More June stuff

I have just had a look at my camera, and found a few things to blog about.  June wasn't all rain, thankfully we had some crazy hot days....when I hide and put sunblock on....never satisfied.  Kaaren of The Painted Quilt took us on a lovely walk in her garden the other day.  I don't have such a big garden, but like her, the cool spring meant we had bloom on our plants a little longer.  The Azalea finally bloomed and did not disappoint....ooohh I don't believe it. I had two lovely pics of the blooms and I deleted them from the camera.  What a fool.  Oh, well. I still have some pics to show

Here is Amber, helping me to take some photos. She loves to be involved in everything we do.

We planted out some containers as usual.  The old wheelbarrow was made by a friend who was our neighbour's father, and we plant it out each year in memory of him. You can still see the remains of the Azalea bloom in the background.

I love Irises. They don't last long though.

We took a walk along the tow path on Wednesday and saw the swan family in the old canal.  Everything is overgrown and a real haven for bringing up babies. This other fella gave us a look of distain for disturbing his grazing.  I think he is a Llama.  There were three of them with a couple of sheep and one or two calves.  A mini farm.

Remember I said about the shoppers I made. Well, I found the photos.

This afternoon I pottered about in my New sewing room.  New, because I finally took the bed out and gave it to D2.  She can keep any guests who come to visit :-)

I got myself an office chair with wheels.  It is very comfortable and gives my back some support when sewing.  Do you see that I am thinking of Autumn.  The scarecrow/pumpkin fabric was a gift a few years ago, so I have finally decided to make something with them.....................watch this space.

The scrappy bits you see on the chair may become something.  I'm not pleased with them so they are going to 'rest' in a basket somewhere til I decide their fate. July is just around the corner. School will be out, and I will be enjoying the company of my granddaughter a few days each week.  Bye for now. Bx

 

 

How far....

Well, Jess and Jess. This is for you. I made some of the blocks and didn't know what to do with them.  I took them out and looked at them every now and then. Yesterday I decided the time had come to use them in a quilt.  It's far from perfect, but it is a quilt top, about cot size. Not sure about the outside border...it is coloured buttons on a white background,maybe when it has a binding it will look better.

We are having some sunshine, and more than a few very heavy rain. It's good to stay indoors and sew:-)

Sunshine,horses, a little fabric and some stitching.

Well, sunshine AND warmth. Summer is here. Mr C and I took a short trip to where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.  A beautiful day.

A few day later we visited Castleward.  I loved this gateway to the Strangford Lough shore. In the house I noticed this quilt on the bed.  It didn't seem to have a middle layer, and was bound with velvet. Nice.

Here is the horse bit....ha ha...no joke intended. The little mini, Daisy, below was bred by my daughter. Her present owner loves her and she helps him keep busy in retirement.

From little to large. Mollie, below is also progeny of D3's stallion. She is only 3yrs old and an amazing girl. Her owner Hannah looks quite small beside her.

Here is Connor, resting in the trailer under the chestnut tree.

My final horsey news. D1 riding Mac by the lake in our local park.  All these pics were taken during the Agricultural show. We had a great day.

 

 
 

This week D2 and I had a few days in Scotland.  The glorious sunny weather just made the trip so good.  Above is the view from Edinburgh Castle.

 

Spotted the peacock at the gates of Pittencrief Glen in Dunfermline my mum's home town.  It is the last of a group (what do you call a group of peacocks) that roamed the Glen, and even ventured into the High Street to beg treats from the local baker.

 

Of course no trip would be complete without a little bit of retail therapy.  I spotted these packs of Batiks in John Lewis and the threads just seemed to belong with them :-)

I have done a little stitching. D2 needed a protective bag for her embroidery frame.

I had the piece of fabric left from a jelly roll top I tried some time ago.  We also have had a plastic bag tax imposed recently, so I made a few fold up shoppers for those who aim to avoid the tax and the plastic scourge. I cant see the pics just now, but will search them out for next blog.

And, these little fellas are a big attraction on the lake.  Mum and dad are very attentive.