Laughter and tears at the hospice.

Dear tamencio, I’m so glad to hear you are benefiting from attending your local hospice. I won the best crafter of the month award for November, I think it was for productivity rather than my non existent artistic flair, nevertheless I will enjoy eating my prize of a large bar of milk chocolate. It’s been a while since I won anything so I shall revel in it for a while L.O.L

Hi  Johnty

i have a go at most things and have found my crafting attempts good fun particular the sewing which I disliked since sewing lessons at school  (showing my age ) take care

Hi Jane

Does anyone in your crafting class do any willow work? It's something have been mulling over in my mind for a couple of years. I have planted 1500 willow trees so I have no shortage of willow branches, thousands, and a small stream that flows alongside it to presoak the branches but I have never had a real urge to start. I can't say I'm the most creative person in the world, far from it.. I think I may enjoy making wigwam structures for growing peas or beans or climbers and they're such a great present for someone at this time of year.

Maybe some day. 

Enjoy your day

Tvman xx

Dear @Tvman , we don’t do anything that requires that level of skill ! Think kindergarten children and you’ll be in the right area L.O.L however I’m sure with your skills you could create something wonderful if the spirit takes you. I go to the crafting class for the crack really, they are such a lovely bunch of ladies, with strong opinions so it’s always a lively time. I hope all is well with you and your family and you are looking forward to Christmas. 

Hi tvman

I did once help build a willow work toilet. Well, a dome that was supposed to enclose the long drop on our land on Exmoor. The planning authorities had made us remove the garden shed. The idea was it would grow and create a lovely green room but being Exmoor with approx 5cm of soil over solid rock, the willow never took. It was fun trying though. 

Hi , my best mate had someone come out and build a living willow structure in his football field sized garden. I nicknamed it the igloo which he wasn't keen on. We used to spend 3 or 4 hours each year giving it a trim. My funniest memory is when I was up at the very top, on a ladder and it didn't hold my weight. I fell through the hole down to the ground, some 12 feet, and couldn't get up for laughing. 

He moved to the next village after a few years and the new owners let it grow wild. It's nothing like an igloo now, a total mess. They allowed me to take a few cuttings, I took 90 and I now have 1500 trees. 

Take care Daloni

Tvman xx

A few cuttings tvman? Sounds like you took a liberty there. And I don’t blame you

, my son and I couldn't carry any more, we had a 250 yd walk in front of us!

And honestly, I didn't take any liberties, the "igloo" had easily 2000 branches, it was composed of probably 50-60 young trees planted which had grown and sent out 100 side shoots each over the 10 years it was there. I did them a favour by pruning the trees!

A willow tree is the easiest tree I know to propogate, it's grown simply by pushing a 3-4 ft branch into moist ground and by the end of the first growing year the slim young tree will be at least 12 ft tall. 

Running out of charge.

Tvman xx

True enough about the ease of propagating willows - unless you’re 1000 foot up on Exmoor of course

xx 

Can't argue with that, although I would see that as a challenge, but I may have to concede defeat faced with 5 cm of soil.

Tvman xx