frayed at the edge

Like mother, like daughter!

Some weeks ago, we lost a very special member of our Friday afternoon patch'n'chat - the lovely Agnes Glendinning.  Although Agnes was in her eighties, she was still a prolific quilter, as her daughter Alison discovered, when she came over from Austalia, where she now lives, first for the funeral and then to sort out her Mum's estate.  Alison is trying to finish some of her Mum's quilts before she heads back home.  Today she had this beautiful teddy bear quilt with her - her Mum had stitched the teddies and made the tiny patchwork quilts, then Alison assembled and quilted it.

 

 

When asked what she was going to do with the quilt when it is finished, Alison said it would be going back to Australia with her, where she would put it away in the hope of one day giving it to her first grandchild!  Here is a detail of one of the adorable little teddies

 

 

There were more teddies this afternoon - Anne S was about to start the blanket stitch round the teddies on a small wallhanging for her (grown up!)daughter

 

 

When the post arrived this morning, there was a bit of a scuffle as we both tried to open a card which had arrived addressed to both of us.  Malcolm insisted on opening it, as he said the writing on the envelope was that of his younger sister Judith.  However when the card was opened, it was from my friend Sarah.  She said when she saw the card, she immediately thought of us, as it reminded her of the old telephone box near our house

 

 

It was Sarah who sparked my interest in pillar boxes, and when she visited us in the summer of 2009, she brought me a felted pillar box that she had made for me, based on a photo of a Victorian pillar box which I has included in a previous post.  She then sent me a pack with stamps featuring pillar boxes, so I had them framed together (sorry for the funny angle of the photo, but it was to try to eliminate the reflection on the glass)

 

 

I was sad this morning when I had finally to accept that my African violet had died.  This little plant was special to me, as I had given it to my Dad as one of his presents for his 80th birthday in 1999.  When he died five years ago, the poor plant only had two leaves on it!  But I repotted it, and it then recovered and flowered for months on end.  However recently it has been looking a bit sickly, and today I had to send it to the compost bin

 

 

It's Friday, which means I have two important things to do to finish the blog.  The first, of course, is to show you the Friday cake ....... a wonderful chocolate sponge

 

 

And now ...... a fanfare and a roll of drums, as I announce the winner of the giveaway!  The 'random number generator' (aka Malcolm) picked a number, and the winner is .......Tinky.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend - I am hoping to quilt the tractor quilt.  Love Anne

 

Quilts galore!

There were quilts as far as the eye could see, traders with all sorts of wondeful things to buy ...... but first - breakfast!!  (yes, the bacon roll was as tasty as it looks) (and yes, I got some funny looks taking the photo!)

 

 

Suitably fortified, it was time to look at the quilts.  Since I started the blog, I have only shown general shots of quilts at shows, because of copyright issues.  But I have seen lots of quilts on other blogs - and by the time the quilts have been seen by the thousands of visitors to the shows, I really don't think there will be too much harm done if I show you some.  However, I have permission to show you these first two quilts, as they were made by one of my friends, and I saw her at the show.  They were part of a challenge to make 'journal quilts' - they are all the size of A4 paper

 

 

 

The next two quilts were made by another friend - I'm sure she won't mind my sharing them with you

 

 

 

There were several quilts with beautiful applique (the colours aren't true, as the lighting was rather dim)

 

 

 

The secondary pattern formed by the darker colours is much clearer in the photo than it was looking at the quilt!

 

 

I wish the colours were true in this next photo - I came round the end of the row and stopped in my tracks ........ the quilt is VERY bright

 

 

So did I buy anything?  Well, I didn't buy any fabric (although I was tempted!).  I got these two magazines, as they aren't available in shops here.

 

 

Then I was intrigued by this set of continuous line quilting patterns.  As I definitely need to practice my machine quilting, I thought this would be a good investment

 

 

This is part of one of the patterns

 

 

I also stocked up on my favourite thread for using in the bobbin

 

 

After all the bother of doing the post last night, I was glad to pick up my knitting and do a few relaxing rows.  But then I saw so many people wearing these scarves today, I have gone off it a bit!  I shall have to do something to customise mine.  I know I should have popped out to the studio and draped it round my mannequin to show you the progress, but by the time I got home, I just laid it on the rug in the lounge .......

 

 

Of course after seeing all those wonderful quilts, I should be spending the weekend chained to the sewing machine ...... but I'm off out for the day again on Sunday!  I'll tell you about that on Monday, when I'll also show you more of the photos from yesterday - and I'll also be using some of them tomorrow for Shadow Shot Sunday.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, love Anne

A tale of two bridges

 The forecast promised much better weather for today, so I was a bit disappointed on the first part of my journey when it was very cloudy, and at times misty.  However, as I approached Edinburgh, the sky started to clear, and the odd gleam of sunshine appeared.  I decided to have an early lunch, in the hope that by the time I reached my destination, it would be even brighter.  So I had a quick stop in a garden centre (of course) for a most enjoyable roll with cheese and coleslaw

 

 

After lunch I headed for South Queensferry, stopping briefly on the way to take a quick photo - I am sure you will recognise these structures ..... the Forth Road and Rail Bridges

 

 

Of course for years, the rail bridge was known simply as the Forth Bridge, until the Road Bridge opened in 1964.  There were lots of trains crossing the bridge - this gives you and idea of the scale

 

 

I grew up hearing jobs described as 'it's like painting the Forth Bridge' - because as soon as they get to the end of painting the bridge, they have to go back and start again.  As you can see, they are still working on it

 

 

The bridge is so big, it was hard to get all of it into one shot

 

 

Once I had walked through the town, I was able to take photos of the road bridge.  I remember once being in the car with my Dad crossing the bridge.  I said to him to look down to the left, as I knew someone who lived down there ...... I forgot that, like me, he doesn't like heights - his eyes were fixed on the road ahead!  There is a footpath should you wish to walk across the bridge (why would you do that?)

 

 

I had intended you show you lots more photos, but Typepad has had one of its periodic hissy fits, and I've had to do this through Internet Explorer, which is somewhat clunky!!  Never mind, I'll save them for another day!  Stuart and I are slumped in front of the tv, full of lasagne and garlic bread (and a glass or two of wine!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

It all started ........

........ when Rachel sent me a link to this beautiful blog.  One of the things that caught my eye was a super knitted cushion cover with cables.  Now, this is when a problem arose.  If I knitted something similar, was I stealing someone else's design, or was I just inspired to do my own version.  I decided that as I was only knitting one for myself, and not writing a pattern to give to others, it was ok.  Next problem - can I show you my version?  Well, here is a peek at what I've done so far

 

 

Still on the knitting front, on Friday at patch'n'chat someone was knitting an unusual scarf.  Then yesterday, when my friends arrived for Kist (my housegroup), one of them, Anne D, was knitting one of these intriguing scarves too.  Well, it wasn't just me, we were all making plans to go and buy a ball of the yarn.  I bought mine this morning when we were in Hawick (more later as to why we were there today instead of tomorrow)

 

 

If you hadn't seen how this yarn knits up, you would think it looks nothing special

 

 

But the yarn has a secret - you need to pull it open, to reveal a mesh

 

 

That's when I encountered a slight problem - although Anne had shown us yesterday how to knit with the yarn, by this afternoon I had forgotten.  Not that I'm the only person to forget things - I'm in good company

 

 

and obvioulsy I learned something new today, which pushed the knitting method out of my brain

 

 

However, thanks to a quick google, I found a tutorial, and I was soon underway.  You don't cast on in the normal way, you simply put the needle through the edge, leaving a gap of about an inch and a half each time

 

 

It's hard to show you the next stage - instead of wrapping the yarn round as normal, you leave a gap and put the needle through the edge, then use that to make the stitch

 

 

This is how it looks after two rows

 

 

On the sewing front, I got the fleece for the back of the tractor quilt - the same one that I used for the quilt that I made Stuart for Christmas

 

 

So, why were we in Hawick today instead of tomorrow ...... I am abandoning Malcolm again - this time for two days!  Tomorrow morning I am heading for Falkirk to visit Stuart.  Of course, you are thinking, why isn't Malcolm going with me?  It's because on Friday, I am going to the spring quilt show at Ingliston.  However, I don't think Malcolm minds too much, as he has made his famous lasagne (Stuart loves it) for me to take for dinner tomorrow (there was even talk of a bottle of Chianti to go with it).  All I have to do tomorrow is pop it in the oven!

 

 

But don't worry that Malcolm might be going hungry - of course he made some for himself!

 

 

On my way to Falkirk, I will be making a detour to take some very special photos to share with you tomorrow ....... and I may just have to have lunch at a garden centre!

Show and tell

If there is one thing we quilters enjoy, it is seeing what other people are working on.  So I thought I would bring you a little show and tell from this afternoon at Borderland Fabrics.  (I was working on the chickens, which you have already seen this week!)  Pam brought in a cushion which she has just finished - I don't need to describe it, as the cushion says it for me

 

 

Hiding behind this quilt top is Katy.  If she had known that I was going to take her photo, she would have worn her pink shoes to match the wonderful, vibrant colours

 

 

Tricia is working on a sampler quilt - every block is worked in a different technique/pattern.  This beautiful block is called Carolina Lily

 

 

Anne has been embroidering small stitcheries, which will eventually be made into a quilt - here are the first four

 

 

Her stitching is exquisite!

 

 

Last Friday, I didn't include a photo of the cake, as there had already been quite a lot of cake featured.  This upset Ruth ...... she doesn't get to join us very often on a Friday, so relies on the blog to keep her informed of our weekly treat.  So although she was there today, here, just for Ruth, is today's delight ...... a beautiful chocolate sponge

 

 

As always, I plan to do lots of sewing and knitting over the weekend - although somehow I never do quite as much as I mean to!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, love Anne

Still the one

It started off cold and frosty this morning, then turned wet and miserable, so it was an ideal day to be in the studio, snug and warm with the stove on.  I haven't shown you the progress of the chickens recently .... ok, that's because there hadn't been any progress to report, as I got sidetracked by the row quilt.  However, after a major session, I finished quilting the first wallhanging, and stitched the binding on - now I just have to handstitch the binding on the back and add the chickens' eyes!

 

 

Then I layered up and started quilting the second wallhanging

 

 

Usually when I am in the studio during the week, I listen to music - either the radio or CDs, but today I had a trawl through the TV channels to see what was on ...... and I found a very old episode of 'Ironside'!!

 

 

Later, I put on a CD ....... and after all these years, she's still the one!  When we lived in Indonesia, Shania was constantly on the Country Music channel, and listening to the CD brought back lots of memories

 

 

Malcolm bought the little CD player in Singapore - taking it back to Indonesia in his hand luggage.  You can see on the front that it says  Video CD.  That's because it also played VCDs - an early version of DVDs.  We had a lead to connect it to the tv, and we had lots of films - including quite a few pirate ones, which were sold openly in shops!  Some of them had obviously been filmed by someone in the cinema, and occasionally a head would get in the way of the camera, or you would hear someone cough!!

 

To finish - something absolutely ridiculous.  Malcolm did some grocery shopping this morning - one of the things he bought was this celeriac

 

First of all - why is it shrink-wrapped?  We are supposed to be cutting down on unnecessary packaging, especially plastic wrapping.  Second, why does it have a best before date that is only a few days away - celeriac will keep for weeks if stored properly.  Third - I know it is important to have allergy warnings on food ....... but does this really need to be labelled 'allergy advice - contains celeriac'.  But why should I be surprised - bottles of milk now have a warning on them that they contain milk!

 

 

A coincidence and a cake

As promised, I took photos today of the wonderful goodies that Julie gave me yesterday in return for knitting the socks.  She had found some vintage knitting things, and had also made me a very lovely boot, stuffed with very fragrant lavender

 

 

This knitting pattern made me smile - three of the socks have manly props in the photos ....... the ladies'  pair has a dog collar and lead!

 

 

I can't imagine a modern pattern starting like this (and I don't think I would want to knit with Nylox!)

 

 

To go with the pattern was this circular kntting needle, in it original packet

 

 

And to encourage me in my efforts to improve my crochet skills, a set of hooks

 

 

Finally, two very old postcards.  The lady knitting a sock on this one looks like my Granny!

 

 

When Julie saw this one, she remembered that I had said that I washed the socks when I finished them .........

 

 

But this is where the coincidence comes in - the card was sent to someone in Hawick - but Julie didn't know that's where I live!

 

 

The card was sent to her by her nephew

 

 

If you look very carefully at the middle of the photo, you can discern the postmark - I think it says Edinburgh, 2AM, AUG 2 10 (1910)

 

 

And now for the cake!  This afternoon I organised the ingredients for the blueberry and lemon curd cake.  First of all, of course, I had to make a batch of lemon curd, then weigh and measure out the dry and wet ingredients

 

 

This is my kind of recipe - throw everything into the bowl of the mixer .....

 

 

......... a quick mix

 

 

and it's ready to go in the oven

 

 

An hour and ten minutes later

 

 

All that remained to do was spread a thick layer of lemon icing, then cut a slice (as you can see, I didn't wait for the icing to set!!)

 

delicious!!

 

 

Please take a seat

I'm not the only one who has been busy with material things this week.  Recently I bought a fabulous remnant of furnishing fabric (it was so cheap, as we left the shop Malcolm said 'quick, run, before she realises how little she charged you'!!).  So, on Monday, Malcolm put the fabric to good use, recovering our two big chairs in the back lounge.  The chairs occupants seem to be pleased with the results ....... first the girls

 

 

..... and then the boys

 

 

Recently I haven't been buying as many knitting magazines, but this one found its way into my trolley in the supermarket on Monday

 

 

It came with two frre gifts, but I nearly didn't get one ...... the knitting pattern, as Malcolm thought is was just packaging and was on his way to put it in the recycling

 

However, after I had read the pattern, I put it in the recycling ..... because all it amounted to was cast on, knit the required length in garter stitch, cast off!  Did you notice the pattern in the top left corner of the magazine cover ....... I said to Malcolm I would knit it for him - on condition that he then looked like the handsome male model.  I won't tell you what his reply was!!

 

Well, it's Friday again, and I am almost embarrassed to show you more cakes, after the amount that has been featured this week.  Annette didn't bake us a cake this week, but she popped into a local business which produces wonderful cakes, and bought the same two that she bought for us recently

 

a lovely rich fruit cake

 

 

raspberry and white chocolate

 

When I stood on the scales this morning, I had to steel myself to look down ...... but to my delight, I saw that I have lost half a pound this week.  Maybe I should just have a cake diet!

It has been wet and very windy today, but hopefully it will improve for the weekend and we will get out for a walk on Sunday.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

Don't blog with your mouth full!

Just because all our delicious goodies that Rachel gave us were theoretically freezable, didn't actually mean that they all went into the freezer ....... some were kept out to be enjoyed over the course of today (I didn't freeze the gingerbread, as I know that it will keep well for the few days it will take for us to eat it)  Such wonderful treats deserved to be put on a special plate, and I got out another of my Granny's embroidered traycloths. 

 

 

Like the other traycloth, this one is also very old.  I can remember it being in regular use during my childhood - and it just went in the washing machine with the rest of the washing.  The only special treatment it got was to be ironed on the wrong side, so that the embroidery didn't get flattened.

 

 

We had the cupcakes with our morning cuppa - we had half each of the two flavours ...... marmalade and raspberry jam - delicious

 

 

We shared the biscuit after lunch (choc chip, with, we decided, a hint of lemon).  The gingerbread was guzzled eaten with our afternoon cuppa - I spread it with the remains of the lemon curd ...... it was so delicious I will have to make another batch to have with the rest of the gingerbread!

Rachel modelled her new socks yesterday, so I thought I would show you my latest pair - but they are rather plain and uninteresting compared to hers

 

 

I finished knitting the basket last night - I had got a lot done in the car yesterday

 

 

I pinned it together and put some books in it, to give you an idea of how it will look

 

 

Over the weekend, I will block it, then make a lining - I am sure I'll be able to find suitable fabric in my stash!  So it should be finished by Sunday night, and I can start the next project on Monday.

Two adventures

 

I didn't have far to go last night for my first adventure - just down the road to Southdea village Hall, where I was Guest Speaker at the Rural (the Scottish version of the WI).  It is only a small group - and I used to be a member, so I wasn't too nervous!

 

they are looking at the Chairman, as she welcomes me

 

I knew they wouldn't be particularly interested in the technical ins and outs of quilting, so I just took along a big pile of quilts and wallhangings and blethered about them!

 

 

Then it was time for supper - never mind the savoury things, just feast your eyes on this gooey chocolate cake!

 

 

My last duty of the evening was to judge the two competitions.  First, choosing my favourite three brooches from the lovely collection that the ladies had brought along

 

 

Then, judging the knitted squares

 

 

This morning, we set off for Newcastle for the second adventure.  Now, you know we can't travel for more than five minutes without having to stop for a cuppa!  So when we got ot Belsay, we stopped here

 

 

When Malcolm ordered our cuppa, he somehow managed to order a cherry scone for us to share as well

 

 

I was lovely and warm, sitting in front of the stove - but on closer inspection it turned out to be a gas one!

 

 

Then, it was on to the The Biscuit factory

 

 

We were there to have lunch with Rachel, and to give her her socks.  While we waited for her to arrive, we had a look at the menu, and tried to ignore the special offer chocolate fondue!

 

 

When Rachel arrived, the socks were duly admired, then the food was ordered ........

 

a chicken pesto roll for Malcolm, broccoli and stilton soup for me

 

 

an egg mayo roll for Rachel

 

Having polished off that lot, we then went off to Rachel's house for pudding - a wonderful pear tart!

 

 

Then, the absolute highlight of both adventures ....... getting to meet the gorgeous Flossie

 

 

and the absolutely fabulous Tosca

 

 

There was one more delight to come - in return for my knitting skills, Rachel had used her baking skills to make these yummy treats for us

 

biscuits, two kinds of muffins - and the parcel at the front was unwrapped to reveal

 

 

the most wonderful rich, dark gingerbread

 

ps - don't worry, we won't be gorging ourselves, Rachel assured me that it can all be frozen!