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.

 



May....thinking December

Hi everyone. The title of my post might have a little to do with the weather.  Though it is sunny from time to time, it is still cold here.  It also might have a little to do with my planning ahead thoughts.  My girls all admire my Christmas throw each year, so my little brain cells told me, 'make them each one of their own'.  Here I am then burrowing down into my box of Christmas fabrics and patterns and coming up with some ideas. A square in square block sounds simple.  Think I'll start with that. 

I also have some light fabrics I could use as centres and team up with red or green.  Yes, that sounds like the beginning of something.  As you can see I am not big on planning at all, but making it up as it goes along.  Well, watch this space....

Our church group made this banner to remember a dear friend who lost her battle with cancer a few years ago.

 

It will be on show this weekend for the first time.

xxx

Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy

I couldnt believe when I checked, that my last blog was wishing everyone a Happy Christmas.
Where have those 4 or 5 months gone.  I was a bit out of sorts for a couple of them, dealing with a viral infection which robbed me of my energy.  When I started to recover I really wanted to make something, but didnt have the 'get up and go' to measure and cut carefully.  I spotted this style of block made from scrap strips, so pulled out my scraps and just sewed and flipped.......so theraputic. I called it liquorice alsorts, as the fabric in the centre of each block was just that...liquorice allsorts sweets on a pink background.

Sorry the photography was not so good.  This went to the local branch of Linus Project along with this little quilt which I had started, and found the energy to finish.  I was on the way to recovery.

 My mum had her 90th birthday, and requested no gifts, but her birthday tea was on Mothering Sunday, so I made her this cushion.

You can also see the corner of a little tray cloth in the same fabric.  My Aunt and Uncle are expecting the arrival of thier first great-grandchild soon.  I had a suitable boy quilt, so I made a girl one so I have all options covered...unless they have two of the same kind.

                                                             

None of these were very taxing on my energy, so I gained such satisfaction from making them.
Then Easter came around and I sent these little fabric nests to my neighbour's children.

                    The adults got a little bit of spring, which was taking it's time to arrive this year.

The weather has at last a feel of summer about it.  Warm, and everything is green and growing. This mini mum produced a lovely colt, and they are enjoying the good weather too.

We enjoyed a trip to Lough Erne and Castle Coole yesterday, and I spotted these lovely primroses everywhere.  They remind me of my childhood days at my grandmother's house.

I have had another go at finishing my Pond House by Lynette Anderson.  I think I may get it finished this year.  In between however I made a couple of wall hangings for my special friends who feed me gorgeous suppers once a month.

Whew!...that was a marathon blog.  I plan to keep up ......well, I hope to keep up from now on. xx

Christmas Blessings

May God Bless all my stitching friends at this special time of Celebration and thanksgiving.  For those who are sad I pray for God's comfort.  love Barbara xx

How far...QAL,cushion, ALQS7

Hi everyone.  I have been busy lately, with a little home decorating.  Well, my very able daughter No 1 did the work, and I was her lovely assistant :)   I have however done some sewing.  I made Grandaughter a trick or treat bag, but forgot to take a pic.  I will try to put that right this week.  I am trying very hard to keep up with the How far will you go QAL.  It rained all afternoon today, soooo.....I got to sew.  Here is block 9 Dutch Rose.  Not as good as I would like, but with a little lot of reverse stitching I reached a point where I had to be satisfied with less than perfect. Dont look too close.

I also made a little cushion for a friend who will be 80 tomorrow.  I made my variation of a pattern of Jenny of Elephantz.  It is from her free Promises and Borders BOM.  Thank you Jenny for your inspirational designs.

I also removed the beads from this small quilt and re-applied them so they all lie the same way.  It is ready to wing its way to a new home soon.   I am looking forward to making my final list of favourites from ALQS7.  Although I dont know how I will choose.  They are all so beautiful. Good night  Bx