frayed at the edge

Winding down

I have ticked most things off my Christmas to-do, and this morning saw another one done.  I assembled these .......

 

....... ready to ice the Christmas cake.  I brushed the cake with warmed apricot jam and unrolled the icing

 

I don't like marzipan, but Malcolm does, so we compromise with marzipan fruits, so that Malcolm gets one with each slice of cake.  After years of cutting out fabric leaves for applique, it didn't take long to cut out some in the leftover icing

 

safely stowed away ready for Christmas Day

 

then it was off to patch'n'chat for our party.  We were welcomed with a glass of mulled wine, and the latest Australian magazines , which had just been delivered to the shop

 

Margaret had decorated the tables (that's Katy sitting at the table)

 

and of course there was food - lots of food

 

Cathy's husband Colin played carols for us

 

we had fun pulling our crackers and letting off the party poppers ....... and of course eating far too much

 

Margaret's hat played a tune, and the end danced about!

 

Kay had brought in two quilts that she had longarm quilted.  First was Maureen's lovely applique quilt

 

in contrast, Cath's quilt is a riot of colour

 

I took a set of notecards for everyone

 

and Sheena had chocolate for everyone - as I had eaten so much, I gave mine to Malcolm

 

over the course of the afternoon, everyone who visited the ladies came back through giggling, but wouldn't say why ...... but they all said to take the camera when I went.  Margaret had decorated the toilet seat!  And when you lifted the lid, the bell on Santa's hat jingled!

 

Well, that's it for this year!!  I am taking a break and will be back on Monday 6th of January.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014.

Love Anne xx

 

Yet again, dear readers .......

......... I braved the cold to take photos of the moon.  This was at 8am, so it was quite a bit lighter.  You can see Hawick in the distance

 

so what did I come home with yesterday?  The first thing was this delightful candle, which was a present from Carolyn, who made it

 

this miniature box of chocolates was from Lucie

 

I couldn't resist these new designs from Rosalie Quinlan

 

each contains the design printed on fabric, ready to stitch

 

I hummed and hawed abut buying this set of patterns as it was quite expensive.  I picked it up and put it down, and picked it up and put it down ........ but in the end it came home with me. (that's my pocket money spent for the next year!!)

 

I also brought another amazing pattern home - but it is my Christmas present from Malcolm, so you will have to wait to see it!

Party #1*

Just a quick post, as it has been a long day!  We left at 9am, and didn't get back until after 5pm.  So where were we?  You have probably guessed that we were in Northumberland!  Malcolm spent the day in Alnwick, while I was having fun at the Stitchin' Heaven Christmas Party!!  You know by now that whenever quilters get together for a party, food is involved

 

but I wouldn't want you to think that all we did was sit about drinking cuppas, eating and blethering (although we did do rather a lot of that!).  Annie had this box of tiny scraps .........

 

........ which she had turned into "fabric".  She had intended to make a bag, and had made a big piece of fabric and two smaller pieces for pockets.  But when she went to assemble it, she couldn't find the pockets.  So yesterday she decided to enalrge the bigger piece to make a table runner, got out the box of scraps ....... and there were the pockets!

 

Ros had just started an applique block

 

Sue was rushing to finish the binding on this quilt, which is a present for her son's girlfriend

 

Carolyn was busy stitching a sample of one of the range of stitcheries she has been designing - hopefully by the time I see her again the patterns will be available to buy and I will be able to give you the details

 

Lucy was finishing the binding on a quilt which she had longarm quilted - the quilt is a sampler which was made at a beginners' class in the shop

 

Frances too was starting an applique block

 

I may have come home with one or two little purchases - I'll show you tomorrow .........

* Party #2 is on Friday at Borderland Fabrics

 

Only for you, dear readers ........

........ would I go out into the garden at 7.15 on a rathjer chilly morning!  I was hoping to capture the full moon, but between camera shake from the long exposure time, and shiver shake because it was so cold, the photos are a bit blurry!

 

I do like getting post, so I was delighted witth today's delivery! 

 

the red envelope contained a Christmas card, the Australian one was a present from Meredithe, which is now under the tree ........ and the pink one was another kit from the wonderful Kate.  The handsome dog is Bruce

 

out in the studio, I was listening to some seasonal music

 

I was given these lovely poppy fabrics by Margaret, as a thank you for lending her some patterns and some books.  I will probably make a runner for the kitchen table with them

 

while Malcolm was out, I wrapped his presents and put them under the tree.  I had a litle bit of present sewing to finish, then I was able to make a start on the laundry bag, using these fun fabrics that I bought at Stitchin' Heaven

 

after cutting the fabrics to size, I stitched the peg fabric to the top of both sides

 

then stitched the iron fabric to the bottom

 

next, I needed some laundry!  I drew some shapes, and looked out some odds and ends of fusible web

 

as I have just put a new cover on the ironing board, I used a piece of baking parchment to protect it while I ironed the fusible web on to the wrong side of the fabrics

 

it's amazing what you can find in your stash ...... pretty coloured strings to use as the washing lines

 

I've been making more fudge!  However this isn't for us (well, we might just have to eat a square or two for quality control), it's for presents

plump, slightly sour, cherries

 

seasonal cranberries

 

I have a special day out tomorrow - do come back to find out all about it!

Fun at the Fair

Saturday morning saw us trundling down the road to Southdean Village Hall for the Christmas Fair.  With a little bit of difficulty, given the size of our table, we got our stall set up

 

the hall was cold while people were setting up, as the door was wide open, so we were very glad when we were able to get a warming cuppa.  But once the door was closed and the heaters turned on, the hall warmed up and we were able to shed coats, gloves and scarves.  Unfortunately as the day wore on, the weather worsened, with rain and wind.  However quite a few people braved the weather, and Malcolm was pleased with his sales.  He had a lot of interest in his driftwood creations, and we had to endure a fair amount of teasing about how many bottles wine we must have drunk to provide the corks!!  However it wasn't a happy homecoming - as we had another power cut.  Fortunately the power was restored in time to cook dinner, and to settle down to watch the semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing.

The weather was much better yesterday morning, so we headed into Hawick to go for a walk along the river

 

we weren't able to walk as far as we usually do along the river, as the unpaved section was too muddy, so we turned off and went through the tunnel under the old railway line

 

and took the footpath which follows the route of the railway

I followed my own advice, to remember to look up

 

we were heading to The Mill for a cuppa

 

but we were too early, so we walked across the footbridge to have a look in the window of Yvette Jelf's hat shop.  I wouldn't want a peacock feather on a hat - it's one of my superstitions, that they are unlucky

 

this fascinator is very pretty .......

 

....... but given the current weather, I would rather have this hat!

 

we were the first customers in the Mills' coffee shop, so I was able to take photos

 

the scones were delicious - we chose a fruit one and a cheese one

 

I was walking past the lounge door after lunch, when I glanced out of the window, and saw a woodpecker on the peanut feeder.  While the large window gives us a wonderful view of the garden, it also means that the birds on the feeders are aware of any movement in the room, and fly away, so I crept along the back of the couch to reach the camera, which was on the little table at the end of the couch

 

I also knew that Malcolm was on his way round to the front of the house, so I quickly took this photo as soon as I turned the camera on, in case he frightened the woodpecker away

 

 I then zoomed in and took another two photos, but when I took a step forward to try to get a better angle, the woodpecker flew off

 

to finish - sometimes it's just the little things that can brighten your day.  When I bought salmon this morning, I was given lemon pepper butter to have with it, and when I opened a new box of teabags, there was a little extra inside

 

 

In search of a title

Some days, I struggle to think of a title for my post - and this is one of those days.  So lets just dive straight in to the photos.  This morning the garden was full of birds - which promptly flew off as soon as I switched the camera on.  Eventually they returned

    

 

there is also a new bird in the house.  Maureen gave me this very cute owl as a thank you for giving her a lift to Abbey Quilters' meetings

 

and Maureen also provided me with another photo this afternoon, when she brought her finished Christmas wallhanging for us to see at patch'n'chat

 

Cathy has just finished this stocking for her newest granddaughter (there is a clue in the stocking to Cathy's nationality!)

 

then of course there was the Friday cake.  This week it was the delicious apple and sultana cake.  Although we flirted recently with the Norwegian apple cake,  we have reverted to our original opinion that this is our favourite cake

 

we are just about organised for tomorrow's Christmas Fair, fingers crossed that lots of Malcolm's creations sells!  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

ps - I was a bit scared when I saw this root creeping round the label on one of my orchids - maybe I have watched too many horror films!

Cardsharp

I was looking for something in the back of the wardrobe recently, and came across two t-shirts.  I could have modelled them for you, but decided instead to pin them to the design wall to take photos.  When we lived in Indonesia, I used to get together on Friday mornings with a group of ex-pats to play a silly card game called 99.  We used to put 5000 rupiah in the pot each week - but this wasn't prize money.  We used the money to buy things for the local boys orphanage.  We bought them new mattresses ........ but these weren't matresses for their beds, as they had no beds.  Until we gave them the mattresses, the boys were sleeping on a bare concrete floor.  We also bought them new t-shirts for Idul Fitri - it's traditional to have new clothes to wear to celebrate the end of Ramadan, so they were delighted to receive them.  So, to get back to the t-shirts!  We had them made to wear on Friday mornings - I think we only wore them a couple of times!

 

I can't remember why we had this t-shirt made.  It wasn't because we had enrolled as students to spend our time doing something more productive than playing cards ....... indeed we would have trouble enrolling, as not only is there no Becak Business School, there is no Merak university!

 

it has been a miserable day here - the sort of day when you have to have the lights on, which is very depressing.  So what could I do to cheer myself up?  Make fudge!

 

it didn't take long to assemble the ingredients

 

I didn't use the fruit and nut baking mix, as I don't really like nuts.  Instead I used a Black Forest mix, with these yummy ingredients

 

it was very easy to make, and was soon cooling in the tin

 

we have been very good, and have only had one square each!  It is very sweet - and very delicious.

 

 

Party time!

Before we  get the party started, a little foodie treat.  Remember when I made the Christmas pudding vodka, I had all that boozy fruit left over?  Well, Malcolm turned it into a sort of strudel, using filo pastry - delicious!

 

so, fortified with a large helping of strudel (and cream!) I picked up Maureen and we headed over to Kelso for an evening filled with oooohs and aaahs - and lots of laughter!  We played two silly games, during which the fat quarters we had taken were passed round, swapped, and fought over.  Our sides were sore with laughter by the time the second game finished ........ anyone peeking in the window would have wondered what illegal substances these mostly middle-aged ladies had been imbibing, to cause such hilarity!  No photos were taken of that part of the evening, to protect reputations, but there are lots of photos of the show and tell, so let's get started.  First, Ivy, who does a lot with folded Japanese patchwork and hexagons

 

Kathleen had several quilts

 

next was Caroline

 

Mary's child's quilt

 

Maureen had Santas

 

then it was me!  Anne S. took some photos for (of) me

 

Katy's Santa was too small to be seen from across the room, so here he is sitting on my knee

 

Chris, who lives just down the road from me, was next with a super child's quilt

 

Doreen had a table runner and a quilt

 

Ann had two quilts

 

Sheila and her Santa

 

this is Sandra, hidden behind her quilts (and oh dear, I managed to cut the top of her head off!)

 

Moira and her fun child's quilt

 

Sheena with her little elephant

 

and last, Lesley with her cushion

 

there were lots more that I didn't manage to get photos of - lots and lots of super work!  The evening ended with a lovely supper laid on by the committee, but I was too busy blethering (and eating) to take a photo!

However, I do have some food to show you - our lunch today.  Malcolm had a cheese and pickle toastie

 

and I had a coronation chicken wrap - delicious!

Show and tell

It's Abbey Quilters' Christmas party this evening, and of course there will be a show and tell.  This is what I am taking

cream flowers

 

New Zealand vineyard

 

the little landscape I started at last month's meeting

 

the Top Secret project - I'll show you more photos tomorrow

 

two fat quarters for the silly games we play

 

I was so busy sewing this afternoon I forgot to take photos of the other Gail Lawther piece that I completed - the Japanese shrine - and the handstitching that I have done on my Sheena Norquay sampler piece.  I also have two things that I can't show you yet, as they are Christmas presents.

Yesterday I got two nice things in the post - my Landscape magazine (I took out a subscription last year, so it escaped this year's embargo) and something very special in a snazzy pink envelope

 

last week I saw this on Kate's blog, and immediately wanted one ........ but the first lot had already sold out!  So I had to contain my impatience until Kate re-stocked the shop ...... but it was worth the wait (ok, it was only a few days!)

 

so, if you haven't yet clicked on the link ...... look what I got, my very own toatie hottie (translation - small hot water bottle!)

 

when I went over to Kate's blog to get the link, I saw that she has published another wonderful pattern - I think I will have to go back for a look when I finish this!  Buying this kit has reminded me that I haven't told you what my aim is for next year.  This year, of course, has been the year of using it up.  I have just asked Malcolm how he thinks I have done in my quest to use up my stash, and he says that I have done quite well (that's high praise!).  So next year is going to be ....... (fanfare, drumroll)

the year of the kit

I have so many kits of all kinds, patchwork, embroidery, knitting, felting, toys, dolls ........ the list is rather long!  Many of them were bought on holidays, so are reminders of happy times.  So my challenge to myself is to make as many of these kits as I can in the coming year - and of course now that I have told you, I will have to do it!

 

 

It's getting closer!

Yesterday was grey, dreary and damp, so yet again we weren't able to go for a walk.  So we went off to The Old Melrose Furniture Showroom (that's their Facebook page, it's the only link I could find).  There was a Christmas Fair, but again we didn't buy anything.  However, we had the consolation of sharing a toasted teacake ......

 

....... and a cheese scone

 

on the way in to the Furniture Showroom, we saw this enormouse tree, which probably came down during Thursday night's storm.  The second and third photos were taken through the side windows of the car, which were wet

 

back home, I put up the Christmas tree(s) and decorations, but I had to wait until today to take photos, when it was brighter

the big tree

 

the driftwood tree

 

the minimalist tree - and the new bunting above it

 

the tiny mittens garland

 

the Gnome brothers and sisters as usual squabbled over which cushions and stockings were to be put on their chairs  ...... I had to remind them that only good Gnomes get presents from Santa!

 

the elves are counting down the days in the kitchen

 

the little wallhangings brighten the doors

 

in the dining room, I turned the table runner over, to reveal the Christmas side

 

and decorated the deep windowsill

to finish, I hope thhe owls play nicely with the robin, which has popped in to visit for Christmas