Minus 7

Brrrrrrr!  It's a quilting day.

Snow Can't Stop Quilters

In spite of a heavy snowfall last night we had a successful Open Day at Country Roads Quilters today with many visitors, potential new members and several apologies and requests to attend our February meeting.  We had a small display of completed work, Wendy of our local quilt shop, Camelot Crafts, traded for us and we were all stitching and sharing our work with our visitors.  There was a good supply of biscuits and delicious marmalade cake available to enjoy with a warming drink for all those who had braved the snowy weather.

I took these photographs during the day but I wasn't able to ask everyone whether they minded them being included on my blog.
If I have shown a picture of you or your work and you would prefer that I remove it from this post please let me know and I will do so immediately.

Not the Wedding Quilt!

I made a short diversion from the wedding quilt today to sew a block for the Global Piecers' birthday swap.  I won't show the whole block as I don't want to spoil the surprise for Sandy but it is now en route to Florida where I hope it is a bit warmer than it is here today.  The winter temperatures have returned, with frost and freezing fog, after a few Spring-like days.  For the birthday block swap we have all given our preferred colours or style and on our birthday should receive a block from each of the GPers in the swap, such fun.  It would be lovely if they go together well enough to make a lap quilt or small wall hanging.  I have a long wait for mine!

On Tuesday my quilt group, Country Roads Quilters, are having an Open Day.  This is a photograph I took at our last meeting of L-R:  Fenella, Di, Diane, Sabine, Trish and June and it has been published in the local papers with a small press release so I hope it attracts a few new members.  We are now meeting in the village hall at Sibsey and so have room for some new quilters to join us.  I don't think any of you are close enough to join the group but, in case you know anyone who is, the press release follows below with the details.

Come and Quilt in Sibsey

A small group of patchwork and quilters have been meeting in Sibsey since September 2011.  Country Roads Quilters are now inviting new members to join them and will be holding an Open Day in Sibsey Village Hall on Tuesday 15th January.

Lis Harwood, a founder member of Country Roads Quilters, told us,

"We are a friendly group of patchworkers and quilters now meeting at Sibsey Village Hall on the third Tuesday of each month. In these larger premises we are able to invite prospective new members to bring their current stitching project or they are welcome to just come and meet us. We will be working on our own projects and will have some finished items for visitors to see."

Country Roads Quilters are also delighted to say that Wendy Strode of Camelot Crafts in Friskney will be at the Open Day with a wide selection of fabrics and craft items for sale.  Tina McEwen, also a founder member of Country Roads Quilters, said,

"We all love Wendy's shop as she has such a wonderful selection of fabrics, threads and other interesting items and she is always so willing to share her ideas and expertise with us.  We are delighted that she will be at our Open Day."

Visitors are welcome between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. and are invited to bring their current quilting project with them and a packed lunch if they are able to stay for the whole day.  Tea, coffee and biscuits will be included in the £2 admission to the Open Day and full membership details will be available on the day.

A Day of Two Halves

I only managed a very short stroll this morning before heading to the visitors' centre coffee shop as the mist closed in around me and my legs said enough was enough.  I took a couple of pictures while the sun was shining though.

This afternoon I have made good progress on THE wedding quilt.  I've hand-quilted a feather design in each border section around the central panel.  Now to decide on the next border, some piecing to be done so it'll be back to the sewing machine.  I have to admit I enjoy hand stitching more and more and machine work less and less these days.

I hope you've had a good weekend and that my friends in Australia and keeping safe and not too hot.

New Year's Day Walk

2013 dawned bright and sunny (just like my lovely friends in Australia and New Zealand told me it did there!) and so it was definitely a day for a walk.  DH and I walked at Ostler's Plantation near Woodhall Spa with DSiL and big GS.  It was fairly muddy underfoot but an interesting walk.

"Ostler's Plantation is named after the agent of Mr John Parkinson, whose abortive attempts to discover coal led to the founding of the Spa. Early in the 19th century, Mr Ostler planted a fir and oak forest in the area, which he purchased from Parkinson when his employer became bankrupt. Most of that original forest was burnt or cut down. 
The walks in the plantation today include parts of the old airfield. The airfield, constructed in 1942, is one of more than 50 that were operational in Lincolnshire during the last war. The taxiways, and many of the bunkers and standings are still intact, though overgrown by bracken, elderberry and bramble."

After all that fresh air and exercise a gentle afternoon was called for.  Reading in front of the fire, cold meat, cheese and pickles for supper.  2013 is good so far.

2013 Targets!

A new year is about to begin and it's at this time of year that people make resolutions and massive "to do" lists appear on blogs.  I'm going to keep mine vague and simple with one exception, the first thing on my quilting to do list is:

1. Finish David and Jessica's Wedding Quilt  (I have until April)

The other quilt-related to dos are:

• Quilting, stitchery, dyeing etc based on my trip to Japan last year plus more indigo and natural dyeing

• Visit the Festival of Quilts for the duration (four days) in August

• Organise some good swap projects with the Global Piecers

I want to spend more time with the people I love.  I hope to have a least one little trip beyond these shores during the year.  I'd also like to spend more time in the garden and more time at the bach.

That's it!

Have a very happy New Year.  I hope that 2013 is peaceful, healthy and full of good things for us all.  It won't be but let's face it with optimism and positivity.  A friend posted the following on Facebook recently, I used to have it on a poster on my wall at college (didn't we all?) but haven't read it for ages, I think it's time for another airing:

Desiderata - Words for Life by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Christmas with the Family

A photo heavy festive peek into our Christmas celebrations.  

It was wonderful to spend time with the people I love.  

Thank you Saz and Sam for being excellent hosts.

I hope you all had a lovely time at Christmas.

My very best wishes for a peaceful, healthy and happy 2013.

 David and Jessica with JC and Trumpy 

(in Father Christmas outfits) after Christmas Number 1

Al and me all blinged up

 Sam and Alan suited and booted and showing off their dance moves

 All the best parties have silly games!  

Christmas Eve and Jess is teaching us a game

 Playing "Coppit"

 Taking a match of "Pig Pong" far too seriously

Sara's festive fireplace.  We slept in this room, 

it was like being in the Victorian age with 

an open fire in our bedroom, so cosy

 Christmas Number 2.  Sam joined Nanny and Grandad in bed for stocking opening (I promised David and Jess that I wouldn't publish pictures of them but forgot to promise Saz, Sam or Al, tee hee)

 Happy Sara, thank you Mummy Father Christmas

 Sam waiting patiently to be allowed a chocolate coin

 My gorgeous pashmina, thank you Sazzie  Father Christmas

 Thumbs and fingers up for smoked salmon and scrambled egg for breakfast

 A case of the box being more interesting than the contents!

Sam working out how to control his new truck

Boxing Day - pyjama day in "Dear Zoo" jimjams

Happy Christmas

Image from The Graphics Fairy.

Wedding Quilt Progress

 Merry Christmas wishes from the milkman this morning :-)

 I have now quilted the Celtic knot blocks (central and four corners) for the Wedding Quilt.

It's been ideal quilting weather, cold, frosty and foggy outside, a roaring fire inside.

Photo added Wednesday evening, 12th December, first round:

Kampai!

I've just had a nice few days with my family in Essex, catching up with my sister, BiL and nieces and with my parents.  Daddy is doing very well after his operation in the summer, we have a lot to be thankful for.
While "down south" I had time to look in a few charity shops and found this little sake set for £1.99.

I don't think it's anything very special but it was made in Japan and is ceramic and I like it, the pieces have a nice feel to them, especially the finger dimples.  Maybe one of my lovely friends in Japan would translate the words on the cups and flask - I expect it says "Happy 21st Birthday" or some such thing :-)
I'm settling in for a cold week now, a beastly easterly is blowing - lots of quilting to do.