frayed at the edge

Another day out

 
Yesterday, I headed down the road to Chesters, for a Woolgathering - where a bunch of us get together and indulge in all things crafty.  It was a beautiful morning, so I had a quick stop on the way to take some photos.  Ruberslaw stood out against the sky

 

 

Looking back down the road, I had a good view of the Mintos and the Eildons

 

 

Oh dear, we were so busy talking and working all day, I forgot to take any photos!  But I can show you the progress I made on my scarf

 

 

But on to more important things ........ lambs!  I went out for a walk after lunch, and as I did last time, I struggled through the hedge and over the fence to try to get closer photos.  I was somewhat embarrassed when a woman appeared in the field, accompanied by a little girl and a small dog.  I thought I had better explaing what I was doing, but she had realised that I was taking photos and ....... she asked if I wanted to come into the field to get closer!!

 

the lambs are getting big

 

 

this is the tup (he has broken one of this horns)

 

 

they are just so cute!

 

I was delighted to get so close to the lambs ........ and I have permission to go into the field again to get more photos as they get bigger!  There were some ewes in one of the other fields - I wonder if the one on the right knows that she is different from the others

 

 

As I was walking along looking for things to thake photos of, a bit of colour caught my eye.  A closer look showed it to be a rotten apple!

 

 

Then later, when I was squeezing through the hedge, I noticed another little bit of colour - a ladybird!

 

 

It's Monday, so that means an update on the knitting project.  The little floral corsage didn't take long to do

 

 

This week's item won't take long either - a washcloth!

 

 

I still seem to have quite a collection of photos to show you - I will have to do a catch-up tomorrow!

 

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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abandoning Malcolm

As usual for a Thursday morning, we went to Hawick for a cuppa and scone (maple syrup and pecan).  Then we went for the weekly food shopping, as I hadn't done it on Monday.  When we were almost home ....... major excitement, ewes and lambs in the field!!  As we pulled in to the drive, I said to Malcolm perhaps I should just  run back down the road and take photos, in case they had moved to the back of the field when I went out for my walk after lunch.  So I abandoned poor Malcolm and left him to cart all the shopping into the house.  I knew I would have to approach the field quietly, so as not to scare off the ewes and lambs, but I was wearing these shoes ......

 

 

....... which have a small heel and are noisy when I walk.  Although I was trying to tiptoe, I could see that one of the ewes was already aware of me, so I quickly took this photo, in case they ran off

 

 

However they stood their ground and I was able to take some closer shots

 

The lamb on the left wasn't quite as bold as its sibling, preferring to stay as close to mum as possible

 

 

this ewe has much darker wool

 

 

The ewe decided I was no threat and went back to eating the grass, and the lambs decided it was time they were fed too!

 

After lunch, I headed out for my walk, heading down the hill and out to the main road.  When I saw this approaching, I made sure I was standing as far back from the road as possible!

 

 

I have shown you this sign before, but I thought you might enjoy seeing it again

 

 

Further on, there are lots of bends in the road

 

 

 

 

There were lots of signs of spring, with snowdrops ......

 

 

......... winter aconites

 

 

....... and daffodils

 

 

On the way back, I could here something very large coming up behind me - I was able to take a photo as it went on round the bend

 

 

Fortunately, I remembered to change my shoes before I went out .... this was the state of my boots when I got back home!!

 

 

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!

 

 

Water, water everywhere!

Yesterday, we went out to the Waterwheel Cafe, near Selkirk.  We were going to park, go for a walk, then have a cuppa.  However, just as we got there, it started to rain heavily, which meant we had to change our plan.  So first we had a cuppa, then just had a short walk.  First stop, as always, was to admire the owls

 

 

Just as I took the photo, the top owl turned its head away.  When it turned back, I took another one, just as the bottom owl turned its head - I'm sure they were laughing at me!

 

 

We were very glad that we hadn't been walking under the tree when this branch came down

 

 

As we approached the cauld, we could see a section of new fence, where we normally stand to watch the water - never mind the branch, imagine if we had been standing in our usual place when this happened

 

 

There was a lot of water in the river - the noise was amazing!

 

 

On the way back to the car, we spotted some daffodils - these are the first we have seen

 

 

On the way home, we had a detour to

 

 

There were lots of swans, both adults and cygnets

 

 

The swans look so graceful as they glide through the water

 

 

This one was making sure all its feathers were in order

 

 

When these ducks realised that we didn't have any food for them, they lost interest and swam off across the loch

 

 

It's Monday, so of course that means an update on my knitting challenge.  Last week's project was a cushion front.  I finished knitting it through the week, then on Saturday, I stitched it to the front of a cushion that I already had

 

 

This week's project is flower pot covers.  You will see from the photo that they should be knitted in different colours, but as each one only uses a small amount of yarn, I am going to knit them in the same yarn.

 

 

I have also started (yet) another pair of socks!  Rachel's friend in Canada liked her socks so much, Rachel asked me if I could do a pair for her.  I was delighted to say yes, as payment will be in the form of more of Rachel's wonderful baking - lemon drizzle cake was mentioned ......

A tale of two men in Morpeth

This morning, we headed south again so that I could meet another blog friend - this time is was Julie.  We were meeting so I could give her the third pair of socks.  They are for her daughter's birthday in May, but as her daughter doesn't read this, I can mention them!  We headed off for a spot of lunch, and amid much laughter, Julie handed me a paper bag from a bakers' shop.  Inside was a 'Morpeth Gadgie' bread (a gadgie is a man, perhaps of slightly dubious reputation!)

 

 

Julie also gave me some wonderful things in return for knitting the socks, but the light wasn't good enough to take pictures when we got home, so I will show you those tomorrow.  We had a lovely lunch, although perhaps we didn't do justice to the lovely food as we were talking so much

 

 

When Julie left, I had time for a little retail therapy before I met up with Malcolm and Jennifer, who had also been out for lunch.  There is a wonderful new shopping arcade in Morpeth, with some of my favourite shops.  First stop was .........

 

  I still have a beautiful dress and jacket that Malcolm bought me for one of our wedding anniversaries way back in the 80s.  It is somewhat too small for me now, but it is so gorgeous, I could never part with it (I must remember to take a photo to show you).  However, after a brief look at the clothes, I headed for my favourite part of the shop - the remnants basket.  I was very restrained, and only bought two pieces, which both cost £1!

 

 

The next stop was the one shop that I really miss, since we moved to the Borders

 

I have, for many years, bought my undies in Marks and Spencers, but today they let me down, as they didn't have the item I wanted in my size.

I decided to have a look round this shop ..........

 

...... although I was rather put off by the sign on the door which said something like 'we are open, but we keep the door closed to protect the environment' - but I won't have a rant about selling imported clothes (think of the fuel used to transport them) and all the lights used in the shop (all that electricity!).  The clothes were lovely, but as I didn't really need anything, I just had a look round, before going on to

 

 

This is where I encountered the second man of the tale ...... and he had designs on my gadgie!  I was looking at the craft books when one of the staff commented on the bread peeking out of my bag ..... he hadn't yet had his lunch, and was rather peckish.  When I showed him the gadgie, he had a good laugh at it - but said he wouldn't want to eat him, it would just be like eating a person!  I'm afraid I succumbed to a book - what can I say, I think I need a 12-step programme 'my name is Anne and I'm a bookaholic'

 

 

I was served by the same young man - very bright, cheeery and efficient,  I think he will go far.  He was delighted to tell me that as I had spent more than £10, I could have one of the books displayed on the counter at a (very much) reduced price.  Yippee - one of the books was the next in the 'No 1 Ladies Detective Agency' series.  I love these books - if you have never read them, get down to the library, or visit the dreaded Amazon and prepare yourself for delightful tales of Mma Ramotswe, a lady of traditional build, and her husband, Mr J. L. B. Matekoni

 

 

ps, my friend Lee in Sydney will be suffering from severe book envy - she is such a devotee of Martha Stewart, that her blog is called Just Like Martha!
pps - we ate some of the gadgie with dinner, and he was 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

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!

 

 

All things woolly ......

....... with a bit of sewing in the middle!

On saturday, I washed the socks

 

 

rinsed them well, squeezed the water out (remember, never wring your knitting!), then rolled them in a towel

 

 

Once I had given them a good squeeze to remove as much water as possible, I took them out to the studio, put them on a dry towel and eased them into shape ...... then put them in front of the stove to dry

 

 

I'm still determined to finish the Christmas projects, so I layered up the Angel wallhanging

 

 

then free-motion quilted the background

 

 

When I was quilting round the letters, the foot was reluctant to move over the gold thread, and kept catching on the French knots (note to self, do the French knots after quilting!!)

 

 

Yesterday morning, although it was a bit grey and damp, we went out for a walk, and were rewarded with these two ponies posing for photos!

 

 

 

Remember I had started a pair of plain blue socks for myself, which were put aside while I was doing all the snazzy, jazzy ones.  I finished them yesterday ........

 

 

....... and then got everything ready to start the first of the fifty two projects this evening (I like to look after my books, so I have photocopied the pattern)

 

 

And now, for the last of the woolly things ...... yes, more photos of the lambs!  After lunch I wrapped up well, as there was a nasty cold wind, and set off up the hill.  I squeezed through a gap in the hedge, climbed over a fence, crept through the trees, got ready to get a reasonably close photo ....... and stepped on a twig which snapped, causing the ewes and lambs to trot off to the other end of the field.  So I had to backtrack and creep up a farmtrack to get close again - but then I was rewarded with these photos

 

 

 

While I was taking the photos, three pregnant ewes were keeping a careful eye on me

 

 

I walked on round to the other end of the field, where I saw two ewes, with what looked like a very big goose between them ......

 

 

........ but it turned out to be the gander and the goose!