Floral madness...

We've had fabulous weather this week, and we tried to make the most of it. I had seen pictures of Highdown Gardens on facebook and knew instantly it was somewhere I wanted to visit. So we leapt on a bus, and found it easily enough, and it really didn't disappoint. You may know by now that I have a small obsession with photographing flowers! So this place was a perfect playground for me, and we'd gone at the ideal time of year.

There were carpets of bluebells

and forget-me-nots

little clumps of primroses

an array of blossoms

and magnificent splashes of bright colours from the proud standing tulips

As we'd made a spur of the moment trip, we hadn't thought about refreshments, but thank goodness there was an adorable little café, that was full of homemade goodies, so of course we indulged in a drink and some cake!

Crafting wise I have been focussed on my Mandala rounds and made good progress

And as I couldn't choose between relaxing and doing crochet or going out in the sun, my Mandala took a trip to the beach with me!

Best of both worlds!!

Each round looks so complicated in the written instructions, and occasionally I have a wobble and wonder if i'm out of depth, and then I break it down step by step and before I know it I'm in the flow of doing it, and then feel proud that another section is complete

Today I had to work in the afternoon, but the luxury of living so close to the sea enabled us to have a couple of hours strolling together

We even managed to pick up a few little treasures on the way

The forecast doesn't look so great for the week ahead, so it may mean we get some housework done ;-)

The finishing line...

At the beginning of the week we managed a last minute impromptu trip out with hubby's sister. We've not been able to see her for awhile as getting about is difficult!  We chose to take a little trip to Wisley gardens, only down the road for us, but hard to get to without a car, so we never pass up the opportunity to go! I love looking at flowers and more to the point I have an obsession with photographing flowers!

                         

I love the colours, the shapes, the patterns, individual blooms, or mass displays...

Sadly it was an overcast day, (of course it was sunny and hot when I was at work later in the week!). but it was warm and pleasant.

We went past the lily pond, and various borders and gardens...

Into the Glasshouse

Orchids have to be some of my favourites, with such intricate, delicate shapes

After a little picnic in the grounds, we walked to another lake, where we spotted some people feeding the ducks and fish. When we drew closer, we saw the most amazing sight. A mass of Trout, all lined up in a row at the waters edge, mouths open, waiting for the food, the strength in their tails pushing them forward, and flipping them round if they ended up facing the wrong way. With the ducks muscling in and clambering over them!

We all thoroughly enjoyed our day, and of course we rounded off the day with tea and cake!

For this weeks mood square I chose the Popcorn flower, from the 200 crochet blocks book by Jan Eaton, and I chose some lovely floral pinks and peaches for the colourway.

I have been dying to get started on a new piece, to get into the flow and rhythm of the crochet, but I have been good and just concentrated on sewing in ends, and blocking. Just when I thought I was ready to join my Heather squares, I found a mishap. Somehow, one of the threads had been cut, disaster, it meant I had to repeat this square again! So this has yet to be joined!

I completed the back of my Carnivale cal mandala cushion.

 I'm really happy with the way its turned out... 

What I hadn't realised is that the intention was to make the actual cushion too! Oh dear, I'm afraid that I'm going to back out of this bit and surrender, I will have to cheat and buy an insert! This may be tricky as round cushion inserts aren't too readily available, so until I find the right size pillow, it means I can't get on and finish the pom pom edging...

The good news is that I found my flower pattern book.

 So I did make a start on some cute little floral embellishments for the backing that i'd made previously.

I will need to stay focused this week, I need to reach the finish line on some of my projects. Despite 

whatever issues get thrown in the way, I am determined to have a ta dah moment, sooner rather than later!

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