Necklace

After struggling for far too long I think I have finished my accessory.  What do you think?

Puffins

We managed to get out to the Farne Islands on Monday just in time to catch the last few puffins before they left to live at sea until next spring......  Photos courtesy of Al Bravey .....

This chap must hold the record for the most sand eels you can snatch in one go!

A garden by Gertrude Jekyll

Just back from a wonderful few days in the North East.  We stayed at Bamburgh Hall Farm (can definitely recommend it for comfort and location).  Although my passion was to see puffins before they leave to spend the autumn and winter on the high seas, I had to perform my pilgrimage to the Jekyll garden on Lindisfarne.   Bizaarely, it's located in one of the most isolated, windswept corners of the coast.  Very English and so old-fashioned.  Enjoy....

Crafty days

My sister Tessa and I have thrown ourselves into making things to sell at two craft fairs over the last few weeks - the villages of Ombersley (Worcs) and Austrey (Warks) have been our guinea pigs.  Frankly, we didn't even cover our costs BUT the positive and enouraging feedback from visitors was a welcome surprise.  Craft fairs are not really "us", however - it's the "making" we love.  It's highly unlikely that most makers will ever be recompensed for the time they put into their work but the need to create is so strong!

I now plan to reapply myself to City and Guilds embroidery, having got ceramic buttons well and truly out of my system.  Wish me luck!

Ruby's Spoon

A newly-published writer visited our local library on Thursday. She is Anna Lawrence Pietroni and her book is Ruby's Spoon - a dark fantasy set in an industrial town in 1933. Absolutely magical. I can recommend it!

Bumblebee Glass

My good friend Sarah James has launched her website bumblebeeglass.co.uk. She makes stained glass pieces and is now into fused glass jewellery. She also takes commissions. These Xmas decorations are so contemporary and, of course, each is unique. Take a look.

Moving on

Since my mum passed away I've been thinking about what I really want to do. Top of the list - to finish two books I've been writing for YEARS, to persevere with Distant Stitch and to enter some competitions in the Spring. Phew.

If you ever get the chance, do visit Muncaster Castle in West Cumbria. There are lush gardens featuring a collection of rare Himalayan plants and the World Owl Research Centre.

And this - can you tell what it is yet?