bee-ing good

  A day off yesterday, and I managed to pack in quite a bit.
 First, I did a bit more in the garden, and then off out for a rather pleasant Italian lunch out with my parents, and my OH. Very good- we went there before and they still haven't banned us!

Last time, we had the penne pasta with chicken, but with spaghetti instead of penne,  and this time we had the shellfish salad platter, without the salad, but with spaghetti instead....

I think our days are numbered, we will be 'persona non grata' if we keep it up...

Anyway, After coming home, a little more garden, and then some sewing!

The top block is for the quilt around the world bee, with a theme of Aqua, grey and yellow. The pattern is ' Contrary wife' from Quilters Cache. there are many possibilities for a complete quilt with this block. Another one for the list!

And the lower block is a 'Hipbee' block, for Karen. This is a really quick and easy block to put together.

It was lovely to receive the fabrics and get the block made on the same day. And the white background has a lovely slub to it. I think it will look light and bright, and give joy when she gets it all done.

small pieces of joy!

It was a lovely day, and I spent a good bit of it in the garden. As I was clearing up, I found a couple of real scraps of joy, have a look!

 Scillas, I think

'double' primroses

Spring!















so my garden now looks much better,

just do not look round the corner!



I haven't got there yet!  call it a work in progress...





Only a little sewing today- experimenting with a pattern for the apron swap!

yes, ready to fly.......bit more flap there.... hup, hup huuuuup

monday stitching

 Our  Round the world bee seems to have hit a little hiatus, I have received no blocks to progress since before Christmas. However, I do know the order of the blocks, and some of them can be made without reference to the blocks already done.

Anita asked for a 'neighbourhood block' some building or scene that would represent where we are, and that she can assemble all the different blocks to make a unified quilt, from all our neighbourhoods.


In January I took a couple of photographs at work, in the snow. So when I was trying to choose what to make for her, this image came to mind- after much sifting of thoughts, and comparing of many images - possibly four images?

I like the drama of the trees, and the building just to the right of that further tree has an interesting roof. So that became the inspiration for this block.

Yes, I know, the block is nothing like the photo, but it still came out of that image!


And I like the cold and snowy feel of it, and Anita likes it too, so that is another one done!

what is next? an aqua grey and yellow block, and then a pinwheel or star. Just do not expect too quick action!



On another note, my crafty DD2 made the most delicious Easter eggs.

 She blew the eggs, I find that a very tricky operation, but she did it very quickly and neatly.

Eggs were well washed, and then dyed with food colouring. They came out amazing jewel colours- I think vinegar was involved?







She then filled the eggs, with a sort of truffle mixture. Very delicious, and she left these two behind, and I am the greedy one who is eating both! well, I have eaten one, and have the other in my sights for tomorrow!















I promise, very nice indeed!

Fresh sewing day

It seems I had very little sewing in March. Now why would that be?

Oh yes, because my sewing machine misbehaved and had to go back to the repair man. Again. She is a dream, and I do love her, but twice? And for a fault that they say doesn't often happen? each time- two different faults that do not often happen?

Oh well, she is back now, and I can sew again.

So, all I can show for March is

 this cloak for 'Brian the Lion'



















and a small Easter egg substitute, for DD2

but why not jump on the band wagon, and join up with Lynne for Fresh sewing day, again.

What did you manage in March?

Breaking news, cat uses litter tray!

 Instead of an Easter egg, DD2 requested a home made purse. Her present purse has a clip, and tends to open randomly and spill its contents. So a zip top version was preferred, and duly produced. Not brilliant, but it functions.

Little pockets made putting the zip in rather more awkward, but I trust it is going to be secure enough for purpose.










I have been procrastinating. I have had the makings for ages, but have only just got round to making the cloak requested for ' Brian the Lion'



Morris sides generally have a 'fool' and sometimes they also have an animal, to interact with any audience they may encounter. Thelwall recently decided to resurrect their animal and so the lion came back into play. Someone else has made the head, and I was volunteered to do the cloak.

That fur fabric is really thick and heavy and a pig to sew. It takes only those stitches it wants to, meaning seams have to be sewn several times. It is very heavy, which means it is as difficult to manhandle as a big quilt. And, of course, I now have a house full of fluff!








Maroon, blue and gold are the  Thelwall colours, so I have picked those up on the collar. That lion will be very cosy!





My DH has also been volunteered to join in with 'pace egging' He was given the part of the 'Black Knight'. This involved, dressing in black and blacking up.

He gets killed and, officially, carried off. I do not think there were any volunteers to carry this particular black knight off.
So, they decided to use a stretcher. Two poles and a blanket, and roll the dead knight on, pick up the poles and leave the scene. Leaving behind, one black knight, on blanket.

Black knight, looks up, says, 'oh, s%$*&' and gets up, picking up blanket and 'hiding' behind it, and shuffles off sideways. Mission accomplished.






Those of a delicate disposition, look away now!


Litter tray news!  We are using it!


  Ok, so that shouldn't be a surprise. But Genny is getting old. And for a few ( most) years she has declined use of litter tray, preferring to go outside. We have kept the litter tray going, for cold weather, and her getting caught short, but she has not bothered. Then recently she has apparently decided not to get her bottom cold. But to go indoors. In the kitchen. Leaving a most unpleasant aroma. Not in the tray, but just in a corner. Not nice.

So, I eventually twigged, and moved the litter tray to where she goes. Not my preferred position, but HER preferred position. And she is using it. Of course, this means I will have to clean it out more often, but if it saves the smells...

thinking aloud..

 What goes on in your bathroom? No,  not quite so much detail, thank you!

I have chilli peppers growing in mine. I am sure they are not supposed to be perennial, but these  are nearly a year old now, and produce peppers, one at a time...

Not for me, a bountiful crop, all coming on the plants together, no, I have four plants, and currently three fruit. I am doing it wrong- or they are.

 Seriously, how long may they carry on growing and fruiting?

Perhaps I will find out.

 But I baked today, no sewing, but home made biscuits. With choc chips, walnuts and cranberries.  We shall see if there are any left by the time my DD2 comes home on Friday!










Little Miss Muddy Paws has been playing in the bath. Again. Why are cats paw prints actually not quite easy to clean off the edge of the bath?

She is not supposed to wish to bathe, but I have caught her in the bath a couple of times. Funny girl.

I have been playing with ideas for the Apron swap, and also considering fabrics. I plan to shop for fabric this weekend. I have been not sewing generally- trying to be good, and do some of the dreaded housework, but I must get back to it- I am in danger of being houseproud , and that is not my scene!

so I shall start considering fabric combinations, and styles of print, and what will work with which shape of apron, for my mysterious partner.

'Tis fun though! Just planning.

Sewing soon!

Briefly..

Yes, the boiler is back in working... sort of order. It bangs as it ignites! Now to bleed the towel rail, and we will be getting there!

A quick word for anyone in the area,  Patchfinders is having their one day 20% off sale on Saturday 23rd March, if you live close enough. They then close for stocktaking, for some days so, if you want fabulous choice and a bargain price- head in on Saturday next week!  That is Cheadle-ish area.


And Julie, from Intrepid thread is doing a mad! There is this awesome tool, where you upload a photo, and it turns it into a colour palette? So she has challenged us, to load our photo, and put the result onto her flickr group, and her staff- sounds posh Julie- will choose a short list, and the winner will be voted  upon.


Having lost most of my photos last year, with a mega computer crash, I only have a poor selection to play with, but it is surprising what comes out,
 These are some of my holiday snaps from the autumn.

I do not imagine I have any winners here, but it is a fun tool!

 These are pomegranates, growing and glowing.

 The church of St George










 And while I am about it,  Maureen is doing a giveaway as well, with lovely grey and yellow fabrics!

And do go and see what Lucy has been up to-  I am not convinced I am ready for Le Challenge, but you may be, so go and have a look.

Sorry if this is a bit incoherent, but it is time to head up the stairs, on my way to sleepy time... Just a bit overexcited by the palettes... Sorry.