Wrest Park

Yesterday we went to Wrest Park to the Craft Show they were holding there. We were slightly disappointed as we don't think it was as good as the previous year - which wasn't as good as the year before! There seemed to be less stalls as well. Still it meant that it saved us a considerable amount of money probably, spending only £2.50 on a pretty pottery plate. It didn't help that the day was overcast and very cold, or least I thought so! A very Autumn feel to the air. Shame it wasn't as nice as it was today! Beautiful blue sky here again today and quite warm.

Very impressive building. Unfortunately you can only see a couple of rooms downstairs, but the library is rather impressive - I wouldn't mind one of that size!

The gardens were lovely and tidy, but not especially colourful at this time of the year.

Our younger son had fun exploring this old building.

Caught you! Having a picnic.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my lovely husband!

Late last night I was furiously sewing away to make him some bunting for his office.

The picture is a bit dark as it was taken in the evening. I can report he is well chuffed with it!

As a fan of Rupert Bear when he was young these books found on Fridayare just perfect for him.

Brings back many memories.

Happy Birthday my darling.

Shopping!

1 pair black school shoes

1 pair trainers

1 pair white soled trainers for drama

1 pair astro shoes

1 pair football boots with metal studs

1 PE bag

4 pairs trousers

1 blazer

pencils

pens

pencil case

maths equipment

Phew! What a list. To think we also bought most of that stuff last year as well. Our younger son certainly knows how to grow out of, wear out, destroy, lose or misplace his stuff. Still I'm glad that is over and it wasn't quite as stressful as last year, although I do have the post shopping headache/migraine.

I had a rather good day as well. While out I stocked up on some supplies that I need for some little projects I have planned.

Some zips, ribbons, ric rac, bias binding, poppers and some pretty fat quarters.

Although have to admit to being rather shocked at the price this little lot came to.

These three pretty tea cups were found in a charity shop. I'm hoping to try making some candles to put in these as they were saucerless and I know a few people who love candles and I thought I might try making some as Christmas presents. Not sure where to get the wax from yet though.

My best deal of the day though had to be these four jackets we saw in an Isobel Hospice Charity Shop. Even hubby was amazed at the price of them and said yes to all four!

First off a lovely purple one. I have a similar one to this although without all the pretty applique and it is very comfortable to wear.

It is quite a vibrant purple which doesn't show up to clearly in these photographs as I took them later this afternoon. Isn't the flower on the back lovely?


Next up is this lovely light butterfly jacket - perfect for spring and summer.

Moving on, a lovely green one. I wouldn't normally buy this colour but it looked so lovely on.

More detail on the back.

Lastly a royal blue jacket. I almost didn't get this one, but then thought I just couldn't go wrong so along it came as well.

Aren't they all lovely. They look new, I can't believe my luck today as I would never have been able to get something like this normally.

I also bought three lovely books for hubbys birthday, but can't blog about them until 30th August.

We had to be out all day as we dropped hubby's car into the garage to be serviced and have an MOT. Apart from getting a headache it was rather a successful day all round, even hubby managed to get a jumper. The car sailed through its MOT. We had a lovely lunch out and what is as I mentioned earlier usually a very stressful outing - shopping for our younger son - it turned out very well. There were a couple of times I thought his difficulties may come to the fore, but we were able to keep them in check, or rather he was, so it was a positive experience for him.

A stroll through the park

Although the weather didn't look exactly promising this morning it turned out a lovely day.

Hubby and I went for a lovely long walk with the dogs this morning and I remembered to take my camera with me this time and took some photos of some flowers along one of the routes we take.

Isn't the red and white combination in these flowers just stunning?!

There are some really lovely gardens near us.

Our rose bud has come out and is looking beautiful as I'm sure you'll agree.

My MIL bought this rose for my husband's birthday which is in 3 days time and it always flowers either just before or on his birthday.

My last two "Pay It Forward" gifts have arrived. I sent this little dog to Lisa at Pupylov. Lisa is a veterinary nurse who loves dogs, so I am hoping this little puppy will be perfectly at home with her. He is only the second dog I have made from my own pattern and his legs are improved but still not quite perfect, but I thought who better to look after him than a vet nurse!

The last gift arrived yesterday for Marty at A Stroll thru Life. Marty has such an amazing blog and a stunning house. I noticed she seemed to have a love of roosters and so thought this would be just perfect to keep her pot of tea wary and cozy.

We had planned to take the boys out but as usual they didn't want to come. We had hoped Master 18 would want to spend some time with us before he jets off to New Zealand, but sadly it appears not. As for Master 12, he didn't want to come either so we just went by ourselves. I know we should make him come but sometimes it is just easier and much nicer to go on our own. As we were going out the door, little dog followed us, so we took him instead. Much more pleasant than grumpy moany boys!

We went to St Albans to Verulamium Park. It is lovely there and we enjoyed our afternoon.

Two by two.

Mr Heron sitting ever so still in the sunshine.

Two elderly gentlemen were sailing their boats.

The children were enjoying the splash playground.

Quaint pubs.

Humungous thistles.

Little school.

Oliver update: Ollie has been to the vet today and has had a couple of injections, an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory. He is finding it difficult to eat so I am syringe feeding him, but looking at him now in his box by my feet, it is not looking promising. This lovely piggy came into my life two years ago. He was a rescue pig - found neglected at the bottom of someone's garden and probably about two years of age, so he could well be four years old now. How anyone could have neglected him is beyond me as he has such a lovely gentle nature. I'm so hoping he will pull through as I just couldn't imagine not having his lovely cheeky little face looking up at me.

8.21 pm Sadly Oliver just died in my arms after having several seizures and just after I told him I loved him. Too sad.

Oliver

Not feeling much like blogging today. My most favourite (sshh, don't tell the others) guinea pig Oliver has had a stroke and is currently lying on my lap. I am so hoping he will recover from it, he is such a special fellow.

Lavenders Blue...

My lavender has been growing really well this year and I am cutting bunches every few days to dry for my lavender hearts and pillows. It smells divine and is just outside our front door and oh so pretty. This is the first year I have really done anything with the lavender, next year I hope to do much more as I have found some lovely recipes and ideas of things to do and make with lavender.

Yesterday afternoon I was 'home alone', and as it was such a lovely afternoon I took my sewing outside with a cup of tea and enjoyed sitting out there and sewing the binding up on another place mat. Only two to go now. I also made an apple (filled with lavender) from my new Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle book.

This afternoon we went for a lovely long walk through the woods with Master 12 and one of the dogs. It was very pleasant and had a slightly magical feel the way the sunlight was streaming through the trees. We had planned to go further afield, but as we set off it started to pour with rain so we decided to go to a local woods instead, so that if we got drenched, we didn't have far to come home to dry out. As it turns out the afternoon was lovely and we didn't get any rain at all.

Sew Pretty

Isn't this the most beautiful Pansy?

The other week I went a bit mad on Amazon and ordered not one, nor two, but three books! Just after I received notification that they had been sent, I read on a forum, that they are probably not worth getting. My heart sank... but still I told myself I got rather a large discount on them so hopefully I'll be able to get something out of them.

However, I wasn't disappointed. They are simply gorgeous books full of lovely colourful and pretty projects to make. Perhaps a bit too many angels for my liking, but still lots of fantastic projects.

It was in this one that I picked my first project. No, not Christmas stockings...

Instead a lovely little makeup purse.

I used some of the pretty fabric I found at the CS a couple of weeks ago.

Added my own personal touches, a little heart and a butterfly when you open it.

And there you have it - a useful little purse which is destined to become a gift for my sweet MIL.

I found it a very easy pattern to follow and very quick to make. I can see more of these coming.