Trying out the new platform. . . .

I don't think that I shared about fetching the eggs in the rain!!

Back in April we had several days of rain and the outside run was a quagmire!  PJ still had to fetch the eggs though so some 'arrangements' had to be made!

We have a special 'basket' for collecting the eggs.  I crocheted a cover for the butter tub so that Little Soldier could collect the eggs himself.  We have continued to use this for the eggs.

This is good as at the moment the eggs are not only dirty they can be slippy.  

Talking of slippy . . . .

PJ made himself a waterproof cover . . . .  nuff sed. . . .

So that is it, short but sweet.  I understand that Blogger will be changing over to this new format in June so best get learning now!!

Let's have a look at the preview . . . 

Well, we have managed it.  

I don't like not being able to text round the photo. 

 I have managed to work out the sizing of the photo.  

I am not a lover of the new symbols but I suppose I will get used to it.  

I couldn't remove the 'peculiar' photos and then worked out that 'Delete' on the keyboard works!  lol

I upload from my computer but it looks as if the 'cloud' or google photos is used then there will be  a charge for storage.

Some of the dropdown boxes are a lot clearer as the text is larger.  I like that!

OK so far.

Stencil stash

Every now and again I receive an email informing me of new products on sale from this site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GiogioCraftShop

I first encountered Giovanna when she was in Australia, her blog was all about mixed media and I loved her approach to it.
When she returned to Italy, she started to produce tools to help with her work.  Every now and again, I receive notification that there are new products in the shop.

This time some stencils, ATC size, caught my eye.  Weeeellll, all her products are beautiful and I would buy them all but I have to be sensible (?).
I ordered the stencils just before the Bank Holiday and they arrived on the Tuesday - Post is good from Italy!!

When I opened the envelope there was a small tissue wrapped parcel inside.  Inside the tissue were lots of goodies.


A small (9x9cms) stuffed heart, and two stencils with another heart.




The stuffed heart has encouraging words added to it and a hanging loop. 

Side one is 'Life is good'.

Side too is 'One of a Kind'.

Beautiful!





There are two kraft card stencils and a heart which displays the used stencil for inspiration.

Also a small wallet . . . .

et Voila!

My stencils . . . 

How good is that? 
Such wonderful packaging and on her Blog is a template for the wallet.  I tell you this girl thinks of everything.

Thank you so much Giovanna.

The Yellow Buddlia one

My story starts way back in the 1990's.  I worked for British Gas, not in the main building but in a separate 'house' further round on the site, known as Business Gas.  It was about the time that British Gas was being broken up, so a lot of the engineers were to be employed by the main company or . . . being made redundant.  (I cannot find any photos!  but will update if I do find some.)
It was my first Secretarial position and I was very nervous, the staff were very friendly and welcoming and helpful.  As the engineers left we celebrated on their last day by having a meal and goodbye lunch, so that was probably the reason there was such a happy atmosphere.  The girl whose position I was taking left the company after a few weeks and so it was that I became a secretary, PA as it was later to be known.
After a few months we were notified that the remainder of us would be moving to the main office block and there was much moaning and groaning.  This office was, at the time it was built, the largest office space in Europe - very large.  It was also very busy and there was little time for 'fraternising' but  . . . . they also had coffee machines!! 

Every morning as I walked through the site to my office, I admired all the bushes and wildlife that flourished there, no maintenance was carried out at this time. 

Among the bushes was a beautiful yellow balled bush, one I had never seen before. 
It looked like a Buddlia (old spelling) but  . .  . as we all know, they only flower when the butterflies are about!! 

I had to do it . . . .

I took several cuttings . . .

One survived and grew into a great big bush and I loved it as it was one of the bushes that heralded the Spring.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/2453/buddleja-globosa/details

When we had the chickens, we had to move out Buddlieas, PJ took cuttings 'just in case' which was good as several of the main trees did not survive the move. 
The cutting eventually became big enough to plant and has grown into the beautiful bush, much beloved by bees, that you see here.

It acts as a gorgeous foil against the red leaves of the Cotinus. 

Along with the rest of the garden,it hasn't been touched for several years and now, down among the undergrowth, adding a little bright touch grows a single white Foxglove.

Mother Nature sure knows how to paint a picture.

WOYWW #573

WOYWW - All the deets on how to link up etc. and, more importantly, why you should, can be found at the top of the page.  Thank you Julia for hosting another week of fun and mayhem.

It would appear that we are slowly returning to 'normal' after all the celebrations last week and now some of us will be allowed out.  I presume that we will, the shops will be open . . . .
The Desk

I am about to make up the card kit, another charity kit designed by Christine from Hope & Chances.
To the left is a new blue external, bought for me by PJ, so now I should be able to discard my very old small one. 
Also that side is the leaflet for Parc Zoologique de Paris, I keep looking at it and hoping . . .  There is also a plastic container with some bits and bobs that have been found whilst looking for something else!!!
The bobbin with the flowered lace is out, I want to decorate my new hat but have had to order some more  . . . . there's a long wait . . .
In other news . . . .

One little sad boy, just returned from hospital with support on his arm. . . he fell from the climbing frame . . . . ouch!

Social distancing forgotten . . . .sorry!

Catching up . . . again!

I don't know where the time goes, so many hours yet we still run out.  I think that the fact we have time to sit and stare causes us to find things that need to be sorted.  The garden is an ongoing project and in between I am sorting the junkroom backroom.  I have reached the Dolls House and a decision has to be made . . . . repair and decorate to keep or . . . . sell . . . decisions, decisions.

The Blue Garden is 'finished' . . . . ha!  believe that you believe anything!
After this photo was taken I added some Oxalis found in the hedgerow.
Then decided to add the last three Heucharas but leave them in their pots because they are to be shared later.


The Blackwork is still a WIP but I am pleased with the progress made.
The bridge is nearly finished, one more side to do, the 'rear parapet' as it is named in the instructions!
The sky and the grass at the side of the bridge are also completed.


The Greenhouse is set up for our tomato season, the plants are so small now but in a few months . . . .

The rotten planks which formed a 'path' for me during the winter months are being taken up, chopped and removed.  PJ will then rotavate all this area and then, hopefully, we will have a brick path and a row of potatoes . . . . or should I say - a row of potatoes and a brick path!!!
We managed to collect some housebricks over the weekend.  A kind resident advertised them for collection and we were there!  That was Sunday taken care of and, unfortunately, they are still sitting outside the front of the house and in the boot of the car. 
The thought of moving them into the back garden doesn't exactly inspire us!!

The Collared Dove has brought a friend, they are now coming regularly, as in morning and evening, to gather food together.
The Angel has appeared at the top of the garden as it was given to us when our little Eppy died.  We had helped a neighbour across the road fetch a puppy as his dog had died and he was upset to think we were going through (almost) the same sadness.  Wasn't that kind? 

WOYWW #572 - The Anniversary one

Happy Anniversary Everyone!!!  Woo!  Hoo!  Who'd have thought it!!!
Here we are though, sharing desks etc as per usual, except this time it is our WIPs.

This is my Work In Progress, I posted details yesterday otherwise this would be a loooong post and we don't need that today!

Quite a lot of infill has been done, I have completed the trees, the roofs, details on the middle house and now I am working on the right hand side house.

While I have been sitting outside under the umbrella stitching we have had several visitors.  

Among the 'normal' garden birds we had a pigeon who decided that as it was soooo hot he needed a bath to cool down.  He kept us amused as he nearly fell out once or twice!

We also had a Jay fly down (bad photos due to stupid phone camera!), have a look around and then fly away again.

A Collared Dove has taken to visiting us of a morning and evening now so I have to make sure there is enough food for him!

During the night we have been visited by a fox.  He has been coming for a couple of weeks now, patrols round the ranch but then leaves.  Yesterday morning I woke to a right todo going on in the ranch - Mr Fox was lying on the sacks of chippings trying to bite his way in to the chickens . . . .08.30hrs!!!  Broad daylight!!  Cheek! 

Note the indentations . . . .

Exciting times this weekend . . . .

I have to tell you now that Little Soldier has had a birthday!

He's FIVE!!
He had two lots of candles because . . . he could!

Candle one was a sparkling five, it fizzed and fizzed.

Candle two was five bright blue ones which he took great pleasure in blowing out!! 

Someone else also had a great time . . . .

Happy Anniversary!  Happy Anniversary!  Happy Anniversary!

Anniversary WIP (Work In Progress)

So the Jury came back in and it was decided we would not post our Anniversary ATCs this year . . . .  understandably . . . we will finish a WIP . . .  I'm sure we can all find one of those!!

I have chosen some Blackwork . . . .  coloured Blackwork!

It  is a fictional village in the Lake District, a tryptic.


These are the first two and are completed.










The third piece is outlined and some fill in has been done . . . .This is my Work In Progress. 

As you can see still a lot of stitching to complete this picture.

I started this yesterday in preparation for the Anniversary . . . .

Day one . . . 

Alcohol Inks

So how did I get on?

Like this:
Yuppo Paper ready . . .

Drops of inks on paper . . 

Distress Oxide ink added . . 

Sprayed with water. . .

 and gold spray . . .

Dried off with towel . . . 

. . . close up of sheen . . 

Later on, I added a bit more yellow and then blew it around using a straw, a drop of green and a blow ......

I dunno, looks more brown the mustard colour. . .

WOYWW #571

Sharing with Julia at Stamping Ground . . . . come share your desk . . . . . it's fun.

here's mine . . . .

 . . . as you can see not a lot going on . . . you missed it!


I have been working outside on my other 'desk' . . .


I spent nearly the whole day out there and am taking it easy today . . .
this is how we started, soil added to the left, one extra large fuchsia dug out (cuttings taken) . . .



One part of the root was is still in situ . . .  why?

. . . .  because we have two robins nesting in the garage and they will need to inspect this place . . . See!!! 

as soon as we start to move any soil . . . . there they are . . .



Here's the first one, I'm taking a break for a cup of coffee . . .

Here's the other one, and  . . . no!  I don't know which is which. 

They are taking it in turns to feed the young'un, second hatching so far. 
They didn't update their nest from last year, they have a nice new home in a watering can instead!!

So me, the robins and PJ carried on working through out the day . . . PJ was rotovating and finishing the chicken run - it doesn't really look any different, except that the fruit bushes have good soil round their roots now! 
My Blue' garden has the rest and is ready for planting  . . .

I found several broken ornaments so there will be much mending and painting (been watching the 'The Repair Shop'!).  Don't worry, I will keep you updated!

Off to visit other desks, have a good week and stay safe and well.

Crafty Day

Wanted to catch up with my crafting today . . . .make some cards.  I have been collecting ideas over these past few weeks and today seemed like a good day to start.
My desk was clear so  . . .

I started and then . . . .

Out came the stamp file . . .  I never really saw my desk again!!!

PJ is outside rotovating the 'orchard' so that we can spread the soil around a bit, hopefully I can help tomorrow . . .  spreading soil that is!!

I managed to finish all the cards for the swaps and made a few extras as well, always useful to have cards in my stash which is usually pretty small.