Back into Winter Clothes

So after the mini heat-wave, during which I decided to have a trip up to Liberty in London (I think I was the only person in the whole city in winter clothes - everyone else was wearing shorts and sundresses) we are back to winter.

There's so much to do outside but it's as much as I can do to water the greenhouse, feed the pet lambs and then run back indoors!

I have finally started making some baby things for our first little grandchild who is now well on his, or her, way.

A couple of weeks ago Jackie and I went to a little Toft workshop in Wantage Library.  We were due to go ages ago but it was postponed when we got snowed in.  We had already chosen which animals we wanted to make - I opted for Georgina the Ballerina - and Zoe was there to guide us through the pattern.  Although I have crocheted lots of blankets, I've never crocheted anything 3D, so was really looking forward to it.  Zoe was great at explaining the instructions, and then we were off!

Georgina the Ballerina is great - and if the baby is a boy he will be dressed in the little blue waistcoat I've made, and be simply George the Hippo!

Next I was pushed into making a cot quilt.  I think everyone thought I'd let the side down by not making one already, so, Sandra pointed me in the direction of the Moda Wild and Free range.  It's quite young and fun so I think it may well appeal to Victoria and Ben - anyway, they can use it however they want.

It arrived in yesterday's post and now I have made the front and back.

I quite like the fact that it is pink and blue......

Finally I have made a little purse in preparation for Wednesday's workshop - still spaces available but I'll run it regardless because I love making them!

A Little Farming Drama and the New Schedule

So - finally I have completed the new Schedule.

But, before that, something a little bit exciting that happened this week.

I'm sure everyone remembers my two pet lambs, Lucy and Mabel, who, during a rainstorm when they were still lambs, sheltered in the chicken house

Well, Lucy (on the left) and Mabel are still with us, and have lambed again this spring.  Lucy lambed on Tuesday afternoon - Jonathan helped her deliver her lamb and then came in to get changed.  He and George had to go Morris Dancing in Lambourn.   Just as they were about to leave, they realised Lucy was struggling with a second lamb, so they pulled it out and then off they went.

I love it when the men go out dancing.  I can potter around doing what I want, watching what I want on TV, and generally enjoy an evening of peace and quiet.

I decided to go out and see how Lucy was doing, and was horrified to see a third lamb on it's way, and Lucy was really struggling.  The first lamb was running around the paddock looking for her, the second lamb was flopped out, and worst of all, the three rams in the paddock seemed to be taking an interest.

Being very brave, I ventured out into the paddock and managed to get close enough to Lucy to pull the bag from the lamb's face.  Then I ran out again and rang everyone I knew who I thought might help.  No luck.  Finally I spoke to my brother-in-law but he said he was just sitting down to dinner so gave me a quick tutorial on what to do.  My main problem was the rams but he said they'd ignore me which put my mind at rest.

I pulled on Jonathan's overalls, ran out to the paddock, managed to catch Lucy, tackle her to the ground and pulled out the lamb!

Jeffrey did come round and decided this was a photo op

I was very pleased with myself but Jonathan and George seemed to think it was no big deal.......

Both Mabel and Lucy had triplets, and because they are getting old don't have enough milk for three so I am looking after two of their lambs.

Anyway, enough of that, here's a little preview of what's in the new schedule:

Besides the Lynne Johnson Medallion, Yoko Saito and Scrappy days, we have lots of fun workshops.

Little purses,

A lighthouse doorstop with Textile artist Anne Hellyer

Sweet little Hanging Pillows

A Zipped Bag day

Trip Around The World

and a Portable Patchwork Board

Lots to choose from!

 

Now, I'd better get out and feed those lambs.......

Sunshine

So, it's a month since I last posted, and, of  course, now we are in the middle of lambing.  It started last weekend in the worst possible weather - rain, rain, rain.  We were knee deep in mud so it was all pretty miserable, but, then, finally on Thursday the sun shone.

Things started to look, and feel, like spring.

Lambs in the paddock, washing on the line, and the lovely sun.

Lambs are everywhere, but none in the kitchen this year.

Although Easter was awful outside, there were Hot Cross Buns

and Easter Eggs indoors

so we didn't suffer too much!

On the quilting front, at quilt group I was very pleased to see that Gail had finished the Yoko Saito Town Quilt she started here

and Alice brought her latest quilt to the Medallion Class

Really vibrant colours!

Meanwhile, I am drawing up the new schedule of workshops and it should be out shortly - just got to wait for dates to be confirmed.

So, Happy Springtime everyone - soak up those rays!