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Wednesday, 31 December 2014

2014 - A Good Year!

31st December 2014

Where has this year gone??

I spent a very pleasant hour or two last night looking through my photos and it made me realise how much I have learnt this year on my creative journey. I have really enjoyed this learning process while making new friends on the way.....

......finished my course with Anne Griffiths and exhibited my baby/child playmat at the NEC Festival of Quilts....


......went to Oxford Summer School on a course with Anne Griffiths and produced a wall hanging...


....or two....


....indigo dyeing...


....but most importantly for me I went on my own which took me right out of my comfort zone!!!
I really enjoyed the course and enjoyed spending the week with creative people who were very willing to share ideas and laughter!! I now have the confidence to go away on my own again  knowing this time last year I wouldn't have considered it!!

Taught myself to crochet a ripple blanket....


.....learnt how to marble paper.....


......went to lots of exhibitions....


......had a day in Windsor with my lovely sister on her special birthday....

I look a 'plonker' as I forgot I had the tour guide headphones on!!!

......went to Ally Pally for the first time....



.......also a first was the open air theatre in Regent's Park to see To Kill a Mocking Bird...


....and a trip to Yarndale which triggered the park project....


.....lots of London visits to catch up with family and days out including this wonderful poppy display...


.....bought an embellisher.....


...... created my wonderful loft work space with the help of RD...


.....met friends from my online Be Creative group.....


......enjoyed making new friends and spending time laughing, chatting, knitting, pompom making and crocheting for the park project....


......lots of walks in the woods and along the beach taking photos on the way...











.... appreciating the ever changing sky, sea and the wonderful shapes and colours of  the world around me.....






.....but most of all I know how lucky I am to have to a fabulous family!!


My next post will be next year!!!

Tuesday, 30 December 2014

A Walk on the Beach

30th December 2014

Just had to walk by the sea today, missed it when I was away.....

....the sun was playing 'hide and seek'....


.....this little boy was having a fantastic time on the promenade! It was a battery car and he was going quite fast, in circles, made me laugh!


Looking south the sky was so beautiful....


....looking north, clouds looking a little ominous....


.....looking west as the sea was receding...


....Jack had a haircut yesterday and enjoyed a quick paddle!


The end of the prom and the sun nearly appeared!


I loved the walk even though the wind was 'face numbing'!!

:::::::

Four strips made for the roundabout, two more to make....


.....still a lot to do and only three days left....

...feeling excited and a little worried!!!

Monday, 29 December 2014

Christmas 2014

29th December 2014

Back home after a brilliant few days with the family......


.....this was our family photo taken after the fireworks on Christmas Day.

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Christmas Eve at 9am in Richmond.....




....so quiet! 

Had my hair cut and was given a glass of champagne, a great way to start the day, next shopping in Wholefoods for ingredients for my first ever attempt at making a Vegan, gluten free tart!

Back to Greenford for an afternoon cooking with my daughter, great!

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Christmas morning was crisp and sunny and we made our way on quiet roads to Richmond where the family were gathering......


....the flat was beautifully decorated.....

....this was a decoupage stag head with big false eye lashes and silver twigs for antlers...



.....my favourite, the conservatory was like a grotto, quite magical...





...my daughter made this fabulous sprout and cranberry wreath....


....a decorated bay tree brought in from the garden...


....and last but not least, Rudolph!



After greeting, chatting and a glass or two of 'fizz' we began opening presents....

...the aran cardigan was a good fit (thank goodness)....


....I had wonderful presents...





......felt, pixie boot slippers, so cosy and comfortable...


....a lovely hand made tile/plaque, I wish the artist had signed it!


A radio for my loft space...


.....a workshop....


....membership to the RSN, and subscriptions for Stitch and Workbox magazines!

The candles were lit...


.....a beautiful setting for our SUPERB dinner!


Indoor fireworks, a tradition in our family.....

then games and lots of LAUGHTER....

....the winning team in Pictionary....


...Letizia made the 'trophy' from play dough!!

Played Articulate, such fun, then went outside where the boys lit the fireworks.....

.....a brilliant day that was over too soon!
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Boxing Day was very relaxed, lunch, then the 'girls' played Bananagram, a really good game  



.....while the boys played Poker! 

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Saturday we hit Oxford Street, luckily early enough to miss the huge crowds.....

Sparkly Paddington....


....Bear Humbug...


....Selfridge's window of a gold Paddington and lots of marmalade!


I wish I had been able to do the river trail of Paddingtons, but didn't have enough time!

There are 50 in London displayed until 30th December, then there is an online auction to raise money for NSPCC. A great idea.

http://www.visitlondon.com/paddington/

I bought these, half price, already thinking of cards for next Christmas!!!!


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The fresh fruit and veg shops are amazing in Greenford, I love pomegranates so RD bought me one, HUGE, the apple, on left, is normal size.


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Travelled home on Sunday,sunny day, scenery so beautiful and solid traffic on the M6, the journey too 6.75 hours!!!!

Took these photos at Stafford Services....




......now to unpack, do washing, food shop and get ready for the Yarnbombing next weekend-EEEEK

I feel very, very lucky to have such a wonderful family!