A week of mixed crafts...

We went out on  a most enjoyable beach walk last week, and yes the sun did put in an appearance. Despite the tide being in we still had a search for treasure. I wasn't able to find any glass at the beginning, but I took joy at all the other wondrous things that get washed on to the beach. For the first time I found some good pieces driftwood

Its amazing how time flies and how many metres you walk when you are completely absorbed in nature around you. The only problem is having to walk back again!

Along the way I did manage to find quite a few pieces, in fact I managed to beat hubby on quantity this time, but he came up trumps with our best find so far, an absolutely beautiful cobalt blue piece

This week I've dabbled in a few crafts. I have of course continued with the mandala rounds. It is now bigger than our patio table and to take this picture I had to stand on some steps

I have now completed week 11, a whole 76 rows!

So many different stitches, make great texture

I bought myself a little pack of  acrylic paints as I wanted to experiment to see if the paint would take on the chalk pebbles, and I was very pleased to find that it worked!

Hubby's Uncle gave us some of his home grown rhubarb, my favourite fruit

So I made good use of it and made a scrummy crumble

I made a start on a new basket, after seeing that I hadn't made one for too long.

As I have a ridiculously large stash of acrylic yarns I fancied trying a scrap yarn basket. As I wanted a complete random mix of colour I put two strands together, and went up a hook size. Its tricky to make it random when you're used to pattern, and matching.

I kinda like how its turning out though

Easter...

At the start of Easter week, the weather was beautiful and sunny.

We had a visit from Hubby's sister, and with access to transport we took the opportunity to get out, the first time that hubby has ventured out in 3 weeks!!
We are lucky to have a beautiful lake, practically on our doorstep, which we never tire of!

We took our bread crusts to feed the ducks, although it was only geese that came to us!

After an enjoyable sit down in the sun, we went to a neighbouring village for lunch.

We thoroughly enjoyed our little trip out...

As expected, not much crafting happened, with the busy Easter week at work, although not actually quite as busy as it should have been...
The one chance that I did have unfortunately I had a very sore wrist from lifting, so that meant crochet was off-limits. To stop myself twitching too much I focussed my attentions on another craft. I have some little boxes, that i'd kept from work, which would normally be thrown, but I thought they'd be ideal for decoupage.

But as they have quite a dark pattern on I decided to black it out. This was easier said than done though as all I had was acrylic paint , after a few coats it looks a plain white, but after it dries its completely see-through again!

Today Easter day has been pretty grey, wet and gloomy. But we have stayed in and snuggled up.
I got a lovely box of eggs from my Mum

not the usual chocolate kind though... (some lovely bath bombs)

We've had our hot cross buns

And some Easter cake, sadly not handmade

This weeks mood square:-

Yellow for warm spring sunshine, red for fun and enjoyment, pale blue for tired but relaxed evenings and jade for busy, busy work

Happy Easter...

Knitted garden...

Thankfully this week has been a little calmer, although poor hubby is still laid up with his bad knee and hobbling around on crutches...
I had another work appointment in Southsea, to help with Easter merchandising, so this meant another occasion to see my Mum. After an early fog, it cleared to be a beautiful day. We took the opportunity to drop in to the little museum in Gosport, for the 'Blooming Marvellous' knitted garden show. This exhibition has been travelling for the last two years. What makes this so endearing is it expands with people adding pieces all the time.

It's one of those that the more you look the more you see... Little critters, flowers, animals, a whole veg patch, a big picnic, an allotment, and greenhouse, so much detail... These have been made by young and old, of all abilities, individuals and clubs

 
I made a start on the train with my drops yarn and used Attic24s join as you go method, I haven't tried this before and not sure if I've done it correctly, but I like that you can get an idea what the final product will look like straight away.

I received some happy mail this week. I had ordered a lovely doily from the talented @paintingbliss in America. I couldn't resist, it was so pretty, and it now hangs in my bedroom, looking over me as I sleep.

She also sent me a beautiful mini painting, just because of a slight posting delay, so cute

So to this weeks mood square

Bright Green = fun relaxed sunny time with my mum

Lilac = steady at work

Purple = people and their selfish, self-centered, nastiness