cottonreel

Oh! HAPPY DAY

2012-02-15T10:20:00.002-08:00

Yesterday bluebell and myself went to the Bramble patch one day yearly sale . We scrabbled with the rest of the ladies for our bargains . I didn't buy a lot of fabric . I did buy a creative grids 5 7/8 ruler . Very useful for half sq,. triangles . At £5 a bargain

It's a small but lovely place , for the sale they use the workrooms . It sure was crowded . When we stepped outside to return home we both said Phew, fresh air . I heard other ladies say the same thing .

The crowning point to my day was to find 3 magazines on my doormat . Recently bluebell introduced me to a magazine by Pat Winter . The mag is called Crazy Quilt Gatherings . I purchased issue No, 4 . That was the current issue at the time . I was so taken with the content of the magazine , I ordered the 3 previous issues . I have never seen a magazine detail one craft so comprehensivly .

It is beautifully illustrated , informative with many sites where to purchase the components to embellish crazy patchwork .

I have always done crazy patchwork but usually just feather stitched the seams . occasionally putting buttons on a bag .

I'm giving you Pat Winters blog , do take a look at her site it's mind blowing .

www.gatherings100.blogspot.com

If you would care to take another look at my site tomorrow I will put on something I have made from the No,. 4 issue .

It isn't such a oh ! happy day today , my printer has decided to call it a day , I cannot complain I have had it about 5 years

Sorry

2012-02-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

I cannot remember where these beautiful owls came from ,( I will credit you with owning them if you get in touch) but aren't they the cutist wearing their blue scarves ? It is so cold here in England .

My washing was freezing in the basket as I pegged it out . It does feel so fresh after being out on a frosty day .

I am also telling you if you click on the shabby fabric button below there is a free B,O,M . There are 2 blocks you could print off . Perhaps you would only want one for a cushion or T, cosy . Take a look .

I also found the easiest crochet pattern yet for making a chevron blanket on Attic 24 It is by crochet mummy a Yorkshire lass . Just the project for snuggling down in the chair with .

The Blackbird is still zealously guarding his daily dish of food and water . He nips in and out of the border checking it . I think I will have to watch his antics more often and make a lap quilt in his honour .

Brrrrrrr!

2012-02-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

It is so cold here in England at present , well in the area I live anyway . My family live 150 miles or so to the west and they have not had snow .
I sat yesterday watching the resident Blackbirds . This fellow was so funny . I put mashed potato and chicken skin in this container .He was having a good tuck in , then went into the border at the side of the garden but as soon as another blackbird came to feed he quickly flew out from his shelter to claim his territory . This went on for quite a time but it was enjoyable to watch the antics .

I spent a lot of time playing about with fabric yesterday afternoon . Nice and cosy in the kitchen . I did these 2 funky chicken . they are a B,O,M free on the blog of Sindy Rodenmayer.Thankyou Sindy .

I also reduced my scrap basket by doing 12 blocks . 12 with a border makes a decent size lap quilt . I have one ready to quilt with 30 blocks , when I add borders it will be a nice size to put on a double bed .

These quilts look very cottage chic . Amazingly quick to do , and the basket of bits is like the proverbial runcible spoon , never empty.

There are several B,O,Ms on blogs at present . They seem to start around this time of the year .

SWEDISH ICE PALACE

2012-02-03T00:38:00.000-08:00

NO , not an ice palace as such , it's my fish pond . I was concerned knowing that we were in for a frosty night . 8, o clock this morning when it was light enough I made it priority to check on my fish . I cannot see them so they must be o,k .

I saw a pic,. on a blog this week of 2 little girls winding wool . I ask the blog owner could I take it . Yes was the answer . I took the pic but it must be somewhere in my laptop .

In the meantime here is the real thing on canvas

It is the Henry Moore line drawing of Women winding Wool .

I shall look for the little girl pic,. later.

February makeover

2012-02-01T04:11:00.000-08:00

The blue pots are now in the kitchen . A fresh look for spring .

Too many for one place so they get spread around a bit

The pink pots that took pride of place inthe kitchen with all the red for chrismas are now on the dresser in the conservatory

It's very cold in England this week but the sun is shining today .

i am now going to sit with hot toast oozing with butterand a cuppa coffee . This afternoon I might read, I might sew or I might do nothing at all .

My Birdie Quilt

2012-01-28T03:42:00.000-08:00

I thought you might like to see my Birdie Quilt now it is finished . It was a free B,O M

Sorry you have the same pic,. twice . I'll be more in control when I have had a cuppa coffee

THe quilting , done on my Brother domestic machine

The backing bought at the NEC from a stall that sells mainly furnishing fabric .

Have to leave you now , I had a busy day yesterday and a day just as busy today,

Bye ,

2012-01-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

I thought I could smell spring in the air a couple of days ago so with a burst of energy I changed the pots on the dresser in the kitchen to blue and the curtains to yellow gingham . Then knowing I would not be happy with the winter red T,cosy that had matched the red gingham curtains I set to making a yellow one . I could say didn't cost a penny . Just bits and pieces from my stash . A bit of free hand drawing and my cosy is a one off .
These faded roses were from M&S. They were not faded when I bought them 3 weeks ago . They were complete in the little jam jar £4 . They now feel like paper . They haven't dropped any petals so they can stay as long as I'm able to keep the dust away .

Peace after the storm

2012-01-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

It has been 2 days of wind , rain ,cold and all manner of winter . About Tea time the wind and rain calmed down to reveal a sky many shades of grey and blue and pink , it was like a big piece of Batik fabric , really beautiful .

That bought attention to this fabric , 7 fat quarters were a birthday present from bluebell the rest came out of my stash .

I bought a kit of disappearing 9 patch , on the trip to Bramble patch quilting , quite expensive . To soften the blow I shall be making it up from these fabrics before starting the actual kit . I'm itching to start but being good and finishing my Birdie Quilt . Should be finished later this evening .Pip pip hooray .

OH,HAPPY DAY

2012-01-20T06:54:00.000-08:00

Anyone reading my blog over the last few days would know I was in a tizzy because I had deleted a email with an order no,. on it .

Bluebell came for a cuppa , chocolate cake too, she enquired had I got any further searching for the elusive order . "no" I replied . After being fortified with tea and cake we delved into back issues of paypal and low and behold the missing email was found .

I have to give credit to bluebell , she found it . I'm not always brave enough to ping and experiment on my laptop. I have told her I will not charge her for her new found knowledge she gained by playing with my laptop .

LOST

2012-01-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

Today I'm up the creek without a paddle .
I ordered a Pat Winter magazine beginning December .I had forgotten about it until bluebell jogged my memory . It comes via publisher Magcloud . I had kept the email telling me of confirmation , but inadvertantly must have deleted the confirmation email that contained the order number , so being up the creek without a paddle , the paddle being my order no,.

I have searched around looking for elusive sign that says email us from the Pat Winter site and the Magcloud site

It seems I have also complicated the matter by emptying the recycle bin

I reckon it's £10 flying up up and away

Yesterday , start of a new year for me

2012-01-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

It was my birthday yesterday . I had a wonderful day . Beautiful cards and lovely presents . Amongst my presents I had a Kaffe Fassett book that I shall be reading tonight . I now have 4 KF books ,lucky me . Toiletries, divine perfume . fabric , lace , money for flowers , a gorgeous glass 3 arm candleabra and several pther goodies .

Bluebell took me to a favourite fabric shop then we went for lunch . Such a lot of happiness in one day.

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

2012-01-17T09:03:00.000-08:00

When the scrap box is overflowing make a scrappy quilt .

This is made from pieces that might otherwise be thrown out because they match nothing and are too small and of an odd shape to do anything with .

I seldom throw out scraps.

I have started to do bits of embroidery and adding lace to turn it from an ugly duckling into a swan .

It would never win a competition but I like it . I suppose that is all that matters .

Saturday Scrummage

2012-01-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

On Saturdays I root into all sorts of corners in my garage looking for fabric , special bits , and long forgotten pieces . Today , been there done that also fetched forward a tin of paint to tart a mirror up .

Best thing though was a browse around the garden . I decided to out a few marigolds that were sad looking but not before I cut these little flowers off that had braved the frost .

QUILTS ,I would love to hear your veiw on the subject

2012-01-11T02:39:00.000-08:00

My mind is running in many directions this morning . It is a beautiful day here in England . I have been sitting in my conservatory reading yesterdays Daily Mail . I came upon this article . After reading and deeply thinking about the article these are my views .

1I have not seen the magazine but at present until some one else makes me think otherwise I will say it's O.K

2 Lots of people love patchwork quilts and would love to own one . Very often asking "would you make one for me " When told how much it will cost , fabric , batting , thread etc,. before even taking into consideration hours of sewing much of it by hand . At some stage the sewing machine will be involved and they are very expensive items these days . Suddenly owning a patchwork quilt can wait .

3 A well made quilt that is going to stand years of wear , perhaps be dragged around lovingly by a child will not withstand wear if made on a cheap sewing machine bought off the grocery supermarket shelf

4 People who make quilts have very often paid a lot of money at workshops learning the latest methods or pay to attend weekly sewing classes to further the knowlege of their craft

5 100% cotton fabric used in the making of a quilt is usually priced around £10 yard , yes it is mostly sold by the yard not mtr ,. sewing thread is not cheap and quilting thread expensive . The price of batting , the warm layer that goes between the front and back fabric is also expensive . A good quality is needed to keep the quilt in good shape .

6 Having said all this many hours will have been spent sewing . When we quilters make quilts for friends and family we do it with love in our heart and pride in our craft . We love handing over our quilt .

7 without having seen the magazine I am presuming the quilt might be a sampler . If this is so many different tecniques will be learned . If I was a beginner with no one on hand to teach me I would most likely purchase the magazine .

8 You have only to attend a quilt show at Malvern or the NEC to see quilters buying expensive magazines and books , fabric , scissors , rulers ,and many many other things to be an asset .

If you admire patchwork quilts and want to make your own heirloom then go ahead buy the magazine . I will warn you patchwork is very addictive . If you buy only a couple of copies then decide it's not for you give your effort away to the charity shop , some one will buy it .

I hope I have not stirred up a hornets nest . I am passionate about patchwork and quilting

quilt finished Bunny Hill Design SNOWBOUND

2012-01-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

This is my quilt SNOWBOUND by Bunny Hill designs

I have really enjoyed doing it . It's just the right design for sitting in the evening if you like a bit of embroidery . mostly blanket st,. round the edges of applique and a little stem stitch .

I did put my own stamp on the design . The original has irish chain blocks between the snowmen . I quilted it on my very basic longarm frame .

Thank you Anne Sutton (Bunny Hill Designs)

Next to get the finishing is Birdie Stitches . I shall be hand quilting that one so it will be awhile longer before appearing on my blog

Tis the Season

2012-01-07T03:14:00.001-08:00

I finished my' Tis the Season 'quilt . It will have pride of place for next year . It is very pretty , did not take long to do. I purchased the pattern from Just quilting shop in Newcastle U,K . The pattern is by Natalie Bird .

I was a late riser today, looked out , it was cold so back to bed with my Andriani Trigiani book , and my tray with tea and a biscuit .

Thinking back to 2011 it was a good year for me . Two holidays , very memorable . Nice quilt shows . Some nice quilts finished and passed on to family . Nice days spent with bluebell .

Today I hope to put a quilt on my frame . The frame is in the garage so if it's cold it will have to wait till the sun shines . Looking at my UFOs it could be a while before I start another quilt .

Yesterday bluebell and myself went to the yearly fabric sale at the fabric guild . Spent wisely with future projects in mind . Lot's of fresh projects and BOMs on the blogs.

No leisurley stroll today

2012-01-05T04:55:00.000-08:00

Very scary in my part of the world today , MARCH High Winds , APRIL showers , and in between a little light relief with a show of sunshine . When I say showers I should say torrential rain and the wind is really scary . The occasional burst of sunshine I can cope with .

I think today I have earned my blogging time , no guilt . I've had a good clean up after the dismantling of christmas . This afternoon I shall sew , perhaps read . This is before I blitz the bench in the garage where I have stacked the boxes of christmas paraphenalia before relagating it to the loft but that is for Saturday .

I have prepared my lunch of ham salad with waldorf , olives and artichoke hearts and a very sinful bread and butter pudding with custard to follow . No guilt trips today at all.

I saw a wonderful blog a few days ago . The blogger is a crocheter . Her work is absolutely beautiful . I like doing crochet , I have several quilty pieces to finish before starting anything else but I'm tempted .

Times , they are changing

2012-01-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

My two son's have always said my home is full of junk . It isn't really because I'm quite selective what kind of junk I aquire . One said he wasn't going to trim his house for christmas but changed his mind on seeing my three trees and all kinds of christmas stuff . He went home with lots from my house to decorate his sitting room .

Both D,I,Laws oohd and aahd . That made me feel good .

Today I have been putting stuff carefully away for next year but I still have lots to do .

Almost Gone

2011-12-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

We are almost on the end of the old year . It doesn't seem so long ago that I was standing on a hill in Cyprus welcoming in the year 2000 . It seems like yesterday .

Tomorrow I hope to get rid of baggage that I have been harbouring as sentimental . Some stuff has to stay , the ties are still firmly knotted .

If it's a fine day the task will be easier , I always find more energy when the sun is shining . It gives me more incentive to declutter.

I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR XXXXXXXXX

Time to Wish

2011-12-28T06:26:00.000-08:00

Time to wish everyone a wonderful , happy and healthy forthcoming New Year .

I love New Year , clearing away christmas regalia , the anticipation and hope that all will be well .

Today I have been catching up on housework after being away from home and spending time with my family . I had a lovely time seeing new places , visiting old haunts and generally celebrating christmas in a different way than I have before .

I'm sitting around the house today catching up on old newspapers .

BARB O sos

2011-12-18T10:57:00.000-08:00

I cannot leave anything on your blog

2011-12-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

This is my Swedish tree on the kitchen windowsill . Bluebell's husband Tony made this tree last year. It's cute , I love it

The dining end of my kitchen . The dresser arrived this morning . my christmas present to myself .

The christmas cake sitting in the middle is a present from Bluebell . Lovely

Another Tree

2011-12-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

And this is the tree in my conservatory resplendant in Purple and Silver

The treein the Hall

2011-12-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

This tree decorated all in red greets me with warmth and cheerfulness after I have been shopping in the cold,cold, cold

Santa Baby

2011-12-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

So many Santa's , I think they are using my home as a depot

One of my trees

2011-12-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is the tree in my sitting room , I tell it it's beautifuleach time I pass it

CROCHET

2011-12-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

There are blogs showing crochet and lace . I love crochet and lace , in fact anything that relates to an era that seems to be slipping away .

I buy vintage bed linen from a lady that sells .

This is a pair of pillow cases I purchased about a month ago . The pillow cases are well used but the crochet has stood the test of time .

This is a pair of pillow cases I'm using at present . Never ever would you find these in a commercial shop .

Just look , at the depth of the crochet on the next pillow case

Here I'm showing the pair I,m using. Later I will show my own crochet . I really like doing Filet , but it is not so easy to get new patterns . Over the years I have let my patterns be borrowed , sadly never to have them returned .

There are magazines a little more available since shabby chic and vintage became popular but they are expensive . I do have knitted lace too .

When living in Cyprus I used to buy Lefkara lace . It is not lace in the meaning as we know it but really counted thread . Still very beautiful though .

A Hat Trick

2011-12-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Here in my part of the world 3 of anything is referred to as a hat trick .

I like to do big flower arrangements . I'm often on the look out for tall vases with a 3" neck space . Most times in the charity shops I don't find anything suitable but this week ,a hat trick , I got three .

The oriental pattern one cost £10 , More than I would usually pay for a vase but it is nice .
The blue and white vase £2 , it has 2 chips on the lip , no trouble , they won't be seen . The green one £2,95 . from the Heart foundation shop . Result ? one very satisfied woman

and there is more

2011-12-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

So many mishaps this week , I'm almost afraid to get up in the morning .

Earlier in the week I dropped and broke a crystal candle stick . I was very fond of that ornament .

I also broke a tooth . scary but now mended .

Last night I decided my dinner would be a cheese omelette . The top fell off the pepper pot. All the pepper went into the eggs . I scooped it out , so that was a disaster rectified .

The week isn't over yet!!! ??

Brave lady

2011-11-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

I'm giving myself this bunch of roses because I have been brave at the dentist .

I broke a tooth . I was very nervous . I knew that when I mentioned it to bluebell she would whisk me off to the dentist . She takes no prisoners .

She was right , get it sorted , now , immediately , chopchop, yes maam .

Thankyou Jill .xx

2011-11-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

Beautiful day here in my part of England , cold but sunny . I have spent most of the morning sitting in my sunny conservatory reading quilting magazines, putting book marks in all that interests me . Who am I fooling, If I lived forever I would never get every thing made butwe can dream.

When I visited the Malvern quilt show in May I bought a frame to do long arm quilting . It's not a top of the range affair but it makes machine quilting so much more easy .

I also bought a Juki machine with a bigger space under the arm . The frame and the machine are a pleasure to use . I am now getting familiar with he speed of the machine and I have brainwashed myself in the order of use .

Before I had these two items I did a lot of hand quilting . A grandmother's garden quilt like the one I have completed this week would have taken me many weeks to complete .now , things are so different .

I do not begrudge one penny spent after all it is my hobby and we all know it is not cheap to have hobbies these days .

My set doesn't have a pantagraph but I'm getting adept at keeping the pattern regular enough to be pleasing .

Woe is me

2011-11-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

I thought this afternoon I would send emails and do a little blog browsing .Well it's think again . The email page has altered , I have tried sending an email , it says , no such person or whatever .

I had trouble getting into my blog . I think I need a cuppa , pityI don't have any cake , I need a large slice .

Bejeweledquilts by barb: HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKGIVING~~~

2011-11-23T02:03:00.000-08:00

We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in England but we love to read about it on the blogs .

Thank you for sharing all you do and the unstinting information you share .

A STAR *********

2011-11-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

I have a boiler that is temperemental . First sign of cold weather it packs in . Every year . It's about 4 yrs,. old , not a great age for a boiler but then , these days , how long are things suppose to last?.

Tonight it decided winters coming . The radiators were cold . With a sigh and a heavy heart I rang the plumber and left a message on his answer machine . Half hour later he rang me back . I explained I had a red light flashing on the alarm signal . "Tell me what the thermostat looks like and the name on it ." I duly followed his instructions , "Mmmm said he, have you any AA batteries " Yes I had , he explained where I had to dismantle it to replace the batteries . Hey bingo the heating came on . This man is a star . any other plumber it would have been a call out charge , a bit of head shaking , looking puzzled and then a hefty bill . Not so with Mr Ian Marriot his white van is always in our small village looking after our needs . I didn't even know the thermostat had batteries in . Once again I'm a happy woman .

HEE, HEE !!!

2011-11-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

I just saw this caption on PICKLEDISH . How true .

I have just found the B,O,M I want to do next . It is called Birdie Stitches and is on the blog------------- LittleMiss Shabby . If you look down the sidebar on the right you will see where you can print off 11 months blocks . Final one Dec,. 1st .

Thank you Corey Yoder .

Mellow fruitfullness

2011-11-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

It's been a lovely weekend for me . Yesterday there was that lovely Autumn smell in the air , decaying leaves that only a week ago the leaves were still on the trees in Autumn spledour

Today, sunshine . It was warm , I decided to take advantage and do washing . Not a usual activity for Sunday , it did not dry . There were bees about , a very big one kept settling on my white duvet cover and then another bee, species unknown .

I'm now going to settle in my chair . I shall be trying to put my sewing patterns in order . I do get waylayed looking for patterns in disorganised files so often saying to myself when I find a long lost design Oh! thats where it is . Order reigns again .

2011-11-11T03:47:00.000-08:00

Where I live the weather has been damp and cold , the sort of weather to sit and sew .

I decided to make smaller quilts , these are they . Sunbonnet Sue and Farmer Sam . Such an old pattern but still a favourite of mine and a chance to use scraps of fabric .

2011-11-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

Bluebell and myself set off to go to the NEC today . First visit to the Crafts for Christmas .

We were so disappointed , The biggest majority of stalls were for card making . A craft neither of us do .

A few speciality food stalls.

Back home to sit in the chair and snooze.

Information needed *******

2011-11-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

I had such lovely comments on my last blog .

Sometimes I feel I,m in a rut with my sewing , patchwork and quilting then a positive comment is made , and I feel encouraged to proceed .

The information required ? Does anyone know where I can purchase small amounts of velvet ,satin , and what I call precious fabrics .

I passed my stash to a new beginner because I felt I was using the same fabric over and over but I now need to re-stock .

If you look at these quilts you will perhaps see the kind of fabric I need . I am not asking for freebies .

This is a photo of shirts that I cut to make quilts . I usually pay approx £3 for a good shirt .

Satin and lace I have been buying from a lady called Jennifer Trollope . Her bags of fabric were called Rich Pickings and cost £4 per bag . When I went to Malvern last week Jennifer said her supply had dried up , there would be no more . Such sad news to me .

This is a picture of a previous shirt quilt that is now in my son's possesion .

If anyone has shirts they no longer need I will buy them and pay postage . I live in the UK.

If I wasn't so nosey !!

2011-10-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

I switch my lap top on every day to see what is happening in the world .

I first check my emails . Then check on information if there is something I need to look up .

From there I look at the blogs . Usually I scroll down the blogger dashboard . It's then that I forget time . So many interesting blogs to read . Wonderful crafted items being shown with so much information on how things were made , and what materials were used .

After a time I realise I must close down and get on with my housework ,my garden or my sewing . I find I do not have time to write in my own blog or to answer snail mail letters . I have at least two friends that don't use a computer ,so I have written letters through my post box . This is lovely , much more informative and newsy but it means I have to reply using pen and paper and a trip to the post office .

When not being nosey I have been sewing .

I'm showing you a bed quilt made from men's shirts and bits of floral patchwork fabric cut into 3 1/2 " strips . I needed to practice using a quilt frame I purchased at the Malvern quilt show last May .

It isn't one of the super duper frames with a machine and set up that produces a regular pattern all over . It can have a laser attached so a regular design can be followed but I have to get used to controlling the speed of the machine . All is gradually coming o,k .

The quilt I'm showing has all kinds of swirls and wiggles as a practice piece but hey! no one is giving out awards so it doesn't matter . It has been admired and I'm happy as a novice user . It is the second quilt I have quilted on the frame . I know my next attempt will be a big improvement

This picture shows the back of the quilt with it's catalouge of squiggles and swirls

This reverse side could even pass for a quirky wholecloth

The best holiday ever

2011-10-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

Anyone reading my blog will perhaps remember I had a holiday this year with my son David.

This is not David but a bar manager where we had our pre dinner aperitif . What a charmer, from Brazil .

If I have the chance I shall be on the high seas again . Just floating along without a care in the world away from whatever is happing in the world outside .

This was my home for 12 days . The Costa Pacifica . We did leave the ship to visit several biblical and historical countries .

Sadly we were ushered along . you need time to think and soak in the atmosphere , importance and meaning of what you are seeing . A tourist guide is very good at explaining what you see but I think you need to stand back and feel more deeply. I think the only way to appreciate historical biblical places like Jerusalem and Bethlehem and

Rome is to wander freely amongst the people who live there .

I was quite happy to make my home here for my stay

This was my first glimpse approaching the ship for my cruise of the Med,.

2011-10-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

A very nice gentleman I met in Athens ,Bless him . may the pompoms on his shoes never go floppy

Can you see the resemblence ?

Where did that extra chin come from on my neck?

It is a beautiful day here in England . Today I have been for a walk . Also had my flu jab , done some gardening , a little machining .

If tomorrow is fine there will be more of the same .

My new fish bowl

2011-10-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

I was asked what a fish orb is ! Years ago we would call it a fish bowl but like everything else changes happen .

The fish bowl as we had as children is not allowed anymore . You see fish at the aquatic shop and you decide I'll have some of them . The assistant says " What size and capacity is your tank" It's a fish bowl , shock and horror !! you need a bowl that filters the water and if you want those fish it will need to have a heater . There are several other criteria but I parted with my hard earned cash , chose my orb .

I had to fill with water and the ceramics ( stones to me and you ) and leave it for a week with the water . light and heater switched on to prepare and condition it for the fish . The orb can accomadate 15 fish but only 4 each week because anymore and the water will be too acidic much too quickly . So the man said .

I now have 12 fish . I could have had beautiful colours but it is diddy little silver xray tetra's that took my fancy . They are like teeny weeny sardines . Anything bigger and I would have felt uneasy being stared at . Mine are lovely , I hope they live long .

In my garden pond I have 8 goldfish . They come to the side 9 o/clock in the morning to be fed , I love to see them gobble .

I'm really a cat person but neighbours don't take kindly to cats .

For Sandie and Judith

2011-10-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Watch this space tomorrow , a pic,. of the biorb fish bowl.

Sunday, Sunday

2011-10-09T02:10:00.000-07:00

I really do seem to take it literally , Sunday the day of rest but always with the nagging feeling I should be doing something .

This morning I have sat looking at my fish . I recently bought a biorb fish bowl and I,m gradually introducing 4 fish a week . When I first had it the fish did laps around the bowl in a shoal . Now I,m lucky if I see two swimming together . They seem to spend a lot of time in the stones at the bottom .

I have my sewing machine up and ready to do a little piecing . I much prefer quilting to piecing . To me thats when life comes into the quilt . I have wonderful fabric lined up and waiting but must finish a couple of other projects that are waiting .

The weather isn't very inspirational , dull and nothing at all ish . Plenty to do in the garden but I'm not looking . As soon as the frost comes and hits the plants I'll have a good clear up.

Phew!!!

2011-10-04T01:12:00.000-07:00

I have been to see my doctor about the memory lapse of losing a day .
I'm quite normal although some might dispute that .
As soon as I explained he said " Oh , it's called Transient Global Amnesia " well! thats alright then . On with the day , now !!! what day is it .

It's on the internet, if you have a lapse yourself

FOOL THAT I AM

2011-10-03T11:45:00.001-07:00

As you will know if you read my post yesterday , I honestly completely lost Sunday . This was no minor error , I truly thought Sunday was Monday and today Tuesday .

So much so I made a special point of looking out for my milkman this morning . I have 1 pint of milk Monday , same on Wed,. 2 on Friday . So, thinking this morning was Tuesday I told him he didn't leave me any milk on Monday . Me confused . he looking very confused . tells me today is Monday Oct,. 3rd . After much explaining on his part and embarrassment on mine he said "don't worry I'll keep my eye on you !!!

When relating the saga to bluebell she said " I thought it was a funny conversation we had on Sunday over the phone .

The outcome is , I am off to see the doctor 8.30 in the morning , am I worried ? you bet I am .

Yesterdays world

2011-10-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

I,m living in a surreal enviroment today . My t,v has been useless since the change over . It is not an old t,v but it keeps saying Locked!!

Today I'm getting yesterdays programmes . Just been watching Songs of Praise , O,k , but on a Monday .?

Well !! soon be christmas

At least I'm able to leave comment on blogs today

ANY SOLUTIONS ? Barb & Patty pan

2011-10-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

I have had a frustrating afternoon .

Firstly I seem unable to leave comment on blog sites , so, if Barb, of Barbs creations reads this , I was trying to say , try applique on your table runner .

Could be Bejewelled quilts by Barb , I'm not sure now , thats how frustrated I am .

I tried to leave a comment for Patty Pan , no go . I always have a problem with this blog . There seems to be a different format for leaving a comment .

Then blogger says I'm running out of disc space , so I have been deleting old posts .

Then Picassa said I was running out of space , so I'm trying to solve a problem there .

I thought I'd put some stuff on a dvd disc .I thought I had followed the instructions but it does not come up on the T,v when I try to view .

I shall need another holiday at this rate . The day started so well . Up at 5 o/clock , Tea and a ginger biscuit . Shower and out to buy my newspaper , beautiful day , hardly a soul about . Pleasant morning reading . Then a little gardening . After that I thought a little more R&R blogging , thats when every thing changed . So now I'll have a root around in my garage where I keep my fabric stash . Surely nothing can go wrong there .

Bejeweledquilts by barb: Batiks...

2011-10-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Bejeweledquilts by barb: Batiks...

Back to reality

2011-09-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

I've had a wonderful holiday , I now feel refreshed and settling down to the nitty gritty of every day chores .

I went on a cruise of the Med ,. with my son . It was the first time of that kind of holiday . Usually after a couple of days on holiday I think , what is it all about , home is best , but this time I will be saving to repeat the experiance .

I could not fault one thing .

I visited . Italy , Jerusalem , Bethlehem , Rome , Turkey . My son also visited Galilee, I was not able to join him that day.

Roll on next time

Back after flying my nest

2011-09-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

I,m back home . I have been on my hols,. for 2 weks. I was up at 5 o/clock this morning wide awake so thought it was a good time to sift through my emails . It is now almost 8 o/clock and 2 pots of tea I,m now thinking back to bed for an hour before I go further into the day .

I have had the best holiday ever but more of that when I post again .

Just after getting home the postman called . 3 packets containing swaps . 2 postcard swaps and a 15" quilt swap . What a lovely welcome home .

Back later , Bye for now .

SUCH A BARGAIN

2011-09-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

I should not be blogging really , I still have lots to do but I was offered a real bargain . Because I have my house ins,. with Saga they offered me 3 years Saga magazines for £7,95 . I took advantage right away , All that information coming my way .

They must know I cannot resist magazines

Onward to read a few blogs before my concience says , Ironing waiting

heard the song ?

2011-09-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

Have you heard the song Give me just a little more time , ?

I need more of it in a day . I have been trying to get outstanding jobs done before I go off on holiday .

Holidays are nice to look forward to but it's catch up time at present . Today I have done my postcard for my postcard swap . Finished the binding for my Raggedy Anne and Andy quilt . Done baking to try to use up stuff in the fridge .

Yesterday bluebell helped me clean the fish pond and clear all the fallen fruit from under the trees . We have had strong winds and rain so fruit was on the ground and the flower baskets were ruined so they had to come down . Where are those beautiful misty September mornings that turn into a lovely summer day , not happening this year up to now.

I had avery pleasant break this afternoon with two friends popping in . Tea and cake and a good gossip .

£1 please

2011-08-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Something else up . I hear today it now cost £1 to order a book from the library , even if children order.

SHARP PRACTICE

2011-08-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have just been into my local shop Co,op . I live in a small village and co,op have the monopoly , 2 shops , one each end of the village .

In the section where they put reduced stuff on it's sell by date -- 2 packs fresh garden peas but not so fresh because they are on there sell by date , price, £1.55 , "how much originally " ask I , "£3 sez he ," " but it also says buy one get one free " sez I , "does that mean I can have both packs for £1.55 " " No sez he " Is this a conundrum ? am I right or is he ?

Please think about it and leave me a comment .

My beautiful Purchase

2011-08-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

This is the fabric I bought at the Festival of quilts. If you notice the little vase of flowers has the same shades . I love colour and I,m wanting to get started on a quilt using this fabric but I must put the finishing touches to two projects almost finished . These are Rowan fabrics and when we go to the Malvern show I hope to purchase more .

At present I'm having difficulty leaving comment on blogs . Please don't think i,m ignoring you . NEVER! I love reading and being nosey as to what others are up to . I must get my laptop sericed or cleaned whatever it's called . It's slow and not doing what I ask of it .

Not only that , My t,vneeds retuning , Woe is me .

The Final Five

2011-08-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

I do hope you enjoyed the quilts I have been showing . We could have spent lots more precious time photographing quilts but there is so much to see .

We always say we will stay overnight and do workshops too , perhaps next year .

I think this quilt is so wonderful . I am full of admiration for people who are able to do this kind of work

These arches , full of mystery , what is there when you go through?

This one again wonderful . The blossom on the tree is tiny organza flowers , each flower has 3 little beads in the centre .

I like this , I just like quilts and pictures of buildings and also the real buildings

I always raise my sight above eye level to see what is further up above the doors and windows . That is often where the best aspects of design can be seen .

Not so long age bluebell and myself looked out over the high rise car park at the roofs of the buildings in Leicester where we live . It was fascinating , try it where you live .

RUBY,RUBY

2011-08-18T04:50:00.000-07:00

A good set on my crab apple jelly, clear as a bell . I have just give it a wiggle and it's gelling nicely

I like to cap my preserves when they are cold , and then the pinked circles of check fabric go on top of the lids .

There will be a jar for a neighbour who brings me all kind of goodies . These people only moved in feb,. just gone but are very giving and sharing .

A jar for a neighbour who is well in his eighties , he brings me tomatoes and lots of blackberries . Last year I told him how to make blackberry vinegar . He told me he had no colds or sore throat last winter .

Of course there will be a supply for bluebell

Now for the crunch!! the jelly is free but there is a £30 deposit on the jar .

Now this fellow , I don't think it is the same one as yesterday , It's a different shape . I almost put my foot on it . I tried to avert a squashed frog , wobbled and nearly fell over but all was safe . he jumped out of the way . Mmmm might have had frog legs for supper .

Dripping a drop at a time

2011-08-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

This is my heath robinson set up for letting my crab apples drain overnight . The cloths are hanging on my ironing board .

The tree is a new one this year , it yield 15 1/2 lbs of crab apples . Non for the birds this year from this tree but if they look in my back garden I shall leave the crab apples on that tree .

This is the latest little creature to take up residence in my garden

And here , another one come out of the border to sunbathe .

More Festival of quilts 4th blog

2011-08-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

Enjoy

Festival of quilts 3rd lot

2011-08-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

This quilt is the popular Meercats . It attracted a lot of attention , eeeek

This quilt is like a floriana , really lovely , lots of colour, enlarge to see the detail

Beautiful with a hint of sadness looking at the barren landscape

Lots to look at in this quilt . Perhaps it is illustrating various festivals . I didn't have a programme so !!!

This quilt also attracted a lot of attention . I felt you could get in there . There is a woman walking her dog half way up right side

More tomorrow

More Festival quilts

2011-08-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

The quilts I'm showing were of interest to me . I hope you enjoy them too .

If you have never been to a major quilt show but decide to next year you will be astounded .

The quilts at Birmingham, Festival of quilts are so different to the quilts at Malvern . Both shows not to be missed.

I'd enjoy looking at this every day

To me , this in it's simplicity says GREECE all over

More tomorrow

Festival quilts at Birmingham UK

2011-08-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

I'm always besotted by quilts with houses or buildings

Beautiful art deco quilt

I shall post more tomorrow

BirminghamUK festival of quilts

2011-08-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

This sunbonnet sue is a quilt I'm working on, how did she manage to get in there ?

Bluebell and myself went to the festival of quilts last Thursday .

I shall show a few each day of quilts I found outstanding , that is not meaning I am being judgemental . To be in the show means they are worthy but impossible to film them all

Full complement

2011-08-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

The little darlings you see on my last post are now 12 pieces , embellished and ready to be sashed together . They look very pretty , hopefully it won't be long before I show you the finished quilt .

Father time

2011-08-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

I thought father time was an old man but I'm coming to the conclusion he can move faster than I can .

At present I seem to have just enough time for all the necessary things that have to be done .

I have spent 2 days shopping with bluebell this week though .

These lovely sunbonnet sue came to me from Barb, at bejewelled quilts . They arrived from America on Tuesday morning . I thought I would finish one to show but I sat last night and did 3 .( I had a coca cola about 8 o/clock, always gives me energy ) When I have finished the 12 I shall embroider the blocks to give more interest. Maisie Sue the 3rd one along the row already has a butterfly on her hat .

Come back tomorrow , there will be more .

Sweet Memories

2011-07-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

I've been really working hard in the garden from 5.30, It was 9 o,clock when I came in .

I had the perfect antidote , My greek music CDs and coca cola .

Coca cola gives me more energy than anything else .I shall probably be up till about 2 in the morning but it doesn't matter , I don't have to get up early .

The first picture is the Marina in Larnaca . This one is the village of Oroklini

This is also Oroklini

And this is the beautiful church of St Lazarus in Larnaca .

I don't have a holiday planned this year so what better than my greek music and memorable photographs.

More searching--free labels

2011-07-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

For the free labels to put on your jars of preserves go to Ukok's Place , put that in your google bar , under the heading click on Free labels , then scroll right down to the end before the comments

Sorry

2011-07-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

I checked the http , it came up cannot be found but I put in Preserving labels , try it

FREE,YES FREE

2011-07-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

I was searching for labels to put on my chutney , beetroot and jam etc,. and came across this site where the labels are FREE .

http://hubpapers.com

The labels are at the end of the site and a really good assortment .

Not only these labels but, stuff for scrapbooking , religious text too , and card making

Definately worth a look '

I have been a bit lax on my blogging but so busy on other things , even my sewing has been put aside . I have been reading a few blogs after checking my emails .

MY GARDEN at the back of my home

2011-07-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

IF THE SHIRT FITS!!!!!

2011-07-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

My son recently went on a carribean cruise , he and Alison bought me a gift from each island they stopped at . This is one of the gifts , I love it . I really ought to hang it on the door and wipe off the red cross that says plaque and fever here , enter at your own risk .

To make sure I stay scurvy free today I have eaten for my lunch

Fresh garden peas raw ( £1.50 a 500 gr,. bag --Co.op

Grated raw carrot

Cucumber with yoghurt and garlic and lemon made into tzaziki

Fresh salad and spinach leaves from my garden as salad

Cheese and onion quiche £1 from the Co.op

My follow up is a medley of fresh fruit , 3 boxes of your choice £3 .

Can't be bad , no cooking , just the oven to warm the quiche .

Hope I don't sneeze my halo will slip .

For me

2011-07-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

Today once again I went to the city to do one thing and got sidetracked .

I did what I initially intended but a little more besides .

About 6 weeks ago my right ankle gave way as I went down a step in my garden . A bit of a complicated fall . nothing broken , bruises and a very painful pair of ankles that of now are still painful . Slowly responding to analgsic cream and paracetamol . Well I thought ,no more slopping around in old comfy shoes so into a shoe shop called Tin Fish , First I fell for the co,respondent beige and white , sensible tie ups , support all round . Then the Birkenstocks for wearing in the house , lovely , silver fronts ,I like a bit of flash . They have support insoles , wonderful . Then the black with the flower on . I have no idea what they are made from the salesgirl didn't know either , they are Italian and so comfortable . They also have them in pink!!!! mmmmm.

Sunday Special Purchase

2011-07-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

Bluebell and myself went to the antique centre on Sunday , one of our favourite haunts .

I fell hook line and sinker for these two pillow cases , both very old , i know the bottom one is hand crochet , I,m not so sure about the top pillow case , it could be manufactured lace but still very pretty , both white as driven snow .

I cannot resist pretty bedlinen . a little spray of violet perfume , I love it .

this is a close up

The lady we visit sells antique linen and lace . She did tell us her method of washing . starching and ironing .

A few weeks ago I bought a french cotton embroidered bedspread from her . It really is very special .

So Sweet , so FLIPPING AWFUL

2011-07-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

5 o,clock in the afternoon , sitting in my garden listening to a child rendering out the sweet notes of the tune Greensleeves on his recorder . Far from perfect but quintessentially English I love it . Play on .

Then comes the rancid smell of someones barbeque, they are cooking onions . Perhaps the child is in the same garden ! the music has stopped but the smell of the onions lingers on .

2011-07-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged for a few days . I have been blog browsing and reading other blogs . There is some beautiful work and crafts being shown . I get carried away with other people,s creativity then I don't have enough time left to write my own blog .

I'm making a flannelette quilt at present , I think this quilt will be over ny knees a lot this winter it is so cosy.

It's been a great day shopping in a nearby market town with bluebell . Coffee and cream cake to fortify us half way through the morning . A few purchases , the sort you don't set out to buy . Shoes were on the agenda but I came back without shoes but with 2 cardigans , Where is the logic ? I also bought a video , never heard of it but the man assured me I would like it!!! We finished our outing with a very nice fish and chip lunch al fresco .

Tonight I have been sneezing , itching . scratching , blowing , I am now at the huffing and puffing phase , goodness knows what kind of pollen is blowing on the wind . I,m not a sufferer of hayfever but living in a country area surrounded by fields does give problems sometimes .

non paying guest

2011-06-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

Cheeky as you like , it took residence in my potting shed

Enlighten me

2011-06-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

Can anyone tell me where to look . On each of my post it says at the bottom , ' Done but with error on page'

Beautiful day here in England , just right for lazing around .

Summer Garden ,all bright and beautiful

2011-06-23T00:22:00.001-07:00

I let my garden be included in the village open gardens last weekend . Sadly it was not a summer day , It rained but people did tur out to visit the gardens .

My beautiful golden roses and purple clematis that had been stunningflowered early and were sadly finished but there are other nice corners not caught in the picture . It is a small cottage garden . The prolific stuff going up the left side are my runner beans

This is my salad stuff growing in boxes

And this is a pic,. of my front garden , sorry about the flash but I took it from inside . My beautiful lavender hedge is wonderful again . On a sunny day I will make a better effort . The hydrangea bottom left is in full bud just waiting for the sunshine .

Next step & a note for followers of Bluebell

2011-06-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have now pinned together the replacement quilt . It is coming along fine . I haven't been able to start the machine quilting today though .

The weather is so dismal but i will not complain, we desperately need the rain here in England . It isn't summer rain , it's really cold , central heating on in flaming June .

I have done nothing worthwhile today ,just crosswords.

Bluebell cannot blog for a few days . she has phoned to say her computer has died . Just a black screen she say's .

All's well

2011-06-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

I worked hard sorting ironing and cutting fabric yesterday afternoon . I managed to get 400 , 4 1/2" sqs cut and before 8 o clock had made 16 nine patch blocks . By Sunday the top will be ready for the batting and backing . It will be machine quilted so no problem . I shall show this quilt hopefully in a weeks time . This is to replace the quilt a neighbour wants later in the year . I sold the one I made previously .

Today bluebell and myself have been the other side of town sourcing fabric for our worn and washed quilts. My son and daughter in law read one of my previous blogs saying I was looking for flannelette items and today a parcel arrived containing the very type of stuff I need . They do not live in my part of England , Isn't it nice when you get a response . Thank you both .

Pride before a fall

2011-06-08T04:33:00.000-07:00

I was so pleased the way my garden was coming on after having to be redone 2 years ago due to the fence being replaced . I even told the village commitee they could add it to the open gardens in 2 weeks time . THEN yesterday I called on bluebell , her garden is absolutely stunning . Admitedly her husband is a big help but it is truly wonderful . I did ask her to post a video on her blog .

A while ago a neighbour called to see me . I was making a quilt , "I will buy that" she said "but I don't want it till later in the year" . Oh me of little faith ! I have heard that before , kept quilts to one side and heard no more . Anyway , I let the quilt go !!. I had reason to call on this neighbour on Monday . During conversation of -what are you making now ? she said " I still want the quilt " . consequently I,m cutting squares like fabric is going out of fashion . Serves me right that I have a blister on my finger . I shall be burning the midnight oil for the coming week .

Dear o dear

2011-06-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

I tried the link on my last post , apparantly it didn't work . So, a quick root around my files for the pattern . Here goes www.dontlooknow.typepad.com I hope this gets you there

Twice in one day

2011-06-04T08:59:00.001-07:00

.Saturday is the day I sit and read the newspaper and the T,V magazine and any other mag,. that takes my fancy . Then about 4 pm in the afternoon I start to feel guilty for sitting around . Well my guilt trip today pushed me to finish this bag . It is a pattern sold PDF on the site http://dontlooknowblogspot.com

The patterns are also available from some patchwork shops in the U,K

The pattern can be multiplied for quilts , and wallhangings ,book covers .

The scrappy bee: New Post

2011-06-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

The scrappy bee: New Post

Weep not fair lady

2011-05-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Several times today I have tried to use my lap top but to no avail . It just kept saying 'not connected' I was ready to have a little weep of frustration . I needed to contact someone . Could it be I dusted it this morning , ? I'II not dust it again , It will get a blow.

This is a picture of my next quilt . In my last post I showed the shirt strips bluebell and myself were cutting . This quilt is in the Kaffe fassett book 'Quilt Road' We cut more strips today before we went to the garden centre for some R&R .

Off to do a little potting on of some Cosmos and a bit of planting .

A SHIRT TALE OR SHOULD IT BE TAIL

2011-05-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Wallpaper Quilts !!! That is the name Kaffe Fassett gave to the name of quilts made from strips of fabric . Lovely name and a very pleasing outcome .

Bluebell and myself have spent quite a few hours today cutting shirts into strips . We're hoping to get at least 2 large quilts from the shirts we have .

This is a picture of our workstation , one each side and steady as we go.

This is the washing basket still with many shirts to iron and cut

These are the strips we have cut so far . 3 1/2 inch strips . Many more to cut before we have a good mix of colours.

The next exciting part will be to show you our quilts in progress .

O Happy Day

2011-05-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

I had the best day yet at Malvern Quilt Show , Bluebell and myself had a great time . I didn.t get tired at all . Was it because I had a coca cola at lunch time!! I bought a little , spent a little .

I bought a roll of fabric from Kim Porter of 'Warm and Washed' she has beautiful recycled fabrics cut like jelly rolls . I had a 4" wide roll that equals 4 mtrs fabric . Tomorrow I shall put on a pic ,. of my roll . I have looked at Kim's fabric for the last 3 yrs but thought although beautiful it seemed out of my price bracket but this year I went for it . At present I,m still stroking it . I bought 2 patterns . A christmas one and a pincushion pattern , Patterns had gone up in price , now £8 where they used to be £6 . The price of fabric on most stalls was extortionate . Even the price of gadgets had been increased . Patchworkers will be using their stash instead of falling for new lines .

The quilt in the pictures is a 9 patch I have made for my daughter in law .

I have recently taken part in 2 swaps . I sent my end of the bargain off but have received nothing in exchange . Why are people so unfair? No more exchange blocks etc, for me . I didn,t need them , I was entering into the spirit of the thing . I could have saved on materials and postage .

To start the day

2011-05-16T23:51:00.001-07:00

I've filled the bird feeders , scurried around the house doing a few necesaries and now I shall be sewing down one side of a quilt I finished yesterday ,well it isn't finished till the binding is sewn but nearly there . It.s a cool day so sitting sewing facing my garden will be very pleasant .

The sparrows bought their new family out of the nest yesterday . They haven't been feeding so frantically this morning , perhaps they are on a trip to show the area to the young ones . I still have pesky pidgeons though .

HAVE A GOOD DAY

I like

2011-05-15T02:49:00.000-07:00

Just look at this beautiful African print fabric . I looked at it last week but when Bluebell said she had to go back to the fabric guild again this week I knew I had to buy a yard . I have a nice stash of African related fabric and to me this is beautiful .
I have a bag and quilt in prints of a similar kind . I,m so looking forward to making a start on something .

We go to the Malvern quilt show this week . Such an exciting time of the year , gardens , days out . mooching in the charity shops and the quilt shows .

This is what I,m working on at present . It's a nine patch . I finished a similar quilt about 3 weeks ago . Always a favourite and so easy to do . Hand quilting on the 9s and machine quilting in the plain block . Just a large squiggle on the plain . It's myopinion that while close quilting is lovely and very decorative it doesn't have the warmth and softness of a quilt more loosely quilted .

This quilt with the sheep I finished last week . I love the cream and brown colouring

While sitting at night I,m doing sewing over papers in the English method . This one I,m showing was finished many moons ago but I'm doing one the same but a different colour way .

I'm also working on a grandmothers garden quilt and a tumbling blocks also both are paper piecing . This means I have 3 quilts on the go paper piecing . they each require different size scraps and different colours so I'm not fazed having 3 on the go at once .

It has been cold here in England this week so it's difficult not to sit cosy and have a couple of biscuits with a cuppa . Enough said !!

A Hard Days Work

2011-05-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

Bluebell and myself paid our final visit (I think) to the garden centre .

Between us we planted the last empty space in my garden . This is bluebell when she had finished her part of the operation
The planted bed . Astilbe , foxgloves , bishop of Landaff dahlia . pinks . verbascom ,lupins ,a new specie delp,.lavender and a couple of others

This is the girl herself having a refresher , bless her .

A big public thankyou Jill xx

Life gets wild sometimes

2011-05-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

In my garden A heron who visits to steal my fish
Pidgeons and collared doves to steal the bird food
and this morning , a mouse on the patio eating the crumbs I had just put out for the blackbirds .

A Fishy Tale

2011-05-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

This afternoon bluebell took me to the garden centre for some herb plants , we didn't see any . One of our garden centre haunts has had a massive revamp and an even more massive extension . As I said to bluebell " we could have a weeks holiday here ,any more walking and we would have been beside the sea . Thing is the prices have gone up massivly too .I bought a heavy trellis support for an Albertine Rose .

While there I called in the fish section for pool plants . I bought 3 . Last year a Heron took 7 of my fish . I had 2 left of the original and bought 6 more . This year the fish dive under the pump when I go near . I had a word with the man in charge about this happening . His comment is the original fish that escaped being eaten by the heron will always be nervous now and they will have passed that on the new fish . what a carry on , buying fish food and plants and not having the pleasure of watching the fish feed . the previous fish came to the corner 9 o/clock each morning to feed .

I,m no Picasso

2011-04-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today I have started to paint a rocking chair that a bought at a charity shop two weeks ago

Not an easy task. ! Although I rubbed it down with fine sandpaper and cleaned it with meths the varnish is so ingrained that the undercoat frothed and looked like water but I,m persevering .

I shall make a quilt to hang on the back of it . It will look vintage when I have finished .

I have been trying to be more careful about what I eat . I,m now at the end of my second week . I am not weighing myself because the scale needs a new battery so I have no idea if cutting down is having any effect . I can only say about 2 hrs,. after lunch I start to get hungry and really look forward to 6 o/clock when I prepare my evening meal .

2011-04-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

I seem to have a surplus of energy today , I have been spring cleaning and didn,t flag at all . Furniture moved into different places, fresh air blowing through and a smug feeling of satisfaction .
It doesn,t trake much to please me .

2011-04-27T03:17:00.000-07:00

Two pics, taken the day we went to see the bluebells . Jill could not resist taking this one of me climbing the stile but I,m a sort of not bothered person . I don,t mind you seeing me in all my glory . When I lose the extra weight I,ll perhaps be able to leap frog over the stile instead of climbing .

This is madam bluebell . As you can see she is much more ladylike . A real poser . She is posing in bed this last few days . She has an attack of the vapours . Ah well !! get well soon .

we have had 2 really cold days but the sun is shining again now .

The balmy Days

2011-04-22T06:54:00.001-07:00

This morning the call came !! The bluebells are in flower , garden centre first for the red geraniums , bluebells next . Yes , maam .

Off we go and the bluebells were indeed a sight to see . We duly took photo,s that are identical to last year .

On the way back home we passed a lilac bush that grows by the wayside . Each time we pass it I long to bring some home . Today was the day . Bluebell stopped so I could have some . This is just 3 stems .My hall smells wonderful . This bush is just growing wild . How did it get there on the edge of a field . was it thrown away with garden rubbish . It is the most magnifecent specimen .

At the garden centre last week we saw lilac bushes £24 . I have never seen one in a cultivated garden as handsome as this .

Sitting with a purpose

2011-04-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

I cut the 4 1/2 " sqares for this quilt about this time last week . It is now quilted and this evening I shall add the binding and sit sewing it down .

A 9 patch is very quick to do . The fabric was all from my stash so a very economical quilt to make . I intend to make another one for my daughter in law . I shall be more selective with the colours because she wants to give it as a birthday present . This was really a dummy run to see how long it would take to make.

I did say I had been sitting around a great deal but at least I have something to show .

This is an article from our Hospice magazine . 3 cheers for the patchwork /quilters .

Browsing in my garden yesterday I noticed 1 lily from last year coming through ,it is about 8 " high and already had lily beetles chomping at the leaves . I drop more than I pick off because I dislike them so .

Woe is me

2011-04-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

Bluebell has decided I must lose weight . The mere thought makes my rolls of fat tremble . When people talk about smaller portions I immediately feel desperately hungry . I love a good breakfast , elevenses , lunch, tea and cake in the afternoon , and to round off the day , my dinner. I won,t even know where to start cutting down. She says no fat but I like butter , I cannot compomise by eating margarine , Is there anything that will work quickly apart from breathing in .