Bugs, Butterflies and Flowers

 Hello folks.

It's really warm!  We're in the amber weather warning area.  The last few days have been too much.  I've even allowed the pigeons to bathe in my water feature, I usually chase them off because the water goes quite scummy from the grease on their feathers.

We're all needing lots of water at the moment.

I have been making bugs and butterflies as part of a project run by The Nelson Trust, to signify the end of isolation (lockdown) and encourage community spirit.  Of course there might be another lockdown, but let's focus on the positives.  The Nelson Trust work within the South West to support people with addiction and also women and girls who become involved in the criminal justice system.  

I saw a post of Facebook inviting to take part in the 'Crafty Collaboration' and thought it might be fun.  The aim is to make a wallhanging.  They sent out packs with everything needed; crochet flowers, beaded bugs or embroidered butterflies.

As I have never beaded anything before, I thought that bugs might the one to try.

I used plates to keep the beads separate and got to work.

At first it was tremendously fiddly but as I got the hang of it, I got better.  It involved threading the very fine wire through the row of beads and then back on itself.  I made five bugs, they are about 4cm long.

They really shimmer in the light.

I also embroidered a butterfly.  The base was stiff felt; I tried to make it as symmetrical as I could.  This was about 10 cm across.   I have handed them all in and have volunteered to be a part of the 'making up team' to produce the wall hanging.

My cutting patch is doing well and has turned from an embarrassing overgrown patch of shrubs in March

to a fragrance filled garden.  Other than the dahlias on the end, I grew all of this from seed. 

Things were a little slow to get going after the cold spring we've had but are now in full flow; the sweet peas are really happy, although they are quite a pastel selection, next year they will be more brights.

I pick a bucketful every evening.

I made a wooden planter to fit in the gap between the end of the raised bed and gate.

I've planted this with three loofah plants which I grew from seed, one has been munched by the snails but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the other two, I'll keep you posted.

My neighbours are getting used to a knock on the door and flowers being thrust at them.  I shall have to accost strangers on the street soon.

I am not so much of a fan of the arranging, I go for the 'thrown together' look but the smiles on people's faces make it worthwhile.

That's me for now, we have been 'promised' thunder storms this weekend but we'll see, the storms didn't come last time they were predicted.  I'm just hoping for a drop in temperature.  

Keep safe and hydrated........Clicky Needles.

Camping

 Hello folks.

We had a fab time camping.

We stayed at a campsite near Ludlow in Shropshire, a pleasant hour or so drive from home.  Our view from the tent was over into the Welsh Borders. 

The town of Ludlow itself is medieval with lots of half timbered buildings.  

I love how the top left of this building is on a wonk. 

Turn down a side street and it all goes Georgian, good enough for a film set.  Stupidly, I didn't take a picture myself of this street.

There is a castle right in the middle of the town.

The weather was changeable, somedays hot and sunny and some really cold, luckily we only had rain at night.  We had a fire pit to toast marshmallows and keep us warm.

It wasn't all cold however, we were treated to this beautiful sunset 

and as it was the Summer Solstice, I was able to sew some hexies on my current project ~ English Paper Piecing patchwork ~ at 10pm.  I had a little helper too.  Baby Needles loved her first camping trip.

We visited Blists Hill, a working Victorian Town in the nearby Ironbridge Gorge.  The shops are run by staff in Victorian Costume and pre-covid you can change modern day money into Victorian money and buy sugar mice, bread etc but not right now.

I love the old posters and signs, Matron Milly's female mixture, lol, non-shrinking woollen underwear and of course, I found one for Jones Sewing Machines.

We stopped to watch George the heavy horse being tacked up ready to pull a cart, he was a real gentle giant.

Miss Clicky and Baby Needles went to see George when his tack was on.

Baby Needles striding along with her mum.

As we'd had a full day we drove up to IronBridge just to have a look at the bridge, in the middle of this pic.

Of course, on a campsite you can wander around in your pjs and nobody cares; me and Baby Needles enjoying a morning book.

The heavens opened as we packed the tent so we just bundled it into the car and now it's drying in the garage at home.  What a great week.

Bye for now...........Clicky Needles.

Starting to Flower

 Hello folks!

Well the weather has certainly picked up from my last post.  The newspapers are screaming 'Heatwave!' and summer seems to have arrived at last.

You won't be surprised that I have been busy working on my cutting patch.

We covered the second half of the no dig bed with cardboard and had another load of manure delivered. 

I soon had it spread and used spare wood from our woodpile to make paths spaced at a metre apart.

I've been busy planting

The Ranunculus are starting to flower; this is the first time I have grown them

and I gave the first bunch of them to my neighbour.

I've also been foraging around the back garden and came out with this posy.

The alliums have been beautiful; there are lots around our small patio.

I love the way that they have come up through this Angelica Gigas.

The raised bed next to the patio is also looking good.  I am definitely a purple/pink sorta girl when it comes to flowers.

In other news Baby Needles was 2 last week!  I have no idea where that time has gone.  She is growing up fast, her favourite word is NO!  I am still looking after her for 1 day a week whilst her mum is at work, such lovely times.  

Next week we are camping with Baby Needles and her mum and dad, the first time she will be sleeping in a tent.  I wonder how that will go?

I'm planning a new sewing project to take ~ if I get any quiet time ~ as if I don't have enough projects on the go.  Master Clicky is in charge of my seedlings whilst we're away, I wonder how that will go?

That's me for now, I'm planning what to take camping, everything and the kitchen sink.

Have fun............................Clicky Needles.