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