Last minute decisions

I don’t do small quilts
I don’t believe in them
Nothing worse than when you wrap in one there’s not enough to go around you.
So mine are always big, or I do it properly or I don’t.
When I started Patchwork I used to buy Fat Quarters. I don’t anymore
I buy metres, I suppose this is a sign of a Seriously Addictive Hobby.
I don’t like to run out, just me that’s the way I am, I rather have surplus, because I will always use scraps, they are just great for Applique.
For the backing of my quilts I usually buy a cheaper version of cotton.
So when I last went to Lisbon, I stocked up, and bought two metres of some fabrics.
Now all this to say that I want to add a border
And here is where the problem started, the 2 metres fabric was just about ok, if I didn’t do a border, but a border I think it would look really nice.
My first quilt I couldn’t decide on the backing, so I’ve ordered one from America that I think… she says will look ok, but they have only posted today, and I can see lots of delays because of the hurricane, so that quilt will be on stand by.
So the pressure was on me, because Saturday I need this, so had to order three, yes 3 metres, of a backing fabric so I can do a border.
And tomorrow that will get to me.
This is the exciting thing about Patchwork, at least with me, I don’t like to plan too much in advance, I plan as I go along, and then I panic, when I have deadlines, it’s probably just me, but I can’t help it
So now I have decided in the backing in the border, and in the binding, we are all set, so tonight is going to be the turn of the binding
Fabric, Ruler and Cutter and you know what?
I’ve gone all dotty!!!

Mission Accomplished

Oh yes I did it!!!

Second quilt top finished, bring on next weekend :-)

Half way there…

And loving every single step





Let’s get stuck on the other half
Have a wonderful afternoon x

And today is like this

This is the view, from my bedroom window!
It’s cold, it’s raining, it’s windy!!
Absolutely the Perfect Conditions to be indoors
Love it x

Et voilà

And here we are, ‘Bia’s Sample Quilt’ top is finished.
I love the mixture, I love this quilt.
From catalogues of fabric samples, a quilt is born.
I’m pleased





This is my true Patchwork Love, working with scraps, hard work, but well worth it….
Talking about hard work, let me continue, with the second quilt top, hopefully to be finished very soon



Talk about Scraps, talk about a Bag of Scraps that cost me £ 5.00
No name for this one yet, let’s get back to those 120 squares
See you later
x

Finished

One quilt top finished

Will take some photos at the weekend

Have a great Friday

x

Perfect ending for a not so nice day

Today was one of those days.
To start it’s Monday, always a very difficult day for me, after a nice peaceful weekend, it’s always hard to go back to work.
The weather didn’t help.
And it was a very busy day, of course with a few IT difficulties, let’s call it that
So was really looking forward for the evening.
The little studio de cluttered after yesterdays clearance, and my creativity could once again flow
It’s amazing how much that influences me
Grand Designs on the background, makes me dream, and concentrate on my quilting at the same time.
All back to normal, and voilà, done the final cutting of the squares that were missing, remember this?
Yes this is the one, there was a lot, and I mean a lot of squares missing, but laying them all again, I now can safely say, that we are back on track, about time too.
So this little beauty is now taking shape, and by this weekend … she says … the top will be done!!
Choosing the backing fabric has proven to be a bit more difficult, so many choices, makes it harder.
I can see me going dotty, I suppose I’m on a dotty mode, could be worse …really
Have a great week
x

The Art of Mending

‘I make my living as a quilt artist, and for the most part the work I do is commissioned. I charge a hundred and fifty dollars a square foot, not without guilt. But I have a whole days when I stand at my design board moving pieces of fabric around, and I don’t sew a stitch.

Then something clicks, and I hit the machine. The money I charge pays for the thinking time too; I explain this to my customers. And people do pay it, willingly – I have more clients than I can handle….’

The Art of Mending

Elizabeth Berg

 

Absolutely right, exactly how I think, quality rather than quantity.

As one gets older this becomes very much the option when choosing things

This book has all the ingredients to be a good book.

Can’t wait to continue reading it

x

Thoughts

It was lovely to go back to Portugal
It always is, lovely family, lovely friends, lovely food and lovely country.
I’m not going to talk about politics, I’m sure we are all aware of what is going on.
I do so much, I walk so much, I eat so much … it’s all too much
No wonder I get home, and it takes me a few days to get back to ‘normal’.
I have been sleeping lots, yes I slept very little while I was there.
Life is different, you simply can’t compare.
I love it there, but this is now what I’m used to.
There you go out for dinner, at nine, ten…. here at six I’m having my dinner
Life here is slower, less stressful, greener
This is what I got used to.
I asked myself… where is home?
I still have to think…
But I suppose this is home, this is where i chose to live, this is where I have been for many many years
There I have almost everything, family, lots of friends and lots of memories.
Here is where I chose to live and where with the years I build the life that I live today
So this is Home, in a sense of the word.
Have a lovely evening x

Holiday Part II – Setubal

There’s a town near where my parents live, that has the best cuttlefish that I have ever eaten.
Every time I go there I have to go and enjoy this magnificent dish
Should be on that list of the ‘ Wonders of the World’
They are just yummy!!!
Take my word

Image taken from Google

Forgot to take the picture when they got to the table, wonder why???? '

This city is called Setubal, in my view nothing special, but the views, and the beaches near it, are just wonderful

And I will be back for my last holiday post
x

I’m back!!!

Oh yes holiday time has finished, or shall I say mini holiday?
It was just great, and it just went soooo fast!!
Lisbon is a gorgeous city, just fall in love, even more, every time I go there











It is just beautiful!!
And to help, the weather was just gorgeous…
Well worth a visit if you have never been there
I will leave the rest for another post

To be continued ……

After yesterday’s…

… shock discovery, it’s almost all sorted!!
You know me, I don’t hang around!!!
I had a really busy and very enjoyable Sunday, done lots and I mean lots
Even started clearing the loft, how great is that?
So tonight I have all the clothes washed and ironed
All dinners for 3 nights sorted, will be going away on Thursday
All nice and tidy
Great start of the week
Have a great one everybody
xx

Let me tell you a secret

… please don’t tell anybody, that I’m an accountant!!
Just laid my squares in the bed, thought let’s put that one together before going away, and ready for the Big Weekend in November.
Well well well ….. I’m so so ……………….. short
What was I thinking????
Just let’s keep this among ourselves
I always say, I have two life's, one from 9.00 am till 18.00 pm on a weekday, and then I have the other.
This has just proved that I’m so right, brain must switch off at six… weekdays
I won’t even tell you how many squares are missing…
Yes it’s that bad…
Shame on me!!

And the Autumn brings…

… early nights, going to bed, listening to the rain outside.
… peaceful nights.
… lots of time to be just with you and your thoughts.
Quilts, blankets, socks, …
It’s a lovely time of the year
Indeed!!

Yet ….. some more

Well Life has been flying!!
Very busy at the moment, specially so close on going away for a few days, but Life is good.
Enjoying every single bit of it!!
Not done much about the Patchwork, apart from this addiction of fabric, talking about this… aren’t they just beautiful?
I think so
Still concentrating on my bags, and they are looking beautiful too.
Have a great weekend and I promise that I’ll be back before flying..
Have fun and Enjoy Life
xx