Thursday 28 March 2013

Catching Up

The last few days here in NI have traumatic. The Spring blizzard has caused untold damage and the farming community has been hit hard with hundreds of sheep lost to the cold.
Where I should be at the moment is outside sorting the garden out ie cutting back the raspberry canes and admiring the Spring bulbs.
What I am doing at the moment is a lot of catching up with my sewing. That's a good place to be- right.
Towards the end of term I was so tired I could hardly sew, just getting to classes was all I could manage, never mind doing anything extra.
So after a few days of relaxing at the weekend, (no packed lunches or  uniform to prepare) I was ready to get back into my sewing room.
I have set myself a challenge to get 2 quilt tops sewn together this holiday.

This is the quilt I started at the quilt party class I took last Nov/Dec. I'm making this quilt as a wedding gift to a friend and collegue who is getting married in June. I sewed the blocks and sashing together on Monday. Just the borders to do next. Not sure what colours to do, any suggestions?

I made this celtic knot block as a trial to see if I liked it enough to make a whole quilt.  I decided against it and went with the sampler quilt above. Then I was stuck with a lovely block. so I turned it into a cushion for my daughter. She loves it and think it's not bad too.
The last outstanding block  for BB.
This will be delivered to Judith tonight. Hope it's not too late.
Managed to do all this on Monday. Such a good feeling when things get finished.
Last but not least, I watched 'The Great Bitish Bake Off- easter special' on Tuesday and decided  to have a go at making Mary Berry's Easter biscuits.
My Mum used to make these too; with 6 kids they didn't last long!
I'm taking mine to class tonght to share with the group; hope they enjoy them!
 Wishing you all a Happy Easter
                                  Ruth xo
         

Saturday 16 March 2013

Snail's pace

Thought I would show you  how my EPP is coming on. It's not the red and white hexies I started last year but the course I'm doing with Judith, which will turn into a wall hanging.




My points are far from perfect, but I'm learning and improving with practice.
I'm linking up with slow bloggers at knotted cotton. I am delighted to find this as sometimes I feel bad that I don't blog often enough. So I was pleased to find other bloggers feel the same.

Knotted Cotton
 
Today I have had another first. For Mother's day I received Paul Hollwood's book on bread. Today being a rather cold, wet , miserable sleety sort of day, I decided to have ago at making a bloomer loaf.
It took awhile and was rather sticky, but once i got into the kneading (excellent for bat wings I may add) I rather enjoyed myself. There is nothing nicer than fresh bread with butter and jam and a cup of tea.
Slightly misshapen but delicious.
Hope your weekend is going well.
Ruth xo

Sunday 10 March 2013

Vintage mothers' day

Happy Mothers' Day everyone. I hope you have all been suitably spoilt.
My lovely family treated me to a vintage afternoon tea at Eat etc.






This teapot is just like the one my Mum had. It came out on special occasions.
It was a lovely treat.  There was lots of lovely vintage crockery which reminded so much of my lovely Mum, who sadly is with us no more. I thank God for her and all she instilled in me and I hope I can do as good a job with my two daughters.
No sewing done today, although I have lots on the go.
Have a good week
               Ruth xo