It was such a lovely sunny morning, we headed out early to go to Kelso ....... we had planned to go for lunch before I went to knit'n'natter, but decided to go for a walk in the sunshine as well. We weren't the only ones enjoying the sunshine - this duck's plumage was shown of beautifully in the sun
We were delighted to see that this dog was much more concerned with keeping the river bank tidy, picking up plastic bottles, than the humans who had dropped the litter
We went somewhere different for lunch - I don't why we have never got round to eating here before!
Lunch got off to a good start when first my tea arrived ........
..... and then Malcolm's coffee, in very pretty china
Then the food arrived - we had both chosen the mushroom, caramelised onion and brie on a toasted bagel ....... yes, it was as delicious as it sounds!! (and the presentation was wonderful too!)
I was busy in the studio at the weekend. Having made a quarter of the templates for the Farmer's Wife blocks ....
....... I started sewing and have made the first two blocks
I was also doing some more machine quilting on my row quilt (which had been neglected for several weeks!) I have a confession to make ....... when I did my sample, I had to alter the tension as the dark thread in the bobbin was coming up to the right side. Having fiddled about with it until the dark thread didn't show, I then started quilting ......... but it wasn't until I had done quite a bit that I noticed that the cream top thread was showing on the back (it didn't on the sample). I had done too much to contemplate unpicking it ...... so I have rather an unusual effect on the back!!
Yesterday I did more prep work on my hexagons, cutting out lots of papers - it was quite relaxing sitting there snipping away, listening to the radio and enjoying the warmth of the stove (the only discordant note was Christmas adverts on the radio!!)
I also did some more work on the Baltimore block - I seemed to have got bogged down stitching so many leaves - but now I just have another two to do!
I have also been getting organised to make a batch of cards with the orchid photos - although slightly different to the ones I made for the swap. I am using single fold cards, and have to trim the photos as they are slightly the wrong size for the cards. Then I use a little gadget that clips the corners - it's amazing the difference it makes to have rounded corners
I am making the cards as I have a table at the end of November at the Southdean Christmas Fair ..... I will have to knuckle down and get lots of things made. Fortunately the lavender from the garden has dried, so I will be able to make more lavender bags and coasterswanted to send him the hare
To end, something special in the post again today ...... I had ordered two of Gretel's latest lino cut prints, and Gretel had emailed me to check that I did want two, and that it wasn't a glitch in the order. I replied that I did indeed want two, as one is for Stuart's Christmas ...... he had admired my little hare when he visited on my birthday. The wonderful Gretel promptly replied that although she know longer had any hares for sale, she would pop one of her own stash, meant for presents, in with my order, as a present for Stuart ........ I had mentioned in a previous email to Gretel that Stuart had recently taken up running, and as Gretel has too, she wanted to send a little something to a kindred spirit (oh dear, now Stuart knows what one of his Christmas presents is!) Thank you very much, Gretel ..... and I love the plump little elephant too!