An early...

...start to the summer signings.

The ball is hardly stored away until next season and we have signed our first new faces of the summer.  Danny Hollands has been signed on a three year deal.  A midfielder who left Bournemouth on Monday, signed for us on Tuesday...would that some others could find work that quickly.  A defensive midfielder who scores.  It is reported as "this is the first of many new signings".  It was quickly followed by the signing of another midfielder, another Bradley...Bradley Pritchard signed on a years contract with an option for a further year.

 Danny Hollands

 Bradley Pritchard

It gives a warm feeling having signings this early, we're so used to having to wait...you can feel the hope rising already.

Kelly Youga...a player I've always liked, has been given the opportunity to prove his fitness in pre-season.  After the devastating injury he received in October 2009, he has been given this opportunity...and if he can get back his "game", then we have a player back we've been sorely missing.  I, for one, wish him well.

 Kelly Youga

We were told they'd be changes this summer, but I don't think anyone thought it would be this early....you just hope it is!

Pierrot...

and Look and Hearts....

These buttons are sublime...

Don't you just love them!!  Watch out for them coming your way soon!  All made into something different.

And the...

...dream goes on.

Heartbreak for those Luton fans who have seen, what some might say, was more than a discrepancy in the punishments metered out this season, but...the original Wimbledon...the team...AFC Wimbledon, formed after the others decamped to MK and who are, according to their own owner, nothing to do with the originals, won.  So, the club who was formed in 2002 will be playing league football next season after winning the play-off final on penalties.

I wish them well...

Also, while we are talking about what the majority of us watch...non-Premier League or Championship football....my eldest grandson won Clubman of the Year, for his age group...voted by the managers of the club.  So looking for a left wing...   

Brooches...

...as promised here are some photos.

They're leather, silk and vintage or handmade buttons of varous designs.  They're backed with a pin clasp, and are all handsewn.

I'm rather pleased with them. 

Feet touching...

...floor at last!

Well, that was some month that was!  I can't even remember everything that went on, but at last I think I'm back to a relatively normal week.  

I didn't mention the...person who managed to bounce his car off mine a couple of weeks ago.  Came round a blind bend at me and after I'd pulled off the road and stopped he hit my wing, scored the door and smashed the mirror.  It is being mended.

Appeared at my first craft fair for ages yesterday, and though it wasn't the best for me, I did get to meet some lovely people and had some encouraging comments.   There were some gorgeous items for sale too...I could have spent too much!!

I also must tell you of my sister...she completed the London Moonwalk...and we're very proud of her!  She's a wonder!!

Back on the making theme, I have been making some brooches...they will be for sale on Etsy this week, and photos will be here soon.  Stitching leather isn't fun...or at least that's what my thumb is telling me.

Dribbling...

...or rather not, that's what the joys of the fan with internet access has given us.

So, rather than sitting in the local staring at the pint and dribbling incoherently into it at the lack of form...we can all type thoughts onto these screens which sit before us. 

We...or some can...rue the decision of owners...managers...the seeming lack of ability or response of players...the baiting and jeering of a portion of fans.  One thing is obvious, more points would be wonderful...we would be delirious if we were in Brighton's situation, but we're not.  We are where we are...

It's no good wishing or berating those who have put us here.  If you do that why not go back to the bad decision against Fulham from which they scored, and which deprived us of the points needed to remain in the Premiership...or the ferocious foul from Arsenal in the same season...a red card possibly, but that player went on to score against us in the game...or maybe Curbs decision to leave us.  Or maybe the then boards decision to employ particular managers who couldn't put a team together.  As said, we are where we are.

It is talked about the number of players we have out of contract in the Summer, and maybe this is a factor in our form...players don't know where they stand.  Well, if they don't fulfill their contracts now...what terms in any contract do they expect?!  The Summer will be interesting...

Do I expect Slater and Jimenez to stay with Chris Powell...yes.  Do I want them to...yes!  Do I think players don't want to win...no.  But then I've been around longer than the internet... before the heady days of council elections...when fans were expected to turn up and just watch...support their team through thick and thin, because your blood flowed with the colour and badge of your team...your heart had it emblazoned on it...cut me and I bleed for my team and I'm damned sure CP's does too!

Monday...

...was my sister's birthday(I won't say which), and though she had to work, she had a good day...and out to dinner in the evening.

Happy birthday, li'l sis!

She's also taking part in this years London Moon Walk, the full version, not the half one.  This is the night of the 14th May.  We're very proud of her, and think she's a wonder!

Closer to home I've joined ActiveNorfolk...which is a group promoting fitness in the county.  I'm starting slowly...my first walk was along the river and railway routes in Fakenham....it's not an amble(though they do those too), they pace it out...and walks are countywide.  There are also opportunities to some other sports too.  You do what you want, when you can, but it's good to have company, and an incentive to go.

Saturday is Fakenham Farmer's Market so, if you're in the area, pop along.  It's a good mix of food and crafts.  If you want to find it, it's in the Market Square...and Fakenham has free parking!!  Just pick the right car parks.

Saturday is also a busy day if you support England....you can follow the cricket against Sri Lanka in the morning and then the football team later.  My team play Bournemouth on the south coast in the afternoon...after last night's draw against one of the form teams, we find ourselves facing another.  Let's hope we can go one better, though I'm sure there will be a lot of negative words written and spoken about it all, before we even kick a ball. 

Anyway, I best make some beads...talk soon!

Another little...

...flame came into my life a couple weeks ago, and this one doesn't hurt when you touch it. 

It's the most glorious art yarn...soft...fluffy...and oh such a wonderful colour!

How could I resist it!  I have two skeins, and if I had more I'd make something to wear with it, but I'm knitting furiously to make a cushion panel.  Simple, but who needs fancy with yarn as wonderful as this!

My supply came from a lovely lady in Colorado, who I had already received some silk from.  Have a look at the beautifully named....  Larkspur Funny Farm

Just a...

...glimpse of things going on....

and then....

My cuffs can now be found at North Creake barns...the lovely Jane Penny Richings of Love-Cushions has some of my jewellery alongside her beautiful textile work....you can find her here Love Cushions

Some new colours...

...some older colours, and a couple of treasurys.  That's been about the limit of my online attendance for the last few days...so I share...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6cbdd33c8a6d913ab18846/sing-a-rainbow

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d659de90dd76d91cb3f12df/fine-delicate-lace?index=1

As different to each other as they can be!

Have fun...