Sunday 17 August 2014

Precious Little Progress.....

but a little progress is better than none at all.... right?    I'm not convinced.

I do have one finish to show you....   ta da!


 I finished the bedroom stool makeover.    It took umpteen coats of paint to cover that horrible orange pine but I'm pleased with the end result.   And very pleased that I had enough bits of Tilda to cobble together enough fabric to re-cover the seat.  Finally.... a finished project from stash.... yippee for me!

Hang on.... I just spotted another finish in this next photo.....


almost forgot I'd finished the re-vamp of the antique junk shop mirror.   I'm very pleased with that too.   The intention is to fix it to the wall above the dado rail... right next to the plug socket but I have to say I do like it just leaning against the wall like that too.   Decisions...decisions.     At least I have somewhere comfy to sit and dry my hair in the mornings.  

This is my bedroom to decorate as I please.   Yes.... Mac and I sleep in separate rooms!    Don't worry we're not estranged we are just not compatible during the hours of darkness.  It's all a matter of heat..... Mac loves it... I hate it.    Right now he's sleeping under two 13.5 tog duvets and a quilted throw ... in summer!     His tog requirement increases in winter too.   I mean... would you sleep with him?    That's a rhetorical question by the way not an invitation.    I on the other hand am known for sleeping in the buff in sub zero temperatures with the windows open and without a blanket, duvet or throw.   Don't try to visualise that... it'll put you off your tea!   Wonder if any of my decedents were Inuit......

There's this too.....

 
the 4th block of In My Garden all done and dusted.   I haven't started on block 5 yet.... maybe tomorrow.
Not a lot of progress considering I've been AWOL for three weeks.  

Right now I'm sorely tempted to start work on either Sweet William or Stonefields.   I know... I'm totally devoid of common sense.... there is no hope.


They are BIG projects and I'm handicapped in that I've never hand pieced before yesterday when I thought I''d better see if I could do it......


I was all fingers and thumbs when I started but by the time I'd finished the block I was in the groove... stitching a little bit faster.    This is how the back looks....


I haven't a clue whether I've done it right or if this is how it should look (I haven't pressed it).  If you hand piece and have any hints or tips I'd be really glad if you'd share.    Have to say I thoroughly enjoyed stitching it together... felt very connected to quilters of past times and very respectful of them too.  How they worked without electric light beats me.

That's all for sewing stuff I'm afraid.    Everything else I've been up to while I've been missing involved getting very dirty and very stiff and sore.     Gardening of course but also helping Mac put a new roof on one of the outbuildings.    It's a good job there is no one close enough to have seen me up on the roof sweeping it at 6:30 in the morning then slathering on tar for all I was worth in an attempt  to beat the rain clouds looming on the horizon.   I did it!!   Sorry there are no photos to prove it... Mac was tucked up under 27 togs sound asleep and Maisie can't work the camera (no opposable thumbs).

Chris, Sally and I did go on our annual pilgrimage to the Quilt Festival in Birmingham.   We had a great three days away.   Mum came to look after Mac.... Mac thought that he was looking after Mum and in truth it was Maisie that was looking after both of them!   She's got more common sense than the other two put together.
Anyway.... I'll tell you more about that in another post.   No photos I'm afraid... I forgot to take the camera! Duh!!

OK... I'd better go and find something to eat.   I'm on a diet (again).   Is it just me or when you diet can you think of anything other than food?   I've joined an online slimming club this time... no escape from the weekly 'weigh in' now I have to log it on the their web site.    Keep your fingers crossed for me.....

I'm off......  see you again soon.   The weather is breaking here so less opportunity to work outdoors... must finish weeding the drive though... rain or shine... have to lay 20 tons of gravel on it before Winter sets in.  At least the exercise should help the weight loss campaign.... unless I build muscles like Schwarzenegger... then I really could join the circus.

Have a great week everybody.....
Stay safe
Hugs
Josie   xxx