Look what the snow has done to my garden swing



The first day's snow has landed.




After two weeks of snow which froze my poor garden swing canopy surrended to the inevitable.  Lots of gutters and drain pipes have also come down.  We've been lucky in that respect but had some rather dangerous looking icicles hanging from the our gutters.



My first attempt at making snap bags using bits of metal tape from one of those carpenters retracting rules.  Keith was very good he gave up one of his many metal tapes without too much arm twisting.  My friend Ann sent me the pattern and although I can't actually share that with you I could if any one is interested show you how the metal tape acts as a snap fastener.

I admit that the cold weather has made me want to hibernate but once I found a warm spot to sew in I made this lap quilt.  I wanted one to throw ovr the settee that I could whip off and wrap myself up in when the NE wind whistled round the doors.

This is a close up of the quilt pattern.  Pretty easy stuff but its a while since I made anything larger than a placemat so I was quite pleased with it.  I cut out the squares and circles using my Go cutter and found it really easy to use.   I'm hoping for more dies for christmas, so do you hear me Santa I've been a good girl?

The back of the quilt is fleece and I had several bits left over, enough for this small cushion and perhaps a larger one.  I used left over strips from the quilt border to match with the quilt.   Now all I have to do is keep the dog off it.



It's been really cold over the past few weeks and taking Buster for his walks has been a real effort.   He loves to run but the only places you can let him off the lead are all about a mile away from home.   So its quite an effort getting to the start of the walk.  Buster didn't mind in the least, he loves the snow, thinks its good to eat but is puzzled by the yellow bits, he has to inspect every one!!.  

Yesterday we took a walk across the fields, big mistake, I was knee deep in snow, over the top of my wellies and Buster leapt about like a demented rabbit. The snow was so deep it came half way up his back and he kept getting lost in snowdrifts. Back home I was cold, wet and short of breath, he fell asleep immediately and snored the rest of the morning away.   We've had several days without post and I felt sorry for the postman yesterday when he did get through as his bag looked very heavy.  We've now had two days where the temperature has been above freezing  but this has made walking treacherous. Today Buster's walk was cut short, very short as I came a cropper within five minutes of stepping over the doorstep.  Not hurt, apart from my pride, I just got a wet bottom and a warm lick from Buster.