Alot has happened since my last post. I have done the Craft and Gift Fayre, which proved to be reasonably successful for me.

But from the Genealogy point of view - I have renewed my membership with the Devon Family History Society and ordered info from them which I know will prove useful. If only I could drag myself away from the sewing machine long enough to look at it.

I have caught up with reading their periodical magazine. A bit of bedtime reading, but fascinating to read about the discoveries other people have made. And where their research has led them.

Of all the lines in my family history I am beginning to wonder why I chose to research in more depth the family that seems to have the most members. A lot of them had 7 or more children. But fascinating all the same

To see what else I do in my spare time. Please visit my craft website

OK so I haven't been back to Sparkwell this week, as I intended but I have spent so much time online with my husbands Devon Nelder connections, that you wouldn't believe.

This subject has got me completely engrossed. I find every little bit of history that I uncover so exciting. And even better I uncover a tiny piece of information from Cornwood or Sparkwell and it sends me right back there.

To Cornwood where I have wandered among the headstones in the churchyard. To the Cornwood Inn where I have enjoyed their lovely Sunday Roasts and by no means least Fitzworthy for the Horse Riding.

Just outside Cornwood on the back road to Lee Mill I used to take my older daughter there every weekend for horse riding. She had such a good time. I would drop her off on a Sunday morning then kill a few hours somewhere, and collect her later. Or more often  just leave her for the day and collect her late afternoon. I have stood in the yard in the blazing sun, sheltering beneath a tree waiting for the 'Hack' to return. And I have sat there in my car with the engine running to keep warm, waiting for the horses return.

Sadly this Daughter is now 19 and at University, and the love of horses no longer seems so important. But I have a 9 year old, soon to be 10 who loves anything horsey! Will I once again be hanging out in Riding Stables Car Parks !

I have today established a link between the Cornwood Nelders and the Sparkwell Nelders, their families by todays standards were HUGE!!!!!. And judging by the village cottages, how did they all fit in there?

I am loving my research at the moment, but still have this nagging at the back of my mind that I should be Crafting!. My next event is only 2 weeks away at Tavistock Town Hall on 20th April 2013. And the week after that I finally get to spend some time with my sister who is visiting from New Zealand.

I am ashamed to see that it has been very nearly 12 months since I updated this blog. And I hold my hands up and admit that during this time I have not delved into the Nelder family history either.

I am so torn, trying to decide which way I should spend my time. Over the last year I have been making handmade Aprons and Placemats and trying to sell them at local Craft and Gift Fairs. I love the sewing and I love it even more when I sell something I have made. But I realise that I am also fascinated by family history, and in fact any kind of history.

My ultimate goal has always been, to research this family history and then write and publish a book about it. Wouldn't it be nice if I could use my sewing projects to fund my Geneaology research. That would be a perfect world!

I have an online shop where I sell the things I have made and a few other things aswell. please check it out and tell me what you think. Should I carry on making thing or concentrate on the Family history? Or perhaps I should try harder to do both.

Please look at my handmade items at www.moorstitches.co.uk

We have one week left of school holidays enough time to get out and do some more research.