Hello my friends. It’s been a busy week here on the North Wales Coast – the cross stitch has moved forward by quite a huge chunk (but not yet phottographed); I have actually made a couple of cards (but only one photographed); finished a jigsaw (sorry folks – it’s just the way my brain works which means I do them quickly); sorted all my dies out so they are more logical; been back to worship in our church building (which was precious); contemplated getting some plants for my garden (but not actioned yet!). and thought about going away for a few days soon (but not until I can cross the border and pick up the caravan). The things that haven’t altered at all are the scraperboard and the desk on the landing – nothing more has been done, and there is nothing different about the desk – hence no photo. So here are my efforts…

And quite honestly – that’s it this week – so let’s see if I can find you a Welsh view…

A view, taken some time ago, from Conwy town walls, looking toward the castle and the bridges over the River Conwy. The walls were built in the shape of a Celtic harp around the town, and it is possible to walk right the way round, looking down into the houses and gardens.

So there you have it folks. Do take care of yourselves. God bless you.

Margaret

Hello my friends. I didn’t make it here last week – too many things to do, and not sufficient hours in which to do them. I had all the photos ready… but I knew I wouldn’t have time to come visiting – so opted not to even post.

However. I do trust this week finds you well, busy, and enjoying life. My desk this past fortnight has undergone several re-makes! Kevin was able to come round, fully masked up, to work on my old computer and John’s. So, from having a posh new one in the study plus two on my desk on the landing – suddenly it was purely one old one on the landing. Then this morning (Tuesday) I was able to remove that one as well, clean everywhere, and put my Gemini and dies where only a few days ago sat two ancient computers. Wahoo!! This means the study now is scarily clean, too, and empty!

This is the landing desk today. I am still trying out some of the things John used to do – and to that end, I recently bought a scraperboard kit. Have been having a bit of a go… not sure I like the kit, but am learning the techniques – so that’s good. We await the results! Also on the desk are the binoculars and a bird book. Some unusual birds the past few weeks – so I have been checking them out. We have at least 2 little egrets, herons, many curlews, oyster catchers, buzzard … glorious to stand there and watch them all. Don’t know what the folks in the bungalows below me think… oops.

So, what have I been up to the past two weeks, apart from gazing out of the window! I have a commission for 50 cards – so have been tackling those, nearly up to 40 so far. I have done a couple of jigsaws. And I have had mixed success with the cross stitch. Week 1 Day 1 – put a load of stitches in for the little dog. Day 2 – took them all out. Day 3 – put them back in the right place! This week has been more successful, and the dog is complete, some of the boy far left has been started, and the poor wee lad on the right still has no head, but is beginning to have a hat.

So that’s about it from the North Wales coast this week everyone. We are now permitted to take our car to exercise – so long as we keep to about 5 miles driving. So yesterday a friend and I went up the Little Orme (hill not mountain), to Angel Bay, and watched the seals. Then today I headed off to Llandudno’s West Shore, walking in a fair old gale – no good showing you the photos – they would make you seasick! Couldn’t hold the camera still enough to get a decent shot. So, instead… here’s a photo of the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland railway – not running at the moment – but I do hope it will soon be able to re-open. Taken a couple of years ago at Porthmadog Station, the green engine is coming round to hitch up to our carriages and we will be heading North to Caernarfon, whereas the red engine will soon be heading off for Blaenau Ffestiniog. So many of you comment on these photos of Wales – they seem to bring back many happy memories for you – I’m thrilled – ‘cos I LOVE it here!!! I feel very blessed to live in such a glorious part of Wales.

So that’s it this week, folks. I will be round to visit – it may take a few days, but I’ll get to you! Take care everyone. God bless you all.

Margaret

Hello my friends. I do trust you are well, and seeing the beginnings of Spring where you live. It has been utterly glorious here, and a real pleasure to be outside. I do thank you all for your concern last week, over the fact that I had not had my vaccination. It was so precious of you to be so concerned for me. Take heart! I had been in touch with both my local booking hub and my surgery – and was finally given a date for last Friday. So, number 1 achieved!

However, you are here to see what is on my desk – and… good grief… the mojo is beginning to return! Work has been done on the desk on the landing. I have made my portion of the Easter cards assigned to me. I have now passed on the stamp for the inside sentiment to our Camilla for her to stamp hers, then it will go on to the third friend to finish all hers. So, my desk on Tuesday…

… from the right to the left… some peel-offs that had hearts on them, transfers of phrases, one finished card – a test run to see if my idea worked! – brushes, inks, baby wipe, sentiment stamp, and at the far left, a pile of ready cut watercolour paper. So, what was I making?

I used a metal ruler as a mask, and used the dib, dab, dust method of marking the cross on the watercolour paper. The texture on the paper made it actually quite effective! A small heart was placed in the centre of the cross, with appropriate words beneath. This was all mounted on gold card, then put onto the card base. The sentiment we decided on for the inside was the beautiful Aaronic blessing. The company Circa design had made this stamp when I asked if they had one. It works well. They are a great company and always looking for new sentiment ideas from their customers. They have actually produced two stamps for me now, which they have added to their website.

It is my youngest grandson’s 15th birthday next week, so as well as making Easter cards, I have had the challenge of a birthday card. When John was alive he would have made the most beautiful pyrography design, or scraperboard… but I have never done those. However… I suddenly decided that if I was going to continue to keep all John’s art materials, then I had to get my act together and try them out! So….

Not the best of photographs, but my very first effort at Pyrography!!! I confess I chose a design which didn’t involve too much shading, but am reasonably enough pleased with my effort to actually send it to him! Let me show you some of John’s work, and you will see what a hard act I have to follow – hence my hesitation in even trying this art form!

The three round pictures are 10inch place mats, the two square ones are 4inch drinks coasters. Brilliant work. He made so many things over the years. I must do some more – I enjoyed it!

Just a little something to titivate the senses… A view, taken some years back on an afternoon in Conwy – a small town about 7 miles from my house. Taken from the harbour wall, looking across the estuary to Deganwy. Just so lovely…

So, that’s it folks, here on the North Wales coast. Not a lot more cross stitch done – too many internet hassles with one of the devotions I have prepared (our Camilla and I reckon it is now sorted, fortunately!) – and not a lot more knitting achieved. Oh well – there’s always this coming week.

Do take care of yourselves, and stay safe. God bless you all.

Margaret