Wordless Wednesday

Pillowcases

Half term trip to Cragside

So truth be told I've always had a soft spot for Cragside with its giant rock gardens, rhododendrons and lakes so I was over the moon when Him in Doors suggested a trip there over the school half term holidays. 

As you pull into the visitors centre the first thing you see is the tree line with these lovely little buildings nestled into the rocks below the trees. 

Once Madam realised the size of the forest we would be adventuring in she thought supplies were in order so pots of tea and cakes all round were the best possible preparation! 

I managed to not help madam devour the above chocolate, choux pastry and cream delight instead shared a bakewell tart (That was no where near as photogenic as the above pastry goodness) with Him in Doors.

Once the tea pots were empty we were off looking at pine cones, playing with branches and marvelling at all the different moss colours.

This time of year the grounds are bleak but still beautiful in a very stark way.

 The thatched roof boat house was fun to have a run around on our way to the labyrinth.

And then a spot more tea with some cherries to snack on

I loved the entrance to the labyrinth.

Our guide was the strong silent type! 

I will say I have never seen mud like it! Given the weather we have had I am not surprised but be warned if you head into the labyrinth at Cragside I nearly lost a boot more than once to the muddy walkways! 

We made it to the centre and called tag then turned round without a clue how to get back to the start :D 

If I had been left to my own devices there is a fair chance I'd still be wandering around the trying to find the exit!  Thankfully Him in Doors has a much better sense of direction than I do so we all made it out in one piece!

I can't wait to go back to Cragside in the summer when all of the flowers are in bloom and we can enjoy the formal gardens too. 

I hope you enjoyed the little excursion as much as we did! 

Second Pillowcase Finish

And now we have a pair of pillowcases that are complimentary rather than matching. Please do excuse the almost vicious shade of red my iPhone camera has turned the Cath Kidston print, I mean it is very red in real life but my phone took it to a whole new level! 

Oh the pale pink crochet edging, it is so giggly and girlie and very relaxing to hook up while watching Bones and Sanctuary this afternoon.

Truth be told I can see some of these pillowcases making it into the shop over the next few weeks as I had loads of fun making this one :) 

Berries, Pillowcases and Low Volume Stars on a Thursday afternoon

A sunny way to start my day this morning with a big bowl of berries! 

But enough of my breakfast and onto the sewing! 

 I had an amusing-irritating evening of sewing, it depends on how late in the evening it was after the sewing fail if I found it funny or annoying!

After years of sewing I still sew the pocket for the pillow on the outside of the pillowcase when I'm not paying attention to what I'm doing! 

After a short spell of it sitting in a corner of the sewing room in disgrace I relented, seam ripped and sewed up the seams again.

We (My not so little madam and I) were going for girlie shabby chic - she doesn't know it yet but her bedroom may well be getting a makeover soon because I LOVE this Ikea fabric :D 

I've moved onto the second pillow, this one will have a crocheted edge...in pink!

I don't often blog fabric purchases but I really want to share this lovely bundle from Westwood Acres I joined the Inside Voices club last month and was over the moon when this little bundle landed on my mat, it is doing wonders to bump up my low volume stash! 

 I've been putting it to good use in my Liberty Vrs Low volume quilt top (Yeah it needs a better name) I'm now on the hunt for 12.5" Star block patterns if anyone has a recommendation for some fun ones do let me know! 

A forgotten quilt

 Well a quilt I forgot to blog about! 

Madams Christmas quilt *Hangs head in shame that it's now Valentines day and I am just remembering about it* The Bow ties went down a storm! She spent all of Christmas day under it, so I am considering that a success.

I went with the dark peppery binding and I'm really happy with how it has turned out. I, and the rest of the UK, am just waiting for some decent natural daylight to get some proper photos of it.

Just under Madams quilt you can see my own personal *made just for me* quilt peaking out. I have raided the hoarded fabrics pile finally! I made it in as stitch and flip but to be honest I was a little sad at the lack of visible quilting on the front once I had finished and bound it, so I've decided to chunky hand quilt in the solid linen squares to add texture and even more colour :D 

The quilting of this one will be slow going I feel, not through lack of enjoyment, more so a lack of urgency as it's in use, it is now on the bed in its half...ok 1/3 quilted and bound glory! 

Now totally off topic, I had to go to a training day last month at the Hilton Gateshead (and very nice it was to) when we broke for lunch I managed to nab this shot of The Tyne bridge looking to the Newcastle side - it is my favourite landmark and I wanted to share :) 

And back to topic 

Look what came in the post 

I will admit to getting totally swept up in the letters in this book while drinking tea and wishing I lived way back when, then thinking nope I love central heating and internet and indoor plumbing and well you get the idea.

I had to go back through the book a second time to actually pay attention to the blocks. They aren't the sort of thing I am normally drawn to but the bug has bitten and fabrics may be on the way already so we'll see what happens as it needs to join the end of the wish list or WIP queue.

So far sitting on the list I have, in no real order...

1. A Bright and happy Liberty vrs Low volume quilt for our bed (Nope binding still isn't on the last one!) I have about 50% of the Liberty and a small stash of LV put to one side ready for this one.

2. Geese in the forest quilt, well it's not going very quickly. A few blocks here and a few blocks there, I had intended to get into Geese ass kicking mode this month but that hasn't actually happened yet...and it's a short month. Bugger.

3.Anna Maria Horner feathers quilt, I've got the prints all pulled can't work out my background fabric colour. 

4. Two crochet blankets

5. My *Made just for me* quilt, must come up with a better name, just needs the hand quilting finished

6. Steampunk quilt I bought the pattern and hated sewing curves 'nuff said really.

I think I shall take the rest of the morning and another cup of coffee to think over this list, which is a huge one for me, and see if I can break it down to more bite sized chunks! 

Hope you have a lovely Valentines weekend!