frayed at the edge

Ghastly!

When the post arrived on Saturday morning, I got excited when I spotted this on one of the envelopes ....

 

 

...... as I knew that meant my fabric had arrived from my fabulous bloggy friend Thimbleanna.  When she posted recently about the Ghastlies fabric, I just had to have a piece

 

 

Would you like a closer look?

 

witches knit and natter!

 

 

is she giving out orders from her chaise longue?

 

 

has she noticed the owl on her head?

 

 

this could be me, glass in hand!!

 

What will I make with the fabric ....... I don't know!  I don't really want to cut it up, so maybe I will add borders and make a lap quilt to snuggle under in the winter ...... which will probably arrive any day now, as the weather forecasters say that there will be no more summer weather!  Anna also enclosed this cute card, which contains a set of sewing needles

 

On Saturday afternoon, I headed out to the studio to make two lots of bunting, to enter in the Southdean Show.  Inspired by a post on Lee's blog, I persuaded Malcolm to part with an old road atlas. 

 

 

I stuck three lots of two pages together, and with the help of a template and a spare rotary cutter fitted with a blade that was too blunt to cut fabric, but still sharp enough to cut paper, I soon had all the pieces cut

 

 

I used double-sided sticky tape to stick the fabric strip on - two metres of easy to make bunting

 
 

 

To make the second string, I pulled out some fabrics that I bought some years ago in Aix-en-Provence.  The bright colours are just perfect for bunting!

 

 

This time I stitched the fabrics together and stitched the tape on - again, very quick and easy to make

 

 

Yesterday afternoon, I made the shopping list holders for my sales table - Malcolm will drill holes at the top, so that I can add coloured string for hanging them up

 

 

Of course at this point on a Monday, I should be showing you the knitting update.  Oops, I forgot to take a photo ...... but I have almost finished stitching on the edging.  I shall have to get a move on if the shawl is to be ready for the show on Saturday!

Wagging his tale behind him!

Now that the breeding season is over, I have started filling the bird feeders again, which means we have had a lot of different birds in the garden.  This morning, I finally managed to take a photo of this wagtail - he kept jumping about catching flies!

 

 

Yesterday we had a robin

 

 

a female blackbird

 

 

a male blackbird

 

 

and a very fluffy young blue tit, determined to get at the last bit of food

 

 

There have been a lot more rabbits about this year ...... I think we have just about reached saturation point of photos of cute young rabbits!!

 

 

There has been little progress on the Baltimore block, as I have been concentrating on making things for my sales table.  I did do some stitching on it this afternoon, breaking off to enjoy Annette's delicious apple and sultana cake, which is a firm favourite with the patch'n'chatters!

 

 

I hope you have a good weekend - unfortunately the forecast for Sunday for us is rain, rain and more rain, so I don't think we will be going for our usual Sunday morning walk!  Love, Anne

You scratch my back ........

......... and I'll scratch yours!  These two horses were using their teeth to groom each others manes this morning

 

 

I saw a flash of white in this field, and thought perhaps it was a carrier bag, caught in the grass ....... but then I looked more closely, and saw that it was one of the neighbour's cats!

 

 

When I went out this morning the air was full of swallows, swooping and diving.  Do you think the ones sitting on the wires were giving them marks for degree of difficulty and artistic merit?

 

Or given how grey the sky was, were they discussing packing their bags and setting off early for Africa!

 

I was delighted when I heard my neighbour Marion's old donkey braying in the field, as I haven't seen him for quite a while.  He has an unusual black and white coat - but unfortunately when I got to the field gate, he was half hidden by the long grass, with his white rear end the most visible part of him!

 

 

However, I was soon distracted from the disappointment of not getting a better photo of the donkey by a very pretty grass seedhead

 

 

I was actually focusing on this seedhead, when the tiny bug (about the size of a pinhead) crawled into sight

 

 

This afternoon, I headed out to the studio, to make a prototype book cover.  I unearthed the books from my stash, and pulled out some fabrics

 

 

I cut the main piece of fabric, and two smaller pieces for the flaps, which I folded in half.  I also pinned a piece of ribbon in place, to make a page marker

 

 

I cut a piece of calico for the lining and pinned it in place.  I stitched round the four sides, leaving a gap at the bottom

 

 

then I trimmed the corners

 

 

and turned the cover through to the right side

 

 

I stitched the opening and pressed the seams, then slipped the book in

 

 

To finish the cover, I added a cord and some wooden beads ..... however I'm not sure about the the rough, textured fabric - I think I will have another trawl through my stash (but don't worry, that one won't be wasted, I'll keep it for myself!)

 

 

To finish, a very special photo!  As I meandered strode down the hill towards breakfast home, I heard what was obviously a large animal in the field to my left.  I looked round, and standing there was a deer!  I held my breath as I turned the camera on and slowly raised it ..... but the deer continued to stand there, watching me

 

Head in the clouds

On Sunday, we drove to Llangollen, where my resolve to overcome my fear of heights was to be severely tested ...... but first there were good things!   I had arranged to meet Emily for a cuppa, and we spent a very pleasant hour chatting and sorting out her knitting (she was vey impressed with Malcolm's knitting knowledge!)  Then we walked up to the canal, for a very enjoyable stroll in the early afternoon sun.  We knew that our destination was four miles away - but as I am used to doing a hilly three mile walk every morning, four miles on the flat was no problem!  There were lots of boats on the canal - here are a few of them

 

 

 

 

We had recently watched a programme on tv about the canal, so we knew that this funny looking bridge is to allow the farmer access between his fields on either side of the canal

 

 

There were also several wonderful stone bridges

 

 

 

Suddenly, we came out of the trees, and in the distance saw our destination - the Pontcysyllte aqueduct

 

 

The structure doesn't look very high in the photo - but if you click on the link, you will find out just how high it is!  When we reached the start of the aqueduct, we were amazed at how many people were walking across ....... and how narrow the footpath was!  In the end, I was more worried about falling into the canal as we passed people, than I was about the height!!  If you look closely at the photo, you can see that the woman bending over is looking at a duckling, frantically swimming in front of the boat

 

 

Because it was so busy, it was hard to take photos, but I did manage to take a couple of the views

 

 

 

When we got to the other side, there was a path which took us slightly below the level of the aqueduct, and we could see what a massive structure it is

 

 

Of course, having walked across, I had to walk back again, but as it wasn't so busy, I relaxed a bit and managed to appreciate the experience of being on a structure which was built more than 200 hundred years ago!!  We also had a chuckle at this canal boat having to back up to allow the man in the canoe room to paddle off the aqueduct, as he had the right of way!!

 

 

When we got back to the other side, we sat in the sun and had an icecream and a cold drink, before setting off back the four miles to town.  We knew from the tv programmme that there are horse-drawn boats on the canal, and were disappointd not to see any ...... but when we got back to town, we discovered why - they go in the other direction!  We were just in time to see this horse walking to his stable, having left the boat behind him

 

 

We were going to go out for dinner on Sunday evening ....... but our legs were so weary, we settled for a bar supper in the hotel!

 

Catching up!

Now that we are back home and the internet connection isn't disconnecting every couple of minutes, I can show you more of our weekend!  To finish off Friday, here are the little goodies I bought

 

lovely coarse wool to knit a bag, which should felt well

 

 

a kit to knit a very cute sheep teacosy

 

 

oops - another book

 

On Saturday, we headed first to Denbigh, to visit the castle.  We were a bit perplexed when the women who sold us our tickets said that the castle was closing for a year ..... as it was being knocked down and rebuilt.  Howver, she clarified what she meant - it is the visitor centre that is being replaced, not the magnificent ruins!

 

 

 

 

Next we went to Conwy, where there is an even bigger castle.  To reach it, we walked across the suspension bridge

 

 

This was when I had to be very brave, to climb long spiral staircases, and stand on top of very high walls and towers

 

we were standing on top of a matching tower!

 

 

yes, that's Malcolm's hand!

 

 

the enclosed bridge on the right carries the railway

 

 

the people are dwarfed by the walls

 

After leaving the castle, there were more heights to scale, as we went for a walk round the town walls

 

there is only a railing to stop you falling off!

 

 

we were above these wonderful old chimneys

 

 

looking down on the smallest house

 

But then - the reward for surviving all those stairs and heights ....... fish and chips for dinner (and bread and butter)

 

 

However, Saturday's heights were nothing compared to where we went yesterday!  Come back tomorrow to see just how brave I had to be!!

 

Greetings from Wales!

Now, I'm sure today's heading has surprised you!!  We are having a long weekend way down here in Wales - somewhere that I have only been once before.

We broke our journey at Farfield Mill.  After a spot of lunch, we had a look round the mill - it's a restored Victorian woolen mill, with lots to see.  There are artists' studios, with wonderful things to buy, but of course photography is not allowed in that part of the building, but I was able to take a few photos as we went round the other parts.

 

this display is over a stairway!

 

 

the water turbine which powered the machinery

 

 

part of an old loom

 

I would have shown you some more photos of the old machinery, but for some reason several of the photos refuse to upload!  After leaving the mill, we stopped in Sedbergh.  I got all excited when I saw the name of this shop ...... but it only had two pieces of patchwork!

 

 

We also had a walk round the church, where we saw this old sundial (but who put the ugly light under it!!)

 

 

I have to confess that I bought one or two little things at the mill .....  but despite several attempts, the photos just won't upload!!

We'll be out and about exploring tomorrow, but hopefully I will still post Shadow Shot Sunday.  Then on Sunday, we are having a very special outing, which I will be able to tell you all about once we are back home on Monday.

I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

 

Making amends!

After yesterday's meagre crop of photos, I thought I ought to try harder today ...... and ended up taking 108!!  Of course a lot of them went into the recycle bin, but here is a selection of the better ones.

 

 

the just-after dawn chorus

 

 

never too old to cuddle mum

 

 

I think this mare is in foal

 

 

I had to consult my birdbook - this is a serin

 

 

I'm coming to get you .... our everlasting sweetpea reaching out for a dead clematis

 

 

a sparrow fledgling

 

 

a female sparrow

 

 

a male sparrow

 

 

I managed to pick this cherry before the birds ate it!

 

 

a swallow showing off its forked tail

 

 

this would be a good address for me!

 

To finish, some beautuful red roses in a neighbour's garden

 

 

 

Alas, no handsome prince ........

....... no matter how often I kissed him (no, not really)  ......

 

 

he remained a frog (or possibly a toad, I don't know which he is!)

 

 

Malcolm had a princess demanding his attention at lunchtime, when we visited Rachel - Lottie snuggled up to him and ended up sitting on his lap!

 

 

Fortunately, Flossie didn't try to sit on him, as she is just  a little bit bigger!

 

 

We were there for a very special lunch ......... next Monday Rachel is moving to Somerset, so it will be some time before we see her again.  We were going to take her out for a last lunch, but she just had too much to do, so instead we visited Marks and Spencers yesterday, and stocked up on some delicious food.  As the serving plates were packed, we simply put the food on the table in the packets!

 

 

Yes, that is a lemon meringue pie trying to hide on the left of the photo - it was delicious - lovely light pastry, very lemony filling and light-as-air meringue (it was so good, we had a second piece later with a cuppa!)

 

 

All too soon it was time to leave, and after several attempts, Rachel managed a smile for the camera.  We will miss her, but can look forward to going to visit her in her new home ....... and of course, following her adventures on her blog, which you can find here.

 

 

Fun!

Just a quick post, as Stuart and Alison have arrived for the weekend! 

There are a lot of rabbits about this year - much more than in previous years.  They are quite funny when you get near - they just keep very, very still, as if that means you can't see them

 

 

Annette wasn't in the shop today, so we didn't have our usual wonderful cakes - but we did have a very good rich fruit loaf

 

 

Then someone produced this packet of jelly babies, which had us all laughing!

 

 

I hope you have a good weekend - don't forget to pop back for Shadow Shot Sunday to see the rest of the photos from our trip to Coldstream!  Love Anne

 

Give me a kiss ......

...... no, that's not me speaking to Malcolm, but what I imagined one of these calves was saying to the other one, as it licked the other one's face!

 

 

I am starting to think that some of the animals that I pass in the morning know what a camera is, and pose for me - after taking this photo .........

 

 

....... the horse on the left moved over to behind the other horse and put its head over its shoulder

 

 

and this ewe looked straight at the camera - or was she just keeping a beady eye on me, in case I was going to steal her lamb!

 

 

We popped over to Coldstream for lunch today, but I am keeping most of the photos for Shadow Shot Sunday! 

I just managed to capture this butterfly before it flitted away

 

 

This bridge crosses the River Tweed .... the left bank is Scotland, and the right bank is England!

 

 

On the way home, we stopped at the Teviot Smokery and Water Gardens for an icecream, but first we had a lovely walk through the water gardens

 

a beatiful pink water lily .....

 

and a white one

 

 

Malcolm looking mysterious behind a weeping willow

 

This photo isn't as clear as I would have liked ...... but can you see that it is the front of a very large koi carp?

 

 

I have neglected the pink and white Linus blanket since we got back from Woolfest, so I took it with me today, to knit in the car.  I was getting worried that I was going to run out of yarn before I finished it, so I kept working on it when we got home, and cast it off just as Malcolm was dishing up dinner

 

 

How much yarn was left ....... hardly any!!