Chester---- what a wonderful city

Who would have believed that 2 weeks ago we were all lapping up the sun and thinking summer would never end and this week we have our scarves hats and woolie socks on.  Mr D and I had planned a little trip to some cities in England that we have never visited before, and as we drew closer to the date of departure the weather folk gave out dire warnings of gale force winds and rain rain rain......guess what?- we have spent the last couple of days in Chester and I have to say the weather hasn't been too bad.  I am not saying we have had wall to wall sunshine, in fact its more like wall to wall grey but the rain has only got us once.

We started our tourist bit with an open top bus.  How cute is this bus?  The tour guide tells us that there are only three of these buses left, one is in a museum, one is owned by someone that lets it out for private functions, and the one we were on is the only one left as a working bus (of sorts).

We took note of all the beautiful buildings and wandered the 'Rows' (the Rows are double decker shops) very "oldie worldie" and wonderful to think they have been there for centuries.

You can just see the walk way of 'The Rows'

Our next few hours were spent in the Cathedral.  I didn't take a photo of the entrance because it was quite underwhelming, but once inside I didn't know what to snap first.  Photos never do justice to the beautiful stained glass windows and my photos are no exception.  I can't remember a time when I have seen so many different windows and the size of them is unbelievable.  The first photo is of 4 of the side windows (there were many more beautiful windows to see).

               Ancient and modern side by side.

 These windows were at either end of the Cathedral, and oh so huge.

this mosaic was along the side wall, and there is no way my photo could do it justice.

Just a small sample

The Cathedral is massive, and you wonder how they managed to build such masterpieces so long ago.

The back of the Cathedral, 

Day two - with more and more warnings of bad weather, we decided to walk the City wall first thing in the morning....who's footsteps am I walking in?  Once again its amazing not only how the walls were built but how well they have stood the test of time.

Look at the height of that wall

Look at the car park side by side with the old gate house. That's why we have planning officers - Der!

As our feet were feeling the strain we took a trip up the river (that's when we did have a bit of rain), and saw how the other half live.  Some - no most of the houses on the river bank were what dreams are made of, with beautiful gardens leading down to a boathouse or landing dock.

Saviour of our feet

Our time in Chester has been wonderful and the weather on the whole has been so good to us.  If you have never been, I would highly recommend a trip to this beautiful city.

Tomorrow Liverpool.

On a Mission

I sent off my parcel to my swap partner during the week, so I hope its not long before I can show and tell what I made along with some of the trials and tribulations that I came across while making it.

I have been playing with crochet again and while I was looking for something completely different I found a box of crochet cotton that I brought back from South Africa.  This box has been stored in one of my under bed boxes, and I have to admit I didn't even know it was there, let alone contain so many balls of cotton so what should I do with it???? I try to get some things together for a crochet group that I head up and someone had mentioned crochet edgings so that was the start for my cottons.  I found on pinterest this and it was said to only take about 30 mins to complete a guest towel so that seemed good enough for me and off I went.  I started with a No 5 crochet cotton, and a 3/8th " gap between stitches.  I felt it was too thick for my towel, and it's also too close, so my second attempt was with a No 8 thread and still the 3/8" spacing and I like that much better.  I will keep both as examples of what I like and what I don't....you can make up your own mind

Much prefer the flatter look.

I then decided to try out a pattern on a pillow case, so off to the shops to buy some brand new pillowcases.... beware they are not finished off as nicely as you and I would want, but I wanted to start there and then - so beggars can't be choosers...... I once again have used the No 5 cotton because I have a lot more of that than white No 8, so I made the spacing 1/2" and although it looks O.K. I think it is still a bit bulky....so I might just have to finish and use them for my spare bedroom and start again for my bed.

Should have ironed it before the photo shoot :)

I am on another mission, in fact its a secret mission so I can't really tell you anything about it but I will just give you a few glimpses of what I am up to and you can use your imagination as to what they will become...how about that?

This is just the beginning

I have also had a play at some more embroidery ...... no Angie - this is not for the Cathedral Window blocks!

Should do more of this before my eyes go completely 

Some of you may know that I have a love hate relationship with EQ (Electric Quilt) but today I love it as I recreated this block.......I had seen the block before but couldn't find it in cyber world so had to get my brain in gear and draw it up .......

YEAH!!! it works and I love it

Last but not least I am making some blocks ........ I would love to tell you what these are going to be, but if I did I think I would have to kill you as these are top secret ..... wonder how long I will be able to keep them secret?

More in the Hexigon world 

Half square triangles in the making 

We are off tomorrow to visit Chester and then onto Liverpool, so hopefully next time I will have some sites to show you .....that's if the rain keeps off.  

Happy sewing.

Bike rides, Apple pies and internet problems....

Wednesday didn't start so well.... our internet has been dropping for the last couple of months.  I won't bore you with the details, but let me just say I now have two sheets of paper with all the details of my phone calls, names, dates and  times of calls etc. all logged and today was no different.  I really don't know how I keep my temper when some idiot (one of the support team)  asks if the router is turned on....... needless to say I needed to get out into the countryside for some relaxation.

Bikes on board and off to The Brampton Valley cycle way.  This is where we started...

So beautiful

  I, like many others had never been to this county until my hubby's work brought us here and I have to say the Northamptonshire country side is really beautiful, but as a county it is almost the forgotten one as most folk just drive straight through.  You don't know what you're missing.

All neat and tidy

and this was my treat at the pit stop

Cooling Pimms...getting a taste for this drink!

On our travels we had noticed all of the blackberries that could have been pick had we thought to take a pot or bag with us, but on our way back I noticed apples on the track.  Yes a wonderful apple tree just about to give up its heavy load.  It took a bit of persuasion and shaking of branches but we quickly filled Mr D's saddle bags.....well not quite filled them, as we felt we should leave some for others to enjoy (in truth we couldn't reach any more).

Missed out on these

We used to call this "scrumping" but now I believe the term is foraging

First of many, me thinks..yummy!

Thursday is usually a day when I go to sit and sew at my local quilt shop, but today I have an appointment with an engineer from B.T. (British Telecom) so I started the day making my pastry for more apple pies.

Just look at the amount of apples still to go into pies

Did you notice the big 'A' on the two pies that will be frozen. There is a reason for this, you see I have often made chicken pies and apple pies and all have sat happily in my freezer unnamed because I would definitely know which was which......famous last words.  On at least two occasions I have got 'apple' pies out, cooked them in the oven, made the custard to go with them only to find when I have cut them open its been lovely chicken and mushroom inside ...... not really the thing to go with the custard!   More pies to be made, but this one for today...

Definitely Apple

I did have a bit of time for sewing, so I finished off the bag that I should have been sewing with my friends.  It's  another of the patterns that I won from Geta's linky party.  It not only has the two pockets at the front (the white fabric is the pockets), there is also a zipper pocket on the back and at least 3 more on the inside.....very handy 

Yes my man did come to try to fix my internet problem.... but the stupid thing didn't drop once while he was here. He did  change a couple of bits in the junction box, run a few tests and wished me luck - as after 3 1/2 hours  he didn't really feel he had resolved the problem.......guess what?...he hasn't, its still playing up and my list with name dates and times is just getting longer.   

Busy Busy Busy!

I feel like my feet haven't touched the ground, let alone allowed my fingers at my sewing machine.  I have had a busy few weeks, but it has been fun.  Over the long weekend we went up to Norfolk to celebrate my hubbies uncle Stan's 90th birthday.  It turned out to be a great weekend catching up with family and chatting over old times and memories...

The man himself....doesn't look his age does he?

Then during the week we went off to a local hotel that has an open air theatre. We usually only go to see a show once a year, but this year after seeing My Fair Lady in June we decided to go back again for 'Anything Goes'.  Both of these performances have been brilliant and well worth the ticket price.  I am always amazed at how well they create the scenes.  I know we were not supposed to but I did take a quick photo  to show you the 'set'- a luxury liner.  

And a beautiful evening  to boot.

There are always some blankets on hand for those chilly evenings, but this year we didn't need them.

As the weather has been so kind to us we had a trip out to Grafham Water with our bikes.  I was amazed that it was so quiet, but  maybe the children in that area had already gone back to school.  

On the dam wall 

Blue blue skies 

When you see this many berries it usually doesn't bode well for winter

Hampshire was our next visit to see some old friends.  The journey down usually takes 2.30 hours ...this time 3.45 hours! The M25 is sometimes exasperating!   Once again the weather was brilliant, and we sat in the garden, chatted, drank and ate..... no photos I am afraid but just lapped up the sun and hospitality. 

I have done some sewing.....I have been finishing off my Mini QT swap from flickr, but can only show you some sneak peaks until my partner has received it. 

All hand pieced and quilted

I did find this on Pinterest and made one for me to carry my paper pieced bits.

Closed with a magnetic clasp

Lots of room inside

Off for another bike ride tomorrow....got to make the most of this wonderful weather....

I've had a good week

Well, what a fun week I have had.  I had a great weekend with my friend Dee who I met through flickr and I thought the rest of the week might be a bit of a let down, but how wrong could I be.  Monday I went off to my sewing group and as it was one of our all day sessions a plan had been hatched to make Table Centre's. Quite a few of the ladies 'had a go' and most of us got most of the Table Centre finished, just maybe the binding to be finished at home.  This is my masterpiece.

On Wednesday Mr D went off to play golf which meant I could play at home making a mess to my hearts content.   I decided to make some pin toppers,  I have made a few in the past, some successfully, others not so hot! So off I went to the world of Pinterest to see if I could get some ideas... well we all get inspiration from Pinterest don't we!  These are the product of about 4 hours work...... think I might be a bit slow, but it was a fun day.  I just love the Penguins and the Rabbits.........hope you can recognise them!!!!

there is a hedgehog and a funny bird at the back - they weren't quite so hot!

Thursday brought the postman, and you will never guess what he brought me!!!!!! Two drinking straw containers....again the wonderful world of  pinterest.  I found this  and knew it would be a great way for me to store some of my ribbons.  What do you think?

Think I might have to put some brighter ribbon in them

I also managed a few finishes this week.  Firstly my Mandala, that I first saw here, it was a project that was to keep us busy with hand work on a Monday.  Four of us started them, 2 of us have all the hexies on the backing fabric, and one(!) of us is FINISHED  Yeah!!!

The hexies were randomly placed, so no measuring.

My friends daughter is getting married, so she needed a special coat hanger for 'The dress'.

just needs a ribbon around the hook

and lastly you must see my Agapanthus.  I don't have as many flowers this year, so I think I must do some research on what to do to improve them for next year.

Love them

The flowers this year have been absolutely fabulous.

To finish off my week we are off to Norfolk on Saturday to celebrate Mr D's uncle Stan's 90th birthday. Whoop Whoop!!

Friends from afar

Phew! been out and about for the last couple of weekends.  I managed to get to the Birmingham Festival of Quilts last weekend, and what a day!  I didn't buy too much, but had to indulge in a couple of gadgets, the first was a seam ripper with a sort of rubber on the end, and you use the rubber to rub out all those small bits of thread left in your work after you have been through with the seam ripper.....guess what??? it works, so I was quite pleased with that.  My other (sort of ) gadget was some tiny plastic templates that you can use for English Paper Piecing and I have used them successfully.  I can't show you exactly what they are for, as they will be part of my flickr Mini Q T swap and if you remember that mini can't be shown until my partner has received it.  However, I can show you just how small they are.

Half inch diamonds ...

Do you remember last year I met up with Dee her visit who was visiting her daughter in Oxford, well, she is back so this weekend Mr D and I travelled over to Oxford to meet up with D and family.  Miss D's daughter had a friend racing in a local regatta so we went down to the river to watch.

race beginning

They obviously didn't cheer enough

because D was left cheering at the finish line.... they came 2nd  

We then went off to Cowley Classic Car show.  As we walked in, D pointed out an American Police car and told us that she drives one just like it.....fool that I am I didn't take a photo and as we saw so many cars I now can't remember the name of the car (I'm sure if D reads this she will add the name in the comments), all I can say is my last little car (a Fiesta) would probably  have fitted in the boot (or trunk if we are talking American)

We wandered and talked about cars our Dads had driven, cars we had driven, and cars we would loved to have driven. But all agreed this car/ truck was just a great colour and we needed a photo shoot.

Got to admit it would have been a bright car in its day

I had made a couple of gifts for D.

I showed you these in an earlier blog

but added this to the pile....

I did add one of my little pin toppers, hope it gets through customs

and what a lucky lady I am as in return I got a bumper gift pack........ so many beautiful fabrics 

What a lot I got, but this is not all..

Look who joined them........ these little birds were made by D's dad, they have ribbons around their middles

They stand on their own...so cute!

and one day I hope D and her family will come to see those little birds sitting in my sewing room.

Standing outside some beach huts

It was great to spend a day with D, her hubby and her daughter M.  I do hope they manage another trip to the UK.

Before I go I just want to show you that Stargazer Lilly that was growing in my garden.

8 blooms all on the one stem....so beautiful

What a couple of weeks....what will the next couple bring????