frayed at the edge

It's snow joke!

It may be almost the end of April, but I got up yesterday morning to find a dusting of snow

 

on Sunday the weather was so good we sat out on the deck to have our lunch, but we decided against doing the same yesterday!

 

yesterday we had our winter woollies on again, and when we were shopping in Morpeth, I wished I had put my hat on!

 

there might have been snow, but the sky was clear and the sun was shining, creating some interesting shadows in the kitchen

 

I had given this ivy to my Dad not long before he died, so it must be about eleven years old now!

 

this shadow is so strong, it is hard to decide which is the plant, and which is the shadow

 

another shadow of the ivy, taken later when the sun had moved round a bit

 

I don't know what the source was of these reflections of the sun on the wall

 

I can now show you the secret project that I was working on for Sue.  Later in the year I am going to be teaching a workshop on how to make this cushion, with raw edge applique and wonky borders

 

I took the photos on Sunday, when the sun was shining ....... perhaps I should have taken them yesterday in the snow!

 

I will be back on Friday with my 17 UFOs in 2017 report ....... and I have lots to report this month!

 

 

A fun purchase!

When I saw these pencils featured in a magazine recently, I succumbed to temptation and ordered a set.  They have been designed by Alex Anderson of The Quilt Show ........

 

........ and these are the little sayings on them.  I shall now have to do a lot of writing and drawing!

 

when they arrived in the post, I was a bit surprised by the size of the envelope ........ but then I discovered that I had also been sent this book as a gift

 

it has all sorts of wonderful drawings/patterns in it - and they are copyright-free, meaning that I can incorporate them in my own patterns

 

after closing her quilt shop in Longframlington, Anne has now opened a new one at Kirkharle.  When I picked up this leaflet on Saturday .........

 

.......... I was somewhat pleased to see that the photo advertising her new shop shows two of the quilts that I made for the old one

 

we popped down to Heighley Gate Garden Centre yesterday morning, as Malcolm needed some potting compost ........ so of course we had a cuppa and shared a delicious cheese scone while we were there!

An important appointment!

You know what it's  like ........ when you find a good hairdresser, you don't want to part company with her, so yesterday morning we headed up to Kelso, for my regular appointment with the wonderful Melissa.  We stopped on the way at Powburn

 

where Malcolm was tempted by this sit-on mower ....... until he saw the price (£2,000!!!!)

 

our cuppa and cheese scone wasn't quite that expensive!

 

after having my blonde gorgeousness restored, we went on to the flat. This afternoon, when we went out for a walk, I couldn't sneak on to the dock for photos of the boats, as the gate is closed through the week ........ 

 

....... so I had to stick the camera through the bars and use the zoom for a close up of the small boat's new paintwork

 

the building at the end of Bridge Street has now been fully restored - you can read about the Berwick Cockle here

 

we went in to look at the exhibition, which was fascinating

 

they have made a superb job of restoring the building

 

and as you can see from these two photos, the side of the building is on a very steep lane

 

having huffed and puffed up the hill, I turned back to take this photo, showing just how steep it is

 

it started to rain, so we popped into Fantoosh for a cuppa.  I took the photo in a hurry, when there was a slight gap in passers-by, and it is a little bit blurry

 

the tray on our table - the little bird salt and pepper are cute!

 

Malcolm had a slice of pecan tart - as it was the last slice, it was a bit bigger than a normal portion!

 

could you have resisted this chocolate cupcake with a chocolate bunny on the top?  I most certainly couldn't!!

 

and just in cast that's not enough cake ........ Stuart sent me this photo this morning, of a cake made by Tea Jenny's, who made the cake that they brought me a slice of when they visited recently.  Irn Bru and cake - a perfectly balanced diet!!

 

whether or not there is cake involved, I hope you have a great weekend, love Anne

The third walk

On Monday we went to Alnwick for another long walk.  We stopped to admire this larger than life statue of Harry Hotspur

 

a detail from his armour

 

as we crossed the Lion Bridge, I paused to take an arty shot

 

looking over the bridge to the sheep below

 

we walked down on to the river bank, looking over to the castle on the other side of the river

 

unlike a lot of castles, it isn't built on a rocky outcrop, but I wouldn't want to attack it ......

 

....... with these fearsome men on the battlements

 

but don't worry if you visit the castle, they are statues!

 

the ewe in the centre of the photo was keeping an eye on us as we walked past

 

but these ones weren't interested in us

 

I was slightly nervous walking past this cow and her calf, as there was no fence between us!

 

then I had a bit of fun, first taking a colour photo .........

 

....... then taking a black and white one a few yards further on

 

Malcolm suggested this shot, with the clouds over the castle looking menacing

 

we couldn't decide what this is ...... it looks like a giant deck chair!

 

I do  like an old door and a stone wall!

 

beautiful blossom on the way into the Alnwick Garden

 

the Owl and the Pussycat, in their beautiful pea-green boat

 

we will have to go back another day to explore the Treehouse Restaurant

 

we were back in Alnwick yesterday, as I had an appointment for a check up with my new dentist.  After a collection of dentists over the last few years who had names that would score highly at Scrabble, it's nice now to have a dentist called Victoria!  Although when I went into the room, I thought at first she was there as part of a "bring your daughter to work day", as she looks about twelve!!  As I really, really don't like going to the dentist, I bribed Malcolm to go with me, with the promise of a cuppa and a very tasty cheese scone!

Three long walks

We went out for a walk on Saturday morning when we were up in Berwick.  First, we sneaked on to the dock to take photos of these three boats.  The one on the left has been sitting there for over a year, but the other two have only recently been lifted out of the water

 

this one looked a total wreck when it was lifted out, so we were surprised to see how good it is looking now

 

I think these leaves .......

 

....... look like aliens as they open!

 

the salmon fishing boats are back on the river

 

Malcolm spotted a swan taking off from the river, but by the time I snapped it, it was disappearing through an arch of the old bridge

 

then the seal, which had been in the water with only its nose showing when we crossed the bridge, popped up on to its favourite rock - was this a conspiracy to be uncooperative?

 

spring is definitely here, with lots of trees fully in leaf

 

and this flowering currant provided a splash of colour

 

there are lots of little flowering plants growing out of the top of walls

 

and in cracks .......

 

between the stones .......

 

of the breakwater

 

on the way to the lighthouse

 

after a very bracing walk out to the lighthouse, (even Malcolm was complaining about the cold wind!) I was delighted to find that the seal was still perched on his rock

 

or perhaps its a she?

 

back home, yesterday we drove over to Alnmouth, crossing the squinty bridge

 

the tide was out, but there was just enough water for this boat to stay upright

 

the beach was busy with Sunday morning walkers

 

these hardy souls had just rowed to shore in their skiff

 

while this RIB meandered past - that's Coquet Island in the background

 

and yet another boat!

 

there is always something of interest to pick up on the beach

 

Malcolm spotted this shell - its pattern is similar to the tiles on Sydney Opera House

 

does this clump of rocks look better from this side .......

 

........ or this side?

 

my new best friend - although he didn't live up to his name of Tiger!

 

your eyes are not deceiving you - these men are playing golf!  The one on the left was struggling to hit his ball back up over the top of the steep slope

 

we paid heed to the sign - we didn't really want to be hit by a rogue golf ball, or run over by a golf buggy

 

the groynes on Alnmouth beach are in better condition than those on Spittal beach

 

the wood is nicely weathered - Malcolm did suggest I popped a piece or two in my backpack, but unfortunately that wasn't possible! 

 

the wood might be in good condition, but the bolts are rusty, and you know that I do like a nice bit of rust!

 

I haven't yet cured Malcolm of his tendency to walk into my photos

 

a welcome sight, a comfortable bench to sit on before we headed back to the car

 

as for the third walk - well, you will have to come back on Wednesday for that one!

A busy week!

All sorts of things have been going on this week!  On Monday, I worked on my new design wall.  I taped together two of the sturdy cardboard  boxes which the removal firm had given us, then  I called in the man with a hammer (aka, of course, Malcolm) and he nailed them to the wall

 

I then looked out this horrible grey wadding - I have had it for so long, I can't remember what I bought it for!  I also unearthed my spray adhesive

 

fortunately I had some small pieces as well, to patch in the gaps  (I haven't cut off the corner of the photo, that's the opening for the velux!)

 

next, I sprayed the wadding, and stuck the sheet which was my old design wall on to it.  It still needs tidied round the edges, but I popped a few things on to the wall - looking good!

 

yesterday morning, this crane appeared where a new house is being built

 

I popped upstairs for a better look - you can see the points of the roof trusses that the crane was lifting

 

later on, back in the kitchen, I finally captured a truss in mid-air

 

in this photo, the crane looks as if it is fishing for the orchids!

 

on Tuesday, our lovely former neighbours (the shoe shop owners) came down for a visit, and brought back our two very large house plants which they had been looking after for us.  The parliament of owls were delighted to have their home back

 

and the rubber plant obviously enjoyed its holiday, as it has put out several new leaves

 

they also brought our bay tree, which we have grown from a small cutting they gave us some years ago

 

and they brought us a present of two plants for our new garden, which Malcolm will plant this week (once we make up our minds where to put them!)

 

there are some old trees in the garden, which the previous owners told us are fruit trees.  We think they said there are two plum trees and an apple tree.  I should have googled to see which this is, but no doubt one of you more knowledgeable gardeners will tell me!!

 

we came up to Berwick this morning, and as it is Friday, of course we went out for a cuppa and cake this afternoon.  As usual we had a debate as to where we would go, and as usual we went to Café Crema!

 

Malcolm has a peppermint slice

 

and I had a fudge delight ....... both, as always, were delicious!!

 

we have had a lazy afternoon, and may be having a refreshing glass of wine this evening.  We will head back down the A1 tomorrow afternoon.  Weather permitting, Malcolm no doubt will be busy in the garden on Sunday, and I will be busy working on a project which I will be teaching at Sue's shop later in the year, so I can't show you my usual step-by-step photos!  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

Margaret's exhibition - part two

Some more of Margaret's lovely quilts for you to enjoy!  You saw a detail of this fairy quilt in Monday's post

 

a nursery rhyme quilt

 

her latest project - Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam

 

a detail from another Christmas quilt

 

Hamish, the handsome Highland cow

 

Margaret had these badges made for the helpers to wear, and we got to keep them as a souvenir

 

one of her friends made this rabbit, and very generously donated it for the sales table.  When she hadn't sold by Sunday afternoon, I just had to buy her!  She soon made herself at home in the attic .......

 

........ but I don't think she will do much sewing on this little model machine!

 

this had been Harry's favourite .........

 

but then he saw this one at the exhibition and decided that this is now his favourite, so I brought it home to quilt it

 

the original pattern showed the penguins on snow, but Margaret decided to send them on holiday to the beach!  I shall enjoy quilting the penguins - although at the moment I don't quite know what I will do.  I will probably start by quilting in the ditch to hold the quilt together, then perhaps do some outline quilting round each penguin.  It's quite a bit bigger than the quilts I have quilted recently, so will be a challenge!

Margaret's exhibition - part one

When I walked into Eckford Village Hall on Saturday morning, I was amazed by the wonderful display of quilts!  I stood on the stage to take this overview

 

then I went back down to the body of the hall to take this photo of the stage

 

and here is proud Granny Margaret,  with her amazing grandson Harry.  The exhibition was to raise money to fund Harry's travelling in pursuit of more gold medals playing boccia.  I don't know the final total, but I know that over £1,000 was raised on Saturday from the entrance money, sales of raffle tickets, books magazines and other sewing stuff, and some very generous donations

 

before we look at some of the quilts, lets look at the other important part of the day!

 

Margaret's friends had excelled themselves baking and donating a great array of cakes

 

and some excellent scones

 

I'll start with this quilt, as yesterday the lovely Ivy asked me if I has taken a photo of this one, as it is her favourite

 

this is my favourite

 

and I love this little cutie

 

and this is my second favourite

 

while all the dogs round the outside are digging, looking for the bone

 

this cheeky little chappie has pinched it!

 

a lot of people commented on this little bear's necklace.  We all agreed that we would simply have put a circle round her neck, but the way Margaret has done it gives a marvellous impression of movement

 

this little fairy is from when she was going through a bling phase - click on the photo to enlarge it to see all the little crystals she has embellished the fairy with

 

unusual colours for a Christmas quilt

 

this lovely quilt has little bits of lace and delicate embroidery

 

Margaret uses a lot of buttons for her embellishments, buying any that she sees that she thinks she will use in future quilts 

 

a fun Christmas quilt

 

I still have a lot of photos left, so I shall share more with you on Wednesday!

 

 

 

 

More exploring!

Yesterday morning, having completed our various tasks in Alnwick (a trip to the tip, food shopping etc), we decided to head over to Alnmouth for a spot of lunch.  Although there is a bit of cloud in this photo, it was actually a glorious sunny morning

 

the gift shop is packed with all sorts of wonderful things - I'll show you later what I bought

 

and this is where we had lunch

 

it's a charming place .......

 

...... with the most delicious food - we both had the hot beef stottie

 

I think I have shown you this photo some time ago

 

a necessary warning, as the road borders the golf club

 

I don't think I would risk sitting on this old bench

 

but I wouldn't mind sitting in this lovely new conservatory (Malcolm pointed out the rather posh green cover for the gas meter!)

 

so what did I buy in the gift shop?  First, I bought this for Malcolm to add to his collection of little boat related things that he has in the flat

 

and I bought this for me - inspiration for an appliqué block?

 

you can find out more about the cards at the website at the bottom of the card

 

I also took this photo as a reminder for Malcolm, as he may go over for the Food Fest ........

 

....... while I am helping at Margaret's exhibition (I am up at the flat, as it would be a bit far to travel from the house each of the two days, but it is a short journey from Berwick).  I have these three things to take tomorrow for raffle prizes.  You can find the directions to the exhibition here

 

I came up to Berwick after lunch, and walked over to town this afternoon.  Oh dear, as Malcolm isn't here, I had to eat a whole piece of cake myself!  This delicious confection is a slice of creme egg cake ........ the chocolate sponge was very light, with custard in the middle - and of course a bit of creme egg on the top

 

I hope I will see some of you tomorrow at Margaret's exhibition, but if you can't be there, I will take lots of photos to share on Monday.  Have a great weekend, love Anne

Before the sewing .......

......... we have to admire this month's page in my (almost) naked men calendar

 

remember, if you would like a closer look, click on the photo to enlarge it!

 

when I was at The Quilt Shop last Wednesday, the lovely Jill was explaining to one of the other ladies how to make a quilt using a Jelly Roll (I think Jill had seen the pattern on Missouri Star, but I don't have the details).  I was only half listening, but on Saturday I thought I would have a go.  I got out this Jelly Roll, which I had won, so it wasn't a favourite one that I would mind if things went wrong

 

I sorted the strips out into five piles

 

then arranged these in six groups, with a few strips left over

 

as always, I stitched four of the strips together in pairs .....

 

I then sewed those two pairs together, then added the fifth strip

 

and did the same with the other sets of strips

 

after pressing the first set, I checked that it measured ten and a half inches

 

and cross cut it into four squares.  The little leftover bit will be used as a thread catcher

 

you can't see, but under each of the two squares, the other two squares are right sides up, with the strips running horizontally

 

after stitching round all four sides, I cut the squares on the two diagonals

 

and pressed open the squares.  I arranged one set like this

 

and the other set like this

 

then did the same with the other five sets of strips

 

I now have to decide on how to arrange them into a quilt - but that will have to wait until I make my new design wall!  Yesterday, I turned my desk round

 

took the leaf out of the pine table

 

and rearranged my sewing tables. which has given me more room.  The design wall will go on the big bit of wall.  I am going to make it with thick cardboard cut from some of the boxes the removal firm gave us, taped together and covered in wadding.  I must also sort out my overflowing scrap bin, which you can see under the table

 

and some good news ....... I have finally found the key for my filing cabinet, which I had put away in a safe place ........