Little Bluebell.....

Bet you think I'm going to show you a picture of a Scottish Bluebell.... well I'm not!

I'm going to point you in the direction of a lovely blog I found today that just happens to be called
Little Bluebell      If you're a  fabric addict like me there's lots of eye candy there.

Not only that Little Bluebell is generously giving away an awesome bunch of fat quarters...... 21 no less!! 

Here's a pic to make you drool.....

One lucky person is going to win this..... it might just be you.... or hopefully me for that matter!

You still have time to check it out... so what are you waiting for......  perhaps this photo of some real little bluebells.......

Sorry...... I couldn't resist it!

Till next time.....

Josie X

Third time lucky!

I was beginning to think I'd never see the day I'd be able to show you this.....
 

My Vignette in Stitches.. Block 1... Version 3 is finally out of the hoop.    At last I can move on...... to blocks 2 & 3.

Speaking of the next two blocks......

Click on the photo and you can see that all of the tracing is done and I'm ready for the next marathon stitch in .... a whole yard of it!   I'm really looking forward to it.  After all... nothing can go wrong with this one... right?

I'm planning a real 'stitch fest' on Friday.  The Royal Wedding is the perfect excuse to spend the day in front of the TV stitching flowers and butterflies.    Looks like it's shaping up to be a dawn till dusk affair so I should get lots done.... fingers crossed. 

A few hexies have been turned into flowers too......

Not exactly a huge bouquet but I have to say paper piecing is hard to do when your nose won't stop running... didn't want to risk over watering the flowers!  I just realised my nose is the only part of me that's been exercising lately.   Note to self..... get off your bum and go dig in the garden!  Now!!

Here's a photo of Licky Lou.... Space Cadet!

She had a steroid shot a couple of weeks ago for her pollen allergies and has been spaced out ever since.   I certainly won't be taking her for any more of those jags.  Poor little thing.... she's really off the planet.  Can't tell up from down and just sits staring into space.    Come to think of it.... we've got a lot in common Licky and me

Till next time.....

Josie  X

An Award and a little bit of rule breaking!

What a big surprise to find I've been 'bestowed' with an award.....



The lovely Sandy at Cookies & Cream Craft   kindly chose to add me to her list of worthy receipients.   I feel most un-worthy I can tell you. 

This is probably the point where I need to make an acceptance speech but as anyone who knows me would beg me not too.... I've decided not to bore you all  this sunny Easter morning. 

Now for the rule breaking bit......

I am going to tell you 7 juicy things you don't know about me.  Heck... you're welcome to my life story if you're foolish brave enough to get me started!  The one thing I'm not going to do is directly nominate anyone for this award myself. 

OK..... before you send for the firing squad let me tell you for why.

I have a lovely ever growing list of blogs I like to read.  I also follow lots of blogs for the same reason.   I could happily nominate every one of them for an award for the pure pleasure they give me every day.  My problem is.... I'm not sure they'd all like to receive one!     So... I've come up with a solution... my personal solution.....

If your blog is mentioned on my blog list or I am a follower of your blog and you'd be happy to accept a Versatile Blogger Award from me I'd be more than happy to 'bestow' one on you.   Just drop me a line or leave a comment and let me know.

Hope you all understand and don't think I'm some old battleaxe with no sense of fun!

Now for the bit you've been waiting for.......  7 things you don't know about me...... in no particular order.....

1.  I am so accident prone it's unreal.  I can trip over a cat hair and break a leg!  The number of times I've 

head butted the garden shed probably has something to do with the way my brain works (or not) too.

2.  I love sniffing cats paws!!   Now before you say 'yuck'  just try it.   My cats paws smell like a woodland floor one day and a musky cow shed the next.   I sniff 'strange' cats paws too whenever I can get away with it. 

3.  I am Mac's fourth wife and he is my third husband.   Does that make us disfunctional or well suited I wonder.    Either way..... we're a good fit (13 years).... for good this time.

4.  I won the local Stickmaking Championship a few years back.  Yes.... I made shepherds crooks and market sticks and won prizes for them.  I don't make sticks any more... I stitch instead and leave the stickmaking to Mac who is fabulous at it and has won more awards than I could ever hope to.

5.  I have an oval scar on my knee.  It's a reminder of the day my dad took the guide wheels off my first ever two wheel bike.  I just had to fall off didn't I. 

6.  I have a scar across the middle of my tongue too from where it was stitched together at the hospital.  I was only five when I bit it in two... honest it's true.   Are you believing 1 now!

7.  I have one eye lower than the other.  One corner of my mouth is lower too (same side as the eye) and one boob closer to the floor than it's partner (again same side as the eye)    Oh well.... Mac describes me as 'Succulent' so it all must work together somehow! 

Ok.... I'd better quilt quit while I'm ahead.    Another thing you should know about me is that I sometimes just don't know when to stop!

I leave you with this

Not an Easter Bunny but an Easter Hare.  He/she wasn't about to frolic in the grass for the camera.  I waited till my foot fell asleep then gave up.

Don't forget my new Award protocol...... if you'd like to join in and spread the fun just let me know.

Happy Easter

Till next time....

Josie X

Pressing that button again!

You know the button I mean.... the PayPal one that says 'pay now'!  

First press bought me a new bag pattern...

Isn't it just gorgeous.  I love buying PDF patterns... no waiting  impatiently for the post man to deliver.  This one's from Clover & Violet's Etsy Store

I've decided that this will be the bag I make for my annual trip to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham in August.  It ticks all the boxes.  Nice big pockets on the outside for a water bottle etc and a huge roomy inside for all those goodies just begging to come home with Mama!

It's a close decision though........

I couldn't resist pressing again for this pattern from them too.  It's equally gorgeous don't ya think.

A bit more browsing... a third press..... and  I had this lovely pillow pattern.



It's another PDF pattern bought from Lindylou2's Etsy Store.     Can you tell I love Etsy.  I love these cushions (I know... I'm old and I'm British) too.  Looking at the photo makes me feel all bright and cheerful.  No mean feat when I've still got the dreaded lurgy.  I've been looking and feeling like a dying duck in a thunderstorm lately.

I have plans to make progress with my stitching/sewing this weekend though.  Hope I'll be back soon with some actual project updates.

In the meantime take a look at these......

Belted Galloway Cattle..... Belties to the local's here.     Spotted them on my way to the shops for essential supplies.... like cold remedy... tissues... sore nose cream! 

The Beltie photo's are for Chookyblue so all I can say is.....

Here's lookin' at you kid!

Till next time..... have a wonderful Easter

Josie X

What a load of scrap.....

Fraser the Postman brought yesterday!

The 2 Moda Scrap Bags I ordered from Hulu arrived and they couldn't have been better if I'd picked them out myself.   The first one......

.... is Moda Martinique.  This one is the jackpot of all scrap bags!  There are 31 strips each 32" long and all 3" wide!    My first thought was to use it for applique in this....

but I'm having second thoughts as I've already collected enough Martinique for this one.  It's Bunny Hill Designs Tiny Town BOM.  Is there any end to what I have hidden away here!

Besides it's such a good scrap bag it deserves to be a project all on it's own.  I'll have to put my thinking cap on.... oh heck.... I haven't made one yet!

The second bag.......

is Moda Bliss.   Some of the strips are quite thin but as I've already earmarked this for more flowers for the Vignette Quilt it's no problem.   I can feel another bout of hexie cutting coming on.

Before I go I want to show you what Heaven on a plate looks like.....

it may look like good old baked beans on toast to you but it's Heaven on Earth to me.   I've had the most stinking cold known to man for the last 5 days.   I've not been eating.... till lunchtime today when I created this delicacy.   I finally got to actually taste food!  Oh Joy!!    I'm not quite sure that I'll enjoy the after effects of so many beans but what the heck..... they were good!

I'll leave you with another hungry girl....

She's a Greater Spotted Woodpecker and yes I'm certain it's a girl not only because  shes pretty but because boys have an orange collar at the back of their neck.  It starts out when they are young as an orange spot on their head that migrates south as they grow up.   Ornitholigy 101 done for today!  

Hope you don't catch my cold from visiting.....

Till next time

Josie  X

Fun on Friday....

stitching fun.... the best sort!

Don't know what it is about Friday Night Sew in that makes it special.... but it is.   It feels different than a regular night stitching.    There is a sort of stitchy vibe in the air.   Makes a gal want to sit cross legged on the floor chanting a mantra while communing with the needlewomen of the world.

I didn't try that one.  Presuming I could actually get my legs to cross untangling them again may have required medical assistance!

So... I settled for a fabric strewn table....

  
preparing some hexies for sewing....

then stitching the evening away from the comfort of my recliner watching back to back episodes of ER.

This is the result.....

If you are not already stitching flowers for the Vignette Hexie Quilt..... why not?    They are so addictive.  I didn't want to go to bed last night I was enjoying making them so much.

So far I'm only using fabrics from stash.  That's my game plan for the whole project.   Hummm.... that might change when the Moda Scrap Bags I ordered get here! 

Thought you might like to see one of our regular visitors who popped by to admire the flowers.....

Honestly... he's so handsome I just can't understand why he doesn't have a girlfriend this spring!   He looked so lonesome when he left.....

Never mind.  All his pals will be back soon.  When maternity/paternity leave is up.   I feed all the birds in the garden that includes Lonesome here and a dozen of his wild Pheasant friends plus the new brood they'll bring by.  

Till next time....
Josie  X

Friday Night Sew In!!

How quickly that came around again.    I'm getting older faster than I thought!!

It's this Friday the 15th so there is still time for you to join in if you feel the urge.  How hard can it be to have the urge to cozy up and stitch for a whole night.   Just click on the button on the sidebar here and add your name to the list.  

I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do on Friday.  I like deciding in advance coz I have days to look forward to it.  Savour it! 

Maybe I'll play with these....

 turn them into more of these....



This arrived yesterday to tempt me....

Reckon I'm keen to try more Paper Piecing.

Maybe more stitching......

I'm really spoilt for choice.  That's the problem.  Give me too many options and I spend more time deciding than sewing!

OK... I'm off now to stitch on my Vignette Block 1.   I'm determined to finish this one.... today if I don't get sidetracked!

Till next time.....

Josie X



Finally.... something to show

I did it!!

I finally finished piecing my Nanny Sharon's Picnic Quilt.  I know I've said it before but I love this quilt with a passion.   It's just so..... happy!!

Alright I know it's only a quilt top not a finished quilt..... but I couldn't resist hanging it on the line to photograph.

All I have to do now is quilt it!   I'm even feeling quietly confident about doing that.  Holy Moley.... I can't believe I just said that!!    Me.... actually looking forward to 'free machine' quilting.   I'm positive this quilt has cast a spell on me! 

And that's not all..........

I finished my Southern Belle bag from Monkey Buttons too....

I really.... really love this bag too.   I still haven't found just the 'right' button for the fastening yet but I'm prepared to wait.   Mac thinks it looks like a really expensive designer bag.  Wow!!  It must be good for him to comment at all.  Actually he's smitten with the picnic quilt too.  Something strange is going on here!

I can't resist showing you more pics....



My sewing frenzy over the past few days had a lot to do with Kitty being here for a visit.   She's the sort of person that needs a turbo boost button on her sewing machine.  That girl is fast!!    She arrived armed with a bag full of projects she wanted to catch up on.   Including this......

It's a Practical Pockets Bag from Button Angel.   Believe me this bag has pockets!!  Inside and out.  If you filled all of them you'd need a fork lift truck to carry it!! 

Camera update...... I got one!!

I 'doubled up' all my Tesco vouchers and got a Fujifilm FinePix HS10..... almost free!   I'm in love with it too.   Had great fun yesterday trying to take 'proper' photos on 'location'.  That's photo speak for snapping shots in the fields around the house!

Look........

Do you think she looks a bit miffed that I'm not getting her best angle?  Who can resist little lambs eh!

And what about this little cutie pie.   It's hard coping with all those legs!

It would have been nicer if this little Chaffinch hadn't got all camera shy and turned her head at the last minute. 

Boy.... I love this camera.  I really do!  I intend to actually read the instruction manual and get to grips with photography.   I fear another hobby has sneaked up on me.

Till next time.......

Josie X

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse.......

my teeth fell out!!

OK...  it wasn't really teeth that fell out it was a dental bridge.  But lets not kid around here... real or manufactured.... missing three front teeth is not a good look for anyone.  Thankfully all is well tonight. The bridge has been cemented back where it belongs.   Sadly it appears I no longer have the potential for a career in Pantomime but that's all to the good I think!

I've been stitching every opportunity I got but unfortunately that didn't amount to much this week.  I have been working on  Vignette.... Block One...Version 3

I swear I stitch as fast as a snail on tranqualizers.  Will I ever catch up? 

Actually when I think of it I've probably stitched three blocks worth of assorted flowers and butterflies so far.  If only I wasn't so anal I could have had this block done ages ago.

I did get caught up in all the excitement over these this week too.....

Mad Mac made me a perspex template so I can fussy cut with ease.    Decided I love hand sewing  these and more to the point I decided I was good at it.  Well you know what they say about Pride......

it comes before you make a total bog up!!     That'll teach me.

I have to confess to having spent too much time this week reading stitchy blogs when I could have been stitching myself.    I really had a whale of a time though.   I've added more lovely inspirational links to my blog list too so it was all worth it. 

Chris spent the day here yesterday.   Of course she couldn't stop laughing at my 'toothless' state.  I might have knocked a few of hers out if she hadn't given me this........

that about sums us up!

She worked like a woman posessed piecing and fusing daisies on her Picnic Quilt.....

Did I mention she's making it with 2 Moda Beach House Charm Packs.   It's looking really lovely.  Wish my photo's were better.

Actually I'm thinking about maybe getting a new camera.  One that will Zoom more than the one I have. One that won't cost me an arm and a leg.  One that will take good photo's without me being involved in any way would be a help too. 

Before you all get to thinking I've come into money..... I got my Tesco (supermarket) bonus points today.  I've saved over £100 in vouchers and now is the time for their Easter Double The Value Deal.  I reckon £200+  will go a long way towards a new camera.  I might even get one for FREE!!    How much can a good camera cost?   Don't tell me..... I might faint!!

I leave you with Bagpuss........

not his most modest pose.... but what does he care.... he's chilling!

Till next time......

Josie  X