Snow in Burton Latimer & Christmas Wishes

Snow in the UK As you see from the photos we have had snow, this is the day after it fell the first photo is from my front door (okay it on the side but it classed as a front door)  you see the path is clear thanks to DH but can see the road that runs along the side of our bungalow

The 2nd photo down is a compleate turn around from the other photo it is going towards the gate that you come in by you see the road which we live on or i should say the address road we live on the corner plot to it two roads

The 3rd photo you just see the gate to the left & up the road it like a skating ring out there most of the side roads are like that it only the main ones if we are lucky that may get gritted, i know yesterday that a lot of problems on the roads where around due to the snow, accidents ect.

Well i closed the Christmas Challenge for me as i don't really have anymore to do so i did get all i wanted to done so i can say that it was a successful challenge really.

We now heading towards the big day, we had planned to stay at home but DD asked us for Christmas dinner so we will drive up & have dinner there we will come home same day i say we going that is unless the weather stops us but i am not expecting it to.

I love this time of year, I do have some lovely packages to open & I am being good I done it if when I open the original package if it then got something wrapped it will be opened on Christmas if it not then I get to see it lol

I hope to be starting a quilt after Christmas, I have a friend who lives not quite opposite but nearly well we will be doing some projects together I also have some things I want to get done on top of that I hope to post on here how things will be progressing with different things

I know I haven't posted much in the last few weeks I just haven't been on the computer so much & I don't expect that much will change in the coming week or so so I want to take this opportunity to Wish Each & Everyone of You a Very Merry Christmas & Hope that you have a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful New Year May this be extended to all your families all over the world.

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 13

End of Wk 13 (30th Nov - 6th Dec) & as I said in my previous post just the Table Topper done in this week.
I have been taking a break of late & only started some socks yesterday so am up to the heel so far.
I have managed to get a head of myself as I don't need to do any more gifts well no one I can think of so here is the list of gifts I have done over the past 13 weeks if you wish to see them then look under the weeks

Wk Thirteen 30th Nov - 6th Dec
Table Topper
Wk Twelve 23rd Nov - 29th Nov
1 Pair of Socks
Wk Eleven 16th Nov - 22nd Nov
1 Pair of Socks
Wk Ten 9th Nov -15th Nov
3 Pot Holders/Hot Pads
1 Pair of Socks
Wk Nine 2nd Nov - 8th Nov
3 Table Runners
Wk Eight 26th Oct - 1st Nov
Pair of Socks
Wk Seven 19th Oct - 25th Oct
Pair of socks
Wk Six 12th Oct - 18th Oct
Pair of socks
Wk Five 5th Oct - 11th Oct
Scarf
Table Runner
Pair of socks
Wk Four 28th Sept - 4th Oct
Two Table Runners
Wk Three 21st Sept - 27th Sept
Pair of socks
Wk Two 14th Sept - 20th Sept
Pair of socks
Wk One 7th Sept - 13th Sept
Two cloths & a Back Scrubber done

So not a bad tally in all, I am going to write down a list of who I gave what too then I know I won't do the same for them next year, I will be starting making stuff after Christmas for the Gift Stash so not only for Christmas 2010 but if I need gifts during the year, that what I did this year as I have more gifts that I had done much earlier than when I started the challenge

Applique Table Topper

Well I have finished the Applique Quilt/Table Topper I been working on This will also be my item for the Gift Challenge this week
The top photo is of course the right side with the bottom one showing the reverse side & how I quilted it, i used Batik Watercolour for the Red, Green & Blue with the background colour & backing fabric done in Thimbleberries fabric if you like to see the pattern click   Here   & then go to Back to Grannys & you will see it

Angel Of December

Well we are in December now so here is your Angel for the last month of the year may you look back with good memories & look forward to a new year of making lots of good memories may the Angel be guarding over you.

Angel of December sky

Gathers snowflakes way on high

Graciously with wings in air

Gathers precious gems to share

To trickle down to earth below

To shine like diamonds in the snow

What great beauty it will be

As angel sends these gems for me

A calm and peaceful night with snow

December angel's special glow

See her gliding through the air

This beauty of God's love so fair

Knows just what the snow will do

As peacefully it falls on you

Catch the diamonds in your hand

Where they sparkle God does stand

December's angel wings of snow

Sends her beauty here below

Catch the diamonds from the sky

Magnificently these wings do fly.~

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 12

It is the end of Wk 12 (23rd Nov - 29th Nov) & I finished yet another pair socks I know that it been a bit boring with me doing mostly socks but that what most of the single men or boys are getting you see the latest one below they are a Grey Marl colour using a 4 ply yarn I have more of this one so will be doing more next year for DH in this yarn.
You also see below some blocks I just done they are Double Neck Tie Block you can find the pattern   Here   these were for the lottery block on our online retreat which we did at my Online Group well I didn't win & I was a bit slow in doing these it been a week since we had the draw but they will be in the post so they be winging their way to Claudia who won them.
I have ordered 2 new Thimbleberry books by Lynnette Jensen they are Thimbleberries You're Invited" & Block by Block to Beautiful Quilts" both I am getting from Amazon UK but it from sellers as it cheaper than getting from them & they still are new they should be here in the next week or so.
Well tomorrow is the first of December & the count down to Christmas really begins I don't think I have many more gifts to do possible a couple more pairs of socks but no sewing that said I am still working on the Applique Top which may be a gift not a 100% sure I do really like it but it just a little small for my table on how DH likes it he likes it to hang over rather than a centre piece so I know his brother has the same table as us but with the centre piece still in we taken ours out as there is just the 2 of us most of the time so it will make a nice table topper or even a centre piece on a bed I am hoping to finish it this week so it may be on next weeks report hope you all are getting on well with your gifts & the weather is not too bad where ever you are we had a lot of rain & winds & will be having more over the coming week but we have not had it anywhere near as bad as Cumbria has had it so please keep them in your thoughts & prayers  

Has this Happen To You?

I hope all those who celebrated Thanksgiving had a good one, we don't here in the UK so we will be gearing up for the big one which is Christmas.
Well the title of this post is Has this happen to You? & you will be asking what, well my friend & I have been talking about getting a project started after Christmas but we want to see if we can sort it out now so if we need supplies we may be lucky enough to get it in the sales that may happen after Christmas.
Well I was saying that I like a quilt I have in a Book or Magazine may not do it but when I originally saw it I liked it so much or should say the colours I got some of the colours.
Well do you think I can remember where I saw it I been looking through my books which I did thing it was in but no so started to pull out all the magazines now I know it at least a year old it is if I remembered right a simple 9 patch but it uses pastel colours it uses a White or WoW & does the patches in pink & white, yellow & white, Mint Green & white ect yet I can't find the magazine or book so am getting rather frustrated I guess it will be go & pull all the magazines out yet again lol
I hope to be sewing today want to work on the Applique top that was my Quilting Group project want to get this finished in the next week if I can.
Both DH & Me have had the swine flu jab on Wednesday it can & has caused sore arms but that been it so far but you know you had it but it not that bad you can't use the arm just don't lay on it or knock it lol
Well I am about to start looking again for the pattern hope I am lucky this time I may sort out the magazines in to the groups which may help we see, if I have any advice for those who get magazines regular is as you see a pattern write it in a journal, on computer or label on front guess who not done that lol

As you will see below I found the book it was in a book called Learn to Machine Quilt by Sharon Chambers it was the colours that have stood out for me which stuck in my mind so what do you all think of this?
I only found it after pulling out all my magazines & having big trouble putting them back & looking at the books starting at one end I did feel it was a book rather than a magazine but you know how the memory can play tricks on you well it does with me the old grey cells are not what they once was lol

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 11

End of Week 11 (16th Nov - 22nd Nov) of the Christmas Gift Challenge I have managed to do 1 gift which is a pair of 6 ply socks I used Regia yarn this is the first pair I did on this yarn & if I do any for DH I will make adjustments, one adjustment I do to any socks I do on 4 plys & now will do it on this is to cast on & do the first round not only as a knit row but on larger needles than I use for the sock so these were done on 3.5mm DPs needles I would cast on using 4mm & the first row to set where the stiches go on which needle then change to the 3.5mm ones as I start to do the k1, p1, rib I did these as the same size as a 4 ply pair so where I cast on 60 stitches for DH & most of the men I would knit for the same size in 6 ply calls for 48 stitches.
I also when knitting count rows so I count how many I do for rib, then set to zero & count for the leg do as pattern for heel flap, heel & instep, back to zero & do the foot then do the decrease for the toe this way I get both socks to match I find that trying to measure while on the needles I can have a slight difference between them this way works for me.
I have started another pair of socks that all I seem to be doing is socks on the knitting & table runners for the sewing lol
I went to my Quilting Group on Saturday which was a great day pin the applique top & have started to quilt it, the down side of Saturday is that was the last one of not only the year but until February I can understand that Janet of   Jansmuses   who runs it needs time to have a break also her DD Annette won't be able to help & DD Suzanne may not be able to every meeting they will really be missed they are great girls & a great asset to their mum you can see more on the quilting day at Jan's blog.
I hope to have more done next week but don't hold your breath as I do seem to be slowing down also I want to do the applique if I can, I do have some blocks to do which I have been rather lazy in doing these are for a Lottery block on my online quilting group well the winner was annouced & I now have to get them done so I can send them to Claudia who one I had signed up for 4 blocks so will hope to get them done this week.
On Wednesday DH & I hope to get the swine flu jab this will be the 3rd time we had a appointment first one got cancelled due to the funeral being the next day of my DSIL just in case any side effects then last week was due to go but it the afternoon I got sick & was laid up so have it booked for this week fingers crossed we can make it

Genealogy, Not all are Rogues

Well I haven't posted much of late, & this posting is not about any craft but my 2nd Great Grandfather Alfred Stokes, he was the hero of a famous crime a murder which until Jack the Ripper was the most famous of the East End of London & the murderer even was & may be still is in Madame Tusaunds so here a little about it.
1. HENRY WAINWRIGHT (37) and THOMAS GEORGE WAINWRIGHT (30), were indicted for the wilful murder of Harriet Louisa Lane in a second count Henry Wainwright was alleged to have committed the murder, and Thomas George Wainwright was charged as an accessory after the fact. A third count stated the deceased to be a woman unknown.

ALFRED PHILIP STOKES . I live at 34, Baker's Row, Whitechapel, and am a brush maker—in September this year I was in Mr. Martin's service as manager, at 78, New Road, Whitechapel—the prisoner Henry Wainwright was also in his service as a manager—I was in the service five or six weeks, and Henry Wainwright about eleven weeks before the particular Saturday—I have known Henry Wainwright between seventeen and eighteen years—he carried on a brushmakers business formerly at 84, Whitechapel Road—that was the shop at which the articles were sold—I worked for him away from the premises, and used to take my work home to the shop—I have worked for him on and off for between seventeen and eighteen years—I know the premises 215, Whitechapel Road as a packing place—a man named West used to live there first—I am speaking about the time when Wainwright had the premises—West was his chief clerk and lived there—West left somewhere in July, 1874, after which the premises were unoccupied so far as to persons living there, but they were used for packing premises down stairs—they remained unoccupied as a residence till Rogers went there in November, 1874—they were shut up at night, and I believe the keys were always put in the counting house at No. 84, until the fire—Henry Wainwright went out of business about a month before he went into Mr. Martin's service, he then told me that he lived at School House Lane, Chingford, but I never went to his place—on the Thursday or Friday before Saturday, 11th September, 1875, I told him that I had bought a chain for the scales (we were then in Mr. Martin's shop)—he said "Oh yes, it is very useful," and then he said "I have a chopper and a shovel to sell likewise, which will be very useful," I said "So they will, sir, as we require them for the place"—nothing more was said at that time—we were at work on the Saturday afternoon about 6.30 in Mr. Martin's presence, and he said "Will you carry a parcel for me, Stokes?"—I said "Yes sir, with the greatest of pleasure" we then left together and went to 215, Whitechapel Road—we went in at the back through Vine Court—he took a key out of his pocket and opened the door—we both went in and he asked me to go upstairs and fetch down a parcel—I went upstairs underneath this part, and through by the sky light into the dwelling rooms—that was 80 or 90 feet from the spot where we came in—I looked for the parcel but could not find it—I went down found him at the furthest end of the place, and told him I could not find any parcel—he said "Never mind, Stokes, I will find them where I placed them a fortnight ago, under the straw"—there was some straw there, not in the corner but just on the stone work—as you enter from Vine Court there are some flag stones—I saw the straw up in a corner and saw two parcels tied round with rope and some black American cloth—he said "These are the parcels I want you to carry, Stokes"—I lifted them up and

To Read the full story from the Old Bailey Trial Transcript click   Here   you can also read a short bit on him at East London History   I had always thought that I would find that I had the rogue gallery in my lot but seems that at least someone stood up & did the right thing
A bit more on Alfred Philip Stokes you see down to Robert Alfred Smith who is my dad

First Generation

*********
1. Alfred Philip Stokes. Born on 11 Apr 1824. Alfred Philip was baptized in Saint Leonards, Shoreditch, London on 4 Apr 1825. Occupation: Brush Maker Journeyman (1857).
On 15 Jan 1844 when Alfred Philip was 19, he first married Hepzibah Anderson, daughter of George Anderson & Elizabeth, in St Philip's Church Bethnal Green Lnd. Born on 3 May 1801 in Whitechapel London Middlesex. Hepzibah was baptized in Holywell Mount Independent Chapel Shoreditch, London on 1 Jun 1801.
Witnesses to marriage Henry charles Stokes & Eleanor Ellis
On 1 Oct 1848 when Alfred Philip was 24, he second married Caroline Barcklay, daughter of Joseph Barcklay & Susannah, in St Peter Church District of St Andrews Saffron Hill Holborn. Born in 1830 in Stepney London. Caroline was baptized in Spitalfields Christ Church, Stepney, London on 4 Aug 1830.
Name also spelt Barclay
They had the following children:
i. Alfred. Born abt 1850 in Clerkenwell Middlesex.
ii. Joseph. Born abt 1852 in Clerkenwell Middlesex.
iii. Rachel Elizabeth. Born abt 1855 in Clerkenwell Middlesex.
In Jun Qrt 1873 when Rachel Elizabeth was 18, she married George Rayner, in Bethnal Green London.
2 iv. Caroline (1857-)
3 v. Henry (~1860-)
vi. Hannah. Born abt 1862 in Spitafields Middlesex.
vii. Arthur. Born abt 1864 in Spitafields Middlesex.
Alfred at time of Marriage gives as residence 5 Silver St Clerkenwell, & Caroline 8 Peter St
Witnesses William Henry Hitchern (Heitchern) & Thomas Turner
It gives Alfred as a Bachelor but it believed he was still married to Hepzibah, no death or further info found on her


Second Generation


*********
2. Caroline Stokes. Born on 4 Oct 1857 in Back of 12 Stoke St Birmingham Warwickshire. Caroline was baptized in Saint Thomas, Birmingham, Warwick, England on 25 Oct 1857.
Census: 1911 Census living at 18 Brewer St London Fields
On 18 Mar 1876 when Caroline was 18, she married James Henry Smith, son of James Smith (11 Apr 1833-) & Emma Ray (5 Feb 1836-), in St Thomas's Church, Bethnal Green, London.1 Born on 8 Feb 1857 in 7 Ada Place Bethnal Green London.1 James Henry died in 55 The Broadway London Fields Hackney on 13 Jun 1907, he was 50.
They had the following children:
4 i. James Henry (1876-1939)
5 ii. Thomas Walter (~1883-)
iii. Caroline Emma. Born abt 1884 in Bethnal Green London.
6 iv. Annie Rosena (~1886-)
v. Rachel Elizabeth. Born abt 1889 in Hackney London.
vi. Florence Violet. Born abt 1892 in Hackney London. Occupation: Milliner.
7 vii. Edward Arthur (1893-)
viii. Daisy Violet. Born abt 1897 in Hackney London. Occupation: Milliner.
ix. Elizabeth Lily. Born abt 1900 in Hackney London.
Residence as given on marriage cert James 164 Birdcage Walk, & Caroline 9 Baxendale St.
Witnesses John Smith & Hannah Smith
3. Henry Stokes. Born abt 1860 in Birmingham Warwickshire.
Henry married Emma. Born abt 1863 in Bethnal Green London.
They had the following children:
i. Emma. Born abt 1885 in Hackney London.
ii. Martha. Born abt 1887 in Hackney London.
iii. Ada. Born abt 1888 in Hackney London.
iv. Henry. Born abt 1890 in Bethnal Green London.
v. UNNAMED. Born in Mar 1901 in Hackney London.


Third Generation
*********
4. James Henry Smith. Born on 1 Jun 1876 in 136 Columbia Rd, Bethnal Green, London.1 James Henry died in Hackney Hospital, Hackney, London on 7 May 1939, he was 62.1 Was on the census for 1 Albion Terrace, Derby Rd, Hackney London in 1901. Buried in Manor Park, London.
Last address is 260 Rushmore Rd, Hackney, he lived here over his shoe shop. His age is given as 62 on his death certificate.
Census: 1901: 1 Albion Terrace, Derby Rd, Hackney
On 25 Dec 1895 when James Henry was 19, he married Emma Storey, daughter of John William Storey (24 May 1860-5 Nov 1924) & Susannah Lyons (abt 1860/61-29 Mar 1917), in St Paul's Church, Haggerston, Shoreditch.1 Born on 17 Nov 1878 in 1 Columbia Rd, Bethnal Green, London. Emma died in Hackney Hospital Hackney Lnd on 18 Apr 1960, she was 81.
Census: on 1911 census it says 11 children born alive, with 6 still alive. 5 died address is 11 Cranbrook St Bethnal Green
They had the following children:
i. Daisy Lily (1900-)
ii. Charles E (~1903-)
iii. John (~1905-)
iv. Violet Rose (1907-1974)
v. Edward Arthur (1909-)
vi. James (~1910-)
vii. Robert Alfred (1912-1988)
viii. Doris Victoria (1913-1996)
ix. Florence Caroline (1919-2004)
5. Thomas Walter Smith. Born abt 1883 in Bethnal Green London.
On 28 May 1899 when Thomas Walter was 16, he married Eliza A Walker, daughter of James S Walker (abt 1845-), in St Pauls Church Haggerston Lnd. Born abt 1879.
They had one child:
i. Eliza (~1900-)
In 1899 When Eliza & Thomas Married her address was 81 Broadway London Fields it looks like 81 Thomas was at 55 Broadway Witnesses was Herbert Silliven or Gilliven (Could be Sullivan) & Caroline Smith Father of Eliza is James Walker Stallman deceased
6. Annie Rosena Smith. Born abt 1886 in Bethnal Green London.
On 3 Apr 1905 when Annie Rosena was 19, she married John Henry Gilkes, in St Paul's Church Haggeston London. Born on 24 Jun 1883.
They had one child
i. John Henry (1905-)
7. Edward Arthur Smith. Born on 2 Oct 1893 in Hackney London. Occupation: Carman.
In 4 Qrt 1911 when Edward Arthur was 17, he married Rosina Stannard, in Hackney District. Born on 12 Nov 1894 in 34 Turville Street Bethnal Green Lnd.
They had one child:
i. Florence (1915-)

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 10

Well the end of Wk 10 9th Nov - 15th Nov & I managed to do 3 Pot Holders/Hot Pads & a Pair of Regia Cotton Socks the colour of these are more a airforce blue but it don't show them up well in the photo

I have to get some swaps put together for posting this coming week & am not sure how much sewing I will get done but will be starting another pair of socks but these will be done in 6 ply as most of the socks I been doing have used 4 ply.

I may have done a pair of socks I have not shown it was a navy pair of  Regia Silky so but I lost track of when I finished them so have not counted them in my tally

How are you all doing on your Christmas Gifts or even Thanksgiving if you celebrate that, have you seen the days left to Christmas it only 39 days left as I write this so may even less when you read it.

Well I hope you like the Pot Holders it my attempt at doing Applique which I rather like doing hardest part is finding a nice easy picture that I want to do as much as some look really nice if they have lots of different colours in at present I like a picture that is one or two colours or if there is more it not all on the same part.

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 9

Well it the end of Wk9 in the Christmas Gift Challenge (2nd Nov -8th Nov) I sort of cheated just slightly here as I did finish the 3 runners but needed to do the sewing down of the binding so rather than I worked on one runner which I would have got one or two done I worked on all 3 so they were fully finished actually yesterday (9th Nov) but so I could show them I have counted them as last weeks finished items.

The table runners have been done from my online group swap that was called Maker's Choice  we did this sometime ago & I thought they would be fine for table runners these are going to be gifts of course my DH asked me if I would do them for him to give so had to do them of course he don't ask for much quilting things.

I really do struggle with the binding & DH said do it all by machine, well the other day he said something when I was telling him about how much I really like some quilts that has such fancy quilting so he said it about time I learnt wasn't being nasty or anything so I explained that they done on a long arm & people either have their own or send it out or have much fancier machines which cost a lot well that soon had him thinking lol anyway when it came to the binding I do prefer if it was hand sewn down on the back so decided that what I would do as he said about time I learnt well it not just a case of learning it also my hands doing it anyway I started & done the first & was working on the second when I had to stop for something & DH said he do it so he carried on with that & I started the third one so between us we managed to get all 3 done yesterday.

But boy do I have very sore fingers I am having to find something to advoid this if I am going to do it this way especially if I want to do quilts, I have a metal thimble but it too big, I don't know how they do the size or you even work out what size you are also what is best as with a metal one you can't grab the needle very well, so what do all of you do & use

Weather is rather grey & I have been having some bad nights sleeping with me getting up in the middle of the night I did manage to stay in bed last night but was awake every 2 hours, I have been in pain with my back & hips so that not helped

I am waiting on the place where I got my machine to send the needle threader for it as while sewing I lightly knocked it & it came off it the little plastic lugs that hold the metal part to the plastic part that broke so a new one is needed.

I am working on some more socks so they should be done for next week report, so do get on with your Christmas gifts as it will soon be upon us have a good week of getting your gifts done

This, That & Some More

This past week I been having computer problems if it not the contection it to do with pages not coming up, on top of that the computer seems to have gone really slow takes ages to shut down it takes even a while when you click on close for it to come up not sure what is wrong have tried restoring back to last month plus doing several virus checks which showed nothing so not sure what the problem is I am reluctant to reformat the hard drive as one program I have on is the EQ6 & you only get so many activations & I have use a couple so if i can advoid the format I will then I won't have to use what I think could be the last chance then you have to pay for more which i think is wrong great program but lousy idea
Earlier in the week I had tried cutting some wadding & of course as it was a piece that I needed to have space which I don't have I made a mistake so was moaning about not able to cut yardage well to make a long story short decided that the table which I work on should go in to the main bedroom it was in the small spare room.
The difference is that when I worked in the small room I looked across the width which is about 3ft the length of around 5ft was mostly to the left but the right didn't have much space at the end well moved some things from the main bedroom to the small room & not have the table in the main bedroom so when I work I can sit at the end & look at the length of the table & when I want to cut just move my chair & I have room for the yardage rather than trying to fit it in.
I still have to finish tidying away but did manage to get the table runners I am working on to the binding stage so hope to finish them later today.
While doing this change around I looked in a box I have fabric in & saw fabric I had forgotten about well had to get on hands & knees to try to get under the table before now while I still have it under the table it is easier to access.
It rather early morning here while writing this as I can't sleep been having some really bad restless nights, my hip is hurting well more of a ache that won't stop which don't help I will be off to bed after finishing this hoping that I will be able to go to back to sleep
I hope to report tomorrow on my gift challenge which won't be much as I have seemed to let time get away this week again, & Christmas is fast approaching the days are sure coming up fast so things do need to be finished so you see how I done in my next blog

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 8 & Other Things

The Christmas Gift Challenge for wk8 26th Oct - 1st Nov well just wasn't no gifts completed what with my sister-in-law's passing & having to go down to see my brother then we had one of DH's sister & husband here for a visit I didn't get time to work on what I wanted to hope to make up for it this week if I can.
I have received some Fat Quarters today which I won in a give-away it was from Amy of  Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts  lovely FQs I also received yesterday some lovely crochet flowers & some cones which will go on the Christmas Tree from Robin of  RSISLANDCRAFTS  again lovely items Thank You Both.
We still don't know as to when the funeral will be of my DSIL, not too much else is happening here I am working on some more table runners which I hope to finish for this weeks tally of the challenge how are you all doing we are now in November & Christmas will be upon us before we know it.
Do you do hand-made gifts as presents you could always do some cooking may be get some glacier cherries soak in a brandy or some other spirit for at least a couple of weeks then melt some chocolate & dip them in & put in to little paper cases to make a box of chocolates or even do marsipan ones
May be make up a little food gift box if it for someone who has everything, or do a face cloth & put in to a little basket with some bath/shower items to make a little toiletry gift there is lots of gift ideas that don't have to cost the earth do let me know how you all are doing with your gift challenge

Malvern Autumn Quilt Show 2009

Below is a slide show of some of the quilts that was at the Malvern Autumn Quilt Show 2009
The show it self was not bad some bargains but much the same price as if i wasn't there I did get a roatating cutting mat & a I Believe Christmas Panel & some patterns my friend Pat bought me a lovely Kit for a beautiful table runner, I really enjoyed the day so look at the quilts & enjoy

Come and meet November Your Novermber Angel

Here is your guardian angel for the month of November May she guard over you.

I hope that this will be a good month for you & that while the nights draw in & winter comes you can be warm in Love

~Come and meet November~

An angel so sublime

Her joy a special treasure

In evergreens she finds

Watching oh so carefully

Each special tree will be

A compliment to nature

Dressed as Christmas tree

She touches every branch

To give the tree new life

An angel from the heavens

She casts a special light

Makes the limbs so supple

Fragrance so divine

This angel of the evergreens

A gift for special time

On Christmas she will enter

Your heart will feel her love

A most devoted treasure

A heart of peace above

Beauty she enshrines

With each majestic tree

Filled up with your memories

A special heart you see

November's sweetest gift of peace

A tree of perfect art

As snow falls down upon the earth

It nourishes your heart.~

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 7

The end of Wk 7 (19th Oct-25th Oct) Am still doing the said challenge in that I have managed 1 gift this week the socks below, but that not that good my excuse is that I been working on the applique top so hope to do better this week, well it can hardly be much worst lol
My Sewing machine has arrived back this morning so I will use that so I can try it out to make sure it going okay I do need to cut some fabric for sashing & border on some table runners so hoping that I may get the ones I need to do done this week but after yesterday's shock not sure what this week will hold, I know that Thursday is out for sewing as having the boiler serviced & it is in the room where I have my computer & do my sewing so have to move stuff out the way so the engineer will have room plus not ruin any fabric.
How are you all doing on you holiday gifts are you on track or way behind what you need to do, come on do tell.

Sad Sunday

This is a sad Sunday, I heard a little while ago that my DSIL passed away in her sleep last night she was the wife of my eldest brother & was 72.
She was working up to last year & leaves 3 sons & I think it 7 grandchildren
They saying a heart attack but it won't be know for sure for a few days at least.
In Memory of Jean

Received in Post Swap & PIF

I received some lovely items in the mail today from Khris in Australia who is also doing a Give-away, the first photo is a beautiful drawn string bag & some coasters/mug mats in a nice little holder this was for me signing up to her PIF I have shown the mats so you can see both sides.
The second photo is of a lovely pin cushion with a needle purse which I have it open in the third photo these are all lovely & was for a swap we did, Thanks Khris
Today had to be up early as we had a electrician coming to fit a cooker/stove point in so by the time he came did it all it was going on to midday so we had lunch before we went off out for our weekly grocery shop.
We done our shopping plus we got some joints of meat for the freezer so we won't starve lol
I also had a call from the sewing machine shop where my Brother BM2600 went off to they did say the handle which lowers & raises the needle was tight but it seems that I had not quite located the bobbin case in correctly & that was the problem they have been testing it & have it all set up correctly & it will go out on tonight's pick up so may get it tomorrow or Monday when it arrives back I will take a photo of the bobbin so I can see how it done I done this with the settings as then I know I can reset back to normal if I don't do the photo I know I will forget it not like my Silver Viscount machine if you switch off it set back to normal as it computerised where the Brother is mechanical.
So it not sewing today after shopping will just knit as I am rather tired especially as I am not sleeping too well I am waking up every couple of hours which don't give you a good nights sleep.

Applique Top So Far

I finished the applique on the top that I am working you all remember it my Quilting Group that I go to once a month project.
Here is the Appliqué top I am doing so far it still needs work doing to it but the Appliqué is all done if you wish to see how it should look to This & That Fabric
Scroll down to Back to Grannys & that what this is suppose to be like as you will see it needs more squares to go round the to make it bigger still not sure if I will just do it to the size it given yet you all know when I come to finishing it lol

I must say while I have never done any applique I have enjoyed it wish my sewing on the bits was better but they say practice makes perfect well I am going to need awful lot of practice lol.This has not been without it problems biggest one the machine I take to group decided to not work right on Saturday, had been getting some sewn then I had to stop, the machine will be delivered to the shop today as I been tracking it they picked it up yesterday so with luck it could be back by next week.Am working on more socks on the knitting side, when I go shopping this week I want to look at some kids colouring books to see if there is anything in it that I could do as applique who knows what out there.Weather is damp today it was raining from last night to early this morning while it stopped for now it is damp they say that the wind is making it feel colder being indoors it not as cold as it was yesterday so I guess it will be the wind that makes feel worst & not so much lower temperatures long gone is summer well didn't really have a great one here in the UK yes it was dry & warm but never really had very hot long spells not like we use to get years ago now I am sounding old talking about the Good Old Days & When I was young lol so I better shut up now

Blogs doing Give-Away

Today I am posting a This & That Day or Blogs that are doing Give-Aways

First must tell you of a Give-Away it from Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe she doing a fantistic Give-Away so go & look

Next is a blog with a tutorial for flying geese it at Quilters Going Bananas that says it all about us Quilters lol

As I look at the blogs I am putting links for other Give-Aways so here some more Spark Barks is also doing one

The next is not a enter a Give-Away but they are doing Freebies they are Among the Gum Tree they are doing a freebie each week so you have to check back well that should keep you looking at some blogs other than mine for a little while

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 6

The end of Wk 6 (12th Oct - 18th Oct) & I only managed a pair of socks they are navy I know they look black in the photo.
So still managing to do the challenge of at least one gift a week with needing to work on my Quilting Group Project last week I knew I would only manage 1 gift.
The sewing machine I take to my Quilting group has to go away as it not working right so that will be picked up tomorrow (Tuesday) it will take about a week to turn round & be back with me not that I am too worried will use my main machine.
I have to work on my project before I start on more gifts as I need to have it ready to pin & quilt by the next meeting.
I will be doing more socks plus I want to do some wrist warmers for DH you will see how I get on when I do them.
I will be going to the Malvern Quilting show in a couple of weeks time so will also report on that.
Today I been out & ordered new glasses more expense, also book in for the dentist which is in a couple of weeks seems it get everything done at once
Later this week have an electrician coming to fit a cooker socket & socket so when we go to have a new cooker which will be possible just after Christmas we don't just have to choose gas we will be able to get what we want, then the following week it a service on the boiler well want that done before the winter really sets in.
Not too much else to report, don't forget to let me know what you done especially if you are taking this challenge

Just Another Sunday?

After my Good day in all yesterday was my Quilting Group day so off I went with machine (brother 2600) & all that I needed plus my friend from across the road Pat came so was working on my project.
Then had to start sewing the next lot applique that I had put on Janet who runs the group helped me well she started to do it so set to zig zag & it was going well did think it was slightly noise but some machines are then I did some & Jan came back over & the machine seemed to skip a stitch every so often so said to clean it which I did not that it needed it as this is the machine I got in June & is only used for Quilting Group, anyway put it all back & it just wouldn't seem to let the top thread pick up the bobbin thread well it caught it but the top thread seems to get stuck somewhere so after several times of taking it apart & re-putting it back still no luck also the wheel/handle at the side that lowers & highers the needle this seems to be very hard compared to what it was well today had DH strip it down & re-assemble it & still no luck so will phone the shop to arrange a collections for them to sort it out so that will be gone I guess around a week I will have to use my main machine (Silver Viscount 9500E) which I don't mind except I had started on the brother & so it will be slightly different stitch but I know the settings on this so it better I can be more consisted
Am off to knit now want to finish a pair of socks I am doing so I have a gift completed this week, as I been working on the Quilting Group Project it taken it time so not much else has got done
I won't post photos of my project until I get a bit further on but you can see mine plus lots of other ones & how different they can look at Jansmusing well worth popping over to look

A Good Day Over All

It been a fairly good day, first off went & got our grocery shopping done & came home shortly after we got it all packed away the postman came & had a couple of packages for me I do love getting packages don't you
First one which is the bottom photo was some sock yarn a sort of grey marble effect I got this off ebay & got 7 balls (50grms each) of this 4 ply yarn so will be able to do quite a few socks.
Second package which is show in the middle photo well that was a lovely gift from Lyn in Australia she sent me some fabric which is very nice a lovely book marker plus a little tray that shaped like a teapot & has Roses all over it never seen anything like this it really nice.
The top photo is my Quilting group Project it not finished this is the first finished stage i will be cutting out the strips to go round plus vines ect to go on the strips which is in the same fabric as the background of the centre panel, this is my first attempt of Applique & I did all the stitching around it during the week had been putting it off for ages.
As I laid it on the bed to take the photo my DH came in & was asking about it so show him what I am & still have to do & he even saying about making bigger than the 40 inch square that it should be to be put in to a quilt I will decide once I reached that finish size we did say about using it as a table topper but he said if it on there all the time it would get messed up & it too good for that lol
So I can say it been a good day on the whole I am about to go & rest & will cast on the stitches for the 2nd sock I am working on.

The Book has Arrived

The book I had ordered from Amazon came the other day it Eleanor Burn's Quilts through the Seasons, I am watching it on the Rural Channel (279 on Sky) for those in the UK or possible europe who get Sky TV if not you can alway go to the Quilt in a Day site & watch it on there here a link to the Theater there is more than this one series on there
I like nearly all the quilts in there only one I am not fully sure of & that is the fish one it not that I don't like it I just can never see me even wanting to do I love the Horn of Plenty table runner that is one I expect that people who celebrate Thanksgiving will love here in the UK it not a holiday we have here so it be wasted.
I am going to continue with my Quilting Group Project I have to get it up to the next stage for Saturday so will be working on that in a bit so I guess that I had better get going as I have to put dinner on first so I can then sew this afternoon

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 5

The end of Wk 5 of the Christmas Gift Challenge (5th Oct -11th Oct) I have managed to do another pair of socks a scarf plus a table runner so I am a head of the challenge this past week as it is to do at least 1 gift a week.
This week I know I won't get so much done as I have to work on my Quilting Group project or I will be behind as we meet this coming Saturday (17th) so I suspect I will only get a pair of socks done as that is what I am working on in the evenings with the knitting.
I am waiting on a quilting book I ordered which is Quilt through the Seasons by Eleanor Burns, here in the UK on our Sky Satellite there is a channel called the Rural Channel (279) & it shows Quilt in a Day which I watch & at present they showing Quilt through the Seasons & I rather like the quilts so I thought I would get the book it is taking it time due to postal strikes that are happening in different areas of the country.
My DH has asked me to do some table runners as gifts so that more to the list of to do ones, do you have a favourite size for your table runners or some nice free patterns to share, I rather like these couple of sites Free Patterns which is not just for Quilting but also knitting & other crafts & the other one is Free Quilting you have to sign up to get the patterns but it is worth it.
I also do use e-pattern central but you pay for their patterns & it then you can download instantly I have had some very nice patterns from these as well, in fact if you look at my post for 8th Sept 2008 you will see a Prayer Shawl I knitted for my mum sadly she didn't get to wear it so I had her buried in it anyway this pattern came from a Prayer Shawl book I got from e-pattern central the original pattern does call for pockets but I didn't have enough yarn to do them, after Christmas I am hoping to do myself one it will remind me of my mum all the more.
The weather in the UK is getting colder but it a sunny day while I write this but they do say it will be colder at night, I know parts of Canada & the USA have already had some snow hearing that really lets you know that winter is on it way, well do share what you done if your taking this challenge

A Christmas Gift Challenge End of Wk 4

Well end of Wk 4 of the Christmas Challenge (28th Sept-4th Oct) & I have manged to finish 2 table runners, I can't take full credit as much as I would like to in 2007 I got off ebay table runner tops thinking they make nice presents well didn't make them & had them sitting here so I have finally turned them in to finished table runners they use Thimbleberries fabric which ones who read this regular will know I do love TB fabrics, any the two are now done & are in the gift stash.
The bottom one is a on point so doing the binding on this never done anything with a shape in so was interesting then the top one is just a normal one.
I have still been working on other gifts but they either aren't or weren't finished within wk 4 so you get to see them next week.
How are you all doing are you getting your gifts done the days are ticking away fast so you do need to get your skates on to get the gifts done.
On a earlier posting the Give-Away prize is now in the hands of the Royal Mail (our postal service) & is on it way to Anya.
I hope to have possible 3 or more items done for next week but we see what say what but some is knitting as usual well you all have a good week getting those gifts done take care
Last but not least here is a chance of a give-away go to http://fabricartist21.blogspot.com/ for a chance to win.

Winner of Give-Away

Today is the day I have done the draw to the Give-Away this was the give-away in memory of my mum who passed away a year ago today I would like to thank you all for your lovely comments about my mum & kind words for me in this difficult time.

I thought I would share another photo of my mum this one was taken at Christmas 1976 my Mum & Dad with my eldest son Karl & my Daughter Donna my youngest son Stuart wasn't in this as he was only a 6 or 7 weeks old, now my kids can kill me for showing them on here lol

I did the draw & the name who came out was Anya Her blog is Hills Creek Quilter so congratulations to Anya if you like to contact me with your full address I will get your prize out to you if by any chance I have not heard by Friday I will draw another name out.

I must say that I had not been to all the blogs & this was one I hadn't got to after I did the draw it worth taking a look well Congratulations once again to Anya & look forward to getting her package off to her in the post.

Angel of October

Happy October here is your angel of the month I hope that this month with be a good one for you all

~Windswept in gloryDivine purple huesThis angel of heaven A rapturous view
Wishing you happiness Wants you to beWrapped in her gloryA heart that is free
Cool winds to guide herDown to the landShows you the gloryHer heart in your hand
Warms you with sunshine Bright with her loveThis angel of wind She echoes above
Capture her heart As she comes in your viewForever this angel Will always love you
Breezes through earthWith special sweet songOctober's sweet angelYour heart will belong.~