Shhhhhhhh.....................

I am going to be very quiet and you will find out why when I post next time.

But in the meantime I am stitching, making cards and moaning about the rain ......... yes! it's raining.......... again!!!

It's also very cold.

I am trying very hard not to be miserable so I will show you some stitching I have finished ready to be posted at the end of the month.  For new readers, I am a member of a group that stitches squares which are made into quilts for Breast Cancer fighters. 

We have requests for quilts which will take us up to January next year.  .  . . .



This square is ready for the
end of October for Molly who loves
cats.



This square is ready for end of
November Jenna who wants
a quilt that is Breast Cancer
Themed



 Please pray for a cure

ALSO - I have sorted some of my English postage stamps and decided that now is a good time to stop collecting............. in fact my albums finish at 2006. 

I am not going to make any more albums so I have sorted all the purchased stamps since that time and put them to one side.  I printed off a postage price list from Royal Mail, bought a small set of scales, and now I am independant of the PO and can post all my mail as and when I think of it!!!  

Just for interest sake - at today's prices that's a BIG saving - very big. 

So you see I am keeping busy although IT IS RAINING!!!!!!!!!

No Hardanger Day

I have set aside a day for that so ...................

I spent yesterday making bags.      YES!!      I KNOW!!!      JUST BOUGHT ONE!!!!

This is different.............  I shall be going to Scotland again soon and I need a small bag to put my sewing in. 
So I had the idea to make one (or two) using some of my material stash from Africa.  So here they are:-

This one is large enough to take
my 12" hoop plus

This one is small enough to take
the squares I make for Q4BC group.

I made the large one first and then thought that I should've used the embroidered front so I made a smaller one which has silver (!!) embroidery down the middle.  Both bags are self lined which means that the smaller bag has a pocket behind the opening in the embroidery. 
Speaking of pockets ............. I have a lot of trouble finding my phone in my RED bag so I made a couple of pockets for it. 

Two plain pockets made from
the actual pockets on the
top.

Using the original pocket gives
me a double layer pocket - clever!!!

One to be stitched inside the front zip pocket and one to be stitched inside opposite the deeeeeep zipped one. (wish I could turn that photo round but I can't - Note to self: - take photos landscape ONLY in future!!!)







I amaze myself at times (in a humble way) - do not ask where I get these ideas from, I really don't know. 

New Back Pack

So after months of searching, looking at patterns, there it was - right in front of me .............

MY back pack................

Now you will have to excuse me here as I go overboard about this.  PJ and I frequently pop into town and usually I am so heavily laden he has to carry my bag for me.  A back pack was suggested some time ago and PJ bought one.  I am a tadge more selective, ok ... fussy!

I didn't really know what I wanted but it had to be feminine.  Not difficult.         Very difficult.  and then one night, whilst in a restaurant I saw the bag - red and soft.

We could not find one anywhere so I started searching my craft groups for a pattern and I looked at loads .......... loads!

Last Monday we met the youngest in Oasis to sort some stuff out and while I waited for her I wandered round the stalls and there it was!!!! 

MY BAG. 

OH! YES! 

I couldn't wait for her to come so I could show her, but I was very good and we sorted everything - Hen Night tee shirts if you must know (Catt designed them and I did the PC work) - and then I took them to see MY BAG. 

As my youngest said 'that is so you' and PJ said 'if you want it get it' so I did.  it's beautiful.

It was made in Nepal so it is a version of cotton and thick canvas with multicolour straps.  There are two pockets on the outside, one zipped and one buttonned.

The lining is plain black cotton with a deep zipped pocket.

So I am one happy bunny!  (mind you it is so deep I can't find anything in it!!!)

Silver Bells

Yes!!!! We made it!!!! 

God gave me a Scripture back in 1986, and unbeknown to me, God also gave a Scripture to PJ.  So eventually, in obedience to God and against my wishes, we were married on 1st October 1987.  

 I say against my wishes as I had already been married twice and did not (ever) want to commit my life to another bloke, but you know how it is when God speaks ................

So I liked the guy, so I had known him for yeeeaaars, so he cared (loved) me, I DID NOT WANT TO GET MARRIED AGAIN!  but God said .................

and so a beautiful wedding ceremony, small and intimate with very close family present, took place in Solihull.

and here we are 25 - can you believe it!!! - 25 REALLY!?!? - years down the road and still together and so much in love.  I didn't know what lay ahead of me but  ................ God did.

We have been through the by-ways and high ways of places I didn't know existed, I have done things I never knew I could, I have spent fortunes in various places and enjoyed every minute - no - I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute.   Although ..     ....... there were times when I prayed in desperation ......................
times like when we were travelling down mountains in a 38tonne truck and told there were no brakes on the trailer ..................... times when we parked over a gorge (don't look down!!) in order for PJ to deliver .................... times when I have been exhausted by the heat and PJ encouraged by saying "it's just round the corner" ............................. times when we where holed up in some unknown place and men with guns menacing us .................... oh! yes!
Maybe it's a very good job that God knew what lay ahead cos if I had known  ..................!!!!

So today we have been out into town, spending money  - what else?!!!  retail therapy.... come on here!  - and then out for a gorgeous meal........... 

Rocket leaves, orange slices,
Avocado slices, Melon,
Pomegranate seeds, Mango slices,
Delicious!!!!!

View from secluded corner
 of room

Starter of Crab & Calamari followed by this gorgeous Salad with Salmon and for sweet - a slice of Pineapple with Mango sorbet .  PJ had Pancetta Hash (looked like an egg and bacon sandwich done posh!)          followed by Pork ribs and for sweet - Apple Crumble.
The inevitable bottle of wine, coffee and altogether lovely nite!!

How I love that man and I thank God every day for putting us together!!!

The Cock Inn at Wishaw

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