piecemaker

? Difficult to buy for.........

2010-12-28T17:49:00.006Z

I think I am easy to buy for, to people who know me, but I agree that some may think I have peculiar taste. I also dont make things easy by saying ,when asked, "Oh I don't want/need anything".
This year, with no help, the children excelled themselves.
I love & collect Emma Bridgewater pottery which I use every day.Verity bought me the Matthew Rice calender which has hung in my sittingroom every year for as long as I can remember.This year, a mug has been made to go along with the calender and the illustrations are gorgeous.

She also gave me an exquisite key fob made locally in Northumberland.

For the past 4 or 5 months, I have been drooling over a Shelley wall plaque, in a local Antique centre.I normally don't hesitate but this gorgeous green/mauve plaque was quite expensive.
On Christmas day the boys gave me a large, round prezzie and I couldn't believe my eyes when the longed-for wall-plaque was inside.
Alex remarked that Verity had mentioned the plaque and when they went to investigate they knew straight away cos it was green!!!

The plaque looks just perfect hanging in the hall.

monday post

2010-12-27T12:38:00.005Z

We enjoyed a lovely family Christmas here in snowy Hexham, just the 4 of us, the kids divided their time between home & friends, so there was plenty of coming & going.Plenty of food & drink consumed and now A,C & V have flown down to London to continue the fun & games, and a belated birthday celebration, with their Dad.
I have a couple of days to myself, dogs to care for but other than that I can suit myself..............bliss.

I have gone a bit overboardthis year with bulbs, forced in different containers. The paperwhite narcissi are long finished but the hyacinths and amaryilis are about to bloom.

Crafting wise things are a bit slow.I made a pair of curtains for the sitting room just before the snow arrived and my trusty bernina sewing machine was not performing at 100%, so she'll have to go in for a much needed MOT in the new year.I think the feeddogs have dropped a bit so the fabric is not going through evenly'

I have 2 knitting projects on the go ; a pair of wool/silk socks and a reversible jersy in a tweedy mix .Both the wool and the pattern must be over 20yrs old, my sister in law Rosie photocopied the Yarnstore pattern for me.

The spare/sewing bedroom is occupied with boy's stuff till after the new year so anything I do happens on the sofa in front of TV.

~What a Coincidence~

2010-12-08T16:52:00.005Z

Went to Tea & Tipple in Corbridge for a coffee with Penny. During our chat Penny brought out some knitting needles that she had just bought at Scope. These needles caught the eye of 2 women at the end of our table, within a couple of mins we were in animated conversation.
These girls were off to organise a course in screen printing at an artists studio near Horsley. We chatted about painting , knitting ,patchwork and it turns out Denise is also a nurse at the RVI. Check out her blog at primrose patch
A quick look around RE and then home.

Oxfam Goodies

2010-10-09T15:54:00.003Z

I tend to visit my local charity shops about twice a week.

Most weeks I find a gem or two but Oxfam was a tresure trove this morning.
Some pieces of old rolled-up fabric revealed a beautiful rainbow of tapestry threads, kept and sorted by someone who loved their crafts.

A handmade blanket made from a piece of soft green wool, bound with ribbon and finished with a gorgeous embroidered cherub.

Recently, I have been working on some cross stitch in the evenings, samplers mostly so finding this Jo Verso kit, brand new , in a charity shop was a real find. I may not have chosen it if I could have afforded to buy it new but I'm sure I'll enjoy picking it up in the evenings over the next few months.

Verity sat her UKCAT exam in Newcastle yesterday, this took 2 hours so I filled in the time with some browsing in John Lewis.What a great shop this is.

Rowan and Debbie Bliss wool and books to read ond touch.

Amy Butler's fabrics to dream over and also her range of fluffy towels to contemplate.

A brill kitchen/china department and a decision made about the roller blind for my revamped kitchen.

Fenwicks is also a great store and I ordered some stacking guest beds which were a good price in their Home Event.

Met up again with Verity, who did really well, lunch in the American diner and then home.

~ Back to Blogging ~

2010-10-02T21:06:00.004Z

Why did I stop..........

Don't know but got out of the habit, but still enjoy reading my favourite blogs.

Have a new laptop which takes a bit of getting used to & the super dooper anti virus says my camera has a virus so wont let me upload any pictures so until I can sort that out or send photos from the computer upstairs this will be a veryboring blog.

Bought a great, vintage piece of kit today which I'll share when technology allow

Right, this is starting to get complicated upstairs now trying to add pictures via my old computer.

So looks a bit shabby/ tatty but....

is going to be so useful.

now WHAT to put in it ? wool....or fabric.....or patterns or.....a combination.
that,s a decision for tomorrow !!!

Oh forgot to mention......cost £15 !!!!

~~ Hurrah for Amy Butler ~~

2009-08-11T19:21:00.005Z

Great afternoon for c. 75 sewing & quilting fans at The FQ's, near Blackhall Mill near Newcastle, when Amy Butler dropped by.
Amy is a fabric & pattern designer from Ohio, via graphic design , and her work and colour combinations are a breathe of fresh air.
A buffet lunch was followed by a slide show chronicling her recent trip to Bali & India and the designs the trip inspired.
The colours ,art, people and spiritualism of these countries have inspired some fantastic fabric which will be revealed next year.
Amy is also delving into the world of bedding, towels, rugs, stationary, wrapping & cards.

She seemed a lovely, genuine, enthusiastic person and took plenty of time to answer questions & sign books etc.

Pauline, wearing an AB creation, at the show

This photo has a "Locket" in the background and Amy was photographed with a Pigeon which I amsure has some great meaning.Do tell!!

~~ Hens etc ~~

2009-05-06T11:56:00.009Z

A couple of new members have been recently ,and very gently, introduced to my small flock.
A very pretty white Leghorn, these lay beautiful, white eggs.

I originally bought 2 at the sale but they are quite wilful & highly strung so I gave one to Mary's Dad.The remaining hen is continually trying to escape & despite my best efforts & the garden looking like a set from "Chicken Run", she keeps appearing on the communal green area to the side of the house.

The quails are enclosed in a nice run & are starting to lay nicely

This is what they give us on a good day ........

Always the optimist, I ordered the most recent, recent Elm Creek book, a follow-up to the Runaway Quilt & thorougly enjoyed it.....

Last Autumn, I planted some tulip bulbs in a vintage bucket and they have been glorious for the last 2 weeks.

~~ Easter in Northumberland ~~

2009-04-13T15:06:00.000Z

What a fabulous, sunny , Easter weekend we have had here in the North-East.
I have spent , almost, the whole time pottering in the greenhouse or the garden. The potatoes & onions are in ,perennials divided and replanted, bucketfuls of weeds removed & seeds sown.

In the evenings, tired, stiff but happy, a lot of easter chocs have been consumed.
Did you spot "Willie's Cocao" in the pic am I a Tv ad man's dream or what?

I sent off to our beloved Am.... for the latest Elm Creek book, a bit of a swiz, mostly recipes, probably lovely but in US measures, eveything kosher but not much story. Could I sell a book about cleaning out my kitchen cupboards ? this is the trouble about buying sight unseen , ay well looks pretty on the shelf.

What else ?

Started stripping the wallpaper off the hall !!!

Patchwork & Quilting..........................Nought doing !!

Knitting.............started a cotton thing using dk cotton I had ,looks a bit bright, may be visible from the moon if it gets finished.
managed to get out of the gloves loop, 5 pairs well 4 really 5th is odd ???

Now the weather is improving I might have a crack at this Amy Butler dress.....

~~ Happy Mother's Day ~~

2009-03-22T18:04:00.000Z

~~ New month means new........ MAGS!! ~~

2009-03-04T16:04:00.000Z

A great new blog by Funky Monkey tipped me the wink about this article about one of my other passions Bridgewater pottery.
I have to be really strict with myself about glossy home & interiors mags and the beginning of each month presents shelves of tempting treats.

Past, present, & future.......gloves !

can't do them quick enough but they are fun and reasonably easy, I am itching to start on something bigger if only my newly ordered & paid for Debbie Bliss magazine would arrive on the mat.The waiting is awful tho sometimes the anticipation is the best part !!

Next week , its off to the Country Living Fair in London & the Rowan dept in Liberty's.

~~ Chillin !! ~~

2009-02-13T15:56:00.000Z

The last few months have been very ,very busy and stressful and last week I started to feel the strain , physically and emotionally. So I have taken some time out to relax and get things back in perspective.
I have therefore been pottering around at home catching up with little jobs that have needed doing,catching up with sleep, walking the dogs , with friends , reading and my sewing and knitting.
The headaches, twitchy eyes, insomnia, overdoing the wine, and temper etc,etc have all improved.
Jill , a good friend, rang me recently cos she wanted to take up knitting again, she had seen some fingerless gloves I had knitted my boys and wanted to do some for her brood.The last few days ,I have been supervising her first glove. I have started a pair that I promised Calum before Christmas and am keeping up with Jill,s progress.
There have been a couple of "urgent" calls to "knit direct" as stitches have gone awol or patterns illegible.We even sat and knitted in the bar of the local cinema before going to see the "Reader" with Kate Twinset.
The knitting bug has really taken hold again and I am also knitting a tea cosy (why??)

Sewingwise, I attended 2 workshops with Sandie Lush which were marvellous and have started finishing a Bronwyn Hayes UFO

Off for a cuppa, chocolate biscuit, some knitting and the last few pages of "39 Steps" by John Buchan.

~~ Melly & Me ~~

2008-08-26T18:11:00.000Z

I signed up for the exclusive Melly and Rosie BOM club at the Fat Quarters, my local quilt shop.

Here are the first 2 installments:

Month 1 - a gorgeous "Rosie" style angel called Alice in pinks and greens

Month 2 - a stylish "Melly" style bag. Mmmmm, I am not a patchwork bag sort of girl , so I dont expect this will get made.

Need a great read for your hols,I have just finished this :

A thought-provoking, informative but also very funny book.

~~ About Time I Caught Up ~~

2008-08-21T18:17:00.000Z

This may be a bit of a long boring post as I try and make up for all the time I've missed.

Saturday & Sunday 12th & 13th of July, Blackhall Mill, Jennie Rayment talk and allday workshop. "Twiddling & Fiddling " with calico, excellent fun with a superb teacher.

I discovered one morning in early July,that my black silkie hen had become broody. As I no longer keep a cockeral, I acquired 6 mixed ,fertile eggs from Dave a local hen-breeder & enthusiast.
28th July I now have 4 gorgeous day old chicks. A leghorn, a legbar, a campine and an araucana.

Saturday 9th August, Slaley Show

Verity entered some under 16 cookery classes and got a brilliant First with her Choc Chip Cookies !!.

I won prizes for my quilts,a cushion and a pincushion but unfortunately did not retain the Handicraft trophy, This was won by a fabulous box.

17th August. Verity & Calum fly off to Cuba with their Dad for a 2+ weeks holiday.They will meet up at Havana airport with Alex !!!!!

The house is very quiet since the children left but P & W the dogs are valiently trying to fill the void. V, C & A have kept in touch almost daily via Juliette's mobile phone !!
21 August, The latest Elm Creek novel arrived on the mat from Amazon on Tuesday. ( ordered it on the 22nd June tho) and finished it today......a good,easy read

~~ 100,49 & 1 ~~

2008-07-05T16:22:00.000Z

No these are not my lottery numbers but

100th post,

49 yrs old today &

1 yr as a blogger all celebrated today, the 5th of July 2008 !!!!

100th post means a giveaway, doesn't it? but what? NO IDEA but it will be something GREEEEEEAT !!!!!! Leave a comment and you may be lucky.

49yrs old today and don't look a day over 60 !!
Fabulous prezzies from Calum and Verity, spot the fab little chest of drawers and the vintage,funky, thread "doll"....
a gorgeous Boden summer wrap from Julie
a handmade,embroidered, garden journal from Pauline and
a bag full of green goodies from Dawn& a Bridgewater dolly teaset from Fiona.
A big,BIG,BIG Thankyou to everyone.

C,V &I had brunch in the "Chare", bacon and mushroom mini baguettes,huge hot chocs and cake and then I sewed with Julie with the women's tennis final on in the background.

and 1yr ago today I started this blog, in the beginning, I was almost fanatical but things have slackened off a bit too much recently but overall the average isn't too bad and I still enjoy doing it and also reading loads of other people's blogs on a regular basis.

to change the subject slightly, Pippy had the "snip" yesterday and should be sore and sleepy but, guess what, he's not. Watch your stitches pal !!!

~~ Lifted Spirits ~~

2008-06-17T10:41:00.001Z

I received a tonic in the post this morning and didn't mind paying one little bit.
I have been looking for the new Leanne Beasley "Hens" pattern and was about to order it from Australia,when I remembered Buttonberry
I ordered 3 patterns on Sunday afternoon and they arrived today,Tuesday.
As you can see the patterns were beautifully wrapped and there was a hand-written card too.

I have finished 2 tiny projects-

and embarked on a huge one-

~~ All Work and No Play.... ~~

2008-06-03T17:57:00.000Z

I am becoming a very dull girl indeed!!
I am getting no sewing done at all, I have been buying lots of supplies but have not completed anything.

If the weather is suitable, I am in the garden and if it is rainy, I am working in the house.

I have planted out my courgettes and pumpkins.

I am in a LIME GREEN mood at present,
Firstly there were plants,
Then...Clothes
Then....crockery.....
and then..........I have had my new bathroom painted in LIME GREEN and it is brilliant...bright,clean and fresh and goes beautifully with my new chocolate brown towels !!!!

Pip,or Pippin, or Pippy yes "what's his name" is 5mths old now and HUGE and very bouncy and naughty

~~ K.L. calling...................~~

2008-05-03T19:56:00.000Z

Last Sunday, I was up the step-ladder , fitting a ceiling light on the landing when the 'phone rang. I nearly didn't answer it but I am so glad I did cos it was Alex , phoning all the way from Kuala Lumpur.
We chatted ,on skype, for over an hour. He is well and having the time of his life.I asked all the usual Mum things, like, Are you eating enough?,etc etc etc .......

The picture is the new ceiling light, bought in the Laura Ashley sale with 60% off, apparently it looks really spooky from outside!

Eventually, I got into the garden today,it was warm and sunny and the ground was workable.I forked over and weeded half of the area that I am going to plant up with "cut and comeagain flowers " for the house.
In the greenhouse, the seeds are starting to germinate and tiny seedlings are emerging.
Verity came home this afternoon,she has been doing her work experience at a boy's private school in Windsor and really enjoyed the whole week.

Pippin is nearly 4mths old and if he keeps still long enough I will take some photos.

~~ Lemon and Lime ~~

2008-04-27T21:49:00.000Z

A few of the goodies I brought back from Newby Hall including a signed book and a huge , lime green platter.

The haul also included a dahlia tuber " Rip City" a huge spiky purple/black flower but this is already tucked up in compost, hopefully ,sprouting.
The platter looks really fantastic filled with lemons and limes

~ ~ Normal service has been resumed.........~~

2008-04-26T20:07:00.000Z

I'm back,bigger and uglier than before, having moved house and fought the ultimate battle with BT and.........lost.
It took BT 5 weeks to flick the switch and connect me up to the phone and internet in the new abode.

What have you missed? nothing much crafty anyway.....no time.

Have had new central heating and a new bathroom fitted but not yet decorated. Verity's bedroom has been gutted and redecorated and she is settling in and getting all her nice bits and pieces out.
The decorator then said " I can emulsion your bedroom as well, if you want" and I had to spend an hour trying to choose a "funky" colour.Wimped out and picked "antique cream" How can you suddenly decide what colour a room should be in 10 mins.As my Mum would say ;the room looks fresh and clean but a bit boring.

The puppy is now 15 wks old and we have called him Pippin and he is gorgeous.
Wendy hasn't enjoyed the move and remains quite unsettled and poor Molly is failing fast.
Helped the FQ's out at the Pins & Needles show at the beginning of April.

On Tuesday 22nd April, I drove down to Newby Hall, nr Ripon, and spent a fantastic day learning about growing cut & come again flowers for the house with Sarah Raven.
The setting was great.it was a warm, sunny spring day and Sarah was a witty and informative speaker and I came away inspired, clutching lots of packets of seeds.

I started sewing seeds today and sorting out the greenhouse.

The buttons are on and the other "thing" is by Farmyard Creations which I did about 15yrs ago.

~~ Atishoo.........bless me ~~

2008-03-03T07:36:00.000Z

I am feeling very miserable with myself, I started a ghastly cold last Wednesday afternoon at the FQ's and it is still bad, lots of snotting and sneezing and coughing.
So nothing much is getting done, sewing or otherwise.

Alex is in Hanoi at present, not much more info than that!!!

~~ Sunday ~~

2008-02-24T17:23:00.000Z

At present I am working on small, portable, easy packed away sewing projects. This little "Button" stitchery is a great way to display those 1 off, too special to use buttons.

One of the little iris bulbs in the teacups has very quietly come into bloom.

and as much as I dislike Tesco, there are sometimes bargains to be had.....4 English Lavender plants at 60p each, which will line a path in my new garden.

~~ Beijing calling.....over ~~

2008-02-17T17:49:00.000Z

A bit of catching up to do...........

Firstly belated Valentine's hugs to everyone.This was my card from a "secret" admirer!

How do you like this little fella who will be joining our family in a couple of weeks ? He is 5 weeks old here.

but just how many chins do I actually have !!!!!

The packing continues but all this and work as well has put the scuppers on my sewing.I don't want any large projects on the go at present because they take up too much space. I am therefore just doing some small stitcheries.

>

I arrived home from the FQ's later than usual on Friday evening after trying to get a quilt finished and Verity was on the 'phone to Alex!!! He was calling from Beijing where he had just arrived after a week on the train from Moscow.It was absolutely fantastic to hear his voice after over a month away.He seems to have had a few adventures,nothing too serious, but has met loads of friendly people who have helped them, especially with the language problems. It is so heartwarming to think that complete strangers are putting themselves out and helping these teenage boys. I hope I would do the same. There are now 4 of them, Will and Rowan flew out to Beijing on Friday, Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors here they come.

Calum arrives home from the Art Dept school trip to Barcelona tonight.

~~ The Sap is Rising......~~

2008-02-09T17:22:00.000Z

It has been a truly beautiful Spring day here today- warm sunshine and the birds singing...!
Verity and I went for lunch in "Truffles" in Corbridge and had a stroll around a few of the nice shops.I bought a 25m roll of pink ricrac for £5 which is just ideal for my new Rosalie Quinlan BOM.

When we got home,I got to work outside, Clearing gutters,cleaning out stables and henhouses. Spring must be in the air because the hens have started laying and the cockerals are strutting their stuff !!

I have a date for the new house - 28th February, the recent central heating discussions have put things back a full month.

The quilt shows an example of the Gammill's handywork at the FQ's

Calum has been in London this weekend with the English Lit dept of the school, They are going to see a production of Othello staring Ewan McGregor and then visitng the Globe Theatre and the infamous "crack" at the Tate Modern.

Alex is on the Trans-Siberian railway as we speak, so is incommunicado for a week until he gets to Beijing.

Molly, the Great Dane, seems well again and all in all things seem to be coming together.

Think I might have a P&P marathon on BBC 4 tonight !!!!!

~~ Packing up...... ~~

2008-02-05T15:31:00.000Z

I have taken a few days off work to try and get the packing well under way, to be honest, I never really settled in this house, so a lot of my things are still packed from over 2 yrs ago.
I have been packing kitchen china and emptying my dressers and plate-racks; boxes and boxes of gorgeous spongeware !!!!
In the midst of this chaos, a huge box containing 2 dinner plates arrived from the Bridgewater factory, seconds, but just ideal for everyday use.No photo cos they are in the dishwasher being prepared for tonight's tea, that is a second also, left over shepherd's pie from yesterday.

The postie brought me a beautiful cushion made from vintage fabric and backed with a piece of old Welsh blanket, the colours are lovely and soft and "lived in "

Alex has emailed from Moscow today where he is spending about a week before boarding the trans-siberian railway to Beijing, this train journey takes a week.

I had a surprise visitor this lunchtime, Ann Davison is a fellow quilter at the FQ's and has just moved to a farm in Bellingham. She was picking up some patterns she had ordered and dropped in to see me on the way home.
The new house has a nice big garden and I am taking a couple of my fave hens but there is no place for a noisy cockeral, Ann offered to rehome a trio and so picked them up today , to save me a trip. Catching them this morning was great exercise, normally you catch hens at dusk when they are dopey and sleepy.They arrived safe and sound and are getting used to their new surroundings.

~~ 17 TODAY !! ~~

2008-02-03T16:29:00.000Z

Happy Birthday Calum, xxxxxxx M, A & V

~~ Back Online ~~

2008-02-02T17:43:00.000Z

No, I haven't been lazy, my telephone line was brought down by those gales we had last weekend.For 5 days I argued with BT, via Verity's mobile , that the fault was outside while they argued that the fault was inside the house !! It was outside !!!!

It was quite nice to be beyond reach for a short time.

Molly, my very elderly Great Dane, was poorly on Monday night and required a visit to the vets on Tuesday. I am doping her up with antibiotics,anti-inflammatorys, and some gut settling paste stuff.She seems to be better now.

The hiccup with the new house has been resolved and it's all systems go again.
Packing and sorting is quite exciting cos I keep finding things I'd forgotten about but I tend to get sidetracked and sit leafing through old photos or books instead of wrapping and packing.

It snowed here again on Friday but I managed to get to the FQ's no problem. There was nobody else there, so I helped Kim with the Gammill.

Alex has left Poland now and is heading up to Moscow. He visited Warsaw and Krakov and went on a tour of Aushwitz which was very harrowing, as you could imagine.

Calum , middle child, is 17 tomorrow, all his friends threw him a surprise party last night in a local pub !!

I am taking a few days off work next week to continue packing.

~~ If it's Tuesday.......... ~~

2008-01-23T17:13:00.000Z

If it's Tuesday.......then Alex is in Krakov. The boys have taken the train to Poland and are staying in Krakov where the Christmas deckies are still all up!!!! Alex is having a great time sightseeing and meeting the locals!

Rural Northumberland had a fall of snow on Monday but it has all disappeared now.

The postie had a nice haul for me today:

A Bridgewater mug from the new Valentine's range,
The latest Elm Creek Quilts novel and
Warm Fuzzies by Betz White with some great felt designs.

Off to pick up Verity from Dance and then there is Youth Theatre tonight and the latest production is to be Grease.

~~ Is it going Pear-shaped ? ~~

2008-01-19T18:34:00.000Z

Alex arrived safely in Prague and says they are having a fantastic time, Doing What ???, I am not sure ? He has emailed a few times and "spoken " to Calum on MSN. They are staying in hostels and most of them offer online facilities.

I set about Alex's bedroom this morning, cleaning, tidying and packing up.

We have hit a glitch with the new house, the very expensive survey has revealed a few major problems so I am going to try and get the price reduced, to help towards the repairs.

Craft- wise, I am just finishing off a few things;
1. A needlepoint I bought at Harrogate in November and I am going to send it to the company "Jolly Red" to be professionally framed.( Finished )

2. Calum's fingerless gloves that were supposed to be in his Christmas stocking are just about finished.

3. January stitchery of " Ring in the New" by Kathy Schmidt. (finished ).

Calum and Verity are in London this weekend, visiting the Terracotta Warriors, due back tomorrow night and on Tuesday evening I am going to see " STRICTLY COME DANCING" at the Arena in Newcastle.

The photo is of a glorious tablecloth I bought from "Louise Loves ", before Christmas.

FQ's on Friday, in the morning I helped Kim load a quilt onto the Gammill and then I was late for the lunch we had arranged and then spent a couple of hours on the above projects. Well its back to the gloves...........

~~ Romeo and Juliet ~~

2008-01-16T12:22:00.000Z

I love hand embroidered table linen, especially crinoline ladies, and just recently I bought this gorgeous cloth - Romeo and Juliet. It is beautifully worked by hand and the colours are clean and fresh.
The iris bulbs were planted up in a little Minton cup and a sugar bowl by Julie Oswald who always has a fantastic stall at Hexham's Antique Fair.

Calum has an AS English exam this morning on the Great Gatsby and requested a bacon sandwich for breakfast, isn't fish brain food!!

Anyway, the bacon was sizzling away nicely under the grill when there was a flash and all the lights went out. I checked the trip switches and nothing had flicked.
Calum and Verity ate their breakfasts by candle-light and I called in the electrician.

He pulled the gas cooker out, not a great idea at the best of times,and revealed the most diabolical wiring job done by the previous tenants - bare wires etc.
Cooker was safely rewired and a trip switch installed within an hour.
I put in my beloved Aga when we moved in and therefore use the gas cooker very rarely,thank heavens this wiring didnt start a fire when the kids were cooking or when I was at work.
I can't wait to get out of this house !!!!

~~ Tuesday 15th January 2008 ~~

2008-01-16T12:07:00.001Z

Alex set off on the second stage of his gap year yesterday. The first stop being Prague (£15 by Easijet ) and then Warsaw and Krakov.

Alex and his friend Stephen have planned and saved hard for this trip and have done all the organisation, bookings, obtained the visas required (for later on )and the jabs and malaria meds themselves.

Yes, I admit there were a few tears at Newcastle Airport but the umbilical cord is very stretchy.
So for the next few months, Alex's progress around the world will be reported on here, and when he starts his own travel blog, I will post a link.

~~ I'm still here..... ~~

2008-01-12T17:17:00.000Z

Verity came home last weekend after a holiday in Paris with her Dad. She seems to have had a marvellous time, sightseeing, eating in lovely restaurants and, of course, shopping.

She brought us all back lovely presents including a moulin roty jug and a gorgeous crocheted "Wendy".

I bought the cow creamer in the EB sale when I took Alex up to Edinburgh at New Year

"Wendy" is sitting on a new stitchery project I've just started ;"Ring In The New " by Kathy Schmitz. These are 12 little stitcheries , one per month , worked in black cotton.Perfect to do in the evenings.

The new house purchase is approaching completion and I have started sorting and packing. I am a bit of a hoarder so there is a lot to do.
I am working on some little projects that do not involve spreading out loads of fabric, tools, machines etc.

Alex, my eldest ,sets off on the second stage of his gap year next week. He is visiting Poland, Russia, China, etc etc, this will take about 6mths. I am proud and excited for him but also frightened.

~~ Ring in the New.....2008 ~~

2008-01-01T16:39:00.000Z

A Happy and Healthy New Year !!!!!

It must be my age....I spent a good deal of Hogmanay running teenage children around to parties and then staying sober in case I needed to drive.

Verity, my 15 yr old daughter, has set off for Paris today, with her Dad. She will be away for 5 days. I am sure she will have a marvellous time but she has borrowed my camera, so no new photos from me for the next week. I haven't any new projects on the go anyway and I really should start packing up the house as the house purchase etc. seems to be going along smoothly so far, touch wood !!

Taking Alex and his friend Stephen up to Edinburgh tomorrow, to get his visa for China.
I know I am a bit of a sad so & so but this also coincides with the start of the Emma Bridgewater sale in Edinburgh.

~~ Eating and Stitching ~~

2007-12-27T15:26:00.000Z

Hope everyone had a happy and holy Christmas with family and friends.

The children go to their father's at lunchtime on Christmas Day, so we have our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve- turkey, ham,and ALL the trimmings. I like to attend the nine lessons and carols at Hexham Abbey in the early evening but this year because Alex had been at work all day, we ate in the evening.I listened to R4 from King's College Cambridge but ,although beautiful, it wasn't quite the same.

Now the kids are teenagers, Christmas starts more gently than years gone by, 8am instead of 5am !!
I love watching them open their stockings and presents and everyone was delighted with their gifts.
After the children had been collected by their Dad and set off for another meal (kid this year !!!) and present giving, I got my gladrags on and went to a hotel in Bellingham for dinner with a group of friends. This is the first time I have done this and it was great fun and soo relaxing but with no guilt cos I had already cooked the traditional lunch and the kids were having fun with their Dad.
Home by 6pm, after 4 courses,wine,port, coffee, christmas cake and chocs. (have not eaten much since ) and an invite for a 4 day wine tasting holiday in Tuscany from a local Romeo !!
Overdosed on Eastenders and Strictly and a good day had been had by all..........

To go back a day or so....I dropped off Julie's prezzies last Sunday and admired her tree, on the dresser she had hung a gorgeous little stitcery. I needed that pattern and pleaded with her to lend me it and completed 2 in three days !

Have included a couple of fave photos of mine.

~~ England calling Switzerland....over ~~

2007-12-23T13:46:00.000Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS AMANDA !

Thank you so much for the gorgeous chocolates for the sewing group, we all tucked in on Friday afternoon at the FQ's.

My snowman is really cute, it was really kind of you to think of me and it was so funny to see Margaret trying to finish her's in time for Christmas. She couldn't get the legs the same size and thickness and he looked like he'd had some dodgy orthopoedic surgery!

When are you coming over for a visit, I would love to meet you and your family
Have a great Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.

~~ FQ's Friday Girls Christmas Lunch ~~

2007-12-22T13:14:00.000Z

The lunch, with a visit from Santa, had been arranged for weeks but at the last minute, I thought I was going to miss the fun.

I had to get a plumber in 'cos the downstairs loo was blocked and leaking all over the bathroom floor - nice!! The only time he could come was between 10 and 12 yesterday. Anyway, he arrived on time and fixed the problem, and after driving like a mad thing I made it to the lunch and sewing afterwards.

The others had big meals but there was just enough time for me to have a scone and mince pie.

L to R Janet, Margaret, Dawn, Pauline, Julie and Kim

The secret Santa was great fun and I did really well- a Betty's bag, a gorgeous cupcake deckie and some beautiful Caroline Zoob notelets.

Dawn also gave me a cute little box which contained some tiny, handknitted mittens to go on the tree.

~~Happy 15th Birthday Verity ~~

2007-12-19T15:51:00.000Z

Monday was Verity's birthday.She had a lovely weekend, a small party, visiting her dad, going to a Maximo Park concert and a pile of lovely prezzies from family and friends.

The Christmas tree was put together over the weekend and is not yet leaning at a precarious angle.The mantlepiece has still to be decorated.

I have spent the morning wrapping presents and finishing off a few projects.

~~ Walking in a Winter Wonderland ~~

2007-12-16T10:34:00.000Z

It has been really chilly up here for the last few days, about minus 3 at night.Yesterday, Verity took Wendy for a long walk through our field and the nearby bridal way,to collect some holly for decorating.

~~ Mmmm......~~

2007-12-09T15:09:00.000Z

And then there were three..........

~~ BRrrrrrrrr.............~~

2007-12-09T13:32:00.000Z

It's snowing up here in rural Northumberland!! Ok not quite as much as in the photo but still heavily, unfortunately,turning straight to slush.

I love the run up to Christmas, making gifts, decorations, wrapping, cooking and shopping but this year I cannot get into the groove, possibly because I cannot shake off this B..... cold.I have been coughing etc, etc for almost 2 weeks now and am really fed up.There is so much to do and I can't be bothered and then it will be all a rush and no fun at all.

It is Verity's 15th birthday next weekend and we like to have the decorations and tree up just before.

I have been making a few bits and pieces for presents and have some gloves to finish.

Julie has bought me some mince pies from "Betty's" and is bringing them up this afternoon.Should I freeze them or just eat them now !!!!!

~~ Cupcake Pincushion ~~

2007-12-03T17:21:00.000Z

Calum, Verity and I are all poorly with the lurgy.Sneezing, snotting and coughing all over the place.The kids have been snuggling up in front of the TV and playing cards and I have been making this dinky pincushion.

The base is quite fiddly to insert,using ladder stitch

I filled the "cup" with lentils to give it some weight.

And then added the icing.........and a "cherry" on top.

The other one I made over the weekend but spot the deliberate mistake !!!!!

~~ the beginning of Advent ~~

2007-12-01T11:52:00.000Z

~~ Christmas Wreath ~~

2007-11-30T11:35:00.000Z

On Wednesday evening I made this Christmas wreath. The class was held in a beautiful old farmhouse in Hexhamshire.
The circular oasis was covered, first of all, with evergeens and then holly and ivy were added. Finally once all the oasis was covered, I added all the lovely dried bits and pieces.
I used rosemary, purple sage, dried poppies, marjoram, honesty, hawthorn berries and teasels.
The wreath was then soaked for 12hrs and should last until after Christmas.

~~ Technical Problem please do not adjust your set ~~

2007-11-24T20:21:00.000Z

My computer had to be returned to the mother-ship last weekend for urgent maintenence work but we're back and raring to go again.

Set off on a cold Friday morning, far to early on a non work day, to the Knitting and Stitching show at Harrogate. I was pleasantly surprised ; the show was good !!!!
3 large exhibition halls of every knitting,embroidary, felting, beading and crafting supplies that you could possibly need and there were also a couple of patchwork and quilting stands.

Fortified with tea and a bacon buttie after our 2 hour journey, we met up with Kim and Genevieve on the Fat Quarters stand. Kim had borrowed a few of my bits and bobs which are lurking in the background on the stand.

In the afternoon, Margaret, Janet and I went for a mooch around Harrogate. It was bright and sunny and there are some great shops.The afternoon finished with tea in "Betty's" and the summoning of the cake trolley !!!!
This is Margaret perusing the menu !!
Dawn, we all missed you and hope you are on the mend.

I was very restrained and just had a little "fancy"

Back on the bus at 5pm, the journey home took a lot longer as there had been 2 nasty accidents on the A1.
We arrived back at 8.30ish to a bitterly cold, frosty Newcastle.I think the others will agree that a really good day was had by all.I felt that I had laughed and chatted the whole day!!!

Today I have been catching up with housey chores but took time out to finish a little project:
I made a bee skep scissor keeper for my giveaway and collected a few bee and honey orientated goodies to go with it, when I was in Liberty's last week. I saw this cute needlepoint pincushion kit and must still be in the bumble bee mindset. Throughout the years I have dabbled in most crafts and needlepoint is no exception but I havent done any for about 7 years since a Kaffe Fassett cushion nearly finished me off. I took this to work with me last week and picked it up in my lunch break and really, really enjoyed doing it.

I have made it up into the pincushion which is slightly rhombus rather than rectangle shape but as usual I was a bit impatient to complete it.

Incidently I have had an offer accepted on a great house, so the next few months will be pretty busy.

~~ London Trip Day 2..........~~

2007-11-16T16:44:00.000Z

After a full English breakfast at the hotel, we caught the 73 bus direct to the Country Living Fair in Islington.

Whilst standing in the Q to get in, I realised we were standing in front of Victoria Wood and she looked fabulous.

The Fair was really good, made even better by the fact that it was reasonably quiet for the first hour and you could get a good look at everything without all the josling about.

I have bought some lovely bits and pieces, mostly Christmas prezzies which I can't reveal on the blog.
Emma Bridgewater's husband, the gorgeous Mathew Rice, was there and personalised my advent calender envelope with a pretty watercolour of Wendy.

After about 3 hours, we called it a day because it was just too busy. After a nice lunch, we dropped in on the newly renovated St.Pancras station. The renovated ironwork is beautiful and the bronze sculpture of the couple in the entrance is magnificent.

Caught the 3pm train North, picked up at the station by Julie's husband and home by 6:15pm.

A really hectic but fun couple of days, think I'll do it again in March !!!!

~~ London Trip ------ Day 1 ~~

2007-11-15T15:44:00.000Z

Got back last night after a brilliant 2 day break in London.Caught the train early Tuesday morning from Newcastle.I took some knitting with me and the journey just flew over. Arrived at King's Cross station about lunchtime and set about some retail therapy.

Marylebone High St with Cath Kidston and Emma Bridgewater were the first stop,followed by a long mooch around Liberty's.The Rowan wool dept. is fantastic and a whole floor is dedicated to Christmas deckies. This looks like a frame from Autumnwatch

We had a meal in Carluccio's and then set off to find the hotel, a quick freshen up then off to Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward theatre.
The musical was brilliant,all the fave songs, great acting, fantasic moving scenery and Mary Poppins flying over our heads on wires!!!!

Day 2 tomorrow..........

~~ I've calmed down ~~

2007-11-12T15:50:00.000Z

It worked, a combination of sewing, watching "Strictly", a good red wine and a few good meals has got me back on an even keel again.

This is a peculiar little quilt from "Celebrate with Little Quilts", I love their work and can always find inspiration within the pages.I didn't have a red that was "orangey" enough but am quite happy with the result.The blue lines are,of course, water eraseable marker pen lines for quilting; 3/4 of an inch apart, diagonally across the top.The top, including borders is 10in by 14in.

I will be quiet for a day or two, I'm off to London, to the Country Living Christmas Fair, to see Mary Poppins and some retail therapy for Christmas.

~~ Pinwheels ~~

2007-11-10T14:56:00.000Z

Been really busy the last couple of days but managed to finish off another "dolly" quilt.Am having a real craze on little projects.

Fat Quarters yesterday afternoon as usual.Pauline arrived and then left straight away because she didn't feel well,hope she is not going down with one of the dreadful lurgies that is going around.

Have been planning on moving house since January of this year,have viewed scores of houses but have lost out on the couple that have been suitable. Looked at another this morning that ticked most of the boxes ie location, garden, no of bedrooms, potential sewing room etc,etc.....but the vendor has refused my first and the revised offer and I can't afford any more so am a bit p..... off.

Am going to calm myself down by some gentle hoovering, start piecing a new "Little Quilt", watch Strictly and have some nice goodies to eat.

~~ And the WINNER is.............................~~

2007-11-08T12:06:00.000Z

Verity picked the name out of the hat this morning

Congratulations Sharon !!!
Email me, phone, both are on the Moo card, if you still have it or leave a comment and you bag of goodies will on their way to you.Incidently Sharon, just as well you didn't have a BEE related stamp at Brockbushes, last Sunday, or you would have won one of you own stamps back !!!

Verity and I met Sharon of "Willow Designs" last Sunday at Brockbushes' Christmas Fayre.She designs and sells great stamps and scrapbooking stuff.We got talking (as you do)and it turns out that she is also a keen blogger.We exchanged cards and Sharon was as good as her word and left a comment.

The sets of ribbons are just gorgeous,I settled for the scrummy chocolate and the zingy lime green.
Sharon's blog is www.fairydustbag.blogspot.com

To finish on a very sad note however:

I know you shouldn't have favourites but my favourite cockeral died in his sleep last night.We called him "the big fella" and he had so much personality.He was an old boy and had lived a full and happy life but I will miss him looking for sunflower seeds at the back door.

~~ It's a Giveaway !!!!!!!! ~~

2007-11-04T15:34:00.000Z

To celebrate 4 months of the blog, I have put together a little prezzie.
A scissor keeper/charm made by my own fair hands and some BEE related stuff.
Just leave a comment between now and Wednesday and your name will be put in the hat.

~~ Strawberry Emery ~~

2007-11-02T19:58:00.001Z

Kim, finished at 7.50pm tonight. Not bad eh???

~~ Kim returns from Houston ~~

2007-11-02T17:10:00.000Z

Friday afternoon sewing at the FQ's. Kim returned safely from Quilt Market with bags of samples of patterns, books and kits that she has ordered for the shop.Dawn is very excited because there is a lot of "bunny" inspired projects on their way.

Kim was wearing a purple glittery, feather boa that she got at an Eleanor Burns class but we all put that down to jetlag !!!

Pauline has almost finished her seahorse applique quilt and I finished piecing the pinwheel doll's quilt.

Ann sat all afternoon and drank tea !!!!

~~ Oh so cute ~~

2007-10-31T12:15:00.000Z

Julie had a day-trip to Edinburgh yesterday and sought out this very cute candle at the Emma Bridgewater shop.

Wednesday tends to be a food shopping, ironing, housework, chores, etc, etc.so I'd better get on with it!!!

~~ Back By Popular Demand ~~

2007-10-29T19:38:00.000Z

OK, OK, OK, I give in...........

So who are these babies?????........

~~ Pinwheels and Teacups ~~

2007-10-28T15:40:00.000Z

Had a really great Friday;

Met up with the Friday afternoon FQ's crew for lunch.The idea was to get the chatting out of the way and maybe some constructive sewing would get done.Did it work? No, we just chatted for longer!!!

Started this 40's Pinwheel quilt from the Kathleen Tracy book. This is the 3rd project in a row from this book, a real gem!!

Verity had her Halloween party on Friday night and it was great fun. Verity organised it all herself, planned the food and drink, decorated, carved pumpkins, sent out the invitations,fancy dress costumes, music, transport etc, etc........and tidied up afterwards!!!!!!!

In Nigella's recent cookery book, she served dessert in old-fashioned teacups and saucers and it looked so brilliant. Julie had a night away in the lakes and brought this lovely cup and saucer as a prezzie. I am going to look out for a few more to put puds in.

2007-10-24T16:40:00.000Z

Visited the FQ's this afternoon, to continue my practice on the Gammill Longarm machine.
Kim popped downstairs to tell me that Lucy Locket was in the shop.So after about 6mths of reading about her and the children,I met them ALL today. A big HI to you all and I hope to meet you again and be able to chat for longer.

I'm back to work this week and the poorly foot is bearing up well, so far.

This is a bit of an edit, Sorry Lucy , I didnt mean to imply you looked like a jack o lantern I always feel the need to put a photo in and as it was nearly Halloween........I was attempting to use the 60's Tv title....sorry!!

~~ H&V at RE ~~

2007-10-21T13:17:00.000Z

If you are a regular visitor to my blog you will have noticed that I love vintage, rustic stuff.
Undaunted by the fact that I get NO comments when I include my latest finds, here they are;

Firstly, a big thank-you to Dawn for my Halloween goody bag.

Verity and I visited RE this morning and picked up these cute printer's blocks. Everything is so beautifully presented and packaged, it is almost a shame to open them.
Isn't the stamp on the bag gorgeous? Simon and Vicky own a greyhound called Trolley !

~~ What Next ?.......~~

2007-10-17T11:07:00.000Z

Completed my latest "dolly" quilt last night, hand-quilted it yesterday afternoon and it is slightly lumpy-bumpy and put the binding on in a bit of a rush cos I wanted to watch "Spooks" on TV. Sewing, eating, quaffing red wine and watching tv is great multi-tasking but does not result in perfect binding !!!

What to start or finish now??

Little Halloween scene on my mantlepiece, Verity is planning a party at the end of the month, so we are all getting in the mood.

~~ Terrific Tuesday ~~

2007-10-16T16:26:00.000Z

Had a lovely morning mooching around Hexham with Julie.
Picked up a couple of bits and bobs at the monthly antique and collectors fair and then brunch at the "Chare".The budgies are a cruet set.

This afternoon, my new washing machine was delivered, and while I put it through its paces, I hand-quilted the latest "dolly" quilt, just the binding to apply later while watching "Jamie" and Spooks!!

~~ On A Roll ~~

2007-10-13T14:54:00.000Z

It was great to get back to the FQ's yesterday after missing 2 weeks. Took my latest doll quilt with me :"underground railroad" from Kathleen Tracy's "American Doll Quilts".
I am sooo enjoying doing these little projects and sharpening up my piecing again.
Bought some funky fabric too, I am keen to make some "softies" in some off-beat fabric combos, inspired by mellyandme.
2 little quilts made this week !!!

~~ Where Do I Put It ? ~~

2007-10-11T10:38:00.000Z

Making small objects is very rewarding but what do you do with them when they're finished? Lucy Locket asked me what I was intending to do with my "strippy triangles" doll quilt. Some of my dollies are sitting on it, of course !!!

Last winter, Calum asked me to knit him a pair of fingerless gloves. Fingerless was required so constant fiddling with phones and ipods was not impeded.
I found a Rowan pattern and bought some gorgeous 4ply Scottish Tweed Rowan wool from Liberty's in Regent Street.Calum loved these gloves and Alex got a pair too.
Unfortunately both pairs are now missing and as the weather gets colder Calum's digits are suffering.He has started hinting ( heavily), for a new pair.

Luckily ? I bought a few extra balls of wool, as you do !!!, so I am going to embark on some new gloves. Should I attach a string to go through the arms??

A big THANK-YOU for all the good wishes and kind comments about my poorly foot. It looks like a peeling red onion !
I would not advocate scalding your foot but being housebound for a short time gives you lots of sewing time and also the children love all the cooking and baking that gets done.

~~ Strippy Triangles ~~

2007-10-10T15:05:00.000Z

I have really enjoyed sewing this doll quilt.It was quick to do, and didn't require much fabric but needed exact cutting and stitching.

I have rediscovered this little pincushion which I made a while ago, I love the old rose button and really made the pincushion to show off the button.

The foot is healing well and the RVI have given me permission to get out and about. I have to moisturise it well and get the skin toughened up, so I can put a shoe back on.

~~ Gourd Gracious Me ~~

2007-10-07T14:36:00.000Z

Verity is having a small halloween party in one of our outbuildings and she has started decorating it already.
We visited a local farm shop and Verity picked these three beauties.

Alex, my eldest, went down to the carboot fair this morning and is now sorting through his haul of ancient vinyl.

Verity and I visited a favourite shop of ours, RE, in Corbridge, and I bought a vintage veggie rack.

~~ Last Roses of Summer ~~

2007-10-06T14:33:00.000Z

Verity and I went into Hexham to spend some "girlie" time together, Shopping and sitting chatting and people-watching in one of Hexham's lovely cafes.
Verity met up with a friend for more of the above and I went home, straight into the garden.The weather was glorious: warm and sunny, so I set about tidying up the front garden and pruning the roses.
I picked what was left of the roses, possibly the last this year
I wanted to share the new BOM quilt on www.mellyandme.typepad.com .Rosie has created this fabulous fresh, very girlie quilt which might be my next project.I have asked permission to show the photo.

Tidying up finished, I got my ongoing strippy, cot quilt out and sat sewing in the warm sunshine. Wendy, of course, was in on the action.

~~ Strippy Triangles ~~

2007-10-03T16:21:00.000Z

Thought I'd start something small and portable.
"American Doll Quilts " by Kathleen Tracy, contains lovely small projects.Decided upon "strippy triangles".

I must be getting out of practice, because the squares needed a bit of tweeking to get them to the right size.

Foot is healing well and I hope to be more mobile soon.

~~ Slaley Charity Auction ~~

2007-09-30T17:56:00.000Z

Slaley is a little village 5 miles outside Hexham. Every 2 years a charity auction is held in the village hall. This is an event not to be missed and I was determined to go, despite the poorly foot.

Viewing on Friday evening revealed the treasures. There are always a few vintage kitchen or garden pieces that appeal.
An added bonus, that makes it a real day out, is that refreshments are provided by Slaley WI and boy, can those women bake !!!

Word has spread about the potential bargains to be had and the hall was packed on Saturday afternoon. Bidding was fast and furious and I, surprisingly, held myself in check when some things started to go for silly money.

I bought: a large T&G Green mixing bowl, glazed inside in cream with a green stripe.

2 canary show cages ??

A Eltex galvanised poultry feeder and finally,

a vintage step-ladder type thingy which I can hang quilts over.

I missed out on some glorious , embriodered, lace edged pillowcases and some great garden tools, but never mind.

Despite being driven about and sitting with my foot up, my poorly foot was like a pudding last night, so a quiet day beckons tomorrow so I dont get too told off at the hospital on Tuesday.

~~ Knitting, Hopping, Reading and MOOing ~~

2007-09-29T08:53:00.000Z

I am finding it very difficult to find a sewing project to settle down to. I will probably be off work for a couple of weeks with this foot and see it is a good opportunity to embark on a major quilt, however what to do?

I cannot sit and do nothing, I must have something in my hands to work on. I have a little first size cardi in wool/silk to finish.
As well as making quilts for new babies, I also make up little suitcases.
These contain; a handknit in luxury yarn and matching booties
a book, normally an Ahlberg
a couple of hand embroidered vests/bodysuits
a wooden rattle or such like and something gorgeous for the new mum.
I always have a couple of these cases at the ready and I have had a run on little girls lately, hence the lovely soft pink.

I have finished Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris and enjoyed it very much. Alex, my eldest son, has picked me up another of hers 5 Quarters of the Orange, at our local Oxfam bookshop for £2. However I have already started the new Fannie Flagg book, Can't wait to get to Heaven.

My Moo cards arrived on Friday, within a week of ordering. On the whole I am pleased with them, some of the images are a bit dark though.

~~ Blackberry Wine ~~

2007-09-26T13:58:00.000Z

Got a bit of a telling off by a physiotherapist at the RVI yesterday. I shouldn't have been walking on my foot. I am therefore trying to make an effort with elbow crutches.

As usual I have no big sewing project to pick up but I think I will try out all the methods of applique instead of using Bondaweb and buttonhole stitch.

I am also reading "Blackberry Wine" by Joanne Harris which I am really enjoying.
Thanks for all the good wishes etc. by email, phone etc.
I had not intended this blog to be a record of all my ailments, sorry to bore you all.

Incidently, I have tweeked the blog a bit.With the help of Verity, my 14yr old daughter, I added a map, fickr and ordered some Moo cards.

Photo is a sunset in Pelion, Greece where I visit in June.

~~ Ouch !!!! ~~

2007-09-24T16:26:00.000Z

Sunday morning found Julie and I sitting in a very dismal waiting room on the Plastics/Trauma clinic at the RVI in Newcastle.
The foot had behaved itself very well at Julie's dinner party the night before and, to be honest, I thought it would be ok when the dressing came off. How wrong can you be ! My left foot and toes are covered in horrible, fluid-filled blisters.
These blisters were cut off !! and the foot redressed with a flamazine/silver gauze combo.I have to go back again on Tuesday morning,apparently you have to keep a close eye on burns in case grafts are needed.EH !!!!

You will be relieved there are no pictures.....should I take the camera tomorrow ?

Incidently, Hi Pauline and Carol from F Clinic! ....

I have spent an hour or so today in Blogland and I want to tweek mine a bit but first I want Verity to help me get some Moo Cards.

~~ Chickens and Roses ~~

2007-09-22T11:32:00.000Z

Margaret, one of the FQ sewing group, had another trial with her incubator. I took 6 eggs to class but we found that one was cracked. 5 were put in the incubator and Margaret made up the numbers with some free-range eggs she bought from the butchers!!

Would you believe it the "butchers" eggs hatched!!! and here they are- Verity and I are having to hand rear them cos my hens won't have anything to do with them but Margaret has done a brilliant job over the last 2 weeks and both are strong and healthy.

The children are looking after me and I am sitting with my leg elevated. I have managed to finish the "Tilda" rose. I had a first attempt with felt but the result I got was not soft and fluid enough, I am quite pleased with my 20's fabric version and Caroline,I pinched your idea of using pinking shears for the leaves.

~~ Oops I did it again~~

2007-09-22T11:15:00.000Z

Friday night found me in the casualty department again. This time with a badly scalded left foot after the kettle, full of boiling water, tipped off the aga.It was completely my own fault, I was making a Tilda rose and had fabric in my right hand and can't have put the kettle squarely down on the trivet.

Calum was marvellous and took control and my leg was immmediately put under the cold shower.
The duty GP advised me to go to casualty and I arrived with my foot in a bucket of cold water.
Back home all bandaged, numerous packets of painkillers and feeling really foolish.
Tomorrow I have to go to the trauma unit in the RVI in Newcastle to have the heavily blistered foot redressed and assessed.

~~ Kim's New Toy ~~

2007-09-15T12:29:00.000Z

Kim and Emma at The Fat Quarters have invested in a monstrous Gammill Longarm quilting machine and are revving up to start quilting customers quilts.

Kim has all the obligatory accessories- a wrist pincushion and a dinky apron which unfortunately she is not wearing in the photo. ( Darren give it back!)

It is a serious piece of kit and purrs along beautifully, stitching a multitude of patterns.

~~ For My Next Trick ~~

2007-09-15T12:14:00.000Z

Don't ask me how I did it? but on Wednesday morning I slammed my left hand in the car door. Much hopping on the spot and cursing under the breath followed.For the rest of Wednesday I watched my thumb turn every colour of the rainbow, swell up and throb continuously.

Friday morning found me in A&E having my thumb "trephined", this involved a hot wire!!, X-rayed, dressed, and a course of antibiotics. My liver seems to have survived the paracetamol onslaught and my left hand is in use again.

You will be delighted to know that I didnt take any photos of the grizzly incident but I LOVE Playmobil.

~~ Auction at the Mart ~~

2007-09-08T16:20:00.000Z

This morning dawned gloriously sunny and warm, just the weather for standing out in a field bidding for old farm machinery.

I find that quilting lends itself to other hobbies. When you have made your quilt, it needs to be displayed, I love rustic, country, & prim "stuff", so I search around for furniture, baskets, trugs, spongeware, kitchenalia and such like to help "set the scene".
My house probably looks like the set of "Steptoe & Son".

My must have at the auction was this Porters Barrow, I actually went for show-jumps for Verity but they were far, far too expensive. Billy, my farmer friend , who cut the hay has given her some and delivered them this afternoon.

Kim,the chick hatched by Margaret, is now a gangly teenager.

~~ Quilt Show in Harrowgate ~~

2007-09-08T15:56:00.000Z

Had a jaunt down to Harrogate yesterday to the Northern Quilt Championships. The standard of work seemed high but not many were to my taste.
The Coneflower quilt was the overall winner.

The retail side of the show was very disappointing.Stalls containing "reduced to clear" fabric and cheap tat.There didn't seem to be anything new at all.People seemed to be buying it though.
Years ago I used to travel down from Berwick upon Tweed and come home with carrier bags full of fabric bundles, patterns, books, and bits and bobs, mostly bought from the wonderful "Piecemakers" of Epsom.These essential supplies would last me most of the winter months until I restocked in the spring. Luckily my local quiltshop "Fat Quarters" is up to date and has a great selection of fabric.

I left this time, after 2 hours, with 2 books and certainly did not get my money's worth,the entrance fee was a hefty £8. I will not be going back.

The weather was glorious so I went into Harrogate and had a browse around the shops, hit "Betty's" for tea and then set off home.

~~ Back to School ~~

2007-09-05T18:09:00.000Z

Verity and Calum went back to school today, years 10 and 12 respectively.

I have just booked tickets for the musical "Mary Poppins" in London's West End.Has anyone seen it?

"Tilda" horse has turned out ok, I have made 4 or 5 small things lately and I now feel ready to start a more major project. I am having a jaunt out to Harrogate on Friday to the "Great Northern Quilt Show".I used to go faithfully every year but was disappointed the last time so stopped going.I don't need fabric,but am on the lookout for a couple of books.

Amanda (anonymous), thanks for all the comments, mum Margaret gave me your email address but I have misplaced the piece of paper. I have emailed Margaret again and will be in touch soon. Incidently we are expecting more hatchings this weekend!!

~~ Blog Awards ~~

2007-09-05T15:18:00.000Z

Thank- you, I am delighted to accept these "blog" awards.I started on my birthday, 2 months ago and really enjoy sharing my hectic but fun day to day life with fellow "bloggers".

~~ A Pair Of ........~~

2007-09-01T12:06:00.000Z

I go to the Fat Quarters in Blackhall Mill most Friday afternoons.We have a chat, drink tea, eat and generally be merry. As we can all multi-task! we are all creating at the same time and what an eclectic bunch we are:-
Yesterday for example:

Margaret was applying the binding to a super floral lap quilt.

Dawn was starting rotary cutting strips for a cosy flannel quilt.

Pauline was working on her seahorse quilt/wallhanging.

Jenny was putting the finishing touches to a "Tilda" mouse.

Kim and Wendy were upgrading an embroidery programme on Wendy's sewing machine.
and moi...
I was making pears !!!

The flannell is for a horse {what else ???}
Incidently the sharp-eyed amongst you will have noticed that I do all of my sewing and take most of my photos at the kitchen table in front of the aga.

~~ Anyone For Tea ? ~~

2007-09-01T10:28:00.000Z

I love quirky knits etc, I have shared my crocheted cakes in previous posts.
Last week I bought a copy of "Homespun" magazine from the "Fat Quarters", mainly because Leanne Beasley's fete project was included. At home, browsing through more thoroughly, I came upon an article by US designer Betz White, she makes gorgeous articles with felted wool

My "Cup of Jo" arrived a week later from the US, isn't is beautiful!!!!

~~ Elm Creek Quilts ~~

2007-08-29T16:04:00.000Z

Back in June, Leanne Beasley had a competition on her blog and the prize was an Elm Creek Quilt novel. Unfortunately I didn't win but I was intrigued enough to buy the "sampler" which contained the first 3 novels.
I thought they might be very sugary and expected not to enjoy them but guess what? I Loved them !!!. I finished book 10 "The Quilters Homecoming" a couple of weeks ago and can't wait till the end of November till the latest comes out. So all you quilters out there, if you haven't read about Elm Creek, give them a go.

Another lovely picture of Wendy too............

Had a bit of a spend on clothes today as the autumn clothes hit "Fat Face " today.

~~ Funky Flannel Teddy ~~

2007-08-27T12:09:00.000Z

Had quite a creative day yesterday, made the dachshund and then while I was on a roll I made a "Tilda" teddy. One of my fave blogs is Melly and Me, and I love all the "softies" they create in funky fabric.I bought a metre of this flannel at the Fat Quarters recently and thought it would make a cuddly teddy for someone.

Dusted and tidied my plate rack this morning

~~ Happy 19th Birthday Alex ~~

2007-08-27T12:05:00.000Z

Alex, my eldest boy is 19 years old today. Where have the years gone?

~~ While the sun shines ~~

2007-08-26T17:22:00.000Z

It was dark by the time Billy & Co finished the hay baling last night. Over 60 bales were cut from the field. The place looks much tidier and Verity has more space to put Vara through her paces.

~~ Sew Pretty Wendy ~~

2007-08-25T11:52:00.000Z

Finished this doggy this morning, pattern is in the new "Sew Pretty Homestyle" by Tilda.

Tilda has a dachshund too, called Toto.

~~ Verity and Vara ~~

2007-08-25T11:28:00.000Z

Click the video to activate the clip. In this short video, Verity is riding Vara over her new set of Polyjump showjumps.

~~ Calum's GCSE success ~~

2007-08-25T08:46:00.000Z

Congratulations and Well Done Calum on your GCSE results.

~~Haymaking ~~

2007-08-22T18:15:00.000Z

Billy has started cutting the hay in the 7 acre field. Everything is very late this year due to all the rain. It is quite an involved process: cutting, spreading out, turning, turning again, baling and then storing. If the weather is decent for the next few days, we should get the job done.

~~ Quilters Block ~~

2007-08-18T17:39:00.000Z

The whole family was on tenterhooks this week until Alex got his A'Level results on Thursday.
He telephoned me at work and I didn't come down off the ceiling for the rest of the day.
I discovered a lovely blog last week, Knotgarden, and have had great fun browsing through her old posts, check her out, she makes beautiful quilts. She also had a list of her favourite books, many of which I had myself, but I had not seen "Small Quilts with Vintage Charm" by Jo Morton. I decided to take a risk and ordered it sight unseen frow Amazon. I was not disappointed, 8 gorgeous but manageable quilts. I have now so many projects I want to do that I don't know where to start and so I am dithering about doing nothing.

When, or if, you finish a quilt you then have to decide where to display or hang it, I am always on the look out for "props" and today I found this vintage trug which will look gorgeous filled with "bits" and sitting on top of a prim quilt.
Julie also gave me the silver thimble which belonged to her mum, Joan, thank you Julie.

P.S If you are reading this at your Dad's house Verity, do feel free to fiddle around with the grammer, layout etc. as you usually do !!! LOL xxx.

~~ Manchester 2008 ~~

2007-08-18T17:31:00.000Z

Congratulations and Very Well Done to my eldest son Alex who passed his 3 A'Levels and secured his university place at Manchester to study History and Sociology.
He worked very hard and thoroughly deserves his success.I am sooo proud.

~~ Silverware scooped at Slaley Show~~

2007-08-12T11:33:00.001Z

Mixed response to my entries at Slaley show, the baby booties came nowhere but the winners were absolutely beautiful, so no complaints. A different story with my quilts in the "Patchwork article" category I was awarded first and second and most amazingly, The "Handicraft Trophy" for best exhibit in the entire handicraft section. I haven't stopped smiling!

~~Friday Fabric Fondle~~

2007-08-10T16:38:00.000Z

Hectic but fun day today,
Metro Centre this morning and a foray to the M&S food dept., and then sewing at Kim's The new Tilda book had arrived , packed with gorgeous projects, beautifully photographed. There are 3 or 4 projects I must do......
I also bought this lovely "doggy " fabric with little Wendys on, I thought it would make a great cushion for her basket!!
After I have made tea for my 3 starving teenagers, I will have to prepare my entries for Slaley Show tomorrow. This is the first time I have entered my work into a show or competition and I am very nervous about the response, hope I am not making a fool of myself.

~~Spring Fling~~

2007-08-08T14:23:00.000Z

It's finished!! Well I still have the label to do and a few loose ends to tie in.

~~U.F.O. spotted over Northumberland~~

2007-08-05T18:04:00.000Z

In the spring,I bought a moda university kit called "Spring Fling".The colours were not my usual choice but I thought Verity might like it.
The piecing was fine but then I decided to attempt free-motion quilting with my old but trusty Bernina.It was a hard slog and very tough on the neck and shoulders,eventually the quilt was put to one side but it kept glaring at me.
Saturday afternoon I could bear it no longer and decided to finish it.I had bought a pair of white,knobbly, quilting gloves which I hoped would make things easier but I can't say I noticed much difference.
Anyway the quilting is finished, not a very good effort, and the binding is attached ,so tonight the quilt will be FINISHED !!!! Hurrah!
Apologies for poor photo,should have turned machine light off.

~~Friday afternoon at the Fat Quarters~~

2007-08-03T17:59:00.001Z

Kim, Margaret, Pauline, Jenny and Isabella hard at work.Emma was doing paperwork in the office.

~~Quilt Shop Chick Swap~~

2007-08-03T17:41:00.000Z

At 9 o'clock this morning I received a phone call from Margaret,2 of the eggs had hatched ( 1 day early ).The incubator obviously works ok !
Margaret brought the day old chicks to the Fat Quarters this afternoon, snug, safe and warm in her peg basket covered with a protective tea towel!!
Kim, of the Fat Quarters, took quite a shine to 1 little girl, Could she be the new shop mascot.
I drove them home and introduced them to my hen who already has chicks ( old post ), apparently hens can't count as she just snuggled the 2 newcomers in. Fingers crossed that she successfully adopts them.
Margaret and I are hopeful that some more may hatch , will keep you posted.
Managed to do a lot of hand quilting, bought some flannel fabric and some machine quilting gloves!!
Dawn, we all missed you !!

~~The Wanderer Returns~~

2007-08-03T09:50:00.000Z

Alex is back!! Safe and sound. He has spent the last month travelling around Europe with a group of friends. Paris, Rome, Genoa, Barcelona and Valencia. He has had a marvellous time. One of his last emails home contained a plea for the new Harry Potter to be waiting for him when he got home, yesterday evening he was already on page 80.
I am sending this post whilst my sittingroom carpet is being cleaned, the clean-up after the flood continues and then its of to the Fat Quarters!

~~Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder~~

2007-08-01T16:25:00.000Z

Calum and I decided on the spur of the moment to see Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder at the Sage ,Gateshead , on Monday night.
Brilliant!!! over 2 hours of Grammy award winning bluegrass.

~~ Recent Work~~

2007-07-29T16:20:00.000Z

The latest wholecloth quilt is progressing well,I manage to do some quilting most evenings.But the traced on pattern seems to be fading especially on the floral patterned strips.The pen I used is supposed to be erased by water but is almost invisible now.(clammy hands???,yuk)What can I do?
I am intending to enter a quilt in Slaley show but cannot decide which one and I should at least start on the knitted baby booties!
Here are some photos of some recent dollies and quilts.The bunny is a Melly & Me design and 2 of the quilts are variations of patterns by Leanne Beasley.

~~Nanci Griffith at the Sage~~

2007-07-29T16:09:00.000Z

Went to see Nanci Griffith at the Sage, Gateshead on Friday night. It was my first concert at the Sage ,a really beautiful venue with marvellous acoustics.
Nanci was fabulous as always, this is the 4th time I have seen her ,accompanied by her Blue Moon Orchestra.They played alot from her new cd "Ruby's Torch".no pics I'm afraid,
I enjoyed it so much I'm going back on Monday night,this time to see Ricky Skaggs a bluegrass fiddle and mandolin singer-songwriter from the USA.Have absolutely no idea what he is like!!

However, after a 'youtube' search, I've discovered he's exactly what we expected. Can't wait to see him live.

~~ New Mum~~

2007-07-23T18:00:00.000Z

My mother hen and her 3 new chicks are doing fine.She is showing them how to find yummy creepy crawlies to eat.

~~ Betty's and York~~

2007-07-22T15:15:00.001Z

Due to lack of technical support this weekend ,I am having to post several posts,this is cos I cannot fiddle about with the photo placements like Verity does.There is a huge production team behind every great blog !!!
Had a good day in York on Saturday.The trains behaved themselves and the weather was dry (most of the time)
Afternoon tea in Betty's tearoom , proper tea with leaves and a large piece of Yorkshire Curd Tart.
Betty's stock exclusive Emma Bridgewater pottery ,so got a mug to go with my Fat Rascals.

piecemaker

? Difficult to buy for.........

monday post

~What a Coincidence~

Oxfam Goodies

~ Back to Blogging ~

~*~ Hurrah for Amy Butler ~*~

~*~ Hens etc ~*~

~*~ Easter in Northumberland ~*~

~*~ Happy Mother's Day ~*~

~*~ New month means new........ MAGS!! ~*~

~*~ Chillin !! ~*~

~*~ Melly & Me ~*~

~*~ About Time I Caught Up ~*~

~*~ 100,49 & 1 ~*~

~*~ Lifted Spirits ~*~

~*~ All Work and No Play.... ~*~

~*~ K.L. calling...................~*~

~*~ Lemon and Lime ~*~

~ *~ Normal service has been resumed.........~*~

~*~ Atishoo.........bless me ~*~

~*~ Sunday ~*~

~*~ Beijing calling.....over ~*~

~*~ The Sap is Rising......~*~

~*~ Packing up...... ~*~

~*~ 17 TODAY !! ~*~

~*~ Back Online ~*~

~*~ If it's Tuesday.......... ~*~

~*~ Is it going Pear-shaped ? ~*~

~*~ Romeo and Juliet ~*~

~*~ Tuesday 15th January 2008 ~*~

~*~ I'm still here..... ~*~

~*~ Ring in the New.....2008 ~*~

~*~ Eating and Stitching ~*~

~*~ England calling Switzerland....over ~*~

~*~ FQ's Friday Girls Christmas Lunch ~*~

~*~Happy 15th Birthday Verity ~*~

~*~ Walking in a Winter Wonderland ~*~

~*~ Mmmm......~*~

~*~ BRrrrrrrrr.............~*~

~*~ Cupcake Pincushion ~*~

~*~ the beginning of Advent ~*~

~*~ Christmas Wreath ~*~

~*~ Technical Problem please do not adjust your set ~*~

~*~ London Trip Day 2..........~*~

~*~ London Trip ------ Day 1 ~*~

~*~ I've calmed down ~*~

~*~ Pinwheels ~*~

~*~ And the WINNER is.............................~*~

~*~ It's a Giveaway !!!!!!!! ~*~

~*~ Strawberry Emery ~*~

~*~ Kim returns from Houston ~*~

~*~ Oh so cute ~*~

~*~ Back By Popular Demand ~*~

~*~ Pinwheels and Teacups ~*~

~*~ H&V at RE ~*~

~*~ What Next ?.......~*~

~*~ Terrific Tuesday ~*~

~*~ On A Roll ~*~

~*~ Where Do I Put It ? ~*~

~*~ Strippy Triangles ~*~

~*~ Gourd Gracious Me ~*~

~*~ Last Roses of Summer ~*~

~*~ Strippy Triangles ~*~

~*~ Slaley Charity Auction ~*~

~*~ Knitting, Hopping, Reading and MOOing ~*~

~*~ Blackberry Wine ~*~

~*~ Ouch !!!! ~*~

~*~ Chickens and Roses ~*~

~*~ Oops I did it again~*~

~*~ Kim's New Toy ~*~

~*~ For My Next Trick ~*~

~*~ Auction at the Mart ~*~

~*~ Quilt Show in Harrowgate ~*~

~*~ Back to School ~*~

~*~ Blog Awards ~*~

~*~ A Pair Of ........~*~

~*~ Anyone For Tea ? ~*~

~*~ Elm Creek Quilts ~*~

~*~ Funky Flannel Teddy ~*~

~~ Hurrah for Amy Butler ~~

~~ Hens etc ~~

~~ Easter in Northumberland ~~

~~ Happy Mother's Day ~~

~~ New month means new........ MAGS!! ~~

~~ Chillin !! ~~

~~ Melly & Me ~~

~~ About Time I Caught Up ~~

~~ 100,49 & 1 ~~

~~ Lifted Spirits ~~

~~ All Work and No Play.... ~~

~~ K.L. calling...................~~

~~ Lemon and Lime ~~

~ ~ Normal service has been resumed.........~~

~~ Atishoo.........bless me ~~

~~ Sunday ~~

~~ Beijing calling.....over ~~

~~ The Sap is Rising......~~

~~ Packing up...... ~~

~~ 17 TODAY !! ~~

~~ Back Online ~~

~~ If it's Tuesday.......... ~~

~~ Is it going Pear-shaped ? ~~

~~ Romeo and Juliet ~~

~~ Tuesday 15th January 2008 ~~

~~ I'm still here..... ~~

~~ Ring in the New.....2008 ~~

~~ Eating and Stitching ~~

~~ England calling Switzerland....over ~~

~~ FQ's Friday Girls Christmas Lunch ~~

~~Happy 15th Birthday Verity ~~

~~ Walking in a Winter Wonderland ~~

~~ Mmmm......~~

~~ BRrrrrrrrr.............~~

~~ Cupcake Pincushion ~~

~~ the beginning of Advent ~~

~~ Christmas Wreath ~~

~~ Technical Problem please do not adjust your set ~~

~~ London Trip Day 2..........~~

~~ London Trip ------ Day 1 ~~

~~ I've calmed down ~~

~~ Pinwheels ~~

~~ And the WINNER is.............................~~

~~ It's a Giveaway !!!!!!!! ~~

~~ Strawberry Emery ~~

~~ Kim returns from Houston ~~

~~ Oh so cute ~~

~~ Back By Popular Demand ~~

~~ Pinwheels and Teacups ~~

~~ H&V at RE ~~

~~ What Next ?.......~~

~~ Terrific Tuesday ~~

~~ On A Roll ~~

~~ Where Do I Put It ? ~~

~~ Strippy Triangles ~~

~~ Gourd Gracious Me ~~

~~ Last Roses of Summer ~~

~~ Strippy Triangles ~~

~~ Slaley Charity Auction ~~

~~ Knitting, Hopping, Reading and MOOing ~~

~~ Blackberry Wine ~~

~~ Ouch !!!! ~~

~~ Chickens and Roses ~~

~~ Oops I did it again~~

~~ Kim's New Toy ~~

~~ For My Next Trick ~~

~~ Auction at the Mart ~~

~~ Quilt Show in Harrowgate ~~

~~ Back to School ~~

~~ Blog Awards ~~

~~ A Pair Of ........~~

~~ Anyone For Tea ? ~~

~~ Elm Creek Quilts ~~

~~ Funky Flannel Teddy ~~

~~ Happy 19th Birthday Alex ~~

~~ While the sun shines ~~

~~ Sew Pretty Wendy ~~

~~ Verity and Vara ~~

~~ Calum's GCSE success ~~

~~Haymaking ~~