73

Clearly taking pictures of furnishings is not my thing!

I took these photos a few weeks ago now, but couldn't share because I waiting for my dear Lena to receive her very delayed package. This was my first attempt at this pattern of mine and there are things I'd change second time round. I would add more spacing between the panels so it didn't appear so busy. I would also have a wider border as the plumping of the cushion means that the rounding hides most of it. As I explained to Lena though, every piece was stitched with love and happy thoughts and I hope she likes it. I'm also sharing these photos in case, my dear friend, you wondered what the empty fabric pocket was for!

72

Another project on the go. Following on from my first smaller piece using a similar pattern, this is set to become a queen sized summer quilt for our bed. I love the freshness of the greens, each piece, albeit it a leaf or petal appliqued on by hand, roll stitched around the edges. They will be joined in panels from top to bottom, one long vine, with yet another contrasting green stem to join each pairing of leaves from top to bottom. Between each vertical panel there will be white spacing panel and a broad frame around the external edge in the same fabric as the stems, which may well tie into the backing. Binding, who knows.

It's very laborious, but I find it so pleasing and such relaxing work. Clearly I'll need quite a few panels, around 18 from memory, so it will keep me busy for quite some time.

71

I love this little guy. It's not my idea, but borrowed from here. I did figure out the pattern myself though, a little tweeking here and there and I think he's pretty cute. I've made a few now for various babes that have entered our world and this is one of two that will go to a colleague who is expecting twins very soon.

These soon to be first time parents have had quite a few concerns during the pregnancy and are likely to be induced this week, about 6 weeks early. So many worries at what should be an exciting time, I thought a gift that celebrates the children about to arrive would be a nice distraction.

70

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there, whether a mother yourself or the child of one, which I know you all are!

We've had a lovely family day, admittedly it didn't feature too highly on sleep ins or quiet time, but I do feel appreciated and appreciative. We tried for a nice photo of the three girls, but confess it never works out just so and most often I'm the gormless one pulling a funny face although sadly rarely on purpose! We're having a family portrait taken by these guys in a few weeks and I confess that I'm a little anxious. The only thing that reassures me is that everyone looks great in their photos, so I'm hoping that amongst the closed eye, double chin shots, there may be one absolute gem!

69

I'm not normally into sharing pet photos, but honestly, he couldn't have looked cosier inside the shopping bags on the kitchen floor!

68

Nan's birthday on Friday and today a celebratory lunch. Too much food, luckily only a moderate amount of wine, but enough so I feel like going to bed at 3pm!


Geoff's roast chicken (Keller style), roast potatoes, garlic beans and rocket salad. Dessert a new recipe to me (from the current Gourmet Traveller) of an almond crostate with roasted pears, which I loved.

Pears are the fruit I like most in desserts, in cakes and I do love them baked. I also just love their form, raw and cooked, so pretty and womanly too.

67

I'm bread obsessed at the moment, I'm sorry. I'm sure it's very uninteresting for those of you not similarly inclined. Me carrying on about the holes and texture in this particular loaf will hold no interest, but it is an achievement. It's quite easy to make a dense, finely crumbed loaf, but it's more effort to get a real sourdough style texture, a wetter dough, longer proofing time, not necessarily more effort, but more thought.

I'm loving this book I've discovered. Learning theory behind breadmaking, again to me at least, is fascinating and a little information really helps to understand how to achieve certain results.

There is other crafting non bread related going on around here, I'll try and share my focus a little more!