Dordogne Quilter

Stolen Quilt!

2012-02-17T15:20:00.003+01:00

Keep your eyes open!

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/02/help-get-word-outanother-stolen-quilt.html

Widgety Fidgety!

2012-02-14T17:16:00.000+01:00

Courtesy of Google Images

There is only so much snow a gal can take!

To relieve the boredom I've been blog hoping and finding new bloggers - a great way to spend a cold and grey afternoon.

Not a lot of what I call "me" blogs. Some quilters are far too precise for my liking and need to ease up a little. LOL!

However, I have found some great widgets.

Look at the side bar and scroll down to the widget below "Past Ramblings". Talk about a space saving device! You can add it by clicking on the "Get this widget" link underneath it.

Another one (and I Do like this one A Lot) is a Print or PDF widget (look at the footer underneath this post). You can get this one by clicking here and following the instructions.

However, when you get to the layout page bit the widget will be at the top of the sidebar. You need to move it by dragging it to underneath the Blog Posts box.

More soon.

Normal service .......

2012-02-08T12:43:00.000+01:00

.......... will be resumed as soon as the temperature goes above +1°C!

We are currently experiencing temperatures of -11°C at night and -6°C during the day.

Luckily we still have running water, but we are well and truly stuck!

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday - I love this!

2012-02-01T21:21:00.000+01:00

Not Quite Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T18:13:00.001+01:00

Does anyone know how to crush walnut shells small enough for pin cushions?

More soon.

Christmas & Birthday Goodies

2012-01-24T14:02:00.003+01:00

My Father really is the best!

Katherine Guerrier for Christmas and a £15 Amazon voucher for birthday helped buy Quilting with Style.

A beautiful quilt journal from my friend Pippa

with a beautiful embroidered surprise on the inside,

some lovely trinkets

and some great fabric.

And a cook book I've been lusting after for ages.

Thanks Mum, Dad and Pippa!

More soon.

Doodling

2012-01-19T13:00:00.001+01:00

I'm not feeling very creative at the moment. Everything is piled up in the sewing room and the sewing table has become the family dump table (sigh).

I suppose it's called the January Blue's. Did you know that last Monday is known as Blue Monday (woot! Wikipedia is back)?

Occasionally I get my Liberated Amish quilt out and do a bit of hand quilting, and I've been thinking about the border whilst waiting for my bargain copy of Quilting with Style by Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham to arrive. I found it second hand on Amazon for £5, plus postage. Bargain!

Anyhow, this is my latest idea.

I think it might work if I can redraw the leaves so they are a bit closer. Thank goodness for chalk wheel markers. Rub it out and start again.

I also ordered a Hera Marker (which was expensive as I forgot about the postage from the UK. Sssssh don't tell The Old One!).

I like using my chalk wheel marker for doodling, but for straight lines I think I'm veering towards the Marker.

Have you tried using the Pilot Frixion pens for marking fabric?

Courtesy of Google Images

My friend Pippa sent me one to try and I must admit they are brilliant, but I find there is still a faint trace of a line left and all that rubbing tends to loosen the stitches a bit.

So the Hera Marker it is.

Hurry up Mr le facture!

I'll be back as soon as the goodies arrive from the UK. Got some yummy presents from the Christmas and birthday haul to show you.

More soon.

We Have a Winner!

2012-01-16T14:10:00.000+01:00

But as far as I'm concerned you are all winners!

However, only one person can win the name banner.

That person is

Sue Wild

Congratulations Sue!

Let me have your snail mail address as soon as possible.

Thanks everyone for entering. It's been fun.

More soon.

It's Giveaway Day

2012-01-12T11:33:00.001+01:00

Today's the day!

Okay - what am I giving away?

Something very special for you.

Remember these?

Would you like one too? Perhaps for you, or a member of your family?

Well, you can win one, but only IF you are a current follower.

You DO NOT need to blog about this.

You DO NOT need to share it on Facebook.

You DO NOT need to friend me on Facebook.

You DO NOT need to tweet this post.

You MUST be a current follower.

Please DO NOT add yourself as a Follower to enter this giveaway. I shall know if you have ;-)

Just leave a comment before midnight on Sunday, the 15th (Paris time (GMT+1)) and I'll draw the name on Monday, the 16th.

Best of luck!

Waiting Wednesday

2012-01-10T19:33:00.004+01:00

Courtesy of Google Images

A Rant About Giveaways.

2012-01-08T16:14:00.000+01:00

Photo from Google Images

I don't host giveaway's. I'm not really that keen on them, although I will admit to occasionally entering one or two if the giveaway is something I like.

Recently the Quilting Gallery hosted a massive birthday giveaway and I spent 48 hours trawling through blogs. Some of the prizes were amazing.

I started following blogs I'd never heard of and shared the post on Facebook. I didn't link to them from here as that is not in my nature. My blog is for me and my dear blogging friends and I don't like advertising someone's blog, unless I like the work they do and want to share it.

Do you know what!

I didn't win a thing - nothing - rien - nada!

A blogging/Facebook/quilting friend has just shared an Aurifil Threads giveaway on Facebook and I thought you might like to read my comment

"Given up entering giveaways. It makes my blood boil having to jump through hoops. Leave a comment, then become a follower and leave another comment, then share it on FB and Twitter and leave comments that you've done both, then blog about it and come back to tell me you have, giving me the link, then come back AGAIN to tell me you've all of that twice. Oh and don't forget to "like' the giveaway page and then blog, tweet, FB about that too! and don't forget to tell me you've done that as well. After all that I could have sewn about 6 blocks and then I never win!"

However, I'm about to eat my words here!

I've noticed that my Followers list has recently shot up to 98 (it was 99 last week but someone obviously decided they were getting bored LOL).

So - IF, and I mean IF, my Followers hit the 100 mark I will host a simple, no jumping through hoops, giveaway for my loyal Followers only.

What will it be? Ah ha! You'll have to wait and see.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-04T19:09:00.003+01:00

How Did I Do?

2012-01-01T16:22:00.000+01:00

Way back in November 2010 I got caught on the hop by that wicked woman, Finn at Pieces from my Scrapbag.

You may remember I pledged to make 9 quilts by 15 March 2011. By February I decided that I would be unable to meet my pledge and extended the date to 31st December.

So how did I do?

Well. The last quilt made 2010 was Quilt #29, made by a quilting friend on Facebook for a boy in Canada.

By the end of January I'd added another 3 to the list, but was beginning to feel a bit swamped by what I had taken on.

Tracey stepped with a gorgeous red and white string quilt with UnRuly letters and we were up to 4 in 2 months!

She certainly gave me a boost.

Then Finn chipped in, followed closely by Ann in France with a gorgeous Irish Chain quilt, bringing the total up to 6.

Carol E produced another masterpiece and lovely Siobhan broke her own record by actually starting and finishing a quilt within a few weeks.

By now I was completely overwhelmed and beginning to lose count of how many quilts were being made all over the world. They were coming in so thick and fast I couldn't update the blog quick enough and sadly it is still out of date.

However, as at 11th December 2011 the grand total was 13 quilts and thanks to everyone we managed to give 12 children some happiness in 2011.

With regard to the great masterpiece, Strawberries & Cream, which is Quilt #40, I'm still waiting to hear what's going to happen to it.

Michelle Mobley went back to her native GA, USA for Christmas and the New Year and I hoping when she returns to the UK she'll start organising the auction/raffle. I'll let you know what happens.

So that's it! 13 quilts in a year. Phew! So many thanks to all the lovely people who made quilts so I could reach my goal and, most of all to Finn and Michele for cheering me on behind the scenes.

Now - would you like to read about how other people did in 2011?

Lily at Lily's Quilts has asked other quilters to review what they achieved.

Hop over see what other quilters have done. There are some gorgeous quilts.

Here's to 2012 and a lot more red and white quilts!

More soon.

Another Year Nearly Over

2011-12-31T12:27:00.002+01:00

And not a very nice one at that.

Here's hoping the next year will be better, despite the media forecasting doom, gloom, and despondency!

Photo courtesy of Google Images

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hope it's going to be good for you too.

Clare x

Very Nearly Not the last Wordless Wednesday of 2011

2011-12-29T00:04:00.000+01:00

Next Project

2011-12-17T12:37:00.001+01:00

I've been pondering and mulling over books for my next project.

I want to stop doing words and UnRuly stuff for a while. I thought I ought to expand my hand quilting skills by using templates or creating my own designs.

I was also give some gorgeous hand-dyed 9 patches sometime ago by Kate at Kate's Quilting and have been wanting to use them.

Lo and behold - I found this in Amish Abstractions (click on link). Perfect!

Can't wait to start!

More soon.

Quality Controller at Work

2011-12-08T19:19:00.001+01:00

Quilt Quality Controller here.

I've been working very hard today.

Hmmmm.

Yup - she's using the right threads.

Nice and comfy.

Definitely passes the test

Nice colour thread.

Goes very well with black don't you think?

This quilt has definitely got the paw of approval.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T12:13:00.001+01:00

Don't Mess With Me!

And Then There Were Three

2011-12-06T12:53:00.001+01:00

Once upon a time, many years ago, there were 3 little girls who stuck together like glue.

They met in the Petite Section at Ecole Maternelle and stayed together, through thick and thin, until they reached CE2 at Ecole Primaire when one had to leave due to unforeseen circumstances (click here for the full story).

Then there were two.

These 2 girls missed the third one terribly, but they got through it.

Then came Collége and, despite a hiccup when they were in 5eme (teenage girls can be horrible!), they made it through to 3eme together.

After Collége, they went to separate Lycée's, each following their chosen course, but still they are together and the bond between them is unbreakable.

Didine and The Young One

On Holiday Together

Even more so when the 3rd one returns for holidays.

My 3 Girls

So Didine (short for Amandine which is French for Amanda (I think)), who is the youngest of the 3, finally reaches the magic 16 the week after next, and it's time to make the last friendship quilt in the series.

Joyeux Anniversaire Magaly

Sweet 16

Joyeux Anniversaire Didine

There - the circle is complete.

More soon.

Phew!

2011-12-01T15:37:00.001+01:00

As I type this the sun in streaming in through the kitchen window and it feels like Spring.

The oak trees are still in leaf, although the leaves are golden coloured, and for the first time in about 6 months the grass is green (and needs mowing!). It doesn't feel at all like 1st December.

The UK trip was a bit of a whirlwind. Lots to do and not enough time to do it in.

Mother loves her quilt. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photo of her with it. Her 80th birthday party was a huge success. Afternoon tea for a select few (50!) in the local village hall. Lots of tea, sandwiches and cake, with a few glasses of Cava to round the afternoon off.

The centrepiece (apart from Mum) was the most amazing birthday cake with accompanying cup cakes.

Mum adores Creature Comforts, the cartoons made by the same person who makes Wallace & Gromit. Us sisters like The Old Bats being asked about speed cameras.

"Cucumbers" has become part of the family vocab!

Mum, however, prefers Shaun the Sheep.

So my lovely little sis arranged for a friend of a friend to make the cake and cup cakes along the lines of Nick Park.

This is the cake. The house is home in Kent and sitting/lying on the lawn from left to right are The Young One, with Tolly the spaniel, and my nieces Estella and Isabelle, oh and the chickens. Isn't it brilliant!

And here are 2 of the 40 cup cakes.

All in all a great day!

Right, on to the subject title. It is definitely a Phew!

All That Jazz

I've decided to call it "All That Jazz" because there are some musical notes fabrics in there somewhere and, of course, the cat jazz band. It covers our queen size bed with more to spare so goodness only knows how I'm going to baste and quilt it, but I'm not even going to think about that at the moment. Thanks again to Tonya for the inspiration.

I've now got to run up a name banner for The Young One's best friend's birthday in a few weeks. Bright green background and black and white letters. Mmmmm interesting!

More soon.

And Another One!

2011-11-14T23:27:00.001+01:00

Met the deadline.

This is travelling with me to the UK tomorrow.

Colour of Life
Approx 48" x 46"

Will try to get photos of my Mum and her 80th birthday present.

More soon.

Remembrance Sunday

2011-11-13T12:58:00.001+01:00

Lest we forget.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Please Do Not Adjust Your Set

2011-11-12T09:18:00.001+01:00

In need of an 80th birthday present. Don't have time to rustle something up.

This has been "hanging" about for ages

so I took it down and am machine quilting it. Just straight lines, using 1" masking tape as a guide.

All I can say is Hmmmmm. Interesting!

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T16:41:00.002+01:00

A Finish!

2011-11-07T16:15:00.000+01:00

Strawberries & Cream is about to start it's journey to the UK.

For once I don't want to see this quilt go. It's so beautiful and cuddly and I hope its new owner will love and cherish it as much as I do.

I knuckled down last week and decided that this quilt had to go to its new home. Choosing the backing fabric proved to be more of a nightmare than I thought it would be. I couldn't find a flannel sheet anywhere. The French don't seem to sell flannel, or flannel sheets, so a trip to the fabric warehouse at Javerlhac was called for.

It took ages to find the right fabric, but find it I did. A cross between flannel and fleece in a dark cream. Very soft and cuddly.

Then a couple of days while I plucked up courage to "birth" it. Never done that before and panic set in. Took a few deep breaths, pinned the two sides together and sewed.

Turned it inside outside - that was so easy - sewed up the top and then started tying the sides together. What a mammoth task that was!

and here she is again - all tied together and ready to go!

I'd like to thank Mary for letting me use the Heartstrings Project pattern and for giving me moral support and help throughout this project.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T18:27:00.001+01:00

Do Not Disturb ....

2011-11-01T23:58:00.000+01:00

..... quilter at work.

Sorry Pipette. You can scratch and yell to be let in as much as you like, but your Mum is busy, busy, busy.

Look at this lot!

Clockwise from bottom right is Strawberries & Cream waiting to be tied;

Liberated Roman Strings being hand quilted;

another Q4L quilt waiting to be tied; and

All That Jazz (aka Brick Building) still being built.

Phew!

More soon.

When the English Tried to Make Cassoulet

2011-10-25T13:43:00.000+02:00

This is hysterical!

OMG!

2011-10-21T00:09:00.000+02:00

I've created a monster.

It's got me in its clutches and it won't set me free. I need Dr Who!

This is the only part of the house big enough to hang it and even that's not big enough.

I'm cutting one last lot of bricks for another row of blocks at the top and that is enough!

More soon.

A Little Something

2011-10-14T16:14:00.000+02:00

I finished this mini quilt way back in March as a birthday present for The Young One.

Unfortunately I messed up the binding so I have spent the last few days unpicking it.

I then cut off the excess batt and backing and started again.

This is the result.

A lot flatter and neater.

Re photos. I was wondering what on earth Blogger was up to with that Lightbox thing. I was reading Sharon's blog this morning and saw that she managed to disable it. After a lot of fiddling about I managed to find out where the settings are and it is now disabled.

So if you want to go back to the previous post and click on the photo you should be able to enlarge it.

FYI - the Lego quilt currently measures 52" x 48" and, no Sharon, I hadn't spotted that arch until you mentioned it.

More soon.

First There Were Scraps ......

2011-10-13T19:08:00.000+02:00

.... then strings, then blocks.

Now (insert drum roll) there is a part of a top.

(Click to enlarge)

There is a lot of infilling, because, as you know, I can't sew straight. Thank goodness I'm still making those strips. I knew they would come in useful!

Now where did I put that list of Autumn chores?

More soon.

Monday Mumblings

2011-10-10T18:18:00.001+02:00

I've been at the machine for what seems like weeks, sewing away, and I think I've created a monster.

I am seriously addicted.

I've uploaded a large version so this photo should be click able.

I've still got at least another 2 rows to do. Then its infilling so the rows are equal in length. I think I'll add, rather than cut.

There are so many different fabrics in this. Lots of, to me, uglies, lots of fun ones and bits and pieces from all over the world. Notice the distinct lack of red, well not a lot!

I deliberating over doing a border for this. I'm loathe to, but I'm also think a narrow black one would make the colours pop. I'll see how I feel when I reach that point.

I gave myself a break on Thursday to make a miniature quilt for the Liberated Quilts Online Retreat. I decided we'd have a bit of fun and quilt along with the quilters at Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Quilters Retreat, using the same theme - Gwen's current book 37 sketches.

I asked the group to take a quilt from either Gwen, Gee's Bend or the Brown's Amish Collection, reduced it in size if it was full size, and make it theirs. I had a mental block and couldn't decide what to do. To help the thought process I rummaged through what is left in the string box. Right at the bottom was a bit of pink plaid lying next to a piece of black.

This is what I came up with.

I love how the plaid changes colour, depending on how you cut it.

Onto family stuff. Someone asked me (can't remember who) what The Young One is up to these days.

She started her second year at lycée last month. She is now in Premiére and studying hard for her Baccalaureate Série Littérature (scroll down the page). There has been a reform in the French education system and the upshot is she has dropped Maths, which is her weak subject. She is overjoyed! We were a bit worried about this to start with (well, The Old One was - I'm not bothered), until she said that because the last two teachers weren't prepared to help her, she's basically missed out 2 years and to sit the Bac in Maths would mean losing those precious marks.

Instead she has gone for the English and Art option. I'm really pleased with the English part as she is studying English Literature and the book list is probably what she would have read if she was doing A-Level English Literature. She's starting with A Picture of Dorian Gray and Wuthering Heights is on the list too.

The art side I'm not too sure about and even she admits she's not brilliant at it, but she's got to better at art than Maths!

Spanish is also on the curriculum and it looks as if we've got a tri-langue daughter!

She's sitting her French Bac next June and, if she passes, will do Philosophy in Terminale, her last year at lycée.

I can't believe the little 3 year old who started in the Petite Section of Maternelle (kindergarten) is now 16 1/2 and nearing the end of her school life.

If all goes to plan, in 2 year's time she'll be at Limoges University reading languages.

To round off this post. The Old One has been busy busy busy.

Those of you who have been to this pile of stones know what the big barn normally looks like. Piled high with junk. The Old One collects junk! Even he has decided there is enough to start our own brocante and been clearing it out.

Et voila!

Yes - it really is that big!

I've got a list of Autumnal chores as long as my arm so I'm going to give the machines a bit of a rest and see if I can reduce the list by at least half by the end of the week.

More soon.

Now I Have 6 ......

2011-10-09T01:24:00.002+02:00

and I've been told enough is enough.

Excuse the background decoration!

Some extracts from the handbook.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T16:32:00.000+02:00

And Then There was Space

2011-10-04T20:15:00.001+02:00

Do you want to know something?

Finishing this top has taken a lot longer than I thought it would. I suppose it was the precise spacing between each letter and word which made it harder. Something I've never done before.

You know me. Just wing it and see what happens.

Before I show the photo, I think the bottom row has got to be unpicked and re-sewn. Somehow the machine had a yummy I'm hungry moment. I don't think she likes doing strings cos she chewed that seam up.

So here we are

and I'm not sure about the exclamation mark either. I like the top half, but the bottom is too square.

Oh Clare, do shut up! You're striving for perfection which you know you just cannot do!

On a different topic, we went shopping yesterday.

Sewing machine shopping.

She hasn't come home yet, but when she does I'll make sure you are the first to see her.

More soon.

Time to Clear the Decks

2011-09-30T14:27:00.000+02:00

I reached an impasse.

I can't do any more Brick Blocks as I've run out of design wall space and I can't get an overall impression of how its going when the blocks are piled on top of one another.

So it's time to clear the bigger design wall. That means back to Music is Magic.

I started planning the layout and putting the first row together yesterday.

I originally wanted the letters to jump about a bit, but it didn't seem to work with this quilt. So this is how I feel it should look.

I'm starting with 1" strips between each letter, but I may need to rethink that as I progress.

I need to drop "beyond" down a bit so it doesn't clash with the A above it and make it more centred.

The second row needs moving down a bit too so the two A's are separated out.

I want to leave the "y" in "beyond" as it is, dropping down between "all" and "we", and the last line will need to be spread out a bit as the exclamation mark has still to be done.

Once the top is finished it can be pinned on The Young One's wall as is until I'm ready to quilt it.

In the meantime, I still adding to the pile of strings when I get an opportunity to play Leaders and Enders.

Changing the subject.

The second series of Downton Abbey started the Sunday before last. For me it's not hitting the same spot as the first series did. I'm finding the actors a bit wooden and I get the feeling they are reading their lines off an auto cue. All except the brilliant Maggie Smith.

We'll see what happens this coming Sunday which appears to be a bit more exciting. Lady Edith needs a good hard slap, but I won't spoil it for you!

And woohoo! The last in the current series of Dr Who tomorrow night. I wonder if all will be revealed.

More soon.

And Then There Were Five

2011-09-26T13:01:00.000+02:00

I can't stop. This is fun.

All the other projects have been put on the back burner.

More soon.

The First Block is the Hardest

2011-09-24T18:35:00.000+02:00

and I'm still happily stringing along!

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday - Guess

2011-09-21T10:40:00.000+02:00

Aubeterre sur Dronne

Addicted!

2011-09-18T18:16:00.000+02:00

I'm having so much fun, now that I've stopped cutting and am sewing.

Hmm. A bit too much white in there. Will have to correct that.

More soon.

Building Bricks

2011-09-17T13:49:00.000+02:00

I've been making inroads into the waiting list for Leukaemia snuggle quilts. We've hit #42 - woohoo!

After days of non-stop sewing blocks and borders together, I was getting bored, bored, bored, and then Emma 1's light bulb went ping which meant changing to Emma 2 (note to self - find photos of the Emma's to put in side bar).

After a lot of swearing as I couldn't remember how to wind the bobbin, I stomped off in a sulk and decided to vent my frustration on the strings and fabric I've been hoarding.

Out came the bins. Out came the plastic boxes full to bursting of strings and scraps. The sewing table was cleared of anything resembling red and white quilts and the nice and tidy sewing room was no more.

I've been finding some forgotten about treasures

(the daisy fabric is from Heidi in Germany. She sent me some lovely strings)

and some really ugly stuff. Isn't this just so yuk!

I didn't realise I had such a stash of uglies.

Though some of them are quite fun.

Have you heard about the latest craze to hit the liberated quilting world?

Tonya has been sewing up a storm and has created a masterpiece. You can read about it here, and you can see other bricks being built by Siobhan (there are other posts below this one so make sure you read all of them) and Julie (again read her previous posts about the construction).

I'm not at all sure how big mine is going to be. I might end up with a king size (shudder - the thought of hand quilting that!), or a lap quilt for me.

I have a lot of browns for some reason, so I'm putting them in a separate box and might make another fool quilt with them, chucking in a few oranges to brighten it up. Brown and orange? Clare, you cannot be serious!

No post is complete without a kitty pîc.

Pippi Longstocking is gaining in confidence and has fallen in love with The Old One. Wherever he goes, she's not far behind. He says it's like being stalked!

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-14T14:52:00.000+02:00

Aubeterre sur Dronne

Want to leave a comment ......

2011-09-08T12:14:00.004+02:00

........ but you hate that box thing which opens up at the bottom of the post?

I've gone back to the Pop Up Window.

It took a bit of fiddling about with Blogger. Going back to the old dashboard format and then trying to remember where the settings were, but I did it!

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T11:47:00.001+02:00

Aubeterre sur Dronne

C'est la Rentrée

2011-09-06T15:32:00.001+02:00

Photo Source

Yesterday saw the end of the holidays and the start of another school year.

The Young One is now in Premiére at Lycée and will be sitting her Baccalaureate Française next June. Yikes! Doesn't time fly!

Funnily enough, I was pondering about life, the universe and everything this morning whilst hanging out the washing and realised that the weather has turned autumnal overnight! How does the weather know it was rentrée yesterday?

The figs started ripening last week and we were getting excited. Fig Chutney. Yum!

Only thing is we can't get near them because of the Hornets.

Then I noticed the walnuts have started falling.

I don't think we're going to get a very good crop this year. There are a lot still in their shells which are green, or black and is a bad sign.

More and more are falling like that every year. If you manage to get the shells off, the nuts aren't good so it's not worth the hassle of walnut juice stained hands.

The grapes are ripening fast too

and the lovely Maria has returned from her holidays, bringing us fresh bread on Tuesday's and Saturday's.

Today's bread was a gorgeous wholegrain loaf. Sorry - no photo - there isn't any left!

My beautiful black girl has come out of her summer sleeping place and returned to the courtyard for her afternoon nap.

Even she knows it's September. She's started coming in at night and sleeping on the sofa. This morning she was snuggled up in the scrap bin on the sewing table.

That's it for now - got to sort out the sewing room and then think about shutting the pool up.

More soon.

Music is Magic

2011-09-05T18:01:00.000+02:00

The Young One went back to lycée today and I'm feeling a bit miz.

The only thing to chase those blues away is sew, sew, sew.

Et voila!

Music is Magic

I tried Tonya's way of doing a W, but it looked lumpy. So I used Lynne's method. It's not for the faint hearted! A lot of fabric ended up in the bin, but I got there in the end.

Now to have a rummage to find suitable fabric for the exclamation mark at the end.

More soon.

Oh Heavy Sigh

2011-09-04T00:15:00.001+02:00

That's what I did when clicked "New Post".

Google Chrome is getting slower and slower and reading blogs is getting harder.

I'm just reading the Liberated Quilters Web Ring at the moment, and even getting behind on that. It's like walking through treacle.

Firefox is fine, but I miss Chrome.

However, in between dodging the dreaded Hornets who are eating all the figs (The Old One is in despair), making sure The Young One is ready for Rentrée on Monday evening and generally trying to keep out of the heat, I have been sewing.

Et voila!

I wasn't at all sure the dark green would work, but the TheYoung One assures me it does, providing I don't use any more.

Looking at this photo, I think the "d" needs to be redone, but I'm liking the layout so far and I do like that y.

I'm limbering up for "all we do here!". The colours are the big thing now. A bit more purple I think and perhaps the exclamation mark at the end should be the same fabric as the first A to round it off. On the other hand I've got some black and white star fabric which would be great.

I'm now going to see if this will publish via Chrome so will wish you a happy day/evening/night wherever you are.

More soon.

New Blog on the Block

2011-09-02T12:59:00.000+02:00

and it's fascinating.

Click here.

Strawberries & Cream

2011-08-27T18:56:00.000+02:00

We have a quilt top!

Awful photos - sorry.

I'm on the hunt for a flannel sheet or fleece for the back. Then I'm going to use the pillowcase turn, without batting.

It should end up heavy enough for a bed quilt, but snuggly at the same time.

More soon.

News Flash! Canicule!

2011-08-21T17:50:00.001+02:00

It was 30°C in the porch (which faces East) at 7.00 pm yesterday evening.

Thank goodness for the pool!

Normal service will be resumed when the temperature drops about 15°C.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T11:02:00.002+02:00

Who's a Lucky Girl!

2011-08-13T18:25:00.001+02:00

Lots of goodies having been arriving at Chez Moi!

It's not very often I win a give-away. The lovely Roz was hosting one to celebrate her 500th post and was giving away etui's (needle cases to you!). I won!

I love it! Thanks's Roz. I'll treasure it always!

The following day I received a squishy from Heidi in Germany.

Sorry - not a good photo. My sewing room was in full sun when I took this.

When I've finished machining together red and white strings, I'm hoping to start on a sort of Lego quilt like Tonya's. I've been going through my strips/strings and think I've got enough for a lap quilt, but lovely Heidi sent me these. I love the Halloween one. Thanks Heidi. Can't wait to start using them.

Then someone gave me this.

I'm not too sure what to make of it. Although the colours are great, and it's beautifully made, every single piece of fabric is poly or Viscose and the shiny black is imitation leather. Interesting mix of colours and I like the concept, but .......

The back is denim

and although it's small, it's heavy!

I'm going back to those red and white strings, but I'll leave you with a photo of a lovely clothes shop in Brantome.

More soon.

A Decision Has Been Made

2011-08-09T14:09:00.000+02:00

The Old One does have his moments.

He helped out once before and, of course, being a Leo, was right.

I'm cutting more foundation blocks - 24 to be exact.

Just hope I can get it finished by October.

Stay tuned!

More soon.

Red and White Strings - Help Needed Please

2011-08-08T16:50:00.002+02:00

Here's the proposed layout.

It's on a double bed and The Old One thinks it needs another horizontal row. I think if I do that I'll need to add another vertical one. Which will mean cutting another 24 9" muslin squares!

What do you think?

ADDENDUM : I can't add borders. I'm not going to use batting. The quilt will be too heavy. So I'm going to back it with a flannel sheet, use the pillowcase method and then do some decorative stitches, or use buttons, to stabilise it. So do I add more rows, or do I leave it?

What's red and white and stringy?

2011-08-06T13:13:00.001+02:00

No - not Liquorice!

Remember this?

I was getting a bit disheartened as the fabrics are all the same and I thought it was getting a bit boring.

I put out a plea on the Stashbuster Yahoo Group asking if anyone wanted to get rid of some of their red and white stash. After all, the purpose of the group is to get rid of stash isn't it?

I received an email from a lovely lady in Illinois saying she'd willingly send me some of hers as she'd grown tired of them and didn't think she'd use them.

Woot!

Look what arrived the other day. 4lbs of fabric!

<3 those "heart strings".

The quilt is back on the floor and I'm cutting and

sewing again.

I've got so many projects on the go at the moment it's a bit overwhelming. So it's nice to sit down and do some mindless piecing.

If you read the Quilts 4 Leukaemia blog, you'll know that Quilt #32 was made for a little boy called Morgan. Sadly he became an angel in April and his mother is trying to raise funds for the children's ward of the hospital where he was treated. When this quilt is finished I'll be sending it to her so she can auction it.

More soon.

Friday Afternoon in Brantome

2011-08-05T17:49:00.001+02:00

A couple of weeks ago I did a post about Brantome on a Friday afternoon, after the market had finished.

Today I had to go into again to post a parcel to a little girl in the UK who has been waiting patiently for her quilt.

This time I was too late for a quiet stroll round a nearly deserted town! The place was heaving, even at 3.00pm

The old church which is being restored (I talked about it last time), but a lovely shot showing geraniums.

Then I walked over the bridge towards the Abbey and spotted these gorgeous flowers, in boxes hanging from the railings.

Oh look! The little children from the Centre Sociale (they look after the kids during the day) were performing a flash dance.

It's the wedding season in France and Brantome has been the venue for lots of very very smart, Parisian style, weddings

You can tell how smart it was. The sapin de mariage is usually a pine branch decorated with paper flowers in the wedding colours. However, these are bamboo with fine gold ribbons and delicate decorations.

Outside one of the many tourist shops. This particular one is owned by a friend of ours.

English tourists enjoying a late lunch by the river (I heard them talking so I knew they were English!)

and some riverside shots.

The last shot of the day before I too wilted in the heat and braved a very hot car.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T12:17:00.002+02:00

A Celebration!

2011-07-29T23:35:00.003+02:00

Today is (or nearly was) The Old One's Birthday.

He really is A Lot Older Than Me and, despite his idiosyncrasies, I love him to bits.

The Young One got up early and arrived in our bedroom with his normal breakfast of brioche, confiture and coffee.

His birthday present from us was The King's Speech as we thought he'd like something we can all enjoy (ulterior motive there!).

We had a relatively quiet day until a long standing friend arrived seeking refuge. Out came the rosé and white wines and the carefully planned birthday supper turned into mayhem!

However, in between the celebrations I found a quiet moment and started to hand quilt something which I've been wanting to do for ages.

I'm using a cotton batt which I've never quilted with before. Finding it interesting.

More soon (got to finish off that bottle of rosé).

Doodling

2011-07-28T11:00:00.014+02:00

This is what happens to scraps of paper in our house.

The Old One starts a list of things to do or remember.

The Young One doodle's on it when she's texting (okay, while she's waiting for a reply).

I doodle on it when I'm on the phone.

We end up with a complete mish mash of ideas and I love it.

(and then The Old One complains that he can't read his list. I can. Can you?)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-27T11:00:00.001+02:00

Oh oh oh it's magic!

2011-07-26T11:00:00.012+02:00

Or what ever the lyric is.

I think this has got to be my best word yet.

Got to sort that music out though. Too square.

I think this is an unpicking job as that's the only music fabric left after Tonya's Bah Humbug.

I'm also going to jettison the "h" from "Ah"and replace it with the same fabric as the "A".

Tonya - expect lots of spare letters. On the other hand I may keep that h. I've grown quite fond of it.

More soon.

Getting It Straight

2011-07-25T17:08:00.000+02:00

I've been having trouble trying to get my 1/4" seams straight with the Singer 1425. Who you? Yes me!

Very annoying it is too to find the seams vary in width from 1/4" to 1/2" to 1/8", even with a 1/4" foot. The foot was jumping all over the place and I could actually see it moving.

The other day I thought I'd have a go trying to adjust the tension to see if that had anything to do with it.

Got out trusted manual as I couldn't remember whether the lower the number, the higher the tension, or vice versa.

When I looked at the illustration I suddenly realised what the problem was.

Before

After

Talk about a DOH moment!

There is a lovely man on Ebay who sells all sorts of bits and pieces for sewing machines. Accessories and feet which are impossible to get hold of anywhere else, and for less than half the price they are over here. I mean €8, including postage, instead of the €30+ I found one for here in France.

My lovely Singer is now behaving itself and, yes, I did have to adjust the tension, but only slightly.

Continuing with the subject line, I have been trying to get things straight in the sewing room.

After the kitten invasion, there's stuff all over the place. The Old One and The Young One have been using it as a dump room which hasn't gone down to well. However, I got my own back on The Old One.

This box has been hanging around for years so I've found a brilliant use for it

and a nice little storage shelf at the top for bits and pieces. Can't believe I started quilting using those MDF templates. I don't think he's noticed yet, but it had been in the barn for a few years so what's not used is either sold on, or I find a use for it.

Amongst the massive tidying up I found this project which I had forgotten about.

Tidying up has stopped and I'm playing. I'm trying to make the letters pointy like a magican's hat and the "m" for "magic" is definitely pointed and slightly off kilter. I'll show it when I've done some more.

It's raining chats et chiens so back to the sewing room I go.

More soon.

Squiggling on a Sunday

2011-07-24T16:00:00.001+02:00

Round 4 of the Liberated Round Robin has been published.

Yikes! Curves!

You know me well enough by now to know that I don't "do" appliqué or anything that involves too much hassle. I have an aversion to anything too complicated.

As far as I'm concerned nice and easy fits the bill perfectly.

So I had to think hard and fast about this, to me, challenge.

Then I remembered that sometime ago Marsha at Threadbender wrote an excellent post about making squiggles.

A squiggle is a curve is it not, albeit not exactly a proper curve, but in my book that suffices.

So without further ado I give you my first squiggles.

Well, it's a start.

You can read Marsha's tutorial here. It's so easy a child could do it! Says she confidently. Anyone any idea how I'm going to do 46" long squiggles!

I'm waiting for a part for my Singer 1425. As soon as it hits the letter box I'll start squiggling. I've never felt so ashamed of myself about this particular part, but that's a story for another time

More soon.

Saturday Photo Shoot

2011-07-23T11:19:00.003+02:00

Not a lot of sewing going on at the moment. I'm waiting for Round 4 of the Liberated Round Robin.

However, yesterday I took the camera out for a walk. First time in ages.

I had to go into Brantome to do some chores. You know the sort of thing. Go to the bank, post some letters, do a bit of shopping.

I managed to time it just right. The market had finished (if you live here Brantome is to be avoided like the plague on Friday morning's unless you have a death wish!), the streets were clear and most sensible people were finishing lunch.

The old church is undergoing a major refurbishment. They're taking off the cladding, revealing the stone work and old windows.

I haven't got a photo of what it looked like before, but you can see some here.

To think that these windows and walls have been covered up for years. Aren't they stunning.

The Place d'Albret is where the main market is and during high season is a disaster area. As I said, you've got to be mad to even think about going there on a Friday morning, unless, of course, you are a tourist.

However, when the stallholders have packed up and the street cleaners come in, the place is deserted. In 13 years I've never seen it looking like this, even out of season. Actually it does look like out of season doesn't it?

Where has the summer gone?

There is some sort of exhibition going on at the Abbaye. I love this poster against the brick wall.

Walking back though Albret and along the Quai Bertin, very fast before the heavens opened.

I was tempted, very tempted, to stop for a bite to eat, but they were closing.

I finally made it back to the car before it rained

More soon.

Am I Talking to Myself?

2011-07-19T11:15:00.002+02:00

Liberated Round Robin - Round 3 and More

2011-07-18T14:48:00.001+02:00

I'm been sewing up a storm here in the land of vin, pain et Boursin.

Weather is dreadful. Stormy and wet. However, mustn't complain as we desperately need the rain.

As you know, I've been despairing about this quilt. I've ripped, sewn and ripped again. It just wouldn't come together. After my last post I suddenly saw the light and have spent the last 48 hours in the sewing room creating a helluva a mess and having fun. The sewing machines don't think so - more on that in a later post.

So here we are - Liberated Round Robin Round 3 Rectangles.

It's roughly 46" x 46" and is covering up my Haunted Houses quilt. There are another 2 rounds to go, the next one being published next Friday. So I wonder how big this will be at the end?

I've been doing a tiny bit of stash building. I've started fabric shopping on Etsy and found the lovely Julie of Stitchin' Stash. I had a credit card problem and couldn't use PayPal. The French site doesn't like my UK card. Anyway, she very kindly let me email her with the card details et voila! A few weeks later these gorgeous fabrics fell into my lap.

I love the skeleton lying on his back

and just love love love this 1950's style fabric by Alexander Henry.

Go and seek Julie out. She's got some lovely fabrics. Tell her Clare from France sent you.

While I was fabric shopping I was sussing out rulers at the same time. I've been after the Easy Angle HST ruler for ages, but with the price of shipping from the US it sort of doubles up the price. Imagine my surprise when this also arrived a few weeks ago.

A gift from my lovely friend Irene. She's such a sweetie. Thanks Irene.

This will make you laugh. The Old One is fascinated by it. He thinks it will come in useful for woodworking and other "men stuff". Oh yes? It's been hidden away!

Then this came through the letter box last week. Omnigrid 8.5" x 8.5".

My friend Pippa was having a spend up at Hancocks and asked if I wanted anything. This is perfect for the Q4L blocks. Exactly the right size!

Such lovely gifts and so useful. Thank you both so very much.

To round off this rather long post.

Pipette.

She's turning in a beautiful and very affectionate cat.

I'm off into Périgueux to "faire les courses". However, before I go can I ask one small favour of you?

A dear dear quilting friend has just lost her lovely husband. Very unexpected. Please keep the lovely Joyce and her family in your prayers and thoughts right now.

More soon.

Liberated Round Robin Round 2 Again

2011-07-17T00:30:00.002+02:00

Okay - forget the last post about this challenge.

There has been a massive rethink and a lot of frogging (rippit rippit).

I'm still not happy with it, but I think I can now see where the problem lies. That centre block and its black border is too much. My eye is focusing on that and not the rest.

I've got to continue the next round with blue and then do the same big black border. It may not be liberated, but it's continuity.

More soon.

Happy Quatorze Juillet

2011-07-14T13:12:00.000+02:00

To celebrate Bastille Day, we're starting off with a BANG

A HUGE firework display, which will be a riot of every shade of BLUE you can think of.

Ready?

(Massive drum roll)

POP BANG

(photos are clickable)

Blueberry Fool is finished and I'm loving it!

Phew - I'm exhausted.

Sssssssh let's quieten down a bit.

Have you heard of Google +? It's the new social networking site. A lot more secure than FB. If you are interested in seeing what it looks like, leave a comment and I'll send you an invitation to join.

Whilst we're on the subject of wasting the day away, have you found Pinterest yet? Great fun! You'll find the link to my page by scrolling down and clicking on the Pinterest logo somewhere down there on the right hand side.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-13T13:26:00.000+02:00

Summer Time ....

2011-07-10T23:19:00.000+02:00

....... and girls have fun!

The lovely Magaly is with us again and our family is complete.

The next photo is especially for Michele at With Hearts and Hands

More soon.

Wishing

2011-07-09T12:55:00.001+02:00

Tonya, LeeAnn, Kristin, j.m.b and Bonnie are there. Michele is going today for the day only.

I'm stuck in France, wishing I was in Oregon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T11:52:00.001+02:00

Round Two Squares

2011-06-23T18:03:00.000+02:00

I've sewn, I've ripped, sewn again, ripped again.

I started with the idea of adding blue squares for the next round to bring the centre block out. I had what I thought were loads left over from Blueberry Fool, but sadly there weren't enough to go round. So I ripped that lot out and started again.

Again the other idea (lots of tiny 9 patches) didn't look right.

I then found these squares sent to me by Marit at Quilt It some time ago. I chopped them about a bit, then fitted them together again with black in between. Hence the wacky, wonky look.

Round 3 hasn't been published yet so in the meantime I'm going to add another black border and then perhaps an orange one and hopefully that will point me in the right direction for the next round.

In the meantime, hot news here at Chez Nous.

The resin cast is off! The ankle hurts like hell and pain killers are the order of the day. No physio has been prescribed, just lots and lots of walking. In the meantime, I'm hobbling about, but at least I can get outside and potter about in the potager.

More soon.

Celebrating Batiks

2011-06-20T18:02:00.000+02:00

I've been sewing and sewing and sewing.

I'm seeing orange, red, blue and green, not to mention black and white, in my sleep. And it ain't over yet!

This the current size, laid out on a single sheet.

The colours are so vibrant I can't get a good shot. Also it's so big it won't fit into the lens. The right hand side is the top.

There is still just under half a sheet to go before I can stop sewing and then the fun really starts with fitting it all together.

I'm not too sure what to use as fillers. I've got some smaller blocks sent to me by a fabric fairy some time ago which could be sliced up to fill the gaps, but I'm also thinking black and white to rest the eye a bit. I know there is already some b&w in there, but I thought it might break the colours up. Or perhaps just plain black? Hmmmmm decisions decisions.

I've got an appointment at the hospital tomorrow and a X-Ray. I seriously hoping the cast is going to come off. It's driving me mad! Keep your fingers crossed.

More soon.

Warning - You Might Need Sunglasses

2011-06-14T19:00:00.005+02:00

Liberated Round Robin Round 1.

The next round is squares.

Watch this space!

Two Finishes

2011-06-10T17:31:00.046+02:00

What on earth is happening to Blogger? The Dashboard has changed, as has the post page and I can't find anything.

It's taking an age to load and Google has, for some reason, changed my template. I rather like it!

Anyway. I had a marathon binding day yesterday.

Let's see if I can upload photos.

First off Family Trees in all its glory.

The more I look at this quilt the more I love it.

Next up - Cutie Bug!

The quilting is very basic as I wanted to get it finished. I tied the centre, hand quilted the letters and tied the border. Very quick. It took me about a week which is surely an all time record for me.

My niece is going to love this.

I've given up on Ab Fab. That didn't last long! I really want to get Blueberry Fool tied.

S is for Stripes is also calling to me. Did I mention that a friend has got 70 metres of curtain insulation which is exactly the same as a cotton batt, but not as thick. She's given me a couple of metres to try out and I'm dying to use it on S is for Stripes.

The ankle still hurts, but I'm counting down the days until 21st June when hopefully the cast comes off and I can drive again!

More soon.

Two Down

2011-06-07T16:26:00.000+02:00

That's Cutie Bug finished - picture to follow when it's been bound.

On to the next one. I think I'll see how much of Ab Fab I can get done before I get bored.

More soon.

I Won!

2011-06-06T14:51:00.000+02:00

Kate has been having a clear out and held a mini give-away.

I love some of the work she does and couldn't resist putting my hand up to ask for some of her gorgeous 9 patches in hand-dyed fabrics.

Today they arrived at their new home.

Aren't they gorgeous! Thanks Kate!

More soon.

Light Bulb Moment

2011-06-05T12:25:00.000+02:00

I've been thinking about my centre block for the Liberated Round Robin.

You'll remember that this was going to be the original one

I've been cogitating about it. I don't think it's really me. It's too exact.

About about 7.30 this morning brain went Ping and I saw the block in my head.

Et voila!

That's more like it!

Beautiful Batiks

2011-06-02T11:33:00.000+02:00

Well - they've gone! The house seems very empty and little Pipette isn't at all sure what's going on.

Despite a fractured ankle, I spent most of yesterday afternoon clearing up the mess that was my sewing room. Once it's all cleaned, fumigated and decluttered I'll post about my latest acquisition.

In the meantime, I finally got to play with my new toy.

Getting ready to sew is a bit of an effort. The Old One helped bring some of the clutter downstairs and I limped about gathering up cutters, scissors, rulers and fabric. I'm not quite ready to start my Liberated Round Robin block (this one) yet. I'm thinking about slashing it and perhaps adding some burnt orange, or even green, to liberate it a bit. What do you think?

What I did sew was some more batik cabins.

(that's Cutie Bug underneath)

The other blocks are upstairs on the design wall, but I'm thinking there may be too much orange and green in there. I'll get them all together and take another look. It's difficult to visualise them when half is upstairs and half downstairs.

And whilst we're talking batiks

That's The Old One's collection of hornet killers and fly sprays on the mantle piece!

Ok - onwards and upwards. Let's get that room sorted!

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T13:34:00.000+02:00

They are going to their new home today and I get my sewing room back.

Sunday WiP

2011-05-29T19:41:00.000+02:00

Boy am I getting stuff done!

After Family Trees, I deliberated about trying to baste one of the outstanding projects, but spending hours on my knees didn't seem like a good idea.

So I dragged my niece's quilt out of the cupboard and made a start.

A lot of ripping while I decided what to do.

Eventually I came up with tying the centre and then quilting the borders.

A few bumps there, but that pink polka dot fabric is very thin.

More soon.

Problems with Comments

2011-05-27T12:05:00.000+02:00

I understand there is a problem with commenting.

I use Google Chrome and haven't had any problems. However, if you use IE8 or Firefox you can read how to get round the problem here, which is the Blogger Help Forum.

Clare

Family Trees

2011-05-26T15:37:00.000+02:00

Hand quilting finished.

Family Trees

I wish I had put a white border round the Seminole blocks.

I also think white binding. I was going to do a pale pink one, but it will be too close to the other colours.

Right. On to the next project.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T12:24:00.000+02:00

A New Addition to the Family

2011-05-24T23:34:00.000+02:00

She's over 20 years old. She's in really good condition and she's just perfect!

This is the first machine I've owned where I can adjust the needle. Cool!

Her feed dogs drop and she came with the special foot.

I ought to mention that I can use a machine. It's just that the machine(s) are upstairs. MSR (My Sewing Room) is laid out so I have to get up and walk to the cutting table and ironing board. Not such a good idea at the moment!

I think I'll just practise FMQ until the plaster cast comes off.

More soon.

Oh My!

2011-05-23T20:31:00.000+02:00

I really don't believe it! Quilting friends really are the bestest.

The little yellow van drew up outside our house again this morning and dropped off yet another USPS envelope.

Wow!

Look at these!

The photo makes them look a bit wishy washy, but they really are gorgeous.

All the way from Alameda in California. Isn't Laura just lovely!

She also threw in a packet of these.

Believe it or not, they are called France. I'm going to plant them in my window boxes as soon as possible as I didn't get any Geraniums this year. In fact, I might even buy another couple of packets. Never thought of planting Nasturtiums in window boxes instead of Geraniums. Perhaps I'll set a trend!

As you can imagine, I haven't been doing much this last week. In fact, life is incredibly boring and I'm getting thoroughly fed up.

This is really and truly saving my life

Family Trees

and I'm nearly finished.

I reckon I've about about 2 days of sewing left and then I'll start on the next one.

I'm really missing my sewing machine and can't wait for the dratted plaster to come off (5 weeks and counting) before I can sew sew sew.

In the meantime, I'll just have to "Just Keep on Quilting" [smile].

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T13:04:00.000+02:00

Bloggers' Quilt Festival - Spring 2011

2011-05-17T11:39:00.000+02:00

I haven't entered a quilt in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival for ages -not since its inception a few years ago.

Not that many quilts have been finished that are still in the house, but my all time favourite so far and the one which made me feel like a proper quilter is this one.

Haunted Houses

I made this for Tonya's House, Home Pantry class. I have a very funny feeling that I started it in the class before, but anyway, it took ages and ages - I think about 2 years.

This is the first quilt that I finally felt happy with, that I quilted in the way I wanted to and went the way I wanted it to. I wasn't influenced by anyone (apart from Ton LOL) and I love it to bits.

The quilting is a huge spider web. I started in the centre and worked outwards. It's a bit wonky and some of the stitches are huge because I had to jump lots of seams.

It now hangs in a dark corner where it doesn't get any light as the sun is so strong it bleaches everything. But I pass it about 6 times a day and every time I go past I say "Hi".

Sewing up a Storm

2011-05-16T19:55:00.000+02:00

Unfortunately it's not piecing, which I love doing and could quite happily do all day, every day.

Instead it's hand quilting.

Family Trees is nearing completion.

It's a long haul though. Changing threads doesn't help matters much either! I've got about 10 needles threaded with different colours.

Also, it doesn't help when one of the needles falls to the floor and you tread on it! Right into the big toe of my left foot, which just happens to be The Foot!

Weather gorgeous, just right for gardening, but we won't go into that at the moment Thank You Very Much. I just hope the vegetable bed will wait for another 6 weeks. I know the sowing of the haricot vert beans won't wait much longer.

More soon.

In Which Clare Pays a Visit to the Urgence

2011-05-14T15:46:00.000+02:00

What was the day and date yesterday?

Got up had cuppa. Went outside to inspect plants and plan the day. Walked down the porch steps. Didn't see lump of concrete at the bottom. Turned ankle. Fell a*** over t** and heard ankle crack!

The Old One, comme d'hab, was a bit slow up on the uptake, but we got into Urgence at about 12.30. Yup - broken! Up to the knee in plaster for 6 weeks. It can't be too bad a break as just plaster and not pinned and one of those light casts too. We were in there for 1 1/2 hours from start to finish, might have been less. Seen immediately. Dr spoke perfect English and a perfect gentleman! On the other hand, the guy who did the plaster was drop dead gorgeous. I just sat there and gawped.

Home with enough anti blood clotting stuff to fill a pharmacie and another X-Ray in 3 weeks.

In the meantime, I've got enough quilting projects to keep me occupied. I reckon by the end of the 6 weeks I should have 2 quilts finished and if I run out of projects I can always pick up Ab Fab.

I just hope The Old One doesn't run over the plants when he mows, can water the plants and cook!

At least it's summer and I can wear shorts!

I've joined the Liberated Quilter's Online Round Robin. The first task is to make up the centre block.

I have decided to use an orphan block which I received in the big box of goodies a couple of weeks ago.

You all know what a sucker I am for blue and white.

I'll be interested to see what Nancie and June come up with for the next round.

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-11T14:37:00.002+02:00

Fabric Fairies Pay a Visit

2011-05-05T12:50:00.000+02:00

When we got back from our visit to the UK there was a huge box waiting for me and an envelope.

These were in the envelope.

Gorgeous Japanese fabrics. Love the French ones.

And now for the Big Box.

Gorgeous pot holder - isn't it sweet.

Lots and lots of orphan blocks

and lots of black and white which is my current fad.

I've learnt that with 4 kittens in the house it's best to get everything bagged before it gets shredded! My sewing room is in complete chaos. As soon as I put everything up higher, the little monsters are up there before I can blink! This morning my collection of batik scraps - tiny little bits for starting the log cabins off - were on the floor! Everything is covered in cat hair and there is dried cat food everywhere!

How come they can open doors, but their Mum can't.

This lot arrived before we left for the UK. I was speechless!

Got to love those blues.

Not a good photo - sorry. Had to get everything bagged up quick!

Not much else to show. Sorry. Too much happening here at the moment and can't settle down to anything.

I'm hoping 2 kittens are going tomorrow and another one on Monday. Perhaps after then I can get my head together and finish the log cabins. I've got a list a mile long.

I look like my Mum

Right - time to clean the litter tray and then to mow the lawn.

More soon.

Kitten Call

2011-05-01T15:45:00.000+02:00

Take a long hard look.

They're going to new homes next week (I hope).

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T12:18:00.000+02:00

Speechless Sunday

2011-04-24T12:39:00.000+02:00

(because I'm attached to the washing machine)

More Inspiration

2011-04-12T13:10:00.000+02:00

This is London calling!

We are presently with The Middle One and her partner, living amongst chaos as they've got the builders in and the place is covered in dust sheets and dust with workmen swarming all over the house. You can read more about their building exploits here.

The Middle One paints some amazing pictures and they really are inspiring.

No 1

Liberated strings perhaps?

No 2

Close up

I love this one.

How about using the triangle or the square and doing an Amish style quilt, working outwards using different colours?

No fabric sourcing or purchases yet, but I did buy this book yesterday. Loads of inspration!

Will post again when we get home as I think this our last day with access to the internet.

More soon.

Happiness is ..............

2011-04-05T23:42:00.000+02:00

colour

and quilting friends, who turn into F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Beautiful Batiks

2011-04-01T09:42:00.000+02:00

Was at the sewing machine all afternoon yesterday.

It's getting bigger by the day and I'm cutting more strips. I'm thinking of doing a Freddy Moran and filling in with black and white to rest the eye. It depends on how big it gets!

A lot of these fabrics came from Julie and Wanda sent me a few strips from her precious batik stash. It's still breaking my heart as batiks are scarce in France.

Hope I manage to find some in the UK.

Another kitty photo.

I reckon they'll be out of their cage by the end of today!

More soon.

Celebrating Em!

2011-03-31T15:00:00.000+02:00

Yes, ok, I know! Em holds all the copyright for celebrating, but it's about time someone celebrated her.

As you know, it was The Young One's 16th birthday a few weeks ago.

Don't look too closely. We have a binding problem.

Anyway, later that day I received an email from Em asking for my address. Woohoo! Pressie's in the post. I love receiving surprises.

Yesterday a little box was delivered, addressed to me.

Oh - do look!

I think I'll keep the Starbucks's mug and T.Y.O can have the quilt :-)

Kitten photo call.

Daily Wrestling Match

Help! Let Us Out! NOW!

Mum's tail is the best toy ever!

More soon.