Sun Sand and Sea for Spencer

So last weekend, we popped down to Devon to spend some time with my eldest son Will in Plymouth.

Will couldn't wait to meet Spencer or was it the other way around? ;)

At this point I must just say that we are very lucky to have a puppy friend that travels so well - he goes to sleep by our feet as soon as the car starts moving.

This bodes very well for our future motorhome adventures in Harvey J.

As the weather was so lovely, on the journey down to Plymouth, we made a detour to the seaside town of Exmouth to introduce Spencer to the beach and the sea :)

(We felt like some sea air too!)

Here is Spencer checking out the sea for the first time...

A bit perplexed by it all....

Investigating.... shells.... crabs..... driftwood......

Having fun with Dad.......

'It's a big world out there, son....'

After an hour or so of sea, sun, sand and fun, we continued our journey to Plymouth.

The next day we had decided to take a walk on Dartmoor.

 It was beautiful there.

We parked the car and walked up the 'gentle' hill.

Spencer always has lots of energy but we still restrict his walks whilst he is so young.

This works well as it allows me to gradually build up my fitness levels too...mmm...

Not much further to the top.....

We reached the top!!....

It was well worth the climb.....

 

 The views from the top were stunning...

 
 

Next time Spencer will be able to go for a longer walk, so we will be able to explore more of this beautiful place....maybe take a picnic too...

After our walk, we found a very nice doggy-friendly pub in Princetown for lunch.

They even had a menu for dogs!!

All in all it was a very lovely weekend :D

Maggie xx

CALs - Wool-eater, Granny Rose Cushion & Poncho

Wow! What beautiful weather!

Certainly not the sort of weather to sit by the fire and crochet ;)

However that's what my subconscious seems to be telling me - I am now signed up for 3 Crochet-A-Longs!

Maybe I'm thinking of sunny days sat out in the garden with a bit of crochet?

Or away for a few days in Harvey J with something crafty to do in the evening?

Anyway somehow I have found myself signed up to these 3 CALs....

There's my ongoing wool-eater blanket from Sarah London.

I have so enjoyed making this blanket - not quite finished yet but it's getting there slowly but surely. I only need to do 2 or 3 more rows. My aim is to finish on the aqua colour I started on. My next colour is a light green.

Here it is so far....

It's funny because I only left the room for a couple of minutes to fetch the camera and upon my return, a certain young pupster had started to lay claim to my blanket......

No chance, Spencer!

Paws off...

After all those hours work, it's definitely mine.

(I mustn't weaken - he's very persuasive).

The second CAL that I would like to try is the gorgeous Granny Rose Cushion by Apple Blossom Dreams.

You can find the link to the CAL in my sidebar.

 I would love to make one of these - sooo pretty - and not such a big project after the wool-eater...

Granny Rose Cushion by Apple Blossom Dreams

The little roses would be ideal to do whilst travelling so I feel this is a definite :)

The third CAL is this fabulous Granny poncho by le Monde de Sucrette.

I've always loved ponchos (I was a 70s teenager), I love the granny pattern and also this looks like it will grow nice and quickly..

Granny Ponchos by Le Monde de Sucrette

With Cornbury Music Festival on the horizon, this poncho would be an ideal cover up when it gets a bit chilly...

Looks like another definite then.....

Well....seems like I will be attempting to make all three and picking up each one up depending on my mood.....

Nothing wrong with that...

Are you taking part in a CAL?

I'd love to hear about what you're making and your progress :)

See you again in a couple of days.

I haven't forgotten I promised you some photos of Spencer's latest adventures :)

Hope you're enjoying this wonderful weather where you are...

Maggie xx

Cushion Covers - Russian Dolls and Scottie Dogs

What a fantastic weekend we've had weather wise - hot and sunny - just right for our little trip down to Devon.

I will be blogging about this in a couple of days.

And please be reassured.....

 I hope to share with you some new photos of Spencer - new experiences for the little pup and a couple of exciting adventures :)

This evening's post is all about my cushion covers....

Hand Sewn House on the Hill Cushion Cover

Click here to see the listing for House on the Hill Cushion

I love making patchwork and applique cushion covers....

Hand Sewn Hexagon Cushion Cover

Click here to view the listing for my Hexagon Cushion

However as many crafty business people find, it's very difficult to price their handmade goodies taking into account the amount of time it takes to make them....

Hand Sewn Hexagon Cushion Cover

This week I've decided to auction a few of mine on ebay with a cheaper start price than the buy it now I have been asking up until now. It will be interesting to see how much they sell for on auction.

 I feel it's time for them to find a nice home where they will be loved and appreciated rather than sitting on my shelf at home where no one can see them...

Here they are....

As you've probably gathered, I love dogs :)

Scottie dogs are so sweet and I loved making these two pretty applique cushion covers....

The main fabric is Laura Ashley pink gingham....

One Scottie is made from a gorgeous duck egg blue cotton with pretty pink roses...

Sooo sweet.....

wearing a pink ribbon collar with a hand covered button...

The other Scottie is made from a lovely ivory cotton with pink roses...

Soooooo cute...

also modelling a pink ribbon collar....

with a upcycled woollen button...

The third cushion cover on auction this week is my log cabin patchwork cushion cover..

Red and white polka dots, strawberries, hearts, daisies.......

and sweet little Russian Dolls....

My cushion covers are always made with lots of love and care....

 If you would like to view the listings on my ebay shop, Daisy Patchwork, please click on the links below....

Blue Scottie Cushion Cover

Pink Scottie Cushion Cover

Russian Doll Cushion Cover

I hope you've enjoyed this little peek at some of my handmade cushion covers.

I'll be back soon with those photos of the pupster as promised :)

Maggie xx

Simple pleasures - Washing Hanging on the Line

Don't you just love hanging the washing out and watching it blow in the breeze?

I do!

I always have!

Yesterday I bought this lovely duvet cover set in blue and white stripes and spots.

I washed it and hung it on out the line (it's still out there actually!).....

It looks so wonderful - blowing in the breeze and glinting in the sunshine.....

All nice and clean and fresh!

These colours just make me want to go to the seaside!

My aubretia is looking very pretty too :)

Have a great weekend!

Hope it's sunny and Spring-like where you are :)

Maggie xx

Irish Folk Music and a Doggy Reunion

We've had a lovely weekend.

Last night, a pub nearby was celebrating St Patrick's Day with some live Irish Folk music.

The band playing was Horseplay with my very talented musical brother-in-law Bryan playing the fiddle.

By the time we'd finished our delicious pub supper (lasagne and chips - not very Irish I know!), the music was in full swing and my lovely sister Clare had arrived with a couple of pals.

Fabulous music, a cosy pub, a full tummy and good company - it couldn't get any better!

Not until song sheets were handed out and we could join in the singing - I especially loved Whiskey in the Jar!

Great fun and a wonderful atmosphere!

Earlier in the day, we had met up with some friends up on the common.

No ordinary friends....

These friends are the lovely people who had nurtured Spencer through his first 10 weeks of life.

The owners of the beautiful Evie, Spencer's Mum, and his gorgeous brother, Bear.

 So hence.... there was a reunion on the common!

Here's the brothers together!

Don't ask which is which....

Here are the boys with Mum Evie....

It was so wonderful to see them all together again :)

Spencer was so tired after playing with his brother, he slept for hours....

Quite good as when he's asleep, I can catch up on some crafting...

Last time I promised you I would show the apron I've been making.

Mildred (my mannekin) is modelling it very nicely.....

Much better than I can...

I love this cheery cherry fabric....

'What about the vintage treasures?' ... I hear you say.....

What about this very very retro 1970s bedspread!!!!.....

with its huge flowers...

The largest are about 8" wide!!

and it also has a fabulous white tassle trim....

Just what you'd expect on a 70s bedspread.....

A very different style but equally fabulous is this sunny vintage tablecloth.....

all embroidered by hand......

so pretty......

In my last post, I said I'd try to take some better photos of the cattle down my lane...

In this photo you can just see the little pony in the top left field and the Belted Galloways in the neighbouring field on the right.

And here's those Belted Galloways - I don't know about you but I think they're rather adorable :)

I just wish I could get a bit closer.....

Last but not least, a big thank you to Uta who has listed Spencer on her blog as one of her favourite things in March!

How lovely is that?!

You can read Uta's lovely crafty blog, Paper, Wool and Yarn here.

I'll be back soon with more handmade goodies (I am getting the urge to make a new quilt!) and some lovely vintage treasures!

And some more photos of Spencer of course ;)

Have a lovely week!

Maggie xx