Sunday 28 April 2013

Some folks.....

are born to be slow.     I know this because I'm one of them.   No matter how hard I try to beat genetics and work as speedily and efficiently as the others I always end up like this......


reverse stitching!     I prefer to call it constructive deconstruction..... sounds a lot more positive don't you think.

Next day I got up with the larks and got down to business early.....


figured it was best to try to work out how to mitre my borders before my brain got bogged down with more important tasks.... like deciding what to have for breakfast.  

Success!

  
My mitre worked first time and I chose fruit & toast for breakfast.    Just go's to prove I'm a morning person.     Unlike these two.....


The things you see when you haven't got your gun.    Looks like I'm on retreat with a couple of weird cult members..... Mutant Ninja Turtle Quilters! 

Back to my quilt.....


with one more border and three mitred corners to go I got distracted by this.....


Yes!    I have pieced (almost all) of the blocks for another quilt.    Cutting hundreds (seems like) more pieces for this one took quite a while.   So did figuring out whether I could get a quilt designed for fat quarters out of this layer cake.....


 I did it!  Maybe a new career as a mathematician isn't out of the question after all.   Can't promise it'll look as good as the original pattern but I think it's going to look good to me... and that's what counts eh!

Sally finished piecing her second quilt......


she's resting on her laurels in the conservatory.... so smug you could just punch her.   She's done a great job though... can't deny it.   

There were quilts everywhere at one point......


the two on the left both belong to Chris.   She's been a woman on a mission all week.   You wouldn't believe she's started a third!    Somehow I didn't get close up photos..... silly mistake that had nothing to do with jealousy at all (!).  Actually I did get this snap of her trimming the blocks for Grandmas Garden.....


Clever eh!

Did we have a fun time or not!     Sally decided to do some floor exercises to ease a painful shoulder and neck and I thought I'd keep her company.   Chris stopped laughing long enough to snap us both rolling on the rug helpless with laughter.


All because I thought it would be a good idea to try to spring upright from the floor in one fluid movement.  We tried....... it didn't happen!   It doesn't look that difficult when street dancers do it  but then.... they don't have the gravity problems associated with (in my case) a fuller figured physique do they.

Remember I told you about the little cove where 2000 Acres of Sky was filmed.... well I just had to go and take some photos.....


Isn't it gorgeous....


Here's the little hamlet right on the edge of the beach where the main action took place.....


discovered the farmer whose cottage we were renting was actually an extra on the show too.   I really have to buy the DVD box set now don't I. 

Now.... I'm going to leave you with a cautionary tale.

Remember the bout of Norovirus (gastroenteritis) I had a couple of weeks ago?   Well.... it left me with a delicate little problem in the derriere department.    A problem which the girls (my so called friends) christened Henry and talked about constantly..... just to make certain I didn't forget my affliction.    Chris did stop laughing long enough to pick up a tube of salve for me though.   Now for the warning part.......
do not leave hemorrhoid cream next to your toothpaste.............

Hope you are having a great time and sewing up a storm.....
See you soon
Hugs
Josie





24 comments:

Susan said...

Your quilt is looking great. It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you get there in the end. I think Sally is allowed to feel smug, her quilt is gorgeous. And thanks for the warning.

marina said...

what a fantastic post Josie you have started my day off with a giggle for sure!
Love that you named the 'elephant in the room' Henry and no, that isn't a remark about your figure.
You are a crack up!

marina said...

oh, forgot to say well done on your projects and the other girls too.
lovely scenery..

Fiona said...

Lovely projects to all of youi..... but I just laugh and laugh at your stories.... I think you must have all had a wonderful time...
Hugz

Raewyn said...

Fun fun fun Josie. Love seeing all your photos both scenic and otherwise. Seems like a wonderful time was had by all.

Leanne said...

Wow, it sounds like you girls are having a blast. Even I'm laughing and I'm not even there. The quilts are beautiful and that scenery is breath taking.

Michelle said...

Love all the quilts, they look gorgeous the lot of them! Looks like a lot of fun was had! Thanks for the warning! (still laughing!!!)
Michelle

Jeanette said...

Great post Josie. Brought a smile to my face. Looks like you've all been very busy & having fun. Love your quilt. Hugs,xx

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

I love all the quilts, it looks like so much fun!! I am really a slow sewer too!!

Anonymous said...

OMG you are so funny i am still laughing,glad you are feeling better though,have a good daymy friend.xx

Lynda said...

Looks like everyone is very productive and having a great time too. What a beautiful place for a retreat!

Lynda said...

What a fabulous read! Such a great time away you girls have had.

Lynette said...

ohhhhhh no! lolol Well - it couldn't have been worse than the Desitin my cousin left where EVERYONE ELSE in the world leaves their toothpaste when I was babysitting for her. . . ;D

debbie said...

Too funny! thanks for the giggles! The quilts are all very pretty too. xx debbie

Anthea said...

Ah Josie, at least with the a-hem cream next to toothpaste, you may not have any problem with bleeding gums!!!!!!!!!!!

Shirley said...

You girls are hilarious. Next time you go on a retreat I want to be included.Hope your Farmer Giles are on the mend. Hope you didn't rub them down with toothpaste. At least it would leave a minty fragrance. Great stitching by you all.

Tatkis said...

Wow, you've been busy! And it's still sounds like very quick for me :)

Hugs,
Tatyana

Cath said...

What a lovely quilt. It will be worth it to take the extra time to get it right. I loved 2000 Acres of Sky and I should really get the box set too as I never saw the end of it. How marvellous for you to be able to stay there.
Cathxx

Kindred Quilts said...

The pictures in this post are proof that productive days of quilting, along with rolling on the floor while in a fit of laughter definitely go together! Not to mention the scenery!!! Thanks for the many giggles!!!!

Wendy said...

Such a funny post, I can imagine how much laughing goes on when you are all together!! The quilts are looking beautiful, hugs Wendy

Kaye R said...

You really make me laugh. Thank you for starting my day with a Henry for my thoughts. As for your scenery, as an Aussie, I thought places like that in series/ program's were all made up I will have to watch the series again now as the thought that it is a real place will totally change my thought process when watching it. It is ideallic and beautiful and inspires the imagination. And of course the most important thing of all is th sewing. Fantastic achievements - it surprises me that you got any sewing done with all the giggling...........

FloS said...

There is a lot of fun in Scotland !!!
You all done a very good job !! How many quilts in the end ??
Florence

Chookyblue...... said...

lots of fun and antics in a gorgeous location........lucky you got any sewing done I say........

Nicky said...

Oh Josie, you girls look like you had so much fun!! Lovely projects you were all working on too....