Sewing update - Moonlit Orchid is finished!

Finally got a bit of time to get on with this today, so here it is-finished!
I'm going to make it into a bell pull, but as yet I don't have the bits to do it so it will have to go away in the drawer until i get them.

Livingston Canine Society Open Show-Bathgate, Scotland

A very cold frosty start for our journey up to this show. It was touch and go as to whether we went up or not, but we did. The roads were clear but icy until we reached Livingston, and saw how much snow there had been. Luckily the roads were ploughed and gritted, but the area was under over 6 inchs of snow. Anyway, we made it in to the show and Orchid did extremely well again, winning the Golden Retriever puppy, Junior and Novice classes to our amazement at still only 9½ months old. She also collected another couple of points towards her JW. I have to say that this was the coldest day I have ever shown dogs on, and with air temp of -7 we were perished. Still we had 2 hours to travel back in the car and a happy contented glow to warm us up.

Sunderland Open Show - 20.12.2009

After going 'beating' with Brook yesterday and getting caught in the snow blizzard trying to get home, I didn't think we would get to this show today, let alone even get home last night. I've never been as frightened as I was yesterday afternoon, not being able to see where I was going or even keep the car going where I wanted to go!  Anyway after 2 hours we made it home, safely with my car in one piece, just as well as I only got it back on Tuesday!
Today we carefully set off for Jarrow and the roads were much improved. Orchid won both the GR Puppy and Junior classes and Best puppy in breed. Unfortunately she wasn't placed in the group, but did go on to win the Any Variety Gundog puppy class. Brook managed to get a 3rd in the GR Graduates, but was slightly stiff and had a grazed inside hind leg from yesterday which I think was a bit tender for him. Orchid also won 3rd in the Any Variety Puppy bitch stakes and her mother, Willow, won the AV Veteran bitch stakes to my surprise. So all in all we have had a rather eventful weekend.

Stitching update 13.12.09

Moonlit Orchid is now well under way (in fact I've probably reached the half way stage!) It's a real joy to stitch with an easy goal of just stitching a band a night, which is probably why its getting stitched up so quickly. Its going to be made into the bell pull variation once finished, but I need to get a hanger to suit it yet.

Midland Golden Retriever Chanp Show - Coventry - 6.12.09

Another busy weekend with a trip down to Coventry for Orchid only, around 500 miles round trip! Orchid was in strong competition but did manage a very respectable 5th in Puppy Bitch class.The Bitch puppy that won the class also managed to gain her Junior title & stud book number, so that gives you an idea of what the competition was like.
On the down side though, my car was bumped outside my cousins house before we left, so it looks like I'm going to have to get a courtesy car arranged through the insurance, and hopefully get it fixed before my next shows. Why does it have to happen just before Christmas! At least the dogs & I were safe.

Major Happy Dance

Finally finished adding all the beads & crystals to this piece, there must of been thousands....well it felt like it anyway. There are more pics and close ups of the beads in place in my webshots album  http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/558658351LVcuF

Cleveland Open Dog Show - 29.11.09

Well the weather was foul today making a nasty journey down to Cleveland, but Orchid came back triumphant. We managed to win both the Puppy and the Junior Golden Retriever classes with Best Puppy in Breed as well. Onto the group stages, we were in the Gundog Puppy group and managed a very respectable 2nd in group. This is Orchids first placing at group level, and we are so proud of her. Next week we travel down to Coventry for a Retriever Championship show, so its fingers crossed again.

Stitching update - 24.11.09

Well, where has the time gone?
My Quaker Diamonds kit has finally arrived safely from America and is now put away in the stash chest.
I'm busy every night during 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here' frantically stityching the beads onto my Chatelaine. The last ones should be on tonight, then I just need to add the Bicones, cubes and other bigger bedas and its done! I've sorted the materials out for my 'Moonlite Orchid' piece, just needed to order some fabric and a few beads in, so they should be here when I get home tonight. This is my next piece to stitch and the fingers are twitching to get on with it, but the Chatelaine must be finished first! hopefully my next update will be of the complted piece, watch this space....

Ashington & District Open Show

Orchid has her very first class win in the Golden Retriever Puppy class and gets the Best Puppy in Breed award too. This also gets her her first point towards her Junior Warrant title. We need to get 25 in total, and 3 have to come from a Champ show, so its going to be hard work!
Brook was placed 2nd in the Yearlings, and 2nd in the Graduate class. I only showed him today as the judge has my old dog-Brackens half brother, so I thought she would like him too, which she obviously did. He's looking forward to working next Saturday now.

Gundog Breeds of Scotland Champ Show -14.11.09

Another good day of results for the Beaupippins.
Orchid was placed 5th in GR Minor Puppy Bitch and in a large Stakes class of all Gundog breed Puppy Bitches came away with a remarkable 5th. She's not quite 8 month old yet and has had a remarkable first 2 months in the show ring.
Brook was placed 2nd in GR Yearling Dogs and gained another Crufts qualifier, and a 4th in GR Graduate dogs. A really good result for him. He is going to go working over the winter now, beating for a local shoot which he really enjoys and it will give him a rest from the show ring after such a busy year.

Chatelaine Mystery 9 - Le Potager du Roi - part 12

A major milestone tonight! I have finally finished the stitching on this piece. Phew! Just need to start adding the few hundred beads to it now. I'm still on target to have it finished by Christmas too!(Just in time for next years mystery starting!)

Orchid Qualifies for Crufts 2010

Today at Midland Counties Championship Show, Orchid was placed 2nd in the Minor Puppy Bitch class. A terrific result for her at only 7 months old and this gives her a qualifier for Crufts 2010 which we are thrilled about. She is the first dog we have bred ourselves to have qualified. The bubbly cork has now popped and we are celebrating...

North West Golden Retriever Breed Open Show-Stockport - 18.10.09

After an overnight stay at Sheffield with my cousin & family we went onto Stockport today for a breed open show with success all round.
Brook - 1st Yearling Dog, 4th Graduate Show
Willow - 1st Veteran Bitch
Orchid - 2nd Minor Puppy Bitch, 4th Maiden Bitch
Willow was unfortunately beaten by the veteran dog for best veteran in show. Its so long ago since she was last out at a breed show her results came as a great shock to us all.
We are all in need of rest & sleep now, around 550 miles I've driven this weekend, so even the car is ready for a rest!!
I'm taking tomorrow as holiday so I intend to sit with my feet up and stitch all day!

Northern Golden Retriever Club Champ Show-Newark 17.10.09

Another successful day for Brook with a 4th place in the Yearling Dogs class.He is consistently picking up Champ Show placings so hopefully he is getting noticed now and will go onto greater things as he matures.
Unfortunately both Willow - Veteran Bitch, and Orchid - Minor Puppy Bitch came home unplaced this week, but live to fight another day.

Stash Enhancement! - Quaker Diamonds

Saw this today and decided I had to have it. I love the colours of it and the overall balance of the design. Not something I usually go for but this one has won me over. Just got to wait for postie bringing to me now

http://www.abcstitch.com/optioncart/image.php?id=703655&ret=http://www.abcstitch.com/subjects_php/subjects.php?page=1&all=yes&subject=Quaker?page=1&all=yes&subject=Quaker

Northern Counties Gundog Open Show

Today was Orchids first time at a general open show. At these type of shows her class is usually Golden Retriever Puppy. This mean dogs & bitches complete together and puppys range from 6-12 months in age, so there can be quite a big difference between them. Orchid held her own today and came home with a 2nd place to a dog that was nearly 12 months old, so I'm very pleased with her. Brook unfortunately wasn't placed today him his graded class.
Time now for a cuppa, then its up the fields with them all for a good run and roll in the mud probably!!

Alwinton Border Shepherds Show 2009

After two busy evenings baking, we arrived at the show this morning laden down with exhibits. This is the last of the shows this year held in the Cheviot foothill village of Alwinton. The show draws people from the borders of Scotland and north east England and is always well attended. There was even a visit of the North East Air Ambulance to whom the proceeds of the Dog show were being donated along with other collections throughout the show.

We had a very successful show, especially with my needlework. In the Dog Show, Brook won the 'dogs' class out of around 40 entries, Willow was unplaced in the 'bitches' class, and Orchid was 3rd in the Puppy class out of around 30 entries. Brook then went on to get the Best Dog overall award and a very large box of Bonio's!
Back home and its feet up for us all, though Brook seems to think he can have all the settee tonight!!

Photos of my exhibits with awards in screen show at the side.

Stitching Update.

Well after a busy weekend I have managed to find a few hours to make a start on part 12 of my chatelaine. I'm really looking forward to getting this finished now as I want to make a start on my new piece I have found called Moonlite Orchid by Patricia Ann Designs - see link below. I just need to get around to getting the threads ordered that I don't have in my stash.
http://www.crossstitchstuff.com/Products.aspx?Product=583

This weekend I'm going to Alwinton Show, which is the last show of the season up in the Northumberland hills. I'll be very busy baking on Thursday & Friday night for it as I am competing in the baking classes. I'll also take the dogs along for the day and there's a little dog show they can go in in the afternoon for a bit of fun.

Golden Retriever Club of Scotland-Open Show

After a rough blustery 2½ hour drive to Lanark beside Glasgow, the family performed well again.
Brook was 4th in GR Yearling Dog, 3rd Graduate Dog and
Orchid was 3rd Minor Puppy Bitch, 4th Maiden Bitch.
Willow just came for the ride! (all 5 hours of travelling!!)
Orchid is starting to settle in the ring now and hopefully in the next few months of more growing & showing will become a beautiful young lady...fingers crossed.

Driffield Championship Dog Show

Another good day for the Beaupippins.

Orchid was placed 5th in the Golden Retriever Minor Puppy Bitch class, and Brook gained a 4th place in the Golden retriever Yearling Dogs class.

Orchid has had a really good start to her show career with 3 placings now in her first 3 Champ shows. Goldies always get good entries in their classes so I'm so pleased that we are consistently getting placed.

Tomorrow we travel to Scotland for the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland Breed Open show. This will be Orchids first open show.

Chatelaine Mystery 9 - Le Potager du Roi

Finally got part 11 completed on this piece. 1 more part to go and then the centre piece to stitch and hundreds of beads to stitch on before it is finally completed

Finally started blogging

Finally I have got around to starting my Blog. My posts probably won't be daily as I'm so busy, but hopefully at least once a week.
From Dog shows to Needlework it will be here, as they say...watch this space..