Wednesday 16 July 2014

Sew neglected.......

 Thought I'd start off by showing you a photo of a corner of my sewing room that I love


before I show you the 'working' end of the room which hasn't seen much in the way of action this past week.


Before Chris gets in a snit with me I'd better tell you she came over on Monday and she was busy.  Me... I was useless.   My Sloth genes kicked in again on Saturday making it almost impossible to remain conscious for more than two minutes at a time.    At one point I couldn't even form a sentence and according to Chris was talking in a language that made gobbledygook sound intelligent!    Hey ho....

Now.... the more observant of you might have noticed the absence of the very large bag of bark mulch that was blocking the view from the sewing room window.    I moved it......


the entire bag is now spread over the newly weeded fruit bed.   I did get to play with fabric though... weed control fabric.   You just never know when your cutting and fitting skills will come in handy do you.   I finished the job on Saturday morning.... racing the rain!   I worked like a maniac to get the last wheelbarrow of bark laid just seconds before the heavens opened.   I ended up drenched with sweat,  perspiration or glow whatever you care to call it.  Hair sticking to my head and  face the colour of  an over ripe tomato.  Not attractive!

I did make a little progress on In My Garden......


four of the five applique blocks are finished.   Amazing how much can be done in stolen moments here and there.   Loved stitching that little row of plant pots and those bugs are so cute.  Mum thinks I'm nuts!

I cut some fabrics for Economy Blue.   Still having trouble with lights and darks.   There just doesn't seem to be enough contrast in the fabrics I've managed to collect.    Can't get my hands on enough Kaffe light blues. Maybe I'll get lucky and find some at the Quilt Festival in Birmingham...  ....

 

Then is was back to the land... again.      This photo might not look like much to you but believe me a lot of hard work went into clearing this piece of ground.   The picture doesn't show the real gradient of the slope to the right either.  

My first death defying feat was to lop as many of the lower branches off the three pine trees as I could.   A job which at one stage involved me hanging onto a branch stump with one hand... one foot on the slope the other leg wrapped around the trunk and my spare arm/hand wielding a saw trying to persuade the thickest of the branches to part company with the trunk.   All this without the aid of a harness or safety net.......   first person to call me stupid gets a black eye!  :o)


This steep hill (this is just the top.... it's a long way down to the bottom)  is at the back of the garden and leads down to the 'Secret Garden' which needs some serious clearing out to make it accessible again.  There are some concrete steps but I need to clear them before they are safe to use.   This is a job that's going to take a while.......

Now... bet you can't guess what this is a photo of....


it's a shot looking down into a drainage channel that runs round two sides of Mac's workshop.  It's about 14 inches wide and four and a half feet deep.   I'm showing you this because Mac fell into it last Tuesday.   That's why there's a bit of broken wood and some torn mesh (it keeps out leaves).   This goes to  prove that
there are downsides to being slim.... I'd never have managed to fall in there!

Still.... we did get to spend a 'night' out together courtesy of his nose dive.... in the A& E department of the regional hospital.   Mac injured a knee and foot (same leg) in the fall.   He was hoping for a plaster cast or at least some strapping and a brace but the X-rays showed no broken bones at all.   He left disgruntled at midnight with a bad sprain and some paracetamol!

The was a touch of Deja Vue about the evening.   When Mac asked me out on a first date he suggested we go out for a meal.   Lovely.   Well....imagine how stupid I felt dolled up to the nines eating fish and chips in a hospital canteen.   As a policeman he assured me his knowledge of  gourmet hospital eateries was beyond compare.    I should have known then ......

OK... today I put the first paint undercoat on this.....


the mirror I bought for £20 in the antique junk shop last year.    I've removed the mirror... it's on the floor... just in case you are thinking there is something strange about the photo.

I'm also stitching happily on this.....


I know it looks lop sided but trust me... it's all part of the plan.

Before I go I wanted to remind you that this Friday is FNSI..... amazing how quickly these sew in's come around isn't it.    You know what I'm going to say next don't you...... SIGN UP... it's fun!    What's not to like about a totally self indulgent evening doing what makes you happy.   I'm assuming that will be something to do with fabric or yarn....... if not... keep it to yourself! ;o)


Look for this button on my side bar.... click on it... then sign up.   Easy!  

OK... I'm going.   I've just taken a roast chicken out of the oven and Maisie is going bonkers trying to get her paws on it.    Better rescue dinner before she succeeds...

Have fun.... see you at the weekend
Hugs
Josie
xxx

20 comments:

Jeanette said...

Good Morning Josie. Loved your blog post this morning. Had to smile at the hospital cafe for a date. :) Hugs,xx

Fiona said...

Oh my... you have my commiserations moving mulch... we did a lot this weekend and more to go... glad Mac is ok but how come you didn't get a picture of him stuck in there for us all to see?????
Hugz

Susan said...

Never a dull moment! Both your gardens are looking good.....real and fabric. I'm glad Mac was ok and that you were able to rescue him.

Helen said...

The gardens are looking beautiful as are your stitching projects. Good to hear That you were able to rescue Mac.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Moving mulch...not a job for whimps. Your stolen moments have produced some sweet stitching. Poor Mac! Glad no real damage done. Bruised pride is very painful though.

kiwikid said...

Loved your post - hope Mac has recovered from his injuries. Your stitching is looking great - gardening is great but hard work isn't it! I can understand the mulch moving - great when it is done but bloody hard work!! Hope you saved the roast chicken!

Bev C said...

Hello Josie,

Glad to hear that Mac is OK nothing like a evening in the local hospital. Love that corner of your sewing room,especially the rose clock. The garden is looking lovely, that mulch will work a treat.

Happy days.
Bev.

Anonymous said...

lol love your post Josie you always bring a smile to my face,glad hubby isnt too injured and your garden is coming along nicely,enjoy your roast my friend and your evening.xx

margaret said...

seems to me you have done quite a bit of stitching and the garden is looking lovely. Sorry to read about Mac`s tumble, good he managed to get out with out the help of the fire brigade! I too am going to the FOQ next month, there for 3 days you should find the Kaffe fabric on the cotton patch stand, they usually sell his fabric.

margaret said...

seems to me you have done quite a bit of stitching and the garden is looking lovely. Sorry to read about Mac`s tumble, good he managed to get out with out the help of the fire brigade! I too am going to the FOQ next month, there for 3 days you should find the Kaffe fabric on the cotton patch stand, they usually sell his fabric.

marina said...

lots of work done in both of your gardens, fabric and outdoor!
how romantic of Mac to arrange such a nostalgic night out for the two of you? Did you at least get a cup of tea and a biscuit at the hospital?
He must be the last of the romantics.
Hope he is recovering well with you diligently nursing him back to health.
I am having visions of you doing your acrobatics from that pine tree. lol I'd pay to see that. Were you entertaining the squirrels?

gracie said...

Here it is 1:30 AM and I am not happy to be awake but your post made it worth the time that finds me blog hopping! Thank you for such a fun post.

Janice said...

You've made me tired just reading everything that you have been up to. I'm glad Mac wasn't badly hurt in his tumble. You won't be needing to go to any gym after your gardening escapades - weight shovelling and gymnastics all for free. When we put some weed mat down earlier this year we didn't have quite enough, so some cheap interfacing was used for the last bit. Worked a treat. Keep on stitching. You are making great progress.

Rebecca in AK said...

You have a delightful sewing area. Your garden and yard are looking wonderful, but SO much work to make it look that way!!! I sure hope Mac is healing up and that nothing was broken. I am glad it wasn't you after your antics with the tree limbs!! What an unforgettable first date!

Raewyn said...

I love your special little corner in your sewing room, and you have a lovely view out your window there. Sorry to hear about Mac's mishap, lucky though (even if he doesn't think so) there was no real damage done. Your applique is lovely Josie, you always get such nice results. Take care, my friend.

FloS said...

Hi Josie ! I'm glad you have found a little time for your fabric garden !! I hope your husband is not too injured and that he can take you out more properly… ;) Take care of you
Florence

debbie said...

Your post was so entertaining, thank you. Glad hubby is ok but I wanted to see pics too LOL. Love the little corner of your sewing room and all the soft colours. xx debbie

Lyn said...

Lovely projects you are working on..hope your husband is recovered from his mishap..

Unknown said...

keep going with the economy blue, some of the fabrics don't look as if there is enough contrast but they come together at the end.

Shirley said...

So glad you keep your sense of humour. Still waiting for you to post on Instagram. Hope Mac is recovering and you are sewing. All looks good to me.