Congratulations to the lady upholsterer

Our youngest daughter Nicola has just come back from an intense professional upholstery course and we couldn't believe the transformation that she achieved, with the chair in the above pic, I don't think Skooby the cat is going to be quite as impressed as we were as she won't be enjoying the comfort of the new! 

                                                      And voila! a remarkable transformation

Complete with Swarovski chair buttons. I couldn't resist showing you this as I think it"s brilliant !

Birthday Girl

Our gorgeous little granddaughter was one today, how time flies....

I think even she was surprised as daddy sent an email this morning saying that she'd said "Is it really my birthday"   :-)

Well it was a bit confusing for her as she shared a birthday tea with her Granddad a couple of weeks ago, he's the second oldest of our dynasty, I'm the oldest but I know you won't tell anybody :), and Pippa's the youngest.

She certainly made herself at home and couldn't wait to make friends with all her cousins.

And meeting up with all her aunties, who needless to say jostled for the most cuddle time, I barely got a look in.

And the of course there were all those presents, but that card really was a winner.

Happy Birthday darling girl, I know you''ll have had a lovely day, love from Nanny and Granddad xxx

Winter

It was lovely and sunny this morning, but very cold, so we lit the stove and had hot chocolate...

I finished a charcoal sketch of my garden, and beyond, it felt good to be back to getting dirty hands pushing it around the parer.

I hung the African mask here, it feels more comfortable than it did in our living room!

Happy New Year

I'm a little late with my New Year/ Christmas wishes, but that sort of sums up last year.

I haven't spent much time here, or anywhere on the net come to that, but when I have been around I've very much enjoyed reading the blogs of all my blogging friends that are safely bookmarked on Feedly.

I have been quite busy creatively, but mostly boring stuff that I haven't wanted to share, but I hope to be posting something interesting in the near future.

Many thanks to all the people who have come here over the years and especially those who've taken the time to comment, it is always much appreciated. I've missed the camaraderie of late, although many people seem to prefer Facbook now, and I have to say I'm not a fan. I prefer the slower more contemplative platform of a blog.

Our summerhouse is being used more and more and is fast becoming the artistic sanctuary I hoped it would be, the picture above was taken on Monday, we had a very heavy frost so we lit the stove, drank hot chocolate and I started a pastel sketch of our youngest grandaughter. It doesn't get much better than that.

I hope this year brings happiness and peace to all, including our beautiful family.