Nature calls
Despite Winter and this virus thing, there have been opportunities to get outdoors.
Eventually, via the town, I end up at the beach which never fails to relax me.
Even got to see a wee seal – well, his head bobbing out for a breath.
When I can’t get further from home, there’s always what’s in the back yard including the new neighbours like these chickens.
The deer family, which has grown over the last couple of years.
Then occasionally too, the cows come a grazing.
Even more occasionally I get a rare treat as I am doing the dishes and see this beautiful little nibbler grabbing at the berries.
This year I even had a Halloween bat – literally it came in on 31st October – not at all creepy but so cute!
There is of course one cute critter that keeps re-appearing and I alluded to her earlier in this post.
Doggo Visits
She’s independant, well mannered and when she has her winter coat, softer than the softest thing you’ve ever hugged – yep, it’s the neighbours dog who has decided that I am on her daily schedule and comes to knock on the door for a chat.
And a cuddle.
And a snooze.
Sometimes I go to her house for fish n chips too. Then I know she’ll pay attention, lol!
Back at my gaff and it’s more chilling out.
More snoozing.
Even more snoozing.
Of course there is the occasional treat too but mostly it’s snoozing on my sofa wrapped in the rainbow blanket.
Cute, right?
It’s not all relaxing nature, cute doggy cuddles and housework though – there has been some making going on.
To see the next part of this story, please use the numbered page links below.
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
Great to read your blog,and see that you have been busy- rainbow blanket and wildlife beautiful. Doggy just like a fox, how brill to be able to share your doggy. Having the elderly parent and dog for chrimbo- it just happens to be my turn for caring duties-looking forward to dog walking. We have bat roosts in the area and often go out at dusk to watch the aerodynamic flights- cant wait for them to come out in the spring,. Crafting wise done a bit of knitting-a reindeer for home decor but craft stash overtaken lounge completely as having a real sort out would love to have a craft outlet- charity shops being very particular at the moment around here-understandable, Hubbie has just fixed computer hes so clever, been offline for a while. Stay safe !
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Hi John. Enjoyed your post after a long absence. Have just got my crafting mojo back. Trouble is, I like to keep trying different crafts. Love paint pouring and going to try resin pouring next. Craft stash growing daily thanks to the internet. We love Scotland but alas this year was unable to visit. Fingers crossed we may get some normality back soon. So glad you are enjoying life up there. And I absolutely love the crochet blanket. One thing I cannot do is crochet. Look forward to next post. Stay safe. Gloria
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Glad to hear that your mojo has returned Gloria. I’m having to be very good with stash at the moment but know how you feel. ;)
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Been waiting for a trip to the famous blue and yellow store this year for a craft trolley, but of course not possible. And then you popped up again with news and a super trolley. It is arriving hopefully on Friday….. thank you and welcome back.
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Oh! Glad to hear that I have a trolley buddy! :) By the way, the accessories for the Hobbycraft trolley fit this one so if you need to upgrade/expand it a bit, you know where to go (online).
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Hi John, so good to hear from you and to see that everything is well. Your house is looking so cozy with the fire and colourful blanket, craft stuff tidy and nead (LOL)
The neighbours dog is so beautiful when I see her I think of a little fox and all the other critters that come by are also great to see. And than I didn’t even mention the awesome nature you live in, Scotland is so beautiful, wow!
I didn’t do much, I had to recover after spending the months of July and August in the hospital. Fortunately, the weather remained nice for a long time so that I could go outside for small walks and to improve my fitness. There was not much of making cards or any other hobby, I knew that from previous times that I have been in hospital and the desire for making always slowly returns.
I have made some Christmas cards and today I finished a card for my daughters birthday.
By far not enough cards for Christmas but I will send the handmade to the ones I know they appreciate them.
And next year, well I want to do more art journaling/mixed media and perhaps a few cards for special occasions. In the new year, if the virus doesn’t throw a spanner in the works, I also have to undergo surgery again and hope that it will be a shorter stay in hospital than last summer.
That’s it, stay safe my friend, a big hug from me from The Netherlands and looking forward to see your next blogpost.
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I am keeping my fingers crossed for your recovery, for your wish to do more art journaling/mixed media and that the virus does not mess things up again!
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such a lovely bright craft space! I am deeply jealous
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Dear John so nice to hear from you if it was’n for the crafting and the use of your svg which i brought I think i would be in a padded cell I have always LOVED Scotland and where you live looks heavenly so happy to hear you are well and hope this stays so looking forward to seeing more of your cleaver work WELCOME BACK x
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Thank you. Glad that the SVGs have kept you sane-ish.
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Can I come visit you and the dog? With the fire and the blanket and the fluffy dog, not wonder you haven’t been around. Stay safe and warm and Happy holidays to you and yours!
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Lol, it’s hard to choose between cuddling the dog, sitting in front of the fire or hiding under the blanket for warmth – thankfully all three can be done at once.
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I HAVE MISSED YOU. Great to see you back, your beer looked yummy and your butty, I loved the pic of the Red Squirrel. Is your furry friend a Sheba Inu? I have a Basenji and they look similar, but mine is less fluffy, however, her best friend at the weekly party is a Sheba Inu called Hero.
I have been busy recently making my grandson an Advent box calendar using John Next Door Die set. It came out really good and he loves it.
trying to stay sane taking lots of dog walking, and Tai Chi.
Stay safe and Stay well
Love and Light
Sioux x
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Nice hearing from you again boy your more organised than me lol and more motivation . Enjoy your cosy fire looks brill xx
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Lovely to hear from you Sioux. That particular beer was nice but I wasn’t a fan of the other seven, quite bitter.
Yes, the furry one is a Shiba Inu. To be honest, the fluff is her winter coat. She’ll shed it eventually and lose a lot of the “puff”. Also, I will get to make a felted mat from the shed fur! Lol.
The advent box sounds interesting. Glad that you were happy with the result.
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Hello John. It is lovely to hear from you again, you have been missed. Now you have sorted out your craft space you can come and sort mine, mind you it is a big job. Lol. Your wild neighbours are just wonderful I wish I had such views from my windows. Stay safe and warm with your Doggy friend. Hugs Marie.
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Lol, I have had a few requests for the organisational services,. Maybe this should be a new career for me?!
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So great to hear from you John. Hope all is well. What have I been doing ….well. All my activities have been stopped at the moment due to the Hostilities, even my hospital Volunteering. I usually make cards for one of the Clinics to sell for Charity but of course they aren’t able to do that at the moment so I am just making cards for me. WeIl stopped my Christmas cards when I counted them and realised that I had 78. Idon’t think I know 78 people. Anyway I decided to sort my craft room out. To be honest I don’t seem to have thrown out much. Here in Wakefield we have a craft shop where you can donate stuff for them to sell. It is to do with Mental Health. I have a bag full of stuff for them for when they open again. I have addressed all my cards just to put stamps on and post. Take care of yourself John
Regards
Margaret
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Thank you Margaret, glad to hear from you. 78?! That’s a lot. At least you will be ahead of next years stock for the charity card creations. That thrift shop for crafts sounds like a great idea! There’s a fair few people with extras that don’t want to just throw them out so its great to know that there will be someone that can get more use from it. Sounds like you are keeping yourself busy whist the hostilities keep things shut. Stay happy and take care.
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Great to hear from you again John and glad to hear you’re well. The tidying certainly looks good. Well since august I have been back at work, being a key worker it was unavoidable so not much done for me. I did all my christmas cards while sheilding for 20 weeks so all I’ve been doing is adding the verses and making the envelopes.
Glad to see you still have your visitor, she is beautiful.
Looking forward to your next installment. Take care, stay safe. xx
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Thank you Jean-Marie. Sorry to hear that you have had to go back to work but I know everyone is grateful for the frontline workers.
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Hi John, great to hear from you. I missed your blog posts and am grateful you are well and have been keeping busy. Love all the tidying. I have been tidy and sorting out my stash and craft area too. Love the new storage you purchased it looks very organised and smart as well. Love all your photos inside and out you live in a beautiful place. I have done a bit of crafting but not much, although all my Christmas cards are made and written. Will be looking forward to your sewing features next year, I made your face mask this year and I think that is all the sewing I have done except essential repairs. Take care and stay safe xx
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Thanks Hazel, glad to hear that you have been getting organised too and that you are on top of the Christmas season. :)
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Hi John.
Lovely to catch up and find you well in these difficult times. I love to read your blog and have missed you! Great work on tidying the craft room/office … do you want to come and do mine now? 😘
I love your doggy neighbour … goodness, doesn’t she curl up small! She looks almost cat-sized on that photograph but normal dog sized on the others (if you know what I mean).
I love the idea of weaving and the coasters look fabulous. What will you do with the larger pieces you make once you get your new loom?
Take care from a miserable and wet Liverpool – though, I suspect, nowhere near as cold as oop North!
💕 Clare x
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Lol, I have had a few requests for the organisational services.
Doggo is slightly larger than cat sized in real life but yes, she can tie herself up in knots when it comes to bed time.
The larger pieces of weaving will depend on what sized looks I get. The smaller and it will most likely be scarves but what I would really like to do is be able to weave my own fabric that I can then use to make handbags. Exciting, right?!
Yup, defo chilly on the east coast of Scotland right now.
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Hi there
Where you live is beautiful, I love the countryside and wildlife,
Just thought that you may be interested in ‘CARD WEAVING’, have not yet tried it myself, but looks awesome! (Lots of information on you tube).
I love using the many svg files I have purchased from you, keep up the good work and look forward to reading about your new endeavors!
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Thank you for the tip Jay, I will take a look into this. Glad to hear that you are enjoying using the SVG files. :)
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Good to see you blogging again! Cannot believe it is the end of November already! Envious of your willpower in dealing with the stash, I’m afraid if I spread mine out I might decide to hammer planks across the door and never set foot in my workroom again!
I’m still waiting for a date for my hip replacement, meanwhile the dog walks are getting shorter and I’m definitely getting grumpier, but Christmas sewing is underway….
Let’s hope for a better year next year…
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And yes, you cannot beat a gorgeous doggo for company!
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Franni, I got my hip replaced 15 yrs ago after being bone to bone for at least 2 yrs., including it getting stuck out of socket after an epidural for my last kid. I had absolutely no pain afterwards, easiest surgery I have had. (I’ve had around 25 various ones) I was 42. My mom (91) just got hers done a year ago, she said the same thing. Hope yours goes easy as well!!!
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I laughed so hard at the planks on the door comment, I have felt like this a couple of times but thankfully came around to just dealing with it.
So sorry to hear that you are still waiting for your op and do hope that it happens sooner rather than later.
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Hi John. Lovely to hear from you with the catch up. Loved all of it but my Craft interest took second place to Doggo and the blanket. How fabulous. You can’t beat a cuddle and a chat with a gorgeous fur baby. Glad to hear you are keeping well and busy. Where has the time gone.? Considering the year it’s been its gone so fast. I miss DCE but was I signed up for the Udemy course and was happy to find you on Creative Fabrica site so purchased the lot yet again to keep you in a few more beans and the odd sausage to share with Doggo. Take care of you and keep sharing what you are up to and your home and the beautiful area in which you live and stay safe. Big hugs 😘😘xxx
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Thank you Eve, really appreciate that. Some new stuff planned for 2021 which will go on to the Creative Fabrica website so do keep an eye out if you are interested.
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