frayed at the edge

Not much to report!

I spent the morning doing some housework (boring), then in afternoon at the hairdressers, having my blonde gorgeousness restored (I do enjoyed being pampered!), so I only have a handful of photos to share with you.  As I was moving the orchids off the kitchen windowsill this morning to a) clean the windowsill, and b) water the orchids, I realised that I hadn't done an orchid report for a while.  This little one has just started flowering

 

this very pale one has been flowering for some months now

 

this big one has been flowering for several weeks

 

it has beautiful strong markings on the petals

 

through in the guest bedroom, something strange has happened with this orchid.  At first I thought it was putting out a new flower shoot, but it produced a leaf.  It grew some more, then produced another leaf, and now it is finally producing some flower buds.  In all the time that I have kept orchids (I can't claim to grow them, all I do is water them and occasionally feed them) I have never had one produce a shoot like this

 

in the "fitness room" (aka the smallest bedroom), I have a plant in a basket that I have had for years.  I had it for several years before we moved to Hawick, and that will be ten years ago at the end of the month.  Every summer it puts out a flower spike.  You might think this is reasonably impressive ........ but when we have been on holiday in Portugal, we have seen this plant growing in roadside verges, and reaching heights of eight feet or more!

 

I occasionally mention the implements of torture, which I endure first thing in the morning, to counteract the sconnage and cake consumption.  There is a small television in the room, so that as I trundle along, I can watch the early morning news and weather forecast.  I know that if I didn't get up early to endure the torture, I simply wouldn't do it later in the day, as I would always have an excuse not to do it

Birds and a book

 I took some of these bird photos some weeks ago, but somehow they never made it into a post!  We start with a finch sitting on top of the bird table

 

then we have starlings sitting on a telegraph pole and phone wires

 

and flying off after being attacked by some swallows!

 

a wagtail on the birdbath

 

 helpfully turning its head the other way for a second photo

 

but wagtails are rarely still, both wagging their tails, and bobbing their heads up and down, so most photos turn out blurred like this one

 

a scruffy blue tit sitting on the bin store.  I think it was probably not long out of the nest, and still had some of its juvenile feathers

another day, another group of starlings

 

and yet another day, with some blue sky, and starlings!

 

a thrush, looking slightly misty

 

after blackbirds have been in the bird bath ........

 

........ they like to sit in the sun, spreading their wings and fluffing up their feathers

 

this little blue tit was pecking at the peanut feeder this afternoon

 

again it is a scruffy one, probably from the second or third brood of the summer - it has been a very good year for the garden birds

 

I was sitting inserting the photos into the post when this sparrow appeared, so I had to quickly snap him and load the photos on to the laptop, to be included

 

a good splash

 

a very thorough bath

 

aaaah - that's better

 

and now for the book in today's title.  Last week Kelly recommended this book, so I had a look to see if it was available for the Kindle.  Well it was, but it was a silly price.  But of course Amazon give you other choices, and I was able to buy a 2nd hand paperback for 1p, plus £2.80 p&p!

 

the book arrived this morning

 

and I was surprised to see that the return address was jut up the road in Galashiels (I admit that I hadn't read all the vendor details when I bought the book)

 

this may be a local company, but I have never heard of it.  So of course I googled it, and found that it is a very interesting concern, buying excess stock of books from charity shops, as well as accepting donations of books, and selling them to raise money for community projects.  They also employ people who struggle to find work.  The next time I have a clear out of books, I shall donate them to this worthy cause.

This and that

When we were in Eyemouth on Saturday, we had a browse round one of the charity shops, and as soon as I saw this bundle, I grabbed it, as it was only £1.50

 

two frames for hand quilting - an absolute bargain!

 

I also bought this storage box in Homebase in Berwick, as it was very reasonably priced.  Malcolm asked me what I would put in it ..... to which I answered "stuff"!!

 

it didn't take me long to fill it with lots of my beach finds

 

on Sunday afternoon I was going to do some fmq, so I had a quick practice, filling in this shape which I had previously sewn

 

I can't show you the whole thing as it is a present

 

but I'll tease you with a little flower .......

 

...... or two!

 

out in the garden, there are real flowers to enjoy.  Last year our passion flower sulked and produced one bud, which didn't flower, but this year it is covered in buds which are producing beautiful flowers

 

a textured appliqué, perhaps?

 

another clematis has flowered

 

and this one has flowered for a second time.  It looks as if the new flower is on the same stem as the old one, but the new shoot had twined round the old shoot

big buds on this clematis

 

and tiny buds on this one

 

hopefully these little buds will produce olives

 

and these grapes will grow a bit bigger

 

I tried and tried to capture bees on the lavender

 

but as soon as you get them in focus they buzz off to the next flower

 

so all you get is a blur!

 

when I was sorting out the flower photos, I realised that I have quite a lot of bird photos that I haven't shared with you, so pop back in tomorrow to see them!

 

Boats, gulls ....... and chips!

On Saturday, as it was a lovely day, we took a run up the coast, stopping first at St Abbs.  As always, there were all sorts of things round the harbour to see.  Lobster pots

 

a rusty ring

 

rusty metal - no idea what it's for

 

I love this rusty building

 

the person who left these lying obviously didn't think they would be stolen

 

Malcolm liked this collection of bits and bobs on a pallet

 

there were lots of gulls about - fortunately this one wasn't on our car

 

and lots of pigeons sunning themselves on the roof of their loft

 

we saw the lifeboat go whizzing by - hopefully it was on a training exercise

 

this tanker was going somewhat more slowly

 

and the two men who eventually paddled off in these canoes were going the slowest of all

 

this boat came in quickly through the channel between the rocks

 

but had to slow down to go into the harbour

 

Malcolm spotted this rosehip, which is already starting to ripen

 

we then went on up the coast to Eyemouth, where I was tempted to steal pinch acquire this little ice cream truck

 

when I see a door like this one, I always wonder what secrets may lie behind it!

 

fortunately the Eyemouth lifeboat was moored in the harbour, no emergencies for it

 

a fishing boat coming back into the harbour

 

you wait all day for a cargo ship ........

 

......... then two come along at once

 

we were entertained by a seal in the harbour

 

then we saw a pair of swans with their cygnets

the cygnets looked a bit scruffy

 

as they are losing their juvenile feathers

 

on several recent visits to Eyemouth, this little shop has been shut, so we were delighted to find it open

 

it mostly sells wool, with quite a few kits, as well as various other crafty bits

 

purchases were made by Malcolm - but they are for my birthday, so you will have to wait until October to see them

 

of course, as we were beside the sea, we had to share a portion of chips for lunch!

 

and yesterday morning we shared a delicious cheese scone ....... so this morning I was up at 6.20 and on the rowing machine and the cross trainer!

 

to finish - you know that I have a slightly weird sense of humour ...... so is it just me that sees an unintended meaning in this sign??!!

All sorts!

We had a walk on the beach yesterday, and as always there were things of interest for photos

 

rocks covered in seaweed

 

the tide coming in

 

further along the beach, the rocks and weed are tinted red by iron

 

is this a monster lurking under the sand, ready to bite an ankle?

 

this morning I spotted this shaggy dog on the dock - he belongs to the skipper of one of the fishing boats

 

the tide was out, and these swans on the mudbank just outside the dock were busy preening

 

Malcolm spotted this chap, paddling into the dock

 

the swans were most upset, and headed for the top corner .......

 

but then decided to leave, as the chap filmed them

 

they were at full speed to get away from him

 

I couldn't decide if he was wearing a kilt, or had a tartan blanket wrapped round his nether regions!

 

this afternoon we walked over to town, admiring these hanging baskets

 

this crop of sunflowers is growing in one of the allotments

 

just as pretty are these weeds growing on top of walls

 

 

what would gulls do without chimneys to perch on .......

 

.... or use as a lookout point

 

it was very hazy looking over to the lighthouse - this almost looks like a painting

 

when we were doing a bit of shopping, I asked if I could take a photo of this piece of old floor

 

I shall have to have a look in my stash for suitable fabrics to make a quilt!

 

back at the flat, the black swan had reappeared in the dock, after being absent for a while

 

and the seal popped his head out of the water to say hello

 

just before dinner, one of the fishing boats headed out of the dock - you can just see some swans hastily getting out of the way

 

and so to the Friday cake.  Malcolm has a peppermint slice

 

and I had a liquorice allsorts slice ....... I know that sounds very strange, and probably half of you are going, oh no that sounds horrible, while the other half are going yum yum!!  I thought it was delicious ...... but then, I love liquorice allsorts (and chocolate!)

 

the forecast for tomorrow is good, so no doubt we will be out and about, then we will head back home on Sunday.  I hope you have a great weekend, love Anne

A day late!

A wonderful new shop opened on Tuesday ....... but I didn't go to see it until Wednesday.  Why?  Because the owner of the shop is Sue, who used to be one of the group of quilters who met in Stitchin' Heaven (which closed at Christmas) on Wednesdays ....... and the group is now going to meet at the new shop.  So I went along yesterday to meet up with them all again

 

I think the best description of the atmosphere in the shop is welcoming and cosy!

 

there are still some gaps on the shelves, but Sue told me that she has a LOT of fabric arriving soon

 

there is just something about bundles of fabrics in baskets that makes you want to buy them

 

a selection of needles, pins and other sewing aids

 

looking through from the shop area to the classroom ....... can you see what is hanging on the wall in the top left hand corner of the photo?

 

it is Sue's absolutely stunning Mrs Billings!  Malcolm had come into the shop with me, and impressed everyone that he knew it was a Mrs B ....... then he told everyone about the sorry state of my effort!!

these two lovely quilts are also Sue's

 

beyond the classroom is an area which has been dubbed "the husbands' crèche"

 

with comfy sofas for them to relax while their wives are shopping (it's a lengthy business, buying fabric!)

 

they can have a cuppa and browse through some manly magazines

 

and last, at the back of the shop, is the kitchen area ....... you know we quilters need to be regularly refuelled with cuppas and cake!

 

another two views of the shop area, taken from slightly different angles

 

it was so good to catch up with all the news from the other Wednesday ladies, and as always they were happy to share their projects with you.  Margaret's hand piecing is so neat and accurate

 

Annie was prepping apple cores in her favourite Japanese fabrics

 

Ros was prepping hexies (and I was delighted to see how well she looked, as she had been in a terrible car accident since I last saw her)

 

Carolyn was working on a redwork stitchery

 

Avril, who had joined the group after I stopped going, was also working on stitcheries

 

and Frances ...... well Frances as always was working on a spectacular hand-pieced project!

 

I didn't sit down for the first two hours that I was there!  I was so busy exploring the shop, drooling over the fabric and blethering not only to the Wednesday ladies, but also to the steady stream of customers.  And in that time I had two cuppas and a piece of cake!

 

did I buy anything ..... well of course I did!!  First, a bundle of Moda fat quarters, which I just couldn't resist

 

then these four delicious fat quarters

 

which are from this range

 

and finally these super fat quarters

 

which are from this range ......

 

....... and this range.  And the good news is that I had a chat with Sue on the phone this morning, and if you are in the UK and want to buy any of these fabrics, give her a phone  (the number is on the leaflet in the first photo), as she can process a credit card sale over the phone with you, and then post them to you!!

 

I thought it might be helpful for those of you not familiar with the area to take a couple of photos of where the shop is, should you want to visit.  It is just behind this petrol station - this is the view if you are heading towards Morpeth

 

and this is the view if you are approaching from Morpeth

 

there is plenty of parking, and you go through the arch and in the door

 

passing the shop sign on the way

 

once in the door, the shop is on your right ....... only go through the door on the left if you want to buy supplies for your ponies and your pets!!

 

it really is a lovely shop, and I am going back the Wednesday after next for another visit ....... and I can highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.  Just up the road is Heighley Gate Garden Centre, where you can have a lovely lunch, or you can go on into Morpeth, which has an excellent selection of independent shops.  And to finish ...... I took this photo when I was outside - do you think Malcolm may have something to tell me??!!

An amazing book!

I recently received an email from Marlee, at Jacqui Small Publishing, asking me if I would like a review copy* of the new crochet book by Molla Mills.  Of course I said yes, and within days the book arrived.  When I read in Marlee's email that the book was called "Crochetterie", I imagined a book full of dainty designs, but as you can see, that is not the case!

 

and Molla looks nothing like any other crocheter that I know!  She is Finnish, with a wonderful quirky style

 

I found this photo of her online, but there was no indication of who took it

 

but what is this in a crochet book - a rather cute young man

 

and another handsome young man (with an impressive woodstore!)

 

yes, Molla has written the book to appeal to men!

 

if you want to make yourself comfy while reading the book and working up the designs, why not start with this stylish cushion, to support your back

 

oh my, another young man, sitting on a crocheted rug, while whipping up a few little slippers

 

this is Molla's Dad, off to chop some logs (not a sight you see much in Hawick!)

 

I love her description of the jumper

 

I will have to crochet a pair of fingerless mittens, for next winter on the beach

 

and I want a passport holder for my next holiday

 

I don't suppose Stuart has a skateboard any more, but if he did, I know that he would like a funky crocheted carrying strap for it

 

one last photo of a hunky chap, striding out with a very smart rucksack

 

and of course to crochet, you need hooks ......... do you think Malcolm will whittle some for me?

 

I think this is a brilliant book!  There are 30 projects, both practical and decorative, for all skill levels.  The instructions are clear - even I, an occasional crocheter, can follow them with ease.  The photography is excellent, with lots of photos all through the book.  I've had the book sitting beside me since I got it, and I keep picking it up and having another browse through it, as it is just one of those books that makes you smile!

*I was given the book free of charge, but I have received no payment for writing this review.

Getting on!

On Sunday afternoon, I made a start to prepping the hexies, ready for quilting

 

I folded the first edge of the larger hexie in to meet the edge of the smaller hexie and pressed it

 

then folded it over again and pressed it

 

after scorching my fingers several times, I starting using my stiletto to hold the folds in place while I pressed them!

 

the first one pinned, ready to quilt (only another 63 to go!)

 

looking good on the design wall

 

I then turned to my half square triangles, which I had previously marked with my new ruler.  I chain-pieced them

 

as always, I started always with a thread catcher.  I start sewing about ½" from the edge, which means that I don't have to trim off the starting threads, as I would have to if I started sewing from the edge of the square.  Also when I sew straight from the catcher on to the square, it means that the edge won't get chewed up, as often happens

 

the squares stitched then cut apart

 

so was it more accurate using the new ruler?  Yes, the squares all turned out to be the correct size

 

when I got the kit out, I was sure it was to make a cushion, but it isn't, it is a wallhanging!  The centre block will be set on point

 

having finished the square, I prepped the pieces for the appliqué

 

and also made the bias strips for the vine

 

then this morning, I stitched the block together, starting with sewing the squares together in pairs

 

then sewing the first two columns of units together

 

then added the other units

 

the rows sewn together in pairs

 

the block stitched together and pressed

 

the next stage was to add the setting triangles.  This shows the first two stitched on

 

after stitching on the other two triangles, the block had to be trimmed, so that there was a ¼" seam beyond where the setting triangles crossed

 

the three borders added - looking good!

 

I have to say that the instructions are very basic, and this is all the help you get with positioning the appliqué ........ a rather poor photocopy!

 

the flowers and leaves bonded in place and the vine pinned, ready to sew

 

I know you think that we live on a diet of cakes and scones, but we do eat healthy food sometimes!  Tonight we had spiralised courgettes with dinner!

A lot of walking!

We went for a walk on the beach on Thursday afternoon, and as always the camera went too.  Nature is slowly reclaiming this tree root, which was left on the beach after the winter storms

 

 

it wasn't me!  Someone else had built a little stone stack

 

this daft dog dug a hole and buried his ball

 

then dug it up again.  I caught him just as he leapt out of the hole

 

I read a bit in the paper at the start of the school holidays about how many hundreds of pounds parents might spend to entertain their children.  Well, here is something to do that is good fun ...... and it's FREE!  Let them loose on the beach to see what objects they can find, then get them to take photos

 

and can they find objects that look like strange animals

 

with pointed noses

 

and funny eyes ....... ok, perhaps I am easily entertained, but I had fun!

 

this sandbar was formed after the winter storms, and it is slowly getting bigger

 

I think I find another interesting bit of old groyne every time we walk on the beach

 

and we have to have a rusty bolt!

 

do you recognise this logo?

 

it is on this enormous Goodyear tyre

 

a welcome end to an enjoyable afternoon

 

then on Friday, we walked over to town.  These swans were down on the riverside at the start of the old bridge

 

with their friend the goose, who was keeping an eye on me

 

as we walked on over the bridge, this RIB appeared, and we watched in astonishment as one of the crew jumped overboard

 

the boat circled round him

 

then he was left to haul himself back on board.  But when it was turned this way we could see it was a fire and rescue boat, so we guessed that it was a training exercise

 

after we had enjoyed our cuppa and tarts, we walked on through the town, past the railway station, and then down through the park to the river.  If you look to the left of the bench, you will see a very large rabbit sitting on the grass

 

part of the Castle ruins

 

and another part of the ruins - I really just took these two photos to show off the beautiful blue sky!

 

Captain Donald, setting off on a voyage of discovery?

 

the train gives the scale of the railway bridge, and you can see how it dwarfs the other two bridges

 

This pretty flower is  called  scabious.   According to my wildflower book, it was used to cure skin complaints, in particular scabies, hence the name.  It was also used to treat coughs, lung complaints and dandruff!!

 

having walked past the railway bridge, there was a good view of the old bridge through the new bridge

 

and turning round, a good view of the railway bridge, complete with its reflection in the river

 

as we walked back over the old bridge, we saw some men getting ready to put out their fishing net

 

knowing that this method of fishing has been going on for many, many years, I switched to B&W - it looks just like the old photos you see of the fishermen

 

on Saturday, we went for another walk on the beach ........ and I found a little wooden fish in the sand!

 

a rather rusty fishing boat, heading into the dock

 

the tide was in, so we couldn't walk along to the other stretch of the beach

 

we had to beat a hasty retreat to the car when there was a short sharp shower!

 

but then the sun came back out, and we were able to complete our walk.  Sometimes when you pick up a piece of china, you hold your breath ......

 

....... as you turn it over to see if it has a pattern on the other side

 

the bow wave in the middle of the photo is from a rather weird boat ........ the bottom was like a speed boat, but with a wheelhouse like a fishing boat.  It was going at a tremendous speed - scary stuff!

 

to finish - I did my nails on Saturday ...... and for fun I painted one silver!