Huge update!

Well, we've been away on holiday. Found a bargain on ebay and ended up in Hargate Hall in the Peak District for 4 nights A grand entrance! The door creaks just like the Addams Family's front door - spooky! Below is the view from the shared area; the photo really doesn't do the stained glass justice.

Lovely place though, and an excellent base to explore the surrounding area. I haven't been to the Peak District before and I have to say that it is bleak in places, but beautiful.

Hargate Hall isn't far from Buxton with its lovely Crescent

and some very nice little shops - not your usual High Street fare (although they are there as well), but nice individual establishments. I really enjoyed the craft section of the pavillion; lots of very talented people out there!

We tend to travel round with a map and explore; visit tourist information to get some ideas about what might interest us and where to go. But some places need no introduction or enquiry as to what you need to do there - we visited Bakewell and partook of some Bakewell Pudding!

It can be thoroughly recommended!

Apologies for the quality of the photographs; it's the limitations of a camera phone!

Where have I been?

A very good question. Nearly then end of July already and I haven't been here since the start of June. How time flies!

Ends of terms, especially at the end of the academic year, can be manic, and this was no exception. So now I have a two week release from work and perhaps I may get some crafting done.

And post some pictures of what I have managed over the last few weeks!

Sewing Machine Meme

Thought I'd join the sewing meme from Sew, Mama, Sew!

What brand and model do you have?
Husqvarna Designer II

How long have you had it?
3 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I can't remember, but I think it was around £1500

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Quilts, handbags, little gifts, clothes for myself (and the children when they were younger), cushions & covers, curtains and blinds.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I'd like to sew every day but in reality it's probably 2-3 times per week. I have a group who meets here on a Monday and they all use the machine as well, so its pretty well used!

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
Most of the time I like her (yes, it's a she); sometime it's love and occasionally I really don't like her at all! No, she doesn't have a name

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
The main reason I bought the machine is because, when you set the needle to stop in the fabric, the presser foot lifts just a little; enough to swivel fabric. It's fab! I can also purchase cards with alternate stitches and have built a bit of a collection. The fix button is useful, too - no more back and forward to secure the thread at the start and end of rows. Oh, and the scissors - press a button and the thread is cut.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Husqvarna say in their advertising blurb that you will never get a bird's nest of thread at the start or end of the row and mention it at demonstrations and on their courses. Wrong! Both my machine and my Mum's (she has the same machine) do it, as does a friend's, who has an Orchidea.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
Sadly, no. The only great story about a sewing machine is how my Great Grandma used to take the needle out of her treadle machine so I could sit and treadle. Used to keep me occupied for hours!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Yes, on balance I would. I had a major electrical problem just before the machine's second birthday (the motor overheated and completely melted the internal workings, fortunately it happened a week the right side fo the 2-year warranty). Other than that, the machine is reliable, hard working and stitches well.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Features; I'm a gadget queen. So tempted by the new Bernina that has a stitch regulator for free motion qulting (yeah, it's cheating, but who's to know??). Ability to work with really fine organza and silk but cope with denim and heavyweight furnishing fabrics. Not too much then, eh?

Do you have a dream machine?
I'm quite content with the machine I have so I'm not really sure what is out there at the moment. I guess the only other sewing machine I'd like is a long arm quilter - and somewhere to set it up!

I also have an overlocker, with which I have a distinclty prickly relationship with. Bought to help me cut and sew fabric I knitted with my knitting machine, I never really have got the hang of it. I can usually thread it and sew successfully after a few attempts, but we don't really get on. I guess we are aquaintances and need to spend some more time together to become real friends (and, who knows, maybe best friends eventually!)

Hope you found this interesting; its the first meme I've done and I really enjoyed it!

June already!

A nice start to 'flaming June', but the weather has turned a little today.

We had a wren disaster; the nest fell completely out of the centre of the wreath. I picked it up and the 5 babies were fortunately still under it, but they did a very good impression on kangaroos! Fast as I put them back in the nest, they jumped out again, but weren't quite ready to fly. It took a while to round them all up again

I found an old semi-circular hanging basket, put the nest and babies in and hung it back on the wall. Within 5 minutes, parents were back and feeding. They flegded 2 days later. Phew!

On the crafting front, I've made a bag for a colleague:

Lisa asked a while ago if I would make her a red bag. I don't do red usually, but I saw the fabric in Lexi Loves in Cirencester and immediately though of her.

Lisa wanted a bag to take on holiday that would hold all those bits you feel you have to take with you for the day - especially when you have children. Medium length handles means she can arry it in her hand or over the shoulder and the handles have padding to make them more comfy on those day trips.

Inside a slip pocket and a D ring with a clip for her keys, because I don't think there is anything more annoying than scrabbling around in the bottom of your bag for your keys. Guess that little point is comes from personal frustration (please tell me I'm not the only one who can't find her keys..........) .

Oh, and I made the pattern myself - yay! Not even based on another one; drawn all myself, so I'm feeling rather pleased with myself!

Three weeks!

How did it get to be three weeks since I last updated this? Where has it gone?

Big Weekend in Lydiard Park was one explanation.

I sorted out my buttons.....
which gave me an extraordinary amount of satisfaction.

I visited three shops. What a contrast! The first one is some distance from home; I had a meeting and some spare time and decided to make a little detour. I often like to do this - my other half reckons I can sniff them out (since I managed to find one on our 'romantic' getaway in Iceland). But this had to be the least friendly and welcoming patchwork shop I have ever visited - such a contrast to the usual help and service you get.

The second is a gorgeous haberdashers in Cirencester called Sew 'n' Sew. Really friendly and helpful, directed other half to coffee shops in the area so I could browse unhindered. Patchwork and dressmaking fabrics plus just about every notion you can think of.

Finally, Lexi Loves (sorry the link is to a map of where to find her; I'm sure she has a website, but I can't find it at the mo). Limited but eclectic selection of fabrics (Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler style), books, buttons and other odds and ends that not only light up your day, but may inspire you to have a go yourself. I've been here a few times and no matter which staff are on (includng Lexi herself), they're willing to help if needed or let you wander as required.

But I have been buzy with the needle and thread, mostly working on a quilt for my son from another mother ;-)

Grant was pleased with my little creation. Have to say I'm rather chuffed with the design myself.

OK, I'll try not to leave it so long next time!

Time at home

First I'd like to show you what came through the post a week or so ago:A little treat from I know not who! I took part in a secret swap on Misi. You had to make something beginning with the letter of their name. Being a T caused my swapper a few problems, so she came up with a 'trio of gifts'. And a delightful little trio they were too!

So, there are a few perks to having minor surgery - the main one being time at home and forced to sit still. SO I've got a few things done.

A brithday card for my son's girlfriend, who is 18 today! Happy birthday Danni!

Some crochet flowers, ends finished neatly at last and ready for some final additions of buttons .

Chicken update: Here are the girls. Chickens are quite camera shy - my lovely ladies assume I have food and so come up to see what I am doing, which makes it quite difficult to photograph them.

This is the bossy one (now, you'd never have guessed if I hadn't told you, would you?)

And finally, some photos around the garden.

This angelica is nearly 5 feet high, and has grown just this spring! Aliums and wisteria are among my favourite spring flowers

Busy, busy!

Well, a little behind with the blogging! Chooks are settling in quite nicely, eating well and laying eggs, too.

Some ladies meet at my house on a Monday night for various creative activities (allegedly - more often it's an excuse for a good natter!). Last week, I made an apron for my florist friend Lesley.
Beautifully modelled, doncha think?? I need to get them to allow me to photograph their creative endeavours, too.

Then the fabric arrived for the prom dress (let's not go there). We found it had a flaw on the first 1.5m, but there was enough to get the dress out with a bit of careful cutting.

And much help from my Mum!
The original design didn't have straps, but Beth wanted some, so we added a little design feature

And here it is, not quite in all it's glory yet - shoes still need to be bought so the hem can be done

Beth wants beads on this - and lots of them! She wants it to look lke they've been spilled all over the dress

Looks like I will be busy over the next few weeks!