A Magazine Update

For those of you who missed it, just before Christmas I started writing a craft column for a local magazine.  I had said I would post my column on the blog for you all to read once the magazine was released.  Well, so much for that happening, my last update was in February, sorry ladies.

I've still been writing for the magazine each month so there are a few articles for you to catch up on.  I've added the links below for you to have a read if you wish.

For March I wrote about Felting.

In April my topic was Stained Glass.

May was all about Upholstery.

And bringing us up to date is June's article about Flower arranging.

Let's hope I can post them as they are released from now on.

Love Gem x x x x

Segway's at Leeds Castle

Whenever someone mentions a Segway to me, I am automatically transported to thoughts of the film Mall Cop.  Did you ever see that film?  I suppose it is because that was the first time I had ever been made aware of this mode of transport.  I never imagined that I would actually use one in my lifetime.

That time came a few weekends ago as we celebrated my Dad's birthday.  We made the journey to Leeds Castle in Kent.  Considering how close it is to us, I've never been to Leeds castle before and although we couldn't go into the castle itself, the grounds are beautiful, especially on a bright summers day.

The Segway's were great fun, once I had mastered how to use it.  The whole thing is controlled by weight distribution and once you get over the initial fear of thing, it is actually pretty easy.

 

 

We opted for the 1 hour session which turns out was the adventure course.  There was another group that joined us who had booked onto the scenic course.  If I were to do it again I wouldn't change the course that we had booked.  By the time you get the hang of using the Segway half hour has already passed so it was good to have the second half hour.  The other group left us to head back, so with fewer of us we could really enjoy the end of the session by ourselves.

The surroundings were perfect, such pretty views.  The company was brilliant, it was so nice spending time together as a family, something we don't get to do as much now.  And the activity was good fun, we had a real laugh and what was even better was that no one had any accidents :)  Win, win situation.

Love Gem x x x x

Willingale Churches

As I've got older I have started to appreciate architecture in buildings more and more.  I'm not a religious person, I don't attend church and can't see me ever doing so, but there is something quite special about the architecture of a church.

We have visited Greensted church close to Ongar before, the oldest wooden church in the world, and were planning on visiting it again a couple of weekends ago, when we had a slight change of plan.  We decided instead to drive to Willingale to see the 2 churches.  I'm glad we had the change of plan as it was quite a sight.

Willingale is a tiny little village yet it has 2 churches.  These 2 churches share the one graveyard.  The churches stand side by side, right next to each other.  I've never seen anything like this before and doubt I will see it again anywhere else.  Please let me know if you have seen something similar.

There are a couple of stories as to why there are 2 churches but nothing that seems to be set in stone.  What ever the reason behind it is, it was very interesting to see.

The views beyond the churches wasn't too bad either.  

It made for a lovely afternoon out and a spot of fresh air and it was nice to visit somewhere different that we haven't been before.  Especially as it is literally on our doorstep.  It only took us 15 minutes to get there, crazy to think of all the places that surround us that we never visit.

So if you are interested in churches or architecture and are around Essex, why not stop off at Willingale.  It is worth a look.

~ Gem x

Creative Progress

Back in March I posted about some recent makes and some things I was working on.  you can read the post here.

Well I am pleased to say that progress has been made.

The  cross stitch keyring that had sat unfinished, now adorns my keys.  For what reason it sat there waiting to be finished for so long I really have no idea, it didn't take me long to complete the finishing touches at all.

I added the felt to the back to hide all the stitches, it finishes it off really well.

The scarf I was knitting for James.  Now cast off the needles and is happily awaiting the winter months in the drawer.

And the cross stitch picture, not quite finished but I have got a lot more done.  I'm not just working on the border.  The magazines suggests this as a cushion but looking at some of the other ideas they have printed I think I'm going to opt to fix it to the front of a bag, so I can use it to take my current WIP's to craft club with me.

I have been very good in sticking to my word.  The only other crafts I have been busy working on are making our wedding invites, and cutting up fabric for bunting again for the wedding.  One other bunting project that was started and finished was a gift for a friend who recently had a baby boy, they asked me if I could make some bunting for the nursery for them so of course I agreed, lovely pastel blues and creams.

I did start one other little cross stitch project but I have literally done no more than 20 stitches and have put it back into the packet and I intend for it to stay there until my current cross stitch piece has been completed.

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment?

Love Gem x x x x