frayed at the edge

17 UFOs in 2017 : February report

I am still working away on my hexies, and now only have the eight on the right still to quilt

 

when I was at the Abbey Quilters' UFO day at the start of the month, I laid the hexies out to see how the finished quilt might look

 

it will take a bit of work to sort out the layout - you can see from this photo that I have two with the same fabric centres in one of the rows

 

as that is the sum total of my progress this month (not very significant, is it?!), I am going to cheat and show you two things that I have been working on, but as they were both done this year, they don't count for the 17 in 2017 challenge.  First is the scarf that I knitted from the little kit that I bought on our last visit to Eyemouth.  It still has to be blocked, so I pinned it to the rug so that you can see how it will look!

 

I like the soft colours.  It was a very quick and easy knit, and I may do another one, once we have moved and my stash comes out of storage!

 

on Saturday, I was at another Abbey Quilters' event.  This one was a crewel embroidery workshop with Susie Finlayson, a wonderful embroiderer who lives in Hawick.  She worked on the  Great Tapestry 0fScotland, and had given the group a talk on the tapestry some months ago.  We asked her to come back and do a Saturday workshop with us.  We all got a kit to stitch a thistle. I enjoyed the day, and I know I have a frame that is the right size for the thistle - but again that will have to wait until we move

 

so that's my rather short report of February's progress!  Do head over to Meredithe's blog, where you can see not only her report, but if you scroll down to the foot of her report, you can click on the link to see what the other participants have achieved.

More ships!

When we got up on Tuesday morning, we were somewhat surprised to find that a ship had come into the dock overnight!  As soon as it was light, there was a constant stream of lorries queueing up to load it

 

then this morning, we saw that an even bigger ship had come in overnight, and there were even more lorries waiting to load it

 

of course yesterday we had to endure Storm Doris.  This is looking from the front windows to the back windows ......

 

........ and from the back windows to the front.  Why am I showing you the windows?  Well, at one point during the storm, the rain was lashing against both the front and back windows, which was decidedly scary!

 

when we walked over to town this afternoon, these two swans .......

 

........ were determined to hide their heads under their tails

 

but the duck posed quite happily

 

as we walked along the riverside path, these two cygnets went past.  They still have to shed the last of their juvenile feathers

 

not only did this swan have a dirty mark on its back, but is also had a dirty line round it from the silt in the river after the storm

 

suddenly the sun went in, and it felt a lot colder, so we didn't walk all the way round the path to look at the driftwood boat - hooray for the digital zoom on the camera!

 

we walked up through the park, where there were lots of signs of spring.  Grape hyacinths

 

my favourite, snowdrops

 

daffodils

 

pale hellebores

 

and dark hellebores

 

walking through the town, Malcolm pointed out this chimney.  I think it could do with a bit of pointing at its base

 

this is the back of the Big Money Pit.  There must be some work going on inside, as this window has wire mesh over it, probably to keep the pigeons out, and there is a stepladder.

 

the owners of the Money Pit must have read my last post about their house ........ because the scaffolding has gone!

 

as we crossed the bridge on our way back, I could see a group of swans on the far side of the river

 

and several lorries loading the ship

 

when you look at this photo, what catches your eye ....... the washed-up beer can or the male duck?  Did you notice the female duck?

 

and so, on to the Friday cake!  Malcolm chose a chocolate brownie with almonds - I didn't taste it as I don't like almonds, but he said it was delicious

 

I had a piece of millionaire's shortbread, which was sweet and very, very delicious!

 

I won't be here on Monday, but I'll be back on Tuesday with my February report for 17 UFOs in 2017.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

Another fun day!

We headed off down the A1 this morning, Malcolm to visit his sister Jennifer, and I to have fun day with the Wednesday Ladies at The Quilt Shop.  Ros has finished the bag that she was been working on when I was there two weeks ago.  She prefers this side ......

 

but I like this one!

 

Ros's next project is quilting this beautiful fabric, to make a quilt for a friend.  As she has her right arm in a stookie at the moment, having fallen while walking her dogs, I gave her a hand to pin it, ready for quilting

 

as always I had a browse round the new fabrics ...... lovely muted tones

 

....... vibrant colours

 

I was soon planning what I could do with this group of fabrics

 

I think these fabrics would make a lovely baby quilt

 

several of the Wednesday Ladies have bought this book ....... I am very tempted!

 

Avril was working on these blocks, which are a combination of applique and embroidery

 

I love Jill's delicate stitchery

 

Annie doesn't do subtle colours!!

 

Karen was working on an EPP project, with lots of Liberty fabrics (I WILL use mine one day!)

 

I liked the clever fussy cutting of the centre

 

drat - Malcolm came back for me just as I was paying for my purchases, so I didn't get the chance to hide them at the bottom of my sewing basket!!

 

and there may have been a little packet of buttons as well

 

do you remember when I was there two weeks ago, I suffered severe tin envy for Jill's tin?  So I was absolutely delighted when Ros gave me this diary today, as she didn't need it!!

 

I opened it at random for this photo - how cute is the duck!!

 

as I write this, I am watching the weather forecast, with the bad news that Storm Doris is on its way - I don't think we will be going far tomorrow!

A tale of two walks

When we walked over the old bridge on Friday, the tide was at just the right level for the seal to be perched on his favourite rock - accompanied by a perfect reflection

 

and there was the bonus of a heron wading through the water with his reflection

 

there was no sign of any work being done on the Money Pit - I am sure it must be costing a fortune to have all that scaffolding on the building, so you would think they would be working as much as possible to get the refurbishment done

 

Malcolm spotted this wonderful shadow shot of the balconies - the house is actually much more pink than it looks in the photo

 

I just like tatty old doors!

 

still no work on the Big Money Pit - I think they are waiting on Planning Permissions

 

recently is has been very cloudy or very hazy ....... but there was a good clear view over to Bamburgh Castle ........

 

........ and Lindisfarne

 

I think it is obligatory to take photos of old chimneys when the sky is blue!

 

the contrail is from a plane heading up to Edinburgh

 

this chimney is unusual - there is no satellite dish or tv aerial

 

when we look out at the lighthouse from the flat, the breakwater looks straight, but this shows you the two turns as you walk out to the end

 

we walked along part of the old walls - I always stop to take a photo of these two trees

 

our second walk was yesterday morning, when we went for a stroll along the beach.  The latest winter storms have changed the beach again, not only covering up a lot of the groynes, but also covering the sand with stones and grit

 

the next section of the beach had vast heaps of rotting vegetation

 

but then we reached a long stretch of smooth sand

 

I nearly forgot to take a photo of the lighthouse!

 

a mussel shell, left behind by the receding tide

 

I couldn't decide if the holes in this rock were natural or manmade

 

at the far end of the beach, the level of the sand was much lower, with previously unseen rocks

 

with pockets of small stones .......

 

and large stones

 

the lighter covered steps at the bottom are usually covered with sand, showing how much the level has changed

 

we walked up the steps to the promenade, and joined lots of others for the walk back

 

looking down on to the beach, just as I snapped, the owner thrust the ball thrower at the dog, spoiling my photo

 

this dog was standing up straight, looking good ...... and just as I snapped, it looked down - arggghhh

 

we were pleased to see that the little café was open

 

and it was warm enough to sit outside to enjoy a cuppa, and share an Empire Biscuit

 

with a view over to the lighthouse

 

as always, in the course of our walk, we picked up some treasures.  This is a cuttlefish bone  - our Mums used to buy them to give them to our budgies!

 

little bits of sea washed china

 

this still had sharp edges, so I put it back on the sand to be ground smooth.  I think it is from an old ginger beer bottle

 

 

Sunny Dunny

Dunbar lived up to its nickname of Sunny Dunny on Wednesday, with lots of sun and blue skies.  But before we went for a walk round the town, of course we had to fortify ourselves with a cuppa.  I like the tray on the table with the menu etc 

 

we shared a most delicious toffee tart - and I do like places that give you an extra plate and cutlery when you say are you sharing!  The waitress had to explain to Malcolm how to use the new cafetiere .....

 

...... when he put it on top of the cup, the coffee came out the bottom!

 

another post box photo to add to my collection.  This one is Edward VII  - the son of Queen Victoria

 

when you were admiring the lovely blue sky and the beautiful old building .......

 

........ did you notice the man sitting astride the roof?

 

an unusual street name

 

this gun points out to sea - I wonder if I could turn it round  lob a few stink bombs at the Numpties in the Scottish Parliament, then turn it back to lob some at the Westminster lot!!

 

you know by now that I have a warped mind - this sign made me think of a horde of Cliff Richard impersonators, running round singing "Congratulations" and throwing people off the cliff

 

very often walks with Malcolm involve long flights of steps, but I was spared going up these ones .......

 

........ although it would have meant getting closer to the bank of snowdrops

 

we passed a big house undergoing serious renovations.  Of course I said "I want one of these"!!

 

the remains of the castle

 

Malcolm pointed this out - but did you see the two seagulls or the remains of the window first

 

there was only one small boat in this part of the harbour

 

but there were several marooned on the mud in the other part of the harbour

 

there was no information plaque on this sculpture

 

and despite my best efforts, I can't find anything online about it

 

after a very enjoyable walk, it was on to the Garden Centre for lunch

 

in the very stylish coffee shop

 

stilton and broccoli soup with brown bread - delicious!

 

on the way home, there were several tractors out and about, each with an impatient queue of traffic behind it

 

even the enormous power station looked quite stylish against the blue sky

 

now, we may have started with a little Wednesday cake, but that doesn't mean we can't finish with the usual Friday cake!  We walked over to town this afternoon, and after we had run several errands, we popped into Café Crema.  Oh my - they have been experimenting with some new chocolate brownies.  Just feast your eyes on these beauties - mint Aero for Malcolm

 

and salted caramel for me - I got a fork as well as a knife, as mine was a bit squidgy!!

 

we were delighted this morning, after a flurry of communications from our solicitor, to finally have an entry date for our new house - so if it all goes to plan, we will get the keys on Thursday 9th March!!  No doubt we will spend the weekend making plans for the move.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

Star turn!

I survived my evening of demonstrating the way I hand quilt to the lovely ladies at Abbey Quilters ........ and I even remembered to take some photos!  This is my sample - I assured the ladies they would finish theirs by the end of the evening, which was, perhaps, a slight exaggeration!

 

I started with everything in order on the table, and explained how to mark the design on the calico, make up the sandwich with the wadding and backing fabric ........

 

....... and soon everyone was busy sewing.  Margaret H soon had her first two loops stitched

 

while Sandra H was just getting started

 

Lorraine preferred to work with her favourite small hoop

 

but her Mum, Ivy, preferred a bigger hoop

 

so now, a quick demonstration of how I hand quilt (with some help from Malcolm this afternoon with the photos).  This was the piece I used last night to show how I work.  First, I don't pull the quilt sandwich tight in the hoop

 

can you see the little bump just where the last stitch is?  That's my left fore finger underneath ........

 

....... waiting for me to put the needle through vertically until it just touches my finger

 

I then catch the end of the needle on the top of my thimble

 

I rock the needle over and put my thumbnail in front of the it so that a small hill is formed, and push the needle through

 

and I just keep doing that, one stitch at a time.  I have been to various classes over the years, and tried different ways of hand quilting, including working several stitches on to the needle before pulling it through, but I always come back to this method, as it gives me neat, even stitches

 

on the requirements list for last night, I had specified quilting needles, but some of the ladies turned up with needles the size of fence posts!  Although at first it seems impossible to stitch with tiny quilting needles, the smaller the needle, the better the stitching

 

this is my preferred size, with a 5p to show just how small they are

 

I came home last night with two cards.  The card on the right is from the group to say thank you for last night's demonstration and the one on the left is from my friend Anne S, whom I met not long after we moved to Hawick

 

she couldn't find a suitable card with an owl on it, so she popped these little cuties in the envelope!

 

as the weather was so much better today, we had a run up the coast to Dunbar.  As always, our first stop was our favourite coffee shop ......... but I'll tell you all about our day out on Friday!

This is where we went on Friday .......

 ........ we had a quick run up the coast to Eyemouth.  We parked in the small carpark beside the harbour, and immediately found something going on, with this boat manoeuvring between metal uprights.  But, unfortunately, it was snowing and bitterly cold, so we reluctantly walked on

 

but if we had waited, we would have seen the boat being pulled up the slipway to the boatshed

 

we think the metal uprights must form part of a cradle which probably runs up an underwater track

 

we decided to pop in here for a cuppa and cake (you know that we make the big sacrifice on a Friday, eating cake just so that you can enjoy the photos!)

 

we were greeted by Michael, the charming young man who owns Rialto.  He ushered us through to the back room, where a good old-fashioned coal fire was burning

 

when we went through to pay the bill (my treat on a Friday!), I was rather taken with this mirror, but I couldn't fit it in my handbag!

 

Michael and his waiter (oops, I didn't find out his name) were worried that this photo of the cakes wouldn't show them properly - they are all baked on the premises, so they wanted them to look their best

 

so they insisted on putting them on top of the counter.  This is the blueberry and lemon cream cake that I had - in the spring they make it with rhubarb, and in the summer with strawberries or raspberries (I will be going back to sample them!)

 

they are justifiably proud of their scones

 

and when I mentioned that our friend Anna had enjoyed a scone with jam and clotted cream, when we took her to Bamburgh during her visit in 2015, they swung into action, producing this tasty photo for her to enjoy!

 

as always, as we walked back to the car, there were random things to take photos of.  I liked this example of creative upcycling

 

and of course there are always gulls perched around the harbour

 

Malcolm wondered if this sign meant that if you fell overboard, you couldn't swim to save yourself (I'm not the only one in this family with a warped mind!!)

 

you would never get me on one of these small boats (unless you gave me vast amounts of money)

 

I was just taking this photo of two exceedingly large gulls

 

when this duck popped up

 

you will have to take my word that there are two seals in this photo!

 

and of course we have to have something rusty from the harbour!

 

I wasn't going to visit the wool shop, but Malcolm made me ........

 

....... then having bought a little kit, I had to buy a circular needle, because, of course, mine are all in storage!

 

tomorrow is my big night at Abbey Quilters, showing the members how I hand quilt ........ I'll tell you all about it on Wednesday!

You wait months for a ship .......

then two come along at once!  When we got up yesterday morning, there was a large ship sitting offshore, waiting for high tide to come into the dock

 

at lunchtime, there was a flurry of activity, and the pilot boat headed out

 

and was soon shepherding the ship in

 

then, on the other side of the breakwater, the survey boat, which is a regular visitor, appeared

 

but it had to wait as the big ship slowly, slowly, edged into the dock

 

when the survey boat then started to head for the dock, it was bouncing on the waves

 

making me feel slightly sea sick!

 

 

meanwhile the big ship was turning - the man sitting on his motorbike on the left gives you the scale

 

the dog looked exceedingly bored, as his owners watched the ship

 

a final nudge from the pilot boat to push the ship against the dock ........

 

........ and the survey boat was able to dock as well

 

a procession of large lorries then arrived to load the ship .....

 

........ and came back first thing this morning to go on with the loading.  They had to stop for a while late this afternoon, as it was snowing heavily, but they are busy again

 

mid-morning, the inflatable from the survey boat went out

 

I didn't see it come back, but a short time later the survey boat, with the inflatable back on board, headed back out to sea

 

it's Friday, so that means cake ........ but you will have to come back on Monday to find out where we went this afternoon to enjoy these delicious cakes.  I was somewhat greedy, and had a rather large slice of blueberry and lemon cream cake (although I did give Malcolm some of it)

 

Malcolm was slightly more restrained, and had a slice of Earl Grey tea loaf

 

the forecast for the weekend isn't very good, so if we don't get out and about, I will be curled up on the bed in the afternoons either watching a film or catching up on a Craftsy class, while Malcolm watches football.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

In the past ......

...... when I headed to Sue's shop, it meant crossing the Border, but now we are living in England, it was a straight run down the A1 from Berwick to Morpeth.  As always, the shop was filled with luscious fabrics

 

indeed there was so much new stock, that Sue has had to add a new display unit!

 

did you notice the tins?  Here they are on another display unit.  I really, really wanted to buy a set, but there is just nowhere to put them in the flat (well, perhaps I could put them under my pillow?!)

 

and just look at these fabrics, but the "divorce" word may have been mentioned, if I bought any more fabric after boxes and boxes of my stash went into storage!

 

some of the ladies were getting set up to make a bag

 

one of the stages involved creating pieces using the decorative stitches that most sewing machines have these days .......

 

........ Barbara was a step ahead, as she had made these two pieces when playing with her machine

 

these two strips were stitched by Ros ......... she had asked me last year if I could take her a "proper" Scottish haggis, so every time I go to the Quilt Shop I take her one, and as I had to go back to Hawick yesterday to see the nurse (for the last time - hooray), I remembered to get one for her .... it's not just any old haggis, but a multiple award winning one!

 

I had a severe attack of "tin envy" when I saw Gill's tin

 

not only does it have an extra picture on the bottom ......

 

........ but this is the inside of the lid!!

 

if you are wondering why I haven't been showing you any updates of my sewing, it's because I am limited to working on my BFF hexies, and I am saving the photos for my "17UFOs in2017" report at the end of the month!

An excellent day!

On Saturday I headed over to Kelso, to spend the day with some of the ladies from Abbey Quilters.  As always, it was good to see what everyone was working on.  Elaine was layering up this very pretty scrappy quilt (I might have to add one to my to-do list)

 

Sheila was working on some applique blocks - I love her choice of batik fabrics

 

Ivy's quilt is made with a selection of beautiful Japanese fabrics, and the plain stars really pop

 

Lorraine's little quilt is made with Liberty fabrics (one day I WILL cut up my Liberty fabrics!)  You might not see from the photo, but the white background is also made of lots of little hexies

 

Rineke was very patient as I took photos of the progress on her stack-and-whack (if you google stack and whack you will find lots of info on it).  First, the centre of the quilt

 

then with two plain borders added

 

and a final border of a lovely soft floral fabric, which she said she had bought years ago to make a dress with!

 

this is Liz's scrappy quilt.  It looks very complicated, but using templates to cut the blocks means that only the seams of the squares have to be matched, none of the other seams meet

 

Margaret was working on her latest whimsical block - Little Boy Blue

 

hopefully Margaret will be holding an exhibition of her work in April - planning is in the very early stages.  As soon as I have the details I will let you know ....... I hope lots of you will come along, as it is to raise money for her disabled grandson Harry, to fund his very successful playing of boccia (this is an old newspaper report about Harry)

 

when Stuart mentioned he was going to a formal dinner on Friday night, I of course demanded a photo of him in his kilt, as I know lots of you like to see a handsome young man in a kilt.  Now, you may think this is a photo of him with his girlfriend Alison, but it isn't ..........

 

......... it is a photo of him with his brand-new fiancée Alison (cue much jumping up and down and squealing from his thrilled Mum ....... Malcolm was slightly more sedate in his congratulations!!)