My favourite haunts

Haunt - noun

A place frequented by a specified person:

Yesterday I spent the first half of Mother's Day having my nails painted and enjoying a relaxing facial.  I also spent a little time going into some of my favourite haunts which mainly consists of the following shops - Cath Kidson, Paperchase, Monsoon Accessorize and Waterstones - anything to do with bags, stationery or books.

In the afternoon I was lucky enough to see all my children and grandchildren who brought around some lovely cards and gifts.  We enjoyed some time playing with Lego and with the teaset.  

Late afternoon I enjoyed seeing the end of the Andy Murray match and what a match - well done Andy and well done team GB.

Mother-in-law came and enjoyed Sunday dinner with us so all in all a truly relaxing and enjoyable Mother's Day for me.

It was a busy day which left no time for stitching, this will be the first Sunday I think that I haven't been able to work on the Cornwall Cottage Sampler but I was too tired despite it being a relaxing day to pick up needle and thread.  I didn't want to risk making any  mistakes.

Happy Mother's Day

My Mother Kept A Garden 
My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start. 
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem... 
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough. 
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long. 
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me 
Author Unknown 

I left making the Mother's Day cards until yesterday evening - big mistake.  My initial idea didn't come out how I hoped so I had to clear my mind and start all over again.  In the end I used a few stamp sets from Stampin' Up!, some punches, dies and embossing folders and created this design.

The outside of the card is on the left but I decorated the inside too which can be seen on the left.  I always make the same card design for each mum, makes life slightly easier for me. The colour scheme came from the gift bag I had bought to put their present in so the card would co-ordinate.  I really do need to get back into my card making again and then perhaps the ideas will come easier.

Happy Mother's Day to all mum's celebrating today.

Bear in a pram

Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another. John Dewey

Well, I've managed to complete my first goal for March and finished one of the large motifs.  We now have a bear in a pram.

Just two more motifs to go and then I can finish off with the french knots and wording.  

Today is Colette's baby shower, just a month to go now until her due date.  When Harlee-Jay's sampler is finished I will have to make a start on another one for Colette's new arrival.

Joyful World

I made a start on March's Joyful World and have managed to complete the Heron on this piece so far.

  Before I can do anymore I must complete another motif on the baby sampler.  I have made a start on the middle motif which I hope to get finished today.

March kitting up

As well as wanting to finish the baby sampler this month I also have two other smaller projects I would like to get done.

First up is the March edition of Joyful World.  I've pulled out the threads and fabric I will be using and I'm really looking forward to getting this one finished.  I made a start on it Tuesday evening instead of doing the ironing - tut. tut. I'm hoping the frogs will stay away while I'm stitching this month.

The other small project is July's Delphinium from the Cottage Garden Samplings.  I love the lovely bright flowers on this one and the hope that this year we will have a great summer.  I will work on this one a little each time I have completed another motif on the baby sampler - I guess as a kind of reward to myself.

I am finding that by combining the smaller projects with the two larger projects I'm keeping myself motivated and so achieving far more I think than if I worked on only one project at a time.  I guess for me that variety is the spice of life!

WOYWW #352

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Wow another week has just flown by and we have gone from February into March.  The time certainly does seem to go faster the older you get.

On my work desk this week is my desk planner which sadly didn't get much attention last month but I hope to get back into the swing of things again this month.  My 5 Year Journal planner is also there for me to try and get this project going again.  I've also printed out March's Lister's Gotta List prompts for this month as that was something else that got neglected last month but I would like to have another go at - I'm hoping I can use this one not only as a fun project but also a way of practising my writing skills - something I have not been working on as much as I had initially planned when I bought the penmanship books back in January.

I'm off now to see what other WOYWW participants have been up to.  To find out more visit Julia's blog The Stamping Ground.

First mini target met

All the small motifs have now been stitched on the baby sampler - just a few french knots to be added but they will go in last to save them getting squashed by the hoop.

My next mini target it to try and get at least one large motif completed each week at the bottom of the sampler.  I probably won't be working on this again until Wednesday evening when I meet up with a group of fellow crafters.  Now as there will be a lot of chatter going on I think I will go with the central image as that has more blocks of colour so hopefully the frogs won't distract me.