frayed at the edge

Although Garfield is a cat ........

........ I always laugh at his cartoon, and yesterday's made me laugh more than usual

 

when we were out and about today, we popped into Lochcarron for a bowl of soup for lunch.  We had hoped that their wonderful Spicy Thai chicken soup was on the menu, but it wasn't.  However the lentil soup was delicious, as was the sun-dried tomato bread

 

over the weekend, I got on with a lot of sewing, working on my two pieces that I started at the Gail Lawther workshops.  I quilted the  Mount Fuji wallhanging (don't worry about the bit of bias tape hanging off, I ironed it back in place after I finished the quilting!)

 

a detail of the sky and the top of the mountain

 

and the foot of the mountain

 

I then got out my mini iron

 

to iron on the rest of the bias tape

 

all that's left to do now is trim the outer edge to match the shape of the inner border, then back and bind the wallhanging

 

then it was on to the vineyard piece.  I did some of the machine quilting

 

I then added more of the bias tape

 

all that was left was the four strips round the border.  I looked at the amount of tape I had left, and thought that I might not have enough.  I measured it, and found I only had enough for three sides!!  I sent an emergency email to Maureen, as we had shared a reel of the tape when we were at the workshop.  Back came the answer that she had a piece left that might just be long enough, plus a couple of smaller pieces - if I have to have a join I can put a button over it!

 

Yesterday I got out this box

 

which contains the latest project for Anne - Nice people, Nice Things

 

it is a double-sided quilt,  but I am doing it as two quilts, as there isn't anywhere to hang it in the shop that would show off both sides.  One side has stitcheries of little pictures, the other side has stitcheries of sayings.  The pattern comes with iron on transfers, so I sorted out the fabric and transfers into two bundles

 

there are six stitcheries on each transfer, and after a great deal of ironing-on, I had eighteen pieces of fabric, ready to be layered up with thin bamboo wadding

 

I wound the embroidery threads on to plastic bobbins, and decided to use my cute sheepie tin to keep them in

 

I forgot to include this photo yesterday - Malcolm had kept it for me on Friday, when it was in his newspaper (we read different papers!).  Perhaps I could offer to do another review of all the wonderful scones they didn't mention?

 

I made a start to my cake today, as the mixed fruit, orange zest and brown suger has to soak overnight in tea ( I used Earl Grey)

 

I also made something with these ingredients - I'll tell you what tomorrow

 

while I was busy in the kitchen, Malcolm was starting a new project in the garage ...... can you guess what it is?

To tidy or not to tidy .......

Stuart and Alison had already arranged to come down for a visit on Saturday, staying over until Sunday, then on Monday Stuart phoned to say that their friends Fraser and Lynsey had asked if they could come too.  No problem, but when I looked round the studio yesterday, I thought perhaps I ought to tidy up a bit

 

I might even have to vacuum the carpet!

 

after surviving my visit to the dentist (I was very brave and didn't cry or scream!) I decided to treat myself to a nice lunch!  I went to the Damascus Drum

 

it looks as if I was the only customer, but there were people behind the partition

 

I always have the same thing when I go to the Drum for lunch - the ploughman's bagel.  Of course Malcolm is usually with me, so I share the cheese with him, but I just had to eat it all myself yesterday.  I love cheese, but of course it is high in fat, so I try not to each too much ..... although I am supposed to have lots of dairy in my diet for my thin bones.

 

On the way back to the car I walked down to the river to take some photos of the low level of water.  When you see it this low, it is hard to believe that when it floods it comes up so far that the house on the left has raised the height of their garden wall to keep the water out

 

this gate is closed to contain flood water

 

but yesterday there was so little movement in the water that there was a wonderful reflection of the bridge

 

I have been doing reasonably well not buying magazines, but this new magazine came home with me yesterday.  I have been doing so much sewing recently that I have neglected my needle felting, but I hope to get back to it soon

 

I have also doing quite well not buying books, but I'm justifying buying this one as there are projects for Malcolm as well as me ...... and of course it's using up junk, rather than buying stuff

 

and now, the sewing update.  I have been beavering away on Country Cottages, finishing the machine quilting on the blocks

 

the next job was to quilt the outer border.  I set up the quilting guide, so that the lines of stitching would be 1" apart

 

it didn't take long to quilt the four sides

 

this afternoon I added the borders to "home is where the heart is" - this is the second version of this block, as this one is a sample for Anne.  The next job is to quilt it - then comes the really difficult part - writing the instructions!!

 

this has been quite a foodie week of blogging - and there is more tomorrow!  Here is a sneak peek

What's that wet stuff ......

..... falling out of the sky?  I think I know what it's called, give me a minute, I remember ...... it's RAIN!!

 

yesterday afternoon was spent in the kitchen cooking.  I started with a large batch of beef curry, which will be frozen in portions for "fast days" (I've now lost almost a stone!!)  I started by slicing and dicing red onions, green and yellow peppers and celery, which I then cooked gently in a non-stick saucepan, using no oil

 

as I have to work out all the calories in the curry, these little frozen portions make it a lot easier

 

while the veggies were cooking, I prepped the salad for last night's dinner - we had fresh herb omelettes

 

I added the beef in batches to brown it

 

the next stage was to add the spices and seasonings

 

after mixing it well, I let it cook for a few minutes, to cook out the rawness of the spices, then added the final ingredient

 

I then left the curry to simmer for a couple of hours until the meat was tender.  Once it had cooled I divided into five lots of two portions and popped them in the freezer - curry definitely tastes better after it has been in the freezer!

 

next I made some rhubarb and strawberry jam.  Haing washed the fruit (250g of each), I sliced it up and put it in a large glass bowl - you don't have to add any more liquid, the little bit water from washing the fruit is enough

 

I zapped it for five minutes in the microwave, then stirred in 500g of jam sugar

 

I zapped it a bit more in the microwave until setting point was reached, then put it into jars.  Next I reached for my go-to book for basic recipes - Delia never lets me down

 

I don't make lemon curd often enough to remember the quantities

 

it's very easy to make - and all that stirring is good for the arms!

 

four jars of jam and (almost) two of lemon curd waiting for labels

 

Malcolm has, as ever, been busy in the garden.  This is the start of his latest project ......

 

and this is it finished

 

the plan is to grow a climber on it, to screen the hose and the garage from view when we are sitting on the deck

 

you must have sent me lots of positive vibes, as all I needed done at the dentist was a scale and polish!  I'll tell you about what I did after the dentist tomorrow, and I'll also have a sewing update.

Shorn!

As Thursday is one of my two "fast" days, I haven't been able to enjoy a wonderful, delicious, yummy scone when we have our regular cuppa at The Pickled Orange in Hawick.  But as the diet is still going well (if a little bit slowly), I have decided that on the first Thursday of the month, we can as usual share a scone.  Well, could you resist this cheese scone - especially as it was just out of the oven?

 

back home, I headed out to the studio to take photos of the fabric I bought yesterday.  I was quite restrained, buying a total of two metres

 

for those of you who like to know these things, the details

 

I should have shown you my new glasses on Monday, but as I was desperately in need of a haircut, I decided to wait until today.  Having spent the afternoon having my colour done and then having my hair cut quite a bit shorter - my new look!

 

the next time I get highlights in my hair, I shall have to get purple to match my glasses!

 

I have done reasonably well resisting the temptation to buy magazines ........ but sometimes when it is a new one, I give in

 

the main carpark in Kelso was full when I went to the hairdressers this afternoon, so I parked at the Garden Centre.  I popped in for a browse after getting my hair done ........ and saw the most wonderful array of orchids.  Of course one came home with me

 

I've never seen one like this, with beautiful dark markings

 

could this be the inspiration for some applique?

 

to finish, some photos of a very cute, very young robin having a bath

 

A busy day!

First thing this morning I popped my knitting in to soak

 

it is knitted with the most wonderful soft alpaca yarn, which I bought here, when we were in Australia lst year

 

once I had rinsed it, I squeezed out the excess water ...... remember, NEVER wring your wet knitting!  Then I rolled it in a towel and squeezed it some more

 

I put an old pillowcase on the rug in the back lounge, and got out my blocking wires.  I had invested in them some time ago when I was knitting a lot of shawls (both baby and adults ones).  They make it much, much easier to block out knitting

 

so, finally, here it is!  I got the idea to knit a cowl from Meredithe, who knitted a very pretty one recently.  I started knitting it when we were driving up to Stuart and Alison's the other weekend ......

 

........ and that's when a slight problem arose!  Through not paying close attention, and also because I was using a circular needle that was slightly too long, so I was juggling the stitches ....... I somehow managed to twist the knitting, and have ended up with a somewhat different cowl to the one I intended to make.  However, once it is dry and I can take photos wearing it, you will see that it actually has turned out ok (just don't ask me to produce another one the same, as I don't know what I did!)

While the cowl was soaking, I cleaned this vase.  I don't know quite how old it is, but I remember it as already being old when I was a child

 

I think the vase probably belonged to my grandparents, and would have been given to my parents when Granny and Grandpa moved to Galway to live with my only aunt and uncle (I only had one set of grandparents, as my Mum was an orphan).  The top of the vase is silver, so I had to unearth the silver polish from the back of the cupboard

 

once it was clean, I grabbed the secateurs and had a quick snip to fill the vase

 

by then it was time for a cuppa.  I would love a teapot like the one on the box!

 

so, what was the other thing that Malcolm made at the weekend?  A miniature chair!

 

I saw a tiny chair in this post on Thimbleanna's blog, and asked Malcolm to make one for me.  The frame is made from bits that he recenty removed from the gate-leg table in the studio, and the seat is oak that he used when he made crackets (stools).  The plan is to paint the frame, then upholster the seat.  I think he is worried that I am going to steal the paint he used for his chair, which several of you enquired about (he needn't worry, I intend to use Annie Sloan chalk paint)

 

when Malcolm was out and about this morning, he popped into the garden centre to get some compost and plants for his new planter.  Considering that it only a few hours to make, and is made with scrap wood, it looks exceedingly good!

 

I spent the rest of the day quilting, and have just about finished the in the ditch quilting - this evening will be spent sewing in rather a lot of ends!

 

a bit of silliness to finish.  I heard that annoying "walks like Rihanna" song on the radio this morning, and I thought of another chorus

She can't serve

She can't volley

But who cares

She shrieks like Sharipova .........

 

Shrieking!

No, not me, but Maria Sharipova this afternoon at Wimbledon!  I think that if I were her opponent, I would leap the net and stuff a tennis ball in her mouth to keep her quiet ..........

On Saturday, I got ready to start the quilting on Leanne's House.  As always when starting something new, I cleaned the machine and put in a new needle

 

it's amazing how much fluff accumulates under the bobbin case

 

I taped the backing fabric to the table, followed  by the wadding, and then added the quilt top

 

the next job was to thoroughly pin all the layers together

 

I decided to quilt in the ditch, which means stitching along the seams.  Once I have done that, I will add some decorative quilting on the bigger blocks

 

as the stitching doesn't show on the front, this is the back, showing how far I had got by the end of this afternoon

 

we were going to go for a walk yesterday morning, but just as we parked the car, it started to rain heavily.  So we just had to make do with some sconnage for an early lunch

cheese

 

cherry

 

when I did the food shopping this morning, I popped a bunch of flowers in the trolley - pretty sweet williams

 

while I was busy sewing over the weekend, Malcolm was sawing and hammering in the garage.  He has only just put the chair he made last year out in the garden, and yesterday it was joined by his latest creation, a sturdy planter

 

he also made something else, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see it ........ yes, I forgot to take a photo of it!!

<

Stoned!

I had a lightbulb moment last year, when I was trying to think of a Christmas present for Malcolm ....... knowing that he is interested in dry stone walls, I did a search and found this.  It was a simple matter to buy a gift voucher, which meant he could choose which weekend to go.  He sensibly decided to wait until now, in the hope that the weather would be good, and apart from a brief shower on Saturday morning, it stayed dry, but not too hot.  It turned out that several of the other thirteen participants had also been given a voucher for Christmas!  Their first job was to take apart a section of old wall - the piles of green are stinging nettles, which they had to clear

 

next, they graded the stone and laid it out in rows

 

then they started rebuilding the wall

 

this was Malcolm's section on the Saturday - he was working at the other end on Sunday

 

he was creaking a bit when he came back to the cottage on Saturday evening, so we headed to Bakewell, where we sat by the river and tucked into fish and chips

 

back at work on Sunday, the wall was taking shape

 

but it wasn't all hard work

 

Malcolm showing off his hard work

 

by the end of the afternoon, the coping stones were being put on top of the wall

 

the finished section of wall - hopefully it will still be there in a hundred years' time!

 

on Sunday evening we headed back to Bakewell, where we found a French restaurant for dinner

 

Malcolm had chicken fricasse

 

while I tucked in to boeuf Bourguignonne

 

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you what I got up to while Malcolm was building his wall, with photos of the stunning scenery ...... and I'll also tell you about these cows

Wonderful friends!

When we got back from Majorca, amongst the great pile of post I spotted two envelopes with foreign stamps.  The first one I opened was from Meredithe, and contained this fabulous button.  I think I will make a blue and yellow bag to put it on

 

the next one was from Tracy, who had been having a major clearout/reorganisation of her craft room.  She had made up wonderful charm packs with some of her stash, and had sent them to friends.  I already had a project in mind for a charm pack, so now I can get busy with it

 

when I was in Melbourne last year, I spent a wonderful day at Meredithe's, meeting lots of her lovely quilty friends (it was slightly strange, as they "knew" me from the blog!).  I have kept in touch with some of them, and last week had an email from Glenda (no blog), telling me to keep an eye out for the post.  On Wednesday, this box arrived covered in Australian stamps, so I knew it was from Glenda

 

when I opened the box, I was jumping up and down and squealing

 

some time ago, Meredithe had posted a photo of Glenda's pin cushion which I had admired, so she had sent me one, along with a tiny needlecase

 

the pin cushion is mounted on a golf tee, so that it can sit on top of your spool of thread

 

then Meredithe posted photos of a macaroon case, which Glenda had made at a workshop ....... you can find the photos if you scroll down through this post.  I had left a comment saying how much I liked the little case ...... and Glenda sent me a kit and the pattern!

 

as soon as I saw the kit, I knew which fabrics I would pull from my stash!  These are little bits of Japanese kimono fabrics ......

 

....... which I was given by one of the charming Japanese young women whom I taught to quilt in Indonesia.  There were also an American (who isn't in the photo, though her daugher is!), an English woman, a German and a Fillipina (the one with the baby).  I have to admit that is me with the silver hair.  I think that is the last time that my hair was its natural colour - I have been blonde since then!!  We made a four block sampler quilt ..... I don't have mine, as I raffled it to raise money to pay for longterm contraceptive implants for poor women!

 

thank you very much to my lovely friends for such wonderful, thoughtful presents!!

 

I was squealing again this afternoon, when Kay arrived at patch'n'chat with my strippy scrappy (or is it scrappy strippy) quilt.  Although I still have to do the binding, it is already on the bed!

 

the Friday cake was supplied by Katy ...... it was her grandson's first birthday yesterday, and she had baked two birthday cakes for his party.  Only one was eaten, so she brought the other one for our afternoon cuppa (and as there was some left, she gave me a slice for Malcolm!)

 

I have several things to work on over the weekend, including my challenge for Abbey Quilters, which has to be ready for the 11th (oops!).  It has been a  lovely day, so hopefully the weather will be good over the weekend, and we will have our Sunday walk.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I'll finish with a photo of apple blossom in the hedgerow, which I took this morning when I went out for an early walk.  Love, Anne

The first cut ......

....... by a different hairdresser!  My usual hairdresser is off work, so today I had my hair cut by one of the junior stylists, who usually does my colour for me.  Melissa has been cutting my hair for the last five years, so it was a bit strange to have it done by Kerry, who was a bit nervous about getting it right, as Melissa is the boss of the salon!  She needn't have worried, as she has made a very good job of it (sorry, no photo!!)

Along with Lucie, I am supposed to be spending February finishing things, but yesterday I started something new (oops!).  Abbey Quilters celebrates its 25th birthday in March, so we are having a day of little projects, and of course lunch, on the 16th.  I somehow managed to volunteer to demonstrate a small project ...... oh dear, what to do?  Then I remembered a little project that I had made at a similar day some years ago.  It hangs in the studio, and is a little bit shabby (which is just as well, considering what happened to it yesterday)

 

I no longer have the pattern, so I deconstructed disassembled took it to bits to make templates

 

I picked out a fabric from my stash (hooray, another contribution to the year of using it up!) and decided to make the hearts with felt.  I added the tiny red buttons, which I will use to attach the wings

 

the tassel is rather tatty, but you can just make out the little beads along the bottom

 

I got out my bead box (more hoorays, for more using it up)

 

I chose these little gold beads to pick up the gold in the fabric, and found a suitable thread for the tassel, and a heavier gold thread for stringing it all together

 

I have to admit that I came home with some new beads today ....... let me explain.  I arrived in Kelso with time to spare before my hairdressing appontment, as I wanted to pop into the curtain fabric shop to get cord and little plastic rings for Stuart and Aliison's blinds.  And look what I passed on the way

 

I had been told that this shop had opened, but I hadn't got round to visiting it.  The owner is delightful (but, oops, I forgot to ask for her name), very welcoming and enthusiastic.  I can't show show you what I bought, because by the time I got home and made dinner, I forgot!  But there were lots and lots of lovely beads to choose from

 

I am off to Edinburgh tomorrow for the Spring Quilt Show, so I'll have lots to share with you in tomorrow's post! 

Defeated by the weather!

Oh dear, yesterday's weather was rather bad ...... freezing cold first thing, then snow, then freezing again!  Only the lovely Katy and her friend Ailsa were brave enough to venture out during the day, to come and do some shopping....

 

 and have mulled wine (sorry forgot to take a photo of that) and delicious nibbles for lunch

 

at least the evening visitors didn't have far to come ....... all the way from next door!  Jackie (owner of the gorgeous shoe shop in Hawick) and her Mum joined me in sipping yet more mulled wine, then Malcolm and Jackie's husband David joined us for a glass of white wine and nibbles (I don't think I'll get on the scales for a few days!!)  Both Jackie and her Mum bought one of Malcolm's driftwood trees - he had made another four, and I had promptly spirited one away, to make sure that I got one!!  There was a great deal of debate about which one Jackie's Mum would have ....... she told Jackie in no uncertain terms that she was having first pick, then Jackie could choose between the remaining two!!

 

this year I remembered to take photos of the Christmas wallhangings in the studio, before I blu-tacked them to the hall doors ...... it was difficult last year to take decent photos of them once they were on the doors!

 

there is a little story attached to this last little wallhanging ....... I designed it many years ago, when I was Chairman of Stirling Castle Quilters.  It was a "mystery" wallhanging, the members being given the instructions over several meetings.  There was an amusing moment, when one of the members asked to see my completed one, so she knew what it looked like ....... no, the whole point of a mystery quilt is that you don't know what the finished one looks like.  Another of the members was a prison officer at Scotland's only female prison.  She taught the inmates to sew (they made bedding for the prison) and decided that the mystery wallhhanging would be a good teaching aid.  One of the inmates disagreed with this, but by the time I deleted all the expletives from her objection, what was left of the sentence isn't worth sharing!!  Then some years ago a friend borrowed the little wallhanging to put it in an exhibition.  It came back minus the beads and reindeer bells which hung from the prairie points at the bottom, and I have never got round to replacing them

 

oh bother ....... after several attempts, I still can't get the photo to upload, so I'll try again tomorrow!!