frayed at the edge

6&6 in 2018 : January report

Where has January gone?  It only seems 5 minutes since we were celebrating the New Year, and yet here we are at the end of the month!  The first of my 6 new projects is a wallhanging using the Liberty fabrics which Malcolm bought for me last year.  The first stage was to cut out lots (and lots) of leaves, in two sizes

 

after cutting the leaves, I cut miles of black bias strips, which have fusible web on the back.  They are sitting on the background fabric, which doesn't show up well in the photo

 

making a start to the stems

 

adding the second stems

 

I put a little bit of fabric glue at each end of the leaves

 

then stuck them in place

 

all the leaves in place

 

I had to cut more bias strips

 

then started outlining the leaves

 

the first stems done

 

I had hoped to finish the outlining for this report, but other things got in the way! I love this so much, every time I put it back on the design wall, I do a Happy Dance!!  I still have dozens of flowers left, so I am thinking of adding a border with a meandering vine

 

to see what everyone else has been doing,  pop over to Meredithe's blog , read her report, then scroll down to the linky thing (as always, thank you so much to Meredithe for doing the technical stuff which is beyond my skills!!)  

A special day!

 On Saturday morning, Malcolm's sister Jennifer arrived at the house, parked her car in the drive, then the three of us set off north.  Once over the Border, we stopped at The Flat Cat Gallery in Lauder for some lunch (if you are wondering about the name, a flat cat is a kind of rug).

 

I had a tuna mayo baguette (I gave Malcolm the olives, as I don't like them)

 

Malcolm had roast beef

 

and I haven't quite got Jennifer trained, as she had moved her smoked salmon baguette before I could take the photo!

 

after a further drive, we arrived at our destination Glenbervie House Hotel (sorry about the quality of the photo, but I found it on the internet - the weather was horrid, and it was a quick dash from the car indoors without stopping for photos)

 

 

inside the hotel, we found this lovely function room

 

and when we came downstairs after donning our finery, we found these two handsome men in their kilts  ........ yes, we were there for Stuart and Alison's wedding reception!

 

the happy couple, waiting to make their grand entrance

 

the evening got underway with the traditional cutting of the cake, which was done with a grand flourish

 

a decidedly untraditional cake - but if you are Scottish, you will have grown up eating Tunnock's teacakes, caramel wafers and snowballs!

 

but what is this ...... a second cake?!  One of Alison's colleagues made this magnificent creation for them

 

Stuart was somewhat nervous making his speech

 

then it was time for the First Dance

 

Malcolm really doesn't like having his photo taken, so he looks a bit serious (and he looks just like his Dad!!)

 

brotherly, and sisterly, love

 

the handsome groom and his very proud Mum

 

the beautiful bride and her very proud mother-in-law

 

knowing that you like a handsome man in a kilt, I asked this chap to pose for you

 

he then tried to steal the bride!

 

a small selection of the delicious buffet

 

a weary Malcolm, as we headed up to bed at the end of a fabulous evening 

 

we met up with Stuart and Alison, the best man Fraser and bridesmaid Lynsey, and their friends Paul and Caroline for breakfast.  Jennifer was very ladylike and had eggs benedict

 

while the rest of us tucked into a full Scottish breakfast - this is mine with scrambled eggs.  The others had poached or fried eggs.  Hiding behind the potato scones is a slice of black pudding topped with haggis - what a gourmet breakfast.  And just the thing for a certain groom and best man who may have slight hangovers!!

 

let's finish by embarrassing the happy couple ........ first Stuart, not just dancing, but also singing!

 

and Alison dancing with Stuart's stepsister Claire!

 

I'll be back on Wednesday with my first report for the 6&6 Challenge.

 

Spring in the air!

There was blue sky this morning, and the sun was shining in the windows, making it seem as if spring is on its way.  In the kitchen, the sun was shining on the Christmas cactus, which has just finished flowering, and the kalanchoe, which has been flowering for weeks

 

the jug of daffodils has been brightening the kitchen all week

 

but through in the lounge, the poinsettia is looking rather sad!

 

on the kitchen windowsill, the basil and coriander are growing faster than we can use them!

 

we went up to Alnwick this morning, where the monthly Farmers' Market was on.  There weren't many stalls there today, but as always the jolly chap selling sausages had some very tasty samples for us to try

 

who knew that there were so many flavours of sausages!

 

we came home with three packets (you get a deal for buying three) ........ but they aren't for us.  They are for Malcolm's sister Jennifer, as her two sons are visiting her soon, and they have been know to tuck into a sausage or two!

 

this afternoon, I was able to pop out to the Attic for a play.  I set up the super quilter with a small sample that I made years ago, to have some more practice.  This time I decided to use my big machine.  For my first attempts, I thought it would be easier to use my small machine, but the advantage of using this one is that I don't need to use the foot pedal.  I just have to push the start button and the machine runs at the speed I have set it at.  Malcolm is hoping to fit bigger handles, to make it easier to use the machine

 

getting better, but it is hard to stitch smooth curves

 

of course when we were in Alnwick, we went for a cuppa, choosing The Olive Branch, as we know they have good sconnage

 

we were naughty, and had one of our famous two-scone lunches!  This is an excellent cheese scone, served with some cream cheese and mango chutney.  That may sound a slightly odd combination, but it was very tasty

 

a traditional fruit scone with butter and jam

 

we weren't the only ones enjoying a tasty treat ....... this starling was tucking into fat balls in the garden this morning

 

we have a very special occasion this weekend ......... do come back on Monday for lots of photos!  I hope you have a great weekend, love Anne

Hexies galore!

Just a short post today, as I have had a bit of a cold, and didn't do much on Monday and Tuesday.  However I had recovered enough to go to The Quilt Shop for our usual Wednesday sewing session.  I have been working on some hexie flowers

 

as has Hollie 

 

but as you can see, hers are somewhat smaller than mine!

 

she couldn't decide between two of her hexies flowers for the photos - this is the other one

 

both Hollie and and Ros were fussy cutting hexies from this piece of fabric

 

this is Ros's pile of hexies - they are so delicate and pretty

 

yesterday was the 9th anniversary of starting the blog ....... and I still haven't run out of things to say!  Thank you for reading the blog and leaving comments - I very much appreciate them!

 

Over the Border

 It was bright, if a little bit chilly, on Saturday morning, so we headed up the coast and over the Border to Eyemouth

 

there was the usual assortment of small fishing boats in the harbour

 

and although boats are traditionally referred to as "she" ........

 

....... these two have boys' names

 

if boats can feel the cold, then this one must have been happy to be out of the freezing water and in the boatshed 

 

I wouldn't want to be given the job of untangling these ropes!

 

a nice jumble of old lobster pots and rusty bits

 

 I have no idea what this is for

 

there were lots of gulls about

 

after I took this photo

 

the gull turned round to face the other way, as if to say "this is my better side"!

 

there was a heron at the edge of the water

 

and lots of ducks

 

I remembered my own advice to look up, and spotted this weather vane

 

and a gull in a more familiar pose, with its tail facing me!

 

we just missed this boat being launched

 

I thought they were absolutely mad to be heading out to sea when it was so cold - I assume they must have had survival suits on under their jackets

 

we were a bit chilled by the end of our walk, so headed to this coffee shop

 

as we knew there would be a blazing fire to warm us

 

while we enjoyed our cuppa and a delicious cheese scone

 

back at the flat, there was a great squabble of pigeons fighting over some grain, which was probably spilled from a lorry which loaded the ship on Friday

 

while this swan swam serenely past

 

the light was just starting to fade as this heron landed on the edge of the dock

 

it stood there on one leg for a while

 

before striding over ........

 

....... to peck at the free food

 

yesterday afternoon, I knew it was snowing while I was busy in my Attic

 

but I wasn't prepared for the scene that greeted me when I came downstairs and opened the door!

More of the white stuff!

I know a lot of you in this country are fed up with snow, but these photos are for Meredithe, Ma and the Squealers, who are wilting in the heat in and around Melbourne.  This was the birdbath yesterday morning

 

with a collar of snow round the icy water

 

I think the footprints are probably from a cat, which had carefully walked along the edging between the path and the grass

 

our neighbours' monkey puzzle tree looked good with its dusting of snow

 

while we had rather a lot on the hedge

 

this is yesterday's sunrise

 

with more spectacular colours - the little dots are birds flying past in the distance

 

then this morning we had a very pink sunrise

 

with lots of fluffy clouds

 

we came up to Berwick this morning, stopping in Belford at Sunnyhills

 

where we shared an excellent cheese scone

 

when we got to the flat, there was a ship in the dock, which was sitting very low in the water.  Was it waiting to be unloaded, or had it been loaded and was waiting for high tide to leave?  We would find out later in the afternoon

 

we had a (rather chilly) walk over to town.  When I stopped to take a photo of the Victorian pillar box, I had to include the matching Porsche!

 

these little birds are well camouflaged when they are poking about at the water's edge

 

until you spot their red legs

 

it was very clear, and we could see Bamburgh Castle in the distance

 

I would love to know why this house has two wind-speed meters on its chimney stack

 

do you remember this house, which I christened the "money pit"?  I tried to persuade Malcolm to buy it, so I could turn it into a quilting retreat, but sadly someone else bought it, and has been slowly refurbishing it

 

then there was the "very big money pit", where work has finally started to turn it into apartments

 

and now there is this old building for sale - but the drawback to this one is that there is hardly a straight line or a right angle, as it has subsided over the years!  So I don't think Malcolm will buy this one for me either, which is a disappointment, as it would be wonderful to have you all come to visit (although perhaps not all at the same time!)

 

back at the flat, there was suddenly a flurry of activity in the dock

 

with the swans escaping out into the river

 

before the pilot boat shepherded the ship out of the dock

 

we are just watching the weather forecast on tv, and it is to be dry and bright tomorrow, so we hope to get out and about. If you have weather like ours, wrap and well and stay warm, and if you are melting in the heat in Melbourne, stay cool and drink lots!!  Love, Anne

Two very different mornings!

Yesterday there was a stunning sunrise

 

with all sorts of colours in the sky

 

which changed from minute to minute

 

then this morning, we were greeted with ....... snow!

 

 we were fortunate that we only had about two inches, but other areas of the country have been badly hit, with drivers being advised to stay off the roads tonight

 

I bought two little pots of narcissi on Monday - the label said they were for indoors or outdoors.  If they could talk I am sure they would be shouting at me to bring them in out of the snow!

 

and so on to the baby quilt.  I found this delightful farmyard fabric and fleece in my stash

 

as the Super Quilter is on my two worktables, I ended up crawling about the floor to layer up the quilt

 

yes, I used my favourite lazy big meander to quilt it

 

which you can see more clearly on the back

 

after my knees complained loud and long after all the kneeling pinning the quilt, when I was shopping on Monday, I invested in a folding table.  It is long enough to place two cutting mats end-to-end, making it easier to trim the quilt ready to add the binding.  When I don't need it, it will fold in half, and be tucked away in a corner

 

I added a spotty binding, which I am in the middle of hand-stitching to the back of the quilt.  I should have it finished to share with you on Friday

 

I'm supposed to be meeting a friend for lunch tomorrow - but this is the overnight forecast!

 

 

Another Sunday, another beach

 Yesterday morning we went for a slightly chilly walk on the beach at Alnmouth.  Although it was two degrees, the wind made it feel much colder.  However this little dog was happy running about the beach

 

we had only been on the beach for a few minutes when I made my first find, a big piece of seaglass

 

what's that, you want to see my blue nails?  Slightly embarrassing, as the polish is s bit chipped

 

the winter storms have exposed these concrete blocks, leaving a foot of sand covered in grass on top of them

 

further along the beach, someone has been having fun - a bit bigger than the stone stacks that I sometimes build on the beach!

 

Malcolm spotted this tiny piece of china (by that time I had put my gloves on, as my hands were so cold!)

 

this photo makes it look as if the beach was deserted

 

but zooming out shows that there were lots of people about - mainly dog walkers

 

of course I had to stop to take photos of the weathered groynes ........

 

........ with their lovely bits of rusty metal

 

the cold weather wasn't deterring the golfers, who were queueing up to play

 

it must have been even colder up on top of the cliff

 

the first piece of litter that we picked up - by the end of our walk we had filled a carrier bag

 

but we left this buoy behind - it was full of sand and wasn't going anywhere

 

as we walked back to the car, I noticed these bottles sitting in front of an old garden door.  Is it a work of art ......... or littering and vandalism!

 

we went to the Old School Gallery for a cuppa

 

where fortunately they let Malcolm in the door, despite it being the Entrance for Girls

 

it was only when I was looking at this photo on my laptop that I noticed that the name is spelled wrongly in the website address!

 

we had a very welcome cuppa to warm us up, and shared a delicious slice of lime polenta cake

 

another of Stuart's friends has become a Dad - which of course means I am making a quilt!  Come back on Wednesday to see it.

 

A tale of three scones

 If you are being good and eating healthily, you might want to scroll down past the next four photos, and not torment yourself with so much delicious sconnage!  I got to eat all of this first scone, as I was on my own shopping in Alnwick on Monday, and popped in for a cuppa

 

then we shared this one yesterday, on our way up to Kelso (I was going to the hairdresser to have my gorgeous blondeness restored!)  I do like places that give us two plates when we are sharing

 

and isn't the vintage china lovely

 

after my hairdressing appointment, we went to Berwick, where we shared this really tasty cheese and red onion scone - and it was still warm from the oven!

 

this is my hairdresser Melissa's dog Jake

 

she was a bit worried about him, as he hasn't been eating well ....... he was looking very sorry for himself

 

this lorry was parked on the dockside this morning

 

you can see from the map (found on the internet) that it is a long way from home - 318 miles to be exact

 

 

unlike our last visit, when it was very windy, the sea was calm, as you can see from the reflection of the pilot boat

 

when we got home this afternoon, I nipped out to The Attic for a quick play on the Super Quilter.  My leaves might be random shapes, but my control of the speed and movement of the machine is getting better ......

 

........ although the leaf on the right started out on its top edge as a holly leaf, then went a bit awry on the bottom edge!

 

a little sneak peak of my new project for this month's 6&6 challenge

 

the forecast for Sunday isn't too bad, so hopefully we will get out for a walk.  I hope you have a good weekend, love Anne

 

 

A new skill

Just before Christmas, the lovely Lucie gave me her Super Quilter, which she no longer used now that she has her longarm machine.  Fortunately she had the full instructions for setting up the frame.  At the weekend Malcolm did the technical bit, assembling the frame and clamping it to the tables

 

my sewing machine sits on the platform which runs back and forward and from side to side on the platform

 

then yesterday I loaded it up with backing fabric, wadding and a piece of red fabric to practise on - I thought I ought to familiarise myself with the workings before I attempted to quilt a proper quilt top

 

it is a somewhat odd way of working, as you are standing up, which makes it slightly awkward using the foot pedal.  At first I didn't have the machine running fast enough, resulting in large stitches

 

but with a bit of concentration on keeping the speed up, my stitching improved

 

oops, some big stitches crept in again, and that little jump in the line is where I stopped, and didn't manage to keep the machine stationary until the needle went down

 

I think I am going to have fun using the Super Quilter - thank you so much Lucie for giving it to me!

 

as usual for a Wednesday, I spent the day at The Quilt Shop.  I took my sewing in my new tin, which Malcolm bought for me yesterday

 

he didn't see the back of the tin because of the packaging  - everyone who saw the tin today had a good laugh when they saw the back!

 

I had taken some hexies with me to stitch

 

my hexies, on the left, are somewhat bigger than Sonia's!

 

at this time of year a lot of us are trying to eat healthily, and perhaps shed a few pounds, so I thought I would remind you of my advice.  First, you have to make sure you have 5 portions of fruit and veg each day.  Here are some helpful suggestions

blueberry muffin

carrot cake

raspberry pavlova

beetroot and chocolate cake

apple pie

strawberry cheesecake

lemon meringue pie

all washed down with a glass of wine, as it is, of course, made with grapes

 

when it comes to counting calories, remember

there are no calories in broken biscuits, as the calories fall out

there are no calories in a piece of chocolate given to you by a friend, as they are her calories

there are no calories in healthy foods (refer to the first list!)

 

disclaimer : the above advice has not been clinically tested and should not be taken seriously!!