Friday Afternoon Swim

Looking North East

We've had some incredible weather this past week, so we took advantage of a couple of hours on Friday afternoon to head over to the shores of Ullswater for some quiet time.

Looking South West

The water was cool but still a temperature where you could paddle your feet and not feel uncomfortable.  Hubby and I sat on the shoreline rocks and watched Abbigael paddle. Her back legs are weakening slightly these days and the water was the best thing for her. She certainly seemed to enjoy it.

Paddling Abbie

To top off the afternoon we stopped and bought some fish and chips for an afternoon meal.  Although the weekend now has been a bit cooler and wet, having such a lovely week certainly made up for it.

Last summer when my daughter and her family visited from Canada we enjoyed the Ullswater Steamer ride down the lake to Glenridding.

Seeing the shoreline of this lovely lake from the boat was breathtaking.  Can't wait to see it again in the autumn when the colours on the trees start to change.

Craft Fair Weekend

So it was my first craft fair of the year held at St. Andrews Church in Greystoke, Cumbria this past bank holiday weekend.  Since I retired two and a bit weeks ago, I've been busy sewing and crafting getting ready to fill my table.  So here it is, all my bits and pieces.

Craft Table at it's Best

It was a good weekend and I sold about £120 worth of items.  But then of course there is the commission that comes off which goes towards the restoration of parts of the church.  So all in all, it went well.

I sold my two Celtic table runners, of which I'll make more for the next craft fair.  One Peg Bag as well as one Tote Bag found new homes.  There are three less mug rugs than when I started, as well as selling hasty note cards, postcards, Kleenex holders and note book covers.  All well made I must say.  Here's pictures of a couple of other items that were on the table.

Purple Mug Rug

This purple hearts mug rug was one of ten rugs that I had on display, all very different in colour and pattern.  And below, one of the postcards that I made using a special attachment on my sewing machine.

So now that the Greystoke craft fair is done for the time being, I'll concentrate on getting items ready for the next one.  That will be at St. Andrews Church, Penrith, Cumbria on August 6th, 7th and 8th.

A full two plus months to find a good pattern, cut my fabric and create something special to sell.  It shouldn't be that hard.  I already have some great ideas.

Pink Circle Flowers

Today in Penrith the weather has been cool with some sunny spells here and there.  This evening the clouds have started to close in now, and I'm sure there will be some rain soon.

This evening I popped over to Booths where I worked and gave a gift of a hand made quilt to Jodie.  We worked together for quite some time, normally Tuesday evening shifts, and we had so much fun.  It was good to see her and a few of the other great people that I spent a lot of time with.

She is moving soon and I wanted her to stay warm during the cold winters up north in Scotland.  I miss the gang at work, but I miss the ones I worked with closely.  I'm just glad to be able to go in and shop and see them when I want too.

Well, it's been another long day so I'm off to bed.  Will post again soon.  Take care all.

The end of an Era ...

Beautiful Bouquet from Work Mates

That's how is was explained to me today by one of the staff members, and a very good friend of mine, when I left work for the last time.  Today was my final day at Booths in Penrith after three years on the tills.  I have met some wonderful customers and worked with an amazing group of people whom I shall all miss very much.  I'm not sure if it's the end of an era, more like the beginning of the rest of my life in retirement.

This is the lovely arrangement of flowers I received today from the gang at work.  I also received some lovely cards both from work mates and customers.  When I arrived home my husband had a lovely vase full of roses to cheer me up.  I will admit, I'm not sad for leaving as I will always be able to go to the store and shop, and chat, and laugh and visit with all the people who have made the last three years so much fun.

Roses from my husband. 

So now it's time to rethink my days, reschedule my hours, and enjoy my time while the minutes tick by, resting and relaxing to keep this health issue under control.

As they say, so little time, so much to do.  I'm pleased to have been able to finish two baby quilts and get them delivered to the parents to be.  These were for two of my friends at work, Shane and his partner Stephanie, and Annie and her husband Tom.  I wish them all the best.

And last but not least for this evenings entries, a photo of the cards received from my friends at work.  And yes, Natalie, a very appropriate card indeed.

Cards from Work.

So time to get my thinking cap on and get some items made for the first of three craft fairs I will be doing this year.

Take care all my buddies at work, will see you all very soon.  I will eventually run out of potatoes and fresh veggies.  Lots of love to you all.

Good evening all.  It's been a lovely day with a little rain this morning and sunshine for the rest of the time.  I've been doing a bit of sewing today creating items for my first craft fair of the year.  It is being held at St. Andrew's Church in Greystoke, Cumbria on May 23rd, 24th and 25th.

Coffee Table Runner  

Here's a couple of items I've made during the past month.

The coffee table runner is made of all batiks and has Warm and Natural wadding in the centre and a nice batik backing.

It is approximately twelve inches in width and about 34 inches in length.... just the right size to fit a standard size coffee table.  I have another one that is the same size, but I've used different batiks in warm autumnal colours.  They are both very nice and hopefully will sell.

Mug Rugs 

These are just two of the several mug rugs that I've made for the craft fair.

They average in size of about eight inches wide by 12 inches in length.  The central wadding is heat resistant, even though it's not really necessary.

Hopefully, with two weeks still to go, I'll be able to make some other unusual bits and pieces. Now that I'm retiring from work, I'll have more time to sew and create.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Take care all.  Will chat soon.

The times they are a changing ....

We are already into the month of May for this year of 2015, but this year will be different.  I have made the decision to retire from work.  It's not that I'm just wanting more me time (well, it is in a way) but with health issues always causing problems, now is as good a time as any.  Two shifts left at the store then I'll plan my days to suit me, my wonderful husband and my Abbie.  

So for the time being, just want you all to know that I'll probably be blogging more in the days to come.  There are crafts fairs to get ready for, quilts to plan and create, watercolour painting to explore as well as many other day to day activities.  

Happy month of May everyone !