What I'm working on

I had planned on making a start on stitching Bonnie's Christmas stocking at the beginning of the year, but with one thing and another that didn't happen.  I finally made a start at the end of April and although I haven't worked on it everyday when I have stitched on it I've made good progress.

It's hard to get a good photograph of all because it's on a roller frame.  I've stitched the top border too and will leave adding her name till last.  This is Elizabeth's stocking by Shepherds Bush, stitched in the recommended Perle threads.  I'm hoping to get this finished by the end of June and that will leave me plenty of time to stitch one for Arthur too.  I stitched and finished one for Oliver for his first Christmas, you can see Oliver's stocking here 

Last year I bought a beach bag kit from Sew and So when they were having a sale, I forgot all about it until I was having a sort out a couple of weeks ago.  The pack contained all the material but not the wadding.  There were no making up instructions but after I called them they did email them to me right away.

I'm really happy how this turned out, it's not perfect, the inside pocket is too high for a start, but I like it :-)

I fashioned a bottom for the bag by cutting some thick cardboard and covering it with sticky backed plastic because I didn't want a saggy bottom!!

I've had two days off work this week and I couldn't have picked two better days, the weather has been beautiful.  Yesterday I went for a lovely long walk and then stitched and caught up on some TV in the afternoon.  Today I sat outside all afternoon doing a bit of knitting and some beach hut stitching while listening to my audio book.  I feel like my batteries have been re-charged and I'm ready to face the office again tomorrow.

Beach Hut stitching - I will reveal what these are for in a future post :-)

I've done so much baby knitting over the last year, now it's time for something a little bigger, If It comes out ok this will be a top for me.  The back is almost done and so far I'm enjoying it.

I've got most of my plants in the garden or in the pots now and everything is coming on nicely

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I planted some Alliums for the first time, not all of them have come up though.  I didn't think any of the white ones had survived but then this one appeared and there is another one in the other bed which is just starting to open.

The previous owner planted this Lily of the Valley, it's tucked away on the far side of the conservatory so you can't really see it, which is a shame but you can catch it's scent if the wind is in the right direction.  I've been picking some for in home and the smell is wonderful.

I hope you too are enjoying some lovely weather :-)

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