frayed at the edge

Not the best way ......

...... to end the year!  Oh dear, I had to get up during the night as I had terrible toothache (again).  My tossing and turning, moaning and groaning was disturbing Malcolm, so I went through and made myself a cup of tea, then sat up reading for a couple of hours.  So as soon as the dentists' surgery opened at 8.30 I was on the phone begging for an appointment.  Fortunately, they were running an emergency surgery, so I was able to go straightaway.  After extensive poking and prodding and an xray, we reached the conclusion that finally I would have to part with the tooth.  As the dentist started to extract it, a large part sheared off, revealing the problem - the tooth was cracked right through!  I am now full of painkillers and antibiotics (fortunately not the one that you can't drink alcohol with, so I will still be able to toast the New Year with a glass of champagne!).  Malcolm has been spoiling me all day, making lunch and numerous cuppas - and I have to admit I had a nap this afternoon to make up for my lost sleep!

 

But now for something considerably cheerier!  Before Christmas I teased you with a sneak peek of a Christmas present I was making.  It was a lap quilt for Stuart's girlfriend Alison.  As we still haven't been able to visit, she hasn't got it yet, but I did email her a photo on Christmas Day, so she knows what it looks like and I can now share it with you.

 

It is a large lap quilt, the centre of which is made of six fat quarters. 

 

 

It is backed with a lovely thick fleece, which is actually a deeper blue than it looks in the photo.

 

This is a detail of the quilting on the outer border.

 

Of course having made a quilt for Alison, I thought perhaps I should also make one for Stuart!

 

This is the same pattern as Alison's, but it is made in soft brushed cotton fabrics.

 

 

I couldn't resist this dinosaur fleece for the back! 

 

I was going to do a collage of some of my favourite photos from this year, but my dental woes put paid to that idea!  So all that remains is to wish you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

With love from Anne

Out and about

We had a wonderful Christmas day, with lots of lovely presents, good food and a glass or two of wine!  Yesterday morning, we popped into Hawick, where we were delighted to find Sainsbury's open, so that we could buy the Sunday newspapers.  Leaving the car at the supermarket, we went for a walk (a very cold walk!) in the park.After the walk, we went into the supermarket cafe ..... a large cup of steaming coffe for Malcolm, and a hot chocolate for me!

We were amazed to find that the river had frozen over

 

 

and there was a wonderful 'icefall', where water coming down off the bank above the path had frozen

 

 

When we crossed the footbridge over the river, this was the view in one direction

 

 

and this is the view looking the other way

 

 

As we went back across the river, Malcolm spotted a salmon!  If you look carefully in the centre of the photo, you can just about make it out

 

 

When I opened my presents on Christmas morning, I started with the smallest one ...... and immediately declared it to be my best present!!

 

Wonderful Sock Monkeys to put on keys - I have put them on the keys for the studio.  Then the second parcel produced .....

 

..... the cutest little owl to keep my Ipod headphones on!

 

I know it isn't quite yet time to make my New Year's resolutions, but I have already decided that 2011 will be (fanfare and roll of drums) ...... The Year of the Kits!!  I looked out two kits from the studio, but when I went to start the first one, which was a free gift with a magazine, there was a slight problem

 

 

If you look at the bottom, you will see that the chart for the design was in the magazine, which I no longer have!  However, all is not lost, as I think I will be able to mark out the stitches on squared paper.

It was on to the next kit ....

 

 

and encountering no problems with this one, I have done the basic stitching of the first heart

 

 

Although there has been a little bit of a thaw, we still have a lot of snow lying and the birds are still flocking to the garden to be fed ...... today's collection included this big fat pigeon

 

Two more sleeps!

The presents are under the tree

 

 

The cake is iced and decorated

 

 

The mince pies are baked

 

 

The cushions are almost finished

 

 

This beautiful orchid has flowered

 

 

So there is just one thing left to do, before I have a short break from blogging (I'll be back on Monday).  There is a very special card on the mantlepiece (and not just because it has a pillar box and a robin on it).

 

 

It is to wish all of you a very happy Christmas. 

 

 

Have a wonderful Christmas, love Anne

It's back!

We got up this morning to find a dusting of snow, then after breakfast it started snowing with big fat flakes and we thought we would soon be snowed in again when the road looked like this

 

 

Fortunately, however, the snow stopped soon afterwards, and there has been enough traffic on the road to clear it (although we now have the problem of ice, as it is freezing hard!).  The birds were busy tucking into their breakfast, but this one was determined to keep its back to me!

 

 

However this one posed in the hawthorn tree, standing out nicely against the snow on the branches

 

 

I finished my toe up socks last night (apart from darning in the ends).  I found the method quite straightforward - although I think it would be difficult for someone who hadn't knitted socks from the top down

 

 

I found the heel simple to do, and it looks the same as doing it the traditional way

 

 

Apart from a short break for lunch, I was out in the studio sewing from half past ten until half past four!  I can't tell you what I was doing, but I'll give you two little sneak peeks!  First, the right side ......

 

 

...... and then the reverse (which is actually a much deeper blue than in the photo)

 

 

My fingers are firmly crossed that the weather doesn't get any worse and that the roads remain clear, as I have a busy three days ahead - and if I don't get to go out, I will have to stay in and do the ironing!  Every year I ask Santa for an Ironing Fairy for Christmas ....... maybe this year I'll find one in my stocking!!

Purple potatoes!

The Christmas Fair finally went ahead on Saturday.  We did fairly well, but not as well as we hoped.  It certainly wasn't as busy as the last two years.  We got there early, to give us plenty of time to set up our stall - we were sharing with my friend Lorraine - two tables between the three of us.

 

all our lovely goodies

 

 

Malcolm's super woodwork

 

 

some of my things ......

 

 

..... the rest of them

 

 

Lorraine with her yummy wares

 

 

yes - it's me!!

 

Oh dear, I've just realised that I haven't taken a photo of the fabulous marzipan petit fours that I got from Lorraine for our Christmas cake.  I don't like marzipan, so I only put icing on the cake then decorate with the petit fours, so that Malcolm can still have some marzipan.  However, I do have a food related photo - these wonderful potatoes that I bought when I did my usual Monday morning shopping

 

I have never had them before - of course there will be a full report with photos when I cook them!  When I was in town this morning, I was heading for the footbridge to cross the river over to the supermarket, when I saw .....

 

..... a heron!  Usually they have their heads tucked in, but this one had his (or her) neck stretched right out

 

 

Last week I had ordered some cards from my lovely bloggy friend Gretel.  Our post has been all to pot because of the weather, so they finally arrived this morning.  They are pictures of the fabulous, fantastic needle felted animals that Gretel makes

 

 

Gretel also included a present for me in the parcel -  a set of beautiful cards which show off her other talent as an illustrator

 

Thank you very much Gretel, for such a lovely gift!

 

Malcolm was supposed to be getting woodworking tools for his birthday and Christmas, but he couldn't make up his mind what he wanted.  However we recently saw a demonstration of woodturning and he decided he would like a lathe.  After some online research, he finally chose which one he would like and I ordered it last week.  It was delivered today, but for the moment is still in the box

 

everyone will get a table leg for Christmas next year!!

 

Surveying the damage!

The drip, drip, drip has continued unabated since yesterday, which on the whole is a good thing, but one consequence of the thaw has been a deluge of snow and ice sliding off the roof at the back of the house.  Unfortunately, the cable for Sky tv, running from the satellite dish to the box in the back lounge, had become embedded in the ice, with this consequence ..... the cable has been pulled off the wall (but fortunately the signal is still reaching the tv!)

 

 

In this photo, you can see one of the lengths of ice which came out of the gutters - this one is about two feet long - it is just as well we weren't going in or out of the back door when it came down

 

 

I actually drove today - the first time for about two and a half weeks!  Our road is finally clear, so I was able to go to patch'n'chat ..... I missed the last two because of the snow.  I looked out a neglected Christmas project

 

 

I had already stuck all the pieces in place with Bondaweb, so today I started the blanket stitch round the edges

 

 

Cathy was busy working on the centre of a cushion - this would make a lovely romantic present for Valentine's Day!

 

 

Annette spoiled us today, with not only jam, but also cream in the sponge!  It was delicious - her sponges are so light and full of flavour - I should ask her for lessons!!

 

 

I didn't start knitting until quite late last night, so I only finished a red and white mitten, and started a white and red one

 

 

We are just about organised for the Christmas fair tomorrow - we will get there about an hour before the start, to give us plenty of time to set up our table.  As usual, tomorrow will be Shadow Shot Sunday, but I will take lots of photos to show you on Monday.  The weather may have warmed up, but I don't think I'll be taking off my thermal vest just yet!!  Stay warm (or cool if you are sweltering in the southern hemisphere) and have a good weekend, love Anne

 

 

A little bit of snow ......

...... and a lot of crafting!  We perhaps had another two inches yesterday and today has been bitterly cold, so it was another day at home.  Malcolm had thought about going to Hawick to get the newspapers, but the road was really icy, so he thought it was far more sensible to stay at home!  So I spent the day in the studio ...... I know, it's a hard life!  I cut out and quilted another two cushions - but I'll just show you the backs today and I'll show you the fronts when they are finished

 

 

 

I then decided to make some more bunting  using a pack of Christmas papers that I have had for years (this bad weather has been very good for helping me to use up my stash!!) and a bigger template than I used for the last bunting

 

 

I was able to cut two diamonds from each sheet of paper

 

 

It was quite relaxing folding all the pieces, while listening to the radio

 

 

I then sorted them out into piles and cut lengths of string

 

 

I finished one length before it was time to head back into the house for dinner

 

 

It was bright and sunny today (but as I mentioned already, bitterly cold!), so I thought you might like some more snowy photos

 

 

 

 

 

To finish ..... a little Christmas decoration has crept into the kitchen - isn't she cute!!

 

A brief escape!

Snow, snow, snow and more snow - but the snow on the road melted a bit late morning, so after lunch we ventured out in the car.  It's only half a mile from the house to the main road, but it is down a long fairly steep hill, then up a short even steeper hill. It was a bit scary as the car slithered several times, but we made it out on to the main road and then on into Hawick.  There followed the quickest supermarket shop I have ever done (including a magazine - hooray) and with the boot full of fresh milk, veggies and other necessities, we set off home again.  Oh dear, not so easy to get back up the long hill, then ....... we met one of the neighbours coming the other way in his truck, which meant pulling over into the deep snow at the side of the road.  Much wheel spinning later, I got out and pushed the car, giving Malcolm enough of a help to get underway again.  Then ...... another neighbour in his big 4x4 and into the side again.  At least I was still walking behind the car and was able to use a bit of muscle to get Malcolm on his way again ....... and off he drove, leaving me to walk the rest of the way home (once he was home, he did walk back along the road to meet me!!)  So ..... we won't be going out again until the road conditions are much better.  As promised, no snow photos (don't worry Anne, there will be more tomorrow!), but the table measurement this morning was 18 inches!!

So, on to happier things

 

 

When I put this on the bookcase in the kitchen this morning, I realised that I hadn't yet shown you our new shelf.  It is actually an old shelf that I found in a charity shop.  The shelf was at an angle for books to sit on, so Malcolm took the saw to it, so that it would hang on the wall with a level shelf.  An added bonus was that the ends now have a funny heart shape!

 

 

The shelf is now home to Malcolm's collection of little owls - holiday and birthday presents from me (the one on the right wiggles when you nudge him!)

 

 

I also hung up our Advent Snowman (the photo is slightly confusing ...... there is a window between the back lounge and the hallway to the back door.  The table and the orchid are in the hall .... and you can see my reflection!))

 

 

The Gnome Sisters are delighted with their Christmas cushion ....

 

 

...... and their brothers love theirs too!

 

 

Now ...... if a recipe is in this magazine

 

 

then it must be low calorie and healthy .... mustn't it?

 

 

I'm sure 32 calories per piece must be a typo!  Preparing the strips was a bit of a faff, trying to remove all the pith

 

 

but dipping them in chocolate was easy - although I did have to resist the temptation to keep licking my fingers!

 

 

Mine might not look as pretty as the ones in the magazine, but they taste delicious ....... but with all those calories, we will have to ration ourselves to one or two pieces each day!!

 

So much fun!!

No - I lied, we haven't had much fun today!  We woke this morning to find that the electricity was off.  And just to cheer us up ....... it was snowing!  Our table now has an amazing 15 inches of snow on it - which probably means we have had more than that, as it will have settled a bit

 

 

After Malcolm worked so hard yesterday to clear the drive, he had to shift about another 3 inches today

 

 

I slithered, slid and slipped out on to the road to take this photo - it looks as if it is in B&W!!

 

 

I thought I would check the forecast for the rest of the week - now I wish I hadn't bothered!!

 

 

I much preferred the forecast for Pollensa in Majorca, where we had our wonderful holiday in May

 

 

Then I had a bit of fun with 'Talking Carl' ..... he repeats everything you say to him, he complains if you poke him - but tickle his tummy and he laughs!!

 

 

I love my ipod touch, which is my birthday/Christmas present from Malcolm.  I am finally getting to grips with all this new-fangled technology ..... I managed to set it up myself, put music on it, get apps for it (then I had to lie down in a darkened room for a week!!)  I can also use it for email, which is great, as it saves booting up the laptop.

We have had quite a lazy day (apart from Malcolm clearing the snow!)  We watched a film this afternoon.  I started on my second sock and knitted the toe, then I finished the first Christmas cushion

 

 

I'm going to show you one more snowy picture  .......and I'm not going to have any photos at all with snow in them tomorrow!

 

Breaking news......

.....it's snowing again .... and again ...... and again.  This was this morning's depth check

 

 

and this was the scary view from Malcolm's study window - snow sliding off the roof

 

 

But enough snow for the moment, let's have some knitting instead!  I couldn't show you these mitts before, as I knitted them for a swap with my bloggy friend Lynne.  She had admired the mitts that I knitted recently and had asked about the pattern, as she wanted to knit a pair for her daughter.  However, when she said that she wasn't sure if her knitting skills were up to it, I offered to knit them for her.  That was soon organised into a swap and she is going to crochet a mat for me.

 

 

Of course, I didn't just knit a pair for Lynne's daughter, but a pair for Lynne as well

 

 

I also popped a couple of extra things in the box (this is now a well-travelled box, as Meg sent my birthday present from Italy in it, and it has now gone to Germany!)

 

 

I have almost finished my first sock

 

 

I just have a few more rows of rib to do.  I think I prefer this toe-up method ...... no dreaded kitchener stitch to finish to toe, and no picking up stitches from the heel flap

 

 

I have had another day in the studio - I don't know when I last did so much sewing!  I have done some more quilting on Alison's panda cushion

 

 

I have almost finished the Christmas cushions - I found a fat quarter to use for the binding .....

 

 

.... and fabric from a sample curtain (I get them from a shop in Hawick) to use for the back

 

 

I watched a dvd this afternoon while I handstitched the binding on the back

 

 

And now, back to the snow.  Malcolm made a start to clearing the drive this morning - as you can see, there was rather a lot of snow on it!  Fortunately our neighbour Billy the farmer (brother of Jim the farmer who gave me the apples and plums) arrived with his tractor and moved a lot of the snow for him.

 

 

These horses had been turned out of their stable for the morning and were enjoying the freedom ......

 
 

 

....... even when the snow started (yet) again

 

 

Don't worry, they hadn't been abandoned in the field .... the owner, her children and dogs were all having fun too

 

 

I have taken lots of snowy photos, but I can't compete with this one taken by my Roving Reporter (aka Stuart!!).  He was unable to get to work, so this afternoon he walked along to the Falkirk Wheel, and took this from the canal bank above the Wheel.  You can see that the canal is frozen!  In the distance, the Ochil hills are covered in snow - remember you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

 

 

Looking on the bright side of this enforced staying at home - I haven't been out since Saturday, so I haven't spent any money!!  I have also been very strong and haven't succumbed to all these wonderful deals on Amazon for things I neither want nor need!!