it is April after all

Last week we had our breakfast outside,

but this week has been a very different one; the very brief summer spell has gone. 

It is very much a typical April weather now; not very warm, short spells of sunshine and showers, some quite heavy, even a thunderstorm and hailstorm. Yes, this week we had it all.

But despite of that, the spring will not be stopped. 

The crab apple in our garden is covered in blossom,

and violas in their pots just can't wait to show off.

Last week I was in a hurry to look for projects to take outside;

crochet is so portable.

I did some more work on the Mystical Lanterns blanket.

The individual motifs are joined into strips (and strips joined into blanket) -

this is strip no 11 (4 more to go).

The crochet Hygge shawl, which was Scheepjes CAL 2017 (combination of crochet and embroidery) 

has also "seen some light" this week, 

with just a little progress.

Another easy project to take outside -

I started to "build" another house for "Santa's Village" series.

But it is back to indoors - for now anyway.......

Have a good week!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2018

April at Stourhead (NT)

It's hard to believe that it is 6 months since our last visit to Stourhead. 

The last time we were here, we came to see autumn colours and now there are spring colours everywhere.

The summer weather we had last week is gone, 

it is much cooler now, with April showers not far away.

I love all those fresh greens

first bluebells just coming out

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2018

mini heatwave and baking Friday

Well, not exactly a heatwave, but we have gone from winter into summer in just a couple of days this week; 

up to upper twenties in our part of the world!

The garden is just soaking up the sun, and so are we.

A quick visit to the garden centre; the car park was full, suddenly we all have the same idea.....

We came home with a set of new pots for the top of the old Singer, and a couple of Vinca plants.

I planted them up the same day - the hosta nad heuchera plants came from other parts of our garden.

As this part of the garden is facing north and in some shade most of the summer, the usual flowering plants are not doing very well here, as we found out last summer.

In a month or so it should all look much fuller, with vincas trailing down the front

(well that's the idea, anyway).

And a new, scented Dianthus  for the garden table.

--------------------

The recipe for today's cake came from Rachel Allen's book.

I changed it a bit by using honey instead of golden syrup.

This is a slightly different take on the usual lemon drizzle - it includes cinnamon and ginger, which gives it a rich colour. 

I used spelt flour, which I now use as my "every day" flour ( if you want to know more about spelt, please read my 4th April post).

It worked very well together, and I am pleased with the result - very moist, with a strong lemon flavour.

Very little stitching going on this week - 

I have been just enjoying the garden, and relaxing with my book.

Have a wonderful weekend!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2018

Craft4Crafters

The usual April show at the Bath & West Showground. 

It is not a large show, and I am not sure I would travel a great distance for it, 

but being local to me, 

it is always worth a visit; it is not a bad way to spend a morning, because that is all it takes me to have a look around.

Some of my favourites are not here this year, but there are some 

I haven't seen here before.

It is a show which has something for everyone, in small measures.

  It was good to see 21st Century Yarns , first time in many years. 

Their small stand is packed with hand dyed threads, felt, fabrics, all in wonderful colours. 

This was where I left most of my cash this morning.

I could not come away without some fat quarters (predictably),

I found some small embellishments, always handy to have... 

I know a little girl who will love the owls.

It is always nice to see some new local crafts people here.

I will leave you today with some pictures from our little garden; despite all the bad weather, spring is coming....

Even the herb patch is waking up.

Have a good weekend!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2018