Kindness

Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words. They don't change anything but having kind messages popping into your inbox is definitely cheery. I just want to mention one particularly special person who completely bowled me over with her kindness. Cat lives right across the other side of the world in New Zealand and she sent me the most wonderful vase of flowers. I can't help smile, possibly a bit tearily sometimes, when I look at them and know there are such fantastic people out there. Thankyou.

Cat's flowers

I should also thank my mum and dad who were an absolute tower of strength. They walked out on lunch party guests so that mum could pick up the kids from school and dad could take me up to the hospital (they only told me about leaving their party afterwards). They also abandoned their Saturday plans so they could look after the children for us while we went into the hospital for the delivery. They are wonderful and very understanding.

Fading roses from mum

I have been trying to get to grips with my new camera - it's actually my dad's old camera (he's off to Nepal trekking on Friday and treated himself to a better one so I re-homed the cast-off). We have a snazzy digital SLR but I don't find it very handy for general use - such as when we pop out for a walk or just snapping quick shots, so my 'new' one is very much appreciated. Except that I have already lost it twice because it is so small. All of today's shots have been taken with it and the quality seems okay especially when teemed with my dodgy skills.

Yesterday's morning skye

I finished my spiderweb blocks (well one and three quarters of them...just ran out of fabric to finish the last quarter of the second block) for Crystal. I have wanted to try spiderwebs for a while as I love the effect and had actually wondered about them for my month (but I think I'll try and think of something else to keep each month different) - however I hated all the wastage. You end up with a lot of trimming and it seems dreadful to cut off so much beautiful fabric, especially when its not really in a form you can rescue and use for anything else.

Spiderweb Bee Blocks for Crystal

Maria commented yesterday about working on these blocks and how she could see her skills improving. I have been finding exactly the same. Each month I have had to tackle something new and while it is quite daunting I can see that I am getting better each time. I'm certainly not producing perfect blocks - which is a shame for those whose months are sooner rather than later. By the time we finish the Fresh and Funky Bee next autumn I may be sewing much more respectably. And that is exactly why I wanted to take part in a bee - to improve....and of course to meet new people and it is so rewarding and enjoyable.

What a waste!

My one outdoor tomato plant, which was a bit of an experiment, is still producing the most yummy fruit. Islay loves helping me pick them. Next year I will definitely squeeze a few more into gro-bags - we don't have much space but after yet another courgette failure I think I will concentrate on tomatoes in future.

Garden tomatoes

I spotted this little self-sewn nemesia the other day. It has found a home in my strawberry pot. I made the pot a few years ago and it has always been fine outside but last year's winter was just too much and it has cracked right round near the top. I can't bear to part with it, even tho' its really too small to be very useful, so I just have to remember about the crack and treat it carefully.

Nemesia