March already

Hi, I haven't blogged for a while I know.  It has been a difficult winter for us.  My dear, nearly 91yr old mum died on 3rd February after a couple of months of illness. What can I say, except, I miss her.  We all do.  I remember a friend telling me when her husband died suddenly, how she felt the rest of the world should stop.  Its been a bit like that for us.  She was a big part of my day to day routine, so there are gaps I am finding it hard to fill. We cant keep our parents forever, and I am blessed to have had her with me for so many years.  I did get around to some sewing, which is very therapeutic.  I was taking part in A Little Quilt Swap 8. Organised by Kate North.  I finished my quilt and it went to Sacramento to live with Marei........ :(   
For the last two days I have tried and tried to attach pictures to this blog.  It just wont happen.  I am going to try one more time.........here goes.   Well, that was a no.  I don't know what has happened.  I am at a loss to know what to do.  Who wants to read a lot of blethers without some pics to enjoy.  I think I will finish this blog and try a fresh one later.  Maybe I need some techie training.  I am obviously doing something wrong. Bye for now.

Christmas 2013. 100 not out. Happy New Year 2014

This is my 100th post.  I can hardly believe it. I am thankful to God for all the lovely friends I have made through blogging. I don't have to see you every week, month, or year, or ever, to experience your friendship through our shared love of stitching. You all inspire me with your lovely work, and your generousity in sharing your designs.  I am not a designer, only a lover of working with fabric and thread. It brings me such satisfaction and enjoyment.

These little fellows were gifted to me by one of the children I worked with.  I love them, and they come out each Christmas to sing Christmas Carols in our home.

This is mum with Joan the lady in charge of the facility where mum lives.  It has been open 25 years and mum was one of the first tenants. She came out of hospital to join the celebrations as she was going to be discharged a few days later anyway.  If you look closely you will see her hospital ID on her wrist. We had a good time.

Here is The Christmas Cat. I rechristened Amber for Christmas. She enjoyed sitting on my Christmas Throw Quilt beside the tree. Don't you think her chest looks like Sants's beard.

Gifts, Gifts, Gifts.  We keep gifts down to small things, but many small things add up to a lovely Gifty Christmas.  What do you think of the ceramic thread reel container. It came with 4 reels of cotton. I am going to tidy my sewing room and find a special place for this.

Yes, there is no food.  I snapped this at my daughter's, as she  was hostess for Christmas day dinner. After making 40+ dinners (I did eat out the first few years of my marriage) I enjoyed soooooo much being served.  The girls did a great job.

Best wishes for 2014 Everyone.xxx

Glasgow,Coasters for Aunties, Nearly there

Dear all. I started to write this post a couple days ago. My very lovely, but very curious cat decided to 'help'. She climbed on to my lap and put a paw on the keyboard.  I don't know which key she pressed, but two photos and my written post disappeared....poof! like a puff of wind.  I gave up and thought, 'I will try again'.  So here goes. 

This is the view of the fairground and skating rink from our hotel window when two friends and I went to Glasgow the first weekend in December.  We didn't attempt the rink or the rides.  Feet firmly planted on the ground we shopped til we dropped, and had a great weekend.We started the journey with a lovely Gingerbread Latte at the airport.

I met up with my Aunt in Edinburgh on the Saturday, and was able to have a good old yarn.  Started off having coffee, then stayed for lunch, and a good browse through John Lewis's fabric department.  I made Auntie little coasters using a tut by Beth at Love Laugh Quilt.  I managed to finish the Christmas Throw Quilts for my girls.

 Here they are folded by the tree.

 I got a calm day and took the three of them outside to photograph.  Then a light breeze sprang up and The quilts were on the move.  Well, I did the best I could.  The first is my favourite.  It was a Nancy Halverson panel, and I planned it out using Kaaren's Happy Scrappy Spring Quilt as my inspiration.

 This started out as simply square in a square blocks which I kept making til I had enough for a quilt.

 For this one I used a pattern called Steps and Stairs by The Fennel Shed, Buncrana, Co Donegal.  I am going to finish this post now, as it has been a loooooong time in the writing.  I hope to blog again before Christmas Day (which is in one week). If I don't get  back to the computer I wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas and a Happy quilty New Year xxx. 

 

Halloween,birthday,project

Still beavering away at the  hopefully Christmas (2013) throw quilts for my girls.  Top 2 almost done, plus 4 blocks of top 3.  No pics I think. Will check.

Grandson had his 17th birthday. He still enjoys a cuddle and bit of fun .

Grandaughter carved her pumpkin as usual.

A school project and some help with techniques from granny B.

We printed on to fabric and attached all the elements with either bondaweb or fabric glue.

I had lots of fun, so had Grandaughter.

Dressing up for Halloween games night at the stables.

Joan won the best costume.  I think her horse was the bride of Dracula.

 

Perching,Christmas and Poor Penny

As I went into one of our local craft shops last week I noticed the large tile on the floor.  Wouldn't that make a great quilt block. 

just noticed I took a pic of my toes too.

I have started some Christmas sewing.  I know, it is a bit late.  I sewed today til my neck ached.  I wonder, do you perch on the edge of your chair when sewing, or sit back comfortably with your back well supported.  When I began to feel stiff and sore, I realised I was perched on the edge, so made a deliberate change to sitting properly.  It helped, but the damage was done. I sent for a few fat quarters to add to my stash collection. I include a sneak peek at todays sewing.  As it is a gift, I'd better keep it under my hat for a while. 

I had a little mishap with Penny.  I was clipping her claws and snipped one a bit short.  She bled all over the place, so I had to bandage her paw for a few hours.  To make up for my carelessness, I made her a new little quilt for her bed.  I still feel guilty though.

Its a 'flimsy',rail fence cushion, threadcatcher mini quilt.horses.

 

I have finished the piecing of HSS and here it is,  threads and all. I never even took time to tidy it up a bit.  Now I have to get it quilted and embellished with some of these little guys and other Spring stuff. 

 I may not do much of that until after Christmas, as I have a few things I need done for the Festive Season. Do you realise three months from now the Celebrations will be  over for another year.......too many projects.....not enough time.

I am making a cushion for a wee friend who is 81 this week.  I don't think she is a techie, so no fear of her seeing this blog (blog? I hear her say). I have used some batiks, and have taken courage and am quilting it by machine.  I am not brave enough to even  attempt FMQ , so I printed the design on phonebook pages.  This is my first attempt at this.  I have been strictly a straight line girl until now.

 

 

 

Remember the threadcatcher half square triangles.  They ended up like this. A small A4 quilt on which I practiced my hand quilting (need more of that)

The hubby's project is finished. All stables painted, and indoor arena. Don't think he wants too see a paintbrush for a while.  Everything is looking fresh and new.

The indoor

enjoying a lovely evening

  This evening was lovely and mild, so we went to have a look at the finished project, and found our girls riding outdoors.  It is lovely to see them enjoying the horses.

 

Today was a busy housework day. It must be done...sigh.  I didn't do any sewing until this evening, when I took out some little thread catcher half square triangles and decided to hand stitch them together.  I plan to make a small quilt to display in my livingroom. Watch this space

As I worked hubby supplied the tea and bikkies

I noticed yesterday my neighbour's tree was full of ripe berries.

When the birds decide they are just perfect, there will be a feeding frenzy for a couple of days, and the tree will be stripped bare.  How do they know when to eat them?  I think they look ripe now.

Niiiiiite