tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122998203185098572024-02-07T12:35:56.212+00:00stitch&bakeLyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-2671985930522851662017-10-28T21:48:00.002+01:002017-10-28T21:49:14.855+01:00At last my Cove holiday quilt is finished apart from a labelI have finally finished this quilt I started in Cove in February. I left it most of the summer because I was busy with the garden. <br />
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I grew more lilies in pots than ever before and they really added a zing.<br />
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Also this hydrangea had never flowered properly even though I had planted it 16 years ago, so I was delighted with it. I had to cover it up against the frost in the spring but it was ok.<br />
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I bought some new <span style="background-color: white;">fuchsias from <a href="https://www.roualeynfuchsias.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales</a> this one is Carmel Blue</span><br />
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I made 4 fruit marmalade and windfall apple marmalade</div>
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But here is what you have been waiting for the photos of the Cove quilt. I used a simple 9 patch theme and decided to quilt it in the Welsh style with coloured threads which I selected in greens, blues, pinks and yellow. The yellow thread was thick and it was for lining out and giving some detail to the flowery centre. I also found that my new walking foot was excellent for making small Welsh style squares and lines because it had a seem gauge I could adjust. Now the only thing I am not sure about is where to place a label? It would look odd on the back but also may not suit the front.....<br />
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-63855496984977221782017-05-18T22:19:00.001+01:002017-05-18T22:19:20.062+01:00Gardening whilst the weather is good<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrI1cwBXoqTgY6wyfDWvSXIFwHKyhiiTEcZOtxGYUrGX9NMVjAtl8-msM_IfZa_eYVFmsqIpcYBuT_bake6qn_UdEF3MDx6b57I9FEUNzqXeJ-5jjSN8UPijKlB-OwvWf9lNrIzY3nbk/s1600/IMG_1796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrI1cwBXoqTgY6wyfDWvSXIFwHKyhiiTEcZOtxGYUrGX9NMVjAtl8-msM_IfZa_eYVFmsqIpcYBuT_bake6qn_UdEF3MDx6b57I9FEUNzqXeJ-5jjSN8UPijKlB-OwvWf9lNrIzY3nbk/s400/IMG_1796.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icelandic poppies I grew from seed</td></tr>
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I have been using up my spare time whilst its sunny and doing a lot of weeding and sorting in the garden.<br />
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This Syringa is always a treat at this time of year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio-v4i_TR_CkRzcMjzt4L1joOIzBMMoB2GR02ITku9PGsWv-wQPEnWNVYRtPD4GcLmROLDWZhpRqn3cGKU7-k_GcT0OcKZNufk_Z3fk2FWnx0phwz5IjjEkX5Ne1t-UdIDYMA8hlMEzs/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio-v4i_TR_CkRzcMjzt4L1joOIzBMMoB2GR02ITku9PGsWv-wQPEnWNVYRtPD4GcLmROLDWZhpRqn3cGKU7-k_GcT0OcKZNufk_Z3fk2FWnx0phwz5IjjEkX5Ne1t-UdIDYMA8hlMEzs/s400/IMG_1797.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a miniature lilac I have had for 18 years</td></tr>
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-64125594561981488422017-04-27T21:13:00.000+01:002017-04-27T21:13:55.847+01:00Progress on my 9 patch quilt<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcrypjF9tXyZFRh2djRLiP52nMY4GL_6_IBgwMWvAmr6IqU1qhz3BvjFAe9RjHqqXCbdCXVDkVnZ3icmtItggwdkDBhMGMVstJFAqrWQa-GBGAA_7TpB-6AWqfNhcxvHbLh5a-rHcrWQ/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcrypjF9tXyZFRh2djRLiP52nMY4GL_6_IBgwMWvAmr6IqU1qhz3BvjFAe9RjHqqXCbdCXVDkVnZ3icmtItggwdkDBhMGMVstJFAqrWQa-GBGAA_7TpB-6AWqfNhcxvHbLh5a-rHcrWQ/s400/IMG_1720.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backstitch on the back</td></tr>
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I am using machine quilting for the main motifs and filling in with hand quilting on the 'scissors' in the hearts as its in the Welsh style. <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/jacquieharveyquilts/" target="_blank">Jacqui Harvey</a> does a video on how to do it on her website, and she is one of the very best hand quilters in the UK. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-1Ztfm8vly4uQBpOpvOgMHSBu8uW-d8-Lydkg54CTZS7pFkSXaSfXLFmAfqLYcOxs0NJIIQKXAPUnT9XCgef6n7jWdXViaTLKzt6-X9lZAYaHsaXBckIK7Mi1oAQlSsHIEVnuuWlkeI/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-1Ztfm8vly4uQBpOpvOgMHSBu8uW-d8-Lydkg54CTZS7pFkSXaSfXLFmAfqLYcOxs0NJIIQKXAPUnT9XCgef6n7jWdXViaTLKzt6-X9lZAYaHsaXBckIK7Mi1oAQlSsHIEVnuuWlkeI/s400/IMG_1719.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its going to be double sided</td></tr>
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I am going to finish all of the hearts and then fill in the leaf shapes with hand quilting too but probably just ordinary quilt stitch not backstitch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9KE1lWtTyCzd9p90L8iR6XflaHxdauaazLi1gy64saCcLZQ0c-knt9MIZQ-M4i41RICwxhMYkiyY8CjTEJQmmAWEajctcdnmN9MDwJuySpI3rdVDNFOhYoitIMlerO2Ms9RXyIqJK2s/s1600/IMG_1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9KE1lWtTyCzd9p90L8iR6XflaHxdauaazLi1gy64saCcLZQ0c-knt9MIZQ-M4i41RICwxhMYkiyY8CjTEJQmmAWEajctcdnmN9MDwJuySpI3rdVDNFOhYoitIMlerO2Ms9RXyIqJK2s/s400/IMG_1725.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of backstitch is bolder</td></tr>
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The patchwork side is showing up the bold reverse effect of doing the backstitch from the back of the quilt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4seNhgoEmyXdI3S-wQxkDUbL6hwNhPQlrUsB-xeuMmEW3kpYHWgUS2aqG36fXpW-wmiAgqS1zFdl7AHMNJEG-HvK3ok7wKkMA5JiXX9lZ8zNPpD_zogRzIlM9SoT6QhggTfN3e5K8XmA/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4seNhgoEmyXdI3S-wQxkDUbL6hwNhPQlrUsB-xeuMmEW3kpYHWgUS2aqG36fXpW-wmiAgqS1zFdl7AHMNJEG-HvK3ok7wKkMA5JiXX9lZ8zNPpD_zogRzIlM9SoT6QhggTfN3e5K8XmA/s400/IMG_1727.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herdwick sheep in hiding?</td></tr>
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We walked our Border Terrier Bella down by the lake today and this sheep was so relaxed about hiding in the grass . In the background you can see the steeple of St. John's church and also the local hills.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3857CgN1MmbOesclERYPWZHL5K9WV_6H0pzLGkcSwWP7TENdLW5IlJFLJ_SaFp20oGrDCFEx8oiEJnGt67ngLeLt7SOKTzXCoOpPoaBnBQZJcRnMmZclCC9qJlft9FG5byFVoawTbfo/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3857CgN1MmbOesclERYPWZHL5K9WV_6H0pzLGkcSwWP7TENdLW5IlJFLJ_SaFp20oGrDCFEx8oiEJnGt67ngLeLt7SOKTzXCoOpPoaBnBQZJcRnMmZclCC9qJlft9FG5byFVoawTbfo/s400/IMG_1729.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derwentwater this afternoon<br />
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This is the view taken the other way of the lake and Catbells with Derwent Isle in the centre of the lake and the boat landings on the left. I am so lucky to live in this beautiful part of the UK.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-24162479375198988432017-04-16T10:16:00.000+01:002017-04-17T09:40:22.323+01:00Finished and plants added<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Ftevlkmm-jhyphenhyphen8rKzsclXIvzPLyOM1OGp4jNWNIzCKUx0gOaL5iCls5R283MaJkDEmiRQyUek3VeVsBB0Uiy5gnoCcyzDid6fo7-iruWYQiU0QRDSicpxIc6v-RnZ4SpU2YH9fJ_8qs/s1600/cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Ftevlkmm-jhyphenhyphen8rKzsclXIvzPLyOM1OGp4jNWNIzCKUx0gOaL5iCls5R283MaJkDEmiRQyUek3VeVsBB0Uiy5gnoCcyzDid6fo7-iruWYQiU0QRDSicpxIc6v-RnZ4SpU2YH9fJ_8qs/s400/cf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The safety glass is in place</td></tr>
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So this was the scene yesterday before I put some plants inside as the weather in Cumbria over the Easter week is set to be quite cold at night, there could even be a frost for all I know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzoONjCHREU-n-RNxoibVF8mqOb-f2dNWADtEYzHjjFSd6pNuYhaYi4a-c_1zvEF8AM3dzp643pQXz8-xYjle35netzr3766OpVo8rXlOZ7PUrImoA9wpbKD-4dyUHB3GSn3SzeJmRsc/s1600/17883896_1893190614299889_8054768827552195512_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzoONjCHREU-n-RNxoibVF8mqOb-f2dNWADtEYzHjjFSd6pNuYhaYi4a-c_1zvEF8AM3dzp643pQXz8-xYjle35netzr3766OpVo8rXlOZ7PUrImoA9wpbKD-4dyUHB3GSn3SzeJmRsc/s400/17883896_1893190614299889_8054768827552195512_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It must be warm inside as the glass is misting up</td></tr>
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So I added some fuchsias which I bought on a trip to Trefriw last spring.<br />
<a href="https://www.roualeynfuchsias.co.uk/">https://www.roualeynfuchsias.co.uk/</a><br />
Roualeyn Nursery<br />
Trefriw<br />
Conwy<br />
North Wales<br />
LL27 0SX<br />
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They are the best growers of these wonderful plants that I know. My favourite has to be Garden News it just bloomed all summer on the patio outside my new conservatory, superb.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardy Fuchsia 'Garden News'</td></tr>
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Well its pouring with rain today, so I think I will do some more on my quilt.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-6053881828939406622017-04-12T13:34:00.000+01:002017-04-17T09:40:01.297+01:00Progress on my garden again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR1O-hf8o2MIUIBbxs0zgASmMPDu-YpPsru0B7I83bV0tbsGJqQ9s7ing4c3p3TjmY7fpLsgtQ9js_7O-tuG0mWzOxxqxskiFIzUaKKlqDP9UL2MyGkF4TPiFHGZzUEIyNJYBw7qbe6U/s1600/IMG_20170410_153437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR1O-hf8o2MIUIBbxs0zgASmMPDu-YpPsru0B7I83bV0tbsGJqQ9s7ing4c3p3TjmY7fpLsgtQ9js_7O-tuG0mWzOxxqxskiFIzUaKKlqDP9UL2MyGkF4TPiFHGZzUEIyNJYBw7qbe6U/s400/IMG_20170410_153437.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base I made with my trowel</td></tr>
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I carefully made four channels for all of the bricks for the base of my cold frame and now it is ready for some weed inhibitor fabric to be laid on the raked earth. Hopefully it will be easier to keep the weeds at bay once its installed. The safety glass has been ordered for the frame doors and should be here tomorrow but Easter may make that a bit more uncertain. Anyway, the frame will be finished next week and I already have loads of young seedlings waiting to harden off in it from the greenhouse.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-43440648144795173422017-04-11T10:30:00.001+01:002017-04-11T10:31:34.626+01:00Latest project non quilting its gardening insteadI have been quilting at night but during the day, as it is now spring I have been using skills I learned at the age of 17 when I was an archaeological volunteer with 'LEMARGE' or Lower Medway Archaeological Research Group. Yes I have been using my 5" mason's pointing trowel to make small trenches for bricks for my new cold frame foundation. Lots of fun in the garden in the lee of the greenhouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQYSFa0DscI7Ll6BPvsonNGpFzMZlkIV5VSkx_gt8OgVmyZoXWd0qIPMniEyPmgSVKqGKtDN7n0puwvjDY9sTmRyoIVRdbhXW8Wp_MllbUbSpDPzVOdHsTFzSt7za9z0qLekXk_7M_Cs/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQYSFa0DscI7Ll6BPvsonNGpFzMZlkIV5VSkx_gt8OgVmyZoXWd0qIPMniEyPmgSVKqGKtDN7n0puwvjDY9sTmRyoIVRdbhXW8Wp_MllbUbSpDPzVOdHsTFzSt7za9z0qLekXk_7M_Cs/s400/IMG_1627.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the area for the new cold frame</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband is making the cold frame he is brilliant at joinery</td></tr>
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More pictures will be coming once I have this project cracked!Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-48070386046631348622017-03-27T20:50:00.000+01:002017-04-17T09:41:14.808+01:00Birthday carrot cakeI have a friend who was having a special birthday last Friday so I made him my Carrot Cake. I take it that this photo taken by the legendary mountaineer Alan Hinkes of the 'living legend' rock climber Paul Ross means that it was appreciated and not that it was hard to cut ha ha...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFT6xcv6HHaaU3E0yWHgiT4Ex-AfgXPp_Nv54qpbeHEEFJ-4gPT5UAy9M_QGhVhnuw1DYKgNVE8cSdcD_kSpm99ECi6PQai0xPUW960npxpstxQ_QBMGbAVnDpPWIIsHoFNKEl5NuPh0/s1600/C7tbZ7HXQAIUR9f%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFT6xcv6HHaaU3E0yWHgiT4Ex-AfgXPp_Nv54qpbeHEEFJ-4gPT5UAy9M_QGhVhnuw1DYKgNVE8cSdcD_kSpm99ECi6PQai0xPUW960npxpstxQ_QBMGbAVnDpPWIIsHoFNKEl5NuPh0/s320/C7tbZ7HXQAIUR9f%255B1%255D.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul having fun cutting the cake</td></tr>
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To celebrate his special day, Paul climbed Little Chamonix in Borrowdale and he was filmed doing so. I can't wait to see the footage.<br />
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Paul has a very interesting Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010802132311" target="_blank">page</a> where he often posts photos of his adventures and he also gives lectures about his life so too does Alan Hinkes of course as he is the only British mountaineer to have climbed all 14 of the world's mountains over 8,000 metres.<br />
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Anyway, Alan said to me that although the cake was for Paul he thought carrots were strictly for dinner and he preferred chocolate or lemon cake. Was that a big hint I wonder?Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-30994837593536416122017-03-19T11:47:00.000+00:002017-04-17T09:42:56.112+01:00Unpicking<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHQgXYm7avFV_Tgoem8ZcpsENGOsJ-j0vDFZVnYz4qSOkNEXSJHylhMvoBTJmIh3G1An5DFzerbxtW0KQCR5HdujiQr3NBmvgq69VWrtUgs3ODsa1akTljK77e8yrmNo7e0Fbz8vKuHw/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHQgXYm7avFV_Tgoem8ZcpsENGOsJ-j0vDFZVnYz4qSOkNEXSJHylhMvoBTJmIh3G1An5DFzerbxtW0KQCR5HdujiQr3NBmvgq69VWrtUgs3ODsa1akTljK77e8yrmNo7e0Fbz8vKuHw/s400/IMG_1596.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old curtains but with a use?</td></tr>
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Sometimes you just have to admit that your plans won't work. I had hoped to use a backing for the quilt from a piece of fabric I had but after adding the sawtooth border the quilt grew too big.....<br />
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So, as I had a set of cream calico lined curtains no longer used around the place I checked them for length. Do you know that they were about right but only if I unpicked the heading tape arghhh.<br />
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So life gives you opportunities I said to myself and got stuck in, after all it only took 40 minutes on a wet Sunday morning, what would I have done if I had not had the unpicking to do? I might have been gardening in the mud. I don't think so. They are now in the washing machine.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-10566913636444729712017-03-16T22:36:00.001+00:002017-04-17T09:42:04.418+01:00The blocks are joined and the edge addedI have just finished the quilt top by adding a sawtooth border all around the blocks. I have no intention of making it any bigger as this is going to be a 'topper' quilt for when it is cold and we need a bit of extra warmth rather like the old eiderdowns I grew up with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnO9GZVPT3yhE-7D_zvb0vMVl5FcYTtMF7NECQev4YXcNdkZB1QK8B2OPwylcLTUr1u5gp8Jr6167M9EObMbVkbtJszud4EKLUgU1AgDGGNRU5fzW740OnBsVjLz5zH8HnHOirfMFfjE/s1600/IMG_1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnO9GZVPT3yhE-7D_zvb0vMVl5FcYTtMF7NECQev4YXcNdkZB1QK8B2OPwylcLTUr1u5gp8Jr6167M9EObMbVkbtJszud4EKLUgU1AgDGGNRU5fzW740OnBsVjLz5zH8HnHOirfMFfjE/s400/IMG_1592.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It fits on top of the other quilts</td></tr>
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I know it will shrink in when I quilt it and I have a thickish 80/20 cotton/polyester wadding chosen. So the weather is set to rain for the next few days with the storm which hit New York arriving as cold wet rainy and windy conditions. At least it is better than that snow.... The perfect pastime is to quilt when its cold and wet outside. I do anticipate better spring weather soon though as DH mowed the lawn for the first time yesterday and my greenhouse is starting to resemble a tidy haven for plants again, just a little more to do and some seed trays to plant up.<br />
<br />Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-50636629409473734822017-03-13T10:36:00.004+00:002017-03-13T10:47:10.510+00:00A holiday quilt<br />
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We went on holiday to Berwickshire at the end of February for 6 nights and stayed in a lovely cottage called <a href="https://thewatchcottage.wordpress.com/">The Watch Cottage</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKRXPygwotTExByAWjtrWXvM4-iDeCQ1gwLb25rNWsqvxzxk0bTmtPuRCl6PTENxMMXWRB3VWxOPZGe7bMusH736Bj27BCDyieDrHvT-kBsSHuO5_17I9T6pPcsxrLsuB8bCRrKmRniQ/s1600/watch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKRXPygwotTExByAWjtrWXvM4-iDeCQ1gwLb25rNWsqvxzxk0bTmtPuRCl6PTENxMMXWRB3VWxOPZGe7bMusH736Bj27BCDyieDrHvT-kBsSHuO5_17I9T6pPcsxrLsuB8bCRrKmRniQ/s400/watch.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home from home <br />
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As we do not have a television at home (not for the last 16 years) we always ignore these black boxes when they appear in cottages. So we took our usual hobbies, he took his modelling; 0 Gauge Railway engine kit he is making and I took my little portable Brother sewing machine.<br />
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The evenings were spent doing our thing and we both had a good break. I took over the small kitchen table and he had the dining room one with the wonderful view over the sea. Anyway, the resulting blocks are as you see below. It is of course a simple 9 patch as I did not want to try anything complicated on holiday but I think the resulting quilt will be good. I am working on sewing all the blocks together this week. I have left the medallion quilt for the moment but will return to it once this little one is complete.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKDD7XGc2o621j-rmf1mPO6au49Xg3PyJNeRhWM9y9nmrlbYyWQtVM0n1-1JTBbHU3gx_mKMjFi5NPKWIbqMTGk8m4xecwCejTg1HO0HfoV02b0TBE67aaOYwXq4qtZ8AXGejjC5y2lY/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKDD7XGc2o621j-rmf1mPO6au49Xg3PyJNeRhWM9y9nmrlbYyWQtVM0n1-1JTBbHU3gx_mKMjFi5NPKWIbqMTGk8m4xecwCejTg1HO0HfoV02b0TBE67aaOYwXq4qtZ8AXGejjC5y2lY/s400/IMG_1587.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 patch quilt<br />
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By the way the hiking around Berwickshire is great and the coastal paths are special, so too are the interesting rocks on the way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely weather in Berwickshire for early March but very windy.</td></tr>
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We visited the local church at <a href="http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/church.html">Whitekirk</a> and it has an interesting copy of a charter but you will need to brush up your Latin to read it. The interesting thing of course is the signatories who could not write their names so they used crosses shown at the bottom.<br />
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Well I hope you enjoy this little reminder of our holiday and I will be back soon with piccies of the finished 9 patch. If you are 'across the pond' you will find the village of Cove which is where the cottage is to the right of that huge metropolis called Edinburgh, just follow the coastline until you see a village called Cockburnspath which is pronounced Copath and <a href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/cockburnspath/cove/">Cove</a> is on the coast above it.<br />
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<br />Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-68067099742940224842017-03-05T22:39:00.000+00:002017-03-05T22:39:21.365+00:00Bought a new vacuum cleaner a couple of weeks agoI had my old vacuum for so long that it was shoddy and a bit out of date. It was a good one but needed replacing with something better as there is so much choice out there now. I chose a Dyson in the end because I did my research into the various tools it came with. I don't know about you, but buying a vac without plenty of accessories is a waste of time I think. I wanted a machine which gave me plenty of opportunities for getting in nooks and crannies and for reaching up to the picture rail which is in nearly every room in the house and which collects dust badly if left.<br />
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Anyway, I also wanted to try it out on my smaller quilts which hang on the walls in the house. Do you know it was perfect. I kid you not. There is a special tool for dusting flat surfaces and it has a very soft underneath which I used actually on the quilts and it removed all of the small particles of dust without dragging the fabric or distressing it at all. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt based on the ceiling at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria</td></tr>
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This quilt is cream and has extensive machine embroidery and even a few Swarovski crystals attached. It hangs on the wall at the top of the stairs and has been there for about 8 - 10 years, I had brushed it now and then but mostly ignored it... So the top and bottom had dust and also a small amount on the roundels but not anymore. <br />
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The photo shows the tool and I had just used it to remove some dog hair, yes Bella had jumped on the bed and she is quite hairy at the moment because being a Border Terrier she will need stripping in about 4 weeks as she has to be done twice a year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Chain quilt with Dyson tool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 'Sizergh' stags after cleaning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji Autumn had a clean too</td></tr>
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So I had a go at Fuji which I used to keep in the bedroom and now and then passed a clothes brush softly over. I am pleased to say that I now know I can trust this tool to keep my quilts which I don't wash as they are wall hangings clean.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-25802377280843046982017-02-10T13:07:00.001+00:002017-02-10T13:07:19.535+00:00New quilt underway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Medallion Quilt<br />
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I am busy trying out different effects with fabrics which I hope will make an interesting antique looking medallion quilt. I have made quilts with a central theme before but they were for the Linus Project and were donated by me to that charity. So this one is for me and I want to try and quilt it in the Welsh style and that seemed to support the idea of a central motif. Of course I mean to machine quilt it, but I don't see why it should not still look Welsh.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-58296538239610310432017-01-22T23:00:00.002+00:002017-01-22T23:01:18.118+00:00Night OwlsI managed to photograph the new quilt in my conservatory as it is so large. I had my DH helping me with holding it up one end on a chair... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used some Japanese owl fabric in the small sashing squares and elsewhere hence the name.</td></tr>
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So now it is finished I might be able to sit back and enjoy it, as it certainly took a long time to make. It was an idea put forward during a meeting of a quilt group I go to in Penrith about two years ago. So we all bought Lyn Edwards' book on Sampler Quilts version 2 and were supposed to make one block a month. I left it for several months before I realised I had not made a single block and they were on about number seven. So I switched up a gear and made some. It's a mixture of hand and machine piecing which was a challenge at times. Eventually I finished about twelve blocks and then had a look at the block choices remaining and did not like some of them. Luckily I did have a couple of Susan Briscoe books and turned to her Japanese blocks for inspiration. I think they were 9 inch and I had to size them up on my HP printer to about 12 inch. Anyway, I chose all appliqué as I preferred those designs and thought I had done enough complicated piecing! So those of you with an eagle eye can see if you can spot which blocks are Susan's. A clue; there are five.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-63141987068773414542017-01-11T22:32:00.000+00:002017-01-11T22:33:15.549+00:00Long time awayWell it has been a long time since I visited this blog, but I had a long long visit from my DD who I had not seen for 5 years and when she left in late May there were holidays and work and somehow the summer went into autumn. Anyhow, I have at last finished the Sampler Quilt which I must have started over two years ago, it took so long to do! At the moment I don't have many good photos of it so I am going to post just the odd one if I can find it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still quilting but on the last pieces<br />
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I moved my sewing table into a small bedroom at the front of the house and I was surprised that everything managed to fit into such a confined space. I actually like it up there because I had to be very selective about what went where and that has made it easy for me to put my hand to anything I need. I bought a new swivel chair too and its also compact but works well in the space.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly finished, just the edges to do.<br />
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I tried it on the spare bed and it looked ok so this was before I finished the edges and removed all of the blue marker lines with cold water. I will need a good day to photograph it and also need to put a hanging sleeve on it too and of course the label which is ready but not sewn on yet. Hopefully I will post again later this week.<br />
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-65730828466252568922015-12-13T23:08:00.000+00:002015-12-13T23:09:11.340+00:00At last the blocks are doneI started a sampler quilt with Cumbria Patchworkers some time in 2014 as they wanted to do a block a month. This was challenging and not my usual way of working on a quilt which I prefer to start and finish.... However, I did persevere and now might be able to work it to a finish. This has been a long haul for me as I prefer to work much faster and by machine not including a lot of hand piecing and foundation piecing too. I am not complaining as I have learnt a lot but I also know some areas of quilting are not interesting enough to grab my attention for long. So making a pineapple with fp looked like a no no way back in the autumn of 2014, however I did it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first block which sat around for months before it had the border added and the papers removed.</td></tr>
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-46098144117503998212015-08-17T23:08:00.000+01:002015-08-17T23:08:37.394+01:00A busy week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a week for concentrating on the many jobs I needed to do, sorting out the Banks, doing a bit in the garden and helping DH as we have finally been able to contemplate retirement from our business. So lots happening. My desk shot was an attempt to convey calm at the beginning of the week and this little lad is called Bailey and he is made of mohair, and is so cute. Not as cute as Bella our real Border Terrier but she can't sit on my desk ... I love my mug too but I had two, one had a wee field mouse on it and I broke it a couple of months ago, dropped it in the greenhouse and that floor is paving slabs, you can guess the rest.<br />
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Now this is something I am really proud of. I Grew this little beauty from a cutting last summer and this bloom is simply huge. Those petals at the bottom are about as big as they can get. I think I will need to reach for the tape measure tomorrow and just see how big they really are. I know this one is a Niger variety because the stems (which you can't see in the photo are black). I looked it up on Google and was not sure how it would turn out, blue or pink or in between? But as you see it is stunningly pink and I am so pleased because that is what I wanted.<br />
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The book I ordered (Diane Gaudynski's classic 'Guide to Machine Quilting') arrived sooner than I expected and it was in mint condition which surprised me because it came from ABE books. I only paid £13.13p for the book and delivery so I was very pleased. Also it is not dated at all despite being in it's 9th reprint. It explains everything I have needed to know and not had answers to for the last ten years. Why I did not buy it before I cannot imagine because I have had so many light bulbs moments since it arrived on Saturday. Anyway, I thought best start immediately and put these tips and ideas into motion so I prepared some samples to quilt and away I went. Below you see the results, this may not look much, but believe me I am improving. The second photo gives you a better idea of the scale, and yes the fabric is custard yellow, and not a trick of the electric lights. I am only about half way through the book so I must keep reading and practising.<br />
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<br />Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-47957412923607517982015-08-08T09:24:00.001+01:002015-08-08T09:30:44.029+01:00Festival of Quilts 2015 - In The SpotlightI have a quilt in the exhibition called 'In The Spotlight' which is a small gallery showing up and coming quilters at the show and it is not part of the competitions so it is not judged at all. Trouble is that not all the quilters are up and coming, some are well known and it is stretching the term a bit.... I will say no more.<br />
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Anyway, this is the first time I have ever had a quilt put up at a major show and so I thought I would post a photo of it. This is the one I took at home because the show organisers have put a spotlight shining onto the middle of the quilt and I think it is too bright so the photo of it I took at the show is not as good as this one I took in my spare bedroom at home. The theme we were given was "Adventures in Wonderland" to celebrate 150 years of the Alice in Wonderland book by Lewis Carroll. I liked the rabbit because of its heart heraldry. I think if you look closely you will see I have tried to inject some humour into the theme. I am pleased with the quilt but think I should have quilted the background, so I ordered Diane Gaudynski's book called 'Guide to Machine Quilting' just now because I think it will inspire me. When I receive the quilt back I may have another fiddle with it. After all, I am an up and coming quilter and I am still learning.<br />
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-55508780604519725952015-01-01T19:17:00.000+00:002015-01-01T19:17:25.364+00:00Happy New Year I have had no inclination to blog since early summer for various reasons but want to get back into the swing again now with a new start. So I will be posting very soon but meanwhile here is a curiosity on my bookcase in my sewing room which has moved since we extended the house, so I now have the front room with much better light for my sewing machine in a bay window.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gift of ceramic thimbles from a friend and a curious reel of thread<br />
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-468337146229606582014-06-10T12:38:00.002+01:002014-06-10T12:38:39.798+01:00Re covered a favourite Ercol armchair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi All,<br />
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I have been doing a few jobs around the place as the builder has stalled with finishing off. Why is it so difficult for builders to manage several jobs? Anyway, he has left us with holes in walls and rough brickwork for about 4 weeks now and not shown any signs of coming back to plaster etc. So I have been coping with a house which is semi disrupted by every spare room being piled with stuff from the two rooms affected....<br />
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The sewing is still going on though as that is one way of coping with the frustration. I fancied doing a patchwork job on this chair to match one I recently bought which is deliberately 'jazzy' so this is my take on the latest trend.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-35606599803308142512014-05-09T12:55:00.002+01:002014-05-09T12:57:30.867+01:00Why I have not been blogging of late<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6OvdVjZbf9Pc4Idg7G_lEWIJITyZmRgWSor5Wmzmu90LCh9ktj1fm-Kro8zAUVRozZWl5mcNGktnOrCZRvgyBpnr7rFptIrkgjz6CpM9G73g2t77rWg60B86dpsR69AucCqLcQwWERo/s1600/may+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6OvdVjZbf9Pc4Idg7G_lEWIJITyZmRgWSor5Wmzmu90LCh9ktj1fm-Kro8zAUVRozZWl5mcNGktnOrCZRvgyBpnr7rFptIrkgjz6CpM9G73g2t77rWg60B86dpsR69AucCqLcQwWERo/s1600/may+003.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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We decided to extend the house and the top picture shows how radical the opening was to the new area. The second photo shows the new glass conservatory after the fitters left but there is still much for the builder to finish and he is working on several projects at once so we have to wait for him.<br />
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After he finishes off all the plastering DH needs to fix the floors and put in under floor heating and tiles. Then we will need to decorate the conservatory, kitchen and my lounge. So it looks like a busy summer and not much time for blogging about sewing I am afraid, however, I do have a project which I am in the middle of, so it might surface sometime!Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-76845197080817756252014-03-26T22:58:00.001+00:002014-03-26T23:26:33.822+00:00Windermere Deanery Mothers' Union quilted banner projectIt has been a long time since I attended to this blog but I have been involved in a lovely project which took over my spare time for a while. I want to show you how the project progressed in this posting but first let me explain what it was. If you do not live in Cumbria you may not have heard of one of our treasures, it is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartmel_Priory">Cartmel Priory</a>. A beautiful place which I have visited in the past on my frequent cycle rides when I used to live in <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/levens-village/">Levens</a> where it was a superb afternoon ride there and back to my house.<br />
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Anyway, I was asked if I would make a new quilted banner to be hung in Cartmel Priory but which would be used at the various churches in the Windermere Deanery Mothers' Union. The design had already been sketched out by the time I was asked to become involved. So it was just a simple matter then to make the quilt, or was it?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original sketch showing the Saints heraldry of the churches</td></tr>
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I must admit when I saw the complexity of the design my first reaction was how on earth was I to do the heraldry? Well came the answer from my brain, how about machine embroidery? Of course that is what I do best, so it was easy then......So what about all that lettering in such a confined space? Hmm, I pondered it and realised that my desktop publishing skills would be needed there and if I could design the letters on paper then they could be tried and tested before being made out of fabric. So it was beginning to form in my head, but what about the Langdale Pikes and Windermere? Easy peasy said my brain.<br />
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So here is the design process.<br />
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Firstly I spent a lot of time studying images of the Langdale Pikes whenever I felt I needed inspiration. This is from an old postcard and gives a good idea of what I was looking for. Clear shapes had to be used for the Pikes to be recognisable. I knew that I would not be able to put in too much detail but I also wanted to make the outline of the hills very sharp against the sky. I also started 'sky watching' anyone out walking with me would have been amused as I looked up at all the combinations of sky I could. I asked my arty friend and the reply was 'don't attempt to do clouds', but I had to do something I thought, so one day I laid out my Egyptian cotton and carefully set to work with my silk paints. I was quite pleased with the result and decided to start on the lettering, and then I played with the various fonts until I found one which worked.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mkEMVlgfCQOCOXRHeSGUWrYpyBURS8I6Sl6IB30xNtF87hL7Z7bVTHpdiKH4NmQkhoeMg6s0NKJrbFHaSyD8EVTMkuuQon8_YQhb5RTsW4nes2XEroXfGF3UKH0rmBqSojr9rzP9dS0/s1600/febphone+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mkEMVlgfCQOCOXRHeSGUWrYpyBURS8I6Sl6IB30xNtF87hL7Z7bVTHpdiKH4NmQkhoeMg6s0NKJrbFHaSyD8EVTMkuuQon8_YQhb5RTsW4nes2XEroXfGF3UKH0rmBqSojr9rzP9dS0/s1600/febphone+040.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spindly lettering did not work but the top font had potential</td></tr>
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I also decided that I would need to break the quilt up into chunks to make it easier to design and then sew it together at the end, this meant I could isolate problems and work them to a satisfactory finish before attempting the next stage, a useful tactic which saved me from becoming distracted. But I did work on some pieces at the same time so as I was designing the sky and lettering I was also starting on the heraldry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNee2n9CotVXTAPF2zYGiAjd7Rokkw_5TIOXWJtBpD5SG22793az2yH0Z4J1DO5gHHJfU6rOAhQeqh_cyNJDAuTTZEsmNFk2p86c2gp_7cddWNB-on1ecdvjPsYJOWeJf8Sx7K32XkSs/s1600/cartmel+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNee2n9CotVXTAPF2zYGiAjd7Rokkw_5TIOXWJtBpD5SG22793az2yH0Z4J1DO5gHHJfU6rOAhQeqh_cyNJDAuTTZEsmNFk2p86c2gp_7cddWNB-on1ecdvjPsYJOWeJf8Sx7K32XkSs/s1600/cartmel+002.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper and card mock ups of some of the Saint's heraldry and the MU logo</td></tr>
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I designed some of these on my computer and used a drawing from my DH of a medieval sword. I also researched St. Cuthbert's coat of arms. I had seen his pectoral cross at Durham Cathedral when I went to see the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in the summer of 2013.<br />
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I also spent time looking at banners as used by the Mothers' Union because I wanted to see how they were constructed and took a few photos of banners in Churches I visited. This all helped to keep the project current in my brain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndkoK36FfwbGe1OLZtLfKf1ng2qjOiqHsS07OCGoJXWG49s-PuC09QPIHsbUglJZgK5_XFl-1D5nO9kQQqiPewTh46tMVOloS1-Yn-HUcteoVOl1vBojft9mZhsMN1_TObjulEziOnvw/s1600/cartmel+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndkoK36FfwbGe1OLZtLfKf1ng2qjOiqHsS07OCGoJXWG49s-PuC09QPIHsbUglJZgK5_XFl-1D5nO9kQQqiPewTh46tMVOloS1-Yn-HUcteoVOl1vBojft9mZhsMN1_TObjulEziOnvw/s1600/cartmel+014.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carefully lining up the letters and checking the spacing.</td></tr>
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The banner was starting to grow. So I decided on the main grey fabric for the lake next and then applied pieces of printed paper scenery and auditioned each piece to see if it would work<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hhh6CTlofgT6nsJPCQkkSjSHdDglaro5h4qJqtcKI4LIyWlrtOe_wy2lelE4kcKIcbusNLGxiK6ydirySEW0Qk0yiFQuFM4V_qbaWCY8c4yRQnSs9-pd6PAbfgSrjL03Lw2oYZ8qjLU/s1600/tinaquilt+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hhh6CTlofgT6nsJPCQkkSjSHdDglaro5h4qJqtcKI4LIyWlrtOe_wy2lelE4kcKIcbusNLGxiK6ydirySEW0Qk0yiFQuFM4V_qbaWCY8c4yRQnSs9-pd6PAbfgSrjL03Lw2oYZ8qjLU/s1600/tinaquilt+006.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with cut outs and making decisions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89tDfSt4lDR-0P3TKjF267IlL1W7cKpweKDNRLq_jmSZZNHyFVwlJCl6f5eESVFmtU-weZTAS1rGm_WYWEe8jV2nsLwEiBWo4vf8ge2VwUzvIBOcFAXgrGoFD1m_7galnH-zOD-mFcKA/s1600/tinaquilt+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89tDfSt4lDR-0P3TKjF267IlL1W7cKpweKDNRLq_jmSZZNHyFVwlJCl6f5eESVFmtU-weZTAS1rGm_WYWEe8jV2nsLwEiBWo4vf8ge2VwUzvIBOcFAXgrGoFD1m_7galnH-zOD-mFcKA/s1600/tinaquilt+026.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An island for the lake was essential but what colour to use?</td></tr>
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It was slow going at times but I was enjoying this bit. Popping a tree here and there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rocky escarpment above the lake was given some leafy plants.</td></tr>
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I was not sure what to place along the bottom of the scene so decided to make it look a bit like a rocky ledge with boulders and bits of May flowering plants such as rhododendrons and fox gloves and placed more dark pieces on the lake to make it look like large dark gusts of wind sweeping across the surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oSHCgSME8_7SmJVAcxjRjZmwSjMf1o8EvxUyVCDYxSgCX9bD-ns5mKZ99nL0bfayxzO-y97yBeFcYXBLTTnMei4TTkMykAVluzhvyCkZuDrw-BevCDQpayMscme4ZmvIkG1fdsL5LSE/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oSHCgSME8_7SmJVAcxjRjZmwSjMf1o8EvxUyVCDYxSgCX9bD-ns5mKZ99nL0bfayxzO-y97yBeFcYXBLTTnMei4TTkMykAVluzhvyCkZuDrw-BevCDQpayMscme4ZmvIkG1fdsL5LSE/s1600/006.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly there.</td></tr>
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The bottom of the quilt was filling up now and the shields had all been placed on three inch squares of green fabric which became lighter as they reached the outside edges, a little touch which made them more jewel like. The background fabric for the shields was chosen to match the top of the rocky ledge which had become important to the design. All of the shields had been embroidered too and they really worked well together. From the left, St. Mary, the single lily; St. Michael, the cross; St. James, the shells of pilgrimage; St. Paul, the sword and book; MU logo; Holy Trinity, three fishes; St. Cuthbert, his pectoral cross; St. John the Baptist, Maltese cross; and lastly, St. Anne, the lilies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scenery design waiting to be embroidered.</td></tr>
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Next the exciting bit; I turned on my trusty Bernina, oiled and cleaned her, dropped the feed dogs, and did a trial on my little embroidery frame to check the tension; all good. I had now to really concentrate and did the sewing in small chunks of about two hours each. Anymore, and I risked making a costly mistake because tired eyes are no good when you need to be precise. No photos were taken as the sewing progressed because I was so engrossed and distractions were the last thing I wanted, no this was full on sewing.<br />
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But it was worth it I think.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4U21emAn0IZAlHp8vjGBOG3PNX2JbpoRsBYRf3AJoopa1zdgoEmiXVWUNAzAdE8SrAOAnGlX0g1L2Urv3-eUQT9J5QKYgCJ2hBPXbTn8qwveCD-SqsIvudQbTlxq5lkjk3ncVys8KgU/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4U21emAn0IZAlHp8vjGBOG3PNX2JbpoRsBYRf3AJoopa1zdgoEmiXVWUNAzAdE8SrAOAnGlX0g1L2Urv3-eUQT9J5QKYgCJ2hBPXbTn8qwveCD-SqsIvudQbTlxq5lkjk3ncVys8KgU/s1600/013.JPG" height="322" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a windy day over the Langdale Pikes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXdyEMh4X6YT_lOpzseO_ohZZpp4rXotPcxUkg4o9UbmQ90DXpRKt_m9gQhg9gaoAHFr23bzlfh9OoBPv9uoYTKNaQighdY004-eN-Eu_whgMZvnq1iLd6fjztTPn7AobHTOt4v1fWIc/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXdyEMh4X6YT_lOpzseO_ohZZpp4rXotPcxUkg4o9UbmQ90DXpRKt_m9gQhg9gaoAHFr23bzlfh9OoBPv9uoYTKNaQighdY004-eN-Eu_whgMZvnq1iLd6fjztTPn7AobHTOt4v1fWIc/s1600/012.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark patches moved across the surface of Windermere.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvttZ5p_0VPkYfsH9eAMI2vjYDA0KPhjp-1pvx9XY9fz0c0p_kXFzvCAEO-wt-wK7rGU_PwlCbmDWVwuP32jzQiAcvlnonCsLg5Pf9ZxTIQg9m2dL1OM0A3qZtm_B4oRKd5d9FcCjoN7E/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvttZ5p_0VPkYfsH9eAMI2vjYDA0KPhjp-1pvx9XY9fz0c0p_kXFzvCAEO-wt-wK7rGU_PwlCbmDWVwuP32jzQiAcvlnonCsLg5Pf9ZxTIQg9m2dL1OM0A3qZtm_B4oRKd5d9FcCjoN7E/s1600/011.JPG" height="400" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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I signed the quilt off on the back with a feeling of relief and sorrow because it was over.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEPTdZ2lb4ougVTpkXE-5MsypkGu6KLjMxivlIUXG4VJS5iunF0Zv3-FPGDVZuiY_TZzQf0bYskyD4DBFp-URx_DJvuaE3HPFjdIiBrQKbEZbpkhBuf2Bm7kI9mzYRCbOrzl45PwG9yU/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEPTdZ2lb4ougVTpkXE-5MsypkGu6KLjMxivlIUXG4VJS5iunF0Zv3-FPGDVZuiY_TZzQf0bYskyD4DBFp-URx_DJvuaE3HPFjdIiBrQKbEZbpkhBuf2Bm7kI9mzYRCbOrzl45PwG9yU/s1600/058.JPG" height="400" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The date and maker label and the MU Logo on the back.</td></tr>
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I liked the calm simplicity of the back of the quilt which contrasted with the front.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJLQwMjD-Hufqlm1wC_d21ub_lbEc60yuDQAtZUklnBBOu05Xmar8oo4IX0uuOzg4nTsStig1ZUVCD744O-TFG_qeXIoujQuLgZhiPHvjpLHQnZ6i2Y4eT-8_kMTaIt1Ltwl7MGOx4WQ/s1600/ban6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJLQwMjD-Hufqlm1wC_d21ub_lbEc60yuDQAtZUklnBBOu05Xmar8oo4IX0uuOzg4nTsStig1ZUVCD744O-TFG_qeXIoujQuLgZhiPHvjpLHQnZ6i2Y4eT-8_kMTaIt1Ltwl7MGOx4WQ/s1600/ban6.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple, bold set of tabs and no frills border worked well.</td></tr>
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There comes a time when you have to part with something you have made and give it to the owners and I felt quite attached to it really. But I did go to the dedication ceremony on Tuesday (Lady Day) and we had a lovely time at St. John the Baptist's Church, Flookburgh with a lovely service followed by a superb afternoon tea. So thank you, and well done ladies and special thanks to Gail Swanson for giving me the commission and the lunch too! I hope you enjoy the banner for years to come.<br />
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Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-90576083930134058442014-02-09T10:33:00.001+00:002014-02-09T10:39:02.225+00:00Plans for my garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8ftOeEIoeRrmWt1ut3LKiYYMOjfICSzpQ6pbD1uokH8IE02gVc5hsFotneOXC1H72NP8Ap0BKZkzzMUOgdctwmBEOw4ikJDo7zE6J5_fom1yfwL0TdoM9Qm-ezF0ZC8DkC8exUV7E5k/s1600/337_20111204T095440_0_jpg_1024x1024_q85%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8ftOeEIoeRrmWt1ut3LKiYYMOjfICSzpQ6pbD1uokH8IE02gVc5hsFotneOXC1H72NP8Ap0BKZkzzMUOgdctwmBEOw4ikJDo7zE6J5_fom1yfwL0TdoM9Qm-ezF0ZC8DkC8exUV7E5k/s1600/337_20111204T095440_0_jpg_1024x1024_q85%5B1%5D.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found this the other day and thought what an awesome garden. I have been growing hydrangeas in my garden for a few years and decided to take some cuttings last summer. Five of them took from the six I made. Two then decided to produce flower buds in October, so I brought them into the house in early December and both have flowered and are still doing so, how long for I don't know. This made me think that it might be a good idea to try and do this each year and plant out the results, then I found this photo and could not believe how lovely they looked massed into a border.<br />
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Here is the first cutting, still blooming away after several weeks.<br />
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It has frilly edges to the petals and I don't know if the colours are anything like the original plant because I forgot to label them as I half expected my 'experiment' not to work.<br />
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This is the other one. At least it would be if blogger was not playing up and won't load it. Ok I will post this anyway and maybe later do an edit and try again...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVb9wVDXgkRhDEMaOeZCfb3FPMinjKvrWWmM5vPJcVRI0yGBmLXNFBXGxNw2pMGZQOgVJtHNjoxh9TkxoHfrsNI95TojfU5SaRHlYDEBQt9RNMtg8hqNJfOENd4UerDK73GRQ9Ugy9u8/s1600/febphone+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVb9wVDXgkRhDEMaOeZCfb3FPMinjKvrWWmM5vPJcVRI0yGBmLXNFBXGxNw2pMGZQOgVJtHNjoxh9TkxoHfrsNI95TojfU5SaRHlYDEBQt9RNMtg8hqNJfOENd4UerDK73GRQ9Ugy9u8/s1600/febphone+029.JPG" height="305" width="320" /></a></div>
Yep, if at first you don't succeed.......Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-60327994192713140602014-01-06T22:20:00.000+00:002014-01-06T22:21:05.128+00:00Japanese Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoXBobGU1J9o63QjWxRyuPvO3b90eliq5ltuAsdVyE5sSjwUuT-m02lkTHcyO5S2qLSQgFfphk6Y8o2hFKXNMwgLHvcbFiJe0NgXznaxuPApfE8iU4nFD60Bvv7IOlqw9UlwvAdw43vE/s1600/ist+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoXBobGU1J9o63QjWxRyuPvO3b90eliq5ltuAsdVyE5sSjwUuT-m02lkTHcyO5S2qLSQgFfphk6Y8o2hFKXNMwgLHvcbFiJe0NgXznaxuPApfE8iU4nFD60Bvv7IOlqw9UlwvAdw43vE/s1600/ist+009.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
I made this box just before Christmas at an Embroiderers' Guild meeting but was not happy with the flat lid so changed it when I arrived home and made it more dome shaped with some wadding for padding. I also added the antique key and made the silk ribbon by zig zagging the raw silk on my Bernina with a fine stitch. Afterwards I was really pleased with the result. The idea for the key came from having a browse on the Internet to see what other ideas folks had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TanVl-YGR6ZbR1UXeVhomONbXmIuQUyJc7A2TOZnQyl6f-E_hrQdnwHDOZ_1xm9Zq-UmLiYRbNd_hVd-UYc7BXXytmsS4W0XkxwoQvC5FM6R19IjFJrW_kOJLwKKL-FAjaAIr3dsXFc/s1600/ist+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TanVl-YGR6ZbR1UXeVhomONbXmIuQUyJc7A2TOZnQyl6f-E_hrQdnwHDOZ_1xm9Zq-UmLiYRbNd_hVd-UYc7BXXytmsS4W0XkxwoQvC5FM6R19IjFJrW_kOJLwKKL-FAjaAIr3dsXFc/s1600/ist+012.JPG" height="400" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A box made from Japanese inspired fabric</td></tr>
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I put some surprise presents inside and packed it for the trip to the USA but could not include photos of it before because it was a present for my DD. I watched her open it on Skype on Christmas Day and it was a hit.... thanks to Marilyn for the workshop at Keswick EG.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-28228702006730001552013-12-18T22:21:00.001+00:002013-12-18T22:24:11.619+00:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used a small yew tree this year for my decoration as I lent my artificial tree to a friend who needed it more than me. I also gave her the lights and the tinsel because she did not have any. So my good deed done, I had a look around my garden and I had a small yew growing in a pot which I thought might just do the trick and here it is. I had to buy a pretty little bird for the top because the branch was a bit flimsy and there was not much foliage up there, but I am pleased with the effect. The photo was taken on my mobile phone so its not completely clear as I turned off the flash but I rather like the way it has an ethereal quality to it. So there it is a small delicate wonderland inhabited by a very pretty bird.<br />
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I do hope I can come back on this blog next year as I had trouble logging on, I think Blogger is sometimes very difficult and it kept giving me error messages, so I hope to blog again soon but would prefer it to be a bit more hassle free.<br />
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I am now convinced that this next year will be one of innovation and am looking forward to it. Oh and my Redpolls are back! I thought they had forgotten where I lived but no they were just teasing me. So I hope you have a peaceful and prosperous New Year.Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912299820318509857.post-10429977410726689662013-11-20T22:02:00.002+00:002013-11-20T22:02:39.091+00:00Quilt Snuggles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU1AjwG-gF2jrY4K8ctLgg4UG9CwG1sHnyjuRAvKe_ObkqUzv7wpnjaFg-V6qs4CrNuSOikcfpqUYk0tqZK-MBS7udoPdy4QylI6AumFOqJQRyWfcU5U3iUBFFfP0mD0P-gmEcyrmUzc/s1600/BZgiAJ3IgAAYOgL%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU1AjwG-gF2jrY4K8ctLgg4UG9CwG1sHnyjuRAvKe_ObkqUzv7wpnjaFg-V6qs4CrNuSOikcfpqUYk0tqZK-MBS7udoPdy4QylI6AumFOqJQRyWfcU5U3iUBFFfP0mD0P-gmEcyrmUzc/s400/BZgiAJ3IgAAYOgL%5B1%5D.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domestic bliss for some .....</td></tr>
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Well it has turned cold in Cumbria so I suppose it was inevitable that Bella would sneak onto the new quilt on the bed and snuggle in. We have had 3 quilts layered on this week to keep out the cold. I much prefer piling them on to the idea of a duvet and hate having to go away because we always find thick unwieldy duvet's on the beds at hotels. We did find one exception this year though when we were in Wales. Yes, it was a duvet but it was a duck feather one and it was comfy, so there are some which I can tolerate.<br />
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I am busy making things at the moment but some of them can't be shown or the surprise I intend will be spoilt. There is the usual round of sewing parties to attend and most of them require a hand made gift of some sort so it is a busy time for me. I also bought a new computer today because my DH has been so good and patient waiting for a replacement for his very old Dell which he must have had over 8 years now. It is on its last legs and beginning to drive us both mad because it keeps doing stupid things and is so slow........ Anyway, the plan is for me to give him mine which is only a year old and for me to have the new one, that way I can help him to familiarise himself with mine because I know how it is all set up and I can customise it for him whilst we wait for the new one to be built and tested. I now buy computers from a firm where there is an actual man on the end of the phone whom I can speak to and where they are built to order and to specifications I consider to be important i.e. loads of ram. <br />
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Well it seems to me to be a good idea to take him a nice cold beer.....Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557236694461718364noreply@blogger.com0