frayed at the edge

A trip to the seaside

No, I didn't take a mad turn and go for a very chilly walk on the beach!  Last night at Abbey Quilters we were creating seascapes.  We started with a piece of lightweight Vilene taped over the pattern, which we then traced on to the Vilene

 

it's a slightly complicated process to master - there were a few moans and groans round the room as people tried to get to grips with the method.  It would need a great long explanation, but you are working from the back of the pattern, with the fabric on the front.  I gradually built up my picture

 

the main part done.  Now I need to add an outer border, then quilt and embellish it

 

I was sitting next to Charlie, who brightened up the evening with her floral boots!

 

it's not just the garden plants that are topsy- turvy ...... the sky was pink with the dawn, but this is where we normally see the sunset - it was the dawn colours reflected on the clouds

 

we went out for a very special lunch at Abbotsford House.  I had fish and chips with salad

 

and Malcolm had fish and chips with mushy peas

 

so what made the meal so special?  Well, including our tea and coffee .........

 

....... the entire meal cost only £13.50, as we had a voucher from the local newspaper!  The new visitor centre, which includes the restaurant, is a fabulous building

 

as it was cold and windy, with rain threatening, we didn't go fo a walk, although the autumn colours were glorious

 

every time we pass this little building, it has fallen further into ruin

 

back home, I took these ingredients

 

and turned them into pear and chocolate jam ....... I know it sounds strange, but it is delicious!!

 

 

Lines

On Friday, Maureen and I headed to Kelso after patch'n'chat, and had a potter round the town centre deciding where to go for dinner.  We chose the Waggon Inn, where neither of us had been before, but it has a very good reputation.  And boy, did it live up to that reputation!  I chose macaroni cheese, which was delicious

 

Maureen had fish and chips, which she enjoyed

 

then I disgraced myself by having a pudding (Maureen was very good and had a cup of tea).  This is a toffee sundae.  Layers of ice cream, whipped cream, toffee sauce, little crunchy bits .........

 

I somehow managed to stay awake during Sheena's talk, which was both informative and entertaining.  But you won't be surprised that Maureen and I only had a cuppa at the end of the evening, and didn't have any of the delicious cakes.  Lunch on Saturday and Sunday was supplied by the Waggon Inn - we had delicious soup and very tasty sandwiches

 

and Maureen and I were able to catch up on the cake-eating, as there were lots left over from Friday night

 

so now that we've seen all the food - on with the sewing!  Sheena asked that I didn't take photos of the stages of what we were doing, as it would show the details of her workshop, but she was happy for me to show you sample piece from the Saturday workshop, and my pattern from Sunday.  On Saturday we did a lot of work learning to draw curves.  In the morning we worked on "s" curves. producing this

 

once we had marked the curves on our fabrics, we then used different stitches to produce different effects

 

this was done with a twin needle

 

one of the many decorative stitches that my machine can do

 

a length of decorative thread held in place with a zigzag stitch

 

in the afternoon we learned how to draw "c" curves, which we then used to draw up a pattern for a wide border.  By the time I had drawn my pattern, I didn't have time to stitch it, but as soon as I get it done I will let you see it

 

on Sunday we were worked very hard producing patterns for a handstitched sampler.  There was a great deal to take in, but by the end of the day I had produced this

 

one of the exercises was to make a pattern with our first name initial.  I decided to add my surname initial as well ........

 

....... before I went over to the dark side of patchwork and quilting, I used to do a lot of counted cross stitch, and in  a corner I would put AD followed by the year - of course as well as my initials, it could be anno domini!

 

as we packed up yesterday afternoon, Maureen pointed out the way the low sun was shining on the tops of the trees in the distance - there was a rush to the window with cameras!

 

to finish ...... some more food!  This afternoon I started with these veggies

 

and finished with a big pot of chilli con carne - there is enough for six meals

 

Dirty laundry!

First, let's get the food out of the way!  Malcolm's little spinach and mushroom omelette muffins were delicious!  He reheated them in the microwave, and they were soft and fluffy, with lots of flavour from the mushrooms

 

for dinner, we had the Greek lamb stew that I made on Monday.  I served it with couscous and fat free yogurt with mint.  It was really tasty, and I shall certainly make it again

 

in between breakfast and dinner, I made the apple and chilli jelly.  The liquid, which had dripped through the jelly bag overnight, was a lovely colour

 

I took this selection of red and green chillis from a bag in the freezer

 

I blitzed the chillis and stirred them into the jelly.  As the jelly cooled and set in the jars, I had to keep swirling it round to stop all the flecks of chilli settling at the top of the jar

 

then I went out to have a potter in the studio.  I started by taking lots of photos for tomorrow's post - which I will be writing when I finish this one,and scheduling it to appear tomorrow, as I won't be here!  As part of our Sheena Norquay weekend, she is giving a talk, and as it would be a rush to get home from patch'n'chat, have dinner and head off to Kelso, Maureen and I are going out for dinner.  Having sorted out those photos, I then got out these fat quarters which I bought recently at Stitchin' Heaven, and added some calico.  I am going to make a laundry bag (I know you were wondering when I was going to get around to today's subject!)  When we go away for a few days, we always end up with the dirty laundry in a carrier bag, as we don't want to put it in the suitcase with the clean clothes, so I am going to make a laundry bag

 

when Maureen saw the fabrics, she asked me if I would her some the next time I was at Stitchin' Heaven, as she wanted to make a peg bag.  So I promptly stole her idea, bought more fabric, and looked out this pattern

 

which is in this delightful book

 

I said I was going out for dinner with Maureen, but right now I am reconsidering that, as I am seriously peeved with her!!  You know that I love herons ....... well, this afternoon she sent me this photo, of a heron strolling through her garden  NOT FAIR!!!

Before the before!

It occurred to me that you might like to see what the studio was like before it was the studio!  I took these first photos when we viewed the house before buying it, so the junk stuff isn't ours!

the top room was the milking parlour

 

the bottom room was a new room built between the milking parlour and the garage

 

if I had known that I would be writing this blog some years later, I would have taken more photos before the work was started!  Also, I couldn't get in during the early stages, when floors were being dug up and relaid

this is where the stove now sits

 

the velux windows are remote-controlled, as they are so high

 

the original window, looking into the neighbours' back yard

 

the replacement window with patterned glass

 

the original back door

 

working on the door frame

 

the new doors

 

the opening for the front doors

 

the new doors

 

working on the roof

 

the finished front doors

 

the finished back doors

 

I hope you enjoyed that little bit of studio history!  This morning we went to Lauder, to have lunch in The Flat Cat

 

we both chose baguettes.  Malcolm had cheese, with tomato chutney on the side

 

and I had tuna mayo (Malcolm ate the olives, as I don't like them)

 

we had a stroll round the shops, but resisted buying anything

 

the post box is no longer there, just the sign on the wall of the post office

 

back home, Malcolm made these little beauties for tomorrow's breakfast ......

 

....... using this recipe

 

while I started the first stage in making more jelly, using a big bag of crab apples which Maureen had given me.  I cut up half of them and put them in a large saucepan with a lemon and three plums which were languishing in the fruit bowl.  I added a litre of water and brought it up to a simmer

 

the liquid is now dripping through the jelly bag.  The plums have given it a lovely red colour.  I'm plannning to add chillies tomorrow to make a savoury jelly, which I think will be good with pork and ham.

and to finish - as we came home through Galashiels, we had to pull in to the side of the road and breathe in, as this extra wide load squeezed past

Sunshine after the rain

On Saturday it rained and rained ....... and then it rained some more!  However, when we got up yesterday, the sky was blue and the sun was shining, so we headed off to Melrose for a walk.  The beautiful blue sky provided a wonderful backdrop for all sorts of things .....

 

this boat was motionless at its mooring

 

but just a matter of yards away, the river was roaring over large boulders

 

this is a very handsome church

 

tractors!

 

I was looking forward to taking photos of the Abbey ....... but what was this?

 

oh dear - it is covered in scaffolding

 

these wonderful carvings are on a bank

 

of course we went for a cuppa - but we didn't have a scone!  Instead we shared a raspberry and vanilla muffin - delicious!!

 

Monday is my "domestic" day.  I make a start to the laundry, then head out for the weekly food shopping.  Then I quite often  cook for the freezer.  Today's cooking was for "Fast" days.  First was butternut squash and sweet potato soup

 

it has curry powder in it, and is very tasty

 

 

next was Greek lamb stew - this is the lamb browning

 

this photo doesn't do it justice - it tasted so good that I could have quite happily tucked into it in the middle of the afternoon, when it came out the oven

 

after our complete failure to find any sloes, I bought some on ebay (is there anything you can't buy on ebay?!)  I put them into two jars, with sugar and gin.  I will shake them every day for a couple of weeks, until the sugar is all dissolved, then shake them occasionally after that.  Although it will be drinkable by Christmas, it will be even better if we leave it for a good few months

 

the last job of the afternoon was the one that I detest - the ironing!  This is just some of it - by the time I took the photo Malcolm had put his clothes away (it's bad enough doing his ironing, so I refuse to put it away!)

 

I'll be back tomorrow with an update on the studio reorganisation ....... this is the "worse before it gets better" stage

Running out of superlatives!

On the first Friday of every month, Kay comes along to patch'n'chat, to pick up quilts for long-arm quilting, and to return quilts that she has finished.  But today she had a special treat for us, as she brought in her stunning "Inner Circle - Flower of Scotland" quilt

 

the quilt has won one or two awards in the last few weeks (the two green rosettes are from a major American quilt show!)

 

Kay quilted the design, then taking a very deep breath to steady her nerves, painted the green and purple sections

 

the quilting as always is exquisite

 

there are some of the words of Flower of Scotland quilted round the edge

 

Kay also brought in this lovely quilt for Mary Ennis - that's Mary on the left.  I knew Mary some years ago when I was a member of the Quilters' Guild, so it was good to catch up with her

 

Mary has made the quilt for her sister.  It is to fit a super kingsize bed - this is it folded in half!

 

Mary had come from Bearsden, in Glasgow, to collect her quilt, and we also had a return visit from a lovely couple from Edinburgh to collect their quilt.  Lisa Davidson made this from scraps - which made me think that I must sort out my scrap basket!

 

Maureen had been working hard to finish her applique quilt so that she could give it to Kay

 

Anne S. was demonstrating her latest gadget - a finger torch.  She was offered several suggestions about what she could use it for ...... none of which can be repeated here!

 

Friday cake had a Hallowe'en theme ..... spooky cupcakes

 

while we were having our cuppa, Maria arrived to collect her quilt.  It is for one of her daughters, who is a student.  The hexagons are all handstitched

 

the backing is actually a beautiful deep blue fleece - but for some reason my camera just doesn't like deep blue!

 

to finish - a quick visit to the kitchen, where my Christmas cactus has decided to start flowering!

 

woohoo, another orchid has flowered

 

it's a little bit smaller than the last one to flower

 

I am looking forward to restoring order to the studio over the weekend - and hopefullly getting some sewing done.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

A multitude of talents

I had a great day out on Saturday, joining some of the other members from Abbey Quilters for a UFO day (that's unfinished objects, not aliens invading!)  First, we layered the raffle quilt for next year's exhibition, but there is an embargo on photos of it!  Next up was Rineke's striking black and red quilt

 

then we oohed and aaahed over Ivy's pretty quilt

 

Edith was hand quilting a small applique quilt

 

Anne S was finishing off her block keeper, with its cute owl

 

Sandra started off working on a pile of blocks

 

then did some machine quilting on this very cute quilt

 

we helped Moira layer this stunning quilt - the photo doesn't do justice to the colours.  She is very generously giving the quilt to Linus

 

of course lots of cuppas were drunk, and many biscuits eaten ....... and we might have eaten a few of these chocolates which I took, in case we needed a sugar boost

 

we weren't able to go for a walk yesterday morning, because of short, heavy rain showers, so had to console ourselves with a rather magnificent cheese scone

 

while trying to ignore the Christmas tree beside our table!

 

fortunately the rain had gone off when we saw this pipe band marching through Jedburgh

 

the rain stayed off as we drove home, so I was able to take some photos of the scenery

 

this is Fatlips Castle (although sometimes I get confused and call it Hotlips - do you remember her from MASH?!

 

this last photo is for Thimbleanna - I'm sure she wishes she had sheepies in a field behind her house!!

A quiet day!

Oh dear, not much to report this evening!  When I cleaned the kitchen windowsill this morning, I put the cotton lace cafe curtain back up, as it gives the orchids some protection from the cold nights.  You can read about Ayrshire lace curtains here and here

 

it was such a dark and dreary morning, I had to use flash for the photographs

 

after the miserable, wet morning, it did brighten up this afternoon ....... but then it started to rain again just as I arrived home from patch'n'chat.  These sparrows were a bit bedraggled

 

while these ones chose to shelter in the hawthorn tree

 

but as always there was the Friday cake to cheer us up ....... and hooray, it was our favourite apple and sultana.  Delicious!

 

tomorrow I will be heading to Eckford Village Hall ....... it is an Abbey Quilters' day, but we can't meet in our usual venue, so Sandra, who as well as being our lovely Linus lady is also Chairman of Abbey Quilters, arranged for us to use her village hall.

The forecast isn't very good for the weekend, with nasty winds on the way.  I hope the weather is better where you are and that you have a good weekend, love Anne

Tin love!

You may have noticed that I love tins - big ones, small ones, in-between ones ...... and when we were away I added to my collection.  This one appealed to my sense of humour

 

and this one is slightly impractical - because of course if you put pins in the cushion, you couldn't put the lid back on!

 

even I have to admit that Christmas is getting close, so it was time to buy the Christmas biscuit tin

 

when we see items that have names on, we never find any with "Malcolm" ....... until Wednesday, when I found this garden sign.  When I was paying for it, I remarked to the lady serving me that I could always paint over "genius at work" - and she said "just put a question mark after it".  Poor Malcolm, well and truly insulted!!

 

I had to go to Jedburgh just before lunchtime today, so I arranged to meet my friend Maureen for lunch after my meeting ..... but we were blethering so much I forgot to take photos!  It was a beautiful afternoon, crisp and clear, so when I got home I grabbed the camera and headed off up the hill.  Why is it that sheep turn their bottoms towards you just as you snap?

 

there were only two donkeys in the field

 

there are still lots of apples in a neighbour's old orchard ...... maybe I should have a midnight scrump!

 

just look at that beautiful blue sky above the church

 

I never tire taking photos of the Mintos

 

and the Eildons

 

I wonder if these sheep .......

 

appreciate the scenery?

 

this sheep was giving me the evil eye!

 

whille this one just looked so pretty

 

on the way back down the hill, of course I had to stop to admire my favourite view

 

and take more photos of the donkeys

 

then my bucolic idyll was spoiled by this - I had to jump on the verge to get out of the way of this lorry!

 

but then I took a last arty photo to restore my inner peace (or something like that!!)  The higgledy piggledy fence may have been replaced, but the reflection still looks good

Breakfast

We had a very enjoyable visit with Stuart and Alison, and they were pleased with the present that we brought them from Portugal - a mortar and pestle and a little dish for olives ........

 

........ which match this little dish, which we brought back for Stuart from our last holiday there, five years ago

 

we had a leisurely cuppa when we got up this morning after a long lie (Stuart and Alison having departed for work quite a bit earlier), then we headed to Torwood Garden Centre, to the bright and airy coffee shop .....

 

........ for breakfast - a delicious panini, with sausage, bacon and egg.  You won't be surprised to know that we didn't want any lunch!!

 

there was a display of plants at the garden centre door, which included an enormous rusty watering can

 

the colours in this permanently planted area were glorious

 

it was very wet and miserable driving up yesterday, so we were delighted when the early rain cleared away and the sun came out this morning

 

we decided to make a short detour to Blackness.  I don't need to tell you what this is a photo of!

 

those pesky English were here some years ago

 

we had a (windswept) walk on the beach, where we had a good view of the castle

 

there was an abundance of shells

 

and a lot of not quite so attractive seaweed

 

I  got my big lens back yesterday (woo hoo) and put it to good use on the journey home.  There is a lot of work happening on the reinstatement of the railway from Edinburgh to the Borders ...... involving massive earthworks and BIG machines

 

and, of course, there was the glorious scenery of the Borders

 

I may have bought one or two interesting things when we were away - but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see them!