Oh so pleased

Heckington Show this weekend. The knitting section was back to being divided into three classes (based on the weight of the yarn) after last year's try at putting it all into one class.

 Two of Lene Alve's beautiful patterns - both my work, and Lilleput got a first and Aada a third. Thanks to her!

 I hadn't shown my Half-hap shawl before, so it qualified, even though I had been wearing it as a draught stopper through the winter - it just needed re-blocking. It came first, and even won the trophy for the best piece of work in the handicraft section.

Happy is my middle name.

Still too hot

 But I did take a pic of the patchwork, as far as it has got. I am pleased that the vague attempt at design  that I have been doing appears to be working. I have been making seven patch flowers, and surrounding them with random patches. The reason for this is that I saw some lovely patterns develop in the quilt I did some years ago - that was all seven patch flowers, but joining them together made the thing asymmetrical, and that bothers me!

Aren't Lewisias great value. They smother themselves with flowers, which die down so we cut them off, and then they do it all over again. And they carry on doing this all through the summer.

And a couple more pictures of Maggie Magnificent, just to prove that she is not just glamour and elegance - she is a clown as well!

Too hot to knit (And other excuses)

But I can cope with the sewing machine. My daughter suggested that her daughter would appreciate a proper big petticoat. We do try and avoid pink, but are fully in favour of girly stuff to feed her inner princess. Pink doesn't suit her colouring that well anyway. The broderie edging is the last bit of a large remnant given to me by a lady I did some sewing for, years ago. It is of a quality that I have never seen anywhere else - the base fabric is incredibly fine.

I seem to have started myself a project in hexagon patchwork. I have tried machined blocks in the past, but could never get going with them, so it is back to my favourite - which has the advantage of being an armchair job.

This has been occupying a great deal of my attention. She arrived three weeks ago, from Dogs Trust. Two and a half years old, a lurcher, and a delight. Totally laid back and relaxed, except when she is not, since she loves to roar around like a crazy dog, when the mood takes her. She is also incredibly beautiful and affectionate.