Friday 27th November

 I am a bit late this week as I was clearing the last of the garden rubbish because today is our last collection until next spring.  Just think, if this had been a normal year we would have been at the Knitting and Stitching Show yesterday.  I have ordered threads online but it isn't as good as buying at the show.  I am now just looking forward to next year.  I have written all my Christmas cards this week (gold star) just the one for abroad to do.  I haven't got so many this year as some of the ones I have sent in the past few years have been to friends in choir and I don't know where they all live.

Diane has been busy with her felt piece and done this lovely piece with it.

The colours on this piece were so vibrant and the background fabric blends well.

She has also been doing her chain stitch samples.

As well as doing Christmas decorations.  You put me to shame Diane.

I did a piece for the Africa project some months ago but I wasn't happy with it, one of the pieces didn't fit so I took it off and have been working on it.  

I have decided to use the other piece as a book cover and put into it samples of work using the techniques that are used by different cultures.  This piece I have converted to represent the cut pile Kuba cloths of Central Africa, usually done on rafia cloth.  I have used a sort of velvet stitch down the three centre diamonds.

Thursday 19th November

 What a beautiful day, have been out this morning for a walk into the countryside and it was glorious.  Would love to go and walk by the beach but we are being encouraged to stay away from the town because of all the cases of Covid that are about.  Did a quick supermarket shop quite early and that was ok, fairly quiet and everything I wanted.

Am begining to look at my Africa work again.  I love the stitching that they do in different parts of the continent, so I am attempting a small sample book to try out different techniques. Not really got started yet so will post something next time.  

I keep thinking I ought to use this time to get my christmas cards written (ha ha).  I have made a christmas cake and christmas pudding and some tomato chutney so that part is going well. Don't know who will eat it, I could be on my own this year if we go into tier 3 after lockdown lifts.

Lesley is doing an online textile course to keep herself motivated and it seems to be working as she has done this strip weaving sample with added chain and running stitch.

Nothing much else to tell you, going now to get the brandy out and feed the pudding!!

Wednesday 11th November

 I am posting this a day early because my computer is working today and I want to do as much as I can before the monitor decides it is tired and is 'going to sleep', for good it seems.  I think I shall have to bite the bullet and buy a new one when this lockdown finishes.

I think this lockdown is a bit harder than the previous one.  The fine weather in April and May made it easy to garden and I had lots of jobs to do to fill the time.  This time I haven't the urge to paint and play as I have stitching and knitting to do in the evening and don't want to add to that just yet.  I have made one christmas pudding this week, I will do a cake next week and another pudding the week after.  I also need some more of my spicy tomato chutney so will do that one day.

I have been working on my concertina book and as promised, here is a picture of the work so far.

The pages are pelmet vilene and I have made pockets on each page which I cut using a soldering iron.  I coloured the pages with transfer paints.

Roma has also been busy making these lovely christmas artist trading cards.

That's all this week, keep sending me you photos to post.

Thursday 5th November

 Guy Fawkes takes some burning, the fireworks have been out every evening this week, not too loud though.  I wonder what tonight will bring.  

My daughter has been following the US election as she teaches American politics and she has got me interested enough to put the TV on at breakfast time to see what was happening.  It's all a bit of a joke really, some people just can't bear not to win.

I haven't got any photo's to show you this week.  I am keeping on with my concertina book and hope to have it nearly finished by next week.  This new lock down means more time for sewing (I did all the cleaning last time)! I have been making some Christmas cards and have ordered lots of threads from Oliver Twists and Stef Francis some of which came today so I have had a lovely time sorting them out.

I am keeping up with my walk from the house out into the countryside, it's lovely to see the change of season and it is so peaceful, hardly any wind today you could almost touch the quietness. 

Keep stitching everyone, it is good for your health and wellbeing, or so they tell me - they haven't experienced a knot in the middle of a row of stitches.