Birthday

It was my birthday on Monday, one week exactly after the

other half's birthday. For one week we are the same age.

On Monday I was 50! I don't do birthdays for me but I did

have a good one. I got lots of lovely cards, some of them

hand-made. Just a couple of them:

a celebration cake,

a hand stitched postcard.

I love cards. These are all the cards so I can see them and think

about who sent them.

Beautiful flowers
And some lovely presies. I'll show you some.

A brilliant textile tool from the States, had to get an a convertor

to sort out the power.A snail, no name yet.

The snail doesn't have hair, it's just a contribution

to the celebration. It's made from recycled steel and tools.

Isn't it brilliant.

Had a lovely meal with both lots of parents.

Profiteroles and icecream. Yum!

Just a little glimpse into my day. Even had chance to go on the

usual Monday walk. I still haven't had chance to play with my new

textile tool, but I will when I've done this. Yeah! Got to load the

washing machine, do some washing up then I can play.

Bye...................

Last week!

I woke up last Friday morning and decided to go to 'Embroidery in
the Garden' at Trentham Gardens in Stoke on Trent. Good Exhibition,
a variety of work, something to suit every one. Some good shopping
both at the exhibition and at the outlet. Just a few pics of some pieces
of work I liked.



You know, this dog is really clever. He shops, buys presents and
wraps them; chooses and writes cards for birthdays. He also loves
chewing tennis balls!

ATC swop

I decided to do something the other day that I'd never done before.

Two things really. Firstly I contacted someone via their blog and
secondly participate in an on-line swop.
I found this blog http://www.cyberfyberexhibition.blogspot.com/
It is an exhibition to highlight 'the influences of internet access on
todays fibre artists'.
I'm not a huge fan of modern technology but where would we be
without it. Five years ago if you had said to me that I would have
my own blog and use the internet to keep in touch with some people,
I'm afraid I would have laughed and said never! How things change.
The internet influences most of us, from buying and selling, research
and information and I think one of the most important - finding
directions to exhibitions, shops and shows (textiles, of course!)
I sent this ATC to Susan, the lady who is organising this exhibition
and swop.

I received this today in the post from Susan. It's a great idea and
fun to know you're doing this with others from all over the world.

The blog explains how you get to swop. You can swop postcards

as well as ATC's. Have a go, it's worth it. I met someone new and I

have a new piece of artwork.

Fun sculpture, Fathers day

Isn't this dog fun? He's just begging for an ear rub.

I'm not a huge fan of spiders, but I do like this one.
Had visitors the other evening and this pup kept himself content
chewing tennis balls.

Weekend chores, finishing the bits I couldn't reach very well.
Happy Father's Day.

Had both lots of parents here today for Sunday lunch.
It all went smoothly, almost no napping and lots of chatter.

Have to get every thing out and ready as there's no chance

when they all arrive.
It's good to have a sit down and some quiet!

ATC's, inchies, walk

Did some stitching over the weekend. Needed to make some

birthday cards and a fathers day card. I used my current favourite

technique which is just a variation on free motion quilting.

I don't know what made me do ATC's but I did. They are a good

size for putting on cards.

ATC's

a close up
and a few inchies for smaller cards.

from the trimmings.

And finally, a rather hot but lovely walk this afternoon with

good company.

Poetry walk, birds

Yesterday I met with a friend I haven't seen for over 10 years.
We met in Belper, had lunch at the River Gardens and then
went on Beth's Poetry Trail. Not really my thing or so I thought.
Have a look here so I don't have to explain it all,
www.bethspoetrytrail.co.uk. It was thoughtfully done with
appropriate choices of poems, materials and placement.
We had a lovely afternoon, both with the weather and
the company. Emily Dickinson on a pub (below) ......
This one is outside the Salvation Army in the market place ......
And this one is W B Yeats ine the Parks Nature Reserve.
Today I met another friend for a walk which we finished with a
cuppa at the kiosk. We had lots of company, a rather tatty looking
bluetit. It probably had a nest of babies somewhere.

A couple of chaffinches came along to find crumbs on

our table.

Bye.......