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Birthday Wishes & Next Projects

Today is my Daughter Donna's 34th birthday now on her 21st birthday she had her Daughter Rebecca so my dear Granddaughter has become a Teenager today so Happy Birthday Donna & Rebecca.

Also today is Micki of Irish Muses so Happy Birthday Micki.

I have pulled out 2 quilt tops that I did last year it was for a Stash Challenge in which you had to complete the top from your stash well I was stupid enough to put myself in for 2 lol I didn't win but I never expected to but it has left me with 2 tops normally I never start another project until I finish what I am working on so I never have any UFOs unless I am waiting on something & have to just cut up or sew some blocks so these 2 quilts have been sitting waiting for something to be done well I spoke to my niece about would these two be okay for her 2 daughters as I have said I would do them one each I already done their brother one which was the log cabin one & she said they be pleased just to get one from me which I thought was so nice so I am going to use these tops for their quilts you can see them below.

Thimbleberry Quilt Top

Stepping Out Quilt Top

Link to More Give-Away

It another day & it may be a nice day the sun is certainly trying to come out

Another Give-away this is by Miri at Milk & Honey Quilts Blog do go & take a look also Quilt Qua Has a Give-away

I am hoping that I may get some cutting of fabric done but until I have made up my mind as to what I want to do next I can't cut it lol

I haven't started anymore knitting yet thought I would take a little break I will possible do some dish/facecloths something easy or as they say mindless knitting well I don't have a mind so that about suits me lol

New Week & Link to Give-Away

It the beginning of another week, the year is flying by so quick it didn't do this when we was kids & it seems to go so slow when we are waiting for something lol

Here is a link to another give-away do look well worth it you can go to

I have finished the socks I was doing these are the same as the ones below same yarn just a different colour shows how different colours can make a pair look

I am trying to lose weight & have been for some time now, well not done as well as I hoped this week only lost a quarter of a pound I thought I would lose more oh well there is always next week.

I am not dieting as such just eating healthy & cutting down on portions plus eating less carbs just have to be more patience something I am not known for lol

Another Link to a Give-Away

Well I found another give away well I got the link from another blog who directed me to this one

http://splittingstitches.blogspot.com/2009/06/july-4th-giveaway.html

I am sure you will all enjoy her blog plus a chance to win something

Sock Yarn Arrived

My sock yarn has arrived from Germany, the top 5 balls are the Emotion yarn the two to the left are Harlekin & the one to the right is called Sports all are by OnLine & are 100 gram balls so I have enough to do a pair of adults plus if i do heel & toe different can get a pair of trainer/sports socks if the first pair are not for too larger feet which so far I have not had to do largest size I done is a UK 8 shoe size

New Socks

Here is the pair of socks that I started the other day, I finished them last night am well pleased with these, the yarn was called Twister & as you see it comes in blocks of colour then a a little random pattern & they nearly a perfect match which is an achievement in it self, I hope to do another pair possible in the same yarn just different colour as I still have a few balls left.

I have ordered some sock yarn from Germany from a very nice lady called Christine, we did have a few problems with the site as it not all been translated in to English but between us we managed to see what I wanted if you like to look at her yarn then here her web page

http://www.strickstudio-knoller.de/

or if you go to her shop on ebay which may be easier to figure out it at

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/strickstudio-knoller__W0QQ_armrsZ1

if you get anything do mention that I recommend you so she will know how you found her.

I am getting some of the Emotion Yarn, & also Harlekin & Sports yarn the Emotion yarn I have had before & love the other two yarns is more to see how they compare & if I like them as much.

Try this Give-Away

I just been to a blog that is having a fantistic give-away so pop over & try your luck, so good luck to all who enter at
http://tonyassewingroom.blogspot.com/2009/06/100th-post-giveaway.html

It's Back

Well around 3 yesterday afternoon the doorbell rang & it was the friendly parcelman he had my Brother BM2600, so the shop had sent it back so I unpacked it & gave it a try & yes it working fine, I believe it just needed setting which I wasn't going to do, in fact I am going to take a photo of it so I will have the settings for when I do have to change the stitches, it a nice machine just not as easy to figure out as my own machine I have or even the last 2 but may be I am just getting old & things don't sink in so well lol
I have finished 1 sock & am up to the heel flap on the 2nd sock that I am working on, I have ordered some more sock yarn, I get this from a lovely lady in Germany we have had a few hic-cups so e-mails have been going back & forth but I managed to pay her this morning, I ordered some of the lovely yarn I already have plus a few balls of ones I not tried so I can see how they compare.
I plan to try to spend this morning after cutting some squares sewing the block on the new machine just so I can get use to the feel of it as I said before this is a machine I will be taking to Quilting Group more than using it all the time but I still needed it to be user friendly for me that why I went for this as it is a top loading bobbin I found that I struggle with front loading ones it my old hands don't want to do what I want them to lol
On other news my DH found in a charity shop a small exercise bike so we got that as I am trying to lose weight have big amount to lose so I need all the help I can get lol we had ordered a walking machine but after getting the bike cancel it & we saved over £100 the bike when he got it wouldn't tighten on the seat locking screw but he sorted it & as I say it old but for what I want it to do I am more than pleased & it only cost £3 so that can't be bad.

Another Pair of Socks For DH

Well I have finished the socks I was working on for DH last night they are a plain/solid colour he said he wear the self-patterning yarns as trainer/sports socks as they not seen but no way as socks he likes one colour or possible just heel & toe different but that it lol

This morning I have been chatting to Micki of thedote blog on Skype we had a video call so we could see & chat it was great she is an American who lives in Ireland she is on my quilting group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuiltingForAll/

We was paired up for the potholder swap that we been doing so it was really nice to get to chat to her.

I am hoping that I will get to do some blocks in the week plus start a new sewing project not sure what yet will have to see what I come up with may be more socks or cloths.

Swaps Received

Below is a package I received yesterday from a knitting swap I was in this is from Canada from Pat it took over a month to arrive I guess it was on that slow boat from China & wanted to see more of the world lol

I received a dishcloth (that the must part of the swap) also a lovely scarf a little bag some some & some lacey doilies, also some soap & fridge magnets, Thank Pat for all these wonderful things.

Also yesterday I received my potholder swaps from Micki who is a American living in Ireland you can go to her blog which is great it at

http://thedote.blogspot.com/

The potholders above are a Christmas Theme Fabrics this was what I requested for my fabric well nothing like getting ready for the big event lol she also sent me some fabric & a lollipop so if I shave my hair & put it in my mouth I can be like Kojac " Who Luvs You Baby" lol

These packages came on a good day as after going shopping I had to go down to Houghton Regis which is in Bedfordshire to see the headstone which had gone back on my parent's Grave as had my mum's details added to it so while I am pleased that everything is now settled it is still sad that both have gone.

I went to see my two brothers to let them know that the headstone is now back & to give them details ect of final accounts of my mum's estate not that there really was a estate but that how they say it the headstone does look very nice & it was nice seeing my brothers as I don't always see them when I go down.

Mid-Week

My Machine has been picked up I am not sure if i should order another machine from them I am thinking of a silver Viscount 2021 or should I look at a store which is more expensive or at least you don't get the 15 year warranty.
Our weather has really changed & it much cooler with lower temperatures & no sun it very cloudy
I am still working on the first sock of a pair I am doing for DH hope to finish today or tomorrow at the latest then start the next sock as I have to wait in again tomorrow for another parcel to be picked up I am getting some knitting time

Not a Happy Bunny

I am not a happy bunny this afternoon, the sewing machine came so unpacked it & started to sew & it didn't sew very well, in fact some of it came undone so I have phoned them saying to take it back had a few words with them shall we say anyway they are collecting it tomorrow & I am hoping for a full refund if not I will be having a arguement with them but I will wait & see what happens.
I think I will go to a shop & test some out before I buy I had used this shop before & was more than happy with them only reason I wanting another machine is to take to quilting group anyway I will let you know what happens

Look at This Blog

Well I was pointed to a blog & after going there I find she having a give away so you not only get to met a nice lady you have a chance of winning something so here is the link

http://daisyquilts.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-having-giveaway.html

Well worth taking a look at.

I am still waiting on my new machine it should be here either today or tomorrow not sure depends on the delivery company I know it would have been sent so I guess I just have to be patience & wait lol

Potholder/Hotpads

Well here are the Potholders/Hotpads I been working on, I done 2 for each person so they will be getting one of each pattern, one is larger than the other if you like to see them larger click on picture & a new window with them in should open.
The one on the Left which has the half triangles is called Afternoon Shadows the one on the right is called Dessert Party both are from a book called 101 Fun-to Quilt Pot Holders by Trice Boerens this is a American School of needlework I got my copy from Amazon UK I know that you can get it at other places depending which country you live in
These will be going to my swap partners one who in Cornwall (UK) the other set will be going to Ireland just hope they like them.
I am not sure what I will start on next have a list of things I want to do just depends on which I choose I do also have some blocks I need to do before I go to the quilting group have to remember to do them.
While I was doing these everything going well until the binding I managed to break 2 needles & was having a lot of trouble but at least I finished them.
I cleaned the machine & put in a new bobbin of thread I think it may be the end of the other one that wasn't helping isn't it always the way that the machine will act up at the worst time if you doing blocks it not so bad but working near the finish don't help lol
We are still having beautiful weather here, tomorrow is my DH birthday so we been out today to get him some good screwdrivers which he wanted well not much else I can get him lol at least now if I need something doing he have some good screwdrivers to screw the screws in lol

Ordered a New Sewing Machine

I have ordered a new sewing machine today it is a Brother BM2600 you can see it at this link http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/-telesale-now-on/brother/bm2600/125-c0-v0.htm

I am getting a free carrying bag with it & I also ordered a quarter inch seam foot so I am set for my quilting group this is the one I went to for the first time earlier this month, my DH is giving me half the money so it not so expensive as if I had to pay for it all

I do have a sewing machine which you can see at this link http://www.sewingmachinediscount.co.uk/saturday-sale/silver-viscount/9500e/108-c62-v0.htm

But being it a more expensive machine I don't want to be transporting it around just in case it gets damage.

I been working on some hotpads/potholders & just have to finish the binding tomorrow for them to be done then I can get them in to the mail early next week as they are for a swap i am involved in I have to Mid July to post but sooner the better.

We are having a lovely spell of nice sunny warm weather here in the UK which is nice more like a summer's day lets hope we get a good summer this year.

My Trainer/Sports Socks

Well it nearly the end of the week, this week in the UK children have been on holiday so it been a quiet week not that school holidays affect me anymore all my lot have grown up (or so they say lol) & have children of their own.

I had a mixed week I been working on some hotpads/potholders which I am still working on & hope to show them soon, but I have started & finished a pair of trainer/sports socks for myself which you can see.

The socks are done by doing 10 rows rib I casted on 56 stitches using 3.5mm DPs knit one row then change to 2.75mm to do a K1 P1 rib until I done the 10 rows then change to knit for another 10rows then i start the heel flap & continue as I would if I was doing a normal socks these socks are great with trainers/Sport shoes when you need something on your feet but don't want ones that are longer.

I also had been reading a lot & took that time for me I enjoy a nice time travel romance, I just finished Tryst in Time & Tempest in Time both by Eugenia Reiley these are set in the Old South either just before or after the Civil War, I have another book to read but not by her.

Now that I have finished my socks & my new recliner sofa arrived (7.30am) this morning I will be able to put my feet up & relax when I want to be it reading or knitting.

This & That for Today

Today I am cutting fabric for my hotpads (potholders) for a swap I have to do 2 for each person I have & I have 2 people to do for so 4 to do in all.
I am hoping to sew them tomorrow as I do find cutting is backaching so have to pace myself.

On a different note a friend I went to school with & haven't seen for well over 20 years, we have been in contact for the last few years but not met up well she plus some other girls I went to school with are meeting up on Saturday for a meal & so I will be travelling down for that it should be good fun & there a lot to catch up on as it 40 years this year since we left school so not seen some since then.

Meeting a Swap Partner

Here is a photo of Janet & me which her daughter took on Saturday when I was at her quilting group.

I had a great day & really enjoyed meeting such a lovely lady, I was made to feel very welcome & was there as her guest, Janet runs the group & so she was busy but she still made time for me & made sure I wasn't left on my own

I got to meet Janet as she was my swap partner in a Friends Swap, in it you use the letters so F = Fabric ect for all the letters are used it was great that once we had been paired up we found that we live not that far from each other & that is how i came to go to the group.

Log Cabin Quilt

Well I finished my DH quilt below is him holding it up not that you know who is holding it up & above is the quilt laid on the bed for me to take a photo not that the photos are very good

It has fleece on the back & no wadding(batting) as it for a light weight but warm to the touch when under it am rather pleased with it not so keen on doing such a large quilt with fleece backing but on the whole it came out fairly well

Log Cabin Quilt

Went to Quilting Group

I have had a wonderful day, went off to a quilting group where a lady I had been partner with in a swap on a blog invited me as it not too far away well got to the road okay but drove past it went up so far & then knew I had gone too far any found in on the way back.
There met a lovely lady & I wanted to surprise her & give her the swap which due date by July but I thought I do it early.
I had been told I didn't need to bring anything she would supply it as I was her guest, in the morning we did Cathedral window that was fun, not as easy as she made it sound plus I was using her sewing machine so with strange machine didn't do too bad.
Then in the afternoon did Wonky Star again was fun & I think with a bit of practice could be good as you can see from the photos of my work what sort of results I got

The lady who is Janet she will be putting photos on her blog later today so from tomorrow you should be able to see them here her blog http://jansmusing.blogspot.com/

You see how the blocks ect should look lol, I really learnt a lot & will be going again the group meets once a month so that nice & will give me somewhere to go & learn more Thanks Janet

Quilt Show & Free Draw

Here is a link to a site that you can have your own quilt show then you can enter a free draw so do take a look there is some beautiful quilts there so go to

http://www.quiltsandquilttops.com/index.html

then enter her Give Away

Happy Birthday to my Mum

This is to remember my mum today as this would have been her 98th birthday the photo is of my mum & dad taken around 1951 she was wearing a lovely blue dress my dad got for her 40th birthday I can still remember that dress & the lovely colour the photo was at a Char Ladies Ball that they went to.

Happy Birthday Mum who passed away 5th October 2008

Log Cabin Blocks

Well I have not been doing much sewing this past week the blocks for my Log Cabin which will be for home not as a gift, are done here are 4 of the 30 blocks i have done as my DH doesn't like anything heavy I will be not using wadding/batting in this but have ordered some fleece to back it with so it will be soft, light yet warm.

I have to put all the blocks in to the top & add some bordered but haven't done any of that yet hope to start that later in the week.

I have done another pair of trainer/sports socks for DH i did them & while the way the colour pattern has come out I don't like this don't seem so consistent but DH did say about having some more as he had shop bought ones & they have shrunk so he asked me to do another pair out of the yarn as these are not seen he not too worried but did say he have plain/solid colours for his socks that he would wear with shoes & under trousers

I have decided to get a couple of books so I can do a bit of reading something relaxing in the evenings when I don't want to knit or my hands are giving trouble, i have ordered A Tryst in Time by Eugenia Riley it a romantic time travel one which I love, I have also order a couple of other Time Travel Romance ones as well, I am just a big softy at heart lol

Log Cabin Quilt Finished

Well the Log Cabin is finished the photo is slightly lopsided but I am not great at taking photos & wanted one with it being held up rather than laid on the bed.

I used for the first time some double sided tape to help with the binding as I really struggle if i have to do any hand work all my work has to be done by sewing machine & with each project I learn a little bit more so by the time I am 100 I should know how to do one properly lol

I hope to take it down to my Niece for her son this week & I hope that she will like it