fabrics bought and makes for August

When we were in Canada, we went to the fabric shop. Twice. The first time, Debbie and I went with the girls and, although they were very well-behaved, they did get a bit bored. The second time, Debbie and I went alone and had the best time. I spent quite a lot of money but, because of all the stuff we had brought to Canada, we had practically a whole suitcase available and I did my very best to fill it with fabric! LOL

When we got home, the first thing I did - after washing the clothes, of course - was to wash all the fabrics. Luckily the weather was perfect for me to be able to get it all dried outside. Naturally I had to take photos of it all on the line. I love every single piece I bought and don't regret buying any of it!!

There is a definite blue theme going on! The first photo is a bit in the shade but the colours are still amazing!

I decided I was going to make something out of the pile so decided on the Monty shirt from StyleArc which I have made before. I looked for a link to the pattern but it's no longer available, apparently! I love this shirt and the fabric is fabulous! Very happy with this one!

I then made another one. This fabric was a bit odd in that the stripes were horizontal across the fabric on the bolt. No problem for this shirt, though, as I just turned the pieces around to make the lower part have vertical stripes. I love this one too! (What is with the funny face??)

I'm thinking I might leave the rest of the fabric for now - no point in making more summer clothes when autumn is fast approaching!

When buying all that dressmaking fabric, I had also bought a couple of Christmas panels from the sale table. I decided I would make those - one for Jo and one for us. (I did ask Debbie in the shop if she wanted one too but she said she didn't.)

I made both quilts the same - cutting the panels apart, adding sashing and cornerstones and sewing them back together. These are the results - they're the same quilt but the panels are in different (random) places. Jo's has already gone to her house and ours is on the spare bed waiting for December so it can come out to be enjoyed!

Christmas is coming! 🎅🏻 🎄

sewing in Canada

You'd think, when I was on holiday, I'd get a rest from sewing. Nothing could be further from the truth! I did a ton of mending for Debbie which I didn't take photos of.

The biggest thing I mended was Emily's old rocking horse - Mayo-neighs. You would think by looking at this photo, that he looked perfectly healthy but his frame (inside) was broken and unfixable so we decided the best thing to do was to "just" take him apart and sew him up like a toy.

We had to cut his feet off to get him off the frame and we couldn't undo the fixings so had to think of how to deal with that.

We got his feet off the frame as best we could but he needed new soles so I used some blue fleece that Debbie had in her stash to make those.

I covered the holes where the handles had been with some felt.

Debbie, Emily and Isla stuffed him and I sewed him back together. I said that in 4 words but it took me a whole morning to do!

Here he is all fixed and admiring the girls' Lego boxes!

He looks fabulous now. The girls have been told he is not to be sat upon as he's not strong enough for that but he is strong enough for lots of hugs!

On my last day in Canada, I made nighties for the girls teddies - Howard and Albert.

We had a lovely holiday in Canada spending lots of fun time with Debbie and Emily and Isla. I was sad to leave them but I was also ready to come home. We flew back overnight and I didn't sleep for long on the plane - 2 hours if that! So, by the time Jo picked us up at the airport, we were fuzzy-brained and exhausted. It took a couple of days to get into our old routine again. No doubt the sewing will start up again soon - after all, I brought back a TON of fabric! LOL

photos of our trip

I finally made myself go through the photos of our days away and have picked out a few - is 15 a few? - to show you. As I said in another post, I decided I wasn't going to use my iPad when I was away and, similarly, I also decided I wasn't going to spend the whole time with my nose to my camera. I wanted to see things "for real" rather than through the lens of my camera. As a result, I only took 83 photos whereas Douglas, who didn't make the same decision as I did, took about 250 photos. Mind you, he has got photos of things that I haven't but my 83 covers it for me!

We went to Alnwick in Northumberland, England. On the way, we stopped at Bamburgh Castle. If I tell you that I had on a polo neck, a long-sleeved shirt, an aran cardigan, a winter coat, a hat, scarf, gloves and thermal longjohns under my trousers and I was still cold you'll get the idea that it was not a very nice day! These 2 photos of the outside of the castle don't really give the true picture of the coldness - the wind and rain coming in off the North Sea was fearsome!

There were lots of things to look at inside but this wallhanging really caught my eye. It was made by Russian soldiers from uniforms - yes, that is all made of teeny tiny pieces of woollen material. Amazing!

We arrived in Alnwick and got ourselves settled into our room. I didn't notice that my Nora Roberts book was lying on the bed when I took this photo! Very apt for the amount of quiet time I spent with my nose buried in that book! This is the blue room at Greycroft B & B in Alnwick. As I wrote in their guest book on our departure - "Amazing place, wonderful food, fabulous hosts".

My next photos are of Wallington - I loved this room - the murals around the walls were amazing!

Needless to say, the kitchen was my favourite room of all. It was huge and light and just perfect!

Not only was there an Aga but it was on. It was so cosy in that kitchen.

There was a whole room filled with dolls' houses. I think I looked through every single window in that room. Fascinating! Naturally, I thought this one was cool - see the sewing machine?

It being the Easter weekend, there was a hunt going on inside the house but it wasn't for eggs, it was for lambs. I think this one had the best place of all - on top of a beautiful log cabin quilt.

We also went to Howick Hall - the home of the Earl Grey of Earl Grey tea fame. The house isn't open to the public (yet) but the gardens were well worth the visit.

Some of the local residents -

There were a few plants we didn't recognise at all -

These looked like snowdrops but they were about 2 feet tall!

I couldn't help feeling we were there just a bit too early in the season. A lot of things were just coming or nearly coming. Even the daffodil hill wasn't quite out yet. We still enjoyed the day though. And - TMI - I went to the loo to take off my thermal longjohns! Woohoo!! LOL

My last photo is of the Union Chain Bridge across the Tweed. On one side is England and the other side is Scotland. I wonder what would have happened if the referendum had gone the other way - would we have needed passports to cross?

The bridge only allows one car at a time to cross. We were walking on it when cars went over and that was an experience, I can tell you. Talk about getting the wobbles!

So there you have it - or some of it. A lovely time was had by all! :o)

13 photos worth!

Well, finally, here's the post with some photos of our weekend away. I've tried to limit myself to only a few but there are still 13 of them. I know how looking at other people's holiday photos can be snoringly boring so feel free to ignore and move on. :oD

Okay, let's start with our room in our B&B - The Hill on the Wall. To say it was a fabulous place is an understatement.

A window seat!! I want one so much!

And this is the view from our room window. Couldn't you just sit and look at this view all year long? I could!

Next, here are some of the places we visited.

Carlisle Castle:

Carlisle Cathedral:

Lanercost Priory:

And Hadrian's Wall:

I don't know who this fool is - actually I do. He's my driver! :oD

Here's the loot I bought. You didn't think I wouldn't buy fabric when I was away, did you?? :oD

And there always have to be a funny photo - other than the one above of my driver! I'm not sure if this dog got up on the chair by himself or not but he was sitting on it quite happily waiting for his owner to come out of the barber's behind. (The man on the left was just another numpty like me taking a photo of a cute dog!)

The weather was glorious every day we were away. If only I could say the same today! It's bucketing rain right now with thunder forecast for through the night. Oh joy!

we're back!

We got home safely yesterday afternoon from our long weekend away. We had a wonderful time. The B&B we stayed in couldn't have been better and we genuinely had a restful, peaceful time. I will show some photos of what we did, what we saw and what I bought *grin* but not right now. Why? Well, my camera is upstairs in my sewing room and I'm just too blimmin' lazy to go and get it and then download all the photos and pick out a few and so on and so on.

So, instead of that, let me show you a photo which Debbie sent me. Joanna and Tilly went to Perth to visit Debbie and Jason and Molly on Sunday. They took the dogs for a walk and this photo was sent to us showing how calm and sedate the dogs were on their walk.

Yikes! Run, run for your life! :oD

an early Easter greeting

Douglas and I are going away for the weekend and, oh boy, I am sooooo looking forward to it. It's been quite a stressful year for me so far with mum going into hospital then into a rehab hospital and now (thankfully) being looked after in a care home. She gets the best of care and I am so happy that she's in there even if she's not always so happy about it. I suppose, after 85+ years of being independent, it must be hard to give that independence up - even if she knows she just can't look after herself any more.

Anyway, for the next 5 days, I am going to try and not think about all the ins and outs of everything that needs to be done about clearing and selling her house etc etc. I'm going to try really hard to be calm and peaceful and just chill. Whether or not I succeed remains to be seen but I'm going to give it a jolly good go!

So, let me wish you all a very early "Happy Easter" and I'll see you when I get back.

off to Harrogate

We're heading off to Harrogate for a few days starting tomorrow. That's Douglas, Joanna, Rosie and me. Yep, we're taking Joanna and the dog with us. Should be fun.

I'll be back on Thursday. :o)

more Canada pics

I've decided that my favourite photos of our Canada holiday are of the people - and dog - we went to see. So, here are just a few of my faves.

Silly Debbie. :oD



Jason using his "new coffee mug". :oD



I *love* the look on Jason's face! :oD



Who's chasing whom? Is that right? I think it is but it sounds daft! No dafter than Douglas and Molly chasing each other around and around!



Molly and me - she thought I looked cool in my sunspex. :oD



Douglas had many conversations with Molly.



A pair of nutcases.



Isn't she sweet?



Debs and Molly - taking up most of *my* side of the couch as well as their own!



Having more words with Molly. It doesn't look like she's paying attention to him! Ach well, he's used to that! :oD



Debbie and Jason on the boardwalk at Fisherman's Cove.



Even Molly is smiling for Douglas's camera!



Molly swimming.



Molly under the seat trying to get away from the sun.