Friend from the far North

We have had lots of visitors this Christmas and I think Marilyn is definitely from the furthest away. She has driven down from Shetland to visit her son in Yorkshire and then on to spend a few days with me. I have just waved her off into the snowy north. It was great to catch up and it has made me feel another visit to the Islands is overdue.
It is a lovely place full of lovely people and an abundance of wildlife and especially the birds.
Lerwick is a great place and there is a strong connection with Norway.
Look on the Shetland web site and be tempted ! Marilyn runs a great b&b looking down the " voe " to the sea.
As you see I took her to a Dorset favourite ..Lyme Regis which was a great hit.

Work in progress A studio visit

I have had a delightful afternoon surrounded by lovely things, quite inspiring.
I have been to visit Lizzie today and she was in the midst of her journal quilts to reach her end of year deadline.
I was fascinated with the many techniques and processes she uses to build up her work resulting in some wonderful textures but more than that, real depth.
I know she will show you the finished results before they go on tour or whatever they are destined for.
Her chief "timewaster " Archie is a charmer and stole my heart! he had to help of course

Help !!

I need some 60 inch wide tweed to back this throw..... all mine is 5 inches too small have you girls got anything ??

All stitched up !

Phew ! finally stitched up and the tedious bit ! all the raw edges over locked.
Must say I am quite pleased with the colours and the frame effect,rather than just a random patchwork. Just need to find the right backing now , these throws are 60 inches square so it can be a challenge

First Christmas at Stour Provost

My Blogs are usually textile orientated , however I felt the first Christmas spent with David's younger sister Diana and husband Graham who have just moved to Dorset , warranted a mention.
We had a very traditional day Lunch broken by a lovely walk into the village Stour Provost and back for pudding and other sweets.
Hope your day was peaceful and merry

While Shepherds watch....Muckleford style

Country Christmas Capers !

I have been out into the countryside today to visit friends and ex neighbours , firstly to Muckleford to deliver my iced cake and truffles for June and Les ( Christmas tree ) and my lovely ex neighbour Sue, who I have traditionally for years help decorate and do her special table piece in time for visitors.
The steep drive was an ice rink so I had to settle for leaving Freidathree parked cross ways across the entrance facing the right way to go after some rather hairy slidy 6 point turns!
My next port of call was a friend who lives in an idyllic period lodge half way down the drive of a country Estate.
It did not look too bad but is on a hill and I got thoroughly stuck trying to get large Volvo through her gate in reverse so as to be able to get out without having to turn on grass. After some fraught moments I managed to regain traction and get on terra firma so drove to the bottom turned and made a run for it which was fine until I stopped outside the lodge. I reversed again right to the bottom and set off again and this time did not stop until I was over the cattle grid and on the level again at the road where I left the car and walked the 1/4 mile back to Della's I had my snow boots , think Freidathree needs snow tyres, we always did change tyres in Canada with the seasons.
Anyway tippytoed along the backroads to join the A37 and made it home safe and sound. Glorious sunshine made the countryside look crisp and wonderful , so nice to get out of town