WOYWW 617

 WE'LL KEEP A WELCOME IN THE HILLSIDES

WE'LL KEEP A WELCOME IN THE VALES.

Those words take me right back to my dear old dad singing in his male voice choir..good times. They sprang to mind as the weather means that the countryside is looking spectacular at the moment, it's amazing how a bit of sunshine and Spring weather can make you smile xx

I've been doing a bit of crafting but I can't show you most of it as it's for the competition, sorry, all will be revealed at some point!

I got quite a lot of stash out as I was looking for some things...

Guess what I'm making?
Lol, enough said eh? I was pleased with how this turned out! Talking of turning out, I have to thank you again Annie for those artery forceps, they are so useful and make some jobs easier to do xx

How many scissors does one crafter need? *cough*

It wasn't just me fiddling with things however....G had discovered some old tapes we shot when the boys were babies/toddlers, they were on VHS though, so that entailed a trip to the attic to find the machine...only there's a tape stuck in it (probably hadn't recovered from when Owen 'posted' a banana into it when he was 2!!)
Cue one husband having a lovely time trying to sort out machinery - and yes, he did, he's a tech wizard. The tapes were wonderful to see, some great memories xx

My SiL Jill has also been busy, her quilting skills are amazing:
How perfect is that? It makes my brain ache to think about how you even start a project like that never mind the precision required! It's fantastic Jill, well done you!

And the reason for today's lyrics? This is pretty much the view from our kitchen and it has been fab seeing everything sprout - the tulips in the pots and the gorse up on the hill:
The buzzards and red kites that nest up in the trees have been doing courting flights, circling up into the sky - it just makes you feel better xx

Have a great week everyone, hope you enjoy the Easter weekend xx







31 comments:

Lynnecrafts said...

Hi Jan, your garden’s looking good!
A nice surprise to see blogs up early. It was a glorious day today here as well.
I love your leek, It’s good to see G sorting out recalcitrant video equipment again, too!
I like Fiskars scissors too.
Take care, stay safe and happy WOYWW
Love
Lynnecrafts 4 (wheeee, the only way I’ll be this early 🤣)

Crafting With Jack said...

Hi Jane, your garden looks lovely, so nice to be sitting in the sunshine. I really love my Fiskars scissors. I have a small pair of spring ones and a dress making pair of spring loaded, but the dress making pair needs attention, they are not cutting well. I am not keen on leeks, but I like yours :) Happy WOYWW and Happy Easter Angela #5

Helen said...

That Jo will be giggling at your leek... great to see your garden and the view beyond sprouting into life again. Well done G! Helen #10

Sarah Brennan said...

What a great leek Jan! I keep meaning to ask my sister and her husband to transfer our VHS tapes onto DVD for us as they have all the equipment. It would be good to see those tapes again. Look forward to seeing the comp entries. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #9

Neet said...

WEll, it must be something to do with Wales as you have made a leek! I remember John, a Welsh guy at school used to always wear a leek in his jacket on St David's day, much to the wrinkling of noses from other members of staff. I await the big reveal!
Love that quilt and the view from your home ...
Hugs Neet 12 xx

Sue said...

Hi Jan, Garden is lovely. Certainly Spring has sprung.

You can nevr have too many scissors.

Well done your hubby for getting the tape out, so you could enjoy the videos.

Your sister in laws quilt is fab.

Happy WOYWW
Sue

Twiglet said...

Oh yes! It's lovely to see Spring sunshine and a bit of colour in the garden. Well done to the tech wizard - I bet it was wonderful to browse through those old tapes - happy days - I chuckled at the banana posting! AND what a wonderful leek - I'll say no more. xxx Jo

Lisa-Jane said...

The sun shining makes everything feel better doesn't it?! We're putting the Welsh house back on the market after the Easter holidays (I just couldn't get down before that even though I'm allowed) but it means I'll soon be passing by. Hopefully we can arrange a beach walk at yours or mine sometime soon. I loved the leek - it really made me laugh and I don't know why! How neat is that quilting too? What a talent she ism and G of course with his fixing. Stay safe and keep smiling, Lisa-Jane #3

Mary Anne said...

OMG! Your garden is what mine aspires to. It's freakin' awesome. I love it. Not sure what the two-toned tube is (a dog toy maybe?) but you and Julia are lime green twinsies this week, aren't you? Aiming to desk hop at lightning speed this week so I can get out in the sun and replenish my vitamin D!

Desk hopping on a sunny day!
Mary Anne (1)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Morning Jan, how fab is that leek, reminds me of costume making when my three were wee. Your SIL quilting is seamless, I had to zoom in as it looks like printed fabric Fantastic!!! The weather has been a treat, i'm glad I can now start enjoying mine after the past two years of work we have put into it. Your pots are looking blooming Jan. I need some dafs & tulip pots for next year, it's on my list. I did laugh about the video as my 2nd boy used to hide his toast crusts in ours hee hee.. You'll have a grand time discovering all that old footage. Enjoy the sunshine & Happy WoywW Hugs Tracey #7 xx
P.S Happy Easter too x

BJ said...

Oh Yes the sunshine does make everything better doesn't it. I can just hear the male voice choir now....sigh... Lovely leek! Super quilt and looks like your hubby is Mr fix-it like mine! BJ#13

Catriona said...

Green is the colour this week-I made bunting of a very vibrant shade! Your garden is so beautiful and the view to the hills is joyful. That’s a big leek and what patience you have to have made it. Happy competition sewing and well done to the tech genius.

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

Hi Lunch Lady Jan, what a wonderful read I just had catching up,on some of the previous post!
You’re art has certainly come a long way in last two posts especially like the birthday card in the last one! Think you’ve a good loose style for water colours, good balance, your project has me puzzled, no idea what that green white thing is going to be! both you and Julia are green today!
Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I'm definitely feeling upbeat too about the weather, Jan - it's so lovely to see nature springing back to life - your tulips are delightful! Funny how both you and Julia worked with that bright green colour this week! Your SIL's quilt is amazing! As for handyman husbands - they're definitely keepers! When I chose mine, it wasn't something that I considered - it just came as a bonus, but I'm beginning to see how valuable those technical and DIY skills are! I laughed at the banana story! Happy Easter! xx zsuzsa #22

Annie said...

I’m smiling at the thought of you using your artery forceps....I use mine every day so I just knew you’d find them helpful. You’re so right about the sunshine lifting our moods....it really does make us feel happier for sure. I love the leek and can’t wait to see the big reveal.
Hugs,
Annie x #14

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I agree just seeing the sun shine and the birds and plants coming back to life just makes everything a bit better. The forceps sound interesting and it's a fact we have to have scissors for every job so the more the better. Have a lovely crafty week and hopefully some sunshine too. Hugs, Angela x21x

Crafting With Jack said...

Hello again, apologies for misspelling your name, I don't know how that "e" got there!. Please send me your email and I will send you a copy of that plant sheet. They are designs that are commercial use so I am not breaking any rules by sending them to you. ANgela x #5

Anne said...

Hi Jan. Surprise I linked myself lol, after a word with Julia.
What a wonderful view from your kitchen, you lucky lady. I smiled at your story re the banana - we have similar stories. The quilt is beautiful, far beyond my capabilities, have you seen my pathetic attempt this week lol
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Anne x 29

Crafts in the Command Center said...

Beautiful photos as always. I did some gardening in our backyard too over the weekend - the weather was fabulous - but mine is a plant and pray situation. I've got quite the black thumb...Have a wonderful week. Dorlene #30

Shoshi said...

Lots of interest in this week's post, Jan. I think you are making a leek!! I've got a pair of Dad's artery forceps and they are useful for lots of things. Your garden is looking fabulous - almost Japanese in style. Your sister-in-law's patchwork certainly is gorgeous. Interesting that you've been resurrecting old tapes - I'm just backing up all Dad's old reel-to-reels and memories are flooding back here too.

Thank you for your visit. Blocking all the kitty embellishments really wasn't too hard a task. Doing them in batches it didn't take long, and my new blocking mats work an absolute treat - I can't imagine how I lived all those years without them! I actually photographed them using my dark red fleece blanket as a background but the black face does disappear a bit, I agree. Did you notice that it was the only one with its eyes closed?

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #20

Sue said...

Love your leek, is there going to be a full allotment? Don’t forget the horse tail, dandelions and a few rabbits and pigeons too...
The video recorder brought back memories. We had Lego in ours! Lovely memories. Happy Easter Jan with hugs from Sue #32 ( better late than never!) x

Julia Dunnit said...

You make me feel better. Glorious view from the sunny garden isn’t it. And of course you’re making a leek. What else would a woman in Wales who’s been locked down for a year want to make, it does you credit!

StampinCarol said...

Love your yard! And the quilt, beautiful!
Interesting desk with that stuffed ?.
Hope you have a wonderful Easter. Thanks for popping by!
Carol N #24

Kelly said...

Hi Jan!
Love the yard and that view to the hillside. I could enjoy a cup of coffee and that view. Go hubby for getting the tape out. Bob had to do that a time or two just because our system ate the tapes LOL. We still use our systems. We have vhs/ dvd combos connected in the office, the living room and the bedroom - though the one in the bedroom is hardly used unless the girls are here... so once every 3-5 years LOL

Love that quilt. Colorful diamonds! I need to get quilting again. Not just piecing tops lol.

Always love seeing your smiling face at my studio. Hugs & Creative Blessings ~Kel #27

sandra de said...

What a gorgeous view from your garden and the distant hill. Just lovely to see your part of the world. Your SIL quilt project is a stunner and I had a giggle over the comment about the banana posted in the VHS machine. I think we all have a similar moment. Have a lovely Easter and I hope you stay safe and have time to keep creating. (I have no idea what the green and white thingy is... must read all comments)
Sandra de @33

Stacy Sheldon said...

Oooh Spring has arrive in your garden :) Such a pretty sight to see Jan. ( here we have crocus up and daffodils trying) so tulips are a ways off still. :) ~Stacy #26

My name is Cindy said...

Hello there! Love your garden view, Spring is such a joyful hopeful time isn't it? I'm sorry you are a lightweight as far as scissors are concerned, I have more than that in the kitchen. So pleased your friend enjoyed her card. Happy Easter!! Have a good week, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindyxx #27

Susan Renshaw said...

The garden is looking lovely!
And your SIL's quilt is beautiful.
Love the leek!
Happy WOYWW!
Susan #18

Felicia said...

Hey O Jan!!! Making late rounds today as yesterday was a hectic day at work! Thank you as always for stopping in at my desk and leaving me such encouraging words!! You always put a smile on my face! Yes, I agree with you about friends and friendship....it is like GOLD....which is why I love all our art groups so much!! :) Uggghhh, I LOVE your sister-in-law's quilt top! It's simply gorgeous!!! I don't have that skill either, but at least you can sew!!! LOL I may be able to put a button on a shirt!!! LOL Your backyard oasis is LOVELY!! Everything is sprouting out and those tulips look beautiful!! One day I will have a yard again and will be able to have my own little oasis! Happy Happy Easter to you and yours and make it a beautiful weekend! Felicia #25

Eva said...

Dear Jan! We had two summer days too!

Your garden looks so pretty, the tulips are lovely.

How many scissors? Never too much! .-)

We have old tapes too. Can't see them...this is sad.
Enjoy yours!

Happy and hoppy Easter to all of you
Eva from Austria

Lindart said...

Hi Jan! What a lovely garden and view! I forget every year to plant bulbs. I want to, I think about it all fall, but never do it. It will definitely be in my BUJO next fall! I love all the potted plants you have. I don't know what the green and white thing is - here I would say it was a draft blocker for under the doors? I'm sure it's not that though! Good luck with your competition! Thanks for the good wishes re my jab. I hope it comes soon, but at the moment our city is out of vaccines...Thanks for your earlier visit, sorry I'm so late, have a great rest of the week! Lindart #28

WOYWW 769

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