The Very Picture of Efficiency

Efficiency and me are not two words that are often used together in the same sentence. Prevaricator? Yes. Procrastinator? Oh, most definitely. Ponderer? That's me. Efficient? Nah, I am just not that good at efficient. Except today. Today I was the very model of it.

I think it is Thursdays that bring out this rare streak in me. The girls have a dance club before school so I am home by 8am with the day spread out before me to do with what is required. I'm wide awake because I had to organise my two and get them out the door on time. And days like today I was on a real roll and even had the laundry in before we left for school. By 9:30am I had a banana cake all baked and cooling, calling my name like a siren's song. The laundry was outside in the sunshine, I was fed (not cake) and the dishes were done.

Off I went to the quilt shop for the backing fabric for the Across the Seas QAL. Now I am going to really shock you. That was all I bought. I didn't linger. I didn't see what new fabric lines were in. I didn't even paw the sales basket to see if something good was hidden in the bottom. No, I left and went and did the weekend grocery shop.

As I said, efficient or what?! I'll probably have to stay in bed tomorrow to recover from the shock.

The postman has been brilliant again this week, delivering two more bee blocks packages.

These two from the brilliant Judith.
She is the one doing Bee Blessed if you are still interested in helping out.

And these two from Trudi
Who would intimidate me with her quilting ability if she wasn't so incredibly nice.
(She's got a massive quilting frame that I covet!)

I rounded out my day by cutting the fabric for the blocks for the pieced backing of the Across the Seas quilt. (I've even started sewing but there is not enough to show to bother taking a photo so you will have to make do with some chopped up fabric. How sad!)

Now we have a bonus child over for a play so I shall have to keep that sewing dining room table clear at least on one half so I can feed them in a manner that they (the guest not mine!) are accustomed to rather than our usual slapdash manner when my fabric takes priority over where we eat. I've got fajitas to make so I had best be off.

I'm liking my Thursdays so much that I think that I will put them down as my Favourite Thing Friday and link this up with Shay at Quilting in My Pyjamas when she has her post ready later on. It often is up on a Thursday evening for me, what with her being on the other side of the world and way ahead of me.

If you are looking for - or interested in - the Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap then come on over to Flickr and see who has already signed up and join in too, if you are so inclined.

Susan

What If?

What if my partners don't like my mug rugs? What if they wish I had made something different? Too much thinking going on here! And due to that I suddenly had a brain wave that I would make another mug rug today - and give them an alternative that they might prefer. I've posted photos on the swap page on Fickr and if either says the word then they can have this mug rug instead.

I had a little play with some of my Heather Ross gnomes. Framed them up in a dark blue, tried to pick out some of the colours used in the gnomes for the other fabrics and then got stitching with the perle cotton.

And that, other than the usual necessities of life, is what took up my day today. I do hope that one of my partners decides they want this one because that would make the last minute panic worth while.

I forgot to say that I received a Goodie Swap parcel on Monday but there was so much going on that posting about it here was wiped clear from my mind. I have not opened it because it was sent well before the posting dates, and a bit like on Christmas morning, I wanted to be opening my Goodies the same time as everyone else. And I am not to blog it yet, according to the rules, because then people would know for sure that this mug rug was not for them. It is good to be left guessing to the last moment. That is part of the fun after all.

On to other swap matters. I am thrilled that I have people signed up for the Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap. I cannot tell you how nervous I was doing that post yesterday and how sure I was going to be Billy-no-mates in it. Not only is there people signed up for it but seriously great people. Amazing quilters with great senses of humour. I feel like a 14 year old who has had a party and the cool girls showed up. How good is that?!! Won't you come and join us? Because I know you are one of the cool kids too!

I'll finish with the girls having a great time at a friend's house yesterday. They got to have a swim in the pool and by the looks of Helen it was an extremely relaxing time -

But in all honesty it was the toy that Emily was playing in that made me wish I had brought my swim suit too.

It was a pirate boat that you could sit in, using your feet to propel yourself, with a built in water pistol for waging battle. I think next time we are invited for a swim I will have to have a go at that!

Susan

It's Beginning to Feel a Bit Like Christmas

I've been having a play on the computer, as a change from playing on the sewing machine. Well, actually I did that too, but I spent more time on the computer. I managed to make this -

Nope, no button action happening here.

And then I spent several frustrating hours trying to turn it into a proper button.

Yet another fail!!

My head nearly exploded, because I tried all these different online tutorials which provided 'simple instructions' but no matter what I did my button would not do anything but sit there and do nothing! So, how do you do it if you are very, very stupid (apparently) because I have copied and pasted the code, like they all told me, inserted my own links, like they all told me - and it has been nothing but fail, fail, fail!

So to hell with it for now. I only have so many hours of perseverance in me when sat at the computer. I have reached my limit.

Which gets me back to the button. Well, the (non) button says it all. I have been talking to a couple of friends about doing a Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap. I was wondering if anyone else would like to join in? I expect it will be a very small swap as everyone is knee deep in projects right now. But that's okay. I am cool with that, because sometimes you get to know people better in a smaller swap.

The goal here is to create a Christmas themed runner but in a modern style. Christmas fabrics are not a requirement, nor is red and green the defacto colours of choice. I've created a mosaic of tablerunners I have seen on Flickr that I think meet the modern Christmas theme. I am sure you could find more, but I do like these.

Each participant would be required to make a tablerunner for a secret partner. Dimensions are up to the individual but I would say no narrower than 8", nor wider than 15". A minimum length of 24" and a maximum of 40". There would be a limit on extras to a homemade Christmas ornament or two - to keep the theme consistent - and maybe some scraps if you were so inclined.

If you are interested then please join the Flickr group I have set up here. Sign ups will be accepted until October 02, and partners will be assigned by October 05.  Everyone would then have until the posting date of November 21 to create their tablerunners. Sign ups are open internationally, so that everyone is aware that they may have to post overseas.

Having recently joined in swaps where there were a number of people who were non-participants - they posted no inspiration mosaics, left not one comment on anything anyone was making, nor photos of what they were making either - I ask that anyone who would like to join this swap be aware that we are looking for active swap members. If you have not joined a swap before you are welcome, as long as you are aware that providing inspiration for your secret partner via Flickr and blog photos, posting favourites in Flickr, and/or creating a mosaic is required to be a member. Then jump in and leave comments on what the other members are making, and leave photos of your progress. If this feels like too much to you then this is probably not the swap for you. Apologies for my bluntness but it saves any disappointment on all sides later on.

And to those of you who I know so well, I am aware that you have taken on a lot of projects lately - please don't feel that I will be sat here, impatiently tapping my foot wondering why you haven't put your name down for this. We all have different commitments and each of us knows how much time we have available. I am just lucky in that I have cleared a number of things from my list of 'things to do' lately and believe that I have the time to do this. (Yeah, yeah, you can laugh at me later!)

And that is that. I need to post this before I chicken out!

Susan



Normal Service Resumes

First, let me please thank everyone who sent me supportive, funny and encouraging emails when I got into my snit the other day. I am fully aware that I threw a complete wobbly, tossed my dummy from the pram and all that. (I still believe there was some justification, of course.) That you not only took the time to read the post but respond was so lovely of you. I have a tonne of emails to reply to but took a day off that for the most part today. In fact, I took a day off just about everything. Sometimes you just need a nap or are in danger of sewing through your finger when you nod off at the machine!

I also forgot to tell you, because I was too busy ranting, that I heard back from 'the quilt shop' on Friday. They say they responded to my first email and that it must have got sent to my spam box. The fact that I do not have a spam box is neither here nor there, they have now responded and there is another FQ in the post. So the squeaky wheel got oiled - or whatever that saying is. I am pleased that they did respond because I would have had to put up a fight out of principle (and I really didn't want to).

So, other than not reply to emails, what did I do today? Well I managed a little sewing , after my nap. I pieced together my hexies. Oh, and more thanks for all the proffered opinions. I went for this in the end.

What swung my decision in the end was Hadley's comment - 'Deffo number 2 - I hate that yellow star - well you did ask! I couldn't stand anyone mullering those DSs!!! '

What can I say? It struck me that no one had hated the choice that was all blue stars but there were strong opinions about that yellow star. This is a doll quilt swap - I went with the safer option on the premise that my partner might have the same strong opinion!

I am really pleased how this went together. It was far easier than I expected and I think it shows off the DS fabrics nicely. I had lovely bits of fabric from Kat but I needed to use them in conjunction with solids to make sure that I didn't run out. Now I have enough for a pieced back and anything else I might dream up (within reason) for an extra.

And that is all I have to report for this peaceful day. I suppose I should have taken a photo of the dining room before the sewing machine and some of the fabric moved back in, and thread ends started hitting the floor again. But it would give you a very false image of how it really is.

Susan

Vintage Harvest Festival

I mentioned in yesterday's post that we went to the Vintage Harvest Festival in Boddington. It was a terrific affair and far better than some might think. Of course there was the odd vintage tractor (as seen above), or two, or three, or more. Below you can see the tip of the ice berg.

Now some might think that a bunch of old tractors is just the height of boring. I have to admit that I didn't stand around them and discuss their merits like some. But there was something incredibly relaxing about wandering around these fields, seeing the ploughing competition (I am not sure of the rules here) -

There are all sort of things to look at -

New spade?

Musical entertainment.

My friend Angie with cakes and jams.

Old stuff.

Older stuff.

Helen's Harvest Festival picture.

The new love of his life for my husband.

I was sauntering up the hill happily on my own when I turned and saw something coming towards me. I legged it. So would you if this was coming towards you at speed.

If you can, click on the photo and take a closer look at the passengers. Those wee kids were having the time of their life.

There were rural crafts.

Gypsy caravans.

And a little something to intrigue the girls and get them to spend their pocket  money.

But by far the very best thing of all was the chance for the girls to get up close and personal with some owls. For the bargain price of £1.50 the girls got to sit and make friends. They loved it so much they did it twice. Helen changed owls but Emily remained true to her first one.

I love the looks on their faces here!

Helen had a Little Owl - yes, that really was what it was.
His name was Zac.

Emily had a Barn Owl - named Megan.

Then Helen had an Eagle Owl - named Ben

So, next time you see a rural fair and think it is all flat caps and boring nonsense, stop and have a look. You may be pleasantly surprised. Even though there are still flat caps around - even in the next generation.

Helen's friend Molly.

Susan