frayed at the edge

Herbilicious!

I suspect that's not a real word, but it sounds good!  When we moved here, I did the weekly food shopping in Morrison's supermarket, but when Sainsbury's opened I started shopping there.  But Morrison's have just had a major makeover, and when Malcolm popped in yesterday, he was impressed with the new fruit and veg section.  So when we were in Hawick this morning we went in so that I could have a look.  There is an amazing counter with unusual vegetables and a good selection of fresh herbs ........ all of which are constantly misted with cold water.  As I was about to do things with fresh herbs and olive oil, I bought sage, tarragon and thyme

 

and added rosemary from the pot in the garden

 

a few years ago I bought bottles to use for sloe gin, flavoured vodkas etc ........ and like my jam jars, you only get a bottle of something delicious if you promise to return the empty one.  The bottles had all been washed in the dishwasher, but some of them still had the remains of their labels, so I popped them into a bowl of hot soapy water to soak (warning, very exciting photo!)

 

the herbs, washed and set aside to dry

 

according to the recipe, it should only take a few weeks for the olive oil to be flavoured by the herbs - just in time for Christmas!

 

last week Maureen gave me her copy of Homemade With Love magazine

 

as I read it, I was delighted to see a pattern by Tracey Todhunter

 

I met Tracey two years ago at Woolfest, and we kept in touch, meeting up again at Woolfest last year.  However I didn't see her this year, as she was away on holiday.  When I met Tracey, she was taking her first steps to build a career in designing knitting and crochet patterns, and over the months since, her patterns have appeared in lots of publications.  Then a few pages on ...... another pattern!

 

and then ....... an interview with Tracey.  Do look out for her patterns, and pop over to her blog for her latest creations

 

as I don't have any sewing to do for Anne at Stitchin' Heaven at the moment, I have been returning to my own long-neglected sewing.  I looked out my hexie wallhanging, to take  with me to patch'n'chat tomorrow

 

as I was locking the studio door this afternoon, some sheepies appeared in the field out the back, but by the time I had turned on the camera and zoomed in on them, the little beasties had turned their rear ends towards me!!

 

 

The smell of Christmas.......

When I saw this recipe at the weekend

 

I thought yum yum!  So this morning I started it off.  It doesn't look too good, but it filled the kitchen with the smell of Christmas

 

for lunch I had a little bit of the new cheese, with crackers and some homemade apple and sultana chutney - delicious!

 

then it was out to the studio to get on with the Top Secret project.  I stitched the second side of the pincushion

 

the pincushion stitched together and stuffed

 

the opening stitched shut

 

next I looked in the bead drawer for some little beads, but I couldn't find anything suitable ....... so I got out my jewelllery making supplies

 

and found these little hearts - perfect!

 

the finished pincushion with the scissors holder

 

when I took the photos of Malcolm's makes for the Christmas Fair, I forgot these - driftwood and cork trees on canvas

 

and too finish - I realised that I could show you the poster for the Christmas Fair.  I simply took a photo of the laptop screen!

Thoroughly spoiled!

I had a busy afternoon on Saturday, workinng on the Top Secret project.  Fortunately it is only what it is for that it a secret, you can see what I was doing.  When I have a busy sewing afternoon, Malcolm makes sure that I keep my energies up by supplying me with hot chocolate, complete with frothy milk ......

 

....... and in case I was peckish, half a salted caramel cookie (there had been an odd number of cookies in the packet) and half a mince pie, which had been part of the "meal deal" he had for lunch on Friday (a turkey and stuffing sandwich and a coffee - as the mince pie was wrapped, he brought it home)

 

I played some more with folding paper to make the scissor holder, as I wanted to get rid of the long point at the bottom

 

with a good idea of what I wanted to do, I chose two of my four fabrics and a thin cotton wadding

 

I cut out an  eight and a half inch square from each fabric and the wadding, layered them and stitched round the four sides, leaving an opening to turn the fabrics through to the right side

 

having pressed the square I folded it in a similar way to the paper, but it was a bit lumpy at the bottom.  So I turned it back through and cut a corner off

 

then stitched across the corner

 

I turned it back through to the right side and pressed it, and slipstitched the opening shut

 

I topstitched a quarter of an inch from the edge

 

the first fold, with the edge handstitched in place

 

the second fold pinned in place

 

ah - that's better with the flap folded back

 

all the handstitching done, and a little button added to hold the flap in place

 

then it was on to the next part of the project, a hexagon pincushion, using English paper piecing

 

it didn't take long to stitch the first side .......

 

...... you might recognise the film I was watching!

 

we have a stall at this year's Southdean Christmas Fair (I was going to show you the super poster made by  Lindsay, who organised the crafty day I was at on Sunday, but it is the wrong sort of document or some such technical thing!)  I haven't made anything yet (oops), but Malcolm has been beavering away in the garage.  He has made lots of driftwood trees

 

and has branched out (yes, a groan for the pun!) with driftwood mirrors - the third one isn't quite finished. (sorry, not the best of photos - the things were propped up on the kitchen table for some quick snaps to email to a friend)

 

for years we have saved wine corks, with vague ideas of making things with them.  I think you will like what Malcolm has made - a mirror edged with corks, and two pinboards, which I think look so good they could be hung on the wall as art!!

 

 

Slightly chilly!

We didn't go for a walk yesterday, as I was away for the day having crafty fun (sorry, no photos from that).  So, although it was rather cold ...... the frost didn't lift all day ....... I decided to go for a walk after not having lunch, as this is a Fast day

a noble-looking horse

 

there was just one donkey out in the yard

 

I hope this lorry didn't meet one coming the other way!

 

I never tire of this view

 

or this one

 

the Waterloo monument in the distance

 

the tree is looking a bit sad since it lost its last large branch

 

heading for home

 

there are lots of sheep in the fields round about us

 

back home, these blue tits were enjoying the peanuts

 

while the sparrows watched from the hawthorn

 

if you thought that the pear and chocolate jam was a strange mixture .......... I bought this cheese this morning.  It sounds very strange indeed, but it is delicious!

 

I also bought these little chocolate treats for Malcolm

 

Friday Fun

There was a new lady, Thelma, at patch'n'chat this afternoon.  She had brought this amazing quilt, which is made up of all sorts of fabrics from years of family history

 

Maria was working on her thistle wallhanging

 

 Maureen was blanket stitching round her quirky reindeer

 

Margaret has started yet another wonderful quilt - despite the fact this is a cat, I will share it with you!

 

then there was the Friday cake ....... Annette's wonderful chocolate sponge with fresh cream.  It is so light, it just melts in the mouth

 

as always, I will be busy sewing at the weekend, and I hope you will be having a good time.  Love Anne

 

to finish -  I took this through the front door this morning (it was much too cold to go out) - our farming neighbours playing working with big machines

Not one, not two ......

........ but three finishes!!  First we have the stripey socks

 

then the socks knitted on two needles (sorry, my apprentice photographer let me down and the photo is slightly out of focus)

 

the line down the middle of the cable panel is where I crocheted the edges together

 

the third finish involved these little wooden birds and owls which I found in a shop in Hawick this morning, and the bunting kit which was a freebie with a magazine

 

it didn't take long to make the bunting.  I hung it up on the design wall to take a photo, but because there wasn't room to hang it level, the poor little birds are hanging off the side flags at drunken angles!

 

I started work on  a new project this afternoon.  I can show you what it is, but I can't yet tell you what it is for!  (how mysterious).  It is a sewing set which will comprise a needle case, a pincushion, a scissor holder and a bag to keep them in.  I chose these pretty fabrics

 

the pincushion will look like this one, made with hexagons using the English paper piecing method

 

I played with some paper, working out how to fold a square to make pockets for two pairs of scissors

 

to finish, more food!  Malcolm made this for dinner - haddock and spinach in a half-fat creme fraiche sauce, topped with an egg.  It looked so good I had to take a photo!!

 

 

The history of Scotland

When I was at Sheena Norquay's workshop, one on the members of Abbey Quilters informed us that there were places on the bus which Kelso Embroiderers' Guild had hired to go to see The Great Tapestry of Scotland.  Of course I immediately put my name down, and on Monday met up with fourteen other enthusiastic stitchers to head to Cockenzie House.  We had a slight hiccup when we got to Port Seton, and couldn't find the house.  The bus driver pulled in to the side of the road while the trip organiser looked through her info for directions, which gave me the chance to take this photo of Cockenzie Power Station!

 

Rineke jumped off the bus and asked for directions, and within minutes we had arrived at our destination

 

although we were anxious to see the exhibition, we had just spent ninety minutes on the bus, so first stop was the tearoom for a cuppa ....... and a delicious apple and cinnamon scone

 

some of the ladies I was with had worked on the Tapestry (how fabulous is that, contributing to such a major project!).  One of the organisers came into the tearoom with the hard-backed book of the making of the tapestry (a much weightier tome than the paperback that I bought).  She asked the stitchers to sign the page with the photo of the panel they stitched, which they were delighted to do.  Then we headed off to see the Tapestry ...... there are one hundred and sixty panels, and each time you thought you had seen what had to be the best one . you would go into the next room and find an even more stunning one!    I was delighted to find that photography was allowed, so that I can share my favourites with you

this was the first panel to be finished

 

a little bit of our history - our house in Falkirk was on the line of the Antonine Wall

 

this is the only panel that wasn't finished on time - one of the stitchers took ill

 

if you think these boys look fierce .....

 

..... look at their adversaries!

 

another mention of Falkirk!

 

a sad tale of deceit and murder

 

enlarge the photo to see the detail of the stitching below her hem

 

there is an incredible amount of stitching on this panel .......

 

...... and the "knitting" is so delicate

 

these are places in the Borders - we can see the Eildon Hills from the house!

 

I viewed the exhibition with Tricia, one of the embroiderers.  After ooohing and aaahing over all the wonderful stitching, we headed back to the tearoom, where Tricia treated me to lunch!  The quiche was delicious, with onion, broccoli and potato

 

to finish, some of the little details which caught my eye

 

and this last one is for Stuart!

 

Workshop

What a busy day!  Caroline and Theresa arrived first, and started work as soon as they had made themselves a cuppa

 

Sandra and Sheila arrived a little bit later.  They missed the turning from the main road, and had to turn round and backtrack.  They too made themselves a cuppa (it's strictly self-service in the studio!) and we worked on the first set of blocks.  That's Sandra's hands on the left

 

Sheila chose pretty prints for her hearts

 

Caroline starting to stitch her Celtic knot block

 

Theresa produced this fabulous fabric from her stash

 

This photo is for Meredithe, so that she can admire my manicure!

 

while the others were working on their Celtic knots, I was thinking about creating a pattern with interwoven bias strips

 

we had lunch in the kitchen, where I force-fed gave them a taste of the pear and chocolate jam.  It was declared to be delicious!  Back in the studio, we were working so hard I didn't take any more photos (oh, ok, we were blethering so much I forgot!).  All too soon it was time for them to pack up

 

I have left the tidy-up until tomorrow!

 

the leftover biscuits have gone into Malcolm's biscuit barrel, and the mugs are in the dishwasher

 

Caroline and Theresa gave me this card to say thank you - it is so cute!!

 

if you scroll back to the first photo and look at the book (click on the photo to enlarge it), you will see what tomorrow's post is about!

 

 

Let there be light!

We had just settled down to watch some tv on Friday evening, and I had picked up my knitting, when ...... we had a power cut!  Which meant it was very dark, as we have no street lights here to provide some light through the windows.  Fortunately there was a scented candle burning in the kitchen, so we were able to see to get out more candles

 

and the camping gas lamp ........ not that we go camping, we have had the lamp since we were without electricity for several days following the Great Storm in 1987!

 

we passed the time by listening to some music

 

and enjoying a glass of wine

 

on Saturday I was busy making the samples for tomorrow's workshop, showing the step by step construction of the pieced blocks

 

yesterday we headed off to Selkirk, to see the archimedes screws at Philiphaugh, which provide enough electricity to power 200 homes.  The last time we were there, there were large machines everywhere, but there were only a couple yesterday, including this one (I don't know why Malcolm keeps saying no when I ask him to buy me a machine)

 

these buildings weren't there when we last visited

 

it was hard to see the screw as there is a lot of fencing

 

this is where the water flows in to the screws

 

and this is where it comes out - a passing stranger provides the scale!

 

there is a drain where water pours down - it gave me the shivers looking down into it to take the photo, despite the fact that there was no way I could fall in

 

the water comes out here

 

and flows downstream to here

 

sadly the water wheel doesn't work .......

 

...... but it has given its name to the cafe, where we went for one of our famous two scone lunches

cheese

 

fruit

 

next we headed to The Haining for the craft fair.  It was a little bit disappointing - lots of jewellery, some knitting, jams and chutneys - we didn't buy anything.  However we were quite happy to pay our £1 entrance fee to see inside the house, which at the moment is sadly delapidated

 

and we enjoyed the views from the grounds

 

back home, I went on with the prep for tomorrow's workshop, auditioning fabric for the sashing

 

I had a very special day out today, but you will have to wait until Wednesday to read about it, as of course tomorrow I will be telling you about the workshop ....... but here is a little clue to where I was

 

to finish - Kelly sent me this photo of her new boots. I want a pair!!

What a bargain!

Malcolm came home the other day with these two little red jugs.  The flowers on the plants had gone over, but he thought I could use the jugs for something.  What did he pay - an amazing 35p each!

 

the first flower on the Christmas cactus has now opened fully - I wonder if I could turn it into an applique flower?

 

there is another addition to the owls living in the yuccas - I wonder if we now have enough for a parliament?

 

several of you have asked about the recipe for the pear and chocolate jam.  It comes from this book .......

 

....... I didn't add the cinnamon (because I forgot) but it tastes fine without it (click on the photo to enlarge it)

 

at patchn'chat I started handquilting my Sheena Norquay sampler - don't worry about the blue markings, they will disappear with a warm iron

 

I outlined the square with pale pink

 

then started quilting the spirals with a lovely deep purple

 

I am looking forward to using these gorgeous threads in the other squares

 

and then there was the Friday cake - we all agreed that this could become our new favourite ....... Norwegian apple cake.  It was very light, and very delicious!

 

there are several Christmas craft fairs on over the weekend, so we will have to decide which one to go to, and of course I will be busy sewing.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne