Warwick Winery and Baltimore

Saturday started with some very British weather, overcast and dreary, wet without actually raining. We decided to take our quarterly hike to Sams club and bought huge packs of household "stuff" . The rest of the day I spent working on a flannel disappearing nine patch quilt. I used huge squares 6 X 6 the idea is you make a standard nine patch then cut it into quarters and twist them around and sew them back together. I really like the effect it gives.






It looks very different from the standard 9 patch. Sunday we went off to Warwick Winery in Pine Island for live music, great food and for DH and friends some good wine ( i am driving to Baltimore so no alcohol for me)

If you live in this area I strongly urge you to check it out - it is such a fun day. Of course it was made even better for us as we were enjoying the company of very good friends.

So 3.30 I left everyone still having fun at the winery and started by drive to Baltimore, arrived there about 8.30 after a stop at the dairy queen :-) The drive was pretty good and seems I was lucky as there had been a massive storm in Baltimore only a few hours earlier. Hotel is fine and I brought my new Babylock light weight machine in the hope that I get to do some piecing.

Monday arrived at the office bright and breezy and had a really productive day, went out to dinner in the evening with Gale and she took me to a very good Mexican in the Canton area of Baltimore. Its looks quite an artsy area





The restaurant was very good although I was surprised that their theme would be Elvis - I guess there is a good back story there? Any way great company, good food and a very nice house margarita.



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Oh Gourd!

We are preparing for very high temperatures today and keeping indoors as much as possible.

This time last year we were on our road trip, part of which was a one week visit to Lancaster PA. We were camped right in the middle of the Amish community and one of our purchases was a hand painted gourd which we have hung in the garden. Obviously we are not the only ones to like the gourd as we have a pair of birds that have taken up residence. We are hoping they will lay eggs and we can watch the babies grow.






This morning one of the many deer was feeling braver than normal and came really close looking for something to eat. The dogs were so surprised they just sat and stared out of the window while the deer took its time.





The past two evenings I have been trying to catch up on my BOM Patriots in Petticoats. I am off to Baltimore next week with work so I thought I could cut them ready then sew next week while at the hotel. They are very complex blocks though and I have spent hours cutting pieces that are small and measured in eighths. Tomorrow is forecast to hit the high 90"s


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Small Projects and Samples

Arrived back in the US a week ago last Sunday, nice to see DH and the dogs again. The weather is also a nice surprise really sunny. I hear ware going to hit the high 90's this week but this will also be very muggy as we are forecast to have high humidity. Anyway enough of me proving how British I am by discussing the weather !

I have been out running a few times last week and thanks to some of the residual jet lag, I have been able to go early in the morning. Friday I met Sara for lunch in the town, we had a very nice time and really must do it again soon. Friday night I decided to try out one on my new John Deer embroidery designs. It is a fringed flower, very pretty and stitched out nicely. What do you think?





Saturday morning I went down to Quilters Attic for a class on 5D software, very good but I really need to keep working with it as I am not really using it enough to get the full benefit of its features. So with that in mind I went off to Homegoods and bought some nice towels and then designed an embroidery to go across the band - I am pleased with the results.




His and Hers towels for the hot tub. Buoyed by my new renewed enthusiasm for smaller projects and made myself a shop card holder with my serger









Quickly followed by a quick serger case to hold my mouse and 5D dongle





I was now on a roll so next decided to tackle some of my orphan blocks and turn them into cushion covers.











Then I rounded the afternoon off with trying out another of the John Deer designs, I think I will turn this into a small wall hanger.




Phew !! that was fun. This week I get to work from home and then next week I am off to Baltimore.




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England to Wales and back again

Sunday I had to move into the pub as the cat managed to make a small hole in my inflatable bed, good job its only 200yds down the road. Monday Alana went to nursery and Sarah and i went into Reading for a spot of shopping and sorting some of my bank stuff out. I was blown away at the cost of parking over 10 pounds and we were there just over 2 hours. I have got so used to not being charged to park anywhere in US.

Tuesday we had a little bit of drama, my daughter was supposed to be staying with her fathers girlfriend but at the last minute she decided to ban me from dropping Sarah off at her house. Must have heard of my prior life as a cat burglar ( Joke ) actually I am at a loss to understand, been divorced nearly 20 years and she has only been on the scene for a year, I thought that we were passed that sort of nonsense. The only good thing was it made me feel like I was back at school again!

Anyway on to plan B Sarah stayed at my ex in-laws and thank goodness we have maintained a healthy relationship over the years. I stayed with my Mum. Wednesday I took mum off to Mumbles for the day ( after we had a little bet on the horses and a visit to my Aunty Hazel and Uncle Dave) it was so lovely to finally see the sea. We had a nice lunch up at the pier then walked into town and joy of joy found a quilt shop. I bought some beach themed charm squares so I make a quilt for the little bedroom at home.








We rounded off the trip with a visit to Joe's for ice cream.

Went to pick up Sarah at the outlaws but had to drive around the block for 5 mins so as not to upset the girlfriend who hadn't left yet :-) see I really am a sweetie. We went off to Porthcawl and had a fish and chips at the Atlantic and a good long chat.

Went back for the two of them this morning and then collected my mum and off to Ewenny to Crazy Kids. Couple of hours for Alana to burn off some excess energy and then the drive back to Berkshire



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Family here I come

The car came to collect me at 10 o'clock and the first 10 miles took nearly 45mins welcome to London and that's not even rush hour. On the way we passed many of the the well known sights but one I thought might not be so well known is this one,



the locals refer to it as the gherkin. I bet the poor architect who slaved over this design is mortified. As we swung around the palace we were lucky enough to pass the changing of the guard.





At last I arrived at Heathrow ready to pick up my car from Avis. In order to for everyone to follow the next bit - british version will be in brackets. They upgraded my Ford Focus wagon (estate car) for a BMW version, very nice. It was low and narrow (normal) and took a bit of getting used to. Especially the stick shift ( gear lever) and driving on the other side of the road ( normal side of road). Roads were busy (normal) and as I got closer to Sarah's the roads were very narrow (normal) but I arrived unscathed. They were both really pleased to see me and I think Alana liked her back pack









and the denim dress



and her sundress


Sleep now thats an interesting word -- I think I remember what it used to feel like. Ho Hum! Saturday turned out to be a nice sunny day so we drove off to a Waterfowl Sanctuary on the outskirts of Banbury. There were lots of chickens, ducks, goats llamas and donkeys. Alana had lots of fun feeding them













She was also able to pet a few of the smaller animals, she had a rabbit, baby chick, hamster and a gerbil on her lap (not at the same time)









The evening was rounded off with home made chocolate puddings with runny centers and fresh strawberries - Sarah made them from scratch and they were delicious.


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Canary Wharf so near yet so far

So here I am, working in Canary Wharf London. I arrived here late Monday morning and on the way in from Heathrow, passed my favorite windows, just imagine how great the light in those rooms



I have done 6 training sessions in 3 days, my feet ache like crazy. it's been interesting, especially trying to make sure that I cover everything in each session without repeating myself in the same session. Wednesday night I went out to dinner with a friend of mine who works at the company that I was working with last November. We went to Borough Market and a fish restaurant, really good. different menu every night depending on the fish they have. I had a lovely mackerel pate to start and a whole Dorset crab as a main course.

On the way back to the hotel tonight I treated myself to a rhubarb smoothie, it was yummy, you don't tend to see much rhubarb in the US. Tonight I was too tired to go out so I had room service but as I am staying at the Four Seasons it was served beautifully



So close to family yet too far to visit yet. Friday will resolve that, I will be going back to Heathrow to collect a car and then off to see my daughter and granddaughter yeay!



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Huge catch up

Wow it has been such a long time since I blogged last. I have been really busy wrapping up my project in Florida and also lots of classes and some visitors.

ok lets go back in time ......... April 13th my niece came to visit with us all the way from Scotland - only just a teenager and flew all on her own! She is a real pleasure to have around, very chatty, easy going and prepared to come hiking with us.

On the Friday and Saturday she was entertained by DH as I had already committed two classes by one of my favorite bloggers and authors - Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville.com I took two of her classes, Pineapple Blossom




and Scrappy Mountain



These are both scrap quilts so I was able to finally start to use some of my scraps. Bonnie was a lot of fun and a really great teacher, if ever you get the chance then don't hesitate to sign up. Bonnie also gave a lecture at the guild on managing and using her scraps and one of the quilts she showed was her own Scrappy Mountain


We had lots of day trips with Caitlin and plenty of trips to the craft store. On the 23rd her mum (my sister)and stepdad arrived and so we had a week of hiking eating and chatting with them, it is always nice to see them and the time passes far too quickly.

Apr 30th I had a class at Quilters Attic in Pine Bush -- it was a cutwork embroidery and I had chance to use my cutwork needles -- they actually cut out the fabric for you -- how cool is that. Just realized I have not taken a picture yet - so will need to do that soon.

On the Sunday we went for a very strenuous 8 mile hike up and around Bald Mountain about 45 mins away from the house. It was a great day and we all enjoyed it



Although we did have a minor scare when we came across a 5ft Black Rat snake. Not poisonous but quite aggressive and moved so very very fast - yuck!

Off to Florida for my final week and then a mad sewing weekend as I found out I was going back to UK and will be getting to see my daughter and granddaughter. So I knitted a shawl for Sarah




A Jersey jacket for me


some sundresses and capri pants for Alana










And this darling back pack for Alana









How cute is this ?

This weekend I made T- shirt dress for myself but I forgot to photograph that as well. Friday and Saturday I was at a John Deer embroidery seminar it was a lot of fun and I may have made a few purchases!

I am now sitting at the airport waiting for my overnight flight to the UK - 4 days of work then some time with the family. Yeay !

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