did they come across the 'Iford' Cherry. Savaged by time, the only remaining living branch was saved by Will Sibley, a world renowned 'grafter' and, with his tender care, this fascinating story has a very happy ending. Having managed to propagate six new trees from the original branch, a further 1700 were ready to take their place in gardens across the UK and our tree is one of them!

  

And, lastly, a little hello to Tommy sunning himself in the border! It's still too cold at night for him to stay out all night so back into his box he goes!

I am stitching on Sew Nautical but it's taking a little time as it's on 55ct linen but suffice it to say, it's pretty and I am enjoying the challenge!

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Lost or MIA? My Favorite Needle has gone AWOL - I have used this needle constantly for over five years - yes over five years! So - where is it? There I was stitching in my favourite stitching position (sideways on the sofa with my feet up) when disaster struck and I dropped my needle. So where is it? Did it feel over-worked and under-paid? Has it gone on vacation? Is there a needle heaven? I have lost it on other occasions but it's always turned up. I know I have plenty more needles but ... this one is smooth; it's easy to thread; I miss it! 

Sew Peacock is stitched and almost ready for release.

Wendy Jo's Emblem of Love RR arrived here this morning so I will be working on that later today. I love the CC Wavy Navy colour she chose for this. It's a shame I have to stitch a section which I have already stitched on other RRs but I suppose this is inevitable when we all started on different sections.

It's another sunny day here in paradise (eh ... I mean Deal) and Tommy the tortoise is already out of his box this morning and wandering around the garden. For those of you who asked questions about him on my previous post go *here* and read past posts about him.

Thanks for visiting

Take care