Manxgirl

Ooop's!!

2012-01-27T14:05:00.000Z

You know you're a blogger, when the picture is more important than the First Aid!!

A whole week!

2012-01-23T09:55:00.001Z

It's been a whole week since I posted. In my defence, I have been busy, not only with work and life, but also experimenting with my new found skill. Look, I can crochet in straight lines now.

My little pile of blue and white Granny squares has grown by only two, I was having sooooo much fun with the stripes. I see a new stripy cushion cover in the near future.

I've also been spending a lot of time drooling over crochet projects on Flickr and Ravelry, a girl could have so much fun.

Tomorrow is my day off. I have an appointment booked at the opticians,(I think it's time for varifocals, I'm really struggling with small print, but the other side of the car park is no problem!! LOL) The rest of the day is mine and I really want and need to spend some time sewing. DS Jiffy needs a BIG quilt. :-) If I play in my little den all day tomorrow, that means I have to play with the vacuum cleaner today. Boooooriiiiiiiing.

The marmalade? Was delicious. One colleague has already finished a full jar and asked for more! :-p

I wish this blog had smellovision!!

2012-01-16T15:41:00.000Z

I bought some oranges last week that turned out to be a bit dry and not very nice. Rather that waste them, I saved them for a day off. I have a pan of marmalade bubbling away on the stove, this place smells divine.

*
So what am I doing while I'm tied to the stove? Well I've been playing about with crochet again. Shirley had a go at teaching me while she was here on her tour of Europe. I'm not a very good pupil though, and once she was gone I struggled. I have revisited the granny square from time to time, usually with disastrous results, but last week, on yet another try, I did much better. I'm onto my fifth blue and white square!! They are not the greatest but at least they all look pretty similar and I'm happy to call them a WIP.

Buoyed on by that small success I dragged out my Crochet for beginners book and tackled something different. Hmm, I think I have tension issues.

So I booked myself some 1-2-1 tuition with Julie at 'Sweet Ginger Emporium' and this morning she helped me to produce some Granny Rows

And, OMG!!!

The central medallion of the 'Wool Eater'!

So now you know what I'll be doing while the oranges bubble away.

I got a lovely package in the post the other day. :-)

All the way from Janice in Australia. Thank you Janice. Look at all those pretty stamps.

This was a delayed Christmas gift.

Janice has made me a gorgeous little baggie to keep shoes in while on my travels. I love it. :-)

Also tucked in there was a quilters calender, just look at that cover quilt.

I've drooled over each months image, but have yet to have a look through the booklet, but there are at least two must do's in there.

Thank you Janice. :-)

Right, I'm off to stir my oranges, it's nearly time to add sugar.

Bad Blogger

2012-01-11T07:34:00.000Z

I've made two girly kindle covers in the last couple of months and forgotten to take pictures! Hopefully DD will come to the rescue with a picture of hers.

In the mean time, here's my latest knit.

I've made two pairs of these little fingerless mittens. I love them, so quick and easy to knit up and great for using up leftovers.

Must dash, I'm off to work.

New reading and drooling material.

2012-01-06T11:51:00.000Z

I'm sure I remember promising myself that I would start my sewing year with a girly Kindle cover and a specs case. Why then am I taking up curtains?

Never mind, here's my reward. I've seen a quilt along on a few blogs and drooled.

So I just had to get the clicky finger into action, who knows, maybe I'll play catch up.

Back on the subject of beetroot. It seems to be a bit like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I do like beetroot. Not that nasty pickled stuff you get in jars though, the vinegar just kills off the flavour. Fresh cooked beetroot on all manner of scrummy dishes or with a salad. I've tried one or two pickles and chutneys and eventually found a sweet recipe, with lots of apples and cider vinegar. I've tweaked it to suit of course. :-p

When colleagues give you beetroots.......

2012-01-05T14:45:00.000Z

Make Beetroot Chutney.

Where did all the comments go?

2012-01-04T12:20:00.002Z

I know I'm not very good at responding to comments, but just for once I had the time and the inclination to do so. And blogger has eaten them. I mean, I know I have seven comments on my last post, I read them, I approved them and I can see them here on my blog. But they never made it home to my inbox? Weird.

So, I'll do it this way.

Cath, thank you for your comments and good luck in your new bloggy adventure. I hope you enjoy all of the friendship and inspiration that I have found.

Andrea, I have a few things planned, but can't seem to settle at the moment, maybe once I get the last of the Christmas decorations down.

AnnieO, Thanks for the comment. The feet belong to my husband, so I don't think they will be growing any bigger! LOL

Diane, thank you for your comments. You're so right, everything we craft is worth while. :-)

Lynda, I think my pile of project boxes and knitted finishes is testament to everything I've achieved, even if there are so few quilty finishes. A cuppa and a chat at Festival Of Quilts sounds good. Though I was considering Harrogate as recommended by Sue. I'll let you know once a decision has been made.

As I type, Cardygirl is down on the farm.

Ali, from Honeyfield Orchard wished all the best to myself and my Kiwi husband. Thanks Ali. I'll keep my fingers crossed for some inspiration to go with all that crafty time we're hoping for.

Wow, seven comments have led to eight links to eight wonderful blogs.

Can't have a post without pictures, even if it does have great links.

As you know I took part in Chookys annual SSCS. This year my recipient was Claire.

After a huge wobble at almost the last minute and a pep talk from Chooky, I changed direction.

I made a cute wee bag with a long strap. I covered a journal and made one of my trademark pears with off cuts. I also included some purchased items. Not the greatest of pictures I'm afraid, it was a horribly dark winters day when I took these photos.

This morning I started to take down some of the Christmas decorations. I'm sad to see them go, but happy that it feels like a de clutter. Always a good thing in my book.

I've made promises to two colleagues, one would like a cover for her kindle, the other would like a specs case, two nice simple and quick projects to start the year. I'm trapped at home all day on Friday (waiting for the TV man to come and upgrade our satellite system, I'm told the new TV would be soooooo much better for it.) So hopefully plenty of time to play.

Back to normality!

2011-12-31T10:17:00.000Z

After four wonderful days off and a very Merry Christmas, life returned to normal on Thursday and I was up before the birdies and off to work. I'll be on call during the New Year celebrations, in fact, I'm on call right now, evidenced by the two phone calls I received before 09.30! Well, that's why they pay me. :-)

Was 2011 a crafty year for you?

I finished only 3 quilts in 2011. Hard to believe I know.

Butterfly Fling.

The Shirt off His Back.

Charming Stars.

But I've also knitted my way through the year and forgotten to take pictures of some of that.

I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Chookyblues SSCS, and making handmade gifts for other friends and family. I have all manner of things planned for 2012, I promised DS Jiffy a new blue quilt, and I have all manner of WIPs up in my play room.

This will turn into a ramble if I don't leave soon so

Happy New Year to all of my readers.

I wish you all the very best and loads of time to do the things you love.

Best wishes for 2012.

Was Santa good to you?

2011-12-28T10:38:00.000Z

He was very good to my household. I'll not bore you with all the details, but here are a few highlights.

The TV was very much like my new sewing machine, lots of consultation and it arrived and was opened early. Look at that grin though.

Hunney found me a cute knitted bunny.

Mum found me a moon gazing hare.

My secret Santa Sue made and sent these adorable elves. Thank you Sue, I love them. Thanks also to Elf Chooky for all her organising. I do hope those last few stray packages arrive very soon, if they didn't already.

My DD bought me this lovely book. Lots of inspiration to be had here.

I hope you all had a wonderful time. I know we did.

Happy New Year to everyone, may 2012 be blessed with plenty of time for sewing/knitting/crochet.......

Nollick Ghennal as Blein Vie Noa.

2011-12-23T23:35:00.000Z

(Manx for Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.)

Wishing all of my readers all the very best for 2012.

Have a Happy and Crafty New Year.

Secret Sewing.

2011-12-19T14:02:00.000Z

Like most crafty folks at this time of year, I really can't show you my current projects, but I have been sewing, honestly. I've used both sewing machines, my lovely old Silver has all manner of fancy stitches at the touch of a button.

I had fun with lots of Figgy off cuts and some lace.

Look at all the trimmings, see I really must have sewn.

Now I'm off to knit!

SSCS Ornaments.

2011-12-10T10:30:00.001Z

My partner Claire has received her package so I can show her ornaments.

Not a very good picture of these little sequined balls. They're very pretty and shiny with hundreds of sequins, beads and pins. The kits to make these and much much more are available here.

I also set to and stitched this wall hanger.

Merry Christmas Claire, Chooky and to all who took part in the SSCS 2011. I hope you had as much fun as I did and you get some wonderful surprises on Christmas day.
*
It's my sons birthday today. He made it all the way to the grand old age of 16!
Happy Birthday Son.
That means it's also time to put some decorations up. I dug it all out last week so that I could put the calender up. Now for the rest of it.

Ready for rows.......

2011-12-06T11:38:00.000Z

I've been playing about with my blocks this morning. I think I have them just right.

After lunch the sewing begins.

Play time

2011-11-30T15:45:00.000Z

I can't get over how much I actually managed to get done yesterday! I made a table runner for mum. It just needs it's binding closed. I've gotten it pinned.

I then tipped out an old laundry basket that lives in the corner, it was full of off cuts of fleece and batting, so that's all tidy now and I have a few pieces all set for next time I want to make place mats, or other smaller items, a bag of smaller bits that can be used as stuffing and an empty basket waiting for the next collection of stuff.

While I was having a tidy up in project corner I came across a Fig Tree project, you know I can't resist those fabric collections!! This is my take on Moda Bake Shops Charming Hearts.First I cut a bunch of white charm squares then played about a little with two charm packs.

Then I appliqued some hearts cut from left over charms. Once I had those complete I spread them all out on the floor to play about with the layout, then wondered if I might need to make a few more, to make it a little bigger, as it didn't seem all that large. and that was before I sewed all the blocks together, although I didn't add the border yet either....... But I do like to have plenty of quilt hanging over the sides of the bed, that means there is plenty left if someone gets greedy in the night.

Maybe a wider border, or a third round of border?

I resolved to think about that for a while and tidied everything away. While I was in clean up mood I had a good sort out in my other project boxes, my table and my desk.

Seeing as my Hunney still wasn't due home for another hour I then got stuck into one of the chests of drawers. Not the nice one, where all my Fig Tree fabrics live along with other new fabrics, nooooooo, the other one, where the 'other' fabrics live. It holds my collection of reclaimed cottons, usually chopped from old clothing etc. There was also quite a lot of curtain samples, I thinned those out a bit and there was a collection of

"Oh, you sew, I have some fabric you might like"

stuff. The majority of that is gone. I gave it to the charity shop earlier today.

My button collection had outgrown it's tin, so the whole lot was tipped into a larger tin, from it's various corners. The ribbon collection was untangled and also went into a new tin. Books and magazines have been put away and well, it feels like a different room! :-)

Now I'm off to play in my nice tidy room.

SSCS Delivery

2011-11-29T11:29:00.000Z

Weeeeeeeee! Look what arrived today. Perfect timing, it's wet, miserable and blowing a hoolie, I really needed some cheering up.

The lovely Sue from Charlottes Cottage sent two beautifully wrapped packages. This one for later.

And of course, ornaments for now.

Aren't they just gorgeous? Now I'm itching to put my tree up. But I won't. Those of you who have known me for a while will remember that I wait until Joe's birthday on 10th.

Thank you Sue. I hope you enjoy your package and ornaments as much as I have enjoyed this one.

Thank you Chooky for all your elf work.

I'm on a day off today. I had planned to sit up in my playroom, but got stuck here at the puter! At least I managed to get a few rows of knitting done while reading blogs.

I have new stash to show off and more on the way, but that can wait for another time. Right now I'm off to find a safe place for my new ornaments and then off to play.

Still Stitching Secrets

2011-11-24T13:09:00.000Z

But I can reveal that I've started knitting a shrug for myself. It's a ~~boring~~ simple pattern and good for going on auto pilot.

The collection of little stockings is growing. They take just over an hour to complete one, from start to finish, so are good to fill a little time here and there.

On The Sleigh.

2011-11-24T09:43:00.000Z

I finished, It's gone on it's long journey.

It works.

2011-11-21T09:50:00.000Z

I got to play all day yesterday, I hid away upstairs in my room with my new sewing machine and played. :-)

This is the second project I produced, I can't show the first just yet, it's a SSCS item.

This wee Christmas pail was quick and easy to put together using some Honey Bun strips.

After I wrestle with some wrapping paper and tootle off to the post office with my SSCS package, I'll be able to play some more. :-)

Santa Came Early.

2011-11-18T07:37:00.000Z

Santa and I have discussed a new sewing machine on several occasions, and I got my hopes up more than once. This year he came through and Jenny is here!

She was delivered yesterday, about an hour before I had to leave for work. I knew she was coming and had been waiting all morning.

You're lucky I remembered to grab the camera.

Hunney had to help, she's very heavy and I really don't 'do' polystyrene. (Shudder).

It was at this point that I forgot to continue with the pictures.

Merry Christmas Everyone. I hope your dreams come true this year too.

I did it!!

2011-11-17T12:56:00.000Z

As I suspected, my first effort was a little on the small side, so I restarted with an extra 10 stitches and here you have it. One left mitten. :-)

Now all I have to do is to see if I can convert my scrawled notes into a right hand mitten.

Hehehe.

After a panicked email to Chooky blue begging for a couple more days, I managed to find a little time and was able to complete my SSCS gifts this morning and >Phew< they will be away in the post next week, all on schedule, no extra time required.

Off to work.

Pattern Grrr

2011-11-13T08:10:00.000Z

I decided I was going to knit me some mittens. :-)

But I can't find just the right pattern, so I'm making it up as I go.

I think this prototype may be a little small and my muse has kept me awake half the night planning how to do the thumbs!

Watch this space.

2011-11-12T08:41:00.002Z

Do you remember?

2011-11-07T16:45:00.000Z

Some of you may remember that two years ago my Hunney and I were married in his parents garden is New Zealand.

That would be two years ago today! Happy Anniversary Darling. And thank you for the flowers.

Sorry it's not much of a pic, but it's almost dark here, so had to rely on the flash.

Flying out of the door to work...........

2011-11-02T07:26:00.001Z

So an almost wordless Wednesday.

Two little stockings, and the next one is on the needles.

Some knitting.

2011-11-01T08:23:00.000Z

I can't show you what I'm sewing at the moment, but there is no harm in showing off a little knitting. I know I bought a book with larger stocking patterns, but I just couldn't resist making a few of these little ones.

They are a good size to hold goodies for my colleagues who will be working on Christmas day and only take a short time to make up.

My two days off this week are going to be busy as the afternoons are taken up with some volunteering work for the Royal British Legion. This is a very busy time of year for them and I'm pleased to be able to help out.

Must dash, lots to do today.

Whats in my Name?

2011-10-27T13:18:00.000+01:00

I still can't show you what I'm sewing at the moment. But I can report that after a change of direction, I feel very much happier with my secret projects. :-)

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that many bloggers where explaining their blog names and titles. Mine is quite simple, I wanted something which reflected my home. The Isle of Man. People and things that come from the island are called 'Manx' hence, Manxgirl.

That long panoramic picture up there in the page header is of the Northern third of the island. I live in Ramsey, that's it there just nestling on the bay.

The symbol on my avatar is also Manx it can be seen all over the island and is on our flag. It's called The Three Legs of Man. It's a triskelion and is thought to be Viking in origin like much about the Isle of Man.

Still Here.

2011-10-22T10:42:00.000+01:00

Sorry I'm so quiet at the moment. I can't show you what I'm stitching, it's a secret! But I can't blog without a picture, so I'm showing off the flowers Tony bought the other day. Just because, you know? Oh and that's a beautiful runner Janice made for me. :-)

Meanwhile, the SSCS stitching is causing me to pull a few hairs out!! It's a work in slow progress due to work commitments as well as it's own frustrations.

We're back.

2011-10-15T09:19:00.000+01:00

Gozo was amazing. What a beautiful island. Not at all like my island, and much smaller too. We could have explored the whole of Gozo in one day! Instead we took our time and did exactly as we planned to do. Lots of lazy starts, not leaving the villa until after 11am most days.

The island has a very dry interior, but we were never far from the sea.

There were many coastal footpaths to explore, some leading to hidden secrets, like this cave at Xlendi. Thats pronounced Shhlendi!!

Everywhere we went, there were prickly pears growing wild and rampant along the road sides. They are edible. I didn't fancy dealing with the prickles, so didn't pick any, but we did purchase some from the market. They were very sweet, the flesh was like a pomegranate, but without all that nasty white pith. We also saw lots of pomegranate trees, but they were in gardens and orchards.

We visited Dwerja, the J is silent. The sea has broken through the cliff face to form a cave, right through the rock creating a small sheltered cove. We took a boat ride through the cave out to sea.

The water was amazingly blue, so beautiful. Our guide took us into other caves and natural features along the coast.

Our villa has it's own private pool, and I swam almost every day. :-) It was so nice to get into the pool and escape the heat in the afternoon.

Here's a view of the Citadel, around which the City of Victoria has grown.

We had some regular visitors to our Villa.

These little lizards popped up almost everywhere we went.

So now we're home, all R'd and R'd. Time to get on with some sewing. I need to get my SSCS items completed and ready to mail.

Absent for a week.

2011-10-03T09:45:00.000+01:00

I'm off to Gozo for a few days of R&R.W e'll be staying in this Villa.
As the only thing I've worked on all week is my secret Santa project, I can't even leave you with a picture! Never mind, I'll have plenty when I get home.

Sewing and unsewing.....

2011-09-27T12:46:00.000+01:00

The fabrics I ordered for the SSCS have arrived, and this morning I've had loads of fun playing with them. There were some frustrations too, hence the unsewing. That said, I got through much more than I thought I would. I'll get on and do a little more to that this afternoon.

You can't have a blog post without a picture, so I thought I would show off my latest acquisition! I went out yesterday looking for last minute supplies for the SSCS and this book leaped of the shelf and into my hands, begging for me to buy it.

I see some Christmas stockings in my future! LOL

Thanks for all the compliments for Katherine's wearable art, seen in my last post, I have forwarded all your comments to her, I'm sure she will be tickled.

Wearable Art.

2011-09-26T09:50:00.000+01:00

Hows this for a school project? My lovely niece Katherine and her mum Lee have been very busy over the last few weeks. Lots of paper mache, polystyrene, glue and paint. Katherine had to produce some wearable art. As well as the costume she also had to produce a little narration to be read out as she is modelling her creation. As you can see in the photo, poor Katherine has been poorly with the flu, so her mum helped out with that too. Hopefully she'll be feeling much better for the show and tell at school.

What a sweet tooth’s delight Katherine H.... is, as a bright bowl of liquorice allsorts.It’s hard to believe, but these remnants from one of our local freezing works, has now come to life again.

Many hours have been spent, cutting, gluing and painting polystyrene cubes and the paper mache bowl.

Her most favourite piece – the real liquorice shoes (taste-testing included).

This is the first year this Year 7 student has entered the Wearable Arts, with inspiration coming from her Grandfathers jar of lollies on the lounge coffee table.

(In NZ Lollies aren't just sweeties on sticks, all sweeties/candy are called lolly) I think Katherine and Lee have done an amazing job.

Not What I Set Out To Do!

2011-09-23T10:46:00.001+01:00

OK, so I went up to my den this morning with the plan to make binding for the Charming Stars. I've got this box of Figgy leftovers and was looking about in it, wondering if I could use it for the binding. Before I knew it I was making a table runner and have some more jellyslices cut ready to make place mats too!

Fickle thing, the crafters mind.......

Time to Bind it.

2011-09-22T12:42:00.001+01:00

So, the other day, I found myself looking back in time through my blog, I'm really not sure how or why, but it happened. I realised that I started this quilt over a year ago. Over A Year!!! I know for some of you that is no big thing, and no, it's not the first project of mine which I've procrastinated over, but for some reason, that revelation gave me the kick up the bum I needed. This morning I put my already completed rows together, quilt as I go style. This afternoon I intend to close up the sashing strips on the back. (The method I'm using does this by hand) Then I just have to decide on what to bind with.

I have some yummy fig tree scraps which would work well, or does the busyness of the top require a plainer binding? I have more of the yummy buttery yellow which I used to sash the blocks.

In case you're wondering, this is a Moda Bake Shop pattern called 'Charming Stars' and the fabrics are pre cut charms of Fig Tree Quilts 'Gypsy Rose' and 'Dandelion Girl', with the odd piece of 'Mill House Inn' thrown in to make up numbers.

My back is sooo much better, it really has taken a leap over the last couple of days. Fingers crossed I may be able to go back to work next week. I'm due in the office on Wednesday then onto the floor on Thursday, so another whole week to recover. Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words and good wishes.

Right, I'm off to play.

A Finish!

2011-09-21T14:08:00.000+01:00

Well I did it. I sat at my machine and I sewed. I think I stayed there a little longer than I should have.I'm sore, and when I finish here I'm off to my comfy chair.

'Making Spirits Bright' is a Birdhouse design. I brought the printed panel home from NZ in 2009.

And finally got around to stitching it. Look, I made Prairie points! My first ever. There was some swearing, and I admit to having to unpick more than once trying to get them under control.

I sat for a while earlier and looked through about half of the SSCS list posted on Chookys blog. I didn't stop to comment anywhere, you know me, I'm a better lurker than I am commenter, but it was nice to look around and see what people are stitching. And to see pretty spring flowers blossoming down under, especially as today is cold wet and horrible.

My cosy, comfy blanket and chair are calling to me.

Still Off Work. :-)

2011-09-20T09:59:00.001+01:00

Thank you to everyone who commented on my prizes. I will be entering the next village show. It will be held in October in a village called Andreas, just North of my home town. Mum and I are still thinking about what exactly to enter. Getting our hands on a program would be good, but they are not available yet.

My back is mending, slowly, it is better than it was, so I'm getting there. To be honest I'm fed up, I've had enough of my own company. Walking is good for it, and I try to get out everyday, but there is a staircase between me and street level. Getting up again after my walk is not so bad, getting down beforehand is getting easier.

As I said the other day, I've been stitching away. I have one secret Christmas project complete and have started on more. I now know who my recipient is for the SSCS and have been for a look about on her blog. Nope, I don't have any fabrics even remotely like that!! So I went shopping online.

Here is what I was working on when I ran out of that variegated red thread. I really should get back to it. But I started reading my kindle. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', great read. 'The Girl Who Played With Fire', great read, 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest', I'm trying to resist the urge........

Today I plan to continue with my elves, while I watch a movie.

Yesterday I finally got around to hand stitching the sash closed on my Charming Stars quilt rows. Now I need to be able to sit at the machine in order to put the rows together. Maybe in a day of two.

The doorbell is going to ring any minute, my masseuse is due.

I won!!

2011-09-17T16:06:00.000+01:00

Remember a little while ago I said I was going to enter some of my needlecraft into the local show? Well, I fiddled and missed out on the Ramsey show. The smaller towns and villages are now having their shows, they are well spread out so that neighbouring communities can support each other. That's just what I did, I entered two items into the Ballaugh show.

I cross stitched these Fuchsias for my mum, about 10 years ago. I suggested she enter it on my behalf and was delighted to say the least to receive first prize in the cross stitch and tapestry section.

OMG!! I even get silverware!

My other entry also won a prize. It was third place in the 'Any other craft section'. (There was no quilters class)

'The shirt off his back'

There is another local village show in a few weeks, should I try again?

As you may have guessed......

2011-09-15T08:52:00.000+01:00

I'm taking part in Chookyblues Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2011. I've been a busy girl and have already got part of the gift made! My back pain is my swap partners gain. LOL I don't yet know who my partner is, so have no idea of her likes and dislikes, but figured I could make a start on this piece anyway.

Once I had completed that piece of stitching, I began another, but I ran out of thread, I'll get some more when I go for my walk today.

Last week I found this pretty fat quarter and was inspired. Some sparkly blue and a pretty variegated thread, (I'll get some more of that too, just in case...) a picture in my nieces colouring book and I'm all set for another day of inactivity!

Jenny asked me how I made the angels in the last post. They are from a kit which I purchased here.

Liberty bell angels

2011-09-14T08:52:00.000+01:00

I saw my doctor yesterday, she says I've pulled a ligament in my back. I have to rest and may be off work for a while. I've been getting on with all manner of things. Yesterday morning I was busy with some stitchery. Then later I picked up some knitting. I've been playing about with Kitty for a while, working a couple of rows here and there

I finished him off last night. He doesn't want to sit very nicely though, I may open him up and add a little more stuffing and a stone, to see if that helps. I think he may also get a change of collar, perhaps brown or orange, I fancy making him seasonal.

Hunney was playing Assassins Creed, (He's on his second time around) so I looked about for something else to do, and came up with the kits to make Liberty Bell Angels.

The first one was a bit fiddley, but once I knew what I was doing they were surprisingly quick to make. I have three golden angels hanging from the cupboard drawer handles.

Right, I'm off to see what I can get upto today.

This and that.

2011-09-13T09:24:00.001+01:00

On Saturday while at work, my back began to hurt, a burning pain, very low down and if I try to move this way or that the pain gets worse. I'm off to see the doc this afternoon. In the meantime, I couldn't get settled in my den so yesterday I made a nest for myself downstairs in the sitting room, I put a movie on for company and set about some Christmas crafting. I made a start and almost finished a little stitchery. Sorry, no closer looks, it's a secret.

On Sunday, while I was lying on the floor in a patch of sunshine, (Seriously, it does help.) I was digging through the back of my little chest (The one in the picture above, covered in all sorts, with a drawer left hanging out!) and came up with some sequin craft / art. So I asked for my tray and lay there following the sunshine across the floor, to finish these two pretties.

This morning I'll finish yesterdays stitchery and maybe make a start on another. I'm off to hunt for a pattern.

A few snippets.

2011-09-09T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well all the fixits, repairs and alterations are done, bar one. Just one pair of trousers left. I need to shorten them for my mum. I had to laugh at some of your responses to my last post. And I quite agree with all of them. I keep telling folks that I enjoy creative sewing, making pretty things, but they just don't listen. Being asked to do all the repairs is right down there with hearing the words, "I've got some fabric you should have"!

Anyway, enough of that and on with the good stuff. The boring sewing wasn't the only thing I got rid of on Tuesday. I've been dithering about getting my hair cut for a while now. I booked an appointment this time last year, but the stylist talked me out of what I wanted and into well something just a little shorter than this first photo. Anyone who has met me in the last 6 years or so has seen me either like this, or with a pony tail.

Well on Tuesday a lovely stylist called Heather did this for me. :-)
And I love it. I've had my hair cut short like this before, more than once.
These are not the greatest pictures, it's kind of overcast and I'm home alone wrestling with a camera at arms length.

But you get the general idea?

My Hunney Tony loves it too, he says it reminds him of when we first met, it was as short as this then. Heather kept my long pony tail, one of the other stylists knows of a charity which makes wigs for children who have cancer and have lost their hair. I do hope they can use it. It took Heather an hour to get what was left into shape. One of the other girls swept the floor several times as all the trimmings just from my head made it very slippery. I'll definitely be going back to Heather regularly and allowing her to maintain this cut.
*
Another day off today, I'm really not sure if I like my days off split like this, but I'll just get on with it! I've got a busy morning, and I'm meeting a friend for lunch, but after that, my time is my own. I feel a little more time up in my den is in order. The repairs etc may have gone, but there is still some tidying to do and I really need to get a couple of finishes under my belt, before I make a start on a very special Christmas gift.

All work and no play

2011-09-05T10:16:00.000+01:00

Sigh..... I'm really not getting on with this new version of blogger! It has changed the order I want to show my pictures, changes the layout of my typing and generally isn't very nice! Grumble over, now to get to the rearranged reason for blogging.

While I was out with Mum and my niece the other day, we found some crochet flowers, I promised to pop this one onto a pin for my niece.

While out with my daughter last week, I got my hands on some much needed inspiration. I do doodle and have been known to stitch my own doodles, but inspiration never goes amiss.

If you're wondering why I haven't blogged much lately, well here's why.....

My sewing room is a clutter of repair jobs. Everything from trousers to curtains to sun lounger cushions!

Squeezed in amidst it all are my own projects, thrown aside as urgent repairs arrived.

The table was cleared to make room to work on curtains.

Even my soft toys are hiding from the mess!
*
I have a day off work tomorrow, maybe a good tidy up, (I seem to remember doing that recently, how did it get this bad so fast?) and getting some of those fix it jobs out of the way will make my space more friendly.
If I want to get in there tomorrow, I'll need to do housework today, before going to work. I'd better get stuck in.

Plodding on slowly.

2011-08-23T09:47:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post. I agree, the best part about baking is the cleaning up. I just love having my helpers around to do that. :-)

So here's what I'm plodding on slowly with. I have three out of four rows ready for me to hand sew the sashing on the back.

Once that is done I can cut and attach the longer sashing in between the rows.. I have used the same fabric to shash both front and back. In keeping with most of the fabrics in this quilt, it is a Fig Tree Fabric. It's kind of hard to see here, but it's a beautiful buttery yellow with white polka dots. Yum!

I have a late shift today, so I hope to get the final row sashed and make a start on the hand sewing. Then I'll have to make a decision about whether or not to use corner stones, or just go for straight sashing. What do you think?

Following our visit to Birmingham, Mother is once again on my case. Yes she has some projects for me to complete, but she also wants me to start showing my quilts. Something I've never done before, except here of course, and for one or two good friends who visit my home. Well, the local Horticultural society are having their annual show on Saturday. As well as all the horticulture, they have baking and craft sections, and I thought I might enter 'The Shirt off His Back'.

This means of course I'll have to unstick my finger and make a label for it.

Please wish me luck.

Where did my sewing machine signature go?????

Take care all.

Lou

Baking for Charity

2011-08-20T08:10:00.000+01:00

I promised someone that I would do some baking for a charitable cause. My son just happened to be here and was very helpful with the cleaning up!

And here's half of the end result. Double choc chip muffins with marshmallows.

Motivation

2011-08-17T09:46:00.000+01:00

It would seem that a visit to the quilt festival was what I needed to get my creativity back on track. Over the last few days I've spent a little time up in my den having a tidy up and a sort out. Just look at all the projects that are waiting for me.

I even managed to get in a little quilting yesterday. This is the project from the top of the pile. 'Charming Stars' by Moda Bake Shop. If you remember, I'm doing this one, 'quilt as you go'.

But I stalled when it came time to find the right fabric for sashing. Well I think I've done that now and I'm on my way again.

Thanks to all who commented on my last post about the festival.

Guess who I met?

2011-08-12T10:38:00.000+01:00

I promised to return when I had something to show, well here I am.
You may remember, I've had my Tickets for the Festival of Quilts booked since the day they went on sale. I was so quick off the mark Mum and I had ticket numbers 97 and 98 I think!
Yesterday was the big day, we were up with the birdies and off to Birminghams NEC.
While we were queueing to get in I thought I saw a face I recognised away over on the other side of the queue. Hmmmm.........
The quilts as always were stunning. I took loads of pictures, but I'll just show you my absolute faves.

'After Anna' By Hazel Ryder. Anna didn't live long enough to make her own Diploma quilt. So using inspiration, fabric and threads from her workroom, her mother made it in her memory.

I fell in love with this piece the moment I saw it, it reminded me of the Koru, I had seen so much of in New Zealand, the notes about the quilt just made it even more special to me. I'm pleased to say it achieved a Judges Choice award.

This guy simply called 'My Rhino' wasn't mentioned in the program! When I found a steward and asked about him, she could tell us nothing. Only that he had arrived too late to get a mention. This is a great image of him, but he looks so much better in real life. Every time I happened to look in his direction he had a crowd of admirers.

I voted him as my best in show. :-)

*
'Harvey' By Abbieanne Searle. Was made in memory of a dear friend, who used to breed colourful fighting fish.

Again my camera skills don't do Harvey any favours, he's so much prettier in real life.

*
'Flowers of Kalocsa' By Ilona Tornyal of Hungary. If you know me at all, you know I'm a sucker for a blue and white quilt.

So after taking in about half of the quilts mum and I ventured in to the vendors area. She was looking for more animal panels. It seems I still have more to do for her! I was looking through some panels when a voice asked if she could squeeze through please. No problem, I stepped back out of the way and looked up to see that face again! I was right, the face belonged to our very own Lynda of Master of Patience.

We chatted for just a few moments and Lynda's friend kindly took both of our cameras in order to record the moment. It was a lovely surprise to meet someone I 'know'.

Lay...ers.....

2011-07-07T12:12:00.000+01:00

I made all these today.....

While I was layering, ready to quilt as I go.

I rooted about in my stash of op shop finds and came up with some beautiful buttery yellow fabric to use as backs. I even have some left over. Bonus.

Now I'm off to seek something equally delish to sash with.

If at first you don't succeed...

2011-07-06T09:10:00.001+01:00

Fire up your husbands computer and use a different browser. My laptop runs IE9, this post is brought to you by Chrome.

So, now that I have images, what are they all about?

Well in true Loulee style, they are out of order. (I'm not complaining though, at least they are here)

First up, the off cuts. I'll need to figure out a project for those. Maybe a little bag.

Now for the main event. Charming Stars, inspired by Moda Bake Shop.

I plan to quilt as I go, then join them using white sashes. I'll need to sort out some fabric for the backs, but that will have to wait for later as I'm off to work soon.
*
That's it, I spent so much time messing about trying to get images to post.................

Still puttering along.....

2011-07-04T18:26:00.000+01:00

My husbands colleague requested a Kindle cover for his sister. She's mad about dots, so dots it had to be. I've lined it using the same fabric.

Now I just need to find some clear snap fasteners, or even nickle, anything would be better than the black I have here.

My latest quilty creation is spread all over the bedroom floor awaiting my attentions, maybe tomorrow.

I have been sewing, honest.

2011-06-30T09:12:00.002+01:00

Edited to add picture! :-)

Anyway, I'm using Fig Tree Quilts Charm Squares. In Dandelion Girl and Breakfast at Tiffanys. Yum.
And a Moda Bake Shop recipe.

Is it a bird/? Is it a plane?

2011-06-27T14:33:00.000+01:00

Nope, It's a back pack. Cute huh? A late birthday gift for my niece.

Gotta go, time for work.

A Merit!!

2011-06-24T09:59:00.000+01:00

Look, look. I didn't just pass, I got a merit!! :-)

This was supposed to be.....

2011-06-23T07:25:00.000+01:00

Wordless Wednesday, but blogger wouldn't let me add pictures yesterday!!!

Anyhoooo, been busy again, just a little hand work required.

It's got a zip.....

And a Loulee label. :-)

British Summer Time.......

2011-06-17T11:31:00.001+01:00

Found It!

2011-06-16T12:19:00.000+01:00

My mojo, it's been missing for a while. I looked at the daily calender up in my sewing room the other day and it hadn't moved since 20th April!! So I updated that today and have my DD to thank for it. She came to see me yesterday and she had a great bag with her, I quite like it, and decided on close inspection that it would be easy enough to copy. So copy I did.
The fabrics used are curtain samples, given to me ages ago. I have the same fabric in three different colour ways.

I always knew it would make a nice bag, I just needed to find the right bag!

I love the way the original maker had done the handle. I had it finished in a couple of hours. :-)

I love it and I just may have to make a couple more. I have more of this chocolate fabric as well as sage green and a dusty pink, but I think I'll need to find different lining and handle fabric for them.

They're here.....

2011-05-31T12:27:00.000+01:00

Janice and Mick have finally made it to the island. They got in touch on Saturday and were here for a home cooked meal on Sunday. It's great to see them again, I loved having them here and getting to see 'Olga' in person. :-)

Janice brought me a beautiful home made gift, once again she caught me out! I've had her gift here since Christmas! LOL But I still hadn't found a little something for Mick. I sorted that on the way to the gym this morning though, so next time they come for a feed.......

Anyway, enough of that. look at the runner Janice made, it's perfect on my dresser.

Here's a closer look at the beautiful summery colours she used. Yum.

Thank you to everyone for all the comments on my last post. The gym is going well. I pushed myself a little harder this morning and now my legs are telling me about it. LOL The scales say the same old thing, but I have had two favourable comments, so I must be doing something. :-)

Hello!

2011-05-24T10:04:00.000+01:00

Anybody there? LOL

Just checking in to say I'm still here, keeping busy, though not much crafty happening.

My one offering is the back of a little knitted cardigan in a pretty variegated yarn. It's for baby Freya of course. The colours are a little washed out here, it's much prettier in real life.

Let me see, what else do I have to report?

I've been away from the island on a three day course for work. I passed my exam and I'm now qualified at level 3 CIEH Health and Safety. Following another short course I'm also allowed to present Disability Equality Training, promoting and advocating equality for people with disabilities.

I'm working away at some e-learning courses set up through work, I can take those at my own pace.

Tony and I have joined a ~~Torture chamber~~ gym!! So we're in there three times a week. The first few sessions were torture, but I'm starting to enjoy it, maybe it will be even more fun once the results become more obvious. We've been told to increase our calorie intake at lunch time. So I've been busy making little pies and cookies for our lunch boxes. And of course I've had to amend our evening meals too, they got a little smaller. LOL

Otherwise, I'm just enjoying relaxing, I've read a few books and watched some movies and done just a little knitting of course.

Take care all. Thanks for stopping to read.

Taking a break.

2011-04-27T08:54:00.000+01:00

I'm going to take a bit of a break from blogging. No problems, nothing to worry about, I just don't seem to have much to say at the moment.

I'm sure I'll be back soon though.

Quick Finishes.

2011-04-18T12:43:00.000+01:00

I forgot to pack a book to read while we were away in Harrogate. My Hunney had his Kindle, and while he was reading on the train one day I remembered that there is a Kindle app for i-pad! Which we just happened to have with us. :-) OMG! But that thing is heavy when you hold it for an hour or two. My own Kindle is on it's way! Which means I needed to make another kindle cover. This one is a little more feminine. I followed the swirly water effect on the fabric for some quilting guidelines.

I'm rather pleased with it, of course. While I was up in my ~~play~~.... er sewing room, I also put together another i-phone cover, for one of my Hunneys friends. Maybe I should start charging for these things!!

Squishy Mail

2011-04-15T11:54:00.003+01:00

Remember this cross stitch? I was struggling with it, then Jewells came to my rescue, she loved it. (she loves all things teddy bear) You have no idea how much that helped me out. When I read how much she likes bears and that she really did like the piece, my very first instinct was to give it to her, she was welcome to it. Realising how easy it would be to give it away sealed it's fate. I made the decision to stop working on it and gift it to Jewells. It felt like a load had been lifted.
*
Now Jewells is a sweetheart and wanted to repay me, so I got a squishy in the mail yesterday. I had let on that I'm collecting dark /navy blue for a 'don't hold your breath waiting' project. And yesterday I got a squishy package in the mail. Did I run for the camera, so that you would see the grand opening? Did I let the anticipation build? Did I heck as like, I ripped open the packaging and threw it all over the floor, eager to see what was inside. :-)

Jewells had included three pretty blue fabrics, a wash cloth and two of her special spoons. Thank you Jewells, what a lovely gift to welcome me home from my travels.
*
Thank you again to everyone for your congratulations for Tony. I keep catching him with a little smile on his face, an excited little 'I did it' moment. It's so cool to see that.
*
There has been a bit of an accident with my work rota, and somehow I've been given a third week off! What a shame..... My boss did offer to undo it, but I think I'll take the time anyway, I'm sure I'll find something to do. ;-p

Where we went and what we did.

2011-04-14T11:04:00.006+01:00

Hmm, blogger is behaving oddly! I can't add words above my first image for some reason! I uploaded ie9 when we got home, is it that, or is blogger being weird?

Anyhow, enough of that. I promise not to bore you with dozens of pictures, just a select few. Look at the beautiful four poster bed we got to sleep in. I couldn't resist a picture of that.

Although we were based in Harrogate we didn't spend all our time there. We did have a look around, every time we went near Betty's tea rooms there were huge queues, or we didn't have time to visit. LOL I was amazed at how many crafty shops there were in town, sewing shops, stitchy shops, haberdashery, knitting....... Would you believe, I didn't visit a single one. I did stand outside and drool over a couple of them though. LOL

We visited Skipton castle and had a look around the town. Very pretty.

My Hunney the history buff loved the castle.

We had a total of three days out in York! Yep Three.

On the first of them we met up with Quilt Sue. (Can't add links in the usual way either! Look here to meet Sue... http://quilttimes.blogspot.com/ ) We were supposed to meet on the steps of York Minster. Well of course, dimwit here thought the first set of steps she came across was the front steps. LOL With the assistance of our cell phones Sue did manage to find me. We had a walk around the shops and stopped for lunch before Tony and I escorted her back to the station.

It was lovely to meet her. Later we took the bus tour, it was a relaxing way to see the city. My Hunney took dozens of pictures of the old buildings and higgledy piggledy streets.

Of course you know what we did on Saturday. :-)

Monday and Tuesday were taken up with our return trips to York. We visited the Jorvic museum, the quilt museum, the Railway museum, the York museum and spent more time shopping and exploring the town and park.

I may not have done any crafty shopping, but I did treat myself to a Cath Kidston bag (http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/default.aspx ) and some new clothes. The moment I smelled the Lush shop ( https://www.lush.co.uk/ ) I knew I had to spend time and money in there too.

Thank you to everyone who congratulated Tony. He's a very happy boy. :-)

******

Edited to say........

I think it's an ie9 issue, everything works perfectly when I use chrome on the 'big pc',

I couldn't even publish from my laptop.

Has anyone else done the update? Did you have issues?

We're back.

2011-04-13T14:54:00.002+01:00

We took a short break in Yorkshire over the weekend. So that my Hunney could attend his Degree ceremony. Just before Christmas Tony gained a BSc (Hons) in IT and Computing. Congratulations sweetheart, I'm very proud of you. xx A very proud and happy Man. His Grandfather was right to call him 'The Proff' all those years ago when he was an inquisitive little boy pulling things to bits to see how they worked. More news from me soon.

Meet Freya

2011-04-01T08:40:00.004+01:00

She called into the office yesterday to see her Daddy, who just happens to work with my Hunney. It was a very bright day and her mum thought the shades would be fun. This little lady is the owner of the Butterfly Fling Quilt and all of the knit wear and blankets I have made in recent months. Her Daddy is the new owner of the i-pad cover etc mentioned in the last post. * Although I've had late shifts, meaning plenty of time for fun, I really haven't had the urge to sew at all. I did have a play with my new Dresden wedge ruler, but it's not happening for me, the fabrics are not playing nicely together, so I'll leave that alone for now and look for something else to do. I'm not sure when that will be though! Today is my day off, but I'm off to work. We're due an H&S audit soon, myself and one of my colleagues are making sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed. Maybe I'll get something done when I get home, though I doubt it, risk assessing tends to numb the brain. LOL * * * Why is blogger ignoring my line breaks?

More requests.

2011-03-29T08:39:00.005+01:00

It's been a busy weekend. Aside from working both days I had two nights out! A quiet evening on Friday with a British Legion meeting, followed by a couple of drinks with some other members. Saturday was somewhat rowdier, a girls night out, we ate at the local Indian restaurant, and carried on the party in more than one pub in town. It was a great night out. :-) * Remember the Kindle covers in the last post? Tony's colleague was very impressed. Then when he saw the i-pad cover he requested one of those too, and a cover for his i-phone. I do have some of the brown fabric left, but I decided on a change. I dug about until I found some old shirts I had cut up. I found two similar shirts, both purple with stripes. Once again, just a little quilting on the inner fabric, bag out and fold. Rather than try to include my 'made by Loulee' label in a seam I stitched it into the flap. I also found some press studs and stitched them on. That phone is mine, it's somewhat smaller than an i-phone, but it's just the right colour. :-) My Hunney took these items into work today. * I had a dig through my scraps box as promised and I've started cutting pieces for a Dresden quilt. Time for me to make another commitment. No more starts until the Dresden is finished, and I finish another work in progress. * So what about downstairs? I've done a little stitching on 'Floral Trio'. Not a huge amount though. The hydrangea is about two thirds done now. What you see here is just about the extent of the flower, then there is the stem and another bigger leaf to stitch. If I get on with it I could have it finished in no time. * My back is very sore today. It's been a while I have to say, but it's my own fault. Rather than sit in my granny chair I curled up on the sofa with my Tony last night. I have a late shift today, so plenty of time to play, but I'm not sure what I'll get up to, it depends where my back is comfortable. ***GRRRR< Blogger is messing with my formatting!*****

Bloke stuff

2011-03-25T09:51:00.002Z

Another day off work! I finally used up the majority of the Time I was owed. Today is just a normal day off. :-) I might settle with my cross stitch and a movie this afternoon.
*
Remember my Hunney asked me to make two kindle covers? Well I got stuck in after work yesterday. Two completed kindle covers before he got home.
Nothing fancy, I did a little straight line quilting on the inner fabric and bagged it out, then a quick fold and stitched around the edge. I'll need to add some poppers/press studs, but that's it, they're done. Quick and easy.
So, buoyed on by that success I got stuck in again this morning and made a cover for the i-pad too.

In exactly the same way. :-)

Three cute little sleeping bags for the boys electronic toys.

I think I'll go play in my scraps box for the remainder of the morning. I looked back to here, where I made certain commitments and I reckon I'm allowed a new start. By making Mums latest creation double sided I killed two birds there and I've finished Freya's quilt, so I must be entitled to an upstairs start. No downstairs starts though. I need to finish a cross stitch before I can do that. Just because I called time on one and gave it away doesn't make it a finish.

Playtime. Have a good day! :-)

Finished!

2011-03-24T06:54:00.004Z

I'm up bright and early again. Never mind, I'm back to work today, so plenty of time to get ready.
*
Yesterday was a very good sewing day. And a good housework day too as it happens. I set out quilting the animal print top I had walked away from on Tuesday. My Hunney had done a great job of fixing my sewing machine. Thanks Hun. :-)
I quilted for an entire CD, then took a break, I did some housework, collected another CD, then quilted some more, when that CD ran out, I did more housework, and collected another CD. Do you see a pattern forming here? You know me, I didn't get fancy, just plenty of aiming for the ditch.
I know I have shown this top before, but I thought I might show it off one more time.
*
After I had finished quilting the top, I had lunch, then got stuck into the back. I thought I might as well make it pretty too. I pieced together a large panel two smaller pieces and plenty of black.
Then I bound the bottoms of both parts separately, before doing the other three sides all together in the usual way. It's kind of hard to see here, but I used Tiger print for the binding. I put a label on the inside, now I just need to add some press studs along the bottom edge and it's done.
That just about finishes off Mums fabrics. I have one Leopard panel left, it's a cushion size, there are some off cuts too, maybe I'll make a couple of pillow shams. There is certainly enough for at least one.
*
Tony treated himself to a kindle back in January. I've been threatening to make a cover for it ever since. Seems he was chatting with the boys at work yesterday about kindles and looking after them. He came home and announced that he has 'orders' for two please. Guess what my next project will be? Blokey kindle covers!
*

A Frustrating Day.

2011-03-23T07:18:00.002Z

The work I expected to find in the office wasn't there! So frustrating. But the journey through to Onchan wasn't a total waste. I called into the crafty shop while I waited for the bus to return home. I found a basket of threads going cheap, so I grabbed four big reels, I also picked up some butterfly motifs, I thought they would be pretty on the back of the butterfly quilt.
Once I got home again I got stuck in to mums animal print quilt. I layered and pinned it all ready for quilting. I fell in love with this lil' guy, he shows up more than once in one of the border rounds. Such a happy face, who says animals don't smile?

After a quick food break I was ready to quilt. The frustrations started again. Nothing was going right, I sewed and unsewed. I changed the needle, I sewed and unsewed, I threaded and re threaded the machine, I sewed and unsewed,I tried a different bobbin, I sewed and unsewed then the noise started and the needle broke! I tweaked and twiddled, and found a bit of fluff, then broke a second needle! So I walked away. I sat downstairs and stitched the butterfly motifs onto the butterfly quilt. I shopped online for a Dresden Wedge ruler. And had a glass of wine while I made dinner, then I had a second glass, just because I could. While I was slurping, my Hunney fixed my machine. Well, he hopes he has, it seemed to behave normally for him. The bobbin housing was lose. How does that happen?

I have another day off today, hopefully I'll be able to finish what I hoped to do yesterday.

Can't Sleep.

2011-03-22T06:10:00.002Z

It's one of 'those' nights. Well, those mornings really. I woke just before 5am and can't get back to sleep, so here I am talking to you.
Fortunately it's my day off work today, though I do have to call into the Onchan office for a short time. I'll call into the craft shop while I'm through there. :-) Maybe I'll buy something, maybe I won't. I've been very good this month and not bought stash of any kind, my only crafty purchase has been the new magnifying glass.
Before going into work yesterday I completed the animal print top. Here it is. :-)
I also had time to piece together two large off cuts of batting, a necessary task as I don't have a piece the right size and also prepared a piece of fabric for backing. I carried all three and the pins, downstairs with me when I got up, I'll get the table cleared shortly and start pinning.
*
Hope your day starts off better than mine did.

Catch Up.

2011-03-21T10:02:00.005Z

It's been a very busy weekend. When I got in from work on Friday I was exhausted, and had no energy at all, thank goodness dinner was quick and easy. I helped out at the Royal Naval Association bric a brac sale all day on Saturday. getting away just in time to go to work. An early shift on Sunday left me exhausted again. Boy was I ready for a lie in this morning. Not that I did lie in really, but it was nice to wake up naturally rather than with the alarm. I was still up bright and early and got a few bits out of the way before going into my sewing room.
*
After blogging on Thursday I went upstairs, I still didn't make a label for the butterfly quilt, because Mums fabrics were calling to me, so I got stuck in, and when I went to work I left it looking like this.
These fabrics have been bothering me, ever since mum and I bought them. I would think about them on 'those nights' when I was lying awake, ideas would come to me unbidden at all kinds of times, but when I pulled out the fabrics to look, nothing seemed to work. On Thursday they were calling again and I started pulling books off the shelf, hoping to find inspiration, I happened upon the booklet which came with my calender from Janice and there it was. A cot quilt , which seemed perfect. It has lain like this all weekend, waiting for me. So it was an easy task this morning to slip in there, still in my PJs and sew up those border seams. A quick press and time for a photo.

The cot quilt stopped at the zebra print, obviously I'll need to add a little more, then it's on to quilting it. Mum wants it as a duvet cover rather than a quilt, so there will be a second loose back when I eventually bind it.

So that's upstairs taken care of, what about downstairs? Nothing, not a single stitch since my last report. But I'll have time this week to do more there.

A Finish.

2011-03-17T09:01:00.003Z

Yesterday was one of those days, you know the kind, they go on and on, forever. Time seems to move very slowly. But it was in a good way. I got loads done, house work, sewing, gawping at the goings on, I even went in to work for a while! I got through a lot.
Upstairs.
I finished the Butterfly Fling quilt. I did do some more quilting, I added more in the columns as I suggested. I'm glad I did, it looks lovely. I also bound it using blue strips from the jelly roll.
It got a rinse and spin and a turn in the tumbler. Now it just needs a label.

I love how soft and cosy it feels. This is the first time I've used Hobbs 100% batting. I like it. :-) I think it will become a must for baby quilts. I have some blocks left and think I have a plan for those too. Watch this space.

Downstairs.

As I was sat here blogging away yesterday, something totally unexpected floated passed my window! You know I live in a flat right? Above a shop. I climb up three flights of stairs to get home. Yesterday there was a commotion and noise in the street below, there was some hooting and tooting, I could hear blokes shouting to one another in an amiable way. When I looked out I saw this. I just figured they were here to look at the street lighting.
Next thing I know, I'm blogging away, minding my own business when this floats passed! Well it's not every day I see something like that up here! LOL The street lights are not up this high.

They weren't here to look at the lights at all, they were here to clear the gutters on the buildings across the street. There is a deep gutter behind the parapet and the gulls like to nest up there, they make such a mess and the guttering gets blocked. After twenty minutes of cleaning they were craned back to the ground and away they went.

Also downstairs. When I got home from work I sat down with my cross stitch. I can't believe I have the Hydrangea almost half way completed. :-)

Back to work for real today. I start at 3pm. But first I'm off to play for a while.

An acquisition

2011-03-16T09:16:00.003Z

My DD kay turned up yesterday, she brought me flowers and took me out for lunch. Yum. We also had a quick look around the shops. Kay bought some cards and I found a not so old quilt hanger in a junk shop. It's a little on the wibbly wobbly side, but I'm hoping my Hunney can do something about that. Right now it's upstairs being used as nature intended it.
Speaking of Upstairs.
Before DD and I went out for lunch, we took a cuppa upstairs and I finished quilting the Butterfly Fling top. I trimmed the edges and it now awaits maybe a little more quilting, or maybe I'll just add the binding and call it done.
Currently it just has simple almost in the ditch quilting across the rows. I'm thinking maybe I should do the same down the columns too. But a little voice is tempting me to just bind it! I'll keep you posted.
*
Downstairs.
Once home from our lunch and shopping I got out my cross stitch and sat stitching while we chatted.
My purple and mauve blob has grown a little, and sprouted some leaves. I took a break to say goodbye and throw a casserole into the oven, then kept on stitching until a late dinner time.
*
I go back to work today, albeit on a short shift. LOL Still making efforts to use up some of that time I'm owed. I have a meeting this afternoon with a government H&S officer, so I couldn't take the whole day off, instead I'll hopefully only be there for a couple of hours. Tomorrow I'm back to work for real, on a late shift. Phew, I've had a long and slack weekend. Just a shame I didn't find a little more stitchy time.
*
It's surprising what goes passed your third storey windows! More about that tomorrow!

At last.

2011-03-15T09:27:00.002Z

No upstairs, downstairs today. I didn't put in a single stitch yesterday. Instead I spent the day sat right here at the table with my student head on. Yep, I studied and studied. It was an e-learning course. I took lots of notes and then sat the E-exam. I passed. 100% :-)
Today it is lashing down, so hopefully I will get to sew.
But first.....
At long last both Annie and Janice have received their gifts from my 600 posts give away. Both girls were very taken with the tiny socks I knitted. I found a newborn size pattern on Ravelry and just couldn't resist adding a key ring.
I wanted to do a little more with the pears, but I think my choice of fabrics excluded pretty much everything I tried. I settled for the less is more look, just adding a button to the leaf and some primitive stitching and pretty pins in the seams.

For the flower pins I enlisted the help of one of my colleagues. They were fun to make, once I got my hands on the correct type of glue.

I'm off to play.

Homemade is best.

2011-03-14T11:02:00.002Z

I don't know about you, but some things I find really are best when they are homemade. Often though, time is an issue and we have to make do with store bought produce. If we're lucky we are able to access a farmers market or shop and can purchase some one else's homemade produce. One thing I am never able to find here is a nice coleslaw. I always find the bought stuff very watery and anaemic, with little or no flavour. It's so simple and quick to make. The basic recipe is always the same. Carrots, onion, cabbage and mayo. Adjust the quantities to suit your tastes.
I finely dice the onion and about a quarter of a small cabbage, then add grated carrot, I always make sure there is plenty of carrot. I stir in one table spoon of mayo, I use organic, and that's it, it takes about 10 minutes to make from start to finish.

I store it in an air tight container in the fridge for a couple of days. It might last longer than that, I don't know, cause it never lasts that long! Best of all? Because I bought the ingredients I know it's 100% organic. If you have the garden and the time to grow your own, even better.

Sometimes I change things a little by using red cabbage or red onion. Spring onions are a nice change too. Chives are a nice addition, fresh is best, but dried will do if you can leave it to sit for an hour or two before use. How about big juicy sultanas?

Lack of progress....

2011-03-13T09:21:00.003Z

Upstairs.
Nothing, nada, nowt! The butterfly fling top remains stalled where I left it on Thursday. Half of the top is already on the wadding and partially quilted, the other half is still lying in long strips on the table. The all white and washed out area under the skylight! I have a couple more days before going back to work, I'll get back to it. I started putting it together in a weird quilt as you go method. Downstairs.
Things are not much better to be honest. I sat here on Friday stitching away at the dressing table bear and came to the conclusion that I really don't like it. I wouldn't be keeping it.......and why on earth am I persevering? I made an executive decision. I took it off the scroll bars and put it away along with all the threads and charts. I will not be finishing it. It felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It's official, Loulee has a UFO.
That done I still intend to stick by my no new start commitment. I pulled out 'Floral Trio' and got stuck right in. Starting on the Hydrangea felt a bit like a new start. LOL
I also pulled out the package containing the 'Endangered Babies'. They are sat watching me, I wonder how long they will remain patient?
Ailsa will be posting a progress picture of her cross stitch today. I hope she has more 'stick with it' than I have! LOL

Bright ideas

2011-03-11T12:42:00.003Z

Upstairs.
Thanks to everyone for your support yesterday. I was so frustrated, how on earth could I make such a silly mistake? I'll blame tiredness! I had plenty of the white fabric and was able to cut more strips. The top is almost complete. The smaller pieces I have dropped into a scraps box. I'm sure they will get used up in something.
I looked into my sewing room this morning but can't seem to find any enthusiasm for that today. Maybe later.
*
Downstairs.
When I looked into Ailsa's blog yesterday she was showing yet more WIPs. Some of them she mentioned needing good light for.
When I first started Cross stitching I could sew just about anywhere, in any light. No help or assistance needed. Things have changed somewhat in the last 30+ years! More so in the last 15. LOL
First stop was spectacles, then gradually over time more and more assistance has crept in.
My newest helper is this little clip on magnifier and light. What a great wee toy. It just arrived today and I have it positioned so that I can easily read my charts.

Some years ago my Hunney bought me an angle poise lamp and magnifier, I have this set up so that I can pull it over my sewing. On projects with 14 or 16 count fabric I just use the light, but for finer counts and evenweaves I utilise the magnifying glass. It's handy for lighting my knitting too and the glass helps out if I have to un knit!

It has a daylight style bulb, perfect for sewing and knitting. It has a clamp which holds it in place on another of my Hunneys gifts. A Lowery work stand.

I have everything all set up around my chair.

When I have my days with David Attenborough, this is where you'll find me, possibly wrapped up in that cosy quilt, certainly knitting or sewing.

Today is one of those bonus days off I mentioned earlier in the week. It's also my weekend off! I have 5 days to relax. Bliss. :-)

Could kick myself!

2011-03-10T10:36:00.003Z

Upstairs.
I was up early this morning, ridiculously so, it was one of 'those' nights. And it shows. I've been upstairs playing in the sewing room since I heard my Hunney getting up and I knew I wouldn't disturb him. I finished putting together the rows of Butterfly Fling blocks. Then I cut the last of the sash strips and the blue corner stones and got them all put together.
I was flying and having so much fun. Then after I had pressed the first strip from the new batch, I came to a crashing halt.

Now I'm in the middle of unsewing said sash strips. I had cut all of the white pieces 1/2 inch too short. Time for a break and a cuppa. I'll get back to it soon, I want to try and get this top finished before I go in to work today. I start at 4pm.
*

Downstairs.

On the cross stitch front, I've almost completed the cross stitches for the bear piece. There seems to be very little back stitch, so I predict a finish fairly soon. :-)

After my last post about Cross stitch Ailsa got in touch with me asking about a stitch along, so that we have a little incentive and can encourage each other. Like a lot of us, she's a busy lady with a job, family and life all conspiring to get in the way of her craft time. Go have a look at her blog, tell her I sent you and crack the whip while you're there. LOL

No picture from down stairs today, Ailsa and I will post updates on the same day hopefully. Work, life, family...........permitting.

Right, I'm off upstairs to un sew some more.

WIPs and Upstairs Downstairs.

2011-03-07T15:50:00.004Z

I thought I might show you my cross stitch WIPs. Maybe that will help with completion! First up is a piece which I inherited from one of my service users. I'm really not sure I like this one, but I'll finish it anyway.
I haven't done a huge amount to it, here's after and before! LOL

I'm not sure what will happen to this once it's done.

*
Next up is a piece I've been working on and off for about 6 years. 'Floral trio' is about 2/3 done, with only the back stitch on the Clematis and a hydrangea left to stitch.

I set out doing this one for mum, but she has since announced that she has no wall space left? Maybe a cushion?

This one has been seen more recently, like in the last two years recently. LOL

'Endangered babies' is also almost complete. I used to be a prolific cross stitcher, until I was seduced by patchwork and quilting.

My plan is to complete all three of these cross stitch before I'm allowed to cast on any more knitting, or indeed, begin a new cross stitch. Even though I don't really like the teddy bear piece, I have enjoyed working on it over the last couple of evenings. So that's down stairs. Upstairs nothing has changed, the sewing room is all tidy after the other day and I didn't get a chance to mess it up again. I'm sure I'll remedy that tomorrow, I have a late shift!

You know when you find out you have to take some time off? I was certain I had used up all of the Time off in lieu I worked up last year, but my line manager just told me today that I have 22 hours to use! Bonus. :-) Then she got stressed out trying to cover some of my shifts so I can use it. I have two shifts covered already, one to go. Extra time off, means extra time to play. :-)

Planning.

2011-03-05T17:00:00.003Z

I've been meaning to show you this beauty for a while. Mum bought me this plant a couple of years ago and it's never stopped flowering. This latest bloom has to be the best yet.
I know it by two names Kalanchoe or Flaming Katie. It's clicky if you want a better look.

It sits on the bathroom window sill, above the most important seat in the house. While I was in there, sleeves up scrubbing away, the sun was shining through the window and it just looked beautiful. Typically, by the time I'd taken off the gloves and fetched the camera the sun was hiding, but I took the picture anyway, all those golden blooms don't need sunshine to look beautiful.

I completed the bag lining yesterday as planned, and the zipper behaved perfectly. :-) So finish number one is accomplished. Finish number two is almost upon me. I picked up the last of the Christmas mopping up projects. My SIL Angie didn't get a hat to go with her scarf and mitts, she's been waiting ever since. This could be her lucky day, I really am that close to finishing it. The new project I cast on just wasn't working, another of those times when the pattern just wouldn't stay in my head, I kept making the most silly mistake, always the same one! LOL So I've abandoned that for now. I think someone was trying to tell me something. So after two relatively quick finishes, I have only the longer haul projects left. LOL

My tidy up in the sewing room revealed that the makings of at least four projects remain in Mums pile! Two could be quick finishes, the others will require a bit more time and thought. Though to be honest, what was the least inspiring bundle has been talking to me, ever since I read this post.

My tidy up forced me to put a bit more thought into my goals. The rules have changes slightly! No I'm still not allowing myself any new starts! No new knitting starts once Angie's hat is complete, if I want to knit I work on my blanket if I don't want to do that, I'll have to cross stitch. That's downstairs taken care of.

Upstairs, where the patching and quilting takes place, I want to clear out Mums fabrics, but I don't want to commit to just those, so if I need a break from them, I get to work on the Butterfly Fling quilt for Freya.

Does any of that makes sense? Still with me? Lets simplify this, I think I need it even if you don't.

No new starts until I complete.

1) Two of Mums projects, one quick, one longer.

2) One cross stitch project.

3) Freya's quilt.

Wow, I don't think I've ever spelled it out quite like that before.

I'm off to smear marinade over the chicken pieces, then I'll finish the last few rows of Angie's hat.

It's zipper time.

2011-03-04T08:48:00.004Z

I finished the knitted part of the bag last night. Now it's time to make the fabric lining. I know it seems like I'm making a fuss about inserting a zip, but it's been almost 20 years since I did such a thing and at the time I was following a dress pattern.
This time I'll be doing it on the wing! I'm sure it will be fine. I don't start work until 4pm today, so plenty of time time to find my sewing table and get stuck in.
*
Of course as soon as I had finished sewing up said baggie I cast about for another project. I have two WIPs sat beside my armchair, but instead of picking one of those I set to casting on a new project! Another gift, for another friend. I'll show that when there is a little more than 5 rows of stocking stitch. LOL
*
I was asked yesterday if I would make a quilt for someone. I don't usually do requests, because I then put pressure on myself and it takes all the pleasure out of the process, look at how long I've procrastinated over Mother's elephants and assorted fabrics! But I do want to do this request. Now I feel guilty, I've only used half of mother's stash of fabrics, I have a quilt for Freya stalled on the sewing room floor, not to mention at least three other project boxes all sat patiently awaiting my attention. Then of course there are the two, no three, no four knitting projects and two cross stitch WIPs sat patiently too. I fully intend to return to and complete each and every one of them, so refuse to call them UFOs. They are all WIPs. Maybe one of the WIP quilts could be gifted as the request, she's not fussy, any colour will do so long as it keeps her warm, but I had this idea and I want to try it out......
I lay awake thinking about this last night and promised myself that I would finish at least three items before I am allowed any new starts. ON ANY OF MY CRAFTS. If I line the bag today, that's one item down.

Frosty Rooftops

2011-03-03T08:13:00.002Z

These beautiful clear sunny days we've been getting, mean cold frosty nights. I popped my head and the camera out of our skylights this morning. There was so much frost settled on them, that was the only way I would see the world.
The early morning sun was so pretty, but my photography skills only stretched to a hazy shot over the roof tops.

In just a few minutes the sun has started to melt the frost and this rooftop is getting blacker by the moment.

A day off today. Except I'm volunteering with one of the service users. You know how sometimes there are people you'd go out of your way to help?

When I get home, I'll knit. I'm onto the handles of the bag now. It'll be time for that zip soon.

Take care.

Harbourside Happenings.

2011-03-02T15:48:00.006Z

I promised I'd take my camera when I went for milk yesterday. It was a lovely day, lots of sunshine. Where I stopped here to take this image I was in the shade of a converted warehouse.
It was cold in the shadows, but the moment I stepped into the sun, my black coat absorbed the heat and I was cosy again. The warehouse is apartments now, but I remember seeing great bales of wool being hoisted in and out all ready to be exported. I'll try to remember to get a picture of that another time.
Look how still the water was. Here I'm looking across the harbour to the ship yard. Not the huge yards you'd see in Belfast or on the Tyne, but still a working yard. That vessel on the slip has been there for a couple of years, she's undergoing a complete refit. If you follow the water to the left of this picture you go upriver, under a bridge and into the nature reserve. If you go to the right, there is another arm to the harbour, a footpath along it leads to a public park with a childrens playground and boating lake. Aerial map of Ramsey showing the harbour layout.

Some of the resident wildlife saw me lingering and arrived all hopeful and expectant.

There are several varieties of water fowl who make their home on and around our harbour. We have a large population of ducks and there are always several swans about too.

There are also some regular visitors depending on the season, including more swans, (They are mute swans) and various breeds of geese. Herons nest up river and are frequently seen fishing in the harbour as are cormorants.

Could you use a laugh? A quick cheer up? Look here to see what this guy got up to on a sleep over.
*

Well that's me and my news. I'm off to knit. Have a good day.

What pushes your buttons?

2011-03-01T09:09:00.003Z

I couldn't sleep last night. I flopped about like a landed fish until just after 2am, then gave up and got up. My mind was busy with work stuff. Busy, busy, busy. Getting out of bed helped, I made myself a cuppa and blog surfed until about 5.30 am, then curled up on the sofa and slept until my Hunney peeped in at me, he didn't mean to wake me.
*
So, since my Hunney woke me, I finally took time to sew the buttons onto the shocking pink cardigan.
They are sooooo pretty. Last night I finished the second panel of the bag so I've blocked it this morning. Also last night I cast on the side and bottom piece, they are knit as one, from the top of one side, around the bottom to the top of the other side. Maybe before I go into work today I can begin construction on the bag lining. Or maybe I'll save that zip for a day when I've had a good nights sleep.
*

It's a beautiful day outside, beaming with sunshine, but I spy a good frost out there too. I do have to go out for milk, I'll take my camera and go the scenic route. Later, when things have warmed up a little.

Jury Service!

2011-02-28T16:42:00.002Z

I was picked to attend for Jury service today. But wasn't selected to stay for the trial. I feel a bit let down, it would have been interesting to see how things work in the real world. (The stuff I took part in today is never shown on TV.) But I'm also not terribly disappointed, what a pain it could have been. That's me off the hook for a couple of years anyway.
*
In keeping with the more serious side of my life, I hunted all over town the other day for wooden curtain rings an essential element in my latest knitted creation. Not a one to be had, well I could have had 2 dozen!! But not four, on their own. Whats a girl to do?
I improvised, I went back to the crafty shop and picked up plastic rings,

Which I covered using yarn B.

I finished one panel and have the second one up to the fourth bobble. This could be a real fun and quick knit if work didn't keep getting in the way.

(Essential footwear. ;-p) I think I mentioned that the pattern calls for a knitted lining, but I have a fat quarter here that will go very nicely with yarn B and while I was getting the rings, I also purchased a zipper. I haven't put a zip into something for over twenty years, this should be interesting. LOL If you don't want to learn any new words, don't come near my house the day I try that.

Days off continue to be few and far between at the moment, between the 'winter vomiting bug' and people leaving, we're a bit short of staff. That aside today I committed to stop looking for another job and take on new challenges within my current role. (Yes that's right, once I was dismissed by the court, I went into work.) Some time later in the year I get to go away and take part in a 4 day training course. (Janice, Keith mentioned the first week in June, I do hope he's winding me up, he knows I've had that time booked for two years!) The course will enable me to grow within my current health and safety role and to deliver the health and safety training for the whole team here on the Isle of Man. I'm sure other things will stem from the course too. So, looking forward again, instead of elsewhere. It feels good.

Not quite what I had in mind....

2011-02-24T16:40:00.002Z

I know I said I was off to get creative yesterday, but this wasn't what I planned. I sat with Joe in the sitting room, picked up my knitting and put it down again, picked up a magazine, and fell asleep reading it. I awoke an hour later all stiff and cross. Joe made me a cuppa and suggested we have another go at his pink meringues. Remember the ones he made at school tasted better than they looked? Well these ones look a lot better.
They taste great too, all sweet and squishy, with whole raspberries in the cream filling. Drool, I'm off to get another one. So glad you're not here, cause that means there are more for me! :-p
*
Maybe today I'll knit.

Stuff That!

2011-02-23T12:30:00.004Z

I looked into this blog this morning before going to work. Janice and her husband had a visitor who was good enough to allow them to take publicity shots. He/she is a fine beastie and I just had to comment.

Just look at the word verification! I've seen this sort of thing pop up before, but never thought to get a photo.
*
And now to the title of the post......

Remember my lesson in reading book reviews? Well my sock loom finally arrived from the USA last week. Typically just after I managed to master the Double pointed needle technique. Anyway last night I finally got around to having a play with the loom. I have to say, I'm glad I mastered the multiple needle method. What a fuss and fiddle!
You're given an instrument which looks like it comes from a torture chamb, er sorry, dentists surgery. The smaller end bars on the loom itself slide up and down the length allowing you to change the number of pins you're working on, they're held in place with elastic bands. Well, I'm not impressed. The torture instrument kept catching the elastic bands and getting at the end panel which had been slid into the middle was to say the least fiddly.

It took me longer to work one round than it did to knit about four rounds on DPNs. That was after I spent over two hours with tension issues while casting on. I do not recommend this method for knitting socks. If you're determined to learn, use DPNs. Be persistent, come on holiday and visit me, I'm never be an expert, but I'll happily show you the basics. What ever you do, stay away from these things. Now if I could just figure out how to translate the patterns in the book for use with DPNs it won't be a total waste of money.
*
I'm off to do something crafty and constructive with my afternoon.

An almost finished.......

2011-02-22T15:40:00.003Z

And a new start. The shocking pink cardigan just needs it's buttons. I've been pecking away at closing the seams since Wednesday. Today I finally finished. I have the buttons here, I just need to get them on. A quick press and this little beauty can be on it's way to it's new home. :-)
I've been pretty busy with work, quite a few extra hours have been worked, which I intend to take back tomorrow as time in lieu. Today is a day off, I looked into my crafty room, mooched about for a few minutes and came out again with hands full of yarn to cast on a bag for my colleague. I think I mentioned a trade, some of her beautiful hand made cards, for one of my hand made baggies.

Here's a taste of the front and back panels. The pattern came in a booklet with the latest copy of 'Let's Knit'. There are several quick to knit bags, boasting they can be made in a weekend. Well I don't have one of those, so I'll get stuck in where ever I can. The pattern has a knitted lining, but I plan to use fabric.

'Waving' to our family in NZ. I'm so glad you are all safe. I can't help but worry about bloggy friends in the Christchurch area. I hope you are well and I'm thinking of you.

With one side of Australia burning, the other side under water and New Zealand trying to shake itself to bits.......kinda makes our wet, miserable overcast British Isles a little more bearable.

Take care all. Lou xx

Still Cloudy

2011-02-18T16:08:00.004Z

The weather is still not conducive to long strolls and meanders. So today's detour was another brisk stroll along the harbour side.
*
The 'Ben boats' have carried freight to and from the island for as long as I can remember. They used to bring coal in and my neighbour drove the crane which lifted it out of the holds with a big bucket.
Going the other way they would carry timber and wool out. I'm sure they transported many other goods too, but that's what I remember. Today they bring timber in as well as lots of other stuff.

The fleet was named after the islands glens. 'Ben' is the Manx Gaelic for lady or woman, so 'Ben Maye' is 'Lady Maye'. There were many other Ben boats, all painted grey but some have been replaced with a younger newer fleet, the 'River' boats, I'll watch out for one of those. (Glen Maye)

And just because they were there, some snow drops nodding their heads under the trees at work. Typical, now that I finally taught myself to knit socks on DPNs my loom has arrived. I won't get a chance to play for a week or so. I promised my colleague her new bag would be my next project, not even a new lust for socks can get in the way.

Nice quick and easy spag bol for dinner, now that my hips have defrosted, you'll find me at the stove.

Cloudy!

2011-02-17T10:41:00.003Z

That's what today's weather forecast says on a local website. That's it, just that one word. LOL Mind you, it's not wrong.
When I asked recently what it is you like about my blog and what you'd like to see here, many of you commented that you liked it when I take my camera along with me on my walks. With that in mind I took my camera along today when I scooted out to get milk. Rather than just going next door but one to the closest shop, I took a detour and went to a shop a little farther away, stopping to take pictures of course. I think most towns have their tired, worn out places, and Ramsey is no exception. We used to have a very busy harbour and regular markets. Not the trendy farmers markets we see today. Once a week the town used to take on some good country smells as the cattle mart took place. I think it was a Thursday? Anyway, those markets no longer take place here in town and the old mart buildings are abandoned. As I stopped to take the pictures I wondered what this place is like in the summer.
All those buddleia must attract a plethora of butterflies and other insect life.

It must be a little nature reserve, very close to the centre of town. Children have of course made the old cattle pens their own and the place is strewn with the remainder of old dens and rubbish, but I will go back on a warm sunny day to see who else plays there.

Another stop with my camera was the harbour side. Below the bridge is the quiet port of Ramsey, where the fishing boats and a couple of freight vessels come and go with the tides. You can see the crane for loading and unloading and the tops of the warehouses.

Above the bridge is where the pleasure craft and hobby fishing craft are moored. There is also a small working shipyard. The harbour has two arms above the bridge. The one you see here goes up river, under a road bridge and into a nature reserve. I was on the harbour side today just at high tide. There was a brisk breeze blowing which had a bit of a bite to it so I didn't linger. The cold damp air makes my hips ache, but I vowed to carry my camera more often and to take more detours.

I'd left veggie soup bubbling gently on the stove and came home to wonderful smells. I'm making huge pans of soups and broths every week now, sometimes twice. They are instant easy meals when I work late shifts, I take a portion to work for my meal, no matter what shift I'm working. Now if I could just convince Tony that he doesn't need a half a loaf of bread with it......

I'm nearly finished the shocking pink cardigan, I started knitting up the button bands last night, then I get to knit a bag. I friend and colleague of mine makes the most beautiful cards and has agreed to trade with me. :-) We did this once before, I love her cards. I'm off to stir the soup cauldron and knit.

We have two winners.

2011-02-15T08:38:00.003Z

Well I dragged it out to post number 601. But better late than never. Joe brought a friend home with him last night, so I got them each to play along with my give away. The bowl on the left was the draw for suggesting a name, for the quilt with no name. Michael kindly drew out 'AnnieO'.
The bowl on the right was drawn by my Joe, it had forty slips of paper all vying for the chatterbox prize. :-) Joe drew out Janice. I've emailed both girls and will get packages away soon.
What are they eating? Joe's Raspberry meringues. There was red food colour everywhere, you should have seen Michael's face!
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I didn't make it up into the sewing room yesterday. Instead I did some more knitting. I finished off the back of the cardigan and cast on both fronts. This is a new trick for me, working on both fronts or both sleeves at the same time. Like I said yesterday with no pattern and not even a raglan sleeve, this is quite a boring knit. I'm glad I added the cream coloured rib. I think the whole garment made in this pink would be very over powering for a baby.

Hopefully it will be a quick knit and I can get back to something more challenging soon. On today's jobs list is the need to find some buttons that will match. Hopefully in shocking pink!
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While my Hunney and I were discussing not going out for dinner in order to save money, I did suggest that perhaps he not spend quite so much on flowers as he normally would. He took my advice. In a departure from the usual Stargazer (Christmas) Lilies and red roses he took notice of my interest in the tulip bouquets. This is not the best of pictures, the flowers are all washed out, but they are beautiful. Thank you Hunney.

Our dinner went well. I made a starter of home made pizza wheels, home made coleslaw and home pickled beets with a little green salad. We followed with Beef Wellington, (perfectly cooked! Yippie!) roasted sweet potato and pea pods with a red currant sauce. I'm still stuffed, but Tony managed to eat one of Joe's meringues.
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Take care.

The big 600.

2011-02-14T08:04:00.003Z

Happy Valentines Day. I sent my lovely off to work today with Heart shaped cuff links, some heart shaped chocs in his lunch pack and of course his apple cosy. :-) We exchanged cards before he left.
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This being my 600th post I promised to do a draw of all the comments on the last few posts in order to have a give away, but we were so busy being lovey dovey this morning I forgot to get him to do it! I'll get Joe to do it later. Just so you know, there are 40 names going into the hat for the 600th post give away and twelve names for the name that quilt surprise. Some of you will have more than one entry, because you commented on more than one post. :-) I still didn't decide on a name for the shirt quilt! Hence the need for a draw to decide who wins! LOL
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Speaking of Joe, during their cooking lesson today they have to make something for Valentines, but were told not to do heart shaped cookies, or cup cakes with heart shaped decorations. After a bit of thought I came up with Raspberry Meringues and Joe agreed. Yummy, can't wait.
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The only time I spent up in my sewing room recently was to pull out my button tin and collect the iron so I could do the boring household ironing. :-( Instead I've been busy knitting. I finished off the Aran jacket mentioned in the last post. It consented to go together with no more dramas or ripping outs! LOL Remember my post, grumbling about socks? Well my knitting magazine turned up, with a free set of sock pins and a sock knitting guide. Look what I did!
I've actually made three socks, but the first one had a couple of ventilation holes! So I tried again. You can't really tell here but they are only tiny, size 0 - 6 months. The yarn is Opal's Circus Clown. I have another sock yarn here to play with, but that can wait for another time. For now I've cast on another cardigan using the bright pink yarn which I bought way back here. I got about half way up the back last night. I must admit to being a little bored with it. After knitting up the Aran, then the steep learning curve with the socks, learning to knit on 4 needles, turn a heel and make toes all inside a day, the plain stocking stitch of a very plain little cardigan is boring! LOL I was however able to watch a movie while I knitted and have finally seen Avatar.
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It's my long weekend off work, so after a busy couple of days with Tony, Joe and Mum, I finally have time to relax. Though today I plan to make a special dinner for Tony, we agreed not to go out this evening as we're trying to save our pennies. It's Beef Wellington for dinner. Followed, I hope by Joes Raspberry Meringues.
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Time to play. (Spell checker is not working! If there are any clangers, you'll work it out!)

If at first you don't succeed

2011-02-10T09:45:00.003Z

Rip it out and start again! Sigh......
That seems to have been an issue with this little jacket. I tore the hood out several times before the pattern instructions 'clicked' into my head. The button hole band was the same.
Even this photo shoot! I tried several different times, on different surfaces, with and without flash.....It's not at it's best here, it's not even finished, I still have to close up the sleeve and side seams and find some buttons. But it's close enough to being finished for me to post here, and tomorrow Tony can take it to work and hand it over to Freya's Daddy.
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Speaking of buttons, look what I found yesterday. The little apple pin I spied in a charity shop window, nestled amid all the red items on display. While I was inside paying for said apple, these buttons just hopped out of a box on the counter and begged to come home with me. (The tea spoon is just for scale) I had camera issues with these too, you're not seeing them at their best. I adore them.
I've no particular project in mind for them though, so they'll go into the tin and come out when they're needed.
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For those who are counting, this is post number 599! Last chance. You may only have 24 hours, on the other hand, you may have 4 days. I'll need those four days and a little more in order to finish your gift. The threads I want for it are not available from my usual OLS so I shopped around and found them somewhere else and I just had a call from them saying they are out of stock! I've agreed that they can send the closest possible match. I'll see how that looks, if it doesn't work, I've already started thinking about plan C.
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I'm off to make a cauldron of soup and close up those seams. I might even have time for a new start before I go to work. :-)

Days off Flutter by......

2011-02-03T14:26:00.005Z

For post 598 we return to quilty content. As I said, I've been inspired by our friends baby to revisit a UFO. This started out as a Butterfly Fling Jelly roll. I played about with it some time ago, but it never really took off, I think because I wasn't following a pattern and had no definite purpose for it. If you remember I took out all of the blue strips, I don't know why, but they have returned and are playing the role of corner stones and I also see a blue border somewhere in the (I hope) near future.
It's not a great photo I'm afraid, but hopefully enough to let you see where I'm up to.
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I'm on a day off today, I really needed it, the head cold caught up with me and wore me out. I had a lovely lie in this morning and have taken my time puddling about upstairs in the sewing room. I'm just taking a break to get the dinner started, Chilli Con Carne, Yum. Then maybe I'll sew some more, or maybe I'll do a little knitting.
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As I said at the top, this is post number 598, only one post left to go. ;-)

Works in planning and lack of progress

2011-02-01T10:31:00.006Z

After a recent tidy up and sort out, Gina agreed to have a little swap with me. I sent her a bunch of magazines, and she sent me a bunch of Navy Blue fat quarters.
Look at all of this! Gina not only sent some pretty fat quarters, she also had a look through her scraps and found some largish Navy Blue pieces in there and sent them along too AND she enclosed a cute Rudolph pattern. Thank you for swapping with me Gina. You know how I love blue and white quilts? Well probably in about 20 years........ LOL
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I've been playing about a little with the Butterfly Fling blocks adding some sashing. I'll play about with it some more today and see where it goes. I don't think I ever really had a firm plan for this one, maybe that's why it became a UFO. Now that there is a baby girl to create for it's taken life again. It's slow progress though, I've got a sinussey head cold thing happening which is causing a distinct lack of concentration and enthusiasm, fortunately sewing precut sashings onto blocks is pretty mindless, the little knitted Aran jacket has ground to a halt though.
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I'm going to play for an hour or two.
Oh by the way, this is post number 597!! We're getting up there.

Shh, It's a secret.

2011-01-30T11:15:00.002Z

I thoroughly enjoyed my day off on Friday. As I hoped, I got a few little things finished off and knitted some more of Freya's latest creation. I also scooted out to the yarn shop and bought some red and green. Nothing spectacular, just man made fibers at £0.50 a ball. See I'd spotted something in my knitting magazine and had a plan. It only took a couple of hours to whip up an apple cosy!
Tony always takes a lunch box to work, with a sandwich and some fruit. His Valentines day lunch box always contains an extra little surprise, a chocolate heart or something similar. This year I'll dress up his apple. LOL Shh, for now it's all hidden away in my drawer. ;-)
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For those in the know, this is day 596. There is quite a list forming here, lots of little slips of paper to be made.
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I have ham and leek soup bubbling away on the stove, yummmmmm. I'm off to stir that then do a little boring household sewing before I head off to work.

Sock Frustrations.

2011-01-28T09:47:00.003Z

A while ago, before Christmas I purchased some DPNs and some sock yarn, all those beautiful yarns cried out to me and I was so determined to knit some socks. Well I tried and tried and huffed at failure, how do they do it? I watched videos on Youtube and read countless tutorials and still made a birds nest! Somewhere amid all the frustration I came across socks knitted on looms, I recalled happily hooking away on my old dolly bobbin (One of my grans old wooden cotton reels, I still have it.) and I thought to myself, well that's easy, I can do that, I can knit socks after all. I went shopping and this book called out to me. I found it on Amazon with a look inside this book application, so I looked inside this book.
All those socks, all that advice all those pretty yarns, my clicky finger got busy and the book was on it's way to me. :-)
When it got here I flickered through it quickly before running out the door to work. Oh! I love those, Ooo, I must do these, yum look at that yarn, where can I buy that? That was all I had time to do for a few days, but each time I flicked, I drooled. So, the other day I was exhausted when I got in from work, I really couldn't be bothered doing anything, not even Freya's knitting, so I curled up with my new book and started to read. The author explains everything, from start to finish, working toe up or working down. There are patterns for all manner of sizes, ribbed and lacy socks. I could see me having hours of fun with this book. So aside from all these yummy yarns, what else do I need? An extra fine gauge sock loom. Did you ever try to find one of those in Britain? I wondered if anyone one else had been having similar frustrations, so I went back to Amazon to have a look at the reviews. Yep!! There is a lesson here. Next time I buy a crafty book from Amazon I'll be reading reviews before getting clicky! I'll have to wait quite a while for my extra fine gauge wondersock loom to come directly from the manufacturer. There WILL be loom knitted socks in my future.
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As you know my Hunney Tony has finally finished his degree. In April we'll be off to Harrogate for his capping ceremony. We decided to make a little break out of it and will be staying for a whole week. Anybody live nearby? Want to meet? Tell me where to shop and what to see. We'll do the Museum, he wants to go to the baths and we've agreed to take a train ride day trip to Whitby, all good stuff, but I'm not going all that way without visiting a crafty shop or two, maybe I'll find some sock yarn! ROTF
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Thanks for all the comments on yesterdays post. I think I'll take your advice and just keep on blethering about what ever comes to mind on the day. If you missed yesterdays post, look here for news about a couple of give aways for my regulars. Oh yes, this is post 595. :-)
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Today I have a whole day off! I have a few things I want to finish up and then I'll curl up somewhere with David Attenborough (You know what I mean!) and work a little on Freya's latest.

594

2011-01-27T15:03:00.003Z

You'd better grab a cuppa, it seems I have lots to say today. My kettle just boiled, I'll meet you back here! LOL
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594? I'll get back to that later. Look, I finished yet another neutral cardigan for baby Freya.
It's the last one, now I get to play with some colour. Look at the buttons I found though, don't they look like toffee or fudge or something equally sweet and tasty.

They've been in my button tin for years, I really don't remember where I acquired them, but they do look a treat on this little cardigan. It's knitted using a Merino blend, what else?
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This one unfortunately is not a merino blend. It's not a very good picture either, no matter what I do, this one just doesn't want to come out right. This is an Aran weight yarn and is a blend of natural and synthetic fibres. I'm just about to start decreasing for the arm holes on the back. The cable is supposed to have bobbles in the flat area, but I don't put them onto the backs of baby garments, I will add them to the fronts and sleeves though.

Here's a better look at the yarn colour, isn't it pretty?

I'm still enjoying the relatively quick finishes achieved with baby knits, but I'm sure I'll get fed up at some point and have been planning quilts and returns to UFOs. A baby girl is all it took to get me thinking about my Butterfly Fling Jelly Roll UFO. (I have blogged about it somewhere if you want to go hunting) I dug out the box the other day, maybe I'll do some work on it sometime soon. LOL

594? We're getting very close to 600 blog posts. That sounds like a good place to have a give away. My opportunity to send a gift to one of my regular readers. In fact I'll send one gift each to two regular readers I've had quite a few suggestions of names for this quilt, some of which I really like, LOL. I keep changing my mind. I think what I'll do is put all of your names into a hat and bribe one of my boys in to drawing a name out. So that's one gift taken care of, what about the second one? Every comment from a regular reader between now and post 600 will have a place in a second draw. (Only one comment per person per post please! Don't want you getting accused of spamming. Oh and you don't have to 'follow' me or advertise all over your own blogs either.) So if you comment on each post...594, 595, 596, 597, 598 and 599 you could have six tickets in the draw. Wow! In post 600 I'll announce the winners for both draws. No time limits, I'll just post when I post, but I will help with a countdown or reminders or something.

Still with me? I said you'd need a cuppa.

I've been thinking about how to get a little more structure to my blog. I've seen 'Design wall Mondays' and 'Wordless Wednesdays'. But I don't have a design wall and I'm a chatterbox! I can't really post every day because some days I really have nothing to show or talk about. Would you like to see more random stuff, walks or home pictures or should I stick to my crafts? Because of confidentiality issues I really can't say or show much about my work. Today's entry into the draw could be a comment about what it is you like or would like to see/read on my blog.

Burns Night

2011-01-24T11:26:00.004Z

Last night my Sunday dinner was a wee bit different. You may know that it's Burns Night tomorrow. (Tuesday) There is more than a little Scots blood running in my veins, so a celebration was in order. Due to work and life's commitments, we decided to celebrate Burns night a little early with our own Burns Supper.

For those who need to know, here's what goes in to a traditional Haggis.

It's a Girl.

2011-01-20T09:46:00.004Z

Our pregnant friends have finally popped. Freya Lily came into the world on Tuesday at 9.15 am after a 20 hour labour. Phew!
So now Aunty Loulee gets to knit in PINK.
After she finishes the current project that is. This little cardigan with a moss stitch panel won't take long.

Of course there are several other neutral coloured garments already waiting to go to their new owner.

As well as a quilt and a blanket. I did make another blanket, but it has a lot of blue in it, I'm undecided about giving that one to a girl.

I found this beautiful yellow fleece blanket a couple of weeks ago and added it to the pile.

It was just too soft a pretty to leave behind.
And as Freya's parents keep sheep, a pair of sheep shoes had to be found. My hunney found these on EBay. :-)

I did consider knitting my own, but these were just too cute.
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I had a day out with Mum yesterday, we went hunting for pink wool. What else? As you see I found only one which met my specifications, all the other pink yarns I found had very high manmade fibre content. I think I'll be shopping online for something else girly.

I start work at 3 today, so after a whizz around with the vacuum I'll be putting on one of my wildlife DVDs and knitting the day away.

Did you go here yet? To help me find a name for my latest quilt.

Productivity and a yummy package.

2011-01-18T15:45:00.003Z

As I hoped, I spent practically the whole day up in my sewing room yesterday. I got a little more tidying up done then got stuck into some more of mums projects. First up I quilted this little cushion sized panel. Then made it into a simple envelope style cover. There is just a tiny bit of hand stitching left to do.
Next up I made two Cheetah panels into a bolster cover.

I didn't quilt them, just left them flat. I also had to make a pad to go inside it. This too just requires a few hand sewn stitches.

Hopefully I'll have time to get another of the larger projects completed before Mums birthday on 1st of Feb.

When I got home from work today a Fat Quarter Shop sized parcel was sat upon my stair waiting for me. Look!! I was so excited. A whole fat quarter bundle of Buttercup, by Fig Tree Quilts, well who else would it be? You know I'm a sucker for that stuff.

There will be a new collection available soon too. Strawberry Fields.

I'm off to play with and stroke my new fabrics for a while.

Don't forget to look here, you might be able to help me name my latest quilt. Something else I did yesterday was to make a start on a little something to says thanks for helping out with that.

Yumminess.

2011-01-17T11:08:00.003Z

Remember when I had a tidy up and a sort out? I made that big pile of magazines for getting rid of? Well I had three takers. Thank you ladies. :-)
One was a colleague and two of my blog readers offered swaps in return for a few copies. Anne offered one of her 'whatevers' in return for her share of the booty and it just arrived today. So pretty. :-)
Thank you Anne. I know just the place for it.
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Don't forget to have a look at this post so that you can suggest a name for the 'shirt quilt'. It really does deserve a better name than that! If I chose your suggestion for a name, I'll be sending one of my little 'whatevers' to you.
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It's my day off today and I'm playing in my sewing room.

The quilt with no name.

2011-01-15T15:47:00.006Z

This afternoon I found time to bury the quilting threads and attach the binding to the shirt quilt. (I really don't know what to call it!) Because I completed the binding using my sewing machine rather than by hand, I didn't get to give it the first snuggle test. Someone else did. LOL

This quilt has proved difficult to photograph. I've tried all different lights, from room lights, to the daylight lamp, from natural sunshine, to dull cloudy days like today and I still didn't get a true representation of the colours. Suffice to say it's quite pale and will probably require frequent visits to the laundry basket.
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As I mentioned before I really haven't come up with a suitable name for this one, but I don't really want to call it the shirt quilt forever. I need your help to name it please. If I use one of your suggestions I'm sure I'll be able to reward whoever came up with the winning name.
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I'm off to veg out for an hour before starting dinner.

Edit........

I forgot to say, this quilt is directly inspired by Bonnie Hunters quilt 'Smokey Mountain Stars'. Thanks for the elbow in the ribs Leeann. :-)