Rag Rugging and Snowdrops

Morning all. Well, here we are in half term and, for once, the weather isn't half bad - more winter sun and frosts than the usual dismal grey skies. Unfortunately, E is bogged down with English Literature coursework and has A2 mocks looming as well, so there won't be much gadding about for us this week. 

There have been a few highlights though. Our local library is currently holding a 'Library Fest' with various exciting and, more importantly, free workshops. Saturday saw me doing a rag rugging one, held by textile artist Kath Hutchings. It was brilliant - easy, fun and green. Never again will I throw away old T shirts; they'll all be cut up into 1cm strips and rugged!

Here are a few photos of Kath's work: 

Fun aren't they? For the workshop, we were making pennants spelling out 'Library Fun'. I was put in charge of the letter 'F'. The tool and method were familiar as they were similar to those I used  for my heart picture last year. We were a little limited in terms of time, so the aim was to just do the letter and a border.

Here are the finished pennants. Someone still needs to do the 'b':

On Valentine's Day, we did our annual visit to Welford Park  to see their snowdrops. You may be familiar with the setting as it's where they've held The Great British Bake Off competition for the past couple of years. Every spring they open the gardens to the public for charity.

 There is a short walk to get to the woods. Over a wooden bridge:

Getting closer:

Spotting a few:

   ..... and there we are. Stunning isn't it?

It was a lovely, dry cold day and we sat in the estate garden enjoying a flask of hot tea and some cookies that the girls had made.

Then it was back home to light the stove and watch the rugby:

It was a Valentine's Day well spent. 

Other happies so far this week:

My new charity shop find. There are some lovely projects that I have my eye on:

Spotting a green woodpecker in the garden - please try to avert your eyes from all the weeds and focus on the bird!

Enjoying my current favourite lunch - avocado and poached egg on toast:

Starting knitting  my first ever sock:

 My Valentine's roses from R. He knows I'm not keen on red roses, so plumped for a rainbow bunch:

 ... and finally, catching Hamish sat on the coffee table 'helping' E with her homework!

Anyway, that's all for this week. If it's your half term too, I hope you have a good one.
Toodle Pip for now. x