Hi Everybody

Do you remember I recently purchased some small material bundles from a trip to a retail park well I have just cut one up and made 4 x tablemats (well that is what they will be when I have finished them).  At the moment I have just designed and cut out the pattern.  The centre is a Pinwheel Block- and I have to give a huge shout out to Bekki  @Dartmoor Yarns for showing everyone how to do a quick pinwheel block on her blog.(The Quick and Easy Pinwheel Block Method –  18th April 2019).  I am new to patchwork but have a very curious mind so do not mind trying new things.

Which one is your favourite?

Now some photos – none of it is sewn together yet.

This ………….

Became these ……….

Well, that is all for this post – thank you for stopping by.

Daisy

 

Hi everybody

Sorry the title sounds a little cryptic – but what it means is out with the old and in with the new as far as our garden is concerned.

It is my last day off work and yesterday I helped Husband trim the back hedge being very careful not to disturb the robin on its nest of 3 eggs.  Also we removed all the pansies from the little raised bed into one pot keeping the best ones and disposing of the others.

Today we visited the local garden centre, purchased our chosen varieties and some that I haven’t tried before.  Returning home – we began planting.  The raised bed was to have Geraniums – Mixed colours at the back (they do not mind if it gets a little dry) and in front we planted African Marigolds in Vanilla.   The lavender we purchased last year is in full bloom.

The little area in front of the shed was to have French Marigolds and I moved some of the purple coloured pansies to the right around the trunk of the palm type tree – which by the way coming into flower.

Lobelia was planted in the Pieris Forest Flame pot and 3 marigolds and also in the Rhododendron pot just to add some colour in later summer.  The fern has unfuled beautifully.

Along the side fence I planted Nemesia in Banana Split and Sapphire Blue.  I’ve not tried this plant before so we shall have to wait and see.

Finally I took a picture of my Oak Tree which we moved recently and the root had grown through the bottom of the pot and we had to break it off.  I thought that maybe we had lost it but it has performed as normal so far, so touch wood, it survives.

Now we are exhausted and I am going to do some sewing.  The ironing will just have to wait!

Bye for now.

Daisy

 

Hi everybody

Hope you are all well!

It has been necessary that we purchase a new reclining chair for my husband so a visit to the local retail park has been undertaken and whilst there I purchased some fat bundles of fabric at Hobbycraft that were reduced in price.  Also some reels of cotton and some more fabric pens.  Therefore a happy trip.

I was thinking of making some patchwork table placemats with the above.  Must think of a design – might try a spinning wheel.  Pushing the boundaries again!

I bought these above and below images just because I love the colours – maybe try a patchwork tablecloth or some more tablemats.  We will have to wait and see.

Also purchased some bits and bobs that needed replacing – white cotton and a variegated blue cotton.  A few more fabric pens.

Well that is all my news on the sewing front.

Thanks for reading

Bye

 

 

 

Hi Everybody,

It’s raining outside so gives me time to do a little sewing.  I have indeed been busy on that front and as promised in a previous post I have taken some pictures of my efforts.

Firstly some surrounds to two separate quilts

The Beachcomber surround is the beach huts and harbour utilities.

Sorry about picture quality.

Next the Pirate Quilt surround

And now for the finish (fifth one this year) – it is Carmen in all her glory.

Carmen on the left and Maude on the right.  Both are from Classic Embroidery designed by Jill Cater-Nixon.

I love doing Blackwork – there are so many different patterns.  I might make up my own Sampler in blackwork – should be fun!

Here are some close up shots of their heads and skirts.  (PS I added the remaining beads to Carmens hair – not on original and also added some blue metallic thread to her shoe – not on Original design.)

Carmen

 

Maude

Hope you enjoyed your visit.

Bye for now

Daisy  x

 

Hi everybody,

Well I have a few days of from work and apart from helping my husband with a few jobs in the garden I have some time to stitch and sew.  I am still making progress with Lady Greensleeves and Audrey is coming along nicely.  I am going to try and finish the project I was stitching at work – Carmen.  And having had a tidy up around the sewing area I have decided to start some new projects.

Firstly, and in no particular order of preference, there are two small projects (I might take these as dinner hour projects at work) which I intend to be presents,

So cute!!!!!

Secondly, I am going to stitch something which includes bead work.  I am quite fond of Dreamcatchers, and the colours in this particular one appeal to me, and I like the sentiment.

Also going to stitch something I have had for about three years and haven’t even looked at it.  As I like farm animals – I like these portraits.  The other stitchwork is because I play the saxophone and trumpet.  I would like to learn the piano and once had a go on a double base but I was quite small at school and the instrument was just too big.  It’s quite a funny memory really!  It is strange what triggers memories that lie hidden in the depths of the brain, don’t you think?

Apart from sifting through the piles of cross stitch that I now have – I have sewn together some more patchwork pieces for the Beachcomber/Beside the Sea quilt and the top part of the Pirate quilt in blocks of 4.  (no pictures yet – see Sunday’s post)

And finally, a more relaxing pursuit – colouring the butterflies – progress made

Trust me – it is relaxing!

Thank you for reading – take care of yourself

Daisy

 

 

 

 

Hi,

Today is a gorgeous sunny blue sky day in East England, and to celebrate Mother Nature here are some before and after pictures of development in our little bit of the Earth.

Maple Tree then …….

and now

I love the burnished colour of these leaves.

Below – I tried to take an artistic shot of the campanula – I like how the light is shining on the petals and also managed to get the rain drops.  It had rained in the night quite hard.

Then I pruned or deflowered the Pieris Forest Flame ready for new red leaves to appear which then turn to pale green.

In full bloom

and now ……

Does it not look a little sorry for its self?

And now wishful thinking ….. I would love to have a Dachshund – prefer the wire haired breed or the smooth tan coloured dogs.  Husband doesn’t want the responsibility whilst I am still at work.  But I can dream …..

 

These pictures were in a magazine but I could not resist taking a picture – look at their little happy intelligent faces.

That’s all for today – hope it made you smile.

Daisy

 

Hi

Once again my time has been filled with various pursuits.  I have finished another book – it was a gentle easy read but very interesting.  This was the first book that I have read by this author and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

I purchased some flowers at the local supermarket – just because they made me smile.  Gerbera and rose go so well together – don’t you think?

 

Now a shout out to Lisa@LismorePaper  – I purchased a couple of magazines and these two A4 cards fell out – I immediately thought of you.  They look very vintage.

They are printed either side so you can choose which way round you would frame them.

Bye for now.

 

 

Hi everybody,

Well the seasons are changing and the days are flying by ……. cannot believe we are almost half way through May already.  I have been busy once more with many projects:

Lady Greensleeves –  30th April 2019

Lady Greensleeves – 11th May 2019

Audrey Hepburn

Also completed some more of my patchwork quilt tops – this is my Pirate quilt centrepiece.  By some piece of luck the little red star fish in the centre piece marks the spot.  Wasn’t quite sure how to start with this quilt and had to make some minor adjustments as I had forgotten that the sand bits which are 1 oblong piece did not allow for a seam adjustment and had to undo a couple of pieces.  Live and learn!!

 

I have also started a new colouring project – this time it features butterflies.  Whilst it requires concentration and a steady hand – this is just such a peaceful past-time.

Lastly at work I have retrieved Carmen and this is how she looked on 5th May 2019 and second picture is how she looks now.  These ladies are going to look great together.  At the bottom is a picture of how the previous lady (Maude) looks.

So that is all the news on the sewing front – see another post for the something different.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bye

 

 

 

Hi everyone

It’s a week of new starts and finishes and generally WIP’s.

To begin, I have finished colouring the owls.  I have added a new colour scheme – the Pink Breasted Brown Eyed Owl.

Here is a before:

and after:

It’s quite good fun and very absorbing  – so stress busting I suppose.  I’m not sure how much more I will colour – maybe just the flower stem between the owl’s feet.  Also not decided what I am going to do with the material.

Also progressed with Audrey:

I will probably stitch the eyes last as I had the funny experience of someone watching me when I stitched my American Indian cross-stitch.

And some stitching at work.  I’m amazed that anything was achieved as had to cover for a colleague who was on holiday, and do my own job – very busy week.

Firstly some bookmarks have been started:

last but not least – a little more on Carmen

Well hope you had a lovely week and thank you for taking a peak at my efforts.

Bye  for now.

Hello

Where does time go?  Cannot believe that we are 4 months passed for 2019.

Yes it is time for a review on my progress for “19 for 19”.  Here goes ……

1.     Read 19 books  (2 books read) (3 on the go
2.     Sewing projects (4 sewing projects finished – Little Owl coaster –  Christmas Dachshund – Jane Austen Quote also, Bee centre piece for quilt)
3.    Learn something new Well I have decided to try my hand at Patchwork Quilts, not listed on my original ideas, but new to me (1 top part finished – Bee Quilt) (6 more cut out ready to sew)
4.    To not buy clothes as much Failed – bought 3 new items.  Must try harder
5.    To eat more vegetables have achieved more this month now warmer weather is here.
6.    To write to Penpals  1 letter + present to Australian penpal (1 letter received – my turn to write)
7.    To create something and sell it for Charity Nothing to report here
8.    To watch 19 DVD’s or Movies Bought 1 DVD – Bohemian Rhapsody – brilliant performance from all characters.  Also watched a Star is Born with Lady GaGa – rather good.
9.    To finish my first novel. Still a WIP
10.    To write a small poetry book  I have written some poetry
11.    To laugh more  Moderate success
12.    To play my Saxophone or Trumpet more Nothing to report here
13.    To try and learn the Ukelele. Nothing to report here
14.    To learn Pilates and Deep Breathing used Pilates DVD by Darcy Bussell
15.    To  Visit National Trust Houses/English Heritage places Nothing to report here
16.    To visit the V & A Museum Nothing to report here
17.    Visit an Art Gallery Nothing to report here
18.    Go on a long walk Not achieved any walks yet
19.    Go to Local Craft Fairs more.  Nothing to report here