Bonjour Mes Amis

Yes I have returned from the French Needlework show (Les Fete en Aguilees) a somewhat poorer woman in monetry terms but richer in experience.
Although the weather was so cold, mostly below freezing, after our initial day it was fine with none of the expected snow.
Here are just a couple of the beautiful charts that I bought.

 

 

Due to Bertie's diligence we were able to pay a visit to 'Sajou' at Versailles. If you ever get a chance give these ladies a telephone call and they will welcome you to their small wharehouse full of the most wonderful Sajou items. So here is Bertie, interupted just once, from her shopping mode.

 And finally, the palce of Versailles in the late afternoon sunshine.

Another Puppy Problem

This puppy jumps from one problem to another. Having only just got over the campyla bacter infection he decided to try and leave his crate without removing his paw from the the wire of the crate's side. Another £52 lighter we returned from the vets and Merlyn is blotto after the pain killing injection. This poses a problem only because I am supposed to give him NSAID pain killing syrup on his food and he's too out of it to eat. He looks so relaxed that I'm thinking I want some too !! In the 7 weeks we have had him (he's 15 weeks old today)there has not been 1 week when I haven't either been to or telephoned the vet. Luckily he's so lovely that he's worth all the worry.

A Beautiful Present

It was my Birthday early in December and I was very lucky to receive this wonderful pin cushion from Patti. I love the way she has finished it and I have it sitting on my needlework table all ready to use. The problem is that it seems so lovely I don't want to stick pins in it. So I shall have to keep it on display.

Yes the date on it is a dead give away of my quickly advancing age. It's funny how I never feel that old inside.

Aspirations

The other day Connie sent me a link http://xszemkozt.blogspot.com to the incredible talented Nina and her Blog. I loved what I saw so much that I decided to try and dye my own linen following Nina's instructions. I used a 'teapigs' tea called 'Berry Fruitful' and this was the result. Not bad for a first attempt but I was sure I could do better if I tried. Who doesn't remember that phrase from their schooldays?

My next attempt was using chamomile tea with this choice of threads and ribbon. 

And here is my final attempt using ordinary tea.

I really had a good time playing with this but no one need worry I certainly won't be making it a full time job.

Wonderful Presents

I was very lucky to have a wonderful hand made presents from my friends Janet and Heather this Christmas, Janet made mea beautiful scissor case complete with scissors in the colours that she knows I love best.

Isn't it just exquisite.

Heather, knowing my love of Teddy Bears, dressed these for me. They are called 'Penny Patch' and 'Suzie Sew'.

Wonderful people with great talent.

Will I Ever See Grass Again

More snow today. When I went to bed last night we almost had a thaw and then overnight another 3 inches. Not, I know, nearly as much as other places but still enough for me. Merlyn is able to go out for a walk now so he skated along on top of the snow. He looked like a bedraggled rag when we got home.

The poor birds are also having a problem finding food. We put out food on top of our garage roof and look what we saw...........

There is, however, an upside to being stuck inside the house for a number of days. I have completed several projects and here they are.

The first is a Shepherds Bush piece that I used as a box top. I painted and waxed the box and then mounted the needlework on the top. Now I need to find some goodies to go inside it.

Then I knitted nm DIL a lacy neck warmer and matching gloves. She is an absolute delight to have in our family and it's a pleasure to see her face when she wears the things I make for her. The pattern was given to me by a good friend in the USA who also loves lace knitting.

That's all for today. Now I'm going to carry on with my pre-stitching of Jackie du Plessis's 'Thistlewood' ready for our class in May. I've completed the pre-stitching of 'Briar Rose' and I am so looking forward to the classes to finish both these pieces.

The Peculiarity of Computers

I have been struggling for several days trying to change the surround on this blog. Nothing works and I cannot alter it. It's obviously something to do with Firefox because I have had problems with my email since Firefox updated. What it is to be computer illiterate.

Anyway here are a few finishes to show. I have a wonderful friend Janet who finished these for me as I was running out of time. She is trying to build up a finishing business and as you can see, is very good at it.
This is a Shepherd's Bush heart design called 'Gypsy Hearts'

I supplied all the finishing materials and Janet made this beautiful cushion for me.
I love Shepherd's Bush needlework. Their designs are always so delicate.

The next is another one by Shepherd's Bush called 'Quaker Heart'. Again, this is finished by Janet.

I used my choice of silks and so this is not true to the original but is more to my taste.

That's all I have for you now. I must get back to 'Puppy Patrol'

8.45pm - A big Thank You to my wonderful friend Patti who, in an instant, managed to change my background.