Rowan Tree Cottage

Do you remember the tapestry teapot chair I had so nearly finished but was looking for the right shade of pink rick rack? Well I gave up on the pink and found a gold braid. Perfect! Its amazing what you can buy online when you are unable to use the shops. In the garden radishes, carrots, spring onions, beetroot, yellow beans, kale and lettuce have gone outside.  Inside courgettes, peppers and tomatoes. The Amazons Nancy and Peggy Blackett (from Swalllows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome) are wearing the red hats and the D's Dorothea and Dick Callum (from other Arthur Ransome books in the series) are all wearing new cardigans now. I'm so happy to see them cosy in this changeable weather. The weather is cooler and breezier today bringing some much needed rain overnight. Hopefully it will make it easier for people to stay inside. Most people are abiding by the rules. The word Corvidiots has been invented for those who are going to public places and not keeping ...

I woke up this morning hoping that Corona was all some kind of joke. When this first started I would wake thinking the world was normal for a few moments before this new reality hit. My mindset has changed! My subconscious has accepted this new reality. I’m 18 days into social distancing and 9 days into lockdown. This acceptance has taken a while! lol I’ve been keeping busy working on the house. The new lighting is in the right position in the craft room. We've been taking advantage of our bedroom being almost empty above to get those long put off tasks done. I’ve started making cardigans for my 4 Arthur Ransome dolls. 2 down 2 to go. They also have a second bag for their accessories. Oh yes 2020 is the year I’m trying to get more organised! Out of left over 4 ply from socks, I’ve been making Sindy and Barbie things. It’s very satisfying to use up the small amounts of left over yarn. Nothing was wasted in the war, and this current war is against an invisible enemy...

There have been some secret makes in March which I couldn't share until now.  4 cute trousers and cardigans for a friend with 4 special Unicef dolls named after the Walker children in Arthur Ransome's Swallow and Amazons series.  4 crocheted decorations.  My version of a bright and cheerful kingfisher. I think he's a little plump! A crocheted onion holder or even a project bag.  At long last our bedroom walls are painted plain clean fresh white. It feels lovely!  More painting! This morning I painted the inside of the herb bed green to match the outer. It was too full to paint last Summer. Nice to have that little tail end of a job done while the sun is shining. I came across the buried slab when wondering why the grass wasn't draining properly in all the rain we had. I decided to leave it in but expand the lavender bed up to it. I had some of last year's lavenders which needed to come out of the blue pots. The bees will love it! The geranium is...