Tense Morning

Waiting to hear from GB1 ~ today was the day he had his UK Clinical Aptitude Test. Good news is that he passed and was relieved to gain a better score than he imagined he would. Now he just needs to get sorted with UCAS applications, personal statement, AS level results and another year of study before hopefully gaining a place at medical school ~ not much to stress about! Kate

Stash Pictures ~ That's All

From Nimble Thimble

LHN - Thread Gatherer

Drawn Thread ~ Morning Glory

Drawn Thread ~ Sisters + Friends

Drawn Thread ~ Love Scissor Tag

There was another design but as it has no picture other than the chart I'm not uploading it for obvious reasons.

From Castle Court Quilters

Yummy Christmas fabric ~ I already had the piece on the right

Finca Perle, stitch ripper and fabric with sewing accessories

A Trip With The LM

It's amazing how the change of one word ~ or place name ~ can suddenly make a LM business trip sound very appealing.  It's a trip that the LM has made many times while we've been together and never before have I had the urge to make the journey with him ...... until now.
Welshpool ~ never fancied it really ~ until the LM declared that he would be staying in Oswestry, and as soon as he mentioned this my ears pricked up.  Why? well because I know that The Nimble Thimble is not far from Oswestry ~ and never before have I heard of it's proximity to Welshpool ~ perhaps I should take up geography again!
So, we drove down late afternoon on Thursday a couple of weeks ago, stayed over and the following morning I deposited the LM off at his appointment and set off back to Oswestry.

Well, 8am was too early to go directly to The Nimble Thimble, so I parked up and went in search of coffee (and granola bar).  It was a warm but raining off and on.  I visited all the charity shops in search of brooches for my bouquet ~ found a couple but they had missing stones, but I did buy a vintage enamelled hair grip that I might be able to include.
I found the most incredible bead shop ~ Beadazzeled ~ what an absolute treasure trove and the owner was so lovely.  Unfortunately my parking was due to expire so I had to leave sooner than I cared.  If you're ever in the area it's most definitely worth a visit.
Then I set off for the main event.

The Nimble Thimble at Llangedwyn Mill ~ Gorgeous setting even in the wet miserable weather of the day.  And when you step inside it's difficult to know where to start looking ~ there are just so many fabulous things to take in.  Chris explained where everything was and gave details of some special offers/sales that were currently on.  I had a wonderful time leafing through all the different designers ~ I'll show you what I bought another time as I have no photographs yet ~ sorry.  Instead, here are some pictures of inside. 

 

 Note to self ~ must find out how to do "clever" stuff with photographs.

 

I hope to return soon ~ perhaps the Lovely C & I could have a road trip?  Might need to save up a bit first.

Chris was very welcoming and helpful ~ she enquired if I liked fabric as there was a quilting shop not far from Oswestry that was worth a visit.  Well, I was in the area, it seemed rude not to go.

Castle Court Quilter is spread over three rooms ~ two filled with masses of gorgeous fabrics & patterns etc and a large teaching room for classes.  Diana, the owner was busy getting ready for a local show but was really lovely and helpful.  I bought some fabric ~ what a surprise ~ however I can't show it as I have no pictures ~ Oops!  Will resolve that soon.

I can show you these gorgeous Finca perle colours ~ it's enough to make your mouth water ~ and, yes I did bring some of it home with me.  I had a very late lunch in the castle coffee shop over the road before heading back to collect the LM from where I had deposited him.  Our journey home was awful ~ it was the Friday when the Olympic festivities were cancelled in Blackpool.  I've never seen so much rain on the motorway, let alone driven in it.  I was pleased to relinquish the driving seat at Charnock Richard services, it didn't stop raining but the worst was definitely over by then.

Conclusion ~ beads, cross stitch & fabric all within a reasonable distance ~ definitely worth visiting the area.

Kate   

What a Difference a Week Makes



And I'm so pleased it does ~ this is what we experienced last Thursday on our journey home from work.

5.3 miles ~ journey time 2 hours 36 minutes



We didn't risk it ~ turned around to find
 an alternative route



Then we got stuck here for over an hour







Alternative route ~ wrong side of the river
Cemetary wall collapse





Taking the car for a plodge before crossing
the river again

Dude where's our road?
Taken by GB2 from bedroom

Coming up the drive
Taken by GB2

We were very lucky, we know of others who were stranded far longer, were without power and worse again for those who suffered damage to their property.  Never underestimate the power of nature.

I'll leave you with the lightening over the Tyne Bridge

Kate

Summer Exchange

As reveal day has now passed I can show you the summer exchange pieces from Needlecraft Haven.
This is the lovely bag, recipe book and card that I received from Dusty.  It's already had a couple of outings - yesterday it carried a little quilt top to Just Quilting to get wadding, backing and binding fabric, and last night it carried my sewing to Tuesday Stitching Group.  It's a great size and I love it - thanks so much Dusty.
I think it will be coming to France to carry my holiday stitching.

 I stitched this design for Barb ~ I know that The Sampler Girl's design are favourites of hers.  That and the subject matter made it perfect.  It was a dream to stitch and I finished it as a pillow with pockets added on the reverse side.  I am so pleased that Barb likes it.
I've signed up to do the Autumn exchange too so I'm currently looking out designs that would be appropriate.

Today my main task is stash organising, I have stuff spread out all over the place trying to get it into some semblance of order ~ it's a job that has needed doing for quite some time.  I'm hoping to get it all finished today and also get my database updated.

Wish me luck!

Kate