frayed at the edge

All sorts!

We had a walk on the beach yesterday, and as always there were things of interest for photos

 

rocks covered in seaweed

 

the tide coming in

 

further along the beach, the rocks and weed are tinted red by iron

 

is this a monster lurking under the sand, ready to bite an ankle?

 

this morning I spotted this shaggy dog on the dock - he belongs to the skipper of one of the fishing boats

 

the tide was out, and these swans on the mudbank just outside the dock were busy preening

 

Malcolm spotted this chap, paddling into the dock

 

the swans were most upset, and headed for the top corner .......

 

but then decided to leave, as the chap filmed them

 

they were at full speed to get away from him

 

I couldn't decide if he was wearing a kilt, or had a tartan blanket wrapped round his nether regions!

 

this afternoon we walked over to town, admiring these hanging baskets

 

this crop of sunflowers is growing in one of the allotments

 

just as pretty are these weeds growing on top of walls

 

 

what would gulls do without chimneys to perch on .......

 

.... or use as a lookout point

 

it was very hazy looking over to the lighthouse - this almost looks like a painting

 

when we were doing a bit of shopping, I asked if I could take a photo of this piece of old floor

 

I shall have to have a look in my stash for suitable fabrics to make a quilt!

 

back at the flat, the black swan had reappeared in the dock, after being absent for a while

 

and the seal popped his head out of the water to say hello

 

just before dinner, one of the fishing boats headed out of the dock - you can just see some swans hastily getting out of the way

 

and so to the Friday cake.  Malcolm has a peppermint slice

 

and I had a liquorice allsorts slice ....... I know that sounds very strange, and probably half of you are going, oh no that sounds horrible, while the other half are going yum yum!!  I thought it was delicious ...... but then, I love liquorice allsorts (and chocolate!)

 

the forecast for tomorrow is good, so no doubt we will be out and about, then we will head back home on Sunday.  I hope you have a great weekend, love Anne

A day late!

A wonderful new shop opened on Tuesday ....... but I didn't go to see it until Wednesday.  Why?  Because the owner of the shop is Sue, who used to be one of the group of quilters who met in Stitchin' Heaven (which closed at Christmas) on Wednesdays ....... and the group is now going to meet at the new shop.  So I went along yesterday to meet up with them all again

 

I think the best description of the atmosphere in the shop is welcoming and cosy!

 

there are still some gaps on the shelves, but Sue told me that she has a LOT of fabric arriving soon

 

there is just something about bundles of fabrics in baskets that makes you want to buy them

 

a selection of needles, pins and other sewing aids

 

looking through from the shop area to the classroom ....... can you see what is hanging on the wall in the top left hand corner of the photo?

 

it is Sue's absolutely stunning Mrs Billings!  Malcolm had come into the shop with me, and impressed everyone that he knew it was a Mrs B ....... then he told everyone about the sorry state of my effort!!

these two lovely quilts are also Sue's

 

beyond the classroom is an area which has been dubbed "the husbands' crèche"

 

with comfy sofas for them to relax while their wives are shopping (it's a lengthy business, buying fabric!)

 

they can have a cuppa and browse through some manly magazines

 

and last, at the back of the shop, is the kitchen area ....... you know we quilters need to be regularly refuelled with cuppas and cake!

 

another two views of the shop area, taken from slightly different angles

 

it was so good to catch up with all the news from the other Wednesday ladies, and as always they were happy to share their projects with you.  Margaret's hand piecing is so neat and accurate

 

Annie was prepping apple cores in her favourite Japanese fabrics

 

Ros was prepping hexies (and I was delighted to see how well she looked, as she had been in a terrible car accident since I last saw her)

 

Carolyn was working on a redwork stitchery

 

Avril, who had joined the group after I stopped going, was also working on stitcheries

 

and Frances ...... well Frances as always was working on a spectacular hand-pieced project!

 

I didn't sit down for the first two hours that I was there!  I was so busy exploring the shop, drooling over the fabric and blethering not only to the Wednesday ladies, but also to the steady stream of customers.  And in that time I had two cuppas and a piece of cake!

 

did I buy anything ..... well of course I did!!  First, a bundle of Moda fat quarters, which I just couldn't resist

 

then these four delicious fat quarters

 

which are from this range

 

and finally these super fat quarters

 

which are from this range ......

 

....... and this range.  And the good news is that I had a chat with Sue on the phone this morning, and if you are in the UK and want to buy any of these fabrics, give her a phone  (the number is on the leaflet in the first photo), as she can process a credit card sale over the phone with you, and then post them to you!!

 

I thought it might be helpful for those of you not familiar with the area to take a couple of photos of where the shop is, should you want to visit.  It is just behind this petrol station - this is the view if you are heading towards Morpeth

 

and this is the view if you are approaching from Morpeth

 

there is plenty of parking, and you go through the arch and in the door

 

passing the shop sign on the way

 

once in the door, the shop is on your right ....... only go through the door on the left if you want to buy supplies for your ponies and your pets!!

 

it really is a lovely shop, and I am going back the Wednesday after next for another visit ....... and I can highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.  Just up the road is Heighley Gate Garden Centre, where you can have a lovely lunch, or you can go on into Morpeth, which has an excellent selection of independent shops.  And to finish ...... I took this photo when I was outside - do you think Malcolm may have something to tell me??!!

An amazing book!

I recently received an email from Marlee, at Jacqui Small Publishing, asking me if I would like a review copy* of the new crochet book by Molla Mills.  Of course I said yes, and within days the book arrived.  When I read in Marlee's email that the book was called "Crochetterie", I imagined a book full of dainty designs, but as you can see, that is not the case!

 

and Molla looks nothing like any other crocheter that I know!  She is Finnish, with a wonderful quirky style

 

I found this photo of her online, but there was no indication of who took it

 

but what is this in a crochet book - a rather cute young man

 

and another handsome young man (with an impressive woodstore!)

 

yes, Molla has written the book to appeal to men!

 

if you want to make yourself comfy while reading the book and working up the designs, why not start with this stylish cushion, to support your back

 

oh my, another young man, sitting on a crocheted rug, while whipping up a few little slippers

 

this is Molla's Dad, off to chop some logs (not a sight you see much in Hawick!)

 

I love her description of the jumper

 

I will have to crochet a pair of fingerless mittens, for next winter on the beach

 

and I want a passport holder for my next holiday

 

I don't suppose Stuart has a skateboard any more, but if he did, I know that he would like a funky crocheted carrying strap for it

 

one last photo of a hunky chap, striding out with a very smart rucksack

 

and of course to crochet, you need hooks ......... do you think Malcolm will whittle some for me?

 

I think this is a brilliant book!  There are 30 projects, both practical and decorative, for all skill levels.  The instructions are clear - even I, an occasional crocheter, can follow them with ease.  The photography is excellent, with lots of photos all through the book.  I've had the book sitting beside me since I got it, and I keep picking it up and having another browse through it, as it is just one of those books that makes you smile!

*I was given the book free of charge, but I have received no payment for writing this review.

Getting on!

On Sunday afternoon, I made a start to prepping the hexies, ready for quilting

 

I folded the first edge of the larger hexie in to meet the edge of the smaller hexie and pressed it

 

then folded it over again and pressed it

 

after scorching my fingers several times, I starting using my stiletto to hold the folds in place while I pressed them!

 

the first one pinned, ready to quilt (only another 63 to go!)

 

looking good on the design wall

 

I then turned to my half square triangles, which I had previously marked with my new ruler.  I chain-pieced them

 

as always, I started always with a thread catcher.  I start sewing about ½" from the edge, which means that I don't have to trim off the starting threads, as I would have to if I started sewing from the edge of the square.  Also when I sew straight from the catcher on to the square, it means that the edge won't get chewed up, as often happens

 

the squares stitched then cut apart

 

so was it more accurate using the new ruler?  Yes, the squares all turned out to be the correct size

 

when I got the kit out, I was sure it was to make a cushion, but it isn't, it is a wallhanging!  The centre block will be set on point

 

having finished the square, I prepped the pieces for the appliqué

 

and also made the bias strips for the vine

 

then this morning, I stitched the block together, starting with sewing the squares together in pairs

 

then sewing the first two columns of units together

 

then added the other units

 

the rows sewn together in pairs

 

the block stitched together and pressed

 

the next stage was to add the setting triangles.  This shows the first two stitched on

 

after stitching on the other two triangles, the block had to be trimmed, so that there was a ¼" seam beyond where the setting triangles crossed

 

the three borders added - looking good!

 

I have to say that the instructions are very basic, and this is all the help you get with positioning the appliqué ........ a rather poor photocopy!

 

the flowers and leaves bonded in place and the vine pinned, ready to sew

 

I know you think that we live on a diet of cakes and scones, but we do eat healthy food sometimes!  Tonight we had spiralised courgettes with dinner!

A lot of walking!

We went for a walk on the beach on Thursday afternoon, and as always the camera went too.  Nature is slowly reclaiming this tree root, which was left on the beach after the winter storms

 

 

it wasn't me!  Someone else had built a little stone stack

 

this daft dog dug a hole and buried his ball

 

then dug it up again.  I caught him just as he leapt out of the hole

 

I read a bit in the paper at the start of the school holidays about how many hundreds of pounds parents might spend to entertain their children.  Well, here is something to do that is good fun ...... and it's FREE!  Let them loose on the beach to see what objects they can find, then get them to take photos

 

and can they find objects that look like strange animals

 

with pointed noses

 

and funny eyes ....... ok, perhaps I am easily entertained, but I had fun!

 

this sandbar was formed after the winter storms, and it is slowly getting bigger

 

I think I find another interesting bit of old groyne every time we walk on the beach

 

and we have to have a rusty bolt!

 

do you recognise this logo?

 

it is on this enormous Goodyear tyre

 

a welcome end to an enjoyable afternoon

 

then on Friday, we walked over to town.  These swans were down on the riverside at the start of the old bridge

 

with their friend the goose, who was keeping an eye on me

 

as we walked on over the bridge, this RIB appeared, and we watched in astonishment as one of the crew jumped overboard

 

the boat circled round him

 

then he was left to haul himself back on board.  But when it was turned this way we could see it was a fire and rescue boat, so we guessed that it was a training exercise

 

after we had enjoyed our cuppa and tarts, we walked on through the town, past the railway station, and then down through the park to the river.  If you look to the left of the bench, you will see a very large rabbit sitting on the grass

 

part of the Castle ruins

 

and another part of the ruins - I really just took these two photos to show off the beautiful blue sky!

 

Captain Donald, setting off on a voyage of discovery?

 

the train gives the scale of the railway bridge, and you can see how it dwarfs the other two bridges

 

This pretty flower is  called  scabious.   According to my wildflower book, it was used to cure skin complaints, in particular scabies, hence the name.  It was also used to treat coughs, lung complaints and dandruff!!

 

having walked past the railway bridge, there was a good view of the old bridge through the new bridge

 

and turning round, a good view of the railway bridge, complete with its reflection in the river

 

as we walked back over the old bridge, we saw some men getting ready to put out their fishing net

 

knowing that this method of fishing has been going on for many, many years, I switched to B&W - it looks just like the old photos you see of the fishermen

 

on Saturday, we went for another walk on the beach ........ and I found a little wooden fish in the sand!

 

a rather rusty fishing boat, heading into the dock

 

the tide was in, so we couldn't walk along to the other stretch of the beach

 

we had to beat a hasty retreat to the car when there was a short sharp shower!

 

but then the sun came back out, and we were able to complete our walk.  Sometimes when you pick up a piece of china, you hold your breath ......

 

....... as you turn it over to see if it has a pattern on the other side

 

the bow wave in the middle of the photo is from a rather weird boat ........ the bottom was like a speed boat, but with a wheelhouse like a fishing boat.  It was going at a tremendous speed - scary stuff!

 

to finish - I did my nails on Saturday ...... and for fun I painted one silver!

 

Sewing, knitting ..... and cakes!!

On Tuesday I finished tacking the hexies to the wadding, so that I could then trim the excess wadding off.  I found that it is easier to do it that way, rather than cut out hexies from wadding and try to line them up accurately with the fabric hexies.  On the right are the bigger hexies for the backing

 

I put the first hexie sandwich on my revolving cutting mat, and lined up the ruler for the first cut

 

then I just kept turning the mat to do the next cut

 

by the end of the afternoon, I had made a good start to all the trimming.  The offcuts of wadding can be used to stuff something

 

on Wednesday afternoon I finished the trimming

 

then paired each trimmed sandwich with a backing hexie

 

as you can see, there are twice as many fabric hexies as stitchery ones.  The next stage is to fold and pin the backing hexies in the same way that they are on the stitchery ones, and quilt them

 

having done that, I was sitting looking at the various kits and projects in this storage unit, thinking perhaps I could stitch up a quick one

 

I picked this kit to make a cushion, which I bought in 2000 in Christchurch (that's the one in New Zealand, not the one in England!)

 

I sorted out and labelled the various fabrics (and found there was an extra piece!)

 

the instructions said to put together a strip of tan fabric and a strip of blue fabric and cross cut squares.  Then, the instructions said cut the squares in half on the diagonal, and stitch the diagonal to make squares.  No,no,no!  Those diagonal edges are bias edges, and the first thing they do is stretch!  Before, I would have drawn a diagonal line, then stitched om either side with a ¼" seam, but I recently discovered this ruler.  You line up the centre line on the ruler with the diagonal, the mark the line on either side - it is supposed to be much more accurate

 

but by the time I had marked all the lines, it was dinner time, so you will have to wait until next week to see how the squares turn out

 

we came over to the flat yesterday, and I brought my hexie wallhanging to work on.  The photo doesn't show the true colours, which are much deeper.  I have been working on it on and off for quite a few years.  The original plan was just to stitch all the hexies together on the diagonal, but I got a bit bored, so headed off in the opposite direction, then later on reversed the direction again

 

these are all the hexies that are left, so I shall stick in and get it finished

 

now for the knitting.  I have finished the two snoods.  First the cabled one

 

and second the moss stitch one

 

we had a walk over to town this afternoon, and popped into Miele Patisserie for a cuppa ........

 

......... and cakes.  A lovely sharp tarte au citron

 

and a delicious sweet fruit tart

 

as we strolled on round the town after our cuppa, I had to stop to take a photo of the church spire against the wonderful blue sky

 

and this was the sky over the town at sunset last night

 

we were on the beach yesterday, and I have lots of photos from that, then I have lots more from our walk round the town this afternoon.  I shall have to get them all sorted out for Monday's post!  The forecast for the weekend is sunshine and showers, but hopefully we will get out and about between the showers.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

A peaceful day!

After all the drama of Tuesday morning, I was quite happy to have some peace and quiet yesterday!  We had a little jaunt to Lauder, where we went for lunch in The Flat Cat.  Perusing the menu, I saw that there was a cheese baguette, but it came with tomato pickle (don't like it).  Then there was one with ham, but it came with wholegrain mustard (don't like it).  So I asked very nicely if I could have ham and cheese......... it did come with a little pot of tomato pickle, which didn't taste too much of tomato!  And the beautifully presented salad must have counted as two of my 5-a-day

 

after lunch we had a stroll round the village - I don't think this bike has been ridden for a while!

 

Malcolm suggested a walk round the churchyard

 

I couldn't decide which was the better of these two photos of the church ........

 

........ so I have included both of them

 

there are all sorts of old gravestones, from small ones almost lost in the grass

 

to vast family plots

 

Malcolm drew my attention to this one ........

 

......... as it mentions Geelong in Australia, which we have visited - perhaps we may have encountered their descendants?

 

I've mentioned before that I think it is sad that a lot of gravestones are gradually being worn away

 

this one is now badly eroded

 

however this one is still clearly legible

 

after our walk round the churchyard, I may have popped into this little shop

 

and I may have come home with this super-cute owl scarf

 

I'll be back tomorrow with lots of sewing - and a bit of knitting!!

The incident of the logs

Yesterday morning, I pottered about doing various domestic duties.  I hung out the washing (no, you are not going to see a photo of my smalls!) and chopped up some strawberries and cherries, adding some soft brown sugar and a splash of fresh orange juice

 

a quick zap in the microwave, and I had a lovely saucy, fruity base for puddings

 

Malcolm headed out for the morning, and I went for a much later than usual shower.  I had just got dressed and was drying my hair when the phone rang.  It was a delivery driver, asking for directions to the house, as he had a load of logs for Malcolm.  Having told him how to find us (we live in the middle of nowhere on a road that doesn't have a name!), I went out to the front garden to wait for him.  I took the camera with me, and took some photos while I waited. 

The birds haven't eaten all the cherries yet

 

these are little fuchsias that I bought last year for the old sink - I didn't expect them to survive the wimter

 

horses in the field across the road

 

I heard the lorry before I saw it, as it chugged up the hill

 

the pallet of logs, with the trolley jack ready to raise it so it can be wheeled .......

 

........ on to the platform to be lowered to the road

 

and that's where it all went a bit Pete Tong!  Having got the pallet off the lorry, the driver attempted to push it up the drive, but it was too heavy.  So he started to manoeuvre it to the side of the drive ........ and the pallet tipped over, spilling logs all over the road!  (I know you are wondering why the next photos shows a cyclist, I'll tell you shortly).  Being a helpful person, I rushed off to the garage to fetch the wheelbarrow, but Malcolm has it hanging from a chain, and it was too heavy for me to lift down.  When I went back to the lorry, the poor driver was on the phone to his boss explaining that there had been a bit of an accident!  We set about lifting all the spilled logs and stacking them on the drive.  Quite a few of the neighbours drove past - they had to slow down and drive partly on the verge to get past the lorry.  Some stopped to express their sympathy, others glared at me ........ and Marion, who breeds the Jacob's sheep, stopped for a blether, as she hadn't seen me for a while.  This really enraged one of the neighbours, who had already gone past with a sour look, and was then, on her way back, held up for about an extra 30 seconds as Marion reversed out of her way!  Eventually, the logs were shifted and the driver went on his way.  I retrieved the camera and went to step into the road to take a photo ........ and had to jump back as the cyclist whizzed past!

 

fortunately, the driver had managed to right the pallet before he left, and I swept all the debris off the road, in case the crabbit neighbours wanted to complain about that as well  (the one who had a face on her that would have soured milk has obviously forgotten that when they built their house last year, we were inconvenienced on countless occasions as huge lorries delivered their building supplies!)

 

the pile of logs which we had to shift off the road

 

of course Malcolm didn't arrive home until after all the commotion, and was able to spend a leisurely afternoon stacking the logs in the woodstore

Saving the best till last

There were notices put up at the show that photos could only be taken for personal use, and were not to be put on the internet ........ but I asked some of my quilting buddies for specific permission to share their quilts with you.  First, we have the little quilt that Margaret and I made

 

then my Autumn Breeze

 

you can just see the two baby quilts, which were draped over a radiator, and on the windowsill are the Thistle Stitching kits which several members made after I did a little workshop with the group.  The two lying open at the front are mine

 

my cute little Japanese bag

 

a pair of my nursery cushions in the bag and cushion raffle

 

this is Maureen's whimsical Christmas wallhanging

 

and this is her row-by-row quilt

 

this bright and cheery row-by-row is by Sandra H.

 

I love the way that Tricia has offset her blocks in this stunning applique quilt (and that's my last quilt below it, draped over another radiator)

 

Doreen's exquisite Dresden Plate quilt was much admired (and I was tempted to steal it, as it matches the table runners I made recently for the flat!)

 

and now for the star of the show!  A stunning applique quilt in beautiful Japanese fabrics, made by Barbara, was the clear winner as Viewers' Choice.  Well done Barbara!!

 

and to finish - some of weeks ago, Malcolm and I were invited to a financial seminar by The Newcastle Building Society, followed by a buffet lunch.  But it was on the day that I had to stay in for the telephone engineer (remember, the one who never arrived).  So, Malcolm went on his own ........ and remained on his own, as all the other people who had accepted the invitation didn't turn up (and didn't have the good manners to get in touch with the organisers to say they couldn't be there after all).  Malcolm did stay and have a chat with the financial advisors, but the lunch was cancelled.  Then, this morning, a hand-addressed envelope arrived for him.  What could it be?  A hand written card apologising for the debacle - and even better, a gift voucher for M&S was enclosed!  Good customer service.

Jumping up and down and squealing!

It was a very, very busy few days ........ but the highlight of the quilt show was meeting the delightful Jenny, of the Two Crafty Brownies (there may have been some jumping up and down, and some squealing, and lots of hugs!).  She was in Eyemouth on holiday with her family, and they came over to Kelso on Friday, to visit the show.  I had just popped outside to eat a bite of lunch when I saw them arrive, so after welcoming them, I finished my lunch while Jenny and her parents (her Mum is an avid quilter) went in to the show.  For some reason her husband and son decided that they would rather be elsewhere.  After they had been round the show (and the traders), I joined them in the coffee bar for a chat.  We were so engrossed that her husband had to phone her to say it was time to go!  We already have plans to meet up in Berwick next time she is up here on holiday ...........

 

Jenny brought me presents!  A lovely little pouch, a sample of the ones that she and the other Crafty Brownie, Lucy, hope to be selling soon in an online shop

 

it is so pretty I had to take a photo of both sides.  Of course I shall let you know when they open the shop!

 

I love the spotty lining, and their label is so cute  (and do you like my nail polish?)

 

I love these jumbo paper clips, with buttons covered in their hand-dyed fabrics - they will be very useful for keeping the pages of patterns in order

 

so, now on to the show!  Malcolm came with me on Thursday, and while he was busy running up and down ladders hanging quilts, I was busy getting the kitchen organised.  This is the view from the kitchen through to the coffee bar, after the tables were laid

 

our lovely member Edith brought in flower arrangements which she had done for every table

 

this was my favourite .......

 

........ so of course I chose it when Edith gave all the committee members an arrangement at the end of the show - here it is on the kitchen table

 

I mentioned earlier that we had traders.  This is Katie of Japan Crafts dressed in a traditional kimono

 

oh dear, I succumbed to some of her beautiful fabrics!

 

it has become a tradition that when Stuart and the gang come down to visit us, they bring a box of donuts

 

I may have eaten this one after lunch today!

 

they also brought me these beautiful flowers (Malcolm got beer!)

 

and best of all, Stuart brought us some of his home-grown potatoes, which we had with dinner last night (venison casserole and a medley of veggies)

 

I'll be back tomorrow with photos of some of the stunning quilts in the show!