Easter Decorations

There have been a lovely collection of Easter decorations out there in blogland recently. Have you noticed them? I can't compete with any of these but wanted to show you our Easter tree decorated with my felt eggs. 

I cut some of the contorted hazel branches from the garden which made hanging the eggs exactly where I wanted them really easy because of the twists in the branches. As you can see, I didn't get round to decorating my lovely eggs, well, only one...

I blame the lovely weather - too nice to be indoors! I'll have to decorate the rest ready for next year's tree!
The other lovely felt decorations on the tree came from Tesco!

And here is the Easter basket I crocheted full to bursting with all the goodies found on the egg hunt in our garden.

Rest assured, a little rationing will be taking place in our household over the coming weeks!
Becky x

Spring Photos

I was going through my picture files when I came across these and thought I would share them with you.

This engine house is on a cycle route called The Great Flat Lode near to the school where I teach.

This field of daffodils was just up the road from where we live. I love the tree which is so wind beaten and perfectly set against those huge clouds. I wish I could have got a higher perspective for a better sweep of the daffs.

I have some photos of beautiful bluebell woods which I seem to have mislaid so they'll have to keep for another post.
Apologies for the lack of posts recently. The lovely weather has been drawing us into the garden so there has been a distinct lack of crafting, but lots of gardening which is all good! Will post some new pics of the garden work soon - took out a living arch and hedge which I planted 12 years ago yesterday! Yes, it did hurt a little, but the garden has been opened up and looks much better. Will post some pics soon.
Enjoy the bank holiday break.
Becky x

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I love looking at fellow bloggers gardens, often I'm a little green with envy, but mostly I simply love plants.

montana rubens

When I bought my bungalow, nearly 13 years ago, it was all lawn. It is one of three built in the 1960s on a small meadow backing onto woodland.

Very little had been done to my garden over the years, whereas the neighbour's gardens were quite beautiful. Anyway, I saw it as a clean palette, ripped out the few disappointing shrubs and a hedgerow, got my uncle to level over much of it (we're on a gentle slope) and started to design. I will dig out some old photos as it has to be seen to be believed.

The crab apple in front of the bungalow is in full bloom (the only plant I inherited from the former owners that I love) and it's just stunning. All I could hear as I took these photographs was the gentle hum of all the bees.

primula 'gold lace'

cornflower

marsh marigolds

ajuga reptens purpureum

alpine phlox

helebore

euphorbia 'fireglow'

tulip (don't know variety)

skimmia japonica?

cowslip

alpine (no idea what!)

peony bud



Welsh poppy and purple leaved violet

contorted hazel (hoping to cut some of this for an easter tree)

vinca minor

veronica (bit blurry - chicken pecked me!)

Apologies if I have got any of the plant names wrong. It was lovely taking time to appreciate my plants. I hope you have enjoyed them too!

Becky x

Whatever happened to those felt acorns?

I didn't hear anything from the lady who bought the 100 felt acorns for Jigsaw so I googled the fashion show to see if I could find out anything and I found this picture on someone's blog...

...and there is one of my acorns! I found the info' about the day at this blog:

http://blog.thisismission.com/2011/04/08/jigsaw-aw11-press-day
It sounds like they went down well. I don't know about you, but I hate not getting some form of feedback when I have loving made and wrapped something. Just to know it has arrived safely would be nice!

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I promised some pics of my garden in my last post and went out and took lots on the last sunny day, only to discover that evening that I had forgotten to put the memory card back in the camera! I promise to take more today whilst doing a spot of gardening. Both children have gone with Granny and Grandad for the day so I'm off for some serious green fingered time, hooray!

Hope you enjoy the sun today.

Becky x

Hooray For Holidays!

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a week. I have been very busy finishing a WIP, a little poorly and then soaking up the sun in the garden. I have noticed that blogland was a little quiet over the weekend and I think I'm probably not the only one making the most of the lovely weather.
Easter holidays are here, HOORAY! I love my job but I do love the holidays as well! I started today in my PJs with chocolate croissants, a latte and a magazine. Heaven!

Do you remember this lovely yarn I bought from St. Ives just over a week ago?

 Well, as soon as I got it out of the bag it was on the hook and I have completed my first wearable item! I just love the feel of it and yes, I know, it is now the wrong time of year for a scarf, but I couldn't help myself!

The pattern said to chain 160 but this seemed a little short and I wanted to be able to wrap it around my neck at least once so I chained 200. I hadn't considered that this would require more yarn and got quite panicky on the last round when I was running short. However a small adaption to the pattern and I finished it with 2" of yarn to sew in!!!



Such an easy pattern to follow, it ruffles because of the increases. I will definitely be making more of these as Christmas gifts. I made this one up in a week (and I'm not the fastest at crochet) so I have time to make a few more!

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A while ago I was waiting for a sizzix die I purchased from eBay to make bags for my brooches. Sadly, it never turned up but the nice lady I purchased it from sent a replacement. Not the same die but equally as nice.

It is very pretty but not as large as the original and a little too deep to post without getting squashed, so I think I'm going to have to try and sell it on eBay.

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I have really enjoyed viewing other blogger's photos of their garden's. I love gardening, used to practically live out there before having the children, but these days have to settle for short bursts of time and sharing my space! What was once my sole domain has slowly been infiltrated with swings, sandpits, trampolines... it's endless! We do have a big garden so I have managed to save a few corners just for me! Tomorrow I'll try and get out and take a few pics, particularly of the large crab apple which is just bursting with blossom.
Hope you're enjoying the sun too.
Becky x

Because I'm Worth It!

For A Mother's Day treat, we popped down to St.Ives on Saturday. We had plans for a family meal on Sunday and knew it would be a busy day so Saturday was my day for a little relaxation and retail therapy!

There are lots of lovely little shops with unusual little gifts and pieces of art. There are also two wool shops and a bead shop so plenty to satisfy my crafting needs. I have been trying to limit my spending on craft items recently, but Mother's Day is intended for a few little treats and I needed no encouragement!

My first little purchases were some gorgeous new yarns for some crochet and felting projects.

I have already started to crochet a scarf from the purple wool and silk yarn. I'm using a pattern from a new crochet book I bought from Sainsburys last week. It has some super little projects and only cost £3.50.

I bought some coloured wire from the bead shop.

I have wanted to have a try at crocheting with wire for a while now. I found a lady called Yael from Israel making the most beautiful crochet wire jewellery and art.

Isn't it stunning? I have had a little play but it is a lot harder than using yarn. Her shop on Etsy, called Yoola, sells tutorials, as well as her work.

I then found some more stunning yarn at the other wool shop. It is a wool, alpaca and silk mix and will be great for felting projects as well as a little crochet.

It was an absolute bargain. It was supposed to be £10.00 a skein but 5 skeins were on offer for £15.00! I haven't crocheted a wearable item yet and there is so much of this that it seems a shame not to make something a bit larger.

One last buy (not from St.Ives), some fabric for some Easter bunting for the garden.

I love the bright colours, flowers and stripes. There should be enough left over for some other projects too.
As well as being very spoilt, I took the opportunity to spoil my Mum. She has a Pandora bracelet and loves the beads. I found Argos have earrings on which you can put small beads so we bought her a set of earrings and many beads! She is a real magpie and loves her bling! 
Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day too.

The Eden Project

Yesterday I spent the day at The Eden Project with a colleague for some training about using the outdoor learning environment to enhance the curriculum. Despite the misty grey drizzle, we had a lovely day.

Although some parts were a little bare, there were many beds full of spring colour and perfume.
It was the first day of April and one of the course leaders decided to play a litte joke on us. We trekked up an undeveloped embankment, through thick foliage and brambles, slipping in thick clay-heavy mud but the view from the top was breathtaking.

It was so overgrown up there I couldn't take a photograph that did it justice but you can see we were level with the top of the biggest biome!
It was a super day and we came away inspired to improve our school grounds.

If you get the chance, I would really recommend a visit, May is a beautiful time, but please stick to the designated paths!

Becky x