Seals and Crabs.

I'm having a busy week this week as I have my little nieces staying for the week and today we had booked a surprise for them.
I took them along the coast to Morston Quay where we got on a boat,



and went out into the estuary to see these guys. I was surprised how many there were as it's not a trip i've taken before.



Although we weren't the only ones about.



But it didn't make any difference to their fun.



Next we went to Wells- next -Sea



for our first try at crabbing, although Dad had to make sure it worked first. They did catch one which must have measured all off 3 inches across but the girls thought it was fantastic. I got to takethem again tomorrow but from Cromer Pier this time.



This little chap was in the field next to were we parked and was only 30 mins old when we first saw him but by the time I managed to get aa photo was 2 hours and was standing up . It reminded me so much of Bambi.



I'm giving their Mum and Dad a day off tomorrow so it's just us, wish me luck.

Gillxx

What happened?

When I logged on today my background had disappeared and i can't seemed to get it back. any idea what happened? has anyone else had this problem? there was a photobucket logo but I don't know where it came from. Help what is happening?

Peterborough

Yesterday was the Peterborough Bloggers meet and it was great but I'll leave the others to tell you about the actual meeting. I want to show you what I did before going to the tea rooms.
I had never been to Peterborough before and wasn't sure what to expect.
There was a good modern shopping mall but as I was wandering around trying to find the meeting place I found some fantastic buildings.

The first one to impress me was their Pizza Express.



Then this crooked arch lead you through




to the Cathedral Close which was glorious in the sunshine.




Even in 1779 they had graffiti.



I love these archways. They give you just a glimpse of what lies behind making you want to see more but then putting a up Private sign to spoil your fun.



The front of the Cathedral looks very impressive and inside they even had the organ playing.



I'm not sure if this is an old buttermarket or not but it was nice in this pedestrain area with seating in front of it.



This is the Tea Rooms that Jenny (winnibriggs) had picked, looks lovely doesn't it. Right next to the Cathedral.



and so to the main event and my new friends.



A great day out and well worth the drive from Norfolk.

Speak again soon
Gillx

No more excuses

I had a long list of things to finish before I felt justified in starting my new project of my dress and jacket and today was the day I had set aside to do them-SO.

These have been made for eldest daughter who is arriving tomorrow to collect her bottom drawer and bedroom furniture. She is setting up her own house with her boyfriend in Exeter and has a trunk full of retro stuff in her bedroom. I saw these fabrics in my favourite charity shop so thought another couple of cushions are always handy. So that's job no.1 done.



These 2 have been finished and packed up ready to send off. They are for Dolly Donations which send dolls to orphanages in Haiti and I had fun making them from one of the patterns they supply . If you want to know more then just give them a visit. Job no.2 done.



Next was finishing these great pen rolls for my 2 little nieces. The original tutorial is for crayon roll which I got from here but I tweeked it slightly so they have washable felt pens and a little note book. My little one rather fancies one as well but that will have to wait. Job no.3 done.



I love these hangers and decided I wanted one but I haven't picked up a crochet hook since I was about 10. The tutorial is Here . So first a book, "first crochet" by Lesley Stanfield, then a trip to my fav CS again for some odd balls of wool, I have all my Mums kit which has a hook of every size and make. After a fews days I got into the swing of things and voila my own hanger. I'm so pleased with myself and have found I love hooking,it's very addictive isn't it. Anyway,job 4 done.



I can't show you the next one as it was finishing my vintage swap for Sandie's Patch, but that is all now packed and ready to go. Job 5 done.

So the only thing left to do was sit in the garden with a cup of tea and a magazine admiring my lovely lillies. Tomorrow is the big day, does it show that I'm nervous about this, the fabric is so beautiful what if i mess it up? Still no more excuses.




Peterborough bloggers meet on friday, can't wait.
Speak soon

Gillxx

A Pleasant evening

I have visitors at the moment so in line with seaside holiday tradition we went to the beach for fish and chips.
So off to Cromer Pier with our supper.



It was a beautiful evening and the tide was right out.



It is a lovely old Victorian town.





The fishing boats sit at the top of the beach.




The lifeboat station at the end of the pier.




The fishermen were out in force.



Then we could see the future coming towards us and decided it was time to head home.



Past our local hero Henry Blogg, the most decorated lifeboat man ever, who always looks out to sea.



And the place I would love to live.



Lastly this weeks favourite flower from my garden, trouble is I can't make up my mind this week so we have two for you.




Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Gillxx

A Confession and a Giveaway

I have a confession to make- I lied to my husband. Well It was more of an omission than a lie and done with the best intentions. On my birthday he gave me the book Buttons and Beads by Erika Knight and said "It was the one you were looking at the other day wasn't it?" " yes darling" I said. What I didn't add was that I'd already brought it.
So I have a brand new copy of this lovely book which I decided I would give as a prize in my first giveaway when I reached 25 followers and here we are.

I will send this book and some buttons and beads to the first out of the hat on the 14th August.
To Qualify just

1) leave me a comment below; or

2) Become a follower/ already a follower( you are automatically entered);or

3)I'm afraid I haven't worked out how to make up a button so if you mention it in one of your posts let me know and I'll enter you again.

Good Luck to you all.

Gillxx

PS if you know where there is a tutorial on making up a button please could you let me know.

Must Do

I have been doing some crafting this week other than the chair ( see previous post) butI can't show you as it is for a swap.
What I am going to do is use you as my conscience. When I went to OZ in February I stopped in Brunei for a couple of days with relatives and of course brought some Fabric.


The patterned is silk and the green in the background, which dosen't show up very well is a linen and silk mix. I have 3 metres of each and intend to make a dress and jacket.


This is the pattern I've got to make it with.
Now I've shown you I will have to make it up rather than just keep looking at it, which is what I have been doing.I'll keep you up to date with how it's going.
hope your having a good weekend.
Gillxx

Repaired at last.

This lovely old beach /directors chair is one of a pair I bought at a church sale a while back. This one as you can see needed a new seat but it was one of those jobs I never seemed to get around to.


Well no more. Mr T is away in Essex on a course for a couple of weeks and my time is my own( well nearly), so I got the fabric out of the trunk and got on with it. it only took 30mins in the end.



The canvas fabric I bought on E-bay a couple of years ago to make a Hammock, until it was pointed out to me that we don't have anywhere to hang one and by the time we grew the trees I would be too old to get in it. I was so disappointed but just couldn't bring myself to get rid of the fabric.

Only 7 1/2 yards left now but I have a few ideas.



Last but not least for today is my favourite flower in bloom in my garden this week.

It's an Echinacea( I think that hows it's spelt)and ithas a green centre with those very fine petals I think it is lovely.



Speak soon and have fun.

Gillxx

A few little bits

Hello to you all and I'm sorry about my last post, it was very self indulgent and it won't happen again.

I just thought I'd show you a couple of the things i'd done this week. The retro cushion is made from the fabric I got from Tete le'air in the MSE fabric swap. My eldest daughter is moving in with her boyfriend and is having it for lounge.



I realised that I needed a pair of summer PJ when the hot weather came so I have nearly finished a pair of cotton shorts made out of a pretty nighty i found in a charity shop and I had a sleeveless white blouse which is a bit big, so i've appliqued some flowers out of the same material. As the shorts need elastic, which I don't have at the moment, I haven't worn them yet but they look the part so lets hope they are comfy.





This is one of 3 Chickens and 3 Mice juggling bean bags for my 2 little nieces when they come to stay. I might make them some other things before them come as I don't have anything for them if it rains.



Time for the mens final so speak again soon.
Gillx

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