There are still roses blooming in my garden.  Then yesterday I noticed that one last Gladiola was trying to flower.  We've had such high winds and heavy rains lately that I felt it best to bring some of the colour into the house.  So here I've posted a couple of photos for your enjoyment.  It won't be long before all the colour is gone and all the leaves will have fallen. 
But to brighten everyone's end of day, I'm posting a piccie of those fabrics I purchased while at the fabric shop yesterday morning.   A special request from Liz.....so here you go Liz.

I've had the black fabric before but so enjoyed working with it, got a bit more.  The cream and the plum just called out to me and then there's the Terracotta mix....wow...what a gorgeous colour. 

So with the sewing alterations complete and two quilt blocks done today, I think I can go to bed knowing I've had a full day.  Good night all. xo

Another Nutso Day !

Don't you think it's a bit odd when the first thing you think of in the morning when you wake is, 'I'll get the sewing machine turned on and the iron warmed up in just a minute.' 

For goodness sake child, get some breakfast first, and at least get out of your nightie and brush your teeth. 

Today alterations consisted of four pairs of trousers, all being taken up, and two skirts that need a tuck in here and there.  For some reason, I'm the only one on this planet, (I feel) that's not shrinking.  Also cancelled my appointment with the physio guy (shame as he is a bit of a hunk), due to a cold.  So instead of physiotherapy, I went to the fabric shop.  Had to buy four spools of thread to match the four pairs of pants that needed shortening.  I couldn't believe that with all the threads I've got, nothing matched.  Of course, it wasn't just the thread I came home with, but no one but me needs to know that. 

Well, I'm off to bed shortly, and no.....I didn't get everything done today, so tomorrow it's more clothing work before quilting fun.  But come heck or high water, by high noon, I'll be searching my stash for the perfect fabrics to complete those infamous block swaps and postcards that are calling. 

The Underground Railroad Quilt

Well, it has been in the making for 15 months, so I had best get a picture of it on here.  It is actually hanging on the clothes line, and then the picture was rotated 90 degrees....this is why Abbie is floating in the top left corner. 
It's been a joy to make, mainly because I shared the experience with so many friends.  The quilt will now be used on my bed and it certainly won't take much time before Abbie has christened it with her dog hair.  But then, it is meant to be used. 
The centre of the quilt with its 16 blocks and sashing measures 63" square and then with the 11" wide outside border, the whole quilt is 85" square in total.  The outside border was strip pieced using leftover fabrics from the centre of the quilt.  The border was 14" wide, then I cut 3" off and set it aside to make the final binding.  It worked well. 


Marlene Hutchison did a marvelous job on the overall meandering stitch with a leaf pattern on the border.  My backing fabric is a lovely floral print on a purple background which makes the quilt reversible.  Here's a picture of the stitching shown on the back. 

I'm pleased that so many friends decided to follow the progress of the Underground Railroad story.  It really turned out to be an adventure worth taking. 

All Hallow's Eve

Thirteen years....that's how long it's been since I carved a pumpkin.  There just wasn't the need for one, but this year I felt it was time.  I was going to be home alone with Abbie and Molly, so during this afternoon I carved my pint size gourd, filled the bowl with candies and chocolates, lit two candles to be sure his face shone bright, sat him in the window beside the front door, and waited for my first victim.

In total 54 victims knocked on my door, and I was left with nothing.  Not one scrap of chocolate, not one measley little lolli-pop, just an empty bowl and a dead pumpkin.  Oh well, the costumes were great, the kids were well behaved, so it was a good night after all.  And my pumpkin....'Didn't he do well?' 

Only 24 hours ago I was working through the instructions on how to set up my own 'Blog'.  Thanks to Ros for her great 'two pages worth of what to do' and Jan for her 'batty banter' on getting things going I believe that I am now a newly fledged 'Blogger'....wahoo ! ! !

Snow Covered Blencathra in the West

To start off with, I'd like to share a few personal things.  A couple of pictures that complete my every day here in Penrith. 

This photo shows a prime example of the north end of the Lake District....and I see this every morning from my bedroom window.  Blencathra, also known as Saddleback stands at a height of 2,847 feet and is about 10 miles west of Penrith. 

Although I will never climb it, the drive from Mungrisdale at the bottom of the mountain to Caldbeck where the wool shop is, needs to be done at least once a year. 

'Abbie'

Abbigael is my sidekick, my best friend and the one friend with never ending unconditional love. 

She's now 9 1/2 years old and came over to England with me when she was only two. 

Her gentle dispostion makes her a joy to be around and so much fun to walk with. 



Well, enough of the chatter bug ....  time to get back to the sewing alterations.  Six pairs of trousers, two jackets and two skirts in 48 hours.  Not bad I'd say. 

The Final Postcard

Well, it came today...the final postcard of the most recent PP swap co-ordinated by Katy.  Here is the postcard I received from Irene Baldock called 'Happiness'.  It's made from the leftover 'starpoints' from her grandaughters quilt.  It's lovely colours of black, white and lilacs are well suited to each other.  Thank you Irene. 

Oh My God....I've done it.....

October 28, 2011

I would never have believed that this would be my next step in the world of computer literacy, but hey ho...here it is....my own blog titled 'Tessa's Treasures'.  Hopefully this will be the start of many postings, pictures and adventure.