Some more stitchery ...

Another version of my 'Sisters' appliqued picture. Again, this one was given as a birthday present for sister.

I loved the fabrics and colours I've used on this particular piece, very subtle but colourful at the same time.


I have a couple of cushions to make with a similar design so it seems to be a popular theme. I'm just waiting for the fabric to arrive and away I'll go - although it's half term this week and we are chocca with things to do so I'm not sure how much work I'll manage to get done.


Ah, lovely black wellies with 'french knot' flowers. Every girl should own a pair don't you think ?

Me & Spider ...

(click the little arrow in the box to buffer, video will start after a few secs)

Just a diddy bit of video showing me & Spider at the end of our lesson on what was the hottest day of the year so far !

I was so exhausted .... probably shows as we are flagging a bit. I was beetroot & a right olf 'sweaty betty' !!!!

How hot was it today ?

(just stretching out)

So hot that I nearly fainted whilst riding this afternoon. i came over all uneccessary, felt sick, couldn't breathe & had to cut my lesson short by 10 mins or so.

OK, so Roland is very tough but I need that, the heat and exhaustion took it's toll and I wussed out I'm afraid. I drank a litre of water and had to sit down for about 10 mins to recover


We did loads of 'light seat' cantering which absolutely kills your thighs, if like me, you are carrying to much weight and need to improve on fitness.


But Spider was a complete gentleman, he's ginormous but a real sweetie ...

Roland made me raise my stirrups so I felt like a jockey but it's all about securing my lower leg.


Just having a breather for some oxygen and water ....

New Baby Door Hanging

A quickie post as I am off riding in a mo ... 2 days on the trot (scuse the pun), what am I doing ? I ache enough from yesterday !

Anyhoo, a friend has just recently had her third little girl so I've made a Fairy Door Hanging for her room.

TTFN ...

Lovely Day Riding ...

The sun was shining, the horses were behaving and the call of post-riding 'CAKE' was deafening !
A group of us mums from school ride every Thursday together. It's a lovely social thing to do as well as fantastic to get back to riding after such a long time ...


This is Badger. He's a lightweight coloured cob with attitude. Not so many weeks ago he had a good old go at getting rid of me. Granted the weather was dreadful, piddling with rain, blowing a hooley and generally not particularly pleasant riding conditions BUT after the first 'Spook' he thought he'd try it on.

He was checked out afterwards because his behaviour was pretty unpleasant but nothing untoward came to light. Apparantly he's prone to having the odd loopy moment !


He's bloody hard work ... tries it on & I'm exhausted after I've ridden him but I do like him. He's the Equine version of Archie !
My instructor tell's me I have to find the right BUTTON. I've looked but I can't find it ... not yet anyhow.

When you are riding him, he sort of sways or wobbles. It's an odd feeling and you feel like you are on a bobbing boat. We did an exercise of closing our eyes whilst rising trot and I felt sea sick after a bit !

After all the huffing, puffing, red faces and sweating, the free cake we get is a welcome treat !
I love my Thursday mornings !!!!!

Blowing the lurgy away ...

Yep, Boo & I have had the dreaded lurgy that's doing the rounds. Awful coldy/ fluey symptoms, headache, aches and pains, high temperature ... that sort of thing. It's been lovely !
But this morning we were on our own with Archibald as Mr Boo was working.

The world doesn't stop for a cold and so I dragged my crappy body down the lane and across the fields so that Archie could have a run. Boo is very much on the mend, and by the way she was tanking down the lane on her bike you wouldn't think she'd been so poorly ! Kids seem to bounce back that much quickly ...

I'm glad I made the effort as the fresh air really cheered me up and cleared my airways for a bit. Plus all the bluebells are out and all seems well with the world when I am amongst the countryside. Maybe I was a tree or a bunny or a weed in a previous life, all I know is that I always feel so much better when I am amongst the greenery.

Boo had a ball blowing the Dandelion clocks, I lost count how many she blew !


Another ...


And another ...

We came home, hosed Archie off (he'd end up with mud wellies even if it were 90 degree heat & sunny, he'd find muck somewhere) and then popped to our local farm shop to get a fresh loaf.

The homemade cakes started winking at us so we sat down and had a drink and a great big slab of homemade Chocolate Cake and Victoria Sponge. Just perfect ...

I am now curled up with Archie & Boo, Lemsip in hand, just wondering if we have room for any tea ?

Back in the land of stitchery ....

Hello peeps !
I've been commissioned to make another 'Sisters' applique picture which has helped me regain some of my enthusiasm.

It's in it's early stages but I am well on the way. I think I prefer ad hoc pieces rather than stressing over trying to make enough for fairs or websites. I just don't seem to have the time to dedicate all day to stitching.
Archie takes up a lot of my time with his training and the day just seems to disappear.

Having said that I have another two commissions come in today which will keep me very busy over the next few weeks.

I shan't be riding tomorrow as I had a cortisone injection in my hip today and need to rest it for 48hrs. Humbug ... but I shall be a good girl and do as the consultant tells me. Might get some more sewing in tomorrow now ...