Sew looking forward.....

To tomorrow!    I'll tell you why in a bit.   After I've brought you up to speed with the happenings here.  

You'd think after being absent for a month I'd have loads of sewing/stitching/quilting to show you but (sorry to disappoint) .... I don't.     I haven't totally neglected my projects but I've come darned close to it.    

First off......

I started hand piecing (!) the first official blocks of Stonefields.   It looks like very paltry progress but since I took that photo I've finished the pink star... made a green one and am almost finished a brown and white one.   Only had to make 4 so I've got the first blocks in the bag.

Really need to get my hand piecing act together soon... I'm still a bit cack handed which goes to show I need more practise.    Hummm... I really do need to speed up since I  bullied persuaded Marina to order  Sweet William and promised to stitch along with her.    Hi Marina!!  (waving and grinning).... I haven't forgotten... honest!  :o)

Began building works.....

on the centre block of In My Garden.      I love this block!    The colours are so soft and delicate... it's got to be my favourite block so far.

Don't get to thinking it's all been appliqued because it  hasn't!    I just laid it all out to check I'd prepped all of the pieces.   It's been dismantled and is waiting patiently for me to get my act together and start stitching.

This last few days I've spent every available spare moment cutting fabric.....

and as you can see... I had help.   Notice anything different in this photo?    Honestly... if I never had to cut another triangle in this lifetime it would be too soon....

These are just the tip of a very large iceberg!   My back is breaking from all the slicing and dicing.. but it had to be done.... I'll tell you why later.

Now... I have some sad news.    Mac's Bonsai is officially dead......

Well... we all know it's been dead for some time but finally Mac has accepted that fact.   Have to say the little branch tree didn't collapse on it's own....

Good fun... this tree felling malarkey.    Did you spot this little girl in the photo with Maisie above?   You did... well done!  :o)   She's not the only new arrival around here......

she has a sister.     They are a couple of real cuties with the loudest purrs you ever heard.    They do everything together.   Eat together.....

but they are more than happy to share with their big sister too....

Maisie is a real star!   She's taken to the big sister role like a duck to water.  So... we are now officially a three cat family.   Surprise!!     Now I haven't mentioned their names because we are having a bit of an issue choosing them.    Mac refers to the little ginger girl as 'Ginger Bread' and her little ginger and white sister as 'Apache'.... where the heck did that come from!    It'll take at least a dozen experts to figure out how that mans mind works... I haven't a clue!    He won't call Maisie by her name (the one she arrived with) he refers to her as Flea Bait... Flea for short.  Actually I think she likes it.... but then.... she's a real daddies girl.     I'll let you know what we decide on as soon as we do.... if I've not been incarcerated for murder before then.

So... what have I been doing with my time.    Gardening (if that's what you call outdoor demolition).   Since I'm dieting (I've lost 14 lbs so far that's 6.35 kg to those of you who are metricated)  I decided that the exertion of reclaiming the 'secret garden' would potentially burn up thousands more calories than I could eat on any given dieting day.

So far...

I've located and dug out the 18 steps down from the top of the garden  (known as Hill 69 ) into the secret garden.   Cleared the embankments too.   Did some tree felling to let in more light....

Hit a brick wall of brambles!   It's hard to tell from the photo but they are almost as tall as I am.  I haven't a clue how far back they go but I do know it's going to take a while to cut my way through.

Thinned out branches and cleared the path of the stream......

 hard work but.... I love it!  

Well... that's it for the update.

Now... the reason I've been cutting triangles till I needed a back brace is.... I'm going on retreat tomorrow!!   Yippee!!

The girls and I are headed back down to our favourite cottage on the Mull of Galloway....

for a whole week... yes... 7 days of fun, frolics and a lots of sewing.    Hence the triangle prep.  Can't tell you how ready I am for this.   I'm taking the laptop and I'm so looking forward to a spot of blog visiting and catching up.    Feels like forever since I had the time or the energy to do that.

Mac is going to be 'home alone' this time.   Not ideal but as he and my mum don't exactly hit it off these days it's the only option.   I need a break!!     Mum is OK staying at her own place but I don't know how Mac is going fare taking care of 3 kittens without the aid of a resident skivvy.  Something tells me they are going to run rings around him...:o)

So.... I'm following this little Swallow chick... and heading out of here first thing in the morning....

Wish I could take you all with me.... think of all the fun we'd have......:o))

Hope you all have a great week......
See ya soon....  
Take care
Hugs
Josie  xx