Just a few photos for you, Ant!! Enjoy yourselves in Cambodia and keep putting the photos on your blog!!!

Just for you, Antoinette and Gemma- to put you in the Christmas mood!!
Below is the nativity you sent from Mexico, Ant!

I've just finished decorating the tree - I think it looks lovely and has lots of the decorations on it from when you were little!!

Grandad and Uncle Keith!!

These were taken on Sunday at Grandma and Grandad - Bev is getting excited !!

Ethan took a fancy to Grandad's chair!

Grandma and Elaine - you can just see Elaine's new engagement ring!

I'll try to remember to take lots of photos at Christmas, Ant, so you can see what we're up to but I'm sure you'll have a great time in Cambodia. You must send lots of photos too!!

I've been looking at photos to update my blog and came across these that Antoinette sent from Mexico a couple of years ago. They were caterpillars that decided to make their home in her garden but unfortunately she didn't see them hatch out!! quite a few of them though!!

I thought this may make a good drawing/still life subject for one of our 'art' sessions?? The spools could be changed depending on the colours required but could be quite a good . if difficult, subject!!

Just a short post as we're out to lunch now!!

Not much to report this time - I saw your message, Ant, so here are a few photos to keep you quiet. I keep forgetting to take many though!! This is a photograph taken at the far end of the lake near us. Sam and I parked and walked for an hour - lots of birds - ducks, herons,a jay etc. etc.

I've not done a lot of sewing recently as Mum and Dad came over for a few days so we've been out and about. I'm still pleased with how it's going but will have to decide how far to take it - don't want to overwork it as I like the simplicity and the danger is stopping too late - or too soon - could do with meeting friends to have their input!!

We've another 2 weeks over here so hope to do a lot more before I go back to Guernsey - on this as well as the other piece . The weather has turned a lot colder over the past couple of days and it's lovely to light the fire and sit sewing. We are still walking a lot - to compensate for the delicious food and wine!! Lots to do!!

In France

As you complained about my lack of blogging, Ant, I am putting a few photos on for you to see. It takes an age, though, as we're not on broadband here!! Sam is enjoying himself in the garden - lots to do whilst I cook and sew to my hearts content!! The walnut tree hasn't produced may nuts this year - it was a bumper year last year so it's having a rest!! We're quite relieved really as we spent a month last October gathering nuts and ended up with sack fulls!! This year there are just enough for us to use this winter.
We've had a lovely few days and went to Val Andre this morning- walked the cliffs to Dahouet and across the beach - sat outside in a cafe and watched the world go by whilst drinking chocolat chaud - lovely way to spend a Sunday morning!

Haven't lit the fire much yet but it's a nice thing to do on a wet day!!
These are the indigo dyed pieces I'm working on at the moment. I used wax as a resist before dying this one and am now quilting it - very subtely with red thread - doing my usual thing of just seeing where it takes me.

I tied this fabric into a parcel before dying it - the parcel was too tight and didn't let much dye through but has given an interesting effect - I love all the crinkles and am enjoying playing with lines!!
They are quite large so will keep me busy for some time!!
This is one for you, Gemma. Poking its head out of a barn - just down our lane - so cute and just a tiny kitten.
The farmers are cutting all the maize by us at the moment - huge machinery which clears whole fields so quickly. We are getting views back - before we couldn't see across the countryside for miles as we an usually because the maize grows so tall. We're going for lots of walks as I'm determined not to put on weight whilst over here as I did last year - it's a struggle though as I do have a sweet tooth!!
I'll try to update this more often, Antoinette - before you get on to me again!!!!!

We've just come back from spending 4 days in Herm at the White House hotel - a lovely break. the Battle of Britain annual air display was on whilst we were there - the views were a bit distant but i took a few photos of the red arrows. We stood on a hill above the hotel - quite a climb up but well worth the views! The photo below is from our hotel room looking north.

The view north from the hotel look out point where we stood to watch the air display.
Chanook (don't know how to spell it) helicopter and condor!



I'm going to try to turn this view into a contemporary embroidery!!!

When we arrived at Belvoir, we were the only ones on the beach until about 10.30 am - then there were only about 20 people there all day. I had 2 swims in my own private beach pool!!!

A view from Herm looking towards home - just behind the trees!!!
View from our hotel room looking west.
We had a lovely break - lots of walking, food and wine!! We're off to France next so I have to sort out my textile work and decide what to concentrate on whilst in France. I think I'll take indigo dye stuff, discharge stuff, silk paints and wax pot and see where I go from there!! Hope you like the photos Ant and Gemma - bring back holiday memories?

I tried to edit the wedding blog I posted last week and ended up deleting the lot - so here are a few different wedding photos!! The men all looked very smart . Antoinette and Gemma's friend, Helen were bridesmaids and both looked beautiful. You can see one of the bags I made hanging on Antoinette's right arm. You can tell Ant and Gemma are sisters - both have the curly payne hair!!
This photograph shows Mum, Gareth, Antoinette, Tim, Gemma,Myself, Sam and Dad.
This is a picture of the Payne side of the family-unfortunately, Antoinette and Gareth are missing.
This is a ckose up to show my hat - it was made for me by a local milliner and was a real work of art. Gemma helped to choose the style and I was delighted with the end result! The photo is of myself with my niece, Rachael.
Gemma and Tim outside the church- I had an old horseshoe from one of Tim's horses so I covered it in ribbon and stitch small white sea shells onto it - we collected the shells in Herm last year! I also made Gemma's small jacket which she wore for the church service.

This photo was taken as everyone threw rose petal confetti at the same time - it looked lovely!
Antoinette helped hand out the rose petals to everyone as they came out of the church. Antoinette was a real hero during the week before the wedding - helped cook, clean and prepare various bits for the wedding.
Sam and I looking very relieved that the day was going smoothly - after all my needless worries!!
This is a photo of Gemma's godmother (our friend), Diane, who was such a help in the lead up to the wedding - kept me sane most of the time!!
It was a lovely day and it's now back to normal. I'm looking forward to going to Herm for 3 days next week - a treat after all the wedding hype. We are also going to France towards the end of the month and can't wait to get there - I want to get going on various sewing projects but have to decide what to concentrate on first! After visiting the Quilt Show at the NEC a couple of weeks ago I'm full of inspiration but should really set something out on paper first - something I'm not very good at as I'm too impatient to plan properly and end up with too many confused ideas - not getting started on any one thing properly!! Help!!