Inspiration, motivation.............

 .......whatever it is that's lacking, I definitely need some. I very often sit down and think about my little blog and what I could write about but then while I sit here poised to type something, my mind goes blank. What have I been doing for the past three months, where have I been, what have I made?

Well, this post is just a reminder for me that I have been doing something.

 I have been doing some stitching.

Celtic Noel is coming along and it will be finished for Christmas, there's not a lot left to do. The top part that you can't see is all finished so it's just this bottom piece that needs finishing.

DD Rachel and I have both joined in with the Sewandso Stichalong, for me just so that I can have a quick finish each week and for Rachel because it's her first SAL. I do wish that I'd done it on evenweave though as it's a while since I've used aida apart from card making.

Earlier in the year I started stitching CCN Ladybugs and bumblebees but twice I changed the thread because the writing wasn't showing up on the fabric so I changed the fabric and I'm still not sure about it, it seems to blend in too much.

DH saw me looking at some HAED charts that I liked, I've never bought one as I don't think I'd have the patience to do one but later in the week this turned up in the post. I don't know if it will ever get done, it's a bit of a project. It's called the little dreamer's tree at least he ordered the one with just 90 colours and not the 200 plus one.

Another pair of socks have been knitted  though not yet pressed and a few more rows put into DHs jumper which I'm hoping to finish for Christmas.

We had a lovely day out in Trentham Gardens and I managed the walk right round the lake. It's so beautiful there and we just had to stop and say hello to these lovely creatures.

And we managed to get to the monkey forest just in time for feeding. It was a bit scarey walking through the monkeys but apart from the odd scuffle they behaved.

I've stitched cards and paper crafted cards, read loads of books and decorated two rooms so I've not been idle there's always so much to do.

This is my eldest daughter Sharon during her 10k run in Salford. Her group raised over £1000 for  Alzheimers. I am so proud of her as she had never done any running before


She also does some model stitching too and here's her son Alex showing off his new clothes.

During the good weather the garden has taken up most of my time but there's not a lot to show out there at the moment as everything is dying down for Autumn. I love Autumn, I love the colours, I love swishing my feet in the fallen leaves, love that the grass is green and love the fact that I will soon be able to put the lawnmower to bed until Spring. The daffodils, tulips and hyacynths have been potted up ready for their time to shine next year so the garden is getting ready to have its annual rest.

Well that was my summer, we did lots more but no more photos to show so I'll leave it till next time.

Love and hugs, Sue xx

A busy couple of weeks

It's been a bit hectic over the past couple of weeks because I've had DH at home with me and it's been so nice to have company during the day. He's not one for going away on holiday but he has been a great help in the garden helping with the things I can no longer do, just a shame that he had to go back to work. He's had to change his hours too from being on permanent night shift for most of our married life to an afternoon shift which is working out so much better for both of us.

There hasn't been a lot of stitching going on but I have put a few hours into Celtic Noel

and I've been in the parlour with the ladies from Needlecraft Haven stitching on Snow Love by LHN

Now that he's back at work I'm hoping to find a little more time to catch up on some other stitching and knitting and as he always likes to take cake to work I made a frosted lemon coconut cake. It's supposed to get better for keeping but it never lasts long enough in this house.

I'll leave you with a few photos of the garden, I hope you enjoy them.

We took down the little picket fence that we put up to keep DD's dog safe when he was a puppy but as they are both no longer living here it made sense to remove it and open up the garden.

DH treated himself to a tree fern, I just hope it doesn't die on me.

Two new roses were purchased, the top one is Noble Antony

and this one is called Othello and they both smell gorgeous.

Another new addition is this sweet delphinium named Bolero.

Lots of apples on the Bramley....

and plent of blackcurrants to go with them.

That's about it for now

love and hugs