frayed at the edge

Old wives' tale

Did you, like me, learn this saying when you were little

Red sky at night, shepherds' delight

Red sky at morning, shepherds' warning

 

So after this sky on Friday night .......

 

....... I didn't expect this on Saturday!

 

We went for a walk in Melrose yesterday morning.  After the heavy rain, the river was full - the noise was amazing as the water poured over the rocks

 

the blossom still isn't fully out

 

but there are plenty of signs that plants are catching up after the cold spring delayed growth

 

I took this photo not because I want the jacket, but because I was thinking about how it would look as an applique block!

 

Malcolm is having his annual battle to stop the swallows nesting in the garage ...... every time he opens the garage door they swoop in.  I went out this afternoon to sort through the contents of the chest freezer, to make sure there wasn't a fossilised, unrecognisable lump of something languishing at the bottom.  No sooner had I made a start to the sorting out, when the swallows appeared.  So, I came up with a cunning plan to deter them ......this is the fleece that Malcolm wraps tender plants in for the winter.  I think he will be using it in the days to come, as clipping it to the garage door is a lot less bother than having to constantly open and shut it when he is busy in the garden

 

this might look like a somewhat boring photo of ivy on our neighbours' wall...... but I think there are several sparrows nesting in it.  They are also nesting as usual under the roof at the front of the house - but we now have so many sparrows that I guess they have had to find more places to nest

 

some good news to finish - it was much warmer today and the bees were buzzing about the garden!

 

 

A fun filled evening

Our guest speaker at Abbey Quilters last night was the delightful Margaret Boe.  I got to know Margaret years ago, when I was a member of the Quilters' Guild ...... we were both Area Reps (I was also the Sales Rep).  Back then I was also Chairman of Stirling Castle Quilters, and Margaret came along as guest speaker when Highland Quilters came down to spend a day with us. So I knew we were in for a very entertaining evening.  I had just taken this snap of Margaret as she started her talk .......

 

........ when she changed her jacket!  The one she put on was one that she had made as part of her City and Guilds course.  She said that she called it her "standing" jacket - why?  Because all the layers of fabric and the quilting meant that if she sat down, the jacket would be pushed up round her ears, so she could only wear it when she was standing!  I managed to take this photo later in the evening

 

As well as chatting about her sewing and telling us jokes, Margaret then had us singing two children's songs (The Wheels on the Bus and Michael Finnegan).  Obviously we were a bit puzzled as to the connection between quilting and singing, so she explained that for those who are frightened at the thought of free motion quilting, the answer is to sing these songs as you sew, as your quilting will have a good, even rhythm!  She had brought along lots of her work to show us, including this wonderful hat

 

after the talk, I was able to take some photos of Margaret's fabulous work

 

but Margaret wasn't the only one with wonderful sewing to show off.  Sheila is one of our new members, having only recently taken up quilting.  She made this stunning quilt top at a workshop taught by Caroline, another member of the group (I missed it, as it was the day we went on holiday!)

 

we had to over to Coldstream this morning, as Malcolm's car had to go in for its first service (it's hard to believe he has had it for almost a year!).  We dropped the car off and picked up a courtesy car, and off we went ...... and that's when the day went downhill.  First of all, it started to rain ..... and rain ..... and really rain!  We were going to have lunch here, but when we went in, there was nobody serving.  I noticed a bell on the counter, and having rung it, a man appeared.  He explained that the owners had decided to go off to Edinburgh on business matters for the day, as the weather was so bad, and he was "minding the shop".  The most he could offer us was a cup of tea ....... we had intended to have lunch there just about a year ago, but on that occasion, the owner had just fallen and broken her arm and had gone off to hospital.  Perhaps if we go next year it will be third time lucky!!  So we went here instead (the same as we did last year!).  We were entertained by a little boy called Harry, who was perhaps 3 or 4 years old.  He very politely asked for an icecream - vanilla please, no flake, thank you.  But he was so excited when he got it, catastrophe, he dropped it!  However, the waitress rushed to get him another one, before the tears started.  Then he saw his parents' coffee being poured from two pots - 0ne of coffee and one of hot milk, and decided that he too wanted coffee.  His Mum and Dad said that he couldn't have coffee while eating ice cream ..... but then he saw the waitress pouring coffee for another customer, and very politely called "lady, lady, pour coffee for me".  Realising that his parents didn't want him to have any, she replied that the coffee was finished, so he told her to go to the shop to buy more!!   It was hard not to laugh, as we tucked into coronation chicken sandwiches (me)

 

and cheese, pickle and onion toasty (Malcolm)

 

delicious!!

 

Freezing!

We got back home at teatime on Saturday ..... and we have been shivering since then!  Yesterday I was threatening to get the next plane to Majorca, to go back to this

 

and perhaps have some cake

 

and an icecream

 

I have over 6oo photos to sort through, so that is just a little taste of our holiday.  Back home, the garden is still lagging behind.  The snakehead fritillaries have finally flowered

 

This clematis is in a sheltered spot

 

you know that I have been very quite good keeping to my resolution to buy fewer magazines, but it is entirely Malcolm's fault that I came home with these, as he kept pointing them out to me when we were in the newsagents buying newspapers!

 

after indulging in cakes and icecreams (and the occasional glass of wine!), it was back on the straight and narrow for dinner tonight (this is Malcolm's salad, I don't like tomato)

 

I'll be back tomorrow with the sewing that I did on holiday, and some stunning photos of the Caves of Drach.

 

Shopping!

When we were in Hawick this morning, we saw a new shop

 

of course we have to support any new shops, so we went in for a browse.  The shop is full of all sorts of lovely things, with lots of shabby chic furniture, old china, sets of crystal glasses ......

 

I spotted something which I thought Malcolm would like, so I sent him to wait outside while I bought it.  He had to stand in the rain for quite a long time, as the shop owner was very chatty!!  However, he didn't mind so much when he saw this 1930s barometer (which has been painted with Annie Sloan chalk paint)

 

of course I bought something for me too!  A rather quirky magnetic notice board

 

if you are visiting Hawick, do pop in to the shop, which is in North Bridge Street (the same street as Fun 2 Do).

and now, back to Home is where the heart is.  I wanted a curved line to meander between the two rows of words, so I got out my flexible ruler

 

I used a reel of thread to make the curves

 

having transferred the words and curve to the fabric, I added some little flowers and hearts along the curve.  Tha last stage was to pin the applique pieces in place

 

all I have to do now is start stitching!

 

 

The big night out

On Friday, we headed to north to Stuart and Alison's and after getting dressed up, Stuart ran us through to The Edinburgh School of Food and Wine, for an evening of eating French food, and drinking French Wine.  Stuart and Alison had given us a gift voucher for a food and wine evening for our birthdays last year, and we had decided to wait until the spring to book our places.  The evening was co-hosted by Great Grog, and we were greeted by a rather handsome young man from the wine merchants.  This is the menu and wine list

 

I don't have a photo of the canapes, as we had them when we were standing chatting with the other diners (there were fourteen of us) in the entrance hall, so first we have the scallop St Jacques

 

then the delicious coq au vin.  This was such a generous helping that I couldn't finish mine, and even Malcolm, who would normally have eaten my leftovers, couldn't find room for any more!

 

next was cheese, with oatcakes and pear chutney (I was slightly critical of the chutney, which was more like stewed pear)

 

then ....... the most amazing tarte au citron.  There was silence as we ate it, apart from occasional little sighs of pleasure!

 

before each course, young James the wine merchant described the wines, and we had to hold the glass up to the light to check the clarity, swirl the wine round the glass then sniff the bouquet ...... then finally we got to taste it!  At the end of the meal he quite happily agreed to have his photo taken, but then went all shy!

 

Stuart came back for us, and on Saturday morning we had recovered enough from eating all that food to enjoy the breakfast which he cooked for us.  On the way home, we decided to stop in South Queensferry, to have a stroll in the sunshine.  I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that this is the Forth Bridge

 

although the sun was shining, the views over the river were hazy.  This is Inchcolm Island, framed by the bridge

 

the tide was out!

 

I love the pirate flag (and the plastic seagull!)

 

blue sky and old chimneys - a great combination

 

when I saw the stretch limmo, I thought Malcolm had arranged a treat for me ..... sadly it drove on by!

 

I have lots more photos from South Queensferry, which I will keep for another day, as I also have photos from yesterday.  We weren't able to go for our Sunday morning walk, as it was raining, so instead we headed here for a cuppa.  The sconnage was of the highest quality ........

fruit, with jam and cream

 

cheese, with butter

 

out in the grounds of the visitor centre, a new children's play area has been built (we were very tempted to have a go!)

 

perhaps Malcolm could make me a wooden cart and horse?!

 

Brave!

This was my hair first thing this morning

 

then I spent the afternoon at the hairdresser.  This is stage one, having my colour done

 

then stage two, some highlights using foils

 

my hair on the floor after having it cut (hmmmm - that's an interesting colour)

 

my usual hairdresser, Melissa, has been off work, so the lovely Kerry has been looking after me.  Here she is showing me the back view

 

I had told Malcolm that I was going to have highlights done ...... he assumed that it would be my usual pink or purple.  So he was slightly surprised when I came home with bright turquoise!

 

I won't be here tomorrow, as we are having a very special night out here.  So you will have to wait until Monday to read all about it!  So, a day early, I will wish you all a good weekend, love Anne

Hoarse!

I have been croaking a bit today, after talking loudly yesterday evening!  I asked my friend Anne S to take photos for me, and she has captured some good action shots (and some less flattering ones that you are not going to see!)

showing off the (almost) finished project

 

some inspiration

 

lazy daisies

 

showing the samples

 

working my way round the room, giving advice

 

helping Caroline

 

why am I laughing?

 

because Katy was trying to distract me (while Maureen got on with her sewing)

 

a last look at the wallhanging, now called Abbey Flowers

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and I hope the members did too.  When I got home, Malcolm poured me a very welcome glass of wine, then it was off to bed to dream about applique flowers!!

Sausages!

We had the Irn Bru and chilli sausages for breakfast yesterday

 

we couldn't taste the Irn Bru, but the sausages were delicious

 

we needed a hearty breakfast, as we were going out for a walk.  It was bitterly cold, but we were just glad to get out and stretch our legs and enjoy some fresh air.  We went to Melrose where, as ever, I spotted things that I hadn't noticed before

a commerative plaque on an old building

 

a sign over a shop doorway

 

a snowy hill with tiny trees

 

this is a colour photo, but it looks B&W!

 

of course I can't have a walk in Melrose without taking photos of the Abbey!

 

this little clump of crocus provided a bright spot of colour

 

the latest bottle cover in the deli window was a chef

 

of course after such a cold walk, we had to go for a cuppa!  Instead of a scone, we shared a raspberry muffin

 

Malcolm was concerned when he saw that they were serving a different coffee, but the new brand turned out to be as good as the previous one

 

back home, there was a treat for me on tv while I was sewing ...... Bugsy Malone (yes, I was singing along!)

 

Jodie Foster stood out as a future star - doesn't she look gorgeous!  I'm just looking out the window as I type this ...... the sun has come out, just in time to set!!  I'll be back tomorrow with lots of sewing, but to finish ...... our once a year treat of Cadbury's Creme Eggs!

I don't like Mondays.......

.......when an emergency trip to the dentist is involved.  A bit had broken off a tooth, so I popped into the dental centre when I was in Hawick first thing this morning, to see if I could get an emergency appointment.  There wasn't one available, but the receptionist said she would phone if there was a cancellation.  She phoned at lunchtime to say that she could give me an appointment at 2.40.  Because it was an emergency appointment, Ididn't see my usual dentist, but I was very pleased with the treatment that I received from Claudia.  She discovered that a large part of the tooth had broken off, meaning that thhe filling was loose.  When she removed the filling, she discovered a lot of decay underneath (yes, I know, decidedly tmi!!).  By the time she finished drilling, I thought she was going to come out through the bottom of my jaw!  She put in a dressing, a lining and a very large filling, so hopefully all will be well.  I am still numb, and will have to wait quite a while before I can have my dinner!

The original title was going to be something about snow, as this was the scene that greeted me on Saturday morning when I got up

 

of course I was due to drive to Kelso, for Abbey Quilters' 25th birthday party, so I was a very unhappy bunny!  As I've mentioned before, our road is very nasty to drive on in the snow, as it is steep, with several nasty bends.  Malcolm kindly said that he would drive me down to the main road, then walk back up the hill (isn't he a sweety!!).  I took these photos, which aren't very clear, as the camera focused on the wet windscreen

 

This photo is from a couple of years ago, but it gives you an idea of how steep the road is

 

as I drove to Kelso, the snow turned to rain, then the rain stopped, so I was glad that I had taken the photos to show the others why I was late.  A reviving cup of tea, and I was ready to join in the fun

 

Sarah, on the left, had baked a cake, which she had iced beautifully.  Lily, one of the founder members, helped her cut it

 

we had the most wonderful lunch

 

I demonstrated how to make the Lovebirds, Sandra showed us how to make a mug bag (we take our own mugs for our mid-meeting cuppas)

 

Lorraine showed us a selection of mug rugs

 

we played a silly game .......

 

which ended with us all receiving a goody bag

 

there has been a distinct lack of sconnage recently, so we put that right yesterday, when we had a two-scone lunch at the Waterwheel Cafe

cheese

 

fruit

 

I'll be back tomorrow with the sewing update ...... and I'll also show you what was in the goody bag.

It's in the bag!

Last night I picked up Maureen (you know her from patch'n'chat) and we headed off to Kelso for our evening at Abbey Quilters.  The first part of the evening was taken up with seeing what to do with the squares that we had made for the January meeting, which was of course cancelled because of snow.  The project was to make a multi-pocketed bag, but we only pinned the folds in place, as we need to do some machine stitching.  The first fold was on the diagonal

 

then we folded the point on the left over to the right

 

the point on the right over to the left .....

 

...... but then this point is manipulated to form another small pocket

 

my new apprentice Maureen held the bag open to show off the pockets - there will be seven of them when it is all sewn together (once I have finished the bag I will take some clearer photos)

 

the next item on the agenda was me!  I handed out the requirements list, explained the little bit of prep I want them to do before the meeting, and showed them the little wallhanging and some other samples that I had taken with me.  In a sign of the times, several ladies got out their mobile phones and asked if they could take photos, to help them with their fabric choices!

Then Caroline, on the right, helped by Sandra (as well as being our wonderful Linus Lady, she is also vice-chairman of the group) showed off the fabulous quilt that she will be teaching at a workshop in April (boo hoo, I can't go!!)

 

and then ....... Caroline produced a smaller quilt, which is made with the leftovers from the first one!

 

for the last part of the evening, we watched a DVD about stained glass patchwork ..... but I didn't take any photos!

This morning we headed to the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel for a financial seminar (thrilling stuff!!)  It is a beautiful old building

 

the first room we were in had beautiful faded old walllpaper with butterflies

 

the second room had another old wallpaper, which had me thinking of quilting patterns!

 

then, the reward for sitting through all the dry financial stuff ...... a delicious lunch!