Orchid Update

Well it looks like the new year will be a busy time for us. Our little Orchid has an expanding wasteline and feeding stations!! She is expecting a litter of pups to Sh Ch Erinderry Just the Ticket from Bluewaters JW. She is due to whelp on 22/23rd January.

Chatelaine Peacock Garden - Finished!!!

Major celebration tonight with this years mystery piece finished. There must be around 400 hours work in this piece spread over the last 12 months, along with dog shows and a little puppy lately. Now for some relaxing time and puppy training over Christmas, and fingers crossed for Orchid as to whether there will be the tiny patter of little paws in late January - fingers crossed

Chatelaine Peacock Garden - part 11

Here we are, just in time for part 12 coming out. Not much time for stitching at the moment with Clover running around, but a few quite hours and I've got it done. Roll on part 12 and a completed piece by the end of December :)

New member of our family....

Introducing Clover....

A long awaited for addition, Clover is related to Orchid and Willow. Willow's mother is Clover's great grandmother, and her grandad is Orchid Dad, so she is definately one of the family. Her dad took Reserve CC at Crufts this year and is an international Show & field trial Champion abroad. We are waiting for confirmation of her registered name, but hopefully it is Amirene Trefle a la Creme. She has settled in very quickly with her new family and found the bottom of the coffee table a great place to chill out for 5 mins.
Looks like I'll not be doing much stitching for a while.......

Chatelaine Peacock Garden - Part 10

Well its 10 parts done and only 2 left to go before this one is completed. The beads are added too, so its looking really sparkly already.

Driffield Champ Show - 01.10.10

I forgot all about posting the results of this show up. We had a very wet day at Wetherby racecourse and the ground became very muddy!! Anyway the dogs managed to stay clean long enough to be show.
Orchid was placed 4th in the GR Yearling Bitch class and 5th in the Good Citizens Bitch class.
Brook was placed 4th in the Post Graduate dogs and 2nd in the Good Citizens Dog class. So all in all despite the rain and mud we had a successful day.
We have one more champ show left this year at Newark, then Orchid is to be mated and hopefully have a litter of pups. Brook will be working over the winter, beating/picking up for a local shoot, then his next show appearance will be Crufts 2011.

Wiehenburg Sampler Contest 2010 - HD

Finally got the letters stitched onto this tonight to my liking, so I've just uploaded the photos. The colour is quite different where the flash was used against the no flash picture so I've put both up.
 

The design was stitched on 32ct Black Belfast linen using Kaalund yarns silk thread in Silky Oak & Guava colurs, 1 skein of each. I'm really very pleased with the way this has come out. The initials stand for Beaupippin Retrievers, the kennel name of my goldies that I show & breed.

Chatelaine Peacock Garden-part 9

Another catch up job here. I completed the part before we went away on holiday but didn't have time to upload it to the computer, so here it is, done & beaded for this month.

Glendale Show - 30.08.09

I'm a bit behind updating my blog, but here goes.
At Glendale show, I won Best Exhibit in the Baking section, and both my Chatelaine & Cross stitch won there classes. Brook also won Reserve Best in Show in the Companion Dog Show. Pics are in the slide show on the right.

Whittingham Show - 21.08.10

Well the sun shone today for a change, and my baking was again successful. My Quiche not only won its class but took the Trophy for Best Exhibit in the Industrial Section, and I also won the Most points in this section.
In the Companion dog show, Brook was 2nd in the Open Class and Willow was 2nd in the Veterans. She also enjoyed a run around the Agility Display Course that was set up and the applause she got for it. Not bad for 2 weeks short of being 8 years old.
Pics of the exhibits in the side display.

Glanton Show -14.08.10

Well its now the season for the country shows and Glanton was my first this year. A very successful day with a Best Exhibit in Handicrafts for my Chatelaine-The Kings Veg Garden, Most Points in the Baking section and Orchid won Best In Show in the Companion Dog Show. So 3 Trophies to bring home!
See the picture show at the side for pics of my exhibits.

National Gundog Champ Show-Malvern-7/8/2010

What a fab day we had at this show. After a 2am alarm call to travel down to the show, Orchid was in the ribbons with a 2nd in the Golden Retriever Junior Bitch class and then went on to Win the Undergraduate GR Bitch to our amazement. Its such a special feeling when the little pup that you have bred and nursed through those early days goes on to win a class at a Championship show. We are so proud of her.
Brook not to be outdone went on to get a 2nd in the GR Good Citizen Dog class (they have to have their Bronze or higher Obedience award to enter this class) so we were thrilled with him too.
A long journey back home but it seemed to fly when I was on cloud 9!

Peacock Garden- Part7

Here's where we are up to with the peacock garden. Just finished part 7, so still managing to keep up with it along with everything else I'm doing at the moment!

And here is what the whole pice looks like so far.

Leeds Championship Show - 25.07.10

Another Fab day for the show team. Orchid was placed 5th in the Junior Golden Retriever Bitch class, a very strong class of 19 entrants, and 4th in Undergraduate GR bitch. Brook was shown by his breeder for the first time in Post Graduate GR Dog and came out with 3rd and his Crufts Qualifier. :)) 
Thats all 3 qualified for Crufts 2011! what an achievement, I'm so proud of them all :)

Cleveland County Show - 24.07.10

Well the sun shone on us today. Orchid won the Golden Retriever Junior & Post Graduate class, and Brook took 2nd in the Open GR Classs. Orchid then went on to the Best of Breed, her 2nd this month!
She's certainly done well so far this month. Tomorrow we travel to Leeds for a Championship show with Orchid & Brook, so fingers crossed for both of them.

East of England Champ Show - 11.07.10

Well my long journey down to Peterborough was well worth it this weekend. My little star - Orchid was placed 3rd in Junior Golden Retriever Bitch with another Crufts qualifier. We then went on to the Junior Bitch stakes, any variety of Gundog or Utility Breed. To my amazement we were placed 2nd! What a little star she is and she wasn't phazed by the high temps and strong winds down there bufferting the marquees either. Next week we are at Leeds, taking Brook as well, so fingers crossed.

Hawick Open Show-Kelso 04.07.2010

Major smiles all around today as not only did Orchid win her Junior Golden Retriever class, but also took the Post Graduate class and then went on to get her first Best of Breed overall. Poor Brook beaten by his little sister, he took 2nd in the Open retriever class, but he says he takes all credit for teaching her properly!!! hum, nothing to do with the hours I've put in with both of them!

Peacock Garden - Part 6

I've finally got around to updating my blog, so here is this months part of my Chatelaine.

The 'Thing' that has taken up all my spare time this month started with taking over my old neighbours derelict veg garden and transforming it into something tidy and usefull!

The garden is all set now with Veg and I eagerly await the produce now.....yummy!

Chatelaine Peacock Garden-part 5 completed.

Finally I have found a few hours this week to get this months part completed. What with the sunny weather and going away for a break, Dog shows etc this piece has been rarther forgotton about. Anyway, here are the first two proud peacocks sitting in their garden. I have also added the beads too.

Orchid qualifies too

Not to be outdone by her mother, Orchid managed to get the 3rd place in the GR Junior Bitch class at Scottish Kennel Club Champ show today which gived her Crufts 2011 qualification. It was a hard class and I never thought she would get placed with the judge we had and the fact she isn't in full coat yet, but placed she did. I'm one very happy bunny today!

A break from the norm...

A change of scenery was just what the dogtor ordered... Brook & I have been away for a few days in the caravan up in the Cheviot Foot Hills and spent every day out walking. We had a fab time and thoroughly enjoyed our break away from it all.

Crufts Qualified.....but who?

At the Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria, all three of my dogs were shown, the two girls both in qualifier classes, and a certain lady was placed 3rd qualifier, but it wasn't Orchid....it was her Mum!!!!
Willow hasn't been shown at Champ level since 2004, and this year I have shown her 3 times in the Veteran bitches, this time was her lucky 3rd attempt, and bless her she showed her socks off!  I think she is sick of being outdone by her daughter recently. I wasn't planning on showing her any more till later in the year as her coat is starting to drop now. Never thought I'd get another qualifier with Willow so late on in her life, she's meant to be retired now, what a way to do it!!

Peacock Garden - part 4 finished

Finally after a marathon month of stitching, I have finished part 4!

Now to start on part 5........

Peacock Garden - Part 4 progress

Well its half way through the month and I've only got a quarter of this months part done!I don't think I can ever remember such a big chunk in one month, so if your wondering why I've been so quite you can see why now.

I'm going to try and get another quarter stitched this weekend as I've only got a show on on Sunday morning this week, whereas I've been away the last two weekends at Champ Shows. Unfortuantely Orchid has now lost her coat so wont be doing very well in the next shows unless the judges take it into consideration.

SEBA SAL - Finished Piece

Here we are, the finished piece. Its been quite enjoyable stitching this as a change from all cross stitch. I managed to complete the piece with just 2 skiens of Dragon Floss used and fabric out of my stash, so no expense on this piece bar the framing...at some time this year...
Now I must get onto this months part of the peacock Chatelaine.....

Scottish Breed Championship Show - 27.03.10

Today was Orchids first time in Golden Retriever Junior Bitch's at Championship level. She will be in this class now until she is 18 months old, she is actually only just 12 months this week. To my surprise she managed to get 5th place which is very respectable for what she is up against in respect of age and maturity of the older girlies.
We have another Championship show next weekend in Yorkshire and one the following weekend in Scotland, in which Orchid and her mother-Willow will be competing. Willow hasn't been shown at Champ level since 2004, so it will be interesting to see how she does. Brook is now out of coat (growing a nice new one in) so hopefully will be ready to show again mid summer.

SEBA Designs-SAL

Part 10 came out on Monday, and for some reason I didn't like it, I just felt that it didn't fit with the rest of the design, so pencil in hand, I charted something that I thought would fit better - you may not agree, but I'm happy with it now. There's just the border to stitch in next week and I'll have a finish this month :)

TUSAL update

My TUSAL update for this month - made up from Chatelaine Peaccock Garden & Mary Wigham orts this month.

Seba Designs SAL - part 9

Just a quick update of the Seba designs SAL part 9 completed. 1 more part and the border still to do. Watch this space.......

Crufts update

I'm pleased to say that Orchid was shortlisted in her class, but wasn't placed. Even to get this far is a great achievement especially when she will only be 1 year old tomorrow.

Unfotunately Brook didn't get anything but he still looked good and enjoyed himself.

Our next challenge is to get qualified for Crufts 2011..........

Crufts here we come!

Well its only 3 more sleeps before we will be at Crufts. Tonight I've spent the evening trimming Brook & Orchid, tomorrow afternoon when I get in from work they will be bathed, blown dry and groomed thoroughly. Bags also need packed for them all, along with dinners, our stuff and the show gear. Willow is travelling with us as far as my cousins, who we will stop with on Saturday night, before an early start to get down to Birmingham for around 8am.
Orchid is in the Golden Retriever Puppy Bitch & Junior Bitch classes, the 2 & 3rd classses, and Brook is in the Gamekeepers Working Dog class for pickers up/beaters with Retrievers. I'm not expecting getting anything with either of them, but Frank Kane, who's doing some of the commentry on More 4 Crufts Tv programme this week actually gave Brook his qualifier, so he can't be that bad a dog!
Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for us all, and I'll post pics when we return, DH is under strict instructions to take loads of pics!!

SEBA SAL - part 8

Hers part 8 stitched up, we only have 2 parts and the border left now, so I should have a finish in the next month :))

Peacock Garden - part 3

Here we go, part 3 stitched already. I'm really loving this piece and love the large Jessica stitches we did this month. I've decided to stitch on some of the beads from the first 3 months as there are going to be sooooo many!

SEBA SAL - part 7

Part 7 stitched and I nearly forgot to add this weeks picture. Not the best photo but I couldn't be bothered to unroll it off the scroll bars as I was in a hurry to start this months part of Peacock Garden!

Mary Wigham - part 2&3

Since its the first of the month and the next part of the Chatelaine is out, I thought I would update you on the progress of Mary. I seem to be stiching from both parts 2 & 3 at the moment as I'm trying to complete the motifs along the top and down the sides as their seems to be a few mistakes on the charts? Anyway, here is my progress so far. I don't know why, but I am really enjopying this project.

Billingham Synthonia Dog Club Open Show 28.02.10

Orchid has had a great day today at the show. She won the Golden Retriever Puppy & Junior classes, gaining 2 Junior Warrant points in the process, then went Best Puppy in Breed and also took 3rd place in the Gundog Puppy Group. So proud of her, lets hope she keeps going well for a fortnights time when she struts her stuff at Crufts, fingers etc etc etc will be crossed that day!

Mary Wigham - part 1

Another piece that's been stitching away in the background. I tend to just stitch this piece on a weekend as its on 40 ct linen. Here the first chart completed anyway.

SEBA SAL - part 6

Here is this weeks part of the SEBA SAL.

St Sophia is finally Finished!

I started this piece in early 2007 as a Saturday project at Jaynes Attic shop, its been on weekend aways and travelled in my car for ages as something to do when spending the day away at shows etc. Unfortunately it just wasn't getting very far, so before Christmas it was brought into the house and put on the must stitch it frame! Anyway, here she is - FINISHED!! Hurrry, I'm dancing around the room. Yippee!!

Belated Family Christmas

Yesterday we travelled down to my old home town in Nottinghamshire to my Aunt & Uncles House. We left 2 inches of snow behind us, but the car managed to keep it on the bonnet & roof, and 165 miles later we arrived still with Northumberland snow attached, much to everyones amusement! The whole family of 14 and 4 dogs had lunch and tea together along with a lovely walk for those who wanted to. A few games played and then the Secret Santa presents. Instead of a Christmas Cake, my cousin Jacq had made a wonderfully decorated New Year cake. A family group photo was taken again as we don't know when we will get the whole family together again as the children are away at colleges & universities now. I took one of my Aunts & Uncle together with their grandaughters, Orchid thinks she was included in that bracket! We all set of for home late evening, and we landed home just on midnight. A long day but so lovely!

SEBA SAL - part 5

Here's this weeks part completed of this SAL.  

TUSAL update

Here is my first post of the TUSAL. My jar is a modern version of the old fashioned 'Kilner ' jars traditionally used for preserves. The Orts are made up from all my projects currently on the go - Chatelaines, St Sophia, Seba SAL, and Quakers.

Dog shows update

Well its been a busy weekend here this weekend. Yesterday was the Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria Open Breed Show. Brook managed 2nd in Yearling Dog & 4th in Graduate Dog, Willow 4th in Veteran Bitch, and Orchid was 3rd in Puppy Bitch, 3rd Junior Bitch and 4th Novice Bitch.
Today we have been to Jarrow and Hebburn all breeds open show. Orchid was 1st in GR Junior and 4th in GR Graduate, also winning best Puppy in Breed, so another good day for her. The other two stayed and home and had a lie in....wish I coud have joined them. Now we are off out for a nice walk before settling down after Sunday Dinner to do some stitching. Bliss...

Brook celebrates his 2nd birthday

Well as they say, ever dog has his day, and today is Brooks. What better way to celebrate than with his 2 best friends and a cake! (which didn't last long between the 3 of them)

After the party I managed to get this weeks part of the SEBA SAl stitched up too.

SEBA designs SAL

Here's a little blackwork SAL I have joined in on. The link to the website is here:
http://www.sebadesigns.com/

Here are the first 3 parts stitched up. I am using Polstitches fabric - 'Chilblains' and threads - 'Blessings & Smokin Needles'. The parts are weekly and don't take long to stitch up so do please visit the site and may be join in too.

Chatelaine Peacock Garden - part 2

Well here it is. It wasn't a big part of stitching to do, managed it in 4 evenings! I'm sure as it progresses we'll get a lot bigger parts to do!!!
I now have the beads and crystals for this, so I'm thinking of putting some of the little beads onto this as I go to save time later, and it will total several hundred at the end of the year.

Border Counties Gundog Open Show - 31.01.10

Well after the snow we had on Saturday, quite out of the blue the depth we got, I never made it to the show I was entered at, but by Sunday the roads had been cleared and we were able to get across to Carlisle.
Orchid managed a very respectable 3rd in GR Puppy class and 2nd in both GR Junior Bitch and Novice classes. Brook unfortunately slipped and fell in the ring and on his run around seemed a bit lame so had to be withdrawn :(   but by the time we came home he appeared sound again and only his pride was hurt.

Part 2 of the Peacock Garden Chatelaine was released last night, so that piece is back on the frame now. This will be my priority piece for the start of the month, then onto something else, maybe some more of Mary Wigham or St Sophia, decisions, decisions!!!

Mary Wigham Sampler

I've finally decided on my colour choice for this sampler. Shades of Lilac on 40ct Edinburgh linen (maybe I'm being a bit ambitious with 40ct!!) This is the first motif stitched, and I'm going to try and do 1 a week to get this project finised this year. I think 1 a week will be all my eyes can cope with on this count!!!
Now I need to get back to St Sophia over the weekend as from Monday part 2 of my Chatelaine will be out ready for stitching...oohh the excitement of it all. :))

Chatelaine Peacock Garden Part 1 completed

Well here's the first part of this years Chatelaine stitched. The gaps left are for the beads and bicones which will be added at a later date.
The bottom picture shows a close up of part of the design.
Now I'll just have to get back to St Sophia now as part 2 isn't avaialble till beginning of February.

Chatelaine Mystery 13- Peacock Garden

Well those that know me, know I like stitching Chatelaines designed by Martina Webber. Well this year is no different. I've signed up to do this years mystery as the pull of the 'Peacocks' drew me to it.
I've decided this year that instead of sending for the thread kits from America with all the speciality threads in, I would do the bulk in the DMC threads that are cross referenced, use the caron Waterlillies, and Perle threads as per original kit and of course the metallic thread and beads. I'm hoping this saves me a small fortune too!

Anyway, I made a start on it yesterday afternoon, and again this afternoon/evening and here is my progress so far.

Sewing update

Here where I'm up to with St Sophia. Unfortunately over Christmas & the New year I came down with Bronchitis, so I was forced to stay inside and keep warm with my sewing for company....what a pity. LOL.

I'm going to make a start this weekend on the Chatelaine Mystery 13 for this year which is 'peacock' based. I've got my fabric now, and instead of sending to America for the complete kit, I'm just going to use the DMC equivalent with the recommended Caron Waterlillies thread- which I love. I'm hoping it will still look ok, but I just can't justify the expense of the recommended threads/kit this year, so this will be know as my recession buster piece. As the charts are released a bit every month, I'm hoping to still be able to stitch St Sophia in between the releases, if I can keep up!!

New Years Day Snow.

New Years day brought us around 5 inches of snow, which for us living on the coast is a rarity. The dogs thought it was great fun, who says snow is just for kids!!! Here is Brook and Orchid having a truly mad time in it, just wonder how long it will last for now?