Fabric, figs and bathroom fittings

Last week I had an exciting parcel from Lithuania - fun fabric!

Sad news when I did the shopping though Mad..... (Mum is a big fan of a fig garland - we are always happy when it falls off the Christmas nut and clementine bowl and down the back of the sideboard!)

On Saturday we were out and about looking at carpet and other things for the house. Before heading to the huge bathroom showroom near Oldham we went in search of lunch..it being such a lovely day we headed a bit further out and before long were in Yorkshire where we found a pub to sit outside and had cool breezes from the hills. Sadly we were there on the wrong day for the brass band contest!

A rather civilised shelter Al!



A very sloped school playing field!

After the bathroom shopping funtimes we headed back to sit in the sun and enjoy a choc ice :)

Get Weaving!

Well I have! Loom has arrived and have made a couple of things already. Its called a knitters loom and although it is small enough to have on my lap (leaning against the table) you can produce quite lengthy pieces of fabric.

Tried making a skinny scarf thing, in the delightful colours of Norwich City FC, but didn't come out brilliantly. 

Went out and got some better wool. Really pleased with how it has come out. Just need to tidy up the fringe by making it the same length and knot it into smaller tassles.

Its really easy to use and although I won't be able to do super fancy weaves, can still do quite a lot and only really limited by my imagination! Have been eyeing up giant cones of wool on ebay, as they are a bit cheaper than balls for making bigger things.

I have also cut half my hair off. Been toying with idea for a while. Decided there was no point in washing my hair if I was going to cut it, so just did it. Its now a chin length bob but may go shorter, its not quite a bowl cut.

We had little Daphne spayed the on wednesday, so she has taken to her bed. She's recovered well from the operation but has to take it easy for a couple of weeks, which I'm sure won't be hard for dog that likes dozing.

Another (small) patch tamed...

On Monday I tackled another section of the garden that really had nothing of merit growing in it. The amount of roots, big and small that needed to be removed or broken up! The area I was working on kept growing as there is always another little sapling, bit of holly or a bramble to deal with but eventually I had a clear patch of earth. Jim did a dash to get some appropriate compost for the new plants I had bought on Sunday (and not thought about compost at the time).

I have 2 azaleas and a pieris (red flame I think). I am hoping they get good and bushy as they are to conceal the neighbours compost bin which is on the other side of the wire fence and not very attractive. The edge of the path will be edged eventually - all the pieces are at the top of the garden - the previous people bought them and never put them in. Just need some helpers..maybe from Merry Lane...

I also bought a flowering almond tree which is going on the other side of the garden but needs some treats to go in the hole when planted that I also don't have yet but shall buy this weekend.


Here are some snaps of the rest of the garden...

In the centre are the wild raspberries that have now shot up and have canes next to them for support. Just beyond them and the bluebells is where I am thinking of putting the almond as it likes sun and that corner always gets the sun for the longest period.

 Apple blossom from the bramley tree - Mad -it has a dead branch, should I take the saw to it?

The wilderness at the top of the garden, full of bluebells, wild garlic and ivy. In summer it is often nice and breezy up here when the rest of the garden is hot so when it is eventually tamed a bit we want to have a bench up here :)

For the rest of the weekend - on Saturday Jim went to the FA Cup Final at Wembley  - Liverpool lost but he still enjoyed it - lost his voice from too much singing! On Sunday, after a trip to Homebase to finally buy the paint for our bedroom (the wall facing the door is going to be a sort of dark jam colour) and the plants, we went to out friends' in Chorlton. For the best summary of our time there you can check out Mal's blog http://mangechester.wordpress.com/ where he has full coverage of the proceedings at Project PIG and how he planned it. Half a pig on a bbq for about 15hrs equals delicious!!! Their house probably still smells of porkiness! Now Jim wants to build a version in the garden..It was a real event - the anticipation when the foil was taken off the pig for the first time! everyone crowded round taking pictures and ahhhhhing at the aroma.