frayed at the edge

What kind of doughnuts?!

I spotted these when we were shopping on Saturday ........ they turned out to be quite tasty!!

 

we had a couple with a cuppa as we started to get organised in the flat.  Of course, with all the sport that it on at the moment, some things take priority!

 

another priority ........

 

it didn't take long to go from a jumble in the kitchen

 

to neat and tidy ........

 

.......... despite frequent looking out the window to monitor swan movements

 

yesterday morninng we went over to the Waterwheel Cafe.  We parked and went for a walk along to the cauld to see the archimedes screw

 

 

We were amazed to see that there are major earthworks in progress

 

which of course meant major machinery

 

however as we walked on along the river, peace and calm was restored

 

we saw several trees like this, infested with strange looking webs

 

it won't be long until the thistles turn purple

 

the insects were busy

 

the river was very low ......

 

which meant there was no overspill to turn the old waterwheel

 

then, of course, it was time for a spot of sconnage for lunch

tasty cheese

delicious treacle

 

I'll be back tomorrow with a sewing update, but to finish ........ I wonder if this duck knows he isn't a swan!

 

 

The waiting is finally over!!

Woo hoo, we finally got our keys today - we had a longer than usual wait for the sale to go through as the sellers were having a new house built, and wanted to give themselves extra time to allow for the build being delayed.  So off we went to Berwick after lunch and collected the keys.  Slight trepidation as we unlocked the door - would we still like the flat?  There was no need to worry, as soon as we stepped into the lounge, which was flooded with light (despite it being a dull afternoon), we knew that we had made the right choice.  I took photos from the four corners of the open plan lounge/kitchen

 

it was hard to take a photo of the master bedroom - it is bigger than it looks here, and you can see that there is a good sized wardrobe on the right

 

yes, it's me again, popping up in a reflection ....... this time in the ensuite shower room mirror

 

this will be the guest bedroom - have you spotted that I will have lots of curtain-making to do?

 

I am looking forward to having a long soak in the luxurious bathroom

 

and, of course, there are the views to enjoy.  First, looking out to sea

 

then, over to the town

 

later in the afternoon, the swans put on a show for us, swimming into the harbour

 

we'll be heading back over tomorrow, but we won't be staying the night ......... as we have yet to buy a bed!!

I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

 

Fly little birdies, fly!

When I went out to the studio this morning to get my stuff for work, I saw six little swallows sitting on the fence.  I quickly fetched the camera, thinking they would probably be gone by the time I came back out of the house, but they were still there

 

four on the right ........

 

........ and two on the left

 

I had just crept in to take this closer shot when the parents appeared and chased them off the fence into the air - a reluctant one got a swipe of a wing to encourage it!  Soon they were all swooping round the garden - much too fast to take aphoto!

 

I got to Jedburgh earlier than usual, so I spent a few minutes taking photos of the Abbey in the sun

 

as always I organised the room ready for the students arriving

 

the sun was streaming in the window, making it hard to take a photo of the table (complete with my cuppa!)

 

of course it didn't take long for the usual chaos to appear!

 

I have been asked to teach more classes, so I suggested doing a Christmas wallhanging in November.  Yesterday I got out some of my many Christmas patterns looking for inspiration

 

I decided I would have an applique Father Christmas with borders, so I drew a rough outline (stop laughing, you know I can't draw!!) ..........

 

......... I gave the sketch to Malcolm and asked him to draw a proper version

 

while Malcolm watches the football, I have been watching either Ricky Tim's tv shows, or Craftsy classes, and it has made me realise how much I have neglected my free motion quillting recently.  This is serious, as you really need to do it regularly.  So yesterday I made up a little calico sandwich and popped it in a quilting hoop.  I had barely started when ...... oops, the thread shredded and fankled.  It was my own fault, as I hadn't changed the needle

 

it's hard to get back into a free-flowing rhythm - more practice is definitely required!

 

we will be on tenterhooks tomorrow morning, waiting to hear from our solicitor in Berwick that the purchase of the flat has been completed.  As soon as we hear we will go over to pick up the keys.  All being well there may just be a photo or two in tomorrow's post!!

Blog fodder

I remarked to Malcolm last night that we hadn't visited any old churches recently.  Then this morning I mentioned that I needed to take photos for the blog today ........ so a short time later, there we were at an old church, with lots of opportunities to stock up on blog fodder!!  I didn't notice at the time that we were reflected on the sign

 

there was a squad of men cutting the grass when we arrived, so the air was full of the wonderful scent of newly-mown grass as we walked round the church

 

a lot of the old headstones are very worn .........

 

........ you can just make out the date on this one

 

the bottom half of this one tells a sad tale (click on the photo to enlarge it)

 

this funny little one is so worn, it's hard to tell what is the front and what is the back

 

we saw several dates over doors as we walked round

 

there were several doors like this, halfway up the building ........

 

......... whereas this little window was at ground level, where you would expect the doors to be!

 

another unintended reflection!

 

Malcolm spotted this rusty old wheelbarrow, resting against a gnarly old tree

 

click on the photo to enlarge it, so that you can read the inscription on the bell

 

we decided that the sundial was telling us that it was time for lunch!

 

we headed to Pirn House Interiors ......... Malcolm had a roast beef, tomato and horseradish sandwich

 

and I had French toast, bacon and maple syrup.  But no sharing today, as I don't like tomato and horseradish!!  (but I did give Malcolm a taste)

 

to finish, one last little headstone, which has an angel holding a skull and thigh bone!

 

 

Paperwork!

When I took the job at the college to teach patchwork, I didn't realise how much paperwork it would generate.  Not just all the form filling for the college, but the pages and pages of instructions.  Normally I would just deminstrate how a block was made, or the sashings added, but because my students are compkete beginners, I need to give them fairly detailed instructions to remind them what to do when they finish their blocks at home

 

scribbles are all very well for me, but I think I will have to make a neater job of writing and drawing these instructions

 

I have been continuing to get things ready for Abbey Quilters' exhibition next month.  I thought I ought to make the effort to stitch the eyes on the little birds on "Lillyanny"

 

I used a combination of sequins and beads

 

 

I have borrowed Stuart's Badger wallhanging for the exhibition.  I like it so much, I may have to make one for myself!!

 

I've been toiling away on my hexies for Mrs Billings

 

after the fabric birdies, I have two real birdies to finish with.  The first one came for a bath yesterday evening.  I only managed to take one photo of him, but I think it is a young robin

 

then this evening Mr Blackbird arrived to do his ablutions

 

Malcolm is channel hopping.  England's cricketers are battling to secure a draw in the Test Match, and their footballers (bunch of numpties) are trying not to lose their final game at the World Cup (having lost their first two).  The Scotland footballers are much more sensible - they just don't bother to qualify, saving us the agony of defeat!!

 

 

A special weekend

Saturday morning saw us on the road bright and early, heading for Larbert to spend some time with Stuart and Alison.  Of course a journey of any length needs a stop for fortification, so we called into the Mayshade Garden Centre for a cuppa.  We may also have shared one of their delicious taster plates

 

in the afternoon, we headed to The Helix, which lies between Falkirk and Grangemouth.  You can read about it here and here.  We had a very pleasant walk round the first part of the development, pausing to admire this swan

 

it was hard to take photos of this water feature without having children getting gloriously wet in the frame, as they ran back and forward through the jets of water

 

 

I was fascinated with the ever-changing coloured lights shining through the water ........

 

but had to drag myself away to continue our walk.  It's hard to believe that until recently this was post-industrial wasteland

 

having walked round the first part of the development, we made our way to see the main purpose of our visit, passing the swan again, who had found a friend

 

then, there they were, dominating the skyline ....... the Kelpies

 

for once I didn't need Malcolm in a photo to give the scale, as there were large crowds walking round the magnificent sculptures

 

I didn't realise until I looked at the photos later, that the little girl looked as if she was about to be eaten!

 

I took quite a lot of photos ....... here are just a few

 

For dinner on Saturday, Stuart had booked a table at The Tea House.  As it was a lovely evening, we walked there, which took about 50 minutes.  I liked the tiny carafes that our wine was served in

 

the food was delicious, but I only took photos of my dishes.  I started with salt and pepper ribs

 

followed by salt and chilli seabass - very, very delicious!

 

the portions were very generous, and none of us had room for dessert ........ not even lemon meringue pie could tempt us!  When the bill was brought, there were sweeties with it.  The others promptly ate theirs, but I brought mine home to take a photo of it!

 

Sunday morning was glorious and we had breakfast out on the deck - that's a year since Malcolm and Stuart built it.  Then we headed for home ....... with a detour to Ikea.  Yes, we had meatballs for lunch, and yes, we bought tealights!

In one of those strange little coincidences in life, I spotted this in the paper this morning .......

 

I did do some sewing last night, and hopefully will get more done tomorrow, so that I will have a sewing update for you!

A trip around the .......

........ there is a patchwork block called "trip around the world" (which the students will be doing next week).  I can't take you on world tour, but I can take you on a trip around the garden!  

The peony is a beautiful deep, deep red

 

a pretty shrub that I can't remember the name of!

 

these flowers smell slightly of garlic

 

a bud on the climbinng rose

 

another stunning clematis (that's my hand holding the flower up, which shows how big it is)

 

this little clematis just goes on and on flowering

 

the "alien" clematis flowers look somewhat more normal now!

 

the climbing rose on the back wall has been swamped by ivy, and has one lonely flower

        

 

this is a miniature rose, which we have had for years.  It was in a pot in our last garden, and is now planted out in a border

 

now that we have enjoyed the garden, let's pop into the kitchen, to see how the orchids are doing.  This first one might look a bit shabby, but it has been flowering since last December!

 

the orchids did very well last summer, and it looks as if they might even do better this year

 

this is the best orchid I have ever had - but I can't claim any credit for it, as my orchids have to thrive on neglect!

 

I have one last delight to share with you ........ the Friday cake.  A most delicious apple cake - there was some discussion as the whether we would prefer custard or ice cream with it!

 

I won't be sewing over the weekend, as we are doing something special - I'll tell you all about it on Monday.  I hope you all have a great weekend, love Anne

 

Living on a grand scale : part 2

We enjoyed our leisurely stroll round the grounds, which led us to the plant centre.  We stopped to admire this wonderful topiary

 

this cardoon was about 6 feet tall ......

 

it is a relation of the globe artichoke

 

as the castle is so big, I am sure they could spare this little building for me!

 

I could quite happily have pottered round the castle for an hour or two, finding interesting angle for taking photos

 

we discovered that we had something in common with the castle ........ way back in the 90s, Malcolm made fences like this for our garden.  I shall have to see if I can unearth some photos

 

some more looking up .....

 

when we had a look round the gift shop, I found Malcolm engrossed in this book.  I knew he wouldn't buy it, but once back home would wish that he had ....... so I took it out of his hands and bought it for him!

 

look at this one - something else to do with his collection of wine corks!

 

there is a saying that an Englishman's home is his castle, so we can claim to live in a castle ........ it just isn't as grand as this one!

 

it's Thusday, so that means I was working this morning ......... although doing something I enjoy doesn't seem like work!  This week our blocks were Dresden plate, and a wreath.  I've just looked back through my photos from the weekend, and don't have one of the prep for the Dresden plate.  This is my sample, to show them how it all goes together.  It is a straightforward block to stitch

 

 

The wreath is more complicated, as it has three separate elements.  First, making bias strips for the circle

making the first 45 degree cut

 

cutting 1" strips

 

 

using the bias tape maker

 

the second element is making the leaves using freezer paper

 

then the third one is making the flowers

 

I then used my beam compass to mark the circle for the wreath

 

the first stages pinned in place

 

after the students arrive, it doesn't take long for the table to descend into chaos, causing frequent cries throughout the morning of where's my fabric/ruler/pins/pencil etc!

 

to finish, two action shots

Jo-an  cutting her bias strips

 

Jane using the bias tape maker

 

Living on a grand scale

This morning we headed over to Kelso, as we had a BOGOF voucher for entry to Floors Castle.  But first we fortified ourselves with an early lunch.  I had lentil soup

 

and Malcolm had cauliflower soup

 

you probably noticed that we also had a scone with the soup -  delicious!  When our cuppas arrived, there was an extra little treat - a tiny meringue

 

then it was on to Floors, which is the largest inhabited castle in Scotland.  Photography isn't allowed inside the castle, so if you get the chance, do visit to see the grandeur, spendour and opulence ...... and that's just in the very small portion that the public gets to see.  The castle is very grand

 

much too big to get in a single photo

 

I took quite a lot of photos of the roof!

 

wouldn't it be nice to live in a house (ok, castle) with a view like this from the drawing/sitting room window

 

we had a pleasant (if hot!) stroll round the grounds.  This bird was too far away for me to see what it was, but looking at the photo, I think it is a thrush

 

perhaps I should seek help for my tractor fixation!

 

this parterre garden was created for the Millenium.  The design incorporates the initials of the Duke and Duchess, but there wasn't a convenient stepladder for me to stand on, to look down on the design to show that

 

you aren't allowed to walk on the grass to have a closer look, but we could see one of the "M"s, which signify the Millenium

 

I still have lots of photos to share with you, which I will save for tomorrow, and will finish with photos I took yesterday evening.  First Mr Blackbird had a good splash in the birdbath ........

 

then Mrs Blackbird tried to splash even more!

 

Ill-gotten gains

The harbour at Eyemouth is dominated by Gunsgreen House, which was built by John Nisbet, using money made from smuggling!  We didn't have time to explore it yesterday, but have put it on the to-see list for another day

 

as we walked along the harbour, we wondered what a group of people were looking at in the water.  I edged my way in, and just had time to take one photo of this big fat seal before it disappeared under the water

 

there were lots of seagulls about

 

this might be a young one, but it was enormous!

 

I rather liked this old car, but as the driver was just getting out of it, I didn't like to take any more photos

 

just look at the blue sky ....... bliss!!

 

while Malcolm was watching the World Cup over the weekend, I was multi-tasking.  First, I was watching some Crafsty classes and some Ricky Tims tv shows on my laptop (using headphones).  Second, I was paying a little bit of attention to the football.  Third, I was drinking a glass of wine.  And fourth, I was prepping an awful lot of plain hexies for Mrs Billings

 

I had already stitched these three coloured pyramids together

 

they will be alternated with plain ones round the quilt, to form the final border

 

I have two photos to choose between for the "to finish" spot.  Should I show you the heron that I saw this morning when I was in Hawick?  I saw him as I meandered strolled walked  briskly over the footbridge where the Teviot meets the Slitrig

 

or would you like this tractor, which was sitting unattended in the field behind the house?  I did think about taking it for a spin round the field, but I would have had to climb on to our neighbours' wall, which is about five feet high, then climb over a fence, which you can't really see in the photo. So I settled for leaning on the garden gate and admiring it!!