A NEW MONTH AND A NEW APRON

 Here is Rosie wearing the apron I made for March, I wanted to take the photos outside but it was too windy so brought a planter in plus a couple of small rocks and created my own scene. Love the tiny Autumn snowdrops (Leucojum autumnale ) The original bulbs came from my mothers garden way back in 1980's, they multiply freely and I have several clumps growing in the garden and in pots. Also appearing at this time are the tiny cyclamen. The damp summer has not been kind to the cyclamen and I have lost quite a few rotted in the ground. The plan now is to lift and put in to pts  as many as I can however the best group of them are growing between rocks so I think they will remain where they are.

Sadly I have come to admit that the garden although is not large is beyond my being able to look after,  and this last year the weeds have taken over. but all is not lost I now have a gardener who come fortnightly for a couple of hours and her energy and effort at tackling the overgrown areas is a blessing. 

The hardest thing I think about getting old is facing up to what one can no longer cope with doing. 

But I am blessed as my eye sight is still good and  while my feet suffer my hands are still as good as ever so I can keep stitching.

I did enjoy making this months apron, am still trying to get the the neckline and armholes the finish I want with something so small there is not a lot of material to turn in and finish. Maree suggested trying  a bias binding  and it was so easy yes I will use that method again. The sleeping cat in the pocket was stitched separately  and add on.

Saturday. guild work day was at my place, just a small group , lovely to have company to sit stitch and chat, The girls Rosie and Poppy got to show off all their clothes,  I specially wanted to share with Mary Rosie's coat, she gave me the very fine wool fabric that made up so beautifully. Photo does not give a good colour its  sage green and what you cant see its lined with fuchsia
coloured silk. I am now on the look out for something to make Poppy a coat.

I was reminder on Saturday that some of the group had never seen the Doll's house, so we had a viewing, its been a while since I have opened  it up and I enjoyed seeing the house and all its treasures through other peoples eyes. ( and many memories of all the research and time Paul and I put in together building and furnishing the house)

I still enjoy the research that goes into the preparation for some projects. when I  write next I will share with you my latest research project because by then I will have been able to take some photos of my efforts.

Here in New Zealand we have seen the daily  covid  numbers double over the past week and those who  have had their vaccine jabs and boosters, try to stay well and safe while a few protesters  tried to show their strength in the capital city  we are not facing anything like what is happening in other parts of the world.  Photos of the floods in Australia with houses almost completely submerged in the water are unbelievable, and the horrors of war that the people in Ukraine are facing, Please share prayers for them