chasing my tail

The two weeks since my last post have passed very quickly.     

The session in the green gym turned into a four day marathon.    The glorious weather made the task a delight.   Pruning back shrubs, weeding borders, edging the lawn (a task the head gardener manages to avoid).      Lastly clearing the (long) drive of weeds and old leaves.   It all looks fantastic now.   That was only the front garden.  I'll get to the back garden eventually.  It's looking lush with all the April showers we are having.

a mass of forget-me-nots and lillies of the valley

a mixture of daisy type plants, happy in an old sink

and the veg plot cleared for planting

I planted chard in the autumn the plants didn't

do too well but I love the red stems

An Unexpected Delight

In our lovely light lounge the previous owners decided a brick wall would enhance the room.  It is horrible, especially in the winter.   Dark and gloomy.   For years I have been been trying to persuade my man that it had to go.    Now it has!    HURRAH.

Fred called round last Wednesday to have a look.    No problem he said.    Skip delivered on Saturday.   Work started on Monday morning, not knowing how it was constructed we were

in for one or two surprises.

Mid morning and half of The Wall has gone.   We thought we might discover breeze blocks, but, no, the wall is plastered, the coving and ceiling pattern intact.  The lower section gave up a couple of secrets.    A call from Fred to turn of the electrics.   Wires in one socket had not been sealed properly all could have been 'live' behind there.   Scary.    A empty packet of crisps with a competition, closing date, 26th January 1982, which just happens to be my youngest son's birthday.

Tuesday the plaster was rendered.   Job done by 2pm.

Lovely shaft of evening sunlight!

I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to gain order out of chaos.    This is upstairs, and we have an open pine stair case.  Major dust incident.  Furniture dragged back into position.

Dust sheets (cream muslin curtains) and other dusty textiles off to the washing machine.

The huge piles of books and boxes of stuff recovered with clean cloth. Windows washed,

goodness me!   Carpet Dysoned.   Repeat procedure downstairs.   Shower, hair wash and clean clothes closely followed by a gin and tonic, to clear the dust you understand.

To look at this now wonderful wall filled me with delight this morning.   There is, of course, the decorating to consider amongst other things.    We brought back two bed covers from India, white on white reverse applique.   These will be the new curtains, the old might just be recycled via the dye pots.

Heaven knows when we will get round to sorting this lot out. I can live with it for a while.

It was the first of my Summer Workshops on Saturday - great time had by all, including me

Will and Ben arrived for the weekend and left on Monday morning, but not before Ben 'helped' Fred throwing a few bricks into the skip.   What a noise!

So, all is quiet for a while.  I am preparing for the Dorset Quilters' day on 10th May, followed by a talk to the Marlborough Embroiderers' group the following Monday. At both events my Indian Shop will make an appearance.  Dyeing up a load of threads today and tomorrow it will be fabric.

The good thing about the upheaval in the house, I can ignore total housework for a while!

If you are in the Wimborne (Dorset) area on Wednesday 7th May, A Talent for Textiles event is taking place at Deans Court, Wimborne (BH21 1QF)   Lots of traders, antique textiles,

linen, lace etc. 10-5.   Apart from gorgeous textiles, you can wander around the lovely garden.     I'm taking the morning off - see you there!