80th Birthday

My sister Beryl, seven years older than me,will soon be 80 and we are having a family party on Sunday.
My husband John made this cake recently and our good friend Joan decorated it, inspired by the orchid plant.
It looks gorgeous - all I have done is take photos!
But I have planned the menu, we did a huge shop today, have lots of things to do tomorrow and let's hope all goes well on Sunday.

Monet "Vase of Flowers"

Today's gallery picture,another favourite.
I'll save it so that I can see it many times.

Notecard

I needed a notecard yesterday and found this - the last of a set I made some years ago.The flower and leaves are a silky fabric, oulined in gold gutta and matted onto cream and gold card.
It's an easy technique, if the gutta hasn't dried up by now maybe I'll make a few more.

My "Learn Something New Every Day" Challenge

I'm really enjoying seeing a different Monet at the side each day - today a favourite. As it appears in print in several different forms I looked it up in google - and found this picture of Monet, with comment
"When he didn't paint he liked to be well dressed .... he had a funny & complicated way of dressing ..."
Hmmm! Well it looks like I've got something in common with him - both eccentric! Shame the art talent isn't shared!

A lovely gift!

I received this lovely purse from Angelique with the delightful stitched ATC. She also sent the small print fabrics in the background. I'm constantly reminded of the talents and generosity of friends I've made since I started to trade ATCs - and I'm very appreciative!

Winter Hedgerow

I stitched this last winter - except for a few stitches - so I completed it this afternoon. I mostly stitch for enjoyment rather than the end product but maybe I'll frame it or make a special Christmas card - it's not very big.

Mosaic of Poinsettia with Beads

A friend gave me the pattern for these Poinsettia on Friday.
As the weather has been so dreary and wet for days I decided to sit and stitch individual pieces to be matted and made into Christmas cards later.
They will be the first of 50 cards promised to our grandson to sell for his football team funds.
The photo does not do justice to the different Aida fabrics, the colours, or the beads.
The mosaic is made in Publisher programme for effective display.

Morning Sun in Spain

Reminding myself of sun! When will the rain stop in UK?
Photo at top was a lovely sunrise here at the end of June - and a lovely hot day I remember.
This one was taken in early morning in Nerja, Spain, in late April.

Home Produce

..... grown and baked by my husband John. At least all the rain has been good for the beans this year! John doesn't do a lot of baking but he makes a great rich cake, with a generous 'splash' of brandy, and with the help of his friend Delia's Classic Christmas Cake recipe.

A lovely embroidery, bought by my aunt from a house sale 60/70 years ago and now at my sister's house. It has always been one of my favourites.
I've browsed the thousands of gadgets now available here and have at last found a clear calendar - so now each morning in addition to being glad to be alive, I know the time and what day it is without taxing my brain .... see a different Monet .... and translate blog to French and read it through, as I'm trying to brush up on the language.
I love this modern technology!