Abigail's first medal

Today I am a very proud Grandma, as my eldest granddaughter Abigail [age 9] came

3rd in the British Schools Gymnastics Competition in the under 11 level 2 rope solo.

Well done Abigail.

Finishing more items

Baby quilt

Gift bag

Christmas bag

Three more items off the "to-do" list.

The lap size baby quilt was made with fabric from BSK, using the method of joining four strips together, cutting into 8 1/2 inch blocks and rotating one block on top on another sewing all around the edge and then cutting on the diagonals.. easy peasy!

The Gift bag will be used when I need to give a little gift to someone.

Christmas origami bag is made from two squares of fabric, again another easy bag, ideal for a little Christmas gift.

5 more projects completed

3 cushions

2 coin purses

I am still making progress with my 14 items to make and finish before the middle of May.
The three cushion fronts were machine embroidered some time ago. I put zips in the back and managed to get them finished yesterday. The coin purses were a new project and I just love them, used some of my special beads bought long ago to decorate the clasps.

Tadpoles

Due to the terrible weather and continued frosts, I rescued some of the frog spawn from my pond and put it in the Summer house. Now I am the mother of hundreds of tadpoles.. I love watching them.

One of 14 items to make

Verao Bag

Just finished the Verao Bag, one of my "I want to make before the middle of May" items.

It has been hard working on the black, even though I have good light in my workroom and the sun is shining.

I used a black wadding that I had but think the bag would have been better with a thinner wadding.

There are three pockets on the inside and one on the outside, the side ties can be opened to make the bag bigger.

Preparing kits to motivate me

3 cushions ready for backing and zips

2 Bath Tweets need backing and finishing



Somerset patchwork Pot holder



2 Easy bags cut out

3 purses cut out ready to make

Christmas gift bag needs finishing and ribbon



Binding needs hand sewing



Hand bag cut out

I decided yesterday to make up some "kits" to help me finish some things I have been working on, and also start some things I wish to make. I now have 14 kits ready for starting or finishing. I plan to have them all finished by the middle of May. Watch this space !!

Salisbury Plain 4 x 4 Weekend

How deep is this water!

Pretty narrow lanes

Lunch stop

Narrow tracks



Waiting for a passing horse!




Pig farms everywhere




Splish Splash!



Warning signs



More warning signs



Mud everywhere



Tidal wave approaches




Rest stop



Will this car ever be clean again!





7 Land Rovers in the convoy





The CSMA arranged a Salisbury Saunter across Salisbury Plain, we arrived on Saturday and found a 10 to 12 mile green lane to have fun on our own before spending the night at a near by Travel Lodge.

Sunday bright and early we joined thirteen 4 x 4 owners, mostly Land Rovers, for the day. Split into two groups, seven in our group, we set off for a day of mud, scratches and bumps..  The weather was really kind to us and the sun shone most of the day.

BSK BOM #5

Another enjoyable day at BSK Bedford working on our BOM's.
The picture on the left will be cushion number 5.
The picture on the right is attempts to change the size of the BOM #6 which seemed too large in comparison with the rest of the blocks. After 4 attempts I think we have cracked it, and I will try and get it made up next week.

Hamtune Meeting

Last night Sally from Threads and Patches gave us a demonstration of Somerset Patchwork. It has been years since I did this, but it was fun and I now would like to do more. This is as far as I got in the hour.

Gardening - The big dig

Spring is just around the corner [ it must be it's nearly May!! ]

In an attempt to make the garden more OAP friendly the high bank and waterfall in the corner is being removed. 5 or 6 trips to the tip with the trailer loaded have helped, as has a morning's help from Richard, but there is still a long way to go.
When the level is down and bordered to match the rest of that side of the garden the back fence will be replaced. Then for the fun part.. planting it up.

Thursday and Friday

A picture show

counting money!

Thursday and Friday were spent around home mostly making pictures with sequins glue and ribbon.
A really nice meal at the Toby Inn turned into a bargain, as I had managed to get two "kids eat free" stickers and a a special 2 for £12.50 voucher, so the four of us had carvery and icecream to follow for £12.50 !
Friday evening the girls were collected and home went back to peace and quiet!

Wednesday 10th

A special trip to Woburn Safari Park with the girls.

About to enter the park

Emu

Grandad's favorite wolf

Posing for the camera

Lions on the prowl

Young giraffe



Taking a rest



Petting the goats

Feeding the birds

Abigail manages to get one to climb on her

Eleanor shows no fear



Monkey lands on our car



Grandma's favorite a Bongo