Stitcheries, packages and autumn walks (146)

I really must try to write a little more often. At the moment I seem only to write when I have lots of pictures to share all at once. I guess that's why I was never any good at keeping a diary, not motivated enough to write every day.

Well, today is grey, wet and cold, so I've come back to bed to catch up with everyone and write my own blog. My DH is out running (and I'm trying hard not to giggle to myself at the contrast!).

Okay, so what have I been up to? I finished Number 2 son's shirt and sent it to him, having forgotten to take a photograph, so I have asked him to send one of him wearing it. I've done a couple of Christmas stitcheries, with Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop's Cyber Stitching Day, a table centre and a stocking. The table centre was done with some wonderful plastic that you draw the design on, then stitch it to the fabric, and then it washes away once you're finished. Amazing.

From New Album 30/11/2008 10:33

From New Album 30/11/2008 10:33

Yesterday the postman brought me yet another package! Such fun. This was for Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap.

From Amanda's Musings

Once I'd opened the envelope I found a plastic wrapped package.

From Amanda's Musings

Could I take the plastic off? Yes, there was Christmas paper underneath.

From Amanda's Musings

Could I rip off the paper? NO!! It has to wait for Christmas, and I'm not going to be tempted.

From Autumn

Yesterday we went out for a walk in the park. It was a bit damp and jolly chilly, and got colder the longer we were out, but it was good to get a breath of fresh air. These pictures are a bit more wintery than those I took a few weeks ago.

From Autumn

Now that I'm feeling better I really need to start getting out for longer walks to build up my fitness again.

From Autumn

We met a squirrel who was busy collecting mouthfuls of leaves to take home to line his drey for the winter and he wasn't going to be put off by us stopping and taking photographs!

From Autumn

From Autumn

Happy Thanksgiving (145)

With best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my American friends.

(144)

This is just a quick post, because I'm tired and ready to drop off! I've been doing quite a bit of hand stitching over the last few days, as part of Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop's Christmas Cyber Stitching (that's quite a mouthful!), so I'll take some photographs soon. On Friday I did nothing as I was sooo tired. And then, in spite of being so tired I didn't sleep a wink on Friday night. Very strange. Last night I slept like a log, didn't wake up once and slept till 8.15 this morning. Unheard of for me to sleep so late. And now, I'm ready to drop.

I did just want to show you this photograph though. We have several azaleas which Christopher brings indoors when they are about to flower. Isn't this one pretty? Such vibrant pink flowers. There's another one almost ready to come in, but we're trying to keep it outside for as long as possible so that there might be a chance of it flowering for Christmas. Sorry, it's not a great photograph. It's been so dull today that I had to use flash, which always drains the colour somewhat.

Have a good week,

Practising my quilting(143)

I've just finished four projects which gave me an opportunity to practice my free motion quilting. I'm getting smoother, but I really should do more if I am to make real progress. 

From Amanda's Musings

I made two almost identical hangings for my two sons. I've bought them advent calendars in the past, but they're both far too busy to open those now, so these should cheer their flats up for Christmas. They're ready printed panels which I've quilted with red metallic thread. I've done simple meandering with occasional stars and holly leaves.

From Amanda's Musings

I've also made two table runners - one for me and one for my cleaner (that one's a commission!!). The first one has Ohio Star blocks, although the stars don't show up very well, and the second one has Friendship Star blocks.

From Amanda's Musings

I've quilted with both with the same red metallic thread, and kept to the same simple meandering with a few loops, and some holly leaves and stars.

And now I'm on to my big Christmas project, Friends for Christmas quilt. I've finished all the applique and need to do the borders and then think about how I'm going to quilt it. I'll post a picture soon.

Another prezzie (142)

The postman came with yet another prezzie this morning, only it wasn't our regular postman but the post van, very impressive. Today's surprise was from Susan Tornes in Fleming, Ohio. Susan doesn't have a blog of her own but does sometimes read this one I think.

From Amanda's Musings

There is a lovely, big, solid pear-shaped pincushion, a dinky little angel stitchery hanging,

From Amanda's Musings

 a felted wool needlecase and a beautiful wall hanging.

From Amanda's Musings

To go with that Susan had added a hanger for the quilt and a magazine.

From Amanda's Musings

Thank you so much Susan, I love them all. I just hope we can move soon as they will look great in my new craft room (when I get it!). The little quilt is beautifully stitched and hand quilted. I look forward to sitting down with a cup of tea very soon and having a thorough read of the magazine.

Many thanks also to Linda, at All Stitched Up, for organising the swap and getting so many wonderful designers involved in donating their lovely free patterns. There are still some I haven't done yet, perhaps next year.

Ornament swap (141)

I arrived home from my exercise class today to find a lovely surprise waiting under the doormat on the front door step (did you read that - exercise class - the first time I've felt up to going for about six months - I'm tired now, but hope it doesn't wipe me out).

My ornament has arrived - for the swap arranged by Jo-Ann Carter, at The Carter Clan. I ripped open the envelope and the bubble wrap inside and 

all of this loveliness tumbled out. There's a red felt stocking simply bursting to overflowing with sweets - candy canes, chocolate bars and loads of Hershey's Hugs. I'm sure they're called chocolate kisses over here. The burning question is - will the sweets last 

until Christmas, or will I have to refill it? There's also a snowman tree ornament, and a musical bauble that I'm sure will drive us all demented, and a lovely pattern for Christmas tree ornaments. I'm sure I'll be able to make some of those for the tree this year.

And the piece de resistance (you'll have to imagine the accent over the e, my computer doesn't have one) is the cutest little angel. She's so simple and so effective, and will look lovely hanging up at Christmas time. She has a brownish red gingham dress and wonderful hair that looks just like mine first thing in the morning! If only I had the wings to go with it. 

Thank you Tara, at Just Bergie Boyz for my lovely present, and thank you too to Jo-Ann for organising the swap.

Applique workshop (140)

I was sitting here at home this morning, waiting to drive DH to the station and planning my day, when suddenly the 'internal filofax' kicked in and I realised I was due at a workshop over at The Quilt Room. So, having been to the station, it was a mad dash to find fabric, sewing kit, change into more suitable 'going-out-for-the-day' clothes, make some lunch and leave by 9.30am. The washing up just had to wait.

The workshop was about making rough edge applique flowers, stuck on with bondaweb and edged with herringbone stitch. The flowers look really effective, the hand stitching gives them real texture. It was a very friendly group, and it's a lovely way to spend the day, stitching and chatting. I managed to complete 4 blocks, which I will turn into a cushion cover, with a wide border for a vine and leaves design. The tutor had made a wall hanging size quilt which looked terrific, and another to add to my To Do list. (Using flash has left them looking a little washed out I'm afraid).

At lunch time I went out for a short walk in the town and came across a book shop that was closing down. I really don't need any more quilt books, but what can you do when they're drastically reduced? I bought Lynn Edwards 'New Sampler Quilt' book - I used her first book to make my black, white and red quilt earlier this year. I'd been thinking that I'd like to make another sampler quilt some time, so now I have no excuse not to! I also bought a little book of Star blocks - another idea for a future quilt.

Now, shopping. Where do 'they' get the idea that women like shopping? From the huge response to my last post, it seems that few of us enjoy it. A few of you enjoy buying fabric and books, but little else. I'd forgotten about books, but that is really the only kind of shopping that I do enjoy, it's so unhurried and unpressured, and you end up with something that you really want. If only I could be as organised as those of you are who seem to do most of your shopping on the internet. I buy all my shoes online, but haven't found anywhere to buy clothes yet, and can never get myself organised enough to buy groceries or vegetables online. I suppose if I could plan menus ahead of time it would be easier, but I'm not much of a cook either and leave that right until the last minute too, cooking whatever I can dig out of the fridge, cupboard or freezer. Hey ho, I don't suppose there'll ever be an easy answer in our life times.