the last finish of the year

My Butterfly's Ball quilt is finished!

I finished it about a month ago (it is probably the largest quilt I have ever made), but the light for taking pictures has been so bad, days have been very wet and grey.

"Such a Ball and such a Feast 

       No one can forget:

Oh, if both would last, and last,

One more hour, not finish yet!

Some are sleepy, some could madly 

       Dance away till dawn,

Lovely wings are folding sadly,

One small Ant was seen to yawn.

Now the great big Moon is sinking

         And goodbyes are said,

Darkness spreads, and some are thinking,

"Who will light us home to bed?"

Hand quilted using pearl cotton and large stitch,

my favourite method.

There was quite a long autumn in out part of the world, but in November we were hit by a very cold spell, which thankfully didn't last too long. 

The weather is back to being more autumnal, with lots and lots of rain and many local floods.

These are some pictures from our cold walk on Mendip Hills last month.

in the sun

 

and in the shade

When out and about this week we popped into Stourhead Gardens;

feeling the cold from the lake; sun is rather a rare sight at the moment.

 Wrong time of day for Christmas lights unfortunately, 

but I do prefer to be warm indoors when it gets dark.

There is always the pub to get warm in !

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2023

October Break

in South Wales - part 2

There is another place  I would like to share with you -

St Fagans National Museum of History 

(or Museum of Welsh Life - an open air museum) near Cardiff.

The Museum is in the grounds of St Fagans Castle and gardens, late 16th century manor house, which was donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth in 1948.

Here over 50 historical buildings, including a medieval church, shops, farm houses, toll house, hotel among many, from all over Wales, have been re-built, and the project is still not yet finished.

We were lucky that we had a bright and sunny day for our visit;

I leave you to enjoy the walk:

The beautiful modern wool applique wall hangings in Llys Llywelyn - 

medieval prince's meeting hall, which depict parts of Welsh history,  were apparently designed by local school children.

This is a wonderful place, set in beautiful grounds - 

not to be missed if you ever happen to be in the area.

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2023

October break

in South Wales - part 1.

Last week we spent some time away, staying in a holiday cottage, 

overlooking Dunraven Bay .

The land in the distance is probably the coast of North Devon. 

Beautiful beach for walks, 

and exploring.

There in the woods, behind the cliffs, are the remains of Dunraven Castle; 

today there are only small remains of walls, but the walled garden is still maintained.

 

Despite the very bad weather forecast for the whole week, we had some dry, but dull days, which enabled us to explore (not so great for taking pictures);

we visited the small market town of Cowbridge,

where just behind the busy High Street you can find small oasis - 

 Physic Garden, full of medicinal plants.

Not far from Cardiff is a property owned by the National Trust -

Dyffryn Gardens.

Unfortunately the house is closed for repairs,

but we spent lots of time wondering around the gardens,

enjoyed lunch in the restaurant, and spent some money in the second hand book shop.

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2023