Hello my friends. Here we are again – another week passed us by and it is now February! How??? January seems to have simply slipped past me! However… there has actually been some action on the workdesk this week – so…

… a picture from both ends of the desk today. I have actually been making a few cards. My efforts are always really simple compared to so many of yours, but I do what I do, and struggle with anything more (maybe it’s my age?!) Sitting there are some stamp sets, and at the other end of the desk are a pile of inks. The actual workspace is empty as I had just finished one card ready to photograph things. As you can see, it didn’t take me long to make a complete mess of the landing following my sorting from last week – more of that in a moment – there are two boxes of ribbons on the floor, a drawer with all glittery things in, sitting on a stool, a nearly full (again) waste bin, and John’s old computer. I still have to use that for a couple of bits that won’t transfer properly to my new one. And this is what I have been up to this fine morning…

A few cards for charity – the start of what I hope will become a good pile!

Last week I was sorting my threads out into some logical order. I couldn’t quite believe how much discussion they prompted. The boxes were bought from a company called Lovecrafts – £3.99 each and they hold about 100 threads. https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/ The boxes come with the little cards for each thread – time consuming to wind them on, but well worth it. I have over the years taught people different craft skills, and one person used to hand me back any unused threads all in a jumble. Eek! That was when I started to keep them ready wound like they now are. Each little card has the make and the number on it, so it’s an easy task to simply lift out the ones I need for a project. Now they are done – and the boxes look like they are holding jewels. I mainly use DMC threads, and the shimmer on them is gorgeous!

Since finishing that, I decided to carry on with a bit more sorting – and now all my cross stitch patterns are neatly organised. I went through about 20 years of magazines and simply kept the designs I thought I might one day do. I did, manage to salvage and keep my 15 minutes of fame – the page in December 2004 of Cross Stitch Crazy, where John and I were featured!! Then I did the same with my pergamano mags too. Oh boy!! ! Of course, once I had pulled out projects from the magazines, there was an incredible amount in the recycle bin… oops! No good passing on to charity shops when so many pages are missing.

So, that’s me this week – still tweaking the charity’s website and trying to make it look good to encourage folks to meander through it on whatever computer, i-pad, phone… they use for browsing. Here it is if anyone wants a gander through! https://www.christianhopeuganda.uk/ No pressure.

And so, a final picture – taken some time back from my landing window! Sunset in North Wales.

That’s it, folks. Take care of yourselves. God bless.

Margaret.

Hello my friends. It’s good to be back home, despite having a wonderful time away last week with my friends in the Lake District. The weather on the first day was incredibly cold – but oh, so sunny and beautiful. We went out for a drive, a walk, saw Windermere lake in all its glory, had a meal… and generally had a load of fun. The second day we couldn’t see a hand in front of our noses – the cloud base had come down. So, a trip to the local garden centre… But, the request was for pictures… so…

So, home again and, as promised, a photo or two of the lovely doll I have been “dressing”! Can you believe it is virtually impossible to buy a knitting pattern for a traditional matinee coat?!

A dress and a little pillow. Isn’t she just gorgeous? The owner hasn’t seen it yet, but it will go to church with me on Sunday ready to give to her. I hope she likes it all!

And finally, my desk today. I have been doing cross stitch for around 45 years – so I am sure you can imagine that I have built up quite a stock of threads. You see, I don’t normally stitch kits – but buy the pattern and then the appropriate skeins of thread – so with each new pattern I do, the number of different threads gradually increases. I decided it was time to have a real sort out and tidy up!! I have at least three pictures to stitch this year, so thought a clean start would be good. So my desk? Aaaarrgh!!!! Chaos! Nothing more need be added…

And that’s me done for the day. Apart from endeavouring to neaten everything up I have been working hard on a new website for the charity our church supports – never too old to learn new tricks, apparently!

Take care, my friends. God bless you.

Margaret

Good grief! two consecutive weeks – whatever is the world coming to? However… hello, my friends. My workdesk this week is…

Yes – I have been working hard on my computer – not been near my craft desk except for sorting out a whole heap of old magazines, pulling out things I may one day make and getting rid of the rest. But here on my computer I have been working REALLY hard on my website. It’s not completely updated yet, but I am getting there. I have been making the extra pages look good, adding photos, descriptions, explanations… and even getting to put a load of my City and Guild work up there. I realized last night that the page marked “scraperboard” still needs doing, too – so bear with me if you can. But if you have a bit of time – please do fuddle through the pages – there’s John’s art work up as well as some of mine.

And that’s about it this week. I have finished knitting a sweater which I wore yesterday on a trip to Abakhan Mills (you just HAVE to…), and started to knit some clothes for the most lovely dark-skinned doll I think I have ever seen. The owner of said doll asked if I would do them as she loves the doll and it reminds her to pray for the children we support in Uganda… so a gorgeous baby pink dress is on its way!

I have finally taken my decorations down – the cards have only come down today, I loved them all so much, I couldn’t bear to take them down sooner. Thank you SO much to those of you who sent lovely hand-made cards to me. I have really appreciated them.

I will be MIA next week as I am spending a few days in the Lake District with friends who moved up there just before Christmas. It will be good to see them settled in their new home after over 13 years running a local hotel. Time for them to relax (although I don’t think they have done a lot of that yet!)

Take care of yourselves. Stay safe and healthy. God bless you.

Margaret

Well, hello my friends. I have finally managed to get my act together for a Tuesday afternoon ready for WOYWW on a Wednesday!! Wahoo!! I can’t quite believe that the last time I posted was AUGUST. Ridiculous. What on earth have I been doing since then? What excuses or reasons do I have for not being amongst you each Wednesday? Purely excuses, I fear!! So just what have I been up to in the intervening months?

– Preparing the church and the reception venue for a dear friend’s wedding… here we are awaiting the arrival of the happy couple. We, as a team, reckoned it a success when the bride was heard to say “It’s just how I have always imagined it”.

Remember this photo from July 2020? My daughter and grand daughter… well…

… September saw this gorgeous happy event!! This was the young lady on the right of the above picture! Yes, two years later I travelled the length of Britain to attend her lovely, lovely wedding day! Now married to a very fine, and utterly crazy, young man

– and yes! She still has that long, glorious hair – right down to her waist now! And her younger sister’s hair is heading in the same direction looking at the left hand side of this photo!

I have managed to make over 150 Christmas cards…

… and believe it or not, this is the only photo of any of them!! I cannot believe I didn’t photograph any. What is the matter with me?! Careful how you answer that one… These were examples of the cards three of us made to send out to all the church members. They were well received, especially as we are still not back to “normal”, with some people still not regularly attending worship. Camilla and I made 50 8x5inch boxes, too, filled with Advent activities for each family group within the church. But, yes, you’ve guessed… no photos!

Since August I have done jigsaws, helped friends, read books, sat in front of my computer surrounded by books, Bibles. commentaries and ideas, as I wrote 14 Advent devotions for the church, scouring Youtube for appropriate music to go with each one. We studied the carol “Hark the Herald Angels sing”, looking at each line and seeing what theology is in it. Packed full is the answer!! I have travelled the width of Britain to see family and friends not seen for two years, taking their Christmas presents and cards. I have spent 3 glorious days the week before Christmas with my entire family – both girls, their hubbies, my five grandchildren and one new grandson by marriage! The first time we had been together since the wedding in September. I have knitted and crocheted, and I have made a second Advent calendar as my elder grandson has now gone off to university after some cracking A level results. So, two large cross stitch pictures have been covered in chocolate!

This first one now lives in GlenCoe, Scotland, and was greatly enjoyed!

And the second one went to York University. I am so incredibly proud of the young man who now owns this. Through lockdowns, eye removal surgery, and fitting of a new bespoke eye, he has in the past two years achieved three A level A*s and one A; and is loving his new life – fully embracing it – by joining the scuba diving club!!! I know….

So that’s me at the start of 2022, folks. Busy, looking to the New Year with excitement, and having a long list of things I really hope to achieve in the next 12 months!

I wish you a happy, healthy and fulfilling year.

May God bless you richly.

Margaret

Good grief! The girl has done a re-appearance! Yes, I have been AWOL for a good number of weeks – mostly because I have been away, but also because absolutely NO activity has taken place on my workdesk on the landing. I have been very remiss, doing preparation for a friend’s wedding decorations, travelling Britain, visiting family, seeing Mr and Mrs D, doing jigsaws, gardening, collapsing in a heap in the heat… you name it – anything except being creative.

So, no workdesk picture, purely a photo from the day I spent with Mr and Mrs D in Northumberland – one of the water features in Alnwick Gardens – great fun – showing the power of centrifugal and centripetal forces as a circular stainless steel pool filled and emptied again and again.

That’s me done this week. Take care, everyone. God bless and keep you.

Margaret

Let’s celebrate indeed. 12 years this blog group has been running now. And it’s all down to our lovely Julia who thought it up in the first place – and to all of you who contribute week by week. What’s this? Try going to https://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and faithfully, each week, Julia gives us all the opportunity to simply show off our workspace. It’s great fun. Friendships are forged. Folk share their ideas for art and craft. People all over the world join in. Occasionally some even meet up “in real life”. Thanks folks for all the comments, fun, craziness, and the “and finally” comments which make us laugh or cry together. You are a great bunch of friends.

I wasn’t expecting to join in today – I was supposed to be on holiday. Life sort of happened and I am still here on the North Wales Coast – but I get to hitch up the caravan next Monday. Whoop whoop! Honestly, I’m like a kid let loose in a sweetie shop. I haven’t been on holiday since I went to Cornwall, Devon and Gloucestershire in September 2019. Didn’t go anywhere last year – and really missed being in the caravan. So, I shall be AWOL for several Wednesdays. So many wished me well with all the issues which caused my plans to change – yes, the car is now safe again. Yes, the water leak is sorted – cost me the excess on my house insurance, but was worth it. Thank you, too, for everyone who wished my grandson well for his forthcoming op. It is scheduled for June 2. It’s major. 5 years ago he was diagnosed with cancer at the back of his eye. After radiotherapy all went well. Until earlier this year when it became obvious it was growing. There is no treatment now, other than eye removal surgery. It’s hard but necessary. He’s young – just 18 – to be going through this; but we as a family all have a faith in Jesus to help and bring healing through this experience.

So, my desk this week reflects the fact that I have been working hard to clear everything before going away. This afternoon – Tuesday – I achieved just that. The craft bit on my to-do list is all done. SO…

… scary isn’t it. Everything put away in readiness for my holiday. All commissions completed – all birthdays and anniversaries in May and June dealt with. Phew! I’m sure things will be put on there when I start to pack… but essentially that is it!

Apart from my own “and finally” contribution…

… The world famous Laburnam Arch at Bodnant gardens, a mere 7 miles from my home. My postcard to you all today. This was taken 2 years ago, but it won’t be long before this year’s display is fully open. The arch is 100 yards long, and over 100 years old now. It’s glorious, but only lasts about a week in its full glory

So that’s it folks from North Wales on this celebration day. I will be around to visit everyone – but it may take a few days. I will put an asterisk beside my name in the link up – so have my postcard at the ready – but I’m afraid I have not made lots of spare ATCs this year so can’t swap any. Sorry. Thanks to you all for the love you share around the internet through this blog group. Thanks for those praying for me and mine. We, as a family, appreciate that support.

Take care. God bless you.

Margaret

Hello my friends. Yup – been AWOL again! For a month this time! Sorry. Thought I had better post this week or you might have given me up for lost without trace. So, firstly… my desk this evening (Tuesday)

The empty green cutting mat is not, as you may think, a sign that nothing has been going on. On the contrary. You can see a duster brush, waterbrush, scissors, glasses, family photo, chamois for cleaning off stamps ( useful for fingers too!), a box of peel-offs, an open folder of dies, and a pile of finished cards – that red picture with the postbox is the top card of a pile of 15 – only another 15 to go and the commission is complete. Sorry I haven’t photographed those yet – but I have taken pictures of these…

So a bit of fun there. I realize I have made other cards too, but can’t find pictures of those either… oops! However… something I have been doing in the past month is a couple of jigsaws. You will no doubt be mightily relieved that this one took me three weeks – YES three weeks!

Whilst this one, on the other hand, took me less time to do than it took Mark Selby to beat Shaun Murphy in the World Snooker final this weekend!!!

I find it a little worrying that I remember most of these items!

So that’s it on the North Wales coast this week – not a lot going on really, a car awaiting repair in the garage; a potential water leak awaiting a little man to come tell me if the leak, or broken meter, is on my property or Dwr Cymru’s; a grandson awaiting an op; and me awaiting a kind guy from church to come help me carry the right sized fence panels to replace the storm damaged ones. So, to cheer us all up… a photo from a few years ago. This past weekend should have been the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza – cancelled for the second year – understandable as it would have meant 100,000 extra visitors each day over the weekend!!!!! This steam engine which was part of the daily parade.

So that’s it for this week, folks. Take care each of you. God bless you.

Margaret

Hello my friends. I do trust this finds you well, and having enjoyed Easter this year. I certainly did – taking the opportunity after being with my church family in a service of Resurrection celebration, to head off into the sunshine and the mountains. Saw all the tops with beautiful blue sky…. and five minutes later…. down came the cloud cover and they all disappeared! How fast things change there in the mountains – no wonder people train there for climbing in the Himalayas! So, what else have I been up to in the past fortnight? Not a huge amount is the answer… but here are my efforts…

… made a birthday card

… finally gave the poor wee lad on the right a head, hat and bobble! Then finished the boy on the left. Really getting somewhere now.

… agreed with Julia when she sent me this jigsaw, that it was incredible fun to do! It was. If anyone in Britain fancies having a go at this… let me know and I will post it on to you.

… and that, folks, is about the sum total of my creativity this past two weeks. I have managed to do a bit of knitting, but not a great deal – back and front of the sweater are done, and I am halfway up the first sleeve. A lot of my time has been spent with my head in study books, as I was asked if I could expand the devotions I had done, to become more “chapter ” than two pages… phew! It was like writing my thesis all over again – and that was done 50 years ago!!!

So that’s me done this week, folks – just a photo of this glorious country where I live!! NOT taken last Sunday, but a couple of years ago. A small waterfall dropping down from the mountain into Llyn Ogwen.

Do take care of yourselves. I will endeavour to visit everyone. I do come peek at those on twitter… but am unable to comment because I don’t do the social media thingies – but I assure you I peek! God bless each one of you.

Margaret

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