You would think frogs would be afraid of dragons...

Apparently not.
I've had more frogs in this project than I care to think about, but it is finally finished.
Here is the Year of the Dragon "Dragon Ball Ornament"  (pattern from Yasuko at Y's Small Gallery.)

The tassel is from a box of chocolates

Recently both Debbie and Katherine have been kind enough to award me the Leibster Blog award.
Liebster is a German word meaning favorite, dearest, or beloved and the Liebster is awarded to new bloggers with less than 200 followers.
The award asks that you pass it on to five further bloggers. I am flattered and overwhelmed that anyone would think my blog was worthy of an award, but I hope neither Debbie or Katherine will be offended if I don't pass the award on in the traditional sense, as I never know who to choose or, more to the point, who to miss out. If I read or comment on your blog then I think you are a winner, so consider yourselves all nominated.
The award also asks you to reveal 5 random things people might not know about you which is a bit easier to do so here goes:-
1) I have tiny feet (size 3) and sometimes buy children's shoes to avoid the VAT
2) I adore football (soccer, not that strange rugby-like game they play in the US), I used to have a season ticket at Roker Park when I lived nearer, and I've been to matches at most of the major cities in England, plus a couple of places abroad
3) I've got a PhD in Physical Chemistry (specifically NMR Studies on Biological Macromolecules)
4) My favourite TV comedy is The Big Bang Theory. It is frighteningly accurate (see item 4 above)
5) I share a birthday with my husband. Someone once asked, on discovering that fact, "Gosh, what are the odds of that?" Ermm, 1 in 365. (Well assuming it isn't 29th Feb)
In other crafting news the girls have been busy this week making these. They call them ear cuffs. I call them Bajoran earrings because I am a geek trekkie discerning science fiction afficionado (see item 4 above again).
Whatever.
I'm making myself one.
Just call me Ensign Ro.

Happy Easter and a Treasure Hunt

A very Happy Easter to you all!


Jo at Serendipitous Stitching is running a blog Easter Treasure Hunt.
The participating bloggers will be showing a picture of an Easter themed stitched project, and revealing a mystery letter, which, when read in order will give an Easter related message.
 I don't have any Easter themed stiching that I haven't already shown, but I do have some little wire and bead bird's nest pendants I made. I hope Jo will forgive my slight deviation from the theme.
So, without further ado:-
Your letter is

Please visit Anna at The Stitch Bitch for your next clue.

Daffodils, bunnies and chicks

Spring continues apace. My orchid flowering daffodils have opened and the blackthorn hedge is in flower.

Yesterday was opening day in the Needlecraft Haven Spring Exchange. Here is the beautiful pillow I received from Gillie. It is a Brightneedle design. Thank you Gillie, I just love it.

Here are the needlebook and ornament I made for Rachael. The ornament is a  complimentary design from Sub Rosa here, stitched on hand dyed linen in Vireo from Sparklies using GAST in Poppy, Avocado and Maple Syrup, and finished with some hairy string for a rustic look ("Are you a rustic hanger?" "No, I'm a frayed knot")

I used my rinky-dinky Cuttlebug to die-cut the felt pieces for the needlebook.

I've also stitched up a few of these fun little applique chick ornaments using a design from Shiny Happy World.

A little sad news as well, we came home yesterday to find our cat, Spike, had died while we were out. He was only 11 and hadn't been ill at all, so we wonder if he had managed to get into something poisonous in someone's shed. RIP Spike, we'll miss you.