Yesterday we ventured to one of my favourite local places, Baddesley Clinton.

If you visit before the house is due to open, you can wonder around the grounds, and garden in relative solitude.  There are no crowds, and it's positively bliss.  Especially on such a glorious morning as yesterday.

There were lots of fluffy ducklings to count, basking in the sunshine.

Isn't it a beautiful place?

Violet and her dad had a go at Pooh Sticks.

If someone could come to my garden and recreate this little spot, I'd be most appreciative.

Just look at those Lupins. Beautiful.

oooooh, and those Irises and Aquilegias.

This is the side view of the house from the garden.

Violet admiring the garden, and telling me all about the roses she'd like to plant in our own garden.  She sounds like a budding Rachel De Thame.

Hope you liked the little tour.

We also did a butterfly hunt - I'll show you our finds tomorrow.

*

The sun has definitely got his hat on.

What a glorious day.

I couldn't resist taking some photos of a few flowers currently blooming in my garden.

They're really giving me so much pleasure.

We've got so many plans for the garden, but just haven't had the opportunity to get outside and start putting all our plans in to action.

I really should have taken some before shots.  Before I started chopping down trees, ripping brambles out, and digging out the World's largest weed patch.

I'm keeping everything crossed for this weather to continue in to the weekend.  My Green Fingers are itching to get back out in to the garden again.

Wonderful weekend wishes to you all.  I hope the sun shines and you can all get outside and enjoy your gardens.

*

Caroline Dress

The postie delivered me a package of pretty flowery fabric last week.

This one is called Caroline.

I couldn't wait to start sewing with it, so I cut out all the pattern pieces to make this lovely little girl's dress by Simplicity.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week was quite busy, and I only managed to grab a quick hour at my sewing machine on Friday.

Yesterday, I decided that the ironing could wait, my time would be much better spent, finishing off Violet's dress.

The rain even stopped long enough for me to take a photo of Violet wearing it.

I know she doesn't look very happy in this photo, but the sun was in her eyes.

This pattern was relatively easy to follow, though I will make myself extra little notes, which will help me when I come to make this again.

The only modifications I made were to add a few extra inches to the length because I wanted it a tad longer the pattern called for.  Also, I omitted the ribbon around the waist, and the little bows/ties on the top of each sleeve, as I didn't feel this dress needed them.

Violet's very happy with too, and wouldn't take it off for the rest of the evening. Apparently, she loves me making dresses for her.

Which, is a good job, because I've got this bright flowery fabric to make another.....

This one is a cotton Poplin called Gaga.

Fabrics: Caroline and Gaga were both purchased from Croft Mill UK Ltd. (£6.95 per metre).

Pattern: Simplicity #1452 (I made view A, age 6)

*

Comfy bottoms

When you've got a derrière the size of mine, you'd think I'd have sufficient padding required to sit on French Bistro style chairs in the garden.

But, then I think, life's too short for uncomfortable bums......

Yesterday's make: two squishy, stripy garden seat cushions.

Fabric: Rivoli Stripe in Natural, £12 per metre from John Lewis.

*

Kit, Cub or Pup?

Whatever name you like to give a baby fox.  Love them, or hate them.  They are the cutest darn things when they're running, and frolicking around in your back garden.

There are actually two fox cubs, but they were shooting all over the garden, it was too hard to photograph both together.

You'll have to excuse the quality of the photos.  It was raining, about 8:15pm last night, and they were in the bottom part of the garden, whilst I was behind the kitchen door. 

Here's mum.

We see Mr & Mrs Fox quite a lot throughout the day, but this is the first time in the 3 years we've lived in this house, that they've actually brought their little ones to our garden.

You ought to have heard me squealing with joy when I spotted them chasing after their mum, wagging their tails, and generally having a fabulous time exploring.

I know that foxes aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I love having them visit our garden.

*

And the winner is......

commenter number 12, which was Driftwood

Congratulations Tess - please email your address.

(knitting.needles@yahoo.co.uk).

*

Easter Break & a giveaway.

It's been a funny old week, and in a few minutes I'll be setting off to collect my little lady from school.

She'll be breaking up for the Easter Break, so I probably won't be back in this blog space of mine until she returns.

Before I pop my coat on and run out the door, I thought I'd stop by and wish you and your families a very happy Easter.

Also, I thought I'd have a little giveaway.

Just leave me a comment on today's post to be in with a chance of winning.  You have until Sunday 27th April.  

Good Luck 

*