frayed at the edge

Winning ways

There was great excitement on Satuday afternoon when I went back into the hall after the judging was complete (Malcolm had gone back home to watch the Test Match).  First was my "champion chutney" (the jar on the right with the red lid with white spots), which I had called "going for gold" as I had made it with golden delicious apples ........ there may have been squeals of delight when I saw it had been given 1st prize.  Then it was on to the "jubilee jam" (the jar on the left with the spotty lid).  I had called mine "not quite red white and bue jam" ........ I had made three different jams and layered them in the jar - the strawberry was nice and red, the pear had gone slightly yellow and the blueberries had gone a bit purple ........ but it still got 2nd prize

 

Next was "2 metres of paper chains" ....... I was the only one who entered that category, so I got 1st and 2nd!!  The one at the back is made with scrapbooking papers which were free with a magazine, and the one at the front is made from pages from an old road atlas, which I bought in a charity shop last year to make bunting

 

when I saw the other entries for "a tealight holder", I didn't think I would win anything, so I was pleased to see that my felt one had been given a 3rd

 

when I saw the next category on the schedule, I thought "oh dear", and I guess others thought that too, as again mine were the only entries ........ toilet roll covers!

 

fortunately I already had two handmade brooches - another 1st and 2nd!

 

the herb pots in the garden provided lots of choice for this arrangement (I had asked Malcolm not to cut back the parsley when it went to seed, as the seed heads looked good!)

 

the hedgerow and the garden provided enough flowers for "purple passion in a vase" ........

 

......... and "a button hole with a Scottish theme" (mine was the only entry for this category!)

 

there were also some quirky categories ........ this one was "something still in use".  These are my pinking shears, which I have had for just over 40 years

 

"stitches from times past" ....... the small table cloth on the left was made my by Great Aunt Mima, and must be about 80 years old, and the tray cloth on the right was embroidered by my Granny, and is maybe 60 years old (I still use them!)

 

next, the photography section.  I won a 1st for "a photo taken on the 1st of August! ....... mine was called "one man went to mow".  Then a 1st and 2nd for "first day at school" ........ yes that is Stuart!!

 

a 3rdd for "a holiday snapshot" ....I took this at the Sunday market in Pollensa in May - "Spanish onions"

 

and another 3rd for "the wonder of nature!

 

and now, the big one ........literally!  Malcolm entered his garden chair in the "I used to be something else" category, and was delighted to won a 2nd for it

 

 

I still have lots of photos left, which I will show you tomorrow ........ I'll finish with this one of a very handsome chap.  The children had to mark on a chart where they thought he would poo - the chart was put into the cage under him when they had all had a go, then there was much excitement waiting for him to do the business!!

 

Homeward bound

Stuart and Alison had mentioned last night that there was a new shop in Falkirk, selling all sorts of craft stuff.  Imagine my delight when I went this morning and discovered that it is ........

 

I spent a very pleasant 5 10 15 ok, I spent about 30 minutes having a good browse!  I would show you what I bought, but I forgot to take a photo! 

My next stop was Linlithgow.  Alison had mentioned last night that she would like some black and white photos for their hall, so when I got to the Palace and St Michael's Church, I switched the camera over to B&W and started snapping away

 

 

 

 

There were some swans down by the loch, so I snapped them in B&W too

 

I was a bit surprised when this one took its head out from under its wing, to reveal that wasn't a swan!!

 

back to colour for a few more photos, first of the loch

 

then the church

 

and then back round to the front of the Palace.  Is it just me, but when you have such a wonderful, historic building, do you really need to provide parking right in front of it, spoiling the view.  There is space to the left which could be used for disabled, rather than general, parking and there is a public carpark just a short walk away, which is where I parked (end of rant!)

 

I've still got lots of photos of Linlithgow, so I'll save them for tomorrow.  On the way down the A7, I stopped here for a bite to eat

 

unfortunately I was too early for the sausage hotpot (or fortunately, as far as the waistline is concerned!), but I enjoyed my bacon roll

 

the nearer I got to Hawick, the gloomier the skies became, and just as I passed the town boundary, the rain began.  Not exactly welcome home!!

Can I have my coat back please?

I had to turn back early again this morning when I was out for my walk, as the rain got steadily heavier, so the only photo I took was of this forlorn ewe, looking very miserable without her woolly coat!

 

At patch'n'chat this afternoon, Anne S. had a present for me, that she and her husband Bobbie had found in a charity shop while spending a very wet week in Yorkshire. As soon as they saw this book, they thought of me ....... so now I should be able to identify wildflowers all over the world

 

it is beautifully illustrated and brim full of information

 

Don't tell Malcolm, but I bought this super new magazine this afternoon ...... not so much for the bags, as I have one two three books on bags, but I want to make these birds

 

and I know I have some ultrasuede in my stash, so these flowers are definitely going on the to-do list!

 

today's cakes were Annette's light-as-air cupcakes - some people (who, me?) might have eaten two!

 

I have put my lovely crochet butterfly from Ali in the studio.  You can't quite see in the photos, but it just landed on a branch above my big felt flower.  If you pop over to Ali's blog, you can see the rest of the things that I sent her that I forgot to take photos of!

 

 

I can hardly concentrate on typing this, as Andy Murray is playing his semi-final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ...... it's on-the-edge-of-the-seat stuff!!  We have both finals to look forward to over the weekend, but no doubt I shall be sewing and knitting as well.  Love Anne

Raindrops kept falling on my head!

It's so good to be back home with my reasonable internet connection - I've got lots to show you, so let's get started!

We got to Woolfest early, and headed off to have breakfast before the show opened.  Suitably fortified, we headed straight to Kate's stall, as I had told her that I had intended to be first in the queue to buy her wonderful new design, the sheep carousel tea cosy.  Malcolm wielded the camera, as Kate and I tried to smile nicely!

 

Not only did I get the tea cosy kit, but it came in a super cotton bag

 

 

It's a long time since I did colour work, and I haven't worked steeks or braids  before, but I'm looking forward to getting started

 

My next purchase was this yarn bowl, which I bought from Willofibre.  You sit the yarn in the bowl, feeding it through the spiral.  Then when you knit, the yarn stays in the bowl and doesn't roll about all over the floor

 

I had said to Malcolm that I wasn't going to buy any yarn, as I am trying (!) to reduce my stash.  However when I stopped at Helen's stall for a blether (Helen, second from the left, used to live here in the Borders, before she went off to the other end of the country) .......

 

......... I succumbed to this rather tasty skein

 

It was hard to capture it in a photo, but can you just see that it has a sparkle running through it

 

I bought one or two other things, but I'll save them for tomorrow, so that I can show you some other photos.  I may have mentiooned that it rained rather a lot ...... this was the view from our cottage, looking out on to a section of flooded road.  It was quite entertaining watching the different methods employed by drivers to deal with the problem - drive slowly, drive fast, through the middle, along the side

 

 

 

The rain might have been pouring down, the road may have been flooded - but if the verge had to be cut, it was going to be cut!!

 

On Saturday Malcolm went in to Cockermouth - these are some of his dramatic photos of the river in the town centre

 

 

 

When Malcolm picked me up on Saturday afternoon, we headed off to Keswick - where it was still raining!  When we walked down to the lake, we found that the rowing boats had been pulled up on to the road ....

 

....... as the strip of shingle where they usually sit was under water - as were the wooden jetties - you can see the lines of poles showing where they are, usually with pleasure boats moored alongside

 

Usually when we are in Kewick, we get fish and chips for dinner, sitting down by the lake to eat.  However this time we had to eat indoors!  Haddock and chips - delicious!

 

But, I hear you cry, where are the stars of the show, where are the sheep

 

 

 

 

I'll be back tomorrow with more of my purchases, more cute animals ....... and I'll tell you whom I had a cuppa with, and whom I had lunch with!

 

 

Back in the old routine - part 2

No, there was nothing wrong with the camera, or my photography ....... this was the view of the horse in the field across the road when I went out for my morning walk - in a very thick mist!!

 

The last time I saw these ewes, they were lounging about under the trees in the old orchard just up the hill - this morning they were on the other side of the orchard wall ...... where it was probably a bit warmer!

 

The church looked as if it was auditioning for a part in a Dickens story

 

The moisture in the air made this spider's web visible

 

The snails were happy to glide along on the damp road - I love the different colours of their shells

 

 

 

There was a bright spot amongst the gloom - but it wasn't a flower, but a piece of bright blue baler twine, holding a fence together!

 

At patch'n'chat, Katy brought in this kit, which she had received from a craft club.  She didn't want it, and asked if anyone would like it ......I promptly said yes please.  She was looking at the Spanish cross stitch book that I brought back from Majorca, saying how much she liked some of the designs - so I swapped the book for the kit, and the angel came home with me!

 

But, I hear you ask, where is the bit about the old routine?  Well, it's Friday, and that means the Friday cake!!  Today we had what is probably the most delicious, decadent cake that Annette has ever made for us ...... her wonderful light-as-air chocolate sponge, but this time she had  topped it with whipped cream and strawberries

 

The mist lifted by mid-morning, and we have had another hot day, with the good weather forecast to continue over the weekend.  Whatever the weather, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, love Anne

Back in the old routine

I have lots to share with you today, so in case I forget later, I'll start with the wonderful presents I received.  The first one was from Judi (no blog), who had called in at Hancock's of Paducah (a world famous p&q shop, for those of you who don't quilt!) ........ and not only did she get a catalogue for me, but she bought me some Ghastlies fabrics!!  Now I have no excuse ...... I must add these fabrics to the ones I already have to make something special!

 

The second parcel was from Vee ........ a piece of beautiful fabric, and one of her exquisite needle felted bears

 

The bear is tiny - here she is with my engagement ring, to show how small she is

 

Quite some time ago, I had signed up for Vee's "pay it forward" ....... but poor Vee was struck down by illness and needing surgery before she could send out her gifts, so I had actually forgotten all about it, and had to email her to check on the rules.  It's quite simple - having received my gift, I now pay it forward ........ if you would like to join in, all you have to do is let me know (I'll include the first 3 to leave a comment or email) - I have a year in which to send you a small gift, then when you receive it, you send out gifts to a further three.   (I hope you followed that!)

Now for being back in the old routine ....... early this morning (6.45) I headed out for a walk, which I do in the summer instead of using the  implements of torture fitness machines.   The sheep across the road were just stirring

 

The air was full of the scents of summer

 

 

 

 

It was already warm, and the Minto Hills were hazy in the distance

 

This little snail was meandering along

 

Everything is so much greener than it was 3 weeks ago when we went away

did you spot the rabbit sitting in the road?

 

 

On the way down the hill, this Jacob's ewe was peering through the gate .........

 

........ then on the way back, she rounded up her lambs and moved away as I approached

 

However, she obviously decided that I wasn't a threat, and came over to the gate

 

But as soon as I turned the camera to the lambs, she moved back to guard them ....... you can just see her in the bottom left of the photo

 

We had our usual trip into Hawick this morning, and had a look in the Oxfam Shop.  They had lots of these little jars, full of buttons.  They were only 99p each ....... some kitchenware shops charge at least that just for the jars!

 

As always , I bought some patchwork and craft magazines in Majorca (I will be sending one to Rachel as part of the giveaway prize!)

 

This cross stitch book was free with one of the magazines

If you were wondering where in the garden I have been taking these photos ....... it's our little love seat on the deck

 

When we came home, we were delighted to see that we had new neighbours ...... a pair of tits have moved into one of the bird boxes in the back garden (but not one of Malcolm's lovingly crafted ones, but one which was really bought as a garden ornament!)  This afternoon in the summer house,  I set up the camera on the tripod, with the big lens on ....... then I waited and I waited and I waited!!  Eventually a little head peeped out .......

 

...... then after another long wait, the other tit swooped in

 

popped its head through the hole for a blether

 

paused

 

then flew off

 

I still have lots of holiday photos to show you, but a lot of them are shadow shots (you know you are a shadow addict when you carefully arrange your cake, cup and teapot to create a shadow shot!), so I'll be posting them over the next few weekends.

 

Day 12

 

Celtic Wedding Rings

 

Like many quilters, I hope one day to make a double wedding ring quilt ....... but for the moment, this is the closest I have got!!

detail of the machine quilting

A small detour

On my way to patch'n'chat this morning, I had a small detour to my friend Ali's house, as she was having an open day.  As with her last one, she had all sorts of luscious fabrics and trims to buy, but as I haven't yet used the ones I bought then, I resisted!  However, I did buy some gorgeous handmade paper, to make tiny books with ......

 

and two bags of offcuts of handmade felt, which I will use for jewellery, applique, and just generally having fun with

 

I made one more purchase - this one at Borderland fabrics, where I bought this little remnant to add to my collection of small prints

 

Now, the most important part of the post - of course that's the Friday cake!! This week it was the delicious apple and sultana cake

 

We hope to pop over the Border to Cornhill on Sunday, to go to a quilt show ...... whatever you are doing, I hope you have a good weekend.  Love, Anne

Gretel makes ......

........ if you don't normally buy Mollie Makes

 

do look out for next month's issue, as the wonderful, multi-talented Gretel will be showing us how to needlefelt

 

I am still working every evening on the stitcheries I am making for Anne's quilt

love is the music of your heart

 

love is a happy revelation

 

do everything with love

 

love notes are portable hugs

 

love and joy are united as one

 

This afternoon I went to meet up with Lorraine for a knit and natter ....... which of course meant cake!!  Today's was a very, very delicious orange and rhubarb cake

 

My knitting hadn't been out of the bag since the last knit'n'natter, but I did do a bit more this afternoon - I have now done the two feet and one and a half legs of the doll

 

To finish, another little sign of spring from the garden ...... this time it's the ornamental quince, which has started to flower

 

Girls with attitude

Recently, my friend Ruth, knowing that I like country music, recommended this cd (yes, it was one of those one-click purchases!)

 

It's brilliant ...... some of the lyrics are funny, some feisty, some just a little bit naughty - but most of all these are girls who won't stand any nonsense from men!!

 

 

On Sunday, Stuart sent me this link .  Yes, another one-click purchase (I actually ordered two, as I didn't want Malcom to sulk if I didn't get one for him!).

 

What is it?  A waterproof cover for the Kindle for when we go on holiday

 

I have almost finished the third Blankit, with just a little bit stitching to do on the narrow borders, then the finishing blanket stitch round the edge

 

Although I have only been using some basic embroidery stitches - French knots, couching and fern stitch - it has reminded me how much I used to enjoy embroidery, before I went over to the dark side (otherwise known as patchwork and quilting!)

 

Although I already have a large collection of reusable shopping bags, I couldn't resist this one by fashion designer Matthew Williamson, which is being sold to raise money for Sport Relief ....... who needs a bag costing hundreds of pounds, when you can buy this for £5, and know that you are helping a very good cause!!

 

 

And now, as promised, the last of the postcards.  I have been amazed at the variety of the cards, and the beautiful work put into them.  Thank you to to everyone who joined in, and made it such a successful swap!

Judi

 

Lee 

 

Liz

 

Yvonne