It's being a proper outdoor day today, lovely. I've been weeding and tidying, and I have to admit that I prefer gardening when you can really see where you've been - I'm not one to titivate round the edges. Well, I can certainly see the difference today, very satisfying.
Dick has been putting several new panes of glass in the greenhouse - I had misgivings about him trying to do this on his own, but he was adamant that he would be happier doing it alone, and would ask for help if need be. After a while I had filled my first bucket full of weeds & was walking past the greenhouse when (and I knew this would happen) help was requested. I went happily into the greenhouse to hold the glass while Dick put the clips in. All went well - for a very brief spell, until I dropped the glass!!  He took it very well.....   Pride goes before a fall, I slunk back to my weeding. 
​I have been really busy putting new and restocked Sterling Silver items on the website this week (including the Leaping Hare range), along with new hand crafted items, have a look at the website on this New Items link. 

We had an outing to Hoxne yesterday, what a beautiful village. There's a road there called Nuttery Vale which has appealed to me since I was a child. We had a stained glass class at the lovely village hall because we'd missed one at Stradbroke and our tutor kindly let us "catch up" - not that we were behind, we're both doing really well and enjoying it immensely. So much so that we seem to be gathering all the equipment we need to set up "proper" production. I think it goes rather well alongside the jewellery, after all it's about colour and creation. I have to say that I have been surprised by the number of processes needed to make a window, I can now see why they're expensive! However, I shall make my own - and I already have two people wanting panels made. We're going to continue with the classes next term, as we only know the basics so far, some people stop after one term as they think they know enough about it, but I can see where pitfalls can happen and want to learn all I can. I want to be really good at it. 
​On our way out of the village we looked up, and there looking down at us, was a magnificent barn owl. We often see them at Howes Cottage, but it's most unusual for them to just sit there looking at you. Little Owls, on the other hand, often seem happy to watch us while we're out in the garden. Spring seems to be really here now, I know it's still a bit cold, but the spring flowers are definitely on show now. 
​I most certainly will not be letting my new hobby outshine my jewellery production - I have made several new items this week, have a look at the New Items page to see what I've been making.

I know I'm a bit later writing my blog than usual - and I also know that a few people will have looked for it already (Ann/Debs!), but better late than never. I've had a day in Norwich with my sister. Shopping with my sister is like nothing else on the planet, she can't help it I know, but she drives me bonkers because she can't keep up with me in the shopping stakes. We started out ok in the stained glass shop and bought some lovely pieces for future projects, but it went a bit downhill after that, there's nothing worse than trying to shop with someone who really isn't keen. Next time I'll go with Dick, who is a very accomplished shopper indeed!
​It's been extremely wet on the meadows this last few days, all mud and puddles - the last of the snow didn't go until yesterday. Otto seems quite happy with this though, his favourite drink is puddle water, strange dog. He gets splendidly muddy, as good country mutts (and their owners) should, but doesn't understand why he isn't allowed access to all areas indoors until his paws are dry. C'est la vie, Otto. 
​This Saturday will be my first appearance at Beccles Farmer's Market which is held at Ellough airfield, it runs from 9 until 1 - come along and have a look - I just hope the weather forecast is wrong! The weekend sounds a bit grim. 
​I have been busy in the workshop this week - making new pearly necklaces, with more to come. I haven't got them all on the website yet, but will get round to it in the next few days. Have a look at the New Items section. 

I know many of you will disagree with me, but I enjoyed the weather more last week than I am at the moment, today is wet and windy and not at all attractive. Last Thursday was at least a bit exciting - seeing vehicles being towed out of snowdrifts holds a certain fascination. Although most of the snow has melted, we still have quite deep drifts on the meadows, I know they are still deep because I had a little play this morning and managed to lose a welly (sorry no photo, I was on my own - apart from Otto & he can't work the camera). It took me a few minutes to extract the said welly from the drift, resulting in a very wet sock. 
​I have included a photo of my jewellery display in Sue's fashion shop in Union Street, Harleston. The shop is doing well, and luckily so is my jewellery. 
​This week I have been busy on a different project - I'm making a stained glass window, the first one was to a standard design which all students have to use. So I'm delighted now that I can design my own. I have a huge number of ideas brewing in my tiny brain, and will hopefully be bringing them to fruition soon. Just a bit more soldering practice needed, which I will get on this window. I have designed this panel to fit in our cottage, and will show you the finished product once it's done.
​I have a jewellery stall at Halesworth Produce Market on Saturday morning, it would be lovely to see you there. By the way, I don't think I've mentioned it before, but I'm happy to say that I now have the capability to take card payments. 

Like many people today we have been snowed in - the only vehicles to have successfully passed our house today are tractors (the lovely Dennis & friends). We have had a few cars unsuccessfully trying to get up the hill, but they had to be rescued. At one time this morning there were a few vehicles stuck outside & I had visions of having to find space for the drivers indoors as it was such a blizzard, luckily they have all managed to move now. The drifts have been surprisingly  deep I have to admit - we decided against a long walk today because it was hard to see where the ditches are, and Otto isn't all that keen on the snow, he loves the first few minutes until his paws clog up. We have, however had fun on the meadows where we know we're safe.
​Our neighbours down the road had an emergency dash with their youngest daughter to the James Paget due to a sledging accident, so we had eldest daughter, Daisy, with us for the morning. It was great! We played out in the snow, did some colouring, made some bracelets and also did some baking - lovely Hobnobs. I know the photo looks a bit odd - Daisy was wearing one of my aprons which goes down to her ankles and she was standing on a stool - I'm not really shorter than a six year old!
​I have two jewellery stalls booked for Saturday - weather permitting - Dick will be running at stall at Metfield on Saturday morning, and I will be spending the day at the Art and Craft Fayre at Wortwell Village Hall - it would be lovely to see you there. 
​LATE NEWS - the event at Wortwell has been cancelled, very wise!