Decorating, cycling, Skegness, sewing and a Hare!

This week has flown by. Time for a little catch up...

The decorator had a nice dry day to complete the hall, stairs and landing. 

I started a new project, using up some 2 and 1/2 inch squares.

It’s grown at a rapid rate.

Richard took part in a 50 mile cycle ride in aid of Cynthia Spencer Charity. We are extremely proud of him. With three other ‘dads’ they managed to raise over £900.

waiting for the start

And they are off, leaving from Holdenby House, and yes it rained !

We left the cycle ride and travelled to Skegness for a night, enjoying a lovely meal and then a buggy ride. 

Happy 69th birthday Chris.

Saturday spent the day at Colemans Warehouse making a felted hare, he looks so cute.

Dahlia Day at Anglesey Abbey

A spur of the minute trip and we set off for the National Trust property at Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge.

This weekend is Dazzling Dahlia weekend, and boy were they right.

As son as we entered the reception the ceiling was covered with Dahlias of every colour and shape.

We then followed the trails to the house, pass a number of different displays, including one where you ‘planted’ a dahlia in a line from the path to the house. 

We then visited the Lode Mill, an historical working watermill. I bought a bag of wholemeal flour that was milled ten minutes before we arrived.

Back to the cafe for a slice of cake and hot chocolate, before setting off through the wooded area, where there were carpets of winter cyclamen, such a pretty sight.

Sun shining and a great day out

The cake

My granddaughter has requested a red velvet cake for her birthday, and I thought I would have a go at making one for her [from a kit!].

But as I cannot remember the last time I made a cake I thought a trail was needed.

I found two cake tins, very ancient and slightly different sizes but hey ho!

My trail cake is a carrot cake, and it is looking pretty good, ready to try a slice with afternoon cuppa.

Downside, I am still on my diet and the Nutracheck app I use allows me to put in all the ingredients and it works out the calorie content.

4420 cals ! So mine will be a small piece to taste.

Think I need to stick to sewing, no calories involved.

The decorator

The decorator arrived as promised at 9am this morning, she soon got to work and the stairs and landing were stripped of their wallpaper.

 

  

Having to be at home all week, means I should get lots of sewing done.

Stained Glass cushion

Saturday I started a stained glass cushion

Brushed off my home made Light Box, Chris made it long ago for me, and drew out the pattern on a piece of fabric.

When I completed the bird it looked so small on the fabric, so I added leaves.

Next step was to made piping cord for the edging and bingo the cushion was completed.

Really quite pleased with my new cushion.

September IAM

Time seems to have flown by since getting back from Wales, who said ‘retirement is boring’! Some days I feel I need to retire from retirement.

Yesterday was our September IAM meeting, and with sickness and holidays we were down to four, but it was a nice chatty day. 

The highlight of the Show and Tell was made by Ann’s granddaughter’s boyfriend for Jess’s 21st. 

We were all amazed at the beautiful gift he had made with such love. Sorry the pictures are in the wrong order.

The final box was a Mexican hat and a holiday in Mexico.

Such care and attention to the photos.

Each lid had beautifully written messages.