Yipee!! The Postie Has Been

The Postie came with a mysterious parcel!!

You will notice I am not starting this post with a picture, like I usually do!

OK! I won't be mean!

When my husband brought this in, I did not twig at first. I had not ordered any material, especially from Holland, and the parcel said it contained fabric!. I opened it up and read a wonderful letter from Anita. She was my swap partner for the Embroidery Mini Quilt Swap from Quilting Gallery We all had to embroider the same 4" x 6" daisy motif in the middle and then interpret the rest of the mini quilt according to our swap partner's wishes.
When I opened the parcel, this is what is inside. Isn't it just AMAZING!!!!! I left it up to my swap partner to do as she pleased - and I could not be more pleased! It is FANTASTIC, and the amount of work she put into it is amazing! I love the emboidery! I love the colours! I love the patterns!
As if making the mini for me was not enough, Anita made me a really nice bookmark, which will be well used (it is inside a book, as I type).
This is the quilt in its entirety, and -
I think, though it is really difficult to choose, this is my favourite bit. I love the bird and the pumpkins!!

Thankful Thoughts

I haven't been well for the last few days. My husband brought me this in today from the polytunnel, because i was feeling better - the first strawberry of the season! It was wonderful!!
I keep forgetting to update the 'Hundred Books in a Year Challenge'. I have five to do just now, and I am sure I have missed a few! Duh!

Till next time.

tich

New Ruler and Mini Quilt Progress

Look what I got in the post. My ruler that I won from 'I Have a Notion', during their thirty days of Giveaways. Kelly is such a genuine person and has such wonderful things to buy in her shop.

The ruler came just at the right moment, as I am working on my Mini Quilt Swap for the Quilting Gallery. I have shown you the embroidery already, but I decided I would make another one, so that I could practice for the swap. I bought some reproduction Jane Austen material called 'Winchester', and I am going to make two mini quilts, one for me, one for my partner. Below you can see me using the ruler to cut out the material for the Prairie Points. It was so handy!!
Thankful Thoughts

Yesterday we had sleety rain. Today we had hail showers (see picture of hail storm in progress!), and it is cold!! Thank goodness we are warm and snug indoors.

I must away and do more on the mini.

Till next time.

tich

New Book and Some Sewing

As you know I am fascinated by old sewing machines. I learned to sew on my Granny's old Singer treadle sewing machine, and it took me years to stop yanking the material with both hands, when I got an electric machine, as the material stuck sometimes going through the treadle. I do not have that machine, more's the pity, but I have a lot of the feet from old Singer/Simanco machines, and I also have old machines as well. This book was fantastic. I was able to identify all the feet I have and learnt how they work. The book is well laid out and the pictures are beautiful. Well worth the money, if you are into old machine feet.

I haven't done a lot of sewing since the girls went home. My arm has been sore, and even although this does not stop me sewing, I have been feeling really tired and not wanting to concentrate too hard on anything. I did, however, dig out some very old material, to make some burp pads for the baby due at the end of June. Do you recognise the material, Robin? I was given this remnant of pieced material from a really nice and very talented lady I knew a long time ago. I cut out a piece of wadding/batting and quilted simple, straight lines down the strips. I then placed a backing, right sides together, and sewed all round the edge, leaving an opening. I turned the pad, right side out, and ladder stitched the closure.

I made quite a few. Some of the ones below have a raw edge. I am going to put on bias tape, but I have to wait to see whether it will be pink or blue. Recognise any more of the material, Robin? How many years has it been since you left Scotland? I never throw out anything - and it was so cute!!
I did go to the hospital yesterday for some physiotherapy, and I have damaged a tendon in my shoulder. This is aggravating the other problem in my arm, so hopefully a bit more physio and exercise will help.

Thankful Thoughts

I love flowers! I am not a great one for cutting flowers from the garden, but I love looking at them, and also taking pictures of them. They are so beautiful! So the question is - what kind of flowers are these? Remember, we live quite far north. We have a north wind at the moment, and it is quite chilly out of the sun. Any ideas? Look under the last photo for the answer.

TULIPS!! Aren't they beautiful?

Till next time.

tich

Topsy Bunny

This is Topsy Bunny. As you know I am a member of the local Women's Institute, and they have a competition at the monthly meeting. This month it was to make a bunny in any craft and to decorate an Easter cake. My idea of decorating a cake is to slosh the icing on the cake and eat it, so I didn't hold out much hope there, and had the girls staying, so I wasn't sure whether to do anything at all. They nagged at me. I dragged my feet, but on the day before the competition I dragged out some extremely old fur fabric, and started trawling the Net for a bunny pattern. I couldn't find anything! I used to make teddy bears, so I quickly drew out what I thought might work and started to cut it out. The girls picked out the material and the lace. Apart from the head being too short and having to be cut out again, it worked out not bad. I bought the little basket years ago, knowing I would use it sometime, the same for the artificial flowers. Topsy needed a bit a sparkle, so I found a piece of nice, bright red ribbon. I embroidered on the face and that was her finished. My younger granddaughter hinted very strongly that she could come home with her, but my husband got there first. He loves 'beasties', and would have the house filled with them!

It was my birthday the following day, so I made a cake with Easter eggs, chickens and chocolate drops on it. Much to my astonishment, I got a first for my cake and a second for Topsy. The lady who got first had cross-stitched four rabbits. It was gorgeous and a well-deserved first. She said she had had major eye problems in the middle of sewing it, so that made it even more of an accomplishment. Well done Anita!

Till next time,

tich

EQ7 Giveaway! Look at this!!

Would you look at this! Those wonderful people at the Electric Quilt Company are announcing the release of the new (and exciting!) EQ7. They will start shipping on the 7th June.

AND NOT ONLY THAT! If you blog about the new software on your blog, to let everyone know about this wonderful happening, you might have the opportunity of not only winning a copy of EQ7 for yourself (oh yes, oh yes please!), but you will be given another copy to give away on your blog. Can you imagine? Ten, yes, TEN bloggers will be given this wonderful chance. Imagine the traffic to your blog. Imagine how green with envy all your blogging friends will be. I know I should be keeping this information to myself, but then I wouldn't have the chance of winning, and I do so want to win!!

Look at all the wonderful things that the new EQ7 can do -

Quilts, Blocks and now PHOTOS!
Digital cameras will become a quilter's best friend. EQ7 has dozens of ways to turn everyday photos into quilt art images. Or crop and edit scanned fabrics right in EQ7 in minutes. And that's just the start!

New Activation Policy
You'll never run out of EQ7 activations! Activation and deactivation is as easy as two clicks of the mouse. Install on as many computers as you like and quickly transfer activations from computer to computer. This new policy gives you complete freedom to manage your own activations — and no dongle to worry about!

Easier than ever for new users
EQ7 is the most user-friendly full-featured quilting software yet.

• Complete user manual
• 22 printable full-color PDF lessons (115 pages)
• Point-and-read info on each tool – now linked directly to Help topics
• 10 videos targeted for beginners
• 67 “How do I?” topics: printable stepped-out instructions for doing everything from printing English paper-piecing templates to drawing a New York Beauty
• Built-in Help buttons are everywhere, targeted to the task you're doing
• New block tools for creating original blocks instantly without drawing
• Blocks size themselves – just drag and drop on the quilt

Users upgrading from EQ6 will feel right at home
Exactly the same friendly interface, plus loads of new user-requested features.

• 5000 copyright-free blocks
• 5000 new scanned fabrics, plus grayscale textures
• 120 new pre-designed quilt layouts
• Snap blocks to a Quilt grid
• Instant border blocks with greatly expanded Auto Borders
• Print multiple photos on fabric
• Create original fabric designs from photos, then print on fabric
• Mirror and use myriad symmetries on photos
• Use dozens of artistic effects, making everyday photos look like watercolors or Impressionist paintings
• 79 new features in all

Netbook compatible
Works on netbooks as well as laptops and desktop computers.

Isn't it wonderful? My computer is feeling dizzy, just thinking about it.

Till next time.

tich

Holidays

We have had our grandchildren for two weeks for the Easter holidays, and we have had FUN! Never mind the getting up at the crack of dawn, or the occasional mishap, look at the joy in the little one's face, as she races to beat the incoming waves. Look at the trust of the older one, walking out in the sea with Granddad. Who could want more? A lovely day,walking in the waves, playing with Granny and Granddad and to cap it all, a dog that follows you around and thinks you are the bees' knees! We had a wonderful fortnight, and the house seems awfully quiet now!

I spoke about the mini quilt swap in this post here. I was sewing out a practice piece, when the children saw me doing it. They wanted to do it too, so I traced out a daisy for each of them on a piece of white cotton, using a water-erasable pen. Here we all are sitting doing our sewing. The girls used tiny picture hoops to embroider.

They wanted to make little quilts for the teddy bear baskets they got for Christmas. They added borders and a backing, but there is no wadding (batting). Here they are with the completed blankets and a close-up. The older girl is seven and the younger one is five.

Thankful Thoughts

I keep on looking at all the people stranded around the world, because of the eruption in Iceland. The son of one of my friends is stranded in Australia and cannot get a flight till 7th May. Imagine how frustrated you would feel, not being able to get home. I do like travelling, but I LOVE coming home!!

Till next time,

tich

I Won! I Won! I Won! I Won! I Won!

I wrote about a great Giveaway in my last post, here. More than thirty days of great gifts (and also great posts) from 'I Have a Notion (IHAN)'. The amount of work that went in to organise this event is mind-boggling ... But would you believe it - I won a prize!!! ME!! I WON!! I never win anything, so I am really excited!! I do love rulers, so I am going to have great fun using this. I would like to thank Kelly from IHAN for celebrating her one year celebration of her business in such a fun way, and also Simplicity Studio for being so generous with their great prizes. I had a ball!

I will be off island tomorrow for one day, as my grandchildren are returning home. We have had so much fun with them this holiday, and I will tell you about it next time.

tich

Unbelievable Giveaway!!

Oh, it really is unbelievable!! For 30 days - yes! - 30 days, I Have A Notion is celebrating, as it turns a year old, by giving away different goodies, and what goodies!! The choice is amazing. What to choose?? You can sign up to have the choice to win any of the goodies, by scrolling back to see all the different products and also wonderful ideas on how these products can be used. That in itself is worth viewing. There are just so many cute things from which to choose. Look at these pins -

- and I also really fancy one of these -

- but the jewel in the crown, as far as I am concerned is this -

Yes - don't rub your eyes! It is an AccuQuilt Go Fabric Cutter! Bet you thought I put the picture of the AccuQuilt Go Fabric Cutter at the beginning of this post, just to make you read on. It worked, didn't it? Can you imagine winning one of them? I would love one, but I never win anything. No!! Positive thinking!! To (when I) win, I must include a link to the IHAN blog and Store, so here goes

Blog Link - http://www.ihaveanotion.blogspot.com

Website Link - http://ihavea-notion.com/store/

I have been typing this with my fingers crossed. It is really difficult!! Go and sign up, but if you win, remember who told you about the Giveaway.

Good Luck!

tich

Mini Quilt Swap

I have just found these swap details on Quilting Gallery (check link down the page). Isn't this pattern adorable? Lenna Green from the Stitching Cow has created this super cute embroidery pattern for this swap. You can stitch it in redwork, like Lenna’s sample, or with coloured embroidery floss. You can bet I have registered for this swap. This is the first time have ever done a swap, but the pattern was so cute!! My granddaughters are here at the moment, so no sewing being done, but they want to sew a daisy as well. They have done a bit of sewing each time they come, so hopefully, they will enjoy this. I definitely am going to love this.

Enjoy!

tich

New Buys

If you have been reading my blog recently, you will know I am on a 'mini' drive (no pun meant) just now. I bought this little ruler to help me. It is so cute. It is 2 1/2 inches square. I got it from Creative Grids Their service is really good, and they have a lot of new videos on their site, showing how to use their rulers. You also get a 10% discount card, if you spend over £30 (I think).
I also bought this plastic container from Ikea. I broke my Bernina Accessory box, not long after I bought my Artista 630E. It fell off the table, and I was so upset. It seems I am not the only one that this has happened to. I read the Bernina Yahoo Groups, and a few members have said that the boxes have broken. I bought the above box to hold all the Bernina feet and bobbins. It is great. I also have room for the thread I am using, scissors, pencils, rulers etc. It also bounces!!

Thankful Thoughts

We went over to Kirkwall on Monday, to pick up our granddaughters. It was a dreadful day, and the journey was awful on the ferry. I am not a good sailor, but usually I do not turn a hair on the local ferry. This time even the locals were lying down. That is the trick. If you are feeling sick, lie down. Fortunately there is loads of room, so I got there without mishap. Thank goodness. It is a glorious day, so we may go over the bay to have a walk, later.

Till next time.

tich

Easter Egg Tutorial

Warning - photo heavy.

I know I am a little late posting this, but perhaps it can be filed for next year.

I usually send my teenage grandsons some money for Easter. If they want to buy a chocolate egg, they can, but if they want something else, at least they will have something to put towards it. I was a little late in getting down to the shop, to get an Easter card. They were all gone, so I came home and made cracked eggs to hold the notes. Here is how to do it.

1. Find a nice picture of an egg on the Net, and print it out.

2. Cut it out roughly and paste it onto card.

3. When dry, cut it out to make a template.

4. Pick out some pretty card for your eggs. (This is Laura Ashley card I got at the Glasgow Exhibition).

5. Fold the card in two, and draw round your template.

6. Cut the eggs out, glue round the inside edge and paste them together, right sides out.

7. From a scrap of the left over card and using the template, draw the top of the egg and some cracks. Use a ruler to help you do this. Cut this out and use as a template to draw on your egg.

8. Cut the egg in two, on the crack. Make a small hole using a punch and hammer in a brad. (my brads were so tough, I had to use pliers. They are a bit squidged as a result.)

9. Join the two parts of the egg with ribbon, through the holes of the brad. Add the money or note. Enjoy!

Happy Easter to Everyone!!

tich

Mini Update

Well, here it is, finished at last! It is a wee bit wonky, but so am I, so it fits in fine! I really enjoyed making it, as I said in yesterday's post. I hope it will be the first of many. Below is a picture of some of the washers my husband picked up, for both of us. When he saw me taking a picture of them, he said, "I wondered where they went. I was looking for them yesterday!"
Thankful Thoughts

The snow (in Scotland) is starting to melt, so hopefully, my granddaughters will get up to see us for Easter.

Till next time.

tich

I'm in Love!!

I said in a previous post, that I had bought this book. It is WONDERFUL! I love it. I have been having great fun with it, and Terrie Sandelin is so nice!! I emailed her to tell her I was going to talk about the book, and she emailed me some tips! I have never had service like that before. What a great person!

I decided to try Trip Around the World. The instructions were good, and I actually enjoyed sewing the tiny patches together. Usually I worry like mad about sewing all the tiny patches together, and getting the corners to meet, but look at below -

My borders were a bit wonky. (Notice the material behind the mini. It is a nice cotton from Ikea.) Back to the mini. I took one of the borders off again, as it was a bit tight, so it looks marginally better, but still a bit wonky.

I marked the mini using a large washer. I sandwiched the mini, and then machine-quilted the centre, 'Trip Around the World'. I then hand-quilted the semi-circles, but when I was finished, I decided I needed a smaller circle within the bigger one. I used a smaller washer. To make all the semi-circles the same size, I mark the washers with black pen and then line them up. (you can see the lines in the picture)

I will show you the finished quilt tomorrow.

Thankful Thoughts

This is the fourth day of British Summertime. Yesterday, Scotland had gales, blizzards and huge amounts of snow. Thousands of homes were without power, and roads were closed, with hundreds of motorists stranded. I am sitting here, nice and cosy, with a cup of tea. The rain, which has been on most of the day, has stopped, and tomorrow it is supposed to be nice. Thank goodness we live here!

Till next time,

tich

Tah-Dah

Completed at last!! I decided I would make a lap quilt for my sister, so that she could cuddle into it, after chemo. I did the simplest pattern I could find - a central square, with borders all round and then joined together. Her favourite colour used to be blue. I just hope she hasn't changed her mind! There was no way I could ask her, without letting the cat out the bag.

I used to make a lot of wall hangings and small samples, for when I was demonstrating a technique, so I used to stipple these examples using what is now called micro stippling. I always hand quilted larger objects. Because I wanted to get this to my sister as quickly as possible (the chemo started last week), I decided to machine stipple it. I always use a large herringbone stitch to baste the sandwich together (you can see a great picture of how it looks on Lynn's blog, 'Nebraska Views' here), but when I have fully basted one way completely, I turn the quilt and baste at right angles. It doubles the work, but ensures the quilt layers will not move during machining. I forgot to take a picture of the quilt, when I had finished basting it. I found the stippling really hard on my neck, when I started. I was tensing up, trying to manoever the quilt, but I bought a pair of machine embroidery gloves, when I was at the Sewing and Hobbycraft Exhibition, and they made life so much easier! They have rubber 'bumps' on the palms of the gloves, and they grip the surface of the quilt, as you lay your hands on top. I was able to quilt for longer periods of time, and my neck did not get so sore. I stippled using a dark blue thread. This is a picture of one of the blocks below. It is not, by any means, perfect, but it got me started again.

Thankful Thoughts

I have a couple of friends, who send me funny emails every day. I must admit I enjoy a good laugh, and I have a quirky sense of humour (a typical Glaswegian!). Occasionally I get an email from one of them that makes me sit up and think. Appropriately enough the email I got today is called 'Think'. I hope you enjoy, if that is the correct word, and I hope it makes you think. (see below)

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ' If I could only see the world, I will marry you. ' One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her, ' Now that you can see the world, will you marry me? ' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn ' t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: ' Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine. ' This is how the human brain often works - when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. Life Is a Gift Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who ' s crying out to GOD for a companion. Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too earl y to heaven.. Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you ' re alive and still around. Till next time. tich