Then we all went for a fish and chip supper. Back at Granny and Grandad's house we had homemade dairy-free birthday cake which Granny iced. She also made sheep out of fondant icing for the sides of the cake.
Em wa
s delighted. She loves sheep and thinks they are so cute whatever size or age they are.
Finally I can now show you the iPod cover I knitted in Regia Sock Yarn for Em's birthday. It also has a 
front pocket for the headphones. Hope you have a good weekend, happy crafting. Jane.
I hope you have a good weekend, happy crafting. Jane x
The Lovely Blog Award and the Your Blog Is Fabulous are so lovely and I'm very grateful to Duckie for them both. I love reading her stories, she loves keeping us on the edge of our seats. I would like to pass both these awards on to all of you who read my blog especially you are on my side bar but also to any new readers - please leave me a comment so I can visit and say hello. Jane x
Happy crafting. Jane x
I hope you had a good day too. On Saturday my Aunt and Uncle came over for the day and we had a lovely time catching up on all the news of their retirement and two young grandchildren. Finally sadly on Boxing day an elderly friend died, he had been bravely fighting bone cancer. It was a relief tinged with sadness as he was in constant pain at the end. We will always remember him as a wonderful friend who loved gadgets and conquering problems. He always had a smile and time for a chat, especially with Em and Al - he loved to hear their plans and thoughts.
This photo was taken on his 80th birthday last year, surrounded by his friends and family. May he rest in peace.
Hello to all my blogging friends, I am sorry that I have been away for so long, but I have returned now. School is finished - My small part in the staff Christmas panto of Robbin' Hoodie was great fun though all the rehearsals at the end of term made it very tiring. The sampler I stitched for my colleague, who was retiring in order to spend some time writing, was finished, framed and very well received.
In return he gave me a beautiful sampler which had belonged to his family. He gave it to me as a gift as he thought that I would appreciate it. I love it, it is beautiful. It was stitched by a young girl in 1828 and is exquisitely done, as you can see from the photograph. It now hangs in pride of place on the stairs out of direct light.
Preparations for Christmas day at home continue, and I'm very excited as it is eight years since our last Christmas at home. Mum and Dad have brought their caravan to Sussex and are spending the days with us or visiting friends. Alice has also returned from Univeristy (collected by Mum and Dad). On Monday evening we dressed the tree. It's a real one and it looks beautiful. Happy Christmas to all my readers and thank you for all your comments this year. I have enjoyed reading your blogs very much and I look forward to reading them all next year.
I haven't given up blogging, I've just become so involved in the end of term fun that blogging time has shrunk to the odd half hour every few nights. I have volunteered to be in the staff christmas panto as one of Robin Hoods Merry Men. We have to be all dressed in green with fake green beards! so I have been sewing a green shirt and I have cut out a green furry beard. When its all finished I will take a picture. My other project is for a member of our English department who is leaving after many years devoted work in our school. I am cross stitching a sampler with lots of motifs relating to their time in school. Finally next monday is our carol concert so I'm invoved with the staff carol of Deck the Halls and helping with the refreshments.
