Girl's day out

LOVE my kids, but almost a whole day without them! Bliss!


The day started with my friend Vicky coming over so that we could all go in my car. We loaded my kids and Vicky's quilt tops and drove to Grandma's house. We piled kids, bags, lunchboxes etc out and headed off to Chris, the lovely longarmer. (Grandma a.k.a. Crazy Grandma and Grumps, meanwhile took the kids on a day out to see the birds at Harewood House). I collected my Orange Crush (now ready for binding...)




I chose a swirl and feather design and am very pleased with the quilting. I also chose a Moda backing which I think is very cute. Now I just need to bind it...

Then we wandered around Salts Mill looking at the David Hockney's, the lovely book shop, stunning cook shop... This was thirsty work and we ended up lunching in a nearby cafe/winebar called 'Don't tell Titus'. I later heard that Titus Salt, the founder of Salts Mill did not approve of alcohol licensing in the area, hence 'don't tell Titus'. However, you can tell as we only had Lattes!

Sorry no photos - I forgot my camera, but we hope to do it again!!!!

Over the summer Chris is very busy so she is unable to do DS1's quilt until after his birthday. So I have pieced some wadding and am thinking to attempt it by myself. Life is a bit too short for getting on my hands and knees, killing my cranky joints and basting this quilt on the floor so we'll see how I get on.

And I have had a brainwave on DS2's quilt. I bought this row of Mickey Mouse panels in South Africa to make him a school bag and some place mats for the new kitchen, but think if I do a scrappy border around them it could look quite cute... Love the colours for a little boy - all those yukky greens LOL

My Mom came to the rescue and after a few texts to and fro, went out and bought me a few more rows which she will mail to me so I may just manage the quilt, the bag and the place mats (and hopefully before he grows out of Mickey Mouse LOL)


The Raeburn was moved this week...

There she goes....

Now what?

Actually, she's in. She just needs to be plumbed/connected or whatever they do... but she's in!! One step closer to that kitchen :-)

This week, I also received a block from Kate for our African block swap. We have decided to do 6" blocks from now on so that we can in theory be working on our borders.

This is a cute block and love the idea of a star border...

Thanks Kate. Now it's my turn.

A convenient convenience?

Handy in a higgledy house to have a new bathroom next to an old kitchen (with very few units) next to a new bedroom next to a....



Very handy! LOL!!
This means that yet another phase of the renovation is almost complete. Next step is moving the kitchen downstairs... and converting the current kitchen into the final bedroom. Anyone know when sewing in pleasant surroundings can begin??!!





Perhaps next Autumn...

A bit of this and a lot of that!!!

Thank you Elsie for this



Elsie wanted some heart inspiration for the table toppers she made for a conference. I love hearts and pointed Elsie to a few sites... As a thank you, Elsie sent me one of her gorgeous heart themed table toppers... seems I'm the one owing a bigger thank you now!!



Love the rose backing fabric too!


And thank you Caroline for this



I love this beautiful poppy! It reminds me so much of my Dad. Walking along Wynberg Main Road, South Africa as a child. Dad buying a poppy and explaining its significance. I coveted Caroline's poppy and Caroline was kind enough to send it to me. I broke a commandment, (although I think it should be ammended) "Do not covet they neighbour's goods" (except when they are a quilter!!!). Caroline also included some lovely rose fabric - so beautiful. I have been in rose heaven of late....!
Caroline does the most amazing crochet flowers and garlands. Go check out her blog!


This all cheered me up because, I came home from playgroup to THAT!



And now our kitchen looks like this....



I don't like it like that LOL



Today I had an interesting hospital appointment. More to come, but in the meantime here's DS1 wearing the attractive throwaway hospital gown I had to wear for my consultation...



Yesterday I had a short 3-and-a-half-hexagon-basted wait at the Orthotics department and today I had over an hours worth of basting wait at Orthopaedics. I won't say how many hexagons I managed to baste today as that may give away my giveaway... But I am under the impression (that all going as suggested) in a few weeks I may have lots of time to sew hexagons...

Man of mass destruction

Underneath those joists lies my old sewing space! It's gone now and I am camped out in a 'spare' room that is waiting for it's own bit of bashing. No wonder I'm finding it hard to get anything sewn...

A better, but busier week

It has taken me days to get over that nasty bug and I still don't feel myself, but maybe it's just a sign of getting older. After we were all sick, no-one wanted to touch a thing except DS1 who had lunch and then dinner! In fact, last night was the first proper meal I've had in days - sadly I will not be needing to change my entire wardrobe for a smaller size LOL

This week I won't be blogging much or sewing either, I imagine, as we have lots of birthdays coming up.
Crazy to think that it's been 3 years on Friday that I first screamed my lungs out with DS1 and next week it will be a year that DS2 smoothly and more calmly joined this little family of ours. Here DS2 wants to know who to talk to about getting some good stuff...


This time last year we were building an extension which needed a roof and I was going insane trying to 'nest' in the chaos. This time, this year we are renovating and needing another roof...

At least we've got a good view...

And DH managed to get the plastic sheeting back on just before the big rains came!!

My Mother is back safe and sound in South Africa so there was no holding me and my mess back in the 'spare' room..