tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42320636692116137022012-02-12T10:43:08.364ZAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.comBlogger2091100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-16661195021775361992012-02-10T07:50:00.001Z2012-02-10T09:17:43.303Z

I've started to put to use some of the batiks that came through from Hancock's last week.  This makes a change as I usually just hoard them not wanting to cut them or damage them.  You would not believe how I just want to keep them all nice!!  Anyway one phobia broken, I dived straight in!! Fifteen 9 inch blocks waiting to be trimmed and then I will make fifteen more! A couple of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-84136099414646331552012-02-07T13:14:00.001Z2012-02-07T13:14:20.821Z

“Oh that’s nice.” “What is?” “That is, that they’ve made.” “What is it?” “I don’t know but I want to make one.” “Why?” “Because I think I can make one.” “But what’s it for?” “I don’t know!” “So why do you want to make one?” “Because I can!!” “But what will you do with it once you have made it?” “I’ve no idea.” “So what’s the point in making it?” “Just to see if I can.  I just have

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-64511362682384708552012-02-05T12:40:00.002Z2012-02-05T13:10:58.318Z

I finally took advantage of one of the Hancock's of Paducah's shipping free offers. 2.5 yards of 108" backing fabric, five packs of 12 fat quarters (that's 60 in total) ((I know I like batiks!!)), and a kit. With the VAT and Parcelforce handling fees (£20.51) over here the lot cost me a total of £114. I will say no more. Very Happy Bunny. .

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-48885832123285565192012-02-03T16:12:00.000Z2012-02-03T16:12:40.102Z

Only a year on from the finish of the Magical Minis and I finally pieced the last three months.  Twenty five 4 inch blocks to add to all the others, 97 in total.  All I have to do now is make 96 or so connector blocks and put it together.  No rush. Not many doodles this week.  I really like this one and it was fun to do. I had a funny five here with the robin.  Not too sure whether to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-87348253597781467792012-01-27T14:00:00.001Z2012-01-27T17:19:50.647Z

Only seems five minutes ago we were doing this!  Not sure how many we have done over the years but even our records at this property are starting add up and make a picture. Go to Big Garden Bird Watch to sign up and enter your results this weekend. If you are on my Facebook you may have seen that this week we have had two visitors in the house already!  This has always been a very avian 

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-21415524597793236902012-01-26T16:33:00.001Z2012-01-26T16:33:39.418Z

It was such a beautiful afternoon today after all the rain this morning that we decided to take the dogs down to Studland Beach.  (Sorry, yes another doggy post). Ellie has only been 'out' a week and has met mud, puddles, the pond (yes she swims!), hedges with deer and rat runs and hares and pheasants that leap out into the air in front of you.  The beach is something completely different! Of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-30181813922103570642012-01-20T07:31:00.000Z2012-01-20T07:33:38.460Z

But boy oh boy, where has January gone? Ellie has taken up quite a lot of it, as I'm sure you can imagine.  From tomorrow she is all safe to go out in the big wide world so that will be another huge step forward.  She is growing well and has a few basic things understood.  Mind you going out to the loo when it's pouring with rain isn't one of her favourites, and who can blame her!  Thankfully

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-38935480351114158302012-01-08T05:52:00.000Z2012-01-08T05:52:38.685Z

In one of the big storms on Thursday we lost power and the phone lines. It was only for an hour or so and there was a lot of chainsawing somewhere in the village. We still have lost one of the phone lines which just happens to be the one with everything on it including the Internet. John had a hell of a time with Sky to put out an engineer so we've now reverted to BT, who have GB based call

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-1202762473897147042012-01-01T07:11:00.000Z2012-01-01T12:46:10.211Z

Happy New Year! We puppy sat Remi while Elsa and Mike went to a wedding. Puppy tumbles everywhere.  Hard work but the new year arrived as it should. No resolutions, they are only made to be broken.  I will be loosing weight though, the wedding is more than enough motivation!  I will also try and be a little more creative in all departments. My painting has been non existent so a few weeks

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-66066175686203987972011-12-24T06:52:00.002Z2011-12-24T06:52:44.895Z

Well you could probably guess that life here has been doggy dominant.  I have sneaked about a total of an hour in my room to have a quick stitch and play on the City & Guilds.  I did manage to knit a pair of bed socks in the evenings though!! And just to bore the pants off you all, and to remind me that sometimes there is calm in the House household, if very brief, I will leave you with some

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-35938097367296725002011-12-19T09:48:00.000Z2011-12-19T09:48:59.485Z

Finally, after a lot of searching, juggling and decisions we managed to bring home our latest edition to the family. This is Ellie. She did do a lot of sleeping most of the way home, which we were grateful for.  Seeing as we were in the car for 4 hours we only had 3 wees and all in the right place.  No other accidents or car sickness. Mind you, now she is finding her feet, I think the 

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-75578908579618128672011-12-07T07:09:00.001Z2011-12-07T07:13:22.221Z

If you were wondering about Sharon's studio journal class I mentioned a few posts ago, this is where she is now advertising it. Sharon B's Studio Journal Class .

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-3352573316706732892011-12-06T12:56:00.001Z2011-12-06T13:29:39.864Z

Rorschach played in my head with those fabrics I dyed last week.  John kept seeing things and so did I.  We didn’t necessarily see the same thing but there were a lot of insects and bugs!  Anyway I saw these in this piece and had to play.  I think it was the pupa stage that caught my eye more than anything but there had to be an adult stage as well, and the fabric had provided that too

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-52652731791126492032011-12-01T09:48:00.001Z2011-12-01T10:24:57.707Z

Yesterday I dyed some fabrics using the method shown by Laura on DesignMattersTV a few weeks ago.  Where she scrunched into flat trays, I only had empty laundry gel capsule tubs.  I scrunched in the same way like a concertina and then gently wound it around so it looked like a Danish pastry so it would fit in the bottom of the tubs.  I have a few whitish patches but then each of these pieces of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-57944384831224565632011-11-26T18:13:00.001Z2011-11-26T18:26:07.584Z

Elsa and Mike have their new addition to the family. Isn't he the cutest!  Just love pointers and their wrinkly baby faces. I have been creating, honest!! Had a day set aside and Sod and Murphy both came to join in and then John had a rather nasty tummy bug for a bit.  and, and, and..... .

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-7495240134237937172011-11-20T10:00:00.000Z2011-11-20T10:21:28.686Z

We had a trip out to the Wimborne Food Festival a couple of weekends ago. Lots to see,  buy,  and certainly smell.  Even the Minster joined in. And a little entertainment from the Quayside Cloggies morris group. It was a lovely morning out and we come home with quite a few tasty goodies that didn't last long! When we were in Dublin last month one of the galleries had the new book of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-23694143496929790942011-11-06T12:17:00.000Z2011-11-06T12:17:28.613Z

I have been crafting and stitching but not much to show on here.  Mainly City & Guilds and Christmas things. After the terrible weather we have been having just lately, it was a wonderful surprise to wake up to a bright blue sky this morning.  As John and I were wandering around picking up the mess the neighbours fireworks left for us, I thought I would take a few photos of colour still left

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-66685536408420378782011-11-01T09:55:00.001Z2011-11-01T09:59:52.459Z

A little more regal this time! This is Laurel. Her velvet gown with long sleeves covers her lace chemise and stripy bloomers.  She has quite a bit of bling and a chatelaine on her belt with keys, only she knows to what though, silk ribbon in her hair and rather sparkly boots.  Don't forget you can click to enlarge.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-31057878756861957662011-10-19T13:33:00.000+01:002011-10-19T13:33:54.634+01:00

On Monday night I realised that Tuesday was just about mine for the taking and so planned a day in my room to play.  Normally when a plan is made Sod and Murphy both join forces to jeopardise it.  I actually made it through with only one very brief phone call interruption!!! Block 9 of My Tweets is done and block 10 is waiting for cutting and starching. I have bloomers...  ...and a

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-9379508637144260592011-10-17T15:50:00.000+01:002011-10-17T16:00:24.096+01:00

After the Book of Kells we went upstairs to the Long Room of Trinity Collage, link as in the last post.  If you have a love of antique books you would either love or hate this room.  It is stacked floor to its incredibly high ceiling with beautifully bound leather books, you can watch the ladies in their little alcove doing some restoration, but you can’t actually go near them!! There are

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-75630303997505445112011-10-17T09:24:00.000+01:002011-10-17T13:26:25.748+01:00

On the afternoon of Monday 10th last week John, Chris and I flew from Southampton to Dublin.  Though it was a little grey and miserable we still went for a walk along the river before dinner.  I had totally come focused on really doing the touristy thing and of course, just around the corner from the hotel was a bead shop!  I don’t think John or Chris were that impressed as they kept walking. 

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-66856222304809286162011-10-09T21:57:00.000+01:002011-10-09T21:57:21.741+01:00

On Friday, 21 of my sewing ladies, Elsa and I travelled up to London to the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace.  It was a first for me and I was very pleased to go especially in a group on a coach as I wouldn't have to face driving in a city, abandoning John or the horrendous train journey.  I don't do cities very well and London has always struck fear and dread into me. We were

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-26107857306593328612011-10-05T14:57:00.000+01:002011-10-05T17:08:21.713+01:00

OK, latest minor obsession.  I saw what SpeedieBeadie had been creating over on her blog a couple of weeks ago and thought, 'gotta have one!'.  So I ordered a pattern from Ute Vasina, the brains behind the Troll invasion and waited patiently for it to arrive.  It came Saturday and I've been playing since Sunday. There has been quite a bit of input from John and Chris and Gregory had quite a lot

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-44633262685382407492011-09-30T10:43:00.000+01:002011-09-30T10:44:28.202+01:00

Whilst we were in Spain in the Spring, John stopped the car and we took a photo of these trees in their rigid formation.  He told me it would make a good quilt and he named it there and then. So here it is, Order to Chaos made this week with machine free embroidery on hand dyed fabrics and a little beading all mounted onto stretched canvas. 8 x 20 inches. Speaking of chaos, here is

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-36443890335482517282011-09-24T11:54:00.000+01:002011-09-26T08:34:36.672+01:00

I have been feeling much better this week, thank you for all the get well wishes.  Well enough, in fact, to help Chris with painting the sitting room.  He is between boats at the moment so has come to help us with quite a few jobs around the house which is much appreciated!  (If any of you are going to the Southampton Boat Show this weekend or have been over the past week you may have seen his

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-73518064898105575222011-09-16T12:13:00.000+01:002011-09-16T12:13:17.699+01:00

I've finished the found Block 6 of My Tweets. Block 8 is under way. I am still very under the weather.  The Doctor called me in to check my chest.  All is well but the virus will take it's time to work it's way out and, of course, antibiotics don't do anything to viruses so no point in them.  Lots of treating the side effects though of sore throat and nose, terrible muscle cramps from

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-42972465218972144442011-09-10T17:13:00.000+01:002011-09-10T17:14:43.518+01:00

I did managed a few stitches while we were travelling about this summer, though not huge amounts.  I'm not too sure if these are the farthest travelled of Erin's little birds but I think I've had these blocks with me on every trip. Apologies for the lighting in the pictures, it's quite grey outside and the 'lights on' effect does not work well! Block 4 Block 5 Block 7 Block 6 managed

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-87213331696527028112011-09-05T08:33:00.000+01:002011-09-05T08:33:04.415+01:00

Voting for the Quilters Guild Lottery funding is now under way to win the final bid between 2nd - 26th September.  Please follow the link and vote. http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/best-heritage-project/136/ Thank you.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-67980244343873821172011-09-04T13:58:00.000+01:002011-09-04T13:58:03.879+01:00

The last couple of weeks has been rather hectic but we arrived back home on Thursday all safe and sound and very, very tired. We managed to travel just over 1800 miles as we had a bit of a wander around on the way home instead of sticking to the concrete river of the motorway.  They may help you travel from A to B easily but they are not always the way to go especially in old cars with a top

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-13577162350386978562011-08-27T06:54:00.002+01:002011-09-12T15:03:54.982+01:00

We're in Berlin for the 125 celebrations of Mercedes-Benz so I haven't wanted to bore you non car types yet again!! So just a quickie post. We left home with our two old girls Winnie and Gwen on Tuesday and arrived in Belgium for the night. Elsa and Mike are accompanying us and driving Gwen. Wednesday night we drove to Hamm and met up with about 35 others from the MB club. Thursday we arrived in

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-30995417918262781072011-08-16T19:32:00.000+01:002011-09-18T10:36:17.902+01:00

Sorry, long time no post!  But I'm sure you've all been busy and not really missed my drivel!!! Anyway... At the beginning of August I had entered three quilts and a necklace into the Dorset Arts and Crafts Association annual show.  All were entered just to see how things work really but you always hope!  'Johnny Zeppelin' and the 'Waves' quilt both won a gold and the 'Border Blocks' quilt

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-9262322260378538782011-07-26T11:17:00.000+01:002011-07-26T11:17:57.000+01:00

I've been madly catching up with 'stuff'.  This is turning out to be an exceptional year of travel for us, part of John's master plan in making up for wasted time me thinks. I have been splattering, stitching and sploshing for the C&G. Several bits have been tweaked.  I am pleased that I am making progress again. My sewing group has declared the Christmas Challenge to be a table centre or wall

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-35129570625162422842011-07-20T13:44:00.003+01:002011-09-10T17:15:14.668+01:00

On Monday we drove to Gliffaes in South Wales for a rather nice treat.  Tuesday we visited a friend in Treharris and then went on to Aberdare and the Cynon Valley Museum and Art Gallery where Linda and Laura Kemshall are holding an exhibition called 'With Hand and Heart'   It was absolutely lovely to see such a profusion of first class textile work all in one place and beautifully displayed. Even

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-37423136634187298132011-07-16T16:42:00.000+01:002011-07-16T16:42:59.869+01:00

I have been looking for some bedside mats for ages and not particularly liked any that I have seen so far.  A light bulb moment a few weeks ago made me think of making my own. What's wrong with putting quilts on the floor?  We do play mats for babies and have thick towelling ones for the bathrooms.  I don't think they would be good on the wood floors downstairs but we have carpet in the

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-8049967682912392402011-07-14T15:49:00.002+01:002011-07-14T22:07:45.875+01:00

On Wednesday 6th we boarded the ferry 'Julia' in Swansea to travel to Cork.  We have always travelled to Ireland from Fishguard to Rosslare before now but usually we had to take into account an extra night half way to our destination or a very long journey.  This trip was, for a start, nearer to us on this side and overnight so we could start our journey with a new day. Wednesday was very stormy.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-42625876630181030242011-07-05T06:49:00.000+01:002011-07-05T06:49:19.873+01:00

Well it's heading for two weeks since I last posted and I'm not too sure where the time has gone. I had a delivery from Oakshot Fabrics.  They had an offer on their huge designer collection and a voucher came through in an email.  Couldn't resist!  You may visually stroke them. We had a lovely visit to the local Army Air base with a personal tour of the hangers.  Since Elsa started working for

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-75559971175406033202011-06-22T19:11:00.000+01:002011-06-22T19:11:47.883+01:00

This morning we had a great talk by Jennie Rayment.  She did her hilarious routine in a rather warm hall which, as she ended up almost clothe-less, was probably quite fortunate! With some of her lovely nipped and tucked pieces. And down to her cozzie and thigh boots demonstrating a bra handbag. And realising the groundsman was outside having a good laugh.  He even came in the room allegedly to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-74993972624805952912011-06-20T13:36:00.001+01:002011-06-20T14:03:25.338+01:00

Stuttgart had sent over to Mercedes-Benz World 15 of its most innovative models and we had an exclusive talk and unveiling on the Saturday night.   From this huge 1900, 35hp, wooden wheeled version which set the benchmark for the motorcar from then on. To the 1955,  196R Streamliner.  This one lovingly rebuilt with hand beaten aluminium. Sir Stirling Moss became the first English man to win

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-24175139880119745192011-06-18T14:07:00.001+01:002011-09-12T15:04:50.053+01:00

We've just arrived at Brooklands for the Mercedes-Benz World 125 year Celebration day tomorrow. It was an interesting drive up, I was in the 107 350SL and John in the 108 280 SE. It's amazing how vulnerable you can feel in an old car. No airbags, impact bars or ABS and we won't mention the lack of sat nav! At least the rain held off. It's also the Double Twelve Motorsport Festival and things

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-63495240164001353282011-06-12T11:20:00.001+01:002011-06-12T11:24:14.117+01:00

We've had a week of frenzied feeding but today, in the pouring rain, we have viewings of our late babies just outside the window of the Eyrie.  They are quite noisy too.  The blurred bits are raindrops on the glass. All the other nests seem to have flown without us seeing.  We did have a tree full of very insistent little Gold Finches on Friday and it was Green Finches galore last week.  I just

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-67593022813059875492011-06-06T16:39:00.000+01:002011-06-06T16:39:19.955+01:00

June is the last month of the Stay at Home Robin and Kate's instruction was to bind and label.  I finally reached the point of being at peace with this.  I had no idea from the start where I was going and had to wait for things to happen at their own pace, as things often will. Basically, don't ask in-depth questions because I have no answers as to why!  Perhaps whatever is flying the little 

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-40001639429407648312011-06-04T08:12:00.000+01:002011-06-04T08:12:42.431+01:00

Bob the Bernina and I had a great day yesterday.  It seems ages since I put some fabric through at such a rate. We turned a quick sketch and some calico... and a selection of scrap fabrics... into a couple of new fabric panels... (picasa refuses to open properly to rotate this.  I hate picasa!) added some extra stitching... trimmed them up... and stitched them together. It's a very tall (

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-56749426707887721092011-06-02T16:12:00.001+01:002011-06-03T22:08:54.103+01:00

This morning I wanted to make things..  I know I'm always making things but today had an urge.  I even declared my intention on Facebook. I went into the Eyrie (John still calls it the Eyrie even though I'm downstairs now.  It's still a more comfortable word than studio!) and worked a little on some C&G samples and then decided to finish the other half of this neck piece. It's a nice size and

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-12285439915528914002011-05-27T09:09:00.000+01:002011-05-27T09:09:08.144+01:00

Just some pictures from Giverny.  We were told that Monday was the quiet day to visit.  I'd hate to be there when it was busy is all I can say.  I think Mondays were also school visit days and the noise from small voices was tremendous. If I have one memory to bring home it would be the smell.  All the roses and honeysuckle were out and the air was filled with their perfume. We didn't even

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-86080745712391523742011-05-23T07:22:00.002+01:002011-06-09T08:15:39.202+01:00

Saturday we travelled along the coast to Honfleur. That trip in itself was interesting. We had to drive through Deauville where the G8 will be held this week. Security was very high with gendarmes on nearly every corner for miles, groups of CRS and huge convoys of army. One or two of the other cars were stopped but we made it through. Great reason for always having your passport to hand

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-62903390611945407512011-05-21T07:38:00.001+01:002011-09-12T15:04:50.056+01:00

We've driven over to France with a few friends and enjoying the fabulous sunshine and food of Normandy. Yesterday we went here...To see this...Then had lunch here... (which was very much needed after all the Calvados sampling!)And then we toured around these beautiful gardens...And on to a Castle which had this most beautiful dove cote which I managed to take a picture of before my battery ran

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-3502012829311887402011-05-16T10:43:00.002+01:002011-05-16T10:48:29.416+01:00

I pottered around with the Annette Emms Pixie Boot pattern in the recent Stitch magazine.  I can see that one could become very carried away with these! I have also made a three pocket pouch for the suitcase.  I have several of these patterns but just needed plain pockets for First aid, pain killers and the spare regular pills for when we go away so I gathered the basics and made my own.  It

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-68643942781054574242011-05-12T07:28:00.000+01:002011-05-13T21:41:56.414+01:00

At last I managed to drag this quilt away from Tully and put the binding on.  It was a BOM from Just Hands On TV designed by Jennie Rayment. For some reason Tully fell in love with this quilt probably because it's black and she is very small and white and always managed to wiggle her way into it and fall asleep.  It has taken me ages to remove all the fur and put it back into a just about

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-57676488400569960102011-05-11T07:47:00.000+01:002011-09-16T11:54:12.101+01:00

I've completed the My Tweets outer block 3 now. Block 4 is all starched and appliglued down ready for stitching and block 5 is imminent.  My sewing Ladies are very interested in the starching technique so I am going to have to demo it for them in a couple of weeks time.  Should be fun! .

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-7661133684120196552011-05-09T13:04:00.000+01:002011-05-09T13:04:51.373+01:00

Elsa really liked the book I bought back from Spain and she is wanting to make as many of her Christmas things as possible as it's her first Christmas with Mike in their own home.  I had to give in a little on Saturday and we made a set of these ornaments each. They were quite fun and easy even if  I was grinding my teeth a little!! I'm not sure If I will be keeping mine or putting them aside

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-12175352426970097342011-04-30T18:04:00.000+01:002011-04-30T18:04:22.424+01:00

I have lived with a bear with a sore head all week, just because of a certain wedding.  It was strange though that as soon as I said, 'look at the lovely colour of that Bentley,' every car was scrutinised from start to finish. There was of course the possibility that one may drive down the aisle so the ceremony had to be watched too, just in case. Like everyone, we think it was the most fabulous

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-7567577736784586972011-04-28T20:16:00.001+01:002011-04-28T20:18:27.006+01:00

I gave Barbara her other quilt top back yesterday and she loved it.  It was only a practise piece, yet another one of her 'been in the loft for 10 years' ones but she was over the moon. It may be a repeating design but I did learn a lot from it especially about travelling from an end to the next start.  Also, not to screw my head up too much when every one is not perfect and as I wanted it!  

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-82793020020381829602011-04-22T09:04:00.001+01:002011-09-10T16:32:36.998+01:00

What amazing weather!  Yesterday Elsa and I, (mostly Elsa) cleared up the vegetable patch at the top of the garden.  The onions and garlic are doing great, but that's it so far.  Mind you a false sense of summer security can be dangerous in the garden, we can still have frost in May so there's no hurry with beans etc yet. I must admit to still really, really struggling with the gardening and I am

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-17368396238661303392011-04-17T08:46:00.002+01:002011-04-17T13:06:58.326+01:00

Home now and back to a comfortable mattress and squishy pillow.  Just a quick post with a few pictures. Nothing too heavy so you can yawn later!!!  Our first inspection by a Short Toed Eagle. A packhorse bridge that, along with others down the gorge, just seemed to lead right into the cliff face (to the right).  Makes you wonder how different the landscape was when it was built. The first

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-80618633014095627202011-04-12T18:06:00.002+01:002011-04-12T18:08:47.890+01:00

First off sorry no pictures. No battery power and I didn't think of using the phone! Today we passed through the last of the Ebro valley and it's 30 degree temperature and started back north and west along the very edge of the Iberian System which is the eastern boundary of the Meseta Central, the heart of Spain. As we rose we must have seen every colour of soil available from the brightest

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-82443147717965588222011-04-12T08:33:00.002+01:002011-05-08T07:05:30.061+01:00

Falls mainly in the distance and stays there hopefully. We drove down from the mountains yesterday onto some of the flatest flat land trying to be flat. It was full of vineyards and orchards and obviously the fruit bowl of the region. After a couple of hundred kilometres it changed into cereal crops and more rolling hills. We ended up at a town called Alcaniz and this wonderful hotel.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4Alcañiz, Spain41.0489449 -0.1306302000000414440.940618900000004 -0.33791520000004144 41.1572709 0.07665479999995856tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-34134560071195072232011-04-09T18:43:00.002+01:002011-05-08T07:09:19.046+01:00

The view from our hill at this moment is a little more mountainous and quite a bit warmer. We're just having a scoot along the bottom of the Pyrenees. I'm managing to satisfy my urges to visit rather big hills and John is having a ball on the winding roads. He's also going a little silly at all the fabulous mountain rivers full of fish. Off to dinner in a mo with lots of local produce to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com9Vielha e Mijaran, Spain42.7016544 0.795638300000064242.6046129 0.6725213000000642 42.798695900000006 0.9187553000000642tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-89793819453606776482011-04-01T08:51:00.000+01:002011-04-01T08:51:52.207+01:00

Lisa Walton posted this on Facebook this morning and I had to re post.  It's so sensible .... http://www.austinkleon.com/2011/03/30/how-to-steal-like-an-artist-and-9-other-things-nobody-told-me/ And when one is feeling a little under the weather, one does silly things.  This is Ruger who had an off day on Tuesday and wanted to be near Mum.  So he pinched Tully's bed in my workroom.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-22200222071893358102011-03-26T09:23:00.000Z2011-03-26T09:23:07.666Z

Yesterday was the hand quilting day with Barbara Chainey at Cupcake Cottons.  We set off at 07.30 and had a nice drive up. Only a brief delay at Marlborough, which was unusual, and a drive around Burford when we missed the turning on the roundabout and we still arrived at 09.30 on the dot.  John and the dogs went off for a day at Lechlade fisheries and I went up to join in the sewing group. It’s

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-382917014459627652011-03-21T16:25:00.000Z2011-03-21T16:25:48.185Z

Don't you think I'm gorgeous? Up here's good... No?... Ok then...  I've just spotted another conquest. You sure? I'm going to sulk now. More of the everyday antics of our resident pheasant population.  Please bear in mind that they really don't do trees if they can help it and this male is very persistent!

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-36869522124543351252011-03-19T10:31:00.001Z2011-03-19T12:39:57.771Z

Well I’m now fed up with the company supplying the track lighting (Not Stuart the electrician who is great and bends over backwards when he works!). The lights are in the room, in a box.  The track, I believe, has now arrived and is the correct one but the connectors are wrong.  Stuart has hair that is too short to pull out or I’m sure he would have by now.  He has told me that he won’t need full

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-29743783993530768742011-03-13T09:10:00.000Z2011-03-13T09:10:32.840Z

I've only just realised how long it's been since I last blogged.  Well I haven't been overly creative, we've only half the electrics done in the workroom due to the wrong lighting track being sent, and the blinds don't arrive until this Thursday.  Too much moving things around to fully settle in yet.  It is a great place to be though and everyone else seems to want to be in there too, which is

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-18941981719798250112011-02-26T10:50:00.000Z2011-02-26T10:50:04.507Z

I've realised how much of my crafting equipment sort of floats around my working area.  I'm now a little reluctant to pile it all in the workroom just yet knowing that both the electrician and the blind fitter will need access to the windows around the back of the desks and units.  I have an idea where everything is and I'm working towards replacing shoe boxes with plastic ones but the bulk of it

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-15101555180970596912011-02-25T09:41:00.000Z2011-02-25T09:41:38.670Z

Last night we managed to sneak in a few of the larger pieces of my workroom furniture.  This is probably the only time you will see it this tidy, there is plenty more to move in! Of course Tully's bed was one of the first things to be put in, and is hogging the warmth from the radiator, naturally, and you can just see the foam board design wall up above it. I had been worried that putting in

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-71291882286427845462011-02-22T15:36:00.000Z2011-02-22T15:36:39.868Z

Making this bag... It's from the series 6 Quilting arts DVD and has two pockets on the outside and is nice and roomy.  I added an extra pocket with a zip on the inside too.  The original was made with all those bright Amy Butler type fabrics but I'm not really into them so I chose some Jinny Beyer and a couple of Alex Anderson Whisperings (recognise them Maggie?  You sent them ages ago and I

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-68721934347335439112011-02-21T14:23:00.000Z2011-02-21T14:23:41.468Z

Prepared the appliqué on My Tweets block 2 for sewing... and then doodled on my wrist support. .

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-55286335773712961892011-02-19T08:33:00.001Z2011-02-19T09:11:48.569Z

Last night was the FNSI for February and I actually managed to join in a little.  I did have Elsa with me though but it did mean I could help her set up an appliqué table runner she had found in one of the magazines I brought back from Australia.  It's all fused down and she has started the buttonhole stitch. I so love the Australian magazines!  I wish I could go back soon and add more!  They

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-91208087911069152852011-02-15T09:58:00.001Z2011-02-15T14:16:31.114Z

I added some gyrocopter bubbles to my SAH Robin for this month, silk ones of course.  Don’t ask me why, I was feeling quirky.  I also had some silk tops lurking so I couched them down too.  Nothing wrong with a little surrealism!  Couldn't to do too much as we still have a few months left. The end of last week was so wet everything came to a halt on the conservatory.  Of course Saturday was

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-52312335855455190862011-02-10T09:35:00.001Z2011-02-10T09:53:26.661Z

And now it’s raining!  We have a frame up but no glass in so it’s rather damp in my workroom to be. Not a lot of action in the making department, I’m still feeling very unsettled.  I did need to cover an A4 ring binder though so I had a little practise on Ari and was quite pleased with how tight I could go. This book arrived in the post so of course I want to go and play!  NO room!! Patience

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-49705430933771392582011-02-07T15:33:00.002Z2011-02-07T15:44:06.022Z

Just had a call from Elsa to say that Mike proposed in the sunshine on the top of a mountain and she said yes!                                .

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-67843663023421396872011-02-06T10:39:00.001Z2011-02-06T13:42:59.530Z

We've had a wonderful week with Elsa and Mike here.  Quite surreal that the past 5 months has just gone and now the next phase of their lives begins as they start looking for a home down here.  First though, they have both gone off for a well deserved holiday skiing and the house has resumed it's calm with the dogs wondering where everyone has gone. For said trip we had to have a couple of days

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-90718524739819902182011-01-31T09:12:00.001Z2011-01-31T11:49:42.078Z

Christmas 2 was great yesterday.  We had turkey and all the trimmings but I was good and didn’t go overboard with buying all the extra chocolates etc!  It was really wonderful to see Elsa again, she is so skinny now though!  More to do with extreme exercise than lack of food I may add.  The army doesn’t exactly starve them!  But she has been running virtually half marathons most days and

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-18417856622508406382011-01-28T07:53:00.003Z2011-01-28T08:06:00.956Z

First of all a quick picture. Andy has moved one of the bird feeders nearer the window and out of the way of his digger and dumper truck and I managed to take a snap of some of the finches. Who you looking at?! They are growing quite bold and will even gang up on the very boisterous Starlings. Please don't forget, if you can spend an hour away from crafting, it's the Big Garden Birdwatch

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-82501389499997050912011-01-21T14:40:00.002Z2011-01-21T15:26:16.435Z

Yesterday I put lots of fabrics and threads in dye bags with various mixes and today I have rinsed, washed and ironed them all.  I have a nice stack of fabrics all ready for the next phase of the C&G course now.  I have photos of them all open (!) but it would be a little overpowering to show them all here.  I am pleased with how they all turned out though. These two are probably my favourites 

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-23214221827173589602011-01-15T16:18:00.000Z2011-01-15T16:18:26.939Z

I haven't dyed properly with Procion MX dyes before.  I've done a little with Dylon in the micro and had good results, but this was the real deal! Would these mushy bags of colour actually turn into anything? Of course!   Yay!!  I had twelve colours in the starter kit I bought from Debbie but I was supposed to be making a basic colour wheel so only used the red, blue and yellow as they were

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-86517003924613093662011-01-10T08:42:00.000Z2011-01-10T08:42:05.973Z

Though I sent the photos on to Kate to post on the blog for me, I forgot to blog about them here!!  (Thanks Kate). SAH Robin month 6. SAH Robin month 7. It is totally silk.  Why break a habit! They all had stabiliser on the back though, the green and purple silk velvet is more fluid than the up-cycled grey and burgundy silk.  The inch squares already had the stabiliser on them from the

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-81698953051492303092011-01-09T12:55:00.000Z2011-01-09T12:55:28.598Z

Some of you may remember the saga of the Greater Spotted Woodpeckers last year. Yesterday I looked up from the work I was finishing for my City and Guilds and saw these two frolicking about in the Ash tree.  Male on the right with the red nape.  I only had the small camera and it is taken through double glazed windows, always a challenge. When I went upstairs later  I glanced out of the window

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-19865229400579504282011-01-06T08:02:00.000Z2011-01-06T08:02:50.779Z

I know last night was 12th night and all the decorations are to come down but we are keeping some of ours up for a little while longer.  There is method in our madness and all will be revealed in time so please forgive us for a bit, we’re not the sad type who leaves them up because there is only 353 days left!!! I have managed to tackle the room where all my ‘stuff’ is.  Finally all the Christmas

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-61633060954436403932011-01-01T12:31:00.000Z2011-01-01T12:31:46.688Z

Our current family situation does not react well to rather loud knocks on the door at past 19.30 but that is what happened on both Wednesday and Thursday nights!  After the initial shock it turned out to be delivery men catching up with very late parcels! Wednesday night's parcel was from Maison Sajou, France, with the embroidery thread selection box I had ordered.  I had first been pointed in

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-38535860000337140322010-12-29T09:42:00.002Z2010-12-29T09:45:37.558Z

I always like this week of the year. All the frenzy of the Christmas period has just left and there's the excitement of the New year just waiting around the corner. I like the fresh page feeling. I've never been one for resolutions, I don't like the thought of always setting goals too high and failing. I have been considering the year ahead quite a bit over the past few days though. I have

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-89494363800472468152010-12-23T09:49:00.001Z2010-12-23T09:54:51.062Z

I managed to bind and finish the MM3 table runner.  None of the photos show how sparkly the white fabric is so you will just have to imagine. I have been playing with Ari (Ariadne is the name of the Avante 18.  Don't ask why, it just happened to be and the name of the mistress of the labyrinth is quite appropriate because of the maze like patterns we tend to quilt with).  I am becoming more

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-14866510816793184332010-12-21T08:58:00.001Z2010-12-21T14:20:13.952Z

We can't here and it's such a shame.  The Lunar Eclipse was this morning between 07.00 and 08.50 and the cloud is so thick.  It's nice to know Mother Nature can do such spectacular things and then throw a spanner in the works like cloud! I have finished wrapping and dressing and cooking and Christmas can't happen soon enough now.  Even the Sky Box is set to record all the things we will

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-10546971098702139322010-12-18T09:23:00.004Z2010-12-18T10:30:33.022Z

Yes it snowed, where hasn't it!  I just thought I would show you this short clip of two of the bird feeding stations in the front garden.  It's not great but they do show up better against the snow.  The garden is like this nearly all the time most days! Just in this are Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Dunnock, Bramling, Sparrow, Blackbird, Starling and Blue, Coal and Great Tit.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-16315724337764708272010-12-14T14:01:00.002Z2010-12-15T05:57:10.137Z

The MM3 has come to an end.  I decided to do the 'with ends' option.  It seems to fit the table better and will certainly be more filling on it if we have the flaps out and in 10 seater mode! All there is left to do now is layer and quilt which I'm am quite looking forward to doing and yes, for this Christmas!  I have some lovely metallic threads that will suit the white just right. The show

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-25413928063532180192010-12-08T09:30:00.001Z2010-12-08T09:49:21.288Z

We have made a leap forward in this weeks MM3 and the end is in sight, I think, unless Chris and Barbara are going to throw in a curve ball!  I do love these fabrics and will definitely have to make something more with them. On Monday I went and helped hang the paintings for the exhibition.  43 great pieces of art plus my 6 that aren't actually for sale!  I think they were pleased with the bits

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-29022347598705312892010-12-05T08:45:00.003Z2010-12-05T09:13:24.914Z

Yesterday I finished this little table centre.  All the fabrics were hand dyed by Maggi at To Dream To Stitch.  I hand pieced and quilted it and it is from a pattern called Solar Eclipse that one of my ladies had done at sewing group and I admired very much.  Piecing bias curves is not as hard as it seems when it's done over paper. 16.5 inches.  It goes fab with the bowl Maggi. I signed up to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-1028800489145027912010-12-03T12:56:00.001Z2010-12-03T14:39:33.520Z

Well I guess you all have your own snow stories.  We've only just had ours arrive.  I really do believe that this part of Dorset is quite often in a slightly different time line to the rest of the planet.  I won't inundate you with photos.  It's white everywhere and quite often very beautiful.  I have the Hellebores out and was going to take photos of them but they are now under  blanket of the

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-40073078904838197422010-11-28T09:36:00.003Z2010-11-28T11:20:38.736Z

The lovely Benta at SLIK Stitches was kind enough to give me an award this week. There is the catch that I am suppose to tell you ten things about myself. I have really struggled to think of ten things! Well here goes anyway. lol 1) The Obstetrician who looked after my mum and delivered me also looked after me and oversaw the delivery of my daughter. (He had enormous hands!). 2) When I was

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-63901587491833012872010-11-26T07:32:00.001Z2010-11-26T07:32:04.471Z

Just seeing if the BlogPress does what it says it will and let me post photos to the blog from iPad.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-63720972473617968062010-11-22T19:57:00.000Z2010-11-22T19:57:04.307Z

It seems to have taken ages to find the enthusiasm to create again.  I often think that being ill could be a nice excuse to hide away from boring day to day things and sneak in some extra stitching.  But no.  I think some of the things we take for coughs and colds include a lethargy inducer.  It’s all behind me now though and Chirstmas has been calling. John took me down to Highcliffe Castle to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-67961043762304039072010-11-15T08:41:00.001Z2010-11-15T09:06:29.058Z

Such a long time since the last post.  I have had a quick play on the Avante and I have done some bits for Christmas but the past few days I have had a whopping cold and bad throat.  Not too much fun but I appreciate the comfort of a home made quilt and log fire. I was supposed to be meeting up with some friends this evening but I will call that off, I hate catching these things let alone

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-11702080660785530592010-11-06T07:08:00.000Z2010-11-06T07:08:27.135Z

I previously mentioned that I did take the side strip off and turn it around.  You can see it matches the chequers which is quite strange because I certainly didn't consciously do it that way!  Must have been the little fellas at it again, and the nap of the velvet is the same now. Month 5 was to add two pieces to the top (or bottom), one 4 x 6 inches and one 4 x 7 inches.  my 6" piece is the

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-367791214527002972010-11-05T09:51:00.002Z2010-11-05T13:50:09.624Z

In the major turn around that we have been doing here I've found all sorts of things.  But I've also gone into memory brain overload and can't remember where I've put anything!  I have labelled boxes but it's not the same as knowing where something is because it's the thing you use a lot and put it down in the same place all the time.  My work space may look like chaos to the untrained eye but it

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-43154799540716839642010-11-01T07:29:00.004Z2010-11-01T16:24:29.353Z

I'm not a fan of Halloween.  It may be a traditional Celtic celebration to celebrate the end of the summer half of the year and the start of the winter half, which I don't mind, it's just been so hugely lost in commercialism and silliness (don't mention the Hollywood factor) that I don't find it enjoyable.  But it does mean that there are 54 days from All Saints Day until Christmas.  Don't panic!

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-10925537570427795652010-10-31T14:39:00.000Z2010-10-31T14:39:44.332Z

It's taken quite a bit of detective work and I still don't think it was that easy to find but the new Kirstie's Homemade Home starts this Tuesday, 2nd November, Channel 4, 8pm.   (Thanks Radio 4 for the reminder!) All chaos here.  I think I have some sort of plan in mind and I'm just about keeping tabs on what I'm moving around where. I think I may just find some handwork, a good film and a

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-39521588096206609402010-10-28T11:14:00.000+01:002010-10-28T11:14:17.248+01:00

Over last weekend I first quickly made a little teabag pin cushion.  The one I had beside Bob kept falling off the table and so I made this one and filled it with fine aquarium sand.  It doesn't move and sharpens the pins too.  It's a 4" x 8" finished size rectangle of stripy pieced fabrics sewn into a tube.  One end is then sewn, re fold 45 degrees on and sew the other seam.  I did make an

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-74574779358477808802010-10-25T08:52:00.000+01:002010-10-25T08:52:51.672+01:00

The putting together instruction arrived in the in box this morning.  This is what I have up on the design wall at the moment. John says it looks like a nuclear explosion. I like the way that you see things very differently through a lens and on a screen.  I can now see the four circles clearly, on the wall I see the baskets. I may play with it a little before committing but I do like this

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-47742165755699796232010-10-19T17:57:00.000+01:002010-10-19T17:57:11.859+01:00

I've finally set in piece 4 of the Stay at Home Robin. BUT I'm not too happy with it.  The chequer doesn't match up and that bugs me.  If I think some over stitching will sort of blend it, I may leave it but I can feel a ripping out coming.  I'll live with it a moment or two......

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-8107228266997882232010-10-18T09:20:00.000+01:002010-10-18T09:20:01.878+01:00

I managed to fit in 16 Magical Minis, the 4 inch blocks, over the weekend and finally finished the third Temari.  I started the first, the red, whilst we were going backwards and forwards to the Isle of Wight trying to bring back one of the cars so that was July 2009.  I then managed the black gold one and started the blue.  The blue ended up in the UFO pile whilst other projects took centre

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232063669211613702.post-22860167230350964372010-10-16T08:55:00.002+01:002010-10-17T06:51:10.782+01:00

Or not.  We've been a little busy with things other than me sewing so not a lot to post really.  I just needed to move a post on as John took the mickey out of me for using the word 'gota' in the last title!  I was very firmly taught that there was no need for the word 'got' in the English language, there is always a better alternative and so I really don't like that little word.  Me actually

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834178052964503036noreply@blogger.com3