frayed at the edge

Getting organised

On my way to Kelso yesterday, I made a slight detour to the College, to photocopy the pattern sheets for the Father Christmas workshop.  This afternoon I put them in order, folded them, and popped them in bags

 

next I free motion quilted the second Father Christmas

 

I trimmed the edges

 

then stitched the binding on the two long sides, before pinning the hanging sleeve in place, ready to sew the binding on the top edge

 

that just left the binding to stitch to the bottom edge - but I could see that the bobbin thread was running out

 

would there be enough?  Usually it runs out with six inches to go!  For once there was enough left - but only just

 

all the binding on, and the top edge folded over and clipped in place, ready to be handstitched on the back

 

I needed two more samples, but I didn't really want two more full-sized ones, so I decided just to make up heads

 

and then I forgot to take a photo of the next stage!  But you can see one of the heads on the design wall in this photo, which also shows that I have tidied up quite a bit

 

so, why am I getting everything ready for the workshop when it isn't until the middle of November, and tidying the studio?

 

because ....... we are off on our travels again next Wednesday!!!  Where are we going ....... you will have to come back tomorrow to find out!

 

to finish - another of Malcolm's scary fish.  When I saw this shell on the beach I thought it would make a good fish head - what do you think?

The waiting is finally over!!

Woo hoo, we finally got our keys today - we had a longer than usual wait for the sale to go through as the sellers were having a new house built, and wanted to give themselves extra time to allow for the build being delayed.  So off we went to Berwick after lunch and collected the keys.  Slight trepidation as we unlocked the door - would we still like the flat?  There was no need to worry, as soon as we stepped into the lounge, which was flooded with light (despite it being a dull afternoon), we knew that we had made the right choice.  I took photos from the four corners of the open plan lounge/kitchen

 

it was hard to take a photo of the master bedroom - it is bigger than it looks here, and you can see that there is a good sized wardrobe on the right

 

yes, it's me again, popping up in a reflection ....... this time in the ensuite shower room mirror

 

this will be the guest bedroom - have you spotted that I will have lots of curtain-making to do?

 

I am looking forward to having a long soak in the luxurious bathroom

 

and, of course, there are the views to enjoy.  First, looking out to sea

 

then, over to the town

 

later in the afternoon, the swans put on a show for us, swimming into the harbour

 

we'll be heading back over tomorrow, but we won't be staying the night ......... as we have yet to buy a bed!!

I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

 

A squashy parcel ........

......... with foreign stamps

 

was waiting for me when we got home on Saturday.  It was a surprise parcel from my wonderful Australian bloggy friend Lee, filled with lots of goodies

 

the envelope contained one of Lee's handmade cards

 

the set of cards has super bird illustrations

 

the bamboo skewers are topped with Lee's signature doilies, and are for decorating cakes

 

so, on to the sewing update.  I did take some sewing on holiday - but I didn't do very much!  I only did three of these pieces for Mrs Billings - I stitched the fourth one last night!

 

however I did add to my collection of Spanish quilting and craft magazines (is this the reason my suitcase was slightly overweight coming home?!)

 

 

I have been working on the patterns/instructions for the Sampler Quilt class - although at the moment I don't know if it will be going ahead!  Just before we went away, one of the ladies dropped out, so it wasn't going ahead, then last week another lady signed up, so it was back on, then yesterday someone else dropped out ....... so Tracey at the college has changed the start date to next Thursday, hoping that she can sign someone else up - she does have one lady who is interested.

I don't have a problem doing the illustrations for the geometric blocks

 

but I struggle when I have to draw the pattern freehand.  This shows my pathetic attempt at the top, and Malcolm's much better drawing

 

I traced Malcolm's drawing twice ......

 

........ but then encountered a slight problem.  I couldn't fit in the other two sections.  So Malcolm  modified his drawing, and I drew out the complete  pattern

 

this is the block in the quilt

 

I had fun colouring in the illustrations!

 

to finish ....... I had one of those accidental purchases on holiday!  I had seen these boots in the shop where I bought my basket.  I talked about them for several days, then the next time we passed the shop, I somehow went in and bought them!  Well, could you have resisted them?

 

After a slight delay ........

....... here is the last instalment of our holiday photos!  It is annoying enough when Typepad has problems, but is is seriously annoying when it is because of morons who deliberately attack the website to put it offline!

One evening when we were enjoying dinnerin  an Italian restaurant in Pollensa, a parade went past - and yes, that is Spongebob Squarepants in the middle of the traditional figures!

 

most days when we were in Puerto Pollensa, we saw a seaplane flying over the bay.  Then one morning I was able to takes photos as it took off

 

a collection of scenic shots

 

an arty seed head shot!

the bakery where we bought the wonderful LMP (you buy the cakes then go round the corner to the restaurant to sit down for your cuppa)

 

I wanted this chair, but it wouldn't fit in my suitcase!

 

the villa we were staying in is surrounded by fruit trees ....... lemons

 

 several hands of bananas

 

lots of pear trees

 

and grapes

 

excellent advice

 

my goodness, there are still lots of photos left, so here is a random selection, then perhaps the odd one will sneak into posts throughout the rest of the week!

 

I nearly forgot this one ........ Spanish sheepies, especially for Thimbleanna! 

 

much as we enjoyed all those wonderful cakes, we enjoyed this wonderful cheese scone just as much on Sunday!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with some sewing!

Almost over!

I can't believe that this is my last post from Majorca!  The three weeks have flown by, and although we have had a super holiday, we are looking forward to getting home.  This morning we went for a last stroll round Pollensa, and I found another gnarled olive tree

 

then Malcolm spotted this piece of street art/sculpture ........ a piano made of stone and metal

 

then it was time for our last cake - and what a last cake ........ possibly the best LMP in the whole world!!

 

we'll be heading out later for dinner, but alas not for a repeat of Wednesday's feast, but a cheap and cheerful pizza!  Then it's back to the villa for an early night, as we have to be up at the crack of dawn.

Have a good weekend, and do pop in on Monday for a last look at some holiday photos, love Anne

 

 

A very special evening!

You may have noticed by now that when we are on holiday, we abandon our (more or less) healthy diet, and indulge our love of food.  Last night we went to our favourite restaurant in Pollensa, Il Giardino

 

as soon as we sat down, we were given crusty bread and these two little pots, one with butter and the other with pâté

 

I have forgotten what Malcolm's starter was called, but it was similar to coquille St Jacques, but had fish and seafood in it - he said it was delicious, but I couldn't have a taste as prawns and I decided many years ago we were better off apart!

 

I have to admit that every time we go to Il Giardino, I have the same starter - carpaccio of beef with rocket and parmesan

 

for his main course, Malcolm had chicken lasagne, which was delicious

 

and I had the same main course that I have every year, rack of lamb. This year it was even more delicious, with a wonderful herb crust. As you can see, it was a very generous helping, so Malcolm helped me eat it!

 

the waiter brought the dessert menu ..... Malcolm was good and only had a coffee

 

I thought that considering how much I had already eaten, what were a  few hundred more calories!  When the waitress brought my cutlery, she also brought some for Malcolm, saying that he might want to share my pud. No, no, he said ...... then he saw these fabulous, delicious, amazing profiteroles.  And when I said that instead of cream they were filled with ice cream, he decided he had room for dessert after all!!

 

Blue skies!

We got up this morning to find that the clouds has vanished in the night.  The sun shines on the terrace in the morning, making it very pleasant to sit there for breakfast.  Later in the day, when it is much hotter, the terrace is in shade, making it a pleasant place to have lunch and dinner

 

I think the pool would be a bit on the cool side first thing, but it is just right for leisurely swims in the afternoons

 

the mountains almost look painted on the blue sky

 

after a pleasant stroll along the seafront, it was time for ice cream - banoffee and Jaffa cake for me

 

and cherry and coconut for Malcolm

Little and large

It has been cloudy today, but finally the sun has come out, the swallows are swooping over the garden and an enormous dragonfly is flying back and forward over the pool.  When we were out this morning, we saw this tiny car .........

 

.......... then we saw a tractor on the beach - and not just any old tractor, but a John Deere!!

 

we went back to the cafe where I had the apple cake with the caramel topping, but today's offering was the apple cake like Annette's - delicious

 

on the way back to the villa, we caught up with this big Beastie - as you can see, it took up more than half the road

 

this is the turning into the side road that the villa is on.  We had to wait until the oncoming traffic had shuffled about to let the Beastie through

Relaxing!

I'm sitting with my feet up, enjoying a chilled glass of white wine and listening to some good music - Malcolm as always is still soaking up the sun beside the pool!

This morning we headed to Cala Sant Vicenc

 

 

the sea front there is quite different to Puerto Pollensa

 

I'm getting better at taking photos through the windscreen

 

two cakes to share today - the first is Saturday's LMP

 

and today's fruit tart

Bundles of fluff

When we were strolling along in Puerto Pollensa this morning, we saw a bunch of people looking over the bridge ........ what was so interesting?  Ducklings!!

 

while Malcolm enjoyed his almond cake ......

 

I was enjoying this amazing confection ........ apple, custard, crunchy bits, topped with caramel

 

just a short post, as I have to get ready to go out for dinner.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, love Anne