Sun, cream tea and Lorna

I just thought I would brighten up this rather dull afternoon with a happy sunny picture.

This was the cream tea I had with my sister the day before she went back to Cairo.  We did have strawberries and jam but they weren't in the picture for some reason.

If I could have 3 wishes I would ask for the sun, the cream tea and especially my sister to be back here in England but not necessarily in that order.  I miss my big sis.

XXX

Hi One and All

The sun shone, the breeze blew, and I got busy.

I'm giving this bag to my sister who returns to Egypt on Saturday.  I bit the bullet and cut into an embroidered tablecloth I had that had one or two holes in it to make the pocket on the front.  The outer material used to be a mini dress that my mum had made for my sister back in the '70s. 

I do hope Lorna likes it.  If not it will probably find its way to the Vintage and Handmade Fair on Saturday.  I still have to find a use for the rest of the tablecloth.

Love to all
Philippa x

Beautiful flowers

Hi Everyone

I'm feeling a little under the weather at the moment so as always I did a little bit of retail therapy at Magpies and came home with a wonderful posy of flowers.

Like me they are not in the best of condition but I still love them. 

Happy days

Philippa x

Hi Everyone

I just had to go out yesterday and visit my favourite shop (Magpies) for a pick-me-up after our soggy Scottish holiday.

And look what I found, 6 more pretty tablecloths to add to my collection. One of them is printed with bright flowers and another is a woven, pastel-coloured cloth that reminds me of one from my childhood, possibly belonging to Nanny.  The lady in Magpies apologised that there were one or two small stains but I don't care as it proves they have been used.  I don't think, however, I shall be using her suggested method for removal which was bleach.  Far too harsh.

Now who's for tea and a slice of cake?

Philippa x

PS  I forgot to mention that Number 3 Son did excellently in his GCSEs and has secured his place at college.  Well done Alexander. xxx

Hi

We got back from Scotland 2 days ago.  We were meant to be away for a fortnight but it rained so much and so often that we gave in and came home.  There is only so much damp-dogs-and-grumpy-teenager that you can put up with.  And what has it done since we got back?  Rained, which is a nightmare when you are trying to get all the washing dried.  Hey ho.

I did however have a lovely time visiting all the charity shops in Dumfries and when I say all the charity shops I mean all of them and there are a lot. Such fun.

 
As you can see I found the sweetest tin with spaniels on it and the little sauce boat and saucer.  I'm not sure I will be able to part with anything you can see in the photo EVER.

Philippa x

PS  I've just noticed that my posting of the Nunney Street Fayre earlier this month has duplicated itself in July and replaced a posting then.  I do apologise for this as I have no idea how that happened.  Still I don't suppose anyone would have noticed if I hadn't said anything!

Hi Everyone

Last night I had a ripping time!  I dug out a quilt that I started making a long, long time ago when I first learned quilting.  Everything is wrong with it:  the materials used, the piecing (I can hear Lee's voice telling me off that those points don't match), the border strips and the wadding.  I really don't know what made me think 6oz wadding would be easy to hand quilt.  So the quilting was pulled out, the wadding removed and the borders ripped off.  I stopped at unpicking all the blocks simply because it is a first quilt and I need to have that bench mark to know how much I have improved (ha, ha).

The hope is that tomorrow I can get the borders remade and the quilt sandwiched so I can quilt it while I am on holibobs.  In the tradition of many a quilter I had intended to give it to No 2 Son while he was at university but as so frequently seems to happen he has graduated before the quilt is finished.  It's only a single size too and the only single bed in the house is No 3 Son's and I have already made him a quilt.

What a quandry!

Philippa x

Hi Everyone

Wow we were so lucky with the weather on Saturday.  Short showers in the morning when we were  setting up at the Nunney Street Fayre but then sunshine for most of the day.  It would have been a different story had the Fayre been on Sunday.

Here I am all set up and ready to go.

The theme of the day was World War 2.  You can't see it clearly here but I hired a 1940s dress and hat (obviously I haven't got that on here) and joined in the fun.  Just after I did put my hat on a total stranger took my photo.  I was completely taken by surprise so I can only imagine what I looked like.

Thank you to everyone who visited my stall.  I hope to see you again soon.

Happy crafting

Philippa xx