frayed at the edge

I've got a little list .......

....... but unfortunately it's little as I only had time to sort out a small amount of projects to put on it, before Maureen and Katy arrived to spend the day in the studio, as there was no patch'n'chat today (oops, we were so busy blethering working that I forgot to take photos of what we were busy with!)

 

So, the list.  I started with this set of shelves .......

 

...... it might not look as if there is much there - but that's because you can't see what is hiding behind the quilt

 

......so what did I unearth from the boxes?  I am embarrassed to say that you probably saw some of these things on last year's list (and possibly the year before - oh dear!)  I'll start with the to-be-quilted items.  The first two quilt tops are the same pattern.  I had shown various groups how to make the quilt and these two were eventually completed from all the samples from the workshops

 

I started this Hawaiian wallhanging several years ago, then last year I added the borders 

 

I was given these blocks when I left Greenpark Quilters when we moved here (six years ago).  Having pieced the quilt, I had made a start to marking out the quilting patterns on the sashing and borders, so I will have to finish the marking before I can quilt it

 

I made these snail trail blocks some years ago.  I will have to add a border before I quilt it

 

this was made at a workshop, using half square triangles in light and dark fabric.  The piecing is dreadful, but the different parts of the pattern will lend themselves well to practising fmq

 

this was made from a charm pack, so every square is different.  I think the original intention was to applique big flowers, but again I think I'll use it to try out fmq patterns

 

 

this next little project has already featured twice on the blog - way, way back when I did it for a friend who wanted to learn to quilt, then again some time ago when I used to do Tuesday Tutorials.  It's a quick and easy way to make patchwork blocks, and only needs basic sewing skills - you can see the tutorial here

 

I bought this little kit when we had our first holiday in Melbourne in 2005.  It needs borders, then I might make it into a cushion or a bag

 

this was made as a teaching piece for beginners, and I have already done quite a bit of quilting on it

 

this block was made at a workshop the first time I went to Houston.  It is supposed to be based on the work of the artist Hundertwasser.  I need to cut back more of the black fabric to reveal the different coloured layers below, then finish the quilting in the outer border

 

so that's just what was lurking behind the quilt - I have lots of kits to make, lots of patterns to do ...... I will have a hard job deciding what will go on the MUST BE DONE list, and the MIGHT BE DONE list!!

 

I have been sewing over the last two weeks.  I have quilted the Linus quilt, so it just needs binding

 

and started work on the next project for Anne

 

here is a reminder about why you shouldn't stitch over pins (oops!!)

 

the Christmas decorations will all be packed away tomorrow  (oh, dear, the house will look bare), then the rest of the weekend will spent sewing (apart of course from our Sunday morning walk).  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, love Anne

ps - I nearly forgot, Maureen took this wonderful photo at the John Deere tractor dealers in Jedburgh.  Having seen the tractor when she didn't have her camera with her, she went back the next day to take the photo, as she knew it would appeal to Katy and me!!

It was our Christmas lunch at Borderland Fabrics yesterday.  We all took food to share - I managed to take a photo before it was all scoffed!

 

we had crackers to pull ...... and of course there were groans as the awful jokes were read out

 

Margaret T had made beautiful table decorations with holly and candles

 

Anne S had baked a non-traditional Christmas cake using a family recipe and Cathy had made a white chocolate cheesecake ...... you can just see a slice of it in the background.  The cake was much lighter than the traditional heavy fruit Christmas cake, so I had room for a slice after all the savoury delights - but I didn't have the cheesecake as I really don't like white chocolate!

 

I took this photo of Katy showing off the quilt she has made for her gorgeous grandson Aaron's Christmas  ...... it was only when I looked at the photo on the laptop that I realised that she was still wearing her silly hat (if you can't see what it is ..... well, it's a turkey!)

 

Maureen had finished stitching her Christmas wallhanging, but doesn't think she'll manage to quilt it before Tuesday (slightly confusing view, as Cathy pinned it to another quilt to show it off)

 

all too soon it was time to head home, but I had only been in the house about ten minutes when Stuart and Alison arrived for an early Christmas celebration (they are spending Christmas day with Alison's family).  I had laid the table in the morning ........

 

....... then we were so busy having dinner, opening presents and having fun that I didn't take any more photos!!

 

So that's it for this year - all that remains is to thank you for visiting and commenting, and to wish you

a very happy Christmas

and

a wonderful New Year

Last night we watched a Christmas cookery programme with the amazing Mary Berry and the luscious Paul Hollywood (although I would prefer him without the beard!).  The best bit was when Mary said that you should bake your Christmas cake three weeks before Christmas ....... and that's exactly when I did mine.  After all the "what, you haven't baked your cake yet" remarks, it was good to know that I had got it right!

On our way out for a spot of lunch, we stopped in Jedburgh to buy the newspapers.  I forgot to tell you that Malcolm had sold one of his driftwood trees to the owner of a small art/craft gallery in Jedburgh.  She wanted the tree to display jewellery in the shop window, so we had a little peak to see if it was there - Malcolm was delighted to see that it was.  Not the best of photos, as it was hard to get an angle that didn't have reflections

 

we then headed to Woodside Garden Centre, where I had a delicious bowl of celeriac and pear soup .....

 

........ and Malcolm had parsnip and ginger - equally delicious!

 

I was intriqued by this compost ....... but not enough to put my hand in an open bag and feel it

 

we were rather taken with this planter ........

 

....... even more so when we then saw this one planted up, but at £125, it would be a major investment for the garden (although it does come with a ten-year guarantee)

 

and now for the sewing update.  The Needle Nookie is finished (except for a little button on the back)  The strips aren't squinty, it's just the angle of the photo!

 

I got buttons for the clamshell sewing keep.  They are bigger than those on the pattern, but I just liked them so much I had to have them

 

the pattern says to stitch two felt hearts on the inside of the flap, but I am reluctant to do that, as the stitching would spoil the appearance of the quilting on the right side.  I could perhaps just anchor them at the top and bottom - I shall have to discuss it with Anne.  I did notice that the one shown on the pattern doesn't have hearts on it!

 

what is it about robins that makes them so appealing?

 

I think this sparrow is practising to become a model - just look at the way he is looking over his shoulder!

 

whereas this blue tit is obviously channeling Greta Garbo "I just want to be left alone"

It has beeen such a busy week that I have several photos that haven't yet made it into the blog, so I shall share with you now.  But first (fingers crossed!) the troublesome photo from yesterday ....... and I remembered another little snippet about the wallhanging.  I had asked the members to bring their wallhangings in and I would award a prize to the best one.  One of the members, who was by far the most experienced quilter in the group, informed me that she had changed my pattern, to make it better.  She was most miffed that she didn't win ...... but she didn't make the wallhanging as set out in the pattern, so as far as I was concerned that disqualified her (never mind her tactless remark that her version was better!)

 

earlier in the week, I looked out the kitchen window and saw that there were lots of sheep in the field across the road.  Several of them were lying round a feeder, which looked as if it had a bale of haylage in it.  I fetched the camera, went to take a photo ....... and discovered that two horses were spoiling the shot!

 

however I was able to take a photo of the sheep the following day .......

 

........ as well as photos of the frosty, foggy scenery

 

this horse is a toughie - all the others have blankets on

 

and of course this sheep has a warm woolly coat!

 

I was delighted recently to read on Kate's blog that she has published a book of Shetland knitting patterns.  For those of you who don't know of Kate, a brief history ....... Kate was a highly successful academic when she was struck down in her mid 30s by a devastating stroke.  She has battled through the aftermath of the stroke to regain her health, but sadly had to give up her beloved academic career.  However, she is also an incredibly talented knitwear designer (she also designed the fabulous teacosies that I knitted recently), and is now forging a successful second career. 

 

even if you don't knit, you could buy the book just to drink in Kate's photos of the stunning scenery ....... and you will definitely love the chapter about puffins!

 

when I bought the first issue of Homemaker magazine, I loved it so much I promtly took out a subscription, and was delighted when issue two arrived earlier in the week

 

there are lots of yummy things

 

a free gift .....

 

...... with patterns, recipes, and delicious papers

 

it's Friday, so of course that means cake.  Today we had Annette's wonderful fruit cake

 

and to finish .....I saw this robin this morning and rushed to get the camera ....... amazingly, he was still there when I ran back to the window to snap him!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend - it looks as if we will be having a soggy one!!  Love, Anne

Oh dear, yesterday's weather was rather bad ...... freezing cold first thing, then snow, then freezing again!  Only the lovely Katy and her friend Ailsa were brave enough to venture out during the day, to come and do some shopping....

 

 and have mulled wine (sorry forgot to take a photo of that) and delicious nibbles for lunch

 

at least the evening visitors didn't have far to come ....... all the way from next door!  Jackie (owner of the gorgeous shoe shop in Hawick) and her Mum joined me in sipping yet more mulled wine, then Malcolm and Jackie's husband David joined us for a glass of white wine and nibbles (I don't think I'll get on the scales for a few days!!)  Both Jackie and her Mum bought one of Malcolm's driftwood trees - he had made another four, and I had promptly spirited one away, to make sure that I got one!!  There was a great deal of debate about which one Jackie's Mum would have ....... she told Jackie in no uncertain terms that she was having first pick, then Jackie could choose between the remaining two!!

 

this year I remembered to take photos of the Christmas wallhangings in the studio, before I blu-tacked them to the hall doors ...... it was difficult last year to take decent photos of them once they were on the doors!

 

there is a little story attached to this last little wallhanging ....... I designed it many years ago, when I was Chairman of Stirling Castle Quilters.  It was a "mystery" wallhanging, the members being given the instructions over several meetings.  There was an amusing moment, when one of the members asked to see my completed one, so she knew what it looked like ....... no, the whole point of a mystery quilt is that you don't know what the finished one looks like.  Another of the members was a prison officer at Scotland's only female prison.  She taught the inmates to sew (they made bedding for the prison) and decided that the mystery wallhhanging would be a good teaching aid.  One of the inmates disagreed with this, but by the time I deleted all the expletives from her objection, what was left of the sentence isn't worth sharing!!  Then some years ago a friend borrowed the little wallhanging to put it in an exhibition.  It came back minus the beads and reindeer bells which hung from the prairie points at the bottom, and I have never got round to replacing them

 

oh bother ....... after several attempts, I still can't get the photo to upload, so I'll try again tomorrow!!

I love Christmas!  True, I don't like seeing the shops full of Christmas stuff from September ....... but once we get into December, then I am a happy Christmas girl.  One of the best bits is putting up the tree and decorations, so on Saturday Malcolm was sent into the freezing cold loft (good, all the extra insulation we added last winter is doing its job) to find the Christmas boxes

 

I started in the dining room.  The first job didn't take long, turning the table from everyday mode .......

 

....... to Christmas mode

 

I love this display on the windowsill, but Malcolm gets annoyed when bits of the confetti end up on the floor!

 

remember my tiny bottles .... I saw this idea for putting honesty in them in a magazine, so promptly snipped some bits of honesty from a display in a large vase in the dining room

 

in the front lounge, the ivy is still trying to swallow up the candlestick behind it

 

I added the sparkly little tree that I had bought for my Dad when he no longer wanted to have a proper Christmas tree

 

I love my garland of tiny mittens which I knitted last year (don't worry, it's not a real fire!)

 

these candles are only about an inch high.  We got them free many, many years ago, with Baby Bel cheese!

 

these rather stern looking figures were bought in Indonesia

 

then it was through to thhe back lounge for the serious stuff.  As usual, the gnome brothers and sisters squabbled over which cushions and stocking they would have on the chairs.  I had to remind them that Santa only brings presents to good little gnomes!

 

checking that the lights are working

 

putting the lights in place ......

 

...... then adding rather a lot of baubles.  Never mind less is more - for me, the more the better!

 

I have still to bring in the little patchwork hangings from the studio, to decorate the hall - I hope to get that done tomorrow.  In between all the decorating, I found time to nip through to the back bedroom to take more photos of my wonderful quilt (when I was talking to Stuart on the phone this evening, I said it had been quilted by "Kay, the longarm quilter"  he started laughing, saying that made her sound like a mutant!!)

 

the quilting is all fmq - Kay is just so talented!  And the quilt looks just as good on the back

 

We went for a walk yesterday morning.  I'll save the scenic photos for tomorrow, but I'll share the scones we had for lunch with you.  As always we had half each, of the bacon and brie (main course) and fruit (dessert) ....... don't worry, I didn't put jam on the savoury one!!

 

and to finish ...... this young man was just ahead of me leaving Sainsbury's this morning.  I just had time to get the camera out and snap him before he got in his car.  I know it was slightly warmer today (5 degrees C), but not really warm enough for shorts and t-shirt!!

I had to take on a new photography apprentice, Katy, this afternoon, to take a photo of Kay handing over my quilt to me ........ the quilt top was given to me by the lovely Helen, when I met her in Melbourne

 

the quilting is fabulous ..... but you will have to wait until Monday to see it in detail, when I get the chance to take photos in good light.  Of course I knew it would be fabulous, as Kay is this year's Scottish Champion

 

there was great excitement this morning when a nuthatch appeared on the bird table.  I got somewhat exasperated as it kept flying off before I could get it in focus, but eventually I managed to get a couple of photos

 

a flash of red in the hawthorn tree caught my eye - the robin's breast is much brighter at this time of year

 

when I was in the hall cupboard yesterday, I noticed a box tucked away under the bottom shelf.  I discovered that it contained a whole lot of glasses with the remains of scented candles.  I cleaned them out and popped them in the dishwasher (along with the day's dishes, not just on their own) ....... so now I have fifteen sparkly clean glasses - I just have to decide what to do with them!

 

oh yum, yum, yum ...... our favourite apple and sultana cake

 

I shall be doing something very special tomorrow afternoon ...... but you will have to wait until Monday to find out what!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, love Anne

As I have quite a lot of stuff left from Saturday's fair, I have decided to have my own fair!!  I am inviting everyone I know in the area, and as an added inducement we will be having mulled wine and nibbles.  If only you all lived close enough to come along next Wednesday night ...... but perhaps it's just as well you can't all come, as it would be a bit of a squash to fit you all in the studio!  On Saturday I was limited as to what I could sell, as I only had half a table, but as I will have lots of room next week, I had a look through my stash to see what else I could make.  I found some large notebooks that I bought when Woolworths closed down - so I have had them for several years!  I had a trial run yesterday to make a much simpler cover than I usually make, then today I delved into my stash of curtain samples

 

having made the sample in a dark fabric, I picked out cream/beige fabrics for the others, so that I wouldn't have to change the thread in the machine.  By the end of this afternoon, all the books were covered

 

I can no longer deny that it is getting near Christmas ...... and I certainly can't forget how long it is to go, now that these two little elves have appeared in the kitchen

 

it has been miserable today ...... snowing when we got up this morning, then turning to heavy rain for the rest of the day.  But at least it has got a lot milder, although I still needed the log burner to keep warm in the studio

 

I took these bird photos on Tuesday

 

there is always one bird that flies off just as I snap - this time it was a blue tit.  You can just make out the outline of its wings

 

today's prompt for#reverb12 is

Compare the “you” from the beginning of 2012 to the “you” that you are now. What new skills or talents have you learned or discovered this year?

the big difference between how I was at the start of the year, and how I am now, is that I have learned that there is a big difference between a fear and a phobia.  I have a fear of heights, and especially heights over water, but it isn't a phobia that prevents me from doing things such as walking over Sydney Harbour Bridge in September.  Yes, my heart was racing, and yes, I was hyperventilating, but I was determined to do it ....... and this was my reward

 

I have also realised recently that although I have always said that I don't like enclosed spaces, I am actually not bothered by small places like toilet cubicles, but I couldn't crawl through a small tunnel.  It is lack of height, rather than width that bothers me (I can't watch potholers on tv), so when I was recently stuck in the lift, I could cope because of the design of the lift.  It didn't have a roof, and I could see up to the next floor of the building.  OK, any excuse for handsome men ...... remember the hunks who rescued us

So did you guess which quilt the snazzy fabric was for?  Yes, it's for the black, white and red one for Linus.  Here it is all layered up, ready to quilt ..... I just have to decide how to quilt it!

 

I want to add a border to the other Linus top, but I can't decide between green .....

 

....... and pinkish red (or is it reddish pink?).  Malcolm prefers the green, while I prefer the pinkish red ...... what do you think?

I stitched together the three strips which form the pockets on the Needle Nookie, and marked the stitching lines

 

then wrote the needle names lightly in pencil, ready to embroider over.  Anne will be using the Needle Nookie when she has finished displaying it as a shop sample, so I am embroidering the pockets with her choice of needles.  Her favourite needles for applique are Bohin (you will have to scroll quite far down to see the needles)

 

at the end of November, I was invited by Kat to join in her project for December #reverb12 (she also hosted Blogtoberfest).  Each day she has a prompt on her blog for participants to feature on their blogs ....... and every day so far I have forgotten to do it (sorry Kat!!)  However, I had no problem remembering today's prompt ..... my dream destination in 2012.  I had to think about that for ..... oh, about one second!  Of course it was our fabulous trip to Australia and Singapore, and it's good to have an excuse to share more photos!

no caption needed!

 

enjoying the view

 

who's a pretty boy then?

 

a ginger plant in Singapore Botanic Gardens

 

and who needs an excuse to show you this gorgeous young man again!!

 

This was the view of the back garden early this morning ...... that's quite enough snow, thank you

 

but let's go back to thhe start of the weekend, and of course, the Christmas Fair.  Oh dear, I didn't sell very much, although as I know several other stallholders also had poor sales, I didn't get too upset!  I did get slightly annoyed with a woman who had a good look, then said she was just getting ideas and picking people's brains for things that she could make .........

 

the highlight of the afternoon was the delicious bacon roll that I had for lunch!

 

at the end of the afternoon, I was delighted to be given a gift by the wonderful Maria, who had the table next to me - a set of wine glass charms (in return I gave her one of the toiletries and chocolates set)

 

from my friend Lorraine, I bought her gorgeous marzipan fruits, to decorate the Christmas cake with (I'll be making it tomorrow) ........

 

...... and new to her repertoire, chocolate ginger creams

yesterday, we went to Dryburgh Abbey (we had a voucher to get in free!)  There was a little bit of snow on the ground, which added a little extra something to the photos.  I also had some fun taking some in B&W

 

there were some tricky bits of road to negotiate

 

and beautiful scenery to admire

 

we popped into The Main Street Trading Co for a cuppa and a bite to eat.  We shared a delicious feta and spinach muffin ........

 

....... and a slice of cake, which was drenched in a citrus syrup

 

I love the mugs

 

they have just opened a deli and homeware extension - I wish I could have taken photos of all the wonders for sale!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with a sewing update, but to finish, some birds in the snow

Two parties in one day!

It was our Christmas lunch at Borderland Fabrics yesterday.  We all took food to share - I managed to take a photo before it was all scoffed!

 

we had crackers to pull ...... and of course there were groans as the awful jokes were read out

 

Margaret T had made beautiful table decorations with holly and candles

 

Anne S had baked a non-traditional Christmas cake using a family recipe and Cathy had made a white chocolate cheesecake ...... you can just see a slice of it in the background.  The cake was much lighter than the traditional heavy fruit Christmas cake, so I had room for a slice after all the savoury delights - but I didn't have the cheesecake as I really don't like white chocolate!

 

I took this photo of Katy showing off the quilt she has made for her gorgeous grandson Aaron's Christmas  ...... it was only when I looked at the photo on the laptop that I realised that she was still wearing her silly hat (if you can't see what it is ..... well, it's a turkey!)

 

Maureen had finished stitching her Christmas wallhanging, but doesn't think she'll manage to quilt it before Tuesday (slightly confusing view, as Cathy pinned it to another quilt to show it off)

 

all too soon it was time to head home, but I had only been in the house about ten minutes when Stuart and Alison arrived for an early Christmas celebration (they are spending Christmas day with Alison's family).  I had laid the table in the morning ........

 

....... then we were so busy having dinner, opening presents and having fun that I didn't take any more photos!!

 

So that's it for this year - all that remains is to thank you for visiting and commenting, and to wish you

a very happy Christmas

and

a wonderful New Year

Getting it right!

Last night we watched a Christmas cookery programme with the amazing Mary Berry and the luscious Paul Hollywood (although I would prefer him without the beard!).  The best bit was when Mary said that you should bake your Christmas cake three weeks before Christmas ....... and that's exactly when I did mine.  After all the "what, you haven't baked your cake yet" remarks, it was good to know that I had got it right!

On our way out for a spot of lunch, we stopped in Jedburgh to buy the newspapers.  I forgot to tell you that Malcolm had sold one of his driftwood trees to the owner of a small art/craft gallery in Jedburgh.  She wanted the tree to display jewellery in the shop window, so we had a little peak to see if it was there - Malcolm was delighted to see that it was.  Not the best of photos, as it was hard to get an angle that didn't have reflections

 

we then headed to Woodside Garden Centre, where I had a delicious bowl of celeriac and pear soup .....

 

........ and Malcolm had parsnip and ginger - equally delicious!

 

I was intriqued by this compost ....... but not enough to put my hand in an open bag and feel it

 

we were rather taken with this planter ........

 

....... even more so when we then saw this one planted up, but at £125, it would be a major investment for the garden (although it does come with a ten-year guarantee)

 

and now for the sewing update.  The Needle Nookie is finished (except for a little button on the back)  The strips aren't squinty, it's just the angle of the photo!

 

I got buttons for the clamshell sewing keep.  They are bigger than those on the pattern, but I just liked them so much I had to have them

 

the pattern says to stitch two felt hearts on the inside of the flap, but I am reluctant to do that, as the stitching would spoil the appearance of the quilting on the right side.  I could perhaps just anchor them at the top and bottom - I shall have to discuss it with Anne.  I did notice that the one shown on the pattern doesn't have hearts on it!

 

what is it about robins that makes them so appealing?

 

I think this sparrow is practising to become a model - just look at the way he is looking over his shoulder!

 

whereas this blue tit is obviously channeling Greta Garbo "I just want to be left alone"

Backlog!

It has beeen such a busy week that I have several photos that haven't yet made it into the blog, so I shall share with you now.  But first (fingers crossed!) the troublesome photo from yesterday ....... and I remembered another little snippet about the wallhanging.  I had asked the members to bring their wallhangings in and I would award a prize to the best one.  One of the members, who was by far the most experienced quilter in the group, informed me that she had changed my pattern, to make it better.  She was most miffed that she didn't win ...... but she didn't make the wallhanging as set out in the pattern, so as far as I was concerned that disqualified her (never mind her tactless remark that her version was better!)

 

earlier in the week, I looked out the kitchen window and saw that there were lots of sheep in the field across the road.  Several of them were lying round a feeder, which looked as if it had a bale of haylage in it.  I fetched the camera, went to take a photo ....... and discovered that two horses were spoiling the shot!

 

however I was able to take a photo of the sheep the following day .......

 

........ as well as photos of the frosty, foggy scenery

 

this horse is a toughie - all the others have blankets on

 

and of course this sheep has a warm woolly coat!

 

I was delighted recently to read on Kate's blog that she has published a book of Shetland knitting patterns.  For those of you who don't know of Kate, a brief history ....... Kate was a highly successful academic when she was struck down in her mid 30s by a devastating stroke.  She has battled through the aftermath of the stroke to regain her health, but sadly had to give up her beloved academic career.  However, she is also an incredibly talented knitwear designer (she also designed the fabulous teacosies that I knitted recently), and is now forging a successful second career. 

 

even if you don't knit, you could buy the book just to drink in Kate's photos of the stunning scenery ....... and you will definitely love the chapter about puffins!

 

when I bought the first issue of Homemaker magazine, I loved it so much I promtly took out a subscription, and was delighted when issue two arrived earlier in the week

 

there are lots of yummy things

 

a free gift .....

 

...... with patterns, recipes, and delicious papers

 

it's Friday, so of course that means cake.  Today we had Annette's wonderful fruit cake

 

and to finish .....I saw this robin this morning and rushed to get the camera ....... amazingly, he was still there when I ran back to the window to snap him!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend - it looks as if we will be having a soggy one!!  Love, Anne

Defeated by the weather!

Oh dear, yesterday's weather was rather bad ...... freezing cold first thing, then snow, then freezing again!  Only the lovely Katy and her friend Ailsa were brave enough to venture out during the day, to come and do some shopping....

 

 and have mulled wine (sorry forgot to take a photo of that) and delicious nibbles for lunch

 

at least the evening visitors didn't have far to come ....... all the way from next door!  Jackie (owner of the gorgeous shoe shop in Hawick) and her Mum joined me in sipping yet more mulled wine, then Malcolm and Jackie's husband David joined us for a glass of white wine and nibbles (I don't think I'll get on the scales for a few days!!)  Both Jackie and her Mum bought one of Malcolm's driftwood trees - he had made another four, and I had promptly spirited one away, to make sure that I got one!!  There was a great deal of debate about which one Jackie's Mum would have ....... she told Jackie in no uncertain terms that she was having first pick, then Jackie could choose between the remaining two!!

 

this year I remembered to take photos of the Christmas wallhangings in the studio, before I blu-tacked them to the hall doors ...... it was difficult last year to take decent photos of them once they were on the doors!

 

there is a little story attached to this last little wallhanging ....... I designed it many years ago, when I was Chairman of Stirling Castle Quilters.  It was a "mystery" wallhanging, the members being given the instructions over several meetings.  There was an amusing moment, when one of the members asked to see my completed one, so she knew what it looked like ....... no, the whole point of a mystery quilt is that you don't know what the finished one looks like.  Another of the members was a prison officer at Scotland's only female prison.  She taught the inmates to sew (they made bedding for the prison) and decided that the mystery wallhhanging would be a good teaching aid.  One of the inmates disagreed with this, but by the time I deleted all the expletives from her objection, what was left of the sentence isn't worth sharing!!  Then some years ago a friend borrowed the little wallhanging to put it in an exhibition.  It came back minus the beads and reindeer bells which hung from the prairie points at the bottom, and I have never got round to replacing them

 

oh bother ....... after several attempts, I still can't get the photo to upload, so I'll try again tomorrow!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I love Christmas!  True, I don't like seeing the shops full of Christmas stuff from September ....... but once we get into December, then I am a happy Christmas girl.  One of the best bits is putting up the tree and decorations, so on Saturday Malcolm was sent into the freezing cold loft (good, all the extra insulation we added last winter is doing its job) to find the Christmas boxes

 

I started in the dining room.  The first job didn't take long, turning the table from everyday mode .......

 

....... to Christmas mode

 

I love this display on the windowsill, but Malcolm gets annoyed when bits of the confetti end up on the floor!

 

remember my tiny bottles .... I saw this idea for putting honesty in them in a magazine, so promptly snipped some bits of honesty from a display in a large vase in the dining room

 

in the front lounge, the ivy is still trying to swallow up the candlestick behind it

 

I added the sparkly little tree that I had bought for my Dad when he no longer wanted to have a proper Christmas tree

 

I love my garland of tiny mittens which I knitted last year (don't worry, it's not a real fire!)

 

these candles are only about an inch high.  We got them free many, many years ago, with Baby Bel cheese!

 

these rather stern looking figures were bought in Indonesia

 

then it was through to thhe back lounge for the serious stuff.  As usual, the gnome brothers and sisters squabbled over which cushions and stocking they would have on the chairs.  I had to remind them that Santa only brings presents to good little gnomes!

 

checking that the lights are working

 

putting the lights in place ......

 

...... then adding rather a lot of baubles.  Never mind less is more - for me, the more the better!

 

I have still to bring in the little patchwork hangings from the studio, to decorate the hall - I hope to get that done tomorrow.  In between all the decorating, I found time to nip through to the back bedroom to take more photos of my wonderful quilt (when I was talking to Stuart on the phone this evening, I said it had been quilted by "Kay, the longarm quilter"  he started laughing, saying that made her sound like a mutant!!)

 

the quilting is all fmq - Kay is just so talented!  And the quilt looks just as good on the back

 

We went for a walk yesterday morning.  I'll save the scenic photos for tomorrow, but I'll share the scones we had for lunch with you.  As always we had half each, of the bacon and brie (main course) and fruit (dessert) ....... don't worry, I didn't put jam on the savoury one!!

 

and to finish ...... this young man was just ahead of me leaving Sainsbury's this morning.  I just had time to get the camera out and snap him before he got in his car.  I know it was slightly warmer today (5 degrees C), but not really warm enough for shorts and t-shirt!!

A new apprentice

I had to take on a new photography apprentice, Katy, this afternoon, to take a photo of Kay handing over my quilt to me ........ the quilt top was given to me by the lovely Helen, when I met her in Melbourne

 

the quilting is fabulous ..... but you will have to wait until Monday to see it in detail, when I get the chance to take photos in good light.  Of course I knew it would be fabulous, as Kay is this year's Scottish Champion

 

there was great excitement this morning when a nuthatch appeared on the bird table.  I got somewhat exasperated as it kept flying off before I could get it in focus, but eventually I managed to get a couple of photos

 

a flash of red in the hawthorn tree caught my eye - the robin's breast is much brighter at this time of year

 

when I was in the hall cupboard yesterday, I noticed a box tucked away under the bottom shelf.  I discovered that it contained a whole lot of glasses with the remains of scented candles.  I cleaned them out and popped them in the dishwasher (along with the day's dishes, not just on their own) ....... so now I have fifteen sparkly clean glasses - I just have to decide what to do with them!

 

oh yum, yum, yum ...... our favourite apple and sultana cake

 

I shall be doing something very special tomorrow afternoon ...... but you will have to wait until Monday to find out what!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, love Anne

Glutton for punishment!

As I have quite a lot of stuff left from Saturday's fair, I have decided to have my own fair!!  I am inviting everyone I know in the area, and as an added inducement we will be having mulled wine and nibbles.  If only you all lived close enough to come along next Wednesday night ...... but perhaps it's just as well you can't all come, as it would be a bit of a squash to fit you all in the studio!  On Saturday I was limited as to what I could sell, as I only had half a table, but as I will have lots of room next week, I had a look through my stash to see what else I could make.  I found some large notebooks that I bought when Woolworths closed down - so I have had them for several years!  I had a trial run yesterday to make a much simpler cover than I usually make, then today I delved into my stash of curtain samples

 

having made the sample in a dark fabric, I picked out cream/beige fabrics for the others, so that I wouldn't have to change the thread in the machine.  By the end of this afternoon, all the books were covered

 

I can no longer deny that it is getting near Christmas ...... and I certainly can't forget how long it is to go, now that these two little elves have appeared in the kitchen

 

it has been miserable today ...... snowing when we got up this morning, then turning to heavy rain for the rest of the day.  But at least it has got a lot milder, although I still needed the log burner to keep warm in the studio

 

I took these bird photos on Tuesday

 

there is always one bird that flies off just as I snap - this time it was a blue tit.  You can just make out the outline of its wings

 

today's prompt for#reverb12 is

Compare the “you” from the beginning of 2012 to the “you” that you are now. What new skills or talents have you learned or discovered this year?

the big difference between how I was at the start of the year, and how I am now, is that I have learned that there is a big difference between a fear and a phobia.  I have a fear of heights, and especially heights over water, but it isn't a phobia that prevents me from doing things such as walking over Sydney Harbour Bridge in September.  Yes, my heart was racing, and yes, I was hyperventilating, but I was determined to do it ....... and this was my reward

 

I have also realised recently that although I have always said that I don't like enclosed spaces, I am actually not bothered by small places like toilet cubicles, but I couldn't crawl through a small tunnel.  It is lack of height, rather than width that bothers me (I can't watch potholers on tv), so when I was recently stuck in the lift, I could cope because of the design of the lift.  It didn't have a roof, and I could see up to the next floor of the building.  OK, any excuse for handsome men ...... remember the hunks who rescued us

Keeping my promise!

So did you guess which quilt the snazzy fabric was for?  Yes, it's for the black, white and red one for Linus.  Here it is all layered up, ready to quilt ..... I just have to decide how to quilt it!

 

I want to add a border to the other Linus top, but I can't decide between green .....

 

....... and pinkish red (or is it reddish pink?).  Malcolm prefers the green, while I prefer the pinkish red ...... what do you think?

I stitched together the three strips which form the pockets on the Needle Nookie, and marked the stitching lines

 

then wrote the needle names lightly in pencil, ready to embroider over.  Anne will be using the Needle Nookie when she has finished displaying it as a shop sample, so I am embroidering the pockets with her choice of needles.  Her favourite needles for applique are Bohin (you will have to scroll quite far down to see the needles)

 

at the end of November, I was invited by Kat to join in her project for December #reverb12 (she also hosted Blogtoberfest).  Each day she has a prompt on her blog for participants to feature on their blogs ....... and every day so far I have forgotten to do it (sorry Kat!!)  However, I had no problem remembering today's prompt ..... my dream destination in 2012.  I had to think about that for ..... oh, about one second!  Of course it was our fabulous trip to Australia and Singapore, and it's good to have an excuse to share more photos!

no caption needed!

 

enjoying the view

 

who's a pretty boy then?

 

a ginger plant in Singapore Botanic Gardens

 

and who needs an excuse to show you this gorgeous young man again!!

 

That's enough of that, thank you!!

This was the view of the back garden early this morning ...... that's quite enough snow, thank you

 

but let's go back to thhe start of the weekend, and of course, the Christmas Fair.  Oh dear, I didn't sell very much, although as I know several other stallholders also had poor sales, I didn't get too upset!  I did get slightly annoyed with a woman who had a good look, then said she was just getting ideas and picking people's brains for things that she could make .........

 

the highlight of the afternoon was the delicious bacon roll that I had for lunch!

 

at the end of the afternoon, I was delighted to be given a gift by the wonderful Maria, who had the table next to me - a set of wine glass charms (in return I gave her one of the toiletries and chocolates set)

 

from my friend Lorraine, I bought her gorgeous marzipan fruits, to decorate the Christmas cake with (I'll be making it tomorrow) ........

 

...... and new to her repertoire, chocolate ginger creams

yesterday, we went to Dryburgh Abbey (we had a voucher to get in free!)  There was a little bit of snow on the ground, which added a little extra something to the photos.  I also had some fun taking some in B&W

 

there were some tricky bits of road to negotiate

 

and beautiful scenery to admire

 

we popped into The Main Street Trading Co for a cuppa and a bite to eat.  We shared a delicious feta and spinach muffin ........

 

....... and a slice of cake, which was drenched in a citrus syrup

 

I love the mugs

 

they have just opened a deli and homeware extension - I wish I could have taken photos of all the wonders for sale!

 

I'll be back tomorrow with a sewing update, but to finish, some birds in the snow