Giveaway winner

So, the winner of the bundle of goodies from the Stitch Gathering is comment number 1.......my lovely friend Lynz.  I love that random number generation throws up numbers, and winners, who seem potentially non-random.  But it really was, honestly.  Anyhow I'm very pleased it was Lynz as I know she'd have loved to come along this year but wasn't able to.

Thanks so much for all the entries, it really was fabulous to discover so many new readers. 

I'll email you shortly, Lynz, to get your address.3

Stitch Gathering 2014.....and a giveaway

Hiya, I think it is time for a little Stitch Gathering sum-up.......wonderful!  I don't really need to say much more (except, of course, I will!).  I had the most wonderful bunch of 12 ladies who all finished their Café Aprons - so many different looks from one simple little pattern, and a few clever customisations along the way.  What a way to make me happy! 

If you hang on to the end of the post there's a wee giveaway to share some of the fun from the day.

Our lunchtime entertainment consisted of viewing all the very talented ticket bag decorations, some were truly stunning.  Then we had the fun of finding our swap partners, I hope Sally likes hers. I was exceedingly lucky to be given Jo's.  Isn't it clever (it really gives you an idea of Jo's rather eclectic and bright taste and her range of skills spanning pretty much the whole crafting spectrum)?  Katie was determined that I should highlight her two favourite parts.  Can you tell?

Here's me (on the right) with Jo, admiring the bag she gave me

There was also a pretty mindblowing Show and Tell session - just so much talent.  I couldn't resist adding this photo which shows just how impressed (and shocked) Jo was at the skill, and time, that had gone into making this bundle of red and white blocks. 

I joined in the Patchwork Doggie class in the afternoon......helping out a little to get a few people started and then I was able to do some sewing of my own, which was a great way to unwind after my class.  We were all hand sewing so there was plenty of time for chatting - in amongst the occasional naughty word as something was sewn on the wrong way round (I'm referring to myself here!).  I still have a bit more to do to finish mine but it won't take too long and I plan to give it to Islay.

It was lovely to see so many faces from last year and meet some great new people too.  (And fab to catch up with Sarah who I met at the Fat Quarterly Retreat last summer).

We all received fabulous goody bags.  Many thanks to the following sponsors:
Aurifil (thread), Nairns (biscuits), Pilot (Frixion pen), Coats (Millward needles and Coats thread), Dashwood (fabric FQ), Love Patchwork and Quilting (magazine), DMC (embroidery thread), Very Berry Fabric (Liberty Tana Lawn scrap pack), Groves and Banks (embroidery scissors), Liberty (tote bag, which I forgot to photograph, sorry, and fabric), Blend Fabric (2 fabric panels), Robert Kaufman (5FQ bunble), myBearpaw (DMC perle cotton number 8 and packet of beads)

Having had such a great day I thought it would be good to share some of the happiness........so to win the goodies below just leave me a comment!  Open to everyone, wherever you are and whether it is your first visit or you're a regular here.......and I'll probably sneak in some edible goodies too.....anyone not like chocolate?!  Good luck!

Sunshine and bluebells -and giveaway winners

Hello!  Just a quick pop in to say hi and announce the giveaway winners.  I'm delighted to say two new-to-me lovely people won..............Sara (sewlittletosay) wins the knit fabric (from Annie) and wee robot bag, and Gill wins the café apron.  I have emailed you both for your addresses. Winners were chosen by random number generation, I'm sure I could work out how to prove that to you with a screen shot.........but can you please just trust me?  Life is very very busy right now and my head is constantly spinning with ever growing lists. 

I generally love lists when they are the sort that things can be ticked off.  But almost everything on my lengthy list is at the stage where, once I complete one task it generates another, or, is handed over temporarily to someone else but still needs following up so I can't actually cross it off.  I do find it intensely annoying since I'm not creating a sense of satisfaction from fully completed tasks.  Still, the upside is that one day, when this is all over, I'm sure I'll instantly forget all the trauma - only to be completely shocked next time we move (but secretly I'm currently hoping that won't be for a very long time)!

And the photos?  Well, they are to remind me why this is all worth it.  I made a 24 hour visit up to the Black Isle a couple of weeks ago.  And, blissfully, had an hour all to myself before going to a meeting.  I took a walk along the old railway line between Avoch and Fortrose. If all falls into place, and we secure the house we are hoping for, then we will be able to cycle and walk this route to our primary school. Won't that be wonderful? We plan to live in Fortrose and there is a school bus to Avoch as, although it is only about 1 1/2 miles, the road isn't safe for walking - the road is sandwiched between the sea and the steep hillside, waaay down below the path from which I took these photos.  I'm sure that most days the kids will catch the bus, but I do like to know that we will be able to use our own steam too.

The wee town in the first photo is Avoch and that's where John is living just now.  It is likely that the rest of us will be joining him there in about 3 weeks time........in a teeny tiny fisherman's cottage not far from the harbour.  We'll have to hope for good weather while we're there as there really won't be room to swing a cat (not that I'd want to!).

I'm hoping to pop back next week - would you like to see some photos of our current house?  I have been planning to show you the 'tidy and ready for viewings' photos but wanted to wait until missives were concluded.  That was due to happen this morning so I don't need to feel strange about showing you round our house (although I'm not certain yet that they have been signed since our solicitor is off sick, I'm trying not to take it personally!) .  I can't quite believe that it will only be our home for another 10 days or so.  What a strange thought.  My poor parents are gearing up for a noisy invasion for a couple of weeks before we go north.

Wishing you a lovely weekend when it comes.

Stitch gathering 2014 Workshops

Photo from Jo's site - myBearpaw - expertly modelled by Jo

The pocket on my sample has a seam in the middle - result of a silly cutting error...I'll give precise cutting instructions to everyone taking the class!



Are you free Sunday 14th September this year?  Could you make it to Edinburgh to come along to the 2014 Stitch Gathering Retreat?  I do hope that you can.  It promises to be a wonderful day.  Jo has lined up a great selection of classes - 7 in total, and you can attend 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon.

I'm really looking forward to teaching my Café Apron - this class is a great way to try out some dressmaking skills.  And the apron itself is pretty fun to wear (I'm sure it makes me feel like I'm a much more sophisticated cook when I have one on!) and it certainly makes a great gift too.

For details of the other classes have a look at Jo's blog and the Stitch Gathering website.  I do hope to see you there!

Also, still time to enter my Village Haberdashery giveaway - don't be shy, it is lovely to see some new names(I'm a dreadful 'lurker' on some blogs)!

Weekending in the sunshine

We spent the weekend at my parent's house - our 'country residence' while they are away!  We had beautiful sunny weather and although it was a weekend crammed full we came home feeling a little more recharged and relaxed.  It seems as if it was a lifetime ago already - yesterday was back into normal life with a vengeance.

But our weekend walks had crunchy leaves to run and rustle in, sunshine,  trees to climb and leaves to collect - perfect!  It felt almost completely still but little puffs of wind were blowing the last of the leaves off this oak, it was mesmerising.

I love the view above - the river Tyne running into the estuary with the Lammermuir hills behind.  The combination of the two - coast and hills - with rolling farmland in between makes East Lothian such a beautiful place to live in. I think so anyway!

And finally, I'd better announce the winner of my give away.  It was lovely to hear from some new names (hello to Kay, who I don't have any details for, Susan and Sarah).

And the winner is number 3 - Louise.  Louise writes the blog Ramblings of a Roachling - she takes the most wonderful walks often in The Peak District which is on her doorstep.  Her photos always make me want to visit.  I'll be in touch Louise to find out your address - scrap that, I can't find an email address on your site and you're set-up as 'no reply', can you please get in touch with me?!

I did some sewing and it is give away time!

Crickey, we're still a bit hectic around here.  But, fingers crossed, everyone seems to be on the mend.  Including me, I can now speak without croaking and can blow my nose without my ears whistling (that was very disconcerting!) - I'm hoping that I won't cough so much tonight and that I'll be able to sleep properly, that would be really lovely.

But it is a beautiful sunny day and I'm feeling energetic for the first time in a few weeks so life is good!

I've made a few little gifts for friends over the last month or so.  Pot holders made with some of my favourite scraps.  I love eking out the last of special fabrics.  I tried a spiral quilting pattern and really liked it. I would love to try it on a proper quilt but I'm not sure I'm brave enough.

This little pencil case is for my mum's great niece (also known as my cousin's daughter!) for her Christmas - mum and I reckon she's quite a grown-up little girl so I tried to make it girly without being babyish.

Remember the green tomatoes?  They did get turned into chutney.  We've just opened the first jar (the recipe recommended waiting a couple of months, at least, before eating) and it is yummy.  I picked the remaining tomatoes towards the end of October and made another batch of chutney today.  I think some will be given as Christmas gifts.

I bought this wonderful glittery fabric to make a dress (Made by Rae's Washi dress - I'll post about it separately).  The fabric is Gilt Trip - Buds in Metallic by Dear Stella, and it came from The Village Haberdashery.  It isn't at all typical for me but there's something I just love about it - maybe the buds?  I'm rarely a glittery, and almost never a gold, sort of person.  But, hey, it is good to be a bit different for a change. I have some left over.  Most of it will be a Christmas twirly skirt for Islay, some went to make this pouch which is a gift and the rest................

...............made another zip pouch for my give away.  Yay, finally!

For the give away there is the zip pouch and a little lavender bag - stuffed full of lavender and made with Liberty on one side and linen on the other.  I wanted to add a couple of other goodies and so found some treats from local small businesses  - the most delicious raw chocolate by Ailey Mae (and bought at local deli Hilary's) and gorgeous cold pressed soap by The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company (bought at Haddington Herbals).  Four local businesses supported!

And to win all you have to do is leave a comment and hope that Mr Random Number Generator likes your comment number.

The give away is a small way to say thank you to all the lovely people who visit my wee blog.  I love my bloggy friends and comments often make my day.  I love writing this little blog, and I get so much pleasure from reading other people's too - I know for sure that my sewing wouldn't have improved the way it has done over the last couple of years without the blog world, there's so much inspiration and help out there.

But, please, if you are a first-time visitor or long time lurker don't be shy about entering too - I'd love to hear from you, even if only this once. I'm a dreadful lurker on other blogs and I would be delighted if you fancied de-lurking!

I'll leave comments open until a week today (Wednesday 13 November) and I'll let you know the winner soon after.  Good luck!