A mixed Day

I woke this morning and found this beauty in flower, I don't even remember planting it. The colour is so rich I love it.


Then I took Mr t to Ludham bridge on the Broads as he is spending the day with "the Boys" from work on this lovely old cruiser. I think it is more of a booze cruise than anything else.

Beautiful day for it though.


Next to were I parked the car I noticed this little shop called Rags'n'Rocks.



Inside is a delightful mix of Fabrics and ready made items.The Ladies and Gent who I assume do all the work also sit in the shop which I thought gave it a bit more interest. They were so welcoming as well so if you are reading this ladies(which they said they would) thank you and it was great to meet you.



Quilting equipment and Quilts everywhere, as well as a great selection of handmade jewellery and handmade gifts. A great little shop and an unexpected find.



This is my favourite, I just love these with such a mix of fabrics



This is the perfect place for these nautical style cushions right next to the water and boat yards.



And you can sit and have a coffee which is what I should have done,



Instead I thought I should go and see my Mum. The trouble was I really wasn't feeling up to it, I had (and still have)a headache and the nearer I got to Cromer the worse it got.
Mum used to be a very independent, strong and active lady, then 18 months ago she had a massive stroke and has been in a nursing home ever since. I am the only member of the family who lives near enough to visit on a regular basis and I do that at least twice a week.The trouble is I'm finding it more and more difficult
to keep the chatter up and be cheerful.
This morning I just couldn't face it so came home instead. Then,of course, the guilt sets in, what an awful daughter I am.
So now I'm sitting here with a rotten headache, feeling guilty and depressed. I'll go tomorrow and hopefully Mr T will come with me to help with the conversation.

Gillx

All working again.

Hoorah my computer is back. It had been corrupted apparently and I thought it was such a nice law abiding computer.
So in celebration of it's return from the dark side I have some photos of my travels this week.
Firstly, Poppies everywhere. The ones along this country lane looked lovely althoough I'm sure my photo really doesn't do it justice.



This reminds me of the old flake advert.





Then I went to Blickling Hall near Aylsham to buy this for my garden.



When I arrived I found they had a Textile Art Exhibition and sale on, so I had to have a look and it is free admission which is even better. The work was amazing and filled 2 rooms.



There was a lady working on the panel below. She had torn strips of japanese handmade paper and laid some on the canvass which had a light painted background. She was then putting piece of old lace on the caanvass which she said she would build up with stitching etc. The exhibition is on Wed to Sun 10am to 5pm until
the 19th so I might go back and see how it's going.




To finish, this rose is called Edith Holden and is a new addition to my garden. I just love the colour, it is so unusual.



Speak again soon.
Gillx

Disaster

Horror, My computer has died,( I'm using my son's) so may not be able to post for a few days. Still could have been worse, it could have been my sewing machine.Be back soon
Gillx

Roses

I went to Peter Beales Roses in Attleborough this week and had lunch with LB before having a look around their rose garden. I thought you might like to have a look too.




This one is called Keith Maughan and I bought one of these.


This one is City of York and is on my wish list.













Pictures speak louder than words.

Gillx

swaps

I have received 2 swaps this week. The first one was from Lucy/ TeteL'air (who doesn't have a blog) and was part of the fabric swap on Tina's Scratchy cats blog
I forgot to take photos of what I sent Lucy I'm afraid but here's what she sent me. All that lovely fabric. Thanks Lucy.



The next arrived this morning from Jill at love to craft as part of the boudoir swap run by Fondant Kiss.
love the pretty spot paper.



Lots of pretty things including what my husband Mr.T calls proper girly hankies.Thank you Jill it's great although I'm afraid the chocolate didn't last long. Well I didn't want it to melt in the heat.



Then just to end today, this weeks favourite flower from my garden. These Alliums are lovely when they are in flower but also have fantastic seed heads which I use in the winter. What a useful flower.


Tomorrow I'll have some photo's of my trip to Peter Beales Roses.
TTFN
Gillxx

Pay it forward

When I said I woud see you soon I didn't think it would be quite this soon but I am on of the lucky 3 to be getting a little gift from Em's Shabby Shack.
It's called the pay it forward kindness chain and The idea is that the first 3 People to leave a comment on this pay it forward post will get a handmade gift from me within 365 days. You then pledge to take the badge forward to your own blog, write a post and sending out your own 3 gifts.
So if your interested in receiving a handmade gift from me and want to carry on the chain then just leave me a comment and I'll contact the ones who I will be sending the gifts to.

AND

Just a quick Thank you for all the congratualations I have received. I feel very special at the moment.

Gillxx

Before I tell you about my trip to Kent on Sunday I just have to get something off my chest. I am absolutely furious both with myself and with the little Muncher that has totally stripped my gooseberry bushes. Not just one but two totally bare,not a berry left, I can't believe it. I know I should have covered them up but I have a whole list of excuses. I was really looking forward to eating them although Mr T will be delighted, he hates them.

OK rant over, (I feel better for that)let me tell you about Sunday



Well as you can see it was Brother-in-laws 50th and our nieces 21st birthday party. So we arrived from all over the South East and had a BBQ. Luckily the weather was kind to us even if a little chilly at times.

It didn't seem to bother Simba who found so many people all too much.None of my children could make it but it was nice to see all the nephews with there girlfriends and my niece with her new boyfriend who was rather nice.



The sentiment on this little wall hanging I thought was so true, and at the risk of sounding gushing, reminded me of our blogging community.






I had to drop Mr T at Stanstead on the way home, he was being picked up and taken into the wilds of Essex for a training course, so we left fairly early, but this meant we saw some interesting vehicles on the way. I love the old American car (don't know what type it is) we passed on the M25.

.

Now this one I do know, It is one of the first Police bikes. They used to call them Noddy Bikes and my Dad used to ride one when he was a Policeman.


It is always nice to see this sign. When the children were young we always used to cheer when we drove past it and I find myself still doing it even when I'm in the car on my own like this time.



Before i go I just had to show you this photo Mr T took in Derbyshire last week. He assure me it is real. I think it's great.



Speak again soon.
Gillxx