I am retiring…

I am retiring…

Hi there.
Thanks for popping in!
Still very hot here,
so I am retiring to a shady spot in the garden for an hour.
What? Oh! You thought I was retiring!!!
Nahh. No way! Not even remotely feasible or possible. 
But I have to admit, I was joshing wid ya!!
I get caught out so often by Daily Mail headlines online 
that lure me in, and then when I actually read the article,
there’s no connection between the title and the story whatsoever!
While you’re here though,
I have something amazing to show you today.
There I was in the garden early this morning, and what did I spy underneath the yew tree, but a lone snowdrop!
No way! I said and went in closer to investigate….
Then as I got closer, there was a tiny little miniature rose too!
Absolutely exquisite.
It was almost magical there in the early hours.
The snowdrop, the rose and I. 
You could almost imagine that the pixies 
had been having a garden party…. 
Amazing.
Now what did I tell you about believing everything you read?!
The only little flower pixie I know is our lovely Pat Murphy,
parchment artist extraordinaire!!!
These beauties were a gift from her to me.
She made these flowers by hand,
out of parchment.
Now that really is unbelievable!

They have pride of place in the old German kitchen dresser,

where my personal treasures reside.
An old sugar bowl and glass from my German Oma,

How did they end up in the garden?
Maybe Romeo the cat has taken a shining to the little tabby 
next door and keeps taking her presents. 
But that’s a whole other story….
You can’t tell the real from the parchment.
You really can’t.
Time to go and have supper before heading up to Peterborough later this evening with Dave & Paul ahead of our shows tomorrow.

I hope you can tune in at 11am, 2pm & 6pm as we help HOCHANDA celebrate their 1st Birthday!

Where has the time gone?!?!

Love & hugs

Barb xxxx

94 thoughts on “I am retiring…

  1. Those flowers are just stunning. What a clever lady she is to create those gems. I don't blame Romeo for taking a liking to them. He is just showing what good taste he has. Your headline only took me in for a millisecond. I could not imagine you giving up just yet. I learned early in life not to take newspapers too seriously, when I witnessed a riding accident and the aftermath. She was, fortunate, just shaken and was fine the next day, but the papers had her nearly at death's door. I think I am going to retire to my patio in a while, too hot at the moment, and if it rains, I might just stay out there. I hope you can find a cool refreshing place down at Peterborough. I will be glued to the TV tomorrow. Take care and safe journey. xxx Maggie

  2. Stunning work on the flowers they are beautiful. I thought a stem didn't look quite right so had a closer look… and my initial thought of they are not originals but a very very exquisite nod to the beauty that is Mother Nature's handiwork xx

  3. Oh Barbara….what beautiful flowers from Pat! So realistic! I had to look twice!
    Have a lovely evening and safe journey tomorrow to Hochanda! I'm really looking forward to your shows!
    Love and hugs xxx

  4. Oh Barbara….what beautiful flowers from Pat! So realistic! I had to look twice!
    Have a lovely evening and safe journey tomorrow to Hochanda! I'm really looking forward to your shows!
    Love and hugs xxx

  5. WOW how gorgeous are these parchment flowers! A very talented lady indeed. Good luck with the shows tomorrow and safe travels. I can't believe a year has gone so quickly.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

  6. A moment of panic there! Followed by relief! Have a safe journey to Peterborough will get you on catch-up as I couldn't set the recorder far enough ahead.
    Travelling home tomorrow back to normal Sunday.
    Can anyone tell me why my phone always posts my comment twice please?

  7. OMG you really have to warn people before posting a title like that! Now I'm breathing again I will tell you those flowers are stunning, very talented lady. I love the idea that Romeo is living up to his name and taking gifts to the local tabby! You might hear the pitter patter of tiny feet anytime soon. Xx

  8. Evening bloggy friends, hope you are all well. Bit cooler today but only a little rain over night. Not sure where the storms are that the weather man said were on their way. Obviously got lost. Xx

    1. Evening Donna how's your crafting going have you popped over to hochanda to see what clarity is showcasing for tomorrow hug for you and pheobe xxx

  9. Ah, so you're blessed with garden fairies too Barbara. It's amazing what surprises they sow in our gardens for us eh. I've had all sorts of pretty and different things suddenly appear from nowhere. That miniature rose is so cute.

    Those parchment flowers are so amazing, truly. I've never seen artificial flowers that don't look artificial to me, even when I'm being told they look real!!! Until now!

    I wasn't taken in by your title, I thought you were playing one of your tricks on us. Just as well I got that one right, or there'd be one very, very, very sad person sat here right now.

    I'll be watching all your shows. Is tomorrow instead of next weekend? Hope your shows go well, with lots of sell outs. Have a safe trip.

    Love Brenda xx
    p.s. when orchid roots grow out and down the outside of the pot am I supposed to cut them off, or leave them, or something else? I thought my annual one flowering stem with it's several flowers was good going, until I saw yours!!!!

    1. Hello Brenda hope you've had a good day. I often tuck my orchid roots back into the pot, I've got one at the moment, it's the first one that I've not killed off and it's flowered for a second time too. I'm quite proud of it. Sounds like yours is lovely if it's anything like Barbara's. Sending hugs for you and Daisy xxx

    2. Ok, penny has dropped, after reading Patricia's comment!!!! Me too gullible! You got me there Barbara!!!! I thought you had found real plants in your garden!!!! Me having garden fairies who leave me presents, that is true!

      There's no room in the pot to put the roots back in. Daisy practises her pricking on mine, sadly, and she's clearly not found her artistic side yet!!!!

    3. Good evening Brenda – those parchment flowers are so very convincing! I had to keep going back to look at them, and even when I knew they weren't real, they still looked it! Love to you and Daisy – Gilly xx

    4. Thanks everyone xx
      Watching it now Donna, I could fill them with banana flapjacks!!!
      Proper bonus today's shows then ☺
      At least you have a date for everything now, hopefully they'll know what's causing the problem and can easily treat it for you

  10. Well here is your pixie in the garden.
    I enjoy making flowers in parchment and do so many others.I loved the story telling Barbara, I was reading along till I thought that looked like flowers That I do.hmm penny dropped.
    Maybe my pixie side will make more.x
    Have a fab day tomorrow.

  11. Well here is your pixie in the garden.
    I enjoy making flowers in parchment and do so many others.I loved the story telling Barbara, I was reading along till I thought that looked like flowers That I do.hmm penny dropped.
    Maybe my pixie side will make more.x
    Have a fab day tomorrow.

  12. Hi Barbara
    You had me going there! I thought the flowers were real too! What am I like. They are beautiful aren't they, good to see they've got a place on the dresser. Safe journey tomorrow and good luck with the shows. We are having a last family day out before Emma heads back to university in Aberdeen on Sunday. As you say, where did that year go!
    Love Diane xxx

    1. Hello my lovely blog friends, hope all is well. Busy here washing and ironing – can't believe Emma is off to Scotland again and we won't see her til Christmas. Still lovely memories stored up from the summer to keep us going. Sending hugs all round xxx

    2. Hello Diane – at least you enjoy doing ironing! Sad that the summer has just flown by, but judging by the way time is flying – dare I say it, Christmas will be here before we know it!Love Gilly xxx

  13. Bit cooler up in our part of the country. Those flowers are fantastic such a clever lady. Hope your day goes well tomorrow and I wish you a safe journey to Hochanda. xx

  14. Hi Barbara, well at a glance took an intake of breat until I read on. Beautiful parchment flowers well there is something to think about.
    Safe journey tonight and looking forward to the shows tomorrow. What a blast for Hochanda birthday.
    Well this month's club items are fab . just trying to get time to sit down and have a day's crafting.
    Thank you for the lovley things you come up with month on month
    Lynn xx

  15. Hi ladies, hope you are all keeping well.
    It has been quite a warm day today here, but they say rain on the way
    we'll let's hope they are wrong.
    Hope you all have a great weekend, and don't forget to hold onto them purse strings!!!!!! Looking forward to the shows will it be cake??.
    Hugs Lynn xx

    1. Evening dear family of blog friends thinking of you all heartfelt hugs hugs to all on the blog no crafting today as I've been to Podiarty today my toe is infected so back on Tuesday and fortnightly appointments and it's been behaving so well he thinks it what's going on in my body .ive got my liver specialist appointment 16 September which is very good they should have my scan results then as that's the 2nd September bloods and Podiarty in between all good fun eh🙃how am I going to have any energy to craft in between😱My 60 birthday on the 15 September is going To be a lovley rest day xxx

    2. Bless you Sheila! Your body is misbehaving a lot at the moment – I think that we need to have a serious talk with it, and tell it to behave! I shall work on that! Meantime, I hope that all of your appointments go well, and that you are able to cope well with it all. We certainly need it to co-operate so that you can enjoy your 60th Birthday! Extra love and hugs are on their way – Gilly xxx

    3. Sheila, I just read what you wrote on Gilly's post. Sarah, my oldest was born 8 weeks premature, weighing 3lb 15oz and she will be 18 in October and she is certainly turning into a very capable and charming young adult.

    4. Hi julia With my granddaughter been 18 on 12 September we where going out for a meal to celebrate both our birthdays but with me been so poorly i cannot do that now .so she will celebrate and we will do something together. Just having a day when I don't feel unwell would be a good birthday present. how has your day been ? Xxx

    5. Hi Sheila,
      Well now you've got your appointment, they will hopefully get things sorted for you – I truly hope so anyway. You'll have to keep resting though. Love and gentle hugs Alison xx

  16. Hi Barbara – I wasn't taken in by the headline! You have SO much more to do in the World of Clarity! Those parchment flowers are exquisite! I am really looking forward to watching you and Paul on tv tomorrow – an extra treat for us all, hugs Gilly x

    1. Hi to all of my lovely blog friends – thank you for your lovely comments yesterday. I had a quieter day in the hospital waiting area today – I even read a good magazine that was there. Then I did a little knitting, without any mishaps today and a lady began to talk to me about knitting. At the end though, the couple that I demonstrated my walker to came in and told me that they had ordered one! They were so grateful to me for letting them have a demonstration and a try of mine! So that's really nice and it pleased me!
      Afterwards we treated ourselves to some yummy fish and chips, which we have decided to do each Friday – a reward at the end of a week! Neill still drove today, and I went into 2 shops to do our grocery shopping, so we needn't go out over the busy weekend, as I am planning some tv watching, would you believe? Also some lying down and resting! We both did that for a few hours when we got home today – both exhausted, but feeling lots better now! Love and hugs to you all, Gilly xxx

    2. Evening dear blog friend glad Neil radiotherapy first week is over and you can now both rest over this long weekend lovley that you have helped someone with your walker they are a great help and support to walk .glad you mannaged to do some knitting I use to enjoy my knitting don't do it no more now .thank you for your lovley comment above my granddaughter is 18 on the 12 September we was hoping to have a meal together but that will go on hold now till I start to feel better .she was born 7 weeks premature 3lb 14 wow how she has grown into a beautiful person I'm so proud of her sending lots of hugs for you and Neil xxx

    3. Hi Julia – yes it looks that way! I hope that you are still ok and feeling positive! Just keep the end result in your mind, it will all then be worthwhile! Lots of supportive hugs, Gilly xxx

    4. Hi Sheila – so pleased to hear about your granddaughter, I hope that her celebration goes well. I also hope that it is possible for you to feel well on your birthday, will have to keep sending you positive vibes, to try to make this happen! Take care my lovely, extra love and hugs, Gilly xxx

    5. Hi Gilly,
      Pleased things went well for Neil today and that you didn't have any mishaps with your wool today. I love knitting – I'm in the middle of an Aran jumper for Dave at the minute.mmake sure you get plenty of rest and hope you enjoyed your fish and chips. Love and hugs Alison xx

  17. I wasn't taken in by the title but I did wonder why you had a snowdrop growing in your garden at the end of August. The parchment flowers are stunning. Looking forward to watching TV tomorrow.

    1. Hi julia wow how wonderful to hear about your oldest daughter been premature and also growing into a well rounded adult you must be so proud. Sending lots of hugs to help you through the long weekend xxxx

  18. Hi Barbara I too had a relaxing few minutes earlier, sat outside at costa coffee with my cappacino whilst waiting for my daughter who had gone to the gym. Perfect time to open my Groovi club envelope which arrived today ( yes I took it with me!) I really enjoy the thrill of not knowing what the subject will be on my new baby plate and also love your newsletter. I can almost imagine you sat with me telling all the news! I got lost in your words for a few minutes and was quite sorry when I got to the end. I really do appreciate you taking time to write to us, thank you x

  19. Will try to watch your shows Barbara, if not will use the catch up. Those flowers are beautiful and so realistic. Believed about the rose, but the snowdrop…nah..lol. x

  20. You got me with the flowers in the garden, haha! They are all so realistic, very beautiful. Well done Pat. I'm looking forward to watching the shows tomorrow, I did all my housework and food shopping today so I can sit and watch. Even went the pet shop to get food for our furry babies. I got my diamond club goodies today, so pleased with them all, thank you. Hope you have a safe journey x

  21. Hi Barb,
    Like Dawn I was wondering how you'd got snowdrop in your garden at this time of year! The parchment flowers are absolutely beautiful aren't they. Really looking forward to the shows tomorrow – the new plates look fab – don't think the bank manager is going to be pleased though! Got my diamond club envelope – brilliant! Love all of them especially the Groovi and the stamp – very useful. Also got another Clarity parcel so that was great too. Love and hugs Alison xxx

    1. Hi bloggy friends,
      Hope you've all had as good a day as possible. Been the dreaded ironing for me! I did have a play with some new goodies which arrived today – some of the Pergamano tools and some Groovi plates.Havent been coughing as much today so hopefully on the mend now. Thank you for all your good wishes. Love and hugs Alison xxx

  22. Seen the headline & thought no way Barbara can't leave us, but thankfully read on. Nature has a way of its own & throws up many beautiful little beauties for us to appreciate. The parchment flowers are outstanding & they really look like real flowers , only because you told us that they are parchment we would never have known. Looking forward to seeing the shows. Yvonne xx

  23. Seen the headline & thought no way Barbara can't leave us, but thankfully read on. Nature has a way of its own & throws up many beautiful little beauties for us to appreciate. The parchment flowers are outstanding & they really look like real flowers , only because you told us that they are parchment we would never have known. Looking forward to seeing the shows. Yvonne xx

  24. Hello Barb, wow those flowers are beautiful, both the real snowdrop and roses and the parchment ones, and everyone should have at least 1 treasured item from past generations. Looking forward to the shows today. Bx

  25. Read this blog yesterday and didn't have time to post. My immediate thought was snowdrop? wow that's early …… bit of an early April fool too! What a fabulous achievement to make flowers from parchment and so lifelike too.. xx

  26. My heart stopped! Tee hee. Great shows today and amazing parchment flowers from Pat. I have just joined the Groovi and Parchment bandwagon. Swore that I wasn't going to add another craft to my repertoire but how could I resist. Groovi is simply brilliant xxx.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *