Treasured Times and a Wonky Quilt Finish

I just thought I was getting into good habits and blogging regularly and then it all went to pot!

Last week my son Will came to stay for a few days........we had a wonderful time.......I treasured every moment as he's going to Australia in September and could be there for some time. I'm really happy for him but I'm going to miss him so much......

This week Spencer had his friend Ozzy to stay.........here he is snuggled up on the sofa........

The other day we saw some people doing exercises on the Common......possibly yoga.......sorry it's so far away......I didn't like to get too close!

And I have completed a quilt. This one has been several years in the making. 

It's a bit (actually a lot) crinkly round the edges. I didn't actually realise how crinkly it was until it was hanging on the line! What with the wonky log cabin blocks and the crinkly edge, I'm definitely going to name this quilt, the Wonky Quilt!

I think it's like this because this was my first (and only) attempt at freehand quilting. I found it quite hard which is why this quilt has been put away on the shelf several times! In the end I finished the quilting by doing wavy lines with my walking foot. otherwise it would still be on that shelf!

Very random, free and easy quilting.......which I enjoyed at first.......there was a freedom in it and it was an experiment!

The patchwork pattern is by Katharine Guerrier from her book Scrap Quilt Sensation.

I can remember piecing the blocks on my machine whilst watching the film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.......it must have been about four years ago.......funny how we remember such things!

I enjoyed making those wonky log cabin blocks!

Well the quilt may be a bit wonky but Max doesn't seem to mind........

Sorry Max...did we disturb you from your slumber?

Yesterday I made some cakes and flapjacks and wrapped them in fabrics and ribbons as they're for gifts.

Look at these lovely cows enjoying the Common....

I'm taking a short break from blogging but I won't be gone too long.

Take care 'til then,

Maggie xx

Family Time and Meeting Barney

We've just spent a couple of days at Chris's parents home where it's been lovely to catch up with the family.....

Lots of fun....

Lots of chatting.....

Enjoying the sunny weather.....

And meeting Barney, Spencer's pupster cousin.....

I love this pic....Barney had just given Chris a big wet kiss!

Great to get everyone round the table....

....for a delicious meal ...and a drop of wine.....

(let go of the bottle Chris!)

The cutest of cousins....Barney and Spencer got on so well together.....

Like Spencer, Barney loves cuddles....

Thanks for visiting!

Maggie xx

Busy in a good way

Yes I've been busy in a good way!

 

Doing one of the things I love!

 

Making baby quilts....

 

Lots of custom orders...

 

In the meantime though....

 

My roses are still blooming.....

I have made some more patchwork boxes....

 

A red one for Claire...........

A green one for Jean......

And for a customer in Greece, a larger sized box with soft sides, for baby's room.......

Spencer has been having some adventures over the last couple of weeks....

 

He's made friends with our neighbours' donkey...

Decided he loves paddling in the canal.......

And has discovered digging!

 

Now that's a guilty look!

It wasn't me....

I was sad to see the Wade Minikins go but they have a lovely new home with Brenda...

Well I better get back to my quilt binding!

 

Have a lovely weekend!

 

Maggie xx

Spencer is Six Months Old Today!

I can't believe our gorgeous pupster is six months old today!

He had a bit of a lie in this morning :)........

And here's one especially for Alfie, a handsome Golden Retriever belonging to Lynette of Sweet Posy Dreams.

Spot the rat, Alfie!!

If you haven't already, please check out Lynette's fabulous blog and post about Alfie and his Rat!! -- It came as a rat but left as a rag.

Have a great day!

Maggie xx

Spencer's Sunday Hat - well sort of........

A beautiful sunny day today...

Very hot but we've managed to get some gardening done.... I say gardening.....it's been more of a clearing vegetation sort of job.....a Russian vine that's been clinging to our back wall and getting larger and more intrusive by the minute.

So clearing job done, I thought I'd show you some of the flowers in my garden today.....

Pretty nemesias....gorgeous colour...

One of my favourites.....London Pride.....such sweet little pink flowers...

 

Pretty clematis.....I planted this a couple of years ago and I'm so pleased as this is the first year it's flowered...

Our Poached Egg Plant is spreading everywhere but it's a stunning display.....

 

Unfortunately I can't say the same about our little veggie patch. I planted carrots, parsnips and leeks....trouble is we can't work out which are the vegetables and which are the weeds!

We're hoping time will tell and we'll be able to recognise something!.......

Doesn't look good does it?!

I haven't had too much success in my greenhouse either...so sad :( .....I was so excited about growing seeds again......never mind though, the courgettes, tomatoes and butternut squash grew... here they are waiting to be planted in the veggie patch.....You can see how hot it's been here...some of the leaves have been scorched..

We've had a little helper in the garden today.....Max appeared on the wall (he likes to sunbathe and have a bit of peace and quiet in our neighbour's garden)......

I'm sure he was asking if he could help ;)

Trying to help with the weeding?

Or just wanting a bit of fuss?.....

He soon found a nice cool block to supervise from!

In the meantime, Spencer hasn't been enjoying the heat much...he's been indoors keeping cool most of the day but when he did come out to keep us company, we thought we'd better help him out.......

Especially for Spencer....

Not exactly a hat...

More a hankie....

A knotted hankie to keep him cool.......

 

Hope you've had a great weekend :)

See you soon.

Maggie xx