Tuesday

 Good morning, everyone .  It's a wet old morning out there and it may have been raining all night.  It feels mild though, which is good, and it's very still - no movement in the trees at all.

I'm really glad I left plenty of time to get to Hyde Hall because as I neared the road that led to the road that Hyde Hall is on (The Tye, for anyone who knows the area), it was closed to traffic and the diversion unnecessarily took me all round the villages.  If I'd been sensible, I'd have taken another way I actually knew which would have been loads easier.  As it was, I was only just in time.

I really enjoyed the hand stitched applique very much indeed.  There were seven of us, mostly of a 'certain age', and all of us beginners.  The lady leading the course was very clear and patient and took us through the basics before letting us loose with a range of template, some Bondaweb (sort of double sided iron on, peel off stuff, loads of fabric scraps, pencils, scissors, etc.

I chose something small so I could experiment with some of the stitches and I'm glad I did.  It was a three hour course and I could have done with another hour or so but we had to finish at around one.

And here we are. My first ever hand stitched applique thingy.  Not brilliant, I know, but I'm pleased with it for a first go and I can see where I can improve.  

I have everything I need to have another go including a bit more Bondaweb.  I've looked up some books but they all seem way too fancy-arty for the sort of 'naïve' stuff I want to do so I'll look on Google images for some simple shapes to copy and I will go into Sharon Blackman's shop on Etsy to study her work with slightly more knowledgeable and much more appreciative eyes.

And I can do French knots now!

I was going to stay and look around but by one the sun had long gone, the clouds had rolled over and it kept threatening to rain so I came home again, stopping to fill up with petrol.  I've put off tuition until today so I just turned the heating up (I felt very cold) and snuggled down to finish my little work of art before getting on with the cross stitch and catching up on Throw Down.  It's the final next week and I think I know who will win but you can never be sure in these things.  

Today is usually my Nothing-In-The-Diary day but this week it isn't.  The garden room chap is coming at around one and then I have tuition after school.  Between times, after a quick tidy up, I shall chill and enjoy a bit of internet trawling for applique info.  There's bound to be stuff on YouTube, the problem will be that it might be far too arty!

Eileen - DON'T get the label maker I got.  The gizmo itself is lovely but it seems there will be great difficulties getting replacement labels/tape.  I'm hoping to hear back as to where I can find them but am not hopeful really.  We will see.

Have a good day, everyone, and I hope any rain you have doesn't spoil your plans.  Stay safe and well  Happy St David's Day.