January-ing .............................................

Greetings lovely friends & readers

This sweet miniature petunia is flowering so happily in Mum's pedestal pot - it makes me smile  😊

This past fortnight has been mainly about occupying the Grandsons - I am thankful that school returns here next Tuesday.    One hot sunny day I took Alec out to Raglan & we had a delicious lunch of fresh fish sitting outside on the cafe's deck with wonderful sea views.

Then we drove down to the beach where he spent a happy couple of hours digging for crabs - luckily the tide was going out & there were plenty to be found.

Yes we returned them back into the sea afterwards.

We went to the Berry farm to pick berries only to be told no more public picking til mid February ... so we ate berry icecreams instead.

Sid came lots of days & there was lots of crafting.  Yes they made weapons but they used their imaginations (& LOTS of cellotape!!!)

We went to the movies twice & saw the film Wonka & a wonderful movie called Migration.  We are so lucky here in our small town to have the most special movie Theatre still running & filled with all manner of antique movie-related memorabilia.

In between entertaining the Grandsons I managed to stitch a teatowel for my friend Gail's birthday next week.  This is a free download from my dear friend Jennifer - you can find it * Here *.  I also knitted a matching green dishcloth & added a coffee scented soap.  

All of the framed stitcheries in this area have been hand-stitched by me

I had taken this Stitchery to be framed in late November but the Framer has been most unwell & had closed shop for several weeks while recovering.   I was thrilled to get a text saying my framing was finally ready to be collected.  Once again this is a design from my friend Jennifer - go here to her pattern shop - she has the most wonderful designs.  I am so happy with the simple wooden frame that I chose.  

When I unwrapped it Madam Pip gave it her seal of approval .... though she is more than likely saying You've missed a stitch just there!!

I made & posted a wool blanket Rabbit down to my friend Jane who chose this lovely pink & caramel toned vintage wool blanket from my stash.  

This weekend we are getting some much needed rain & it is wonderful.  I have been indoors making candles.

These heavy glass containers were from Mum's China Cabinet & I decided to make candles into them as I would not necessarily use them otherwise.  

I am finding myself really drawn to rather masculine fragrances lately & these ones are made using Oakmoss fragrance (above) & the one below is a new-to-me fragrance called Spiced Black Oud.  

I am delighted with how these turned out. I like to leave my candles at least a month to really harden before burning them - possibly even 8 weeks if I can wait that long.  

The next 3 pictures are especially for Lynn & Precious who are knee deep in snow & have requested I "send pictures of flowers please".  I have had to tie my Christmas lillies up as they have all flopped.  I no longer pick them to bring indoors as they are toxic to cats unfortunately.

Thank you as always dear friends, for your welcome visits here today.

Wishing you a most wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,

With much love & friendship to you all,

Julie & the furry three x0x0x