Don't let the blue sky fool you...

Looks like a warm sunny day...but the winds have been from the north and have been bitter over the last few days...Oh Spring, don't you know we're into British Summer Time!

Luckily I had something fun to keep me busy indoors.  This past Saturday Chris and I organized a Mystery Quilt Day for Rocheberie Quilters.  I designed the quilt and Chris ran the day.  Everyone that attended looked like they were having fun and kept busy throughout the day.  Chris did a fab job keeping everyone on track.  (To see more pictures click here.)  To keep their strength up the committee made sure there were plenty of cakes to keep them going ;o)
Just look at these yummy cupcakes that Caroline made...



Another delicious looking cake...



Laura from Little L's Fabrics was our trader ...these threads were hard to resist.



Liz demonstrated some stitchery...



And lastly...just look at this lovely machine.  One lady was using it to piece the mystery quilt.  It did a fantastic job humming it's way through the day!



Oh what's that you say?  Where's the picture of the mystery quilt?  Well I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little bit longer.  You had a sneak peek here...and as soon as I get the remaining stitching done I let you see it.

Until next time...

Extreme Sheep herding!

Saw this on Sally's blog...and had to share it too...

The Strawberries...

Last weekend as I prepared the fruit for a fruit salad I noticed the sun glinting off the strawberries and I thought it would make a great picture...
As it happens the fruit salad was pretty great too ;o)




Until next time...

Sneak Peek

I can't show you much at the moment...but this is how I'm occupying my evenings...

Until next time...

Curvy Strips

I've been having a little go with free curved piecing.  Lynda and I are part of a little group that meets 6 times a year.  Each time we meet we learn about a different technique and then go away and make a block or two of that particular technique.  This year we are trying different methods of curve piecing.  I must admit when Lynda demonstrated the method I had my doubts that it would work...but it did and I really liked how easy it was to achieve.

First you lay 2 wide strips both right side up one on top of the other and then you cut through the 2 layers with a gentle curve.  Then you exchange one half of the set with the other fabric.  Very carefully you sew the two together easing the top and bottom fabrics together just as it goes under the needle.  Our fabric theme was black and white and red...I choose these fabrics from my stash...rather bright..but I think they meet the brief well.


Until next time...

I've got my copy!!

You know that sound of the post when it lands with a thud?...that sound that you know is different than the usual thud of bills and junk mail?  ...that sound that you know means go make tea and curl up with the latest magazine...well I heard it today and guess what arrived....

My copy of QuiltMania arrived today featuring not one but 2 great quilters.  If you've been skipping around the quilting blogs then Bonnie and Lucy are no strangers to you.  I'm really looking forward to reading every word with a cup of tea...or two.

Until next time...

A couple more for Linus...

I'm finally making my way through the tops I made for Project Linus. These two quilts were really hard to make and complete as I wasn't overly fond of the fabrics...but I do like a challenge, so did my best and I'm pleased with the outcome. If nothing else I got to practice my free-motion quilting.

Until next time...

Journal covers

Sunday provided me one of those rare occasions where I could grab an idea, cut some fabric and make something in a very short amount of time.

Using Bloom's journal cover tutorial I made two covers and added buttons as an extra embellishment.  I'm thrilled with the results.  As it happened Fiona made some too..go check them out.

As I was looking for buttons, I sorted them into colours and put them in jars...I think they look lovely all lined up.

Until next time...

Have you heard of sleeveface?

Sleeveface is when one or more people obscure themselves with an album cover creating an illusion.

My DD2 came up with our own unique version using a tray....



Until next time...

UK Bloggy meet up!

Exciting News!!

Lucy over at Lucy Locket Recycled her Pocket is organizing a UK blogger meet up.  Just click on the picture which will take you to Lucy's blog with all the details (just scroll down a bit)  We are meeting up Wednesday 8th of April in Oxfordshire with kids and picnics!  I can't wait!

Until next time...

Playing with Black and White

Last weekend while on a visit with my in-laws we went for a walk in Park Hall Country Park in Stoke-on-Trent.  The sun was bright and was casting some fab shadows which I thought would look great in black and white photography.

Until next time...

Bits and Pieces...

Where did February go!...Those extra 3 days to a month do make a difference!
I feel like I've been trying to catch up with myself! There is so much going on..hence why I've been posting less as of late.

So to catch up, I thought I'd do a quick round up...I've been collecting pictures of things to blog about and while I've got 20 minutes I thought I'd get them all done in one!



I've been experimenting with two of the no-knead bread recipes that seem to be popular at the moment. There is the NY no knead and the Artisan Bread in 5 minutes recipe. Both are similar in that you throw the ingredients together and leave them to ferment and stew. Both are loose in consistency and both are shaped in a round using flour to stop it from sticking to you and everything around you...BUT which one tastes better? Any thoughts?
I did liked the Artisan bread in that it is kept in the fridge until you need it, but because it is there you know that you've got to make up to 4 loaves at some point. As a result I felt the need to make bread with every other meal (which is not necessary a good thing for the waistline) It had a good flavor, but I really didn't think it had its best flavor until it had sat for several days.
The NY method is really good..and has good flavor, but you do need to think about it day ahead...I'm curious..has anyone else been trying these recipes?



While all that bread making was going on I stitched up 2 blocks for the Bushfire Quilt Project.



And lastly...the sun has been shining in the UK and the flowers are starting to bloom...It always makes me think of a poem my Dad used to recite at this time of year...

Spring has sprung, the grass has ris
I wonder where the birdie is.
The bird is on the wing.
But that's absurd.
The wing is on the bird

Until next time...