Stitchery and Gifts Received

This is my first attempt at a stitchery. It is called 'Woodland Angel' and the kit is by Letters Tied with Blue. I really enjoyed sewing through the wadding and fabric and like the raised effect of the fabric around the letters. I am not sure if that is what is meant to happen though! I now have to decide if I am going to make it into a cushion or a wall hanging or just stick it in the cupboard with a dozen other incomplete projects!

I recently hosted a giveaway for the Magic Patch magazine. Debbie was the winner and she sent me a gift because she had won! She sent me the most wonderfully presented gift, wrapped in fabric complete with a handmade tag.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the package. Inside were the most beautiful handmade cards and tags created by Debbie. Inside the cards were thoughtfully made inserts with fancy cut edges and even the individual packaging for the tags had been embellished with glitter ties and fancy cords. I received all this loveliness just because I offered a magazine as a giveaway!

That magazine has certainly brought me luck. In the post that I did about it, I mentioned that the penny rug (pictured above) would probably be the first thing I would attempt at making. A short while after I received a message from Veronique (the creator of the magazine's projects) and she said she would like to send me the penny rug kit as a way of thanking me for featuring the magazine on my blog!

Here it is! It came all the way from France, beautifully packaged accompanied with a very nice letter. Thank you so much Veronique and Jules!

I wonder when or what my next giveaway will be?

Hampton Court Palace and Gardens (2)

Part 2

The pictures above and the 3 pictures below are of the herbaceous border which is situated in the Great Fountain Garden. It was introduced in the 1920's and is said to be the longest in the world.


I like the varying heights of the plants and the vibrant colour mix.



I have a small walled area in my garden and would like to try and replicate some of the planting shown here. It is quite a soft and 'natural' looking planting scheme compared to the formal flower beds shown in other parts of the garden. I am sure Louise would be able to identify many of the plants shown here!

This picture may give you an idea of the length of the border. Look at those vivid yellows!

I am not sure what this flower is but it is very pretty. I am sure all you green fingered bloggers are shouting the name at the computer screen!

Now I recognise the sweetpeas! I think they look rather unruly but their scent compensates for their untidiness.

If you fancy a summer horse carriage ride then you can join the Shire horses Harry and Jim for a tour around the perimeter of the Great Fountain Garden. I reckon it's the horse manure that keeps the gardens looking so good!

There were a few of these urns around the Privy Garden. I liked the detail of the figure in the handle.

The sign above explains that the area is left un-planted so that other plants do not compete for moisture and nutrients that are required for the Vine. The roots of the vine extend beneath the un-planted area.

This picture is not very clear because it was taken indoors behind glass. You may get a clearer view if you click on the photograph. The picture is of the Great Vine. It is the largest grape vine in the world. It is also the oldest at 230 years old. It was planted in 1768 by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. If you are visiting at the end of August you can purchase grapes from this vine in the palace shops.

So here we end our tour. I was at the Palace and Gardens for over five hours and never got around to trying out the Tiltyard Cafe or Privy Kitchen Coffee Shop. I didn't get to visit the Chapel Royal and many other parts of the garden. I did get to go in the maze though and thought I would never get out! I have never been very good with directions!

If you decide to explore Hampton Court Palace and Gardens I suggest that you make a full day of it to fully appreciate all it has to offer and to soak up the surroundings. I would also recommend that you take advantage of the free audio guides. These really do help to explain things when you are looking around inside the palace.

Hampton Court Palace and Gardens

Part 1

I had never been to Hampton Court Palace and Gardens so last week I took the opportunity of a dry day to go and visit. The following photos are outdoor shots of the palace and gardens because photography was not permitted in the buildings. It is such a shame as there were some splendid rooms with ornate ceilings, tapestries and works of art. The rooms included The Queen's State Apartments (originally intended for Queen Mary II), The Georgian Rooms, The King's Apartments (King William III), The Wolsey Rooms (Cardinal Wolsey's private lodgings), The Tudor Kitchens and the Chapel Royal.

The pictures above and the one below are taken in the Pond Gardens. They are sunken flower gardens that were originally ornamental ponds used for holding freshwater fish, such as carp and bream.

Look at the symmetry each side of the pathway.

The pictures above and below were taken in Clock Court. The clock is very ornate and colourful. My photographs really do not do it justice.

I love these chimneys. They are intricately patterned and show true craftsmanship. The cloud looks like smoke coming out of the tops of them.

This picture is of Fountain Court. At this point we exit through to the Gardens.

Yet another fountain in the Great Fountain Gardens! This fountain turns so you may think you are being rained on as you enjoy a picnic but it is just the spray from the fountain. I spotted some Koi Carp in the pond as they were swimming very close to the surface of the water.

Look at these wonderful clipped yew trees! The shadows made interesting circular patterns beneath the trees. I am not really a fan of formal gardens but I did find the shapes of the trees pleasing to the eye.

Have you ever seen trees that look like this? They remind me of crinoline dresses.

We finish part one of the 'tour' at one of the formal bedding areas. Next time I will be showing you flowers in the long border and the The Great Vine.

Cats Galore!

I wake up to a dismal damp day. The living room is so dark I could light a candle. I decide it is a day for crafting. A day for making tags. A day for making cats. I started off by making some sugared almond coloured lady cats with organza ties.

I then made a lilac cat and a lemon cat and gave them white bows for a feminine touch.

Here are my lady cats all grouped together. Their hand drawn faces are all slightly different.

In need of some bolder colours I made two manly cats, dressed them in paisley paper and gave them twine ties. I think they look very handsome in their finery.

Here are all the cats grouped together. Which one is your favourite?

This one is my favourite (sometimes). A very naughty ginger boy!

Not Everything in the Garden is Rosy

The rose above is called 'Compassion'. The buds are a vibrant orange and yellow but when the flower is in full bloom it becomes a soft peachy pink. I don't grow too many roses as they seem to get plagued with blackspot. I don't use any chemicals in the garden so I am at a loss at what to do apart from cut off the offending bits!

When the flower is in bloom its beauty is short-lived as the petals fall off within a day.

A few posts back I was proudly showing off a profusion of fruit in my garden.

Not so proud now am I?!!! I still have some plums intact but the recent rainfall has brought out an influx of slugs and snails.

Look at the greedy monsters feasting on my fruit! Now I don't mind sharing but why do they have to take bites out of every plum and not just a select few?

The rain has been good for the fern but it has now peaked for this year. I think it is the most beautiful in the spring when it unfurls its fronds.

This old tree stump adds a bit of interest to the garden and is a hiding place for all the creepy crawlies.

And now for the cheerful part of the post! My Impatiens (Busy Lizzie's) have been doing extremely well and adding a welcome splash of colour to an otherwise dull garden.

I love this pinky purpley one.

This vibrant orange is a favourite too.

I think Mr Potato Head agrees with me too.

Magic Patch Magazine Winner

Thank you for all your suggestions where Veronique could open a shop in the UK. I will forward the suggestions on to her.

Well, eight names went into the hat and my son pulled out the winner's name.

Congratulations to Debbie of debbies-english-treasures! I am sure you will find something to inspire you within the magazine.

Born to Quilt and a Giveaway

I was looking through the craft magazines on a recent shopping spree and was bored by all the usual card making and sewing magazines until I picked up a special copy of 'magic patch' called 'Born to Quilt'. The reason this magazine is special is that the whole issue is dedicated to Veronique Requena the Franco-Canadian artist who is the owner of the Born to Quilt shop in France. Her shop recreates the atmosphere of American quilt shops.

I cannot praise this issue of the magazine highly enough. I am so inspired by the words and pictures that I really want to become a quilter NOW!!!

I should think there is something in the magazine to please everyone. There is a sewing machine cover, quilted notebook covers (shown below), quilted cats, bags, quilts, wall hangings etc. There are large projects and small projects for beginners to the more advanced quilters.

The photography in this magazine is superb. I only wish my pictures could do it justice.

The beautiful quilt above is at a level for beginners. I love the soft and muted shades.

The quilt featured above is for more advanced quilters.

The pretty little piece above is a doiley. This may be one of the first projects I attempt from the magazine.

A huge plus factor about this particular issue is that all the patterns are given as full sized so there is no photocopying or scaling up required. Have I told you how fantastic this magazine is?!!! Edited: some of the patterns require enlarging but most are full sized.

In addition to all the lovely projects (I think there are 15 in total) there are beautiful pictures of Veronique's home and shop and of her handsome Chocolate Labrador named Jules.

I love this magazine very much (could you guess?) and it has already become very well-thumbed through. I had to share all this gorgeousness with you so I bought another copy.

Would you like to be in with a chance of winning it? If so, then leave a comment here suggesting where Veronique could open a shop in the UK where it is easy to get to and from Dover or just a comment in general and I will draw a name out of a hat (or similar) next Wednesday. Good luck! By the way if you would like to visit Veronique's website it is http://www.borntoquilt.fr/

The competition is now closed. I will be drawing a name later today!