frayed at the edge

Glutton for punishment!

As I have quite a lot of stuff left from Saturday's fair, I have decided to have my own fair!!  I am inviting everyone I know in the area, and as an added inducement we will be having mulled wine and nibbles.  If only you all lived close enough to come along next Wednesday night ...... but perhaps it's just as well you can't all come, as it would be a bit of a squash to fit you all in the studio!  On Saturday I was limited as to what I could sell, as I only had half a table, but as I will have lots of room next week, I had a look through my stash to see what else I could make.  I found some large notebooks that I bought when Woolworths closed down - so I have had them for several years!  I had a trial run yesterday to make a much simpler cover than I usually make, then today I delved into my stash of curtain samples

 

having made the sample in a dark fabric, I picked out cream/beige fabrics for the others, so that I wouldn't have to change the thread in the machine.  By the end of this afternoon, all the books were covered

 

I can no longer deny that it is getting near Christmas ...... and I certainly can't forget how long it is to go, now that these two little elves have appeared in the kitchen

 

it has been miserable today ...... snowing when we got up this morning, then turning to heavy rain for the rest of the day.  But at least it has got a lot milder, although I still needed the log burner to keep warm in the studio

 

I took these bird photos on Tuesday

 

there is always one bird that flies off just as I snap - this time it was a blue tit.  You can just make out the outline of its wings

 

today's prompt for#reverb12 is

Compare the “you” from the beginning of 2012 to the “you” that you are now. What new skills or talents have you learned or discovered this year?

the big difference between how I was at the start of the year, and how I am now, is that I have learned that there is a big difference between a fear and a phobia.  I have a fear of heights, and especially heights over water, but it isn't a phobia that prevents me from doing things such as walking over Sydney Harbour Bridge in September.  Yes, my heart was racing, and yes, I was hyperventilating, but I was determined to do it ....... and this was my reward

 

I have also realised recently that although I have always said that I don't like enclosed spaces, I am actually not bothered by small places like toilet cubicles, but I couldn't crawl through a small tunnel.  It is lack of height, rather than width that bothers me (I can't watch potholers on tv), so when I was recently stuck in the lift, I could cope because of the design of the lift.  It didn't have a roof, and I could see up to the next floor of the building.  OK, any excuse for handsome men ...... remember the hunks who rescued us

That's enough of that, thank you!!

This was the view of the back garden early this morning ...... that's quite enough snow, thank you

 

but let's go back to thhe start of the weekend, and of course, the Christmas Fair.  Oh dear, I didn't sell very much, although as I know several other stallholders also had poor sales, I didn't get too upset!  I did get slightly annoyed with a woman who had a good look, then said she was just getting ideas and picking people's brains for things that she could make .........

 

the highlight of the afternoon was the delicious bacon roll that I had for lunch!

 

at the end of the afternoon, I was delighted to be given a gift by the wonderful Maria, who had the table next to me - a set of wine glass charms (in return I gave her one of the toiletries and chocolates set)

 

from my friend Lorraine, I bought her gorgeous marzipan fruits, to decorate the Christmas cake with (I'll be making it tomorrow) ........

 

...... and new to her repertoire, chocolate ginger creams

yesterday, we went to Dryburgh Abbey (we had a voucher to get in free!)  There was a little bit of snow on the ground, which added a little extra something to the photos.  I also had some fun taking some in B&W

 

there were some tricky bits of road to negotiate

 

and beautiful scenery to admire

 

we popped into The Main Street Trading Co for a cuppa and a bite to eat.  We shared a delicious feta and spinach muffin ........

 

....... and a slice of cake, which was drenched in a citrus syrup

 

I love the mugs

 

they have just opened a deli and homeware extension - I wish I could have taken photos of all the wonders for sale!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with a sewing update, but to finish, some birds in the snow

Pyrography

When we were in Hawick this morning, Malcolm had to pop into the Sorting Office, to pick up a parcel which the postman had tried to deliver yesterday.  As I wasn't allowed to see the parcel, I had a wander along the river, camera in hand.  I was delighted to see a heron ..... but despite several attempts, I couldn't get him properly in focus, as he blended in so well with the stony background!

 

the view along the river was lovely, with lingering autumn colours

 

now ....... the goodies that I bought yesterday.  When we did our shoppinng in Gretna last year, I had stocked up on Whittards hot chocolate, buying three tubs, as it was a "3 for the price of 2" offer.  I only drink it on Friday mornings, when we have a cuppa in the middle of doing the housework, so the tubs lasted all year - I had the last serving last Friday.  This time the deal was "buy 1 get 1 half price", so it seemed sensible to buy four tubs.  Although it is made with proper chocolate, unlike the diet stuff I drink the rest of the time, a serving is only seventy calories, not counting the milk ........ and I don't count the milk, as I am supposed to drink lots of milk as I have thin bones

 

I have loved Fry's Chocolate Cream since I was little ....... but don't worry, I won't pig out on all these bars, as I get Malcolm to dish it out a few pieces at a time!

 

this bag of chocolate popcorn was a bargain compared to buying the small bags that are sold in shops.  We will divide it up into lots of smaller bags, to enjoy when we are watching movies on tv

 

more chocolates - but these ones aren't for us!  They are for a little extra something for the Christmas Fair, which also includes glasses (recycled from scented candles) and some toiletries from Arran Aromatics

 

I made up six bags, each of which contains three little bottles of assorted toiletries, and some chocolates

 

having packed up everything ready to put in the car on Saturday (I won't have time tomorrow), I did some sewing, as I wanted to see how the machines performed after the service.  I put together the latest top for Linus - the Husqvarna stitched beautifully, and was noticeably quieter

I then switched to the Janome for some free motion quilting.  Again it stitched well, although I should have altered the tension.  I stitched the small area diagonally across the centre, in between the flowers I has stitched previously

 

I'm sure by now you are wondering what has happened to the pyrography - well here it is now!  Malcolm's final creations for the Fair, six bookmarks and one letter opener, made with very thin pieces of wood, and decorated with his poker pen.  I looked out the last of my stash of poly bags which I bought (very, very cheaply!)  in Indonesia, to package them

 

some ribbon and pretty labels, and they are ready to sell

Oh deer!

No, that's not a spelling mistake ........ we came round a bend in the road, just down the hill from the house on Saturday morning, to find three deer crossing the road!

 

this photo is blurred, as I took it through the side window of the car as we drove past

 

it was a wet, miserable day yesterday, so we didn't go for a walk, which meant I had even more time to spend in the studio getting everything ready for Saturday's Christmas Fair

 

I always save cardboard packaging, as it is useful for all sorts of things .......

 

...... but not wanting to give Amazon free advertising, I added a covering of pretty paper!

 

this is a shoe box

 

this one started out as a flat piece of cardboard, but with a bit of cutting, folding and sticking, and a length of ribbon ........

 

I had a scrounge round to see what else I could sell, and decided to include the toilet roll covers that I made for the Southdean Show (Malcolm suggested labelling them "award winning", as I got a 1st and a 2nd for them!).  So this is all my stuff, but of course there will also be Malcolm's three driftwood trees and some other things he has been working on in the garage, which I have yet to take photos of 

 

I don't think that I mentioned that I bought some fabric when we visited Anne's shop.  When Anne's lovely husband Mick served me, he asked if I wanted a bag.  I said no, but Malcolm reminded me that we had seen the latest bags when we arrived ........

 

......... so this bag came home with me!  The fabric on the left is mine - I thought it would make a lovely background for applique or stitchery blocks.  Katy had asked me to get her blue Christmas fat quarters, to make a Christmas stocking for her gorgeous grandson Aaron ...... the big question, of course, is will I give her the fabrics in the bag?!

 

having taken the photo of the bag in my "photo box", I decided that the fabric lining could do with an iron and a tidy

 

the mottled pattern of the fabric makes a good background for photos

 

to finish ...... a question.  What do snowflakes smell like?  Well, if you buy a scented candle from Sainsbury's, you can find out!

The naughty step!

Malcolm has been sent to the naughty step for telling fibs!!  After saying that he only had enough driftwood for one tree ...... he has made another two!!

 

I was busy this afternoon making more cards.  I unearthed this booklet, which was free with a magazine, from my stash

 

I've never made decoupage cards before, but is is quite simple, if a bit fiddly cutting out the smaller pieces

 

this photo shows the several layers

 

last Friday, when Sandra, the Linus Lady, was sorting out a large pile of fabric samples which had been donated, I spotted these delicious linen fabrics

 

as they aren't suitable for making quilts, I asked Sandra if I could have them in exchange for a donation to Linus, which she agreed to.  I had thought of using them for cards but this afternoon I remembered that I had some plain black notebooks.  I cut out a piece of fabric and frayed the edges, then stuck it on the notebook.  The plan now is to type up wording, print it out, and stick it on ...... nothing fancy, perhaps  "notebook"!

 

I popped into The Reivers' Moon Gallery this morning with some more cards

 

This is my favourite one - the little post box is at the end of our road, and I took the photo a couple of years ago when we had the really bad winter

 

I know that I have declared next year the "year of using it up" (and in January I am going to join Lucie in a challenge to use up scraps), but I was very naughty yesterday when we were in Jedburgh!  I had a little browse in the three charity shops, and as well as this book .......

 

........ I bought these four cushion covers, which are printed, ready to embroider (thus using up some of the embroidery thread stash!)

 

but it wasn't a great extravagance, as amazingly they were only £1 each!

 

when I was in the Gallery last week, I had asked Sally, the owner, if I could buy some mounts, backing boards and cellophane envelopes, which I knew she had left over from mounting my photos for sale in the gallery.  She was quite happy to let me have them, and it means that I can mount some photos for the Southdean Christmas Fair.  This is my favourite heron photo - I may have to buy it from myself!!

Driftwood creations

No - I haven't taken up yet another craft, it is of course Malcolm who has been making things with driftwood.  First was the C*****mas tree on canvas, with some stamping to add that little extra something

 

then this fabulous tree ...... I want one, but that was the last of the driftwood, so we will have to try to get to a beach to find some more (Malcolm has just said he will sell that one to me!!)

 

as always happens at this time of year, I have received some cards, wrapping paper and a calendar from the Red Cross (and of course a request for a donation!).  In the past I haven't used these cards, as I thought that friends might be offended if I gave them a "free" card, but I now use them, as they advertise the good work that the Red Cross does, both at home and abroad

 

this morning I met my friend Lorraine in Jedburgh, as we were going to a charity craft fair.  As it was held in someone's home, I couldn't take photos, and as most of the stuff was frightfully expensive (and most of the ladies there were frightfully posh!) we didn't buy anything, although I did make a hefty donation to the charity for our cuppas and tiny mince pies.  We then went for lunch ...... we used to meet reguarly for lunch, but for various reasons, we haven't done so for months.  Lorraine is so used to my taking photos, that she doesn't start eating until I have snapped the food!  She had brie and cranberry sandwiches ........

 

...... while I couldn't resist the coronation chicken

 

I had taken along the two photo books that I got here, one with photos from Australia, and the other with photos from Singapore (click on the photo to have a closer look)

 

so why did I take a photo of the street sign?  Because there is a Cairnhill Road in my home town of Airdrie.  I didn't realise how interesting my home town is until I found it on Wikipedia - I shall have to read all about it later!!

As well as getting the photobooks, I also had one of my photos turned into a canvas ......

 

..... and another one made into this, which is described as an aluminium mounted print, but looks like it is covered in acrylic

 

that one is on the wall in the kitchen, and when I was taking a photo of it, I noticed the fruit bowl was looking good!

 

 

 

Tiny tags

This morning I popped into The Reiver's Moon Gallery with the cards that I hope are going to sell like hot cakes!  I had spent some time on the packaging and presentation.  I bought the luggage labels on ebay (very cheap!) and trimmed the bottom with fancy scissors.  The hearts were recycled from labels I hade made for something else which hadn't sold.  I put these labels on packs of cards

 

on the back I put a sticker.  The label is stuck on to the paccket with a clear seal, the idea being that you can remove the label and transfer it to the outer wrapping if you are giving them as a present

 

for single cards, I made tiny labels using my Cuttlebug

 

I found this pink and white string in my stash - perfect!

 

one of the orchid cards with its little tags - and the box of the clear seals

 

I have decided that next year is going to be "The Year of Using It Up" ...... and this afternoon I made an early start when I got our my card making supplies, which I haven't used for some time.  First I made these cards using photos which I got ages ago - I had ordered postcards, but when they arrived they were photos (I did get a refund).  I wan't sure if I should use rafia or string, but having asked Malcolm's opinion, I went with the string

 

I then made this batch using a piece of old sheet music that I bought some time ago in an Oxfam shop for 50p!

 

there was an amazing sunset tonight ....

 

but the crows which were massed over the house were slightly scary!

A misty morning

Yet again I was to be found on the front doorstep taking photos ...... but not quite so early today.  It was just after eight when I snapped the moon, just as a plane flew past (the tiny mark just below and slightly to the right of the moon!)

 

the mist was lingering, giving a dreamy look  to the Mintos

 

looking across the valley towards the A7, the mist was starting to clear

 

and then looking in the opposite direction to the hills, the sun was shining

 

this afternoon, I made a start to tidying the studio (yet again) using the storage boxes I bought yesterday.  Although they are made of fabric, they have a rigid frame, and as they are rectangular, I was able to sit the second one, turned the other way, on top of the bottom one (I think the other two will be filled with the overflow of magazines from the bookshelves!)

 

I have had some cards made, using some of my photos.  (I got them here).  Some of them are for The Reiver's Moon Gallery, and the rest are for the Southdean Christmas Fair on the 1st of December ..... it would be too grand to say I have a stall, rather, I have a table!  The first ones are orchids, using photos which I took in the Botanic Gardens in Singapore

 

then there is this card with a view you might recognise!

 

this  square card, another local view, is a slight oops ...... I thought I had ordered folded cards like the others, but this is a single card

 

this one is for ........

 

and this last one is just for me to use ....... you might even get one from me if I have something to send you in the post!

 

and to finish ....... another photo of the robin in the bath.  He must be the cleanest bird in the garden!

Day 10 ..... and trying to avoid C*****mas!

It's only the 10th of October, but the shops are rapidly filling up with cards, decorations and presents.  We could hardly get in the door of a shop this morning, as a member of staff was stringing up lights!  When I rule the world (!!) I will ban anything to do with Christmas until December (except for those organised people who make their cakes and puddings weeks/months in advance).  However at Abbey Quilters last night, I had to bend my rules, as we were making felt decorations.  We had a choice of a stocking or a pudding, both adorned with little teddies.  I chose to start with the stocking

the decorations are made with felt

 

all the pieces cut out

 

the white pieces stitched in place and a cute little Santa added

 

the back and front stitched together

 

that's as far as I got!

 

the pattern for the pudding decoration

 

at the end of the evening, Caroline came over and put a little parcel into my sewing bag.  I asked her if I could have a peek ...... she said no, to wait until I was home before I opened the parcel.  I was squealing with delight when I saw what she had given me.  Thank you very much, Caroline, for the wonderful present!!

a beautiful handmade card

 

the cutest sheepie fabric

 

I shall have to make something special to show off the sheep

 

pull the lamb's tail .....

 

...... and you can measure your knitting!!

 

I took the photos of the present out in the garden this morning, making the most of the sunshine, as the forecast is for rain tommorrow.  It's no surprise to me that it is going to rain ....... I am going to the hairdresser tomorrow afternoon, and it always sees to rain when I get my hair done!!

The rest of the show

As I had to wait until the end of the show on Saturday to get my entries back, I offered to help serving the teas.  Could these wonderful, delicious cakes have influenced me?!

 

 

 

In the middle of my tea-pouring duties, I was summoned to the marquee, to be presented with the two cups.  The man doing the presenting is John the Farmer ...... usually the marquee is put up in his field next to the car park, but it was just too wet this year.  First, the Photography Cup (which was donated by my friend Lorraine)

 

and then the Industrial Cup ........ and there in the background is Lorraine!

 

it had been damp and dreary in the morning, but after lunch the sun came out and everyone had fun in the sun

 

On Sunday, we went to Jedburgh for a walk.  As always, I took a photo of the old bridge, looking good in the sunshine .....

 

........ but just to the left, there is a barrier closing off the footpath

 

why?  Because this is what happened during the recent devastating floods

 

 

yesterday morning at the start of my walk, I met Graeme the Decorator, who pointd at a distant field and said "look, there are two deer in the field"..  Screwing up my eyes I saw two vague brown shapes ....... but he was right!  (click on the photo to enlarge it)

 

However I had no problem seeing this ewe

 

and this squirrel

 

yesterday morning, I added my prize cards to my "bragging wall"

 

if I win more next year, I might need a new wall!

 

if you were wondering where I got the patterns for the toilet roll covers ....... I found this book on Amazon (where else!)

 

out in the garden, the beans are doing well

 

earlier in the year, I thought I had lost the wonderful bees balm, after it was overwhelmed by a large clump of harebells, so I was delighted to find that a little bit has survived (Malcolm has now dug out the harebells!)

 

after I mentioned last week that I had forgotten to take my camera cable when I visited Stuart and Alison, I got a little present in the post ..... Rachel sent me a card reader!

 

I had a blether with Anne on the phone this morning (check out her new website here).  She and Mick are exhausted after the Festival of Quilts ....... but they did very well at this, their first major show.  They even had a customer who bought patterns because shhe had seen them here!  You can see more about the Festival (and a photo of Anne's stall) over on Kay's blog.

 

I needed some sustenace this afternoon when I was doing the ironing ....... and there is nothing better than some deliciously wicked dark chocolate

 

just a few of these little drops were enough to revive me ....... but even if I had succumbed to the whole bag, it contains less than 200 calories!