Something to be learnt from every picture...

Lisa Jo over at Life at the Black Bear Cabin tagged me to show the 6th picture from the 6th folder on my computer and explain the story behind it.  This was actually quite hard as my pictures are located on several different places on the computer and depending how you sort them the results could be different...in any case I took it for what it was and this is the 6th picture in the 6th folder...

I know it doesn't look like much...but actually there is something to be learnt from this odd photo.  This picture was actually taken by my DD2 when she was 4 years old (in 2007) and it was taken with a camera phone.  I let her loose allowing her to take pictures of whatever she fancied..the results were fantastic...in fact my profile picture up there on the right was taken on the same occasion by my daughter!  The lesson in it, of course, is either to let your child loose with a camera and see what they see as being "photo worthy" or if you haven't got a child to remember to change your perspective when you are taking pictures.  Get up higher, get down closer to the floor...We, too often, just hold our cameras at shoulder height and never see things from a different angle.  So instead of passing on this meme to 6 people...I am actually going to challenge you all to get out there and try taking pictures from a different angle...begging and borrowing children if necessary :o)

Until next time...

Curved Piecing...

Lynda and I are part of a little group called Flutterwheels. We meet 6 times a year and make blocks which we raffle off between ourselves at each meeting. This year's theme is curves and we will be exploring the different techniques one can use to create curved blocks. We have started with a traditional Drunkards Path and we are to make 8 - 6" finished blocks. After a slow start getting my pieces the right shape, I finally got them finished.

Until next time...

Binding Tip

Here's a top tip...You know when you attach your binding to your quilts and you always end up with an extra bit of binding that you've trimmed off...Save them up and sew them together... after some time you will have enough binding to bind that scrap quilt...


Until next time...

BQL - January Block done ;o)

Sometimes it's good to give into peer pressure...or as Kim put it "feeling the inspiration"...

Here is my January block completed.  My plan is to make a wall display of mini quilts.  Of course I have to find the right wall first :o)

Also...the Friday post brought me a little prize that I won from Vicki's Winter Giveaway.  It is a lovely selection of 30's charmed square and a few bunnies all set to fuse...my mind is swimming with ideas!  Thanks Vicki!

Until next time...

Peer Pressure...

I wasn't going to join...I wasn't going to be tempted...I could turn a blind eye...I couldn't be influenced...How WRONG was I!

On Saturday at Rocheberie, Chris (soon to have a blog), Lynda and Liz all brought in their BQL January calendar mini-quilts. (as seen in the top picture) I was so impressed with them and how lovely they turned out that I couldn't resist joining in.  I have wanted to try my hand at little quilts for some time and this was the perfect oppotunity to try my hand at it.  I'm going to use homespuns and buttons...you can see the first few block in the little picture below.

I've also been working on some hand-appliqué in the evenings.  I have planned to make 4 of these and then take it from there.  I think some pieced work and some appliqué in the borders might be nice.

Until next time...

Always carry a camera...

...you never know when a picture opportunity is around the corner.

This week I helped my DD's school take the children for a walk around Dunchurch Village to talk about the different kinds houses in our area.  As the teacher walked and talked and pointed to the various houses, she told the children about the different materials that make up these homes.  Little did she know that we would be lucky enough to see a local thatcher re-thatching the notice board.  I, being prepared, had my camera at the ready and snapped a few photos to share with you.  For us in the United Kingdom it may not be all that new, but for those of you across the pond I thought you would find it interesting.

Until next time...

How clean is your cupboard?

Last Friday I decided to have a clean out of my sewing cupboard...Now don't laugh, but my before and after pictures aren't as spectacular as I had hoped!!  It's a little bit better and what I found was that I had spent the year shoving patterns and papers into the cupboard without filing them.  So that's what really was the difference...honest!

Along with sorting the paper I found a couple of old projects that really need to be finished.  Just LOOK at the date on those baskets!!  October 2002 - over 6 years old!!!  Shameful!

Also in cupboard lives 2 little sewing angels.  One is called Lavender (her job is to keep the place smelling nice and the critters out) and Curlilocks who just keeps on eye on things :o)

Until next time...

Showcasing Sunbonnet Sue...

Remember the basting from last week...Well this is what I was working on.  The center block and border blocks were part of a kit I picked up for Project Linus.  As soon as I settled everyone on to activities last Saturday I made a bee line for the sewing machine and sewed and sewed and sewed..  I love the way this turned out and I could meander forever...I've already got half the binding on and hopefully with have it finished to hand over to Lynda (the Linus lady ;o) by the weekend.

Until next time...

Bagels!

Ingredients

7g instant yeast (the one in the packet)...I think it is also know as easy blend yeast
or 2 tsp of the yeast that needs to be reconstituted with water
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
300 ml water
500g bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt



Place all the ingredients in a bowl or mixer with a dough hook.  Take care to keep the salt and the yeast apart until you are ready to blend and mix in the water.  Add the  300 ml of water bit by bit  until you have a firm moist dough.  Knead for 10 minutes (less if you are using a mixer)





Place dough in a bowl (can be slightly oiled...though I haven't bothered)
 Leave for about hour or until double in size.



Once dough has risen (and the sun has started to shine :o)  Punch down and leave for 10 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 425F or Gas Mark 7



Cut the dough into 8 pieces.  Roll into a ball and then stick your thumb or finger into the middle and stretch from the center until the dough piece is doughnut shaped.  Don't try and make it sausage shaped and bring to two ends together...we tried that and it didn't work very well.



Leave shaped dough for 10 minutes and meanwhile get a pot of water boiling with a couple of tablespoons of honey



Reduce to a simmer.  Lower the bagel into the water and wait for it to puff up and float to the surface.  This takes no more than a couple of minutes.





Once they have puffed up, lift with a slotted spoon and place on a greased baking tray.



Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden. 

*Variations...If you wanted cinnamon raisin bagels add 1 - 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon to the dough and add 1/2 of raisins after kneading.

Until next time...

The postman didn't have to ring twice...

Sherry from Verry Sherry and Irish Quilting was kind enough to send me a copy of the Premier Issue of Irish Quilting and a 2009 calendar.  I was very impressed with the high quality of this magazine.  It is definitely feels more like a book...something you'd hold on to rather than recycle.  If you get a chance to get this magazine then do, you won't be disappointed.  Every page has something to inspire you.

Until next time...

A Simple Riddle...

Yep...that's what I've been up to!  You may be wondering what the crochet hook has to do with basting...well, I use it to lift the bottom of the pin up to fasten the pin.  It's much easier and it saves my fingers!  (...and cheaper than the gadgets on the market to do the same job)

Until next time...

Happy New Year! ...and a useful link

New look, new banner, new watermark and new signature!  Must be a New Year! :o)

And because a post isn't a post without a picture...I thought I'd share with you the Christmas presents I made for my DD1 and myself.  They are notebook covers (called a Folder-Folio) and the free pattern is on Two Creative Studios' webpage.  They have lots great ideas...hop on over and have a look!

until next time,