One dog - it's just not right!

So - last night I hand stitched the latest Splendid Sampler block before starting the new crochet adventure.  I should say, at this stage, that sewing is far easier!  The crochet-a-long suggested that you do a sample first to get into the swing of things and check your tension.  Normally I would ignore this advice and just get started but I was a good girl and started a sampler.  Good job I did - by the time I had checked the different stitches on You Tube and made a start I had lost a couple of stitches and my "wave" was "wavey" - but not always in the right places.  So, I have pulled it all out and will try again - if I can't get 31 stitches right then how will I fare with 181?  I just need to get my head around the pattern so that I can "see" that it is right.

This morning, as you will recall, is Daisy's operation day.  I have to say that it felt really cruel to send them both to bed without their normal treat (she wasn't allowed to eat after 7pm) and then not give them "breakfast" this morning.  However I do understand that it is for her own good - although I did leave her trembling on the table before the vet picked her up and took her away.  (It was really reassuring to receive the text that she had come through the op okay - I have to pick her up at 5pm.) Meanwhile, much as I love Millie, it just didn't feel right to only have the one dog!  She isn't leaving my side at the moment so, presumably, is missing Daisy as well.



After dropping Daisy off, it was a quick trip to Aldi's and Trotters Trading (to buy some sealed tins for our weight loss support group) before popping around to Jean's for a coffee and sewing room advice before coming home for another cuppa and some sewing distractions.  I am currently on my 4th "no milk" cuppa and I must say that I am getting used to it.  I was advised to make the coffee half the normal strength so that it is not as bitter without the milk.  Sewingwise I still have someway to go before I have done my sewing class homework - which is due in tonight!!  Clearly I won't leave Daisy if she needs me but I suspect that she will just want to sleep the nightmare away!  I also gave the wave pattern another go - it might not look like it in the photo but its actually more accurate and I feel as if I could actually start the whole throw - tonight if I don't go out!

Another new venture!

Last week, at the WI meeting, there was one of those chance conversations which led to a group of friends meeting this morning before the textile group. We were all past members of slimming groups - weight watchers, slimming world, rosemary conley etc - and so appreciated the need for support from friends.  However we had been put off the classic formation of these groups and pondered - could we do it ourselves?  After a short meeting this morning the answer was a resounding YES!  So, rules were discussed, initial weigh ins took place, a facebook page set up and we are off and running - the Monday Morning Gang!  No particular plan is being promoted and, indeed, most are following different ones.  I am trying the low carb approach but others are trying some of the more traditional ones.  Let's see how successful this venture is!

The textile group then started as the MMG meeting closed and we were trying to finish the sewing tote bag.  I only need to close the lining in the bag but others are at different stages.  We did make life difficult for ourselves by not using the correct size of squares and following the pattern.  We knew better of course.  (Ha Ha) 

After a lovely sunny walk up at the beach - making the most of it since Daisy won't be able to go out for a few days after her op tomorrow - it was home for lunch and then a struggle with my appliquick tools.  The 98th Splendid Sampler block was published yesterday and it's an applique fleur de lys.  Last night, horrors of horrors, I didn't do any sewing and so took the time to prepare something for tonight.  Mind you - I might just have bought the wool to start this project - well, I always wanted to learn how to crochet properly and, after all, it would go nicely in my she cave!

On a different note, I saw sight today of the next "bonus block" for the Scamblesby quilt.  I can't wait to do it myself, let alone show the other girls! It uses a totally different skill to any used so far!!!!  That's all I am going to say on the matter - sorry Sewingbuddy.

A "Scamblesby" kind of day

So - today was another sewing day at Scamblesby where, unusually, we were all present.  The volume was therefore turned up and I am sure that not much sewing took place during the first hour - just lots of catching up and laughter.  The cakes went down well - even the apple and cheese cake!  However I think that Sewingbuddy may be getting a complex - most people seemed to be giving her wine for her birthday present!  Meanwhile Pat presented the block for March - a delightful spring scene which I look forward to making - picture to follow when complete.

So - what were we all up to?  Well Heather had made this lovely quilt from a bag of scraps,





whilst Pat was practising her free machine quilting on a block from her sewing class (the same teacher as my Tuesday night class but she is further along the project than we are)







Gill was finishing off a rug that she is making,











whilst Sandra was completing a block from her Anni Downs hanging.








Pat was just giggling whilst she used her seam ripper for the 50th time,








whilst Terry and Ev were gossiping - errr I should have said discussing their current projects.






Lyn was piecing together a lovely Poppy wall hanging,











Louise had just finished showing us all her lovely redwork,















Julie and Jenny were working on the Scamblesby blocks,











and Jean was working on her craft group project.










Me?  well I was trying to do some of my Tuesday night homework - sadly with a broken seam ripper!!  So - just your average mad sewing day!!




Tonight?  I just need a sit down first before gathering everything together for sewing tomorrow at the Textiles group.  I did read recently about how retirement is bad for you because you just sit and vegetate.  Give me a break - it's hard work this retirement lark!

The sun is out - and all is well in my world.

Last night, you may recall, we had the WI Christmas meal.  With 26 of us there the room was quite full but it was a great laugh (I can't repeat the kinds of topics that we covered!) - topped off with some Secret Santa presents.  Mine was a pair of portmerion mugs with a mug tray - very stylish!  Some of us stayed for the quiz - and our team did dreadfully!  I was impressed, however, with the music round where we scored a very respectable 17/20.  Jean was on fire!



This morning I woke up to  a lovely sunny morning.  Even the dog walk up at the beach was really warm - when the sun is out don't you feel so much better?  After the initial tidying up etc, I will admit to sewing another couple of splendid sampler blocks - oops.  One of them was a foundation piecing one and took me around 2 hours to do but, with the addition of a little embroidery, I do like the finished effect - even if I have adjusted it slightly!



After more housework - washing etc - and some lunch, it was time to settle down to the main event of the day - making a birthday cake for Sewingbuddy, who is ??????? today (I am being discrete - think racing towards retirement!)  She seemed interested in the apple and cheese cake that I made last weekend, so I have made that one, but I have also made a mystery cake as an extra present.  Mind you - I am hoping that it tastes better than it looks!!

Tonight I have to spend some time getting ready for Scamblesby tomorrow - organising which projects I am going to do and preparing all the fabric and notions for it.  Sometimes, when we arrive, it looks like we are all moving house!

Never give up ....

You may recall that, last night, I left you with a distinctly squiffy square.  However some trimming and ironing into shape, plus the addition of another border, and I have ended up with something that I can live with.  Since I tend to love Radley bags I also have some suitable buttons for the clasps - but I will leave these off until it is quilted - buttons have a habit of getting in the way!






Today Daisy went off for her 6 weekly grooming appointment.  Since she is going to be spayed next week, the timing is good - long hair would tend to get in the way.  Even Millie tends to miss her for the hour or so and greeted Daisy with some enthusiasm when she returned.







This morning is a nice and bright one so, wait for it, my next task was to get out into the garden.  I know - get me!!  My plum tree has not really borne much fruit in recent years so I have read up about it.  Apparently I need to clear any grass / weeds from the trunk and then add bone meal from February onwards.  So that was my job this morning.  Mind you - it was an easier task than stopping the dogs eating the bone meal!! Even though it had all been dug in they did persist!  yuk.





Next up was, of course, some sewing.  It wouldn't be a blog without mentioning it now would it?  First up was to finish attaching the sashing to the quilted squares - there are now enough to form a third row.  The downside being that I now have to set to cutting more backing and wadding squares - not my favourite job!




Then it was onto a couple more squares - one of which I had done at Scamblesby a fortnight ago and it has been sitting there waiting for the central applique to be attached and finished.  I took these photos before I blanket stitched around the appliques and embroidered the swirls.  However this means that I now have just 14 blocks left to reach 100 - woohoo! Of course me being me , not to mention that this is for a king size bed, I am planning to do 10 rows of 11 blocks so will need some of those bonus blocks to make 110 in total!

Tonight it is the WI Christmas meal - where we all get glammed up, take a present and share in good company.  This time last year we even won the quiz!!

Those pesky "preparation" tasks!

As I said yesterday, tonight is the WI meeting so my first task was to wrap the birthday gifts.  This month 6 lucky people are getting a primrose plant - I love their cheerful display at this gloomy time of the year.  Since it's a gift from the WI, I wrap each one in cellophane and put a gift label on.  The extra plants are also wrapped, in case I miss anyone out (hasn't happened yet but you never know) and, if not used, are placed onto the raffle table.  I am also responsible for buying some raffle prizes to ensure that there are a core number of prizes.

Next up was some menu planning (I always eat healthier if I plan my meals for the week) and then placing an order for a Tesco shop.  The order should arrive tomorrow afternoon and the cost of delivery (£5 in this case) compares favourably with the cost of diesel to drive to the shop.  Plus there is the added advantage of not being distracted by offers etc.  (Mind you, as I write this I have suddenly had to break off and add dog food to the order - why do we always forget something?)




After braving the elements with the dogs up at the beach (it was cold, overcast and the wind was getting up_, it was a bit of sewing as a light relief and reward for my bravery (well there are still some recordings of Midsummer Murders to get through!)  Having quilted some Splendid Sampler blocks at Christmas, it was time to add some sashing and start to assemble them into rows.  As you can see rows one and two have been completed - back and front.  I say row one and two but that might not be their final position!!



Today block 97 was published - so it only seemed fitting that I try and do it the day it comes out.  Truthfully it was supposed to be a fairly easy block and is supposed to be a clutch bag.  My effort, however, came out far too wonky to be of use so I will put it down to sewing late and start again tomorrow!  Sometimes you have just got to walk away!


Finally it was time for some church admin before cooking the quiche that I have bought for the WI supper table tonight.  Having declared February "Sugar Free"  it will be difficult to avoid the lovely cakes on offer !!

Sometimes you just don't realise what you have got!

Today I needed to get ready for the WI meeting tomorrow so a trip to the garden centre and supermarket was in order.  This time I went to Woodthorpe Garden Centre - which is in the opposite direction to Grimsby but which prides itself on growing plants from scratch and therefore you can get better plants for lower prices.  I picked some lovely primulas - 10 for £8!  I also noticed this Easter egg - YUK!!  But I know some people who would love it!






Once home, and in the mood for gardening even though the weather was not suitable, I watched the video about how to put my veg trug together.  It soon became clear that I needed an electric screwdriver which I did used to have but had no idea where it might be.  I did, however, clear the shed out last year and came across a plastic box - when I opened it today there was, ta da, an electric drill / screwdriver!!  So it's on charge now and I am hoping that it will work!!  Mind you I can't put the veg trug together yet - I need the temperature to rise slightly before I can paint the fence that will be behind the trug.  Once the trug is filled there will be no chance of moving it!





A new month sees a new UFO to be completed.  As I said this month I have chosen a tiny project - so tiny that I have finished it already!  It's a container to house some thread and threaded needles so that you will always have something in your handbag for running repairs - I bought the kit from the Harrogate show last November for about £2.50!



Mind you I also came across my Lynette Anderson Sampler squares that I started at my first Tuesday Night sewing class.  The idea is to make a wall hanging to go behind my bed and I need to quilt 2 squares, make another two and finish a couple off before adding sashing and binding to them all.  Hmm - I wonder if this project could be done by the end of February?  Let me think about that one!







Craftwise, I have also managed to knock off a couple of blocks.  However, as you can see from this "cross" square, there was a deliberate mistake causing the emergence of the seam ripper!  In fact my next job was to sit down and work out which ones I have done, which ones have been quilted and which ones have had sashing attached.  It's beginning to get a tad confusing!  Once finished I realised that I have 16 blocks to go before this journey is finished - and 4 of them have not been published yet - so I am not doing too badly!

The final task of the day was to deep clean the fridge - and to remove those items that were hiding at the back - I think this yoghurt was the oldest!!  I don't set a great store by use by dates but I think that I will give this one a swerve!






Lastly I must just share this picture of Daisy with you.  She decided, last night, that the sofa wasn't comfortable enough - so she snuck down by the side of the chair and "hid".  Bless x  Mind you - she seems to have pinched the coaster to chew on later!