Threats of snow (heavy????) over the weekend. It's cold and frosty, and we will see how it pans out. I put an extra (thin) quilt on the bed last night and slept better for it. I needed rice today as I had run out (plenty of brown rice in the cupboard though). I got a HUGE 4kg bag, and more girl-cat food as they are being so fussy about biscuits, and went to Tesco and spent £32 which may have included a bottle of wine. . . I missed out over Christmas as by the time I was feeling up to having any, all the good stuff had gone!
I had to abandon plans of a walk up the big hill today - I got as far as the fork in the road and there was a sheet of ice across it, and looking right, more ice down that hill. I came home and went out later up the steep farm track - hence these photos.
The sunshine did me a power of good too.
I have ordered some cream (Porcelain) material for the E blocks, as we didn't buy that at the time. I have gotten all the fabrics out and see I need some light patterns too, so got a fat 1/4 of 108" wide backing fabric in Willow Boughs (Ivory) to be going on with. That should be with me by next week. I will also find 3 or 4 more fat quarters in lighter WM prints. Meanwhile I have been making a practice block (Block 2) and have got my brain in a pickle over the bottom row. I need to start it first thing in the morning as by mid-afternoon when I finally get upstairs, my brain is slightly frazzled as it's been distracted already by "life"! Today it was having a video call with Tam (and Rosie) who was trying to guide me through adding an app to the TV which would apparently give me access to Live TV. But no it doesn't. I think it will have to be a roof aerial - more expense. Mind you, plenty to keep me amused anyway, but it would be nice to watch the horse racing live (or even know where to find it easily!) and to on occasion, watch the news. Only mainly when there have been Weather Events though.
Block B, on an angle.
I fear this was 6 years in the waiting, and will be another 6 years in the blardy MAKING! I plan to go to my Quilt Group next week and then I will have Help on Hand!
Well, many thanks to all my friends and extended family who have phoned to wish me a Happy New Year and Rosie in NZ - it made my day to have that video call with you. Will do it again soon.
It is usually the cats that mean I have to go shopping and so it has been again today. My planning for cat meals never seems to last as long as I expect it to. I get all my tv through Wifi. You may have explained why you can't do this and I missed it. I hope the snow doesn't come. We had frost here this morning and it is definitely colder.
ReplyDeleteI had the dreaded dentist today, but only have to have a clean and polish. Had a wierd dream last night that I couldn't find the dentists and when I did, the only instruments he had were a kitchen knife and some pliers! Also had to fetch in expensive Purina, fish flavour only please and wood litter pellets, again she won't use anything else. Its been so cold here, couldn't open my car door as it had frozen solid and snow expected. Hugs Xx
ReplyDeleteI have seen the snow reports. My friends are travelling (driving) down south on Saturday for a surprise party for friends brother. I hope they can get there, and back again on Monday. I am looking after their cats for them. Talking of cats, I usually stock up on regular cat food once a month, but one fussy cat will not eat that. So I have to go to Aldi for ham, chicken, and tuna fish.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the Bears' Paws block? I've always liked that one.
ReplyDeleteWow, the blocks are going to be lovely.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
The quilt is going to be beautiful. Sorry for being such a downer in my last comment. These things seem to creep up around the new year.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the snow confines itself to the weekend so I don't have to ride my bike in it
ReplyDeleteDaffodils popping up at the beginning of January! We will not see them until March. Take lots of pictures of their progress, will you? It will ease my winter doldrums. Good luck. We are in the middle of a snow event here. I'll just have to remember that beneath all that, the daffodils are waiting!
ReplyDeleteHow differently Ohio Star and Friendship Star blocks appear just by shifting the contrast around. In all my years of patchwork the way patterns can be changed just by simple rearranging never fails to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteCan I make a comment on the quilt pattern? Personally I find my eye being constantly caught by the really deep brown square, four rows down, three in. It is so much more completely deep than any of the other squares. What would happen if you substituted the centre square of that block for a lighter colour? Would the world come to a shuddering halt? Of course, it's your quilt, and you can do whatever you choose, can't you!
ReplyDeleteTo begin with take your time. I see the quilt is composed of only two different block designs cleverly laid out so once you have made two or three of each (I would be tempted to use scraps for the first one of each) you will be off. Are you fussy cutting the centre of Block 2 to get a whole bird or perhaps flower. I have a comprehensive quilt book on loan from the library and I’m tempted to see if these blocks are included and have a go at making one or two myself with my scraps. We have a deep and even earth as hard as iron frost this morning and yesterday was absolutely gorgeous and we made the most of it with S bringing in four barrows of logs while I gardened. In the afternoon we went to the village of Bury where there is a pretty church by the river and we walked along the reed-fringed river for a while. Stunning views over to Amberley castle and the Downs a-rearing all around under a cerulean sky. The manor of Bury is well documented as it belonged to Goda, sister of Edward the Confessor, and at the time of the Domesday book was in the top twenty by population - 70 households. Then we went to Charlie’s farm shop and bought just under a kilo of diced venison to casserole (we’ll do this together later this morning and then I have my last butternut squash to turn into a spicy cumin-warmed soup), a round of Baron Bigod, two litres of raw milk filled using our glass bottles, six eggs, a big bag of organic ground almonds for cake making, a stalk of sprouts and carrots all for £34. S had no debilitating episodes yesterday until after his bath which was encouraging. We are experimenting with dry January and have cancelled mid-morning coffee (loose green tea flavoured with orange peel and ginger instead - very radical for my husband but worth a try and he may decides he likes it as much as me!) although I am sure yesterday was more to do with having plenty of fresh air and exercise. This morning he was shuffly as usual but after two cups of ordinary tea and a hobnob biscuit he has just got up to make a third cup of tea for himself although I will carry it back to the bedroom. I always encourage him to do as much as physically possible. Have a good day BB and hope you have a walk and the quilt block construction is smooth and pleasurable. Take your time - you are not doing it against the clock and if it takes six years so be it. Sarah x
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