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.