This afternoon, once it had finally stopped raining, I set off to walk to the top of our hill to look across at Black Mountain. It was a little hazy, but I could see there was still snow there. I was feeling OK after the first hill, so set off on the next, much steeper, section which has two V's printed on it on my map, to show it is seriously steep. I managed that too (though I didn't push myself and stopped to look at the view a couple of times). I carried on walking for half an hour, to the Colomendy turning just past the farmhouse that was Isaac and Rosina's, but now they are pushing up daisies, now belongs to his son, and the land is still farmed in the same way, mostly sheep. They have donkeys too, which throw a few foals each summer, and guinea fowl, geese, ducks and a few chickens. Oh, and two barky-Collies whose only entertainment seems to be in alerting their owners to passing walkers . . .
I have spent lots of hours hand-quilting my Twister table topper this week and am getting towards just having the little squared border to do. The quilting is acceptable - I can see a few wonky stitches, but I'm OK with that. It's not going to be entered in a competition.
I started the New Year as I mean to go on and when we were in Swansea earlier this week (darling middle daughter G was treating us to a wonderful meal to celebrate our (large number) wedding anniversary) I persuaded my dear husband to drive us across to the Mumbles where there is a lovely little patchwork shop. I left him naughtily parked, engine running (no pressure then!) and shot along the promenade, noting how far the tide was going out, and noticing a few brave souls who out in the mud digging up bait with what seemed like feverish haste.
Once I got to the shop, I didn't even LOOK at the bolts of fabric but went for the Charm Packs as I could make up my mind quicker and they didn't need cutting. These two came home with me. I said to the proprietor, "New Year, new quilt." "Ah," she replied, with a twinkle in her eye, "You'll have finished all your other ones then," and of course, got the answer, "Don't be silly!!!" Apparently I was not the only new year/new quilt customer also with w.i.p's waiting . . . I have a feeling I will be revisiting the Moda William Morris fabrics pretty soon . . .
Above and below: the WONDERFUL selection of fabrics which were sent to me (several years ago now . . .) by my good friend Sharon at Morning's Minion blog for me to make a quilt with. I laid them to one side, intending to make the quilt once we had moved. Well, that's not going to happen any time soon, and so finally I have given myself a shake and made a start cutting out. That alone will take a good few hours. I shall show you the pattern once I've sewn a couple of blocks, but it is very simple and so hopefully will make up quickly.
So, watch this space . . .
