I went to the funeral and the whole service, including the hymns, was in Welsh and although I did not understand a word it was a joy to listen to. I do intend to learn but suspect that I will not become fluent, it would take a great deal of time and I have so much that I want to do. As long as I can get by in a shop and pronounce all the place names correctly ( the Welsh of Carmarthen is fantastic) I will be happy.
Anyhow, I managed to find time to unpack the new machine and have a little play.
I ran through a few stitches with some scraps first.
Then decided to make something, anything. You notice that I am still using leaders and enders.
One cushion cover, just needs quilting and backing. All from 9 odd 10" squares.
Then a practical apron, for me.
Yesterday we had a quick shopping trip into Ponty and then spent the day lazing in the garden. We seemed to eat all day, I blame Francesca completely.
Fran is here for the weekend, after dinner yesterday we took off in the car and stopped at a Riverside Walk between Ponty and Ystalyfera. It was just a walk carved out of the trees and undergrowth and Ben loved every minute of it. We turned a corner and this building appeared.
We returned home and decided that a pot of tea was called for. I tested the new apron, not too bad. I need to make the pocket bigger and position it lower.
Reasons to be grateful.
1. Sunshine, glorious days filled with light.
2. Afternoon tea, served in fine china, on the "lawn".
3. Accompanied by scones, warm from the oven, sweet Welsh butter and homemade strawberry jam.
4. A gift of some delicious, very strong coffee, ready ground.
5. Flowers and baby chili peppers on my new plants.
I forgot to say that I picked up 2 chili plants and 2 cherry tomato plants in Ammanford last week. They are planted up into their final pots and growing away strongly. I did set a trough with French bean seed but only 1 plant has popped through so far, I may have to set some more. I have trays of mixed leaves and pots of radish on the go as well.
There is a plague of Keel slugs in the front garden, I am out there with a torch and a small hand fork at dusk on a daily basis. I am evolving into a serial killer, but only of slugs. I will not use slug pellets as there are lots of song birds in the valley and I would hate to kill any.
That's all for today, we allegedly have a full week of fine weather ahead, good times.
TTFN Pam
I love your scrappy quilt
ReplyDeleteI save every last scrap, any too small to be sewn into a block get used as stuffing or raw edge applique.
DeleteWelsh butter is my absolute favourite! We bring loads home from our holidays
ReplyDeleteI have found several different ones to try. I usually buy salted but sweet butter is perfect for scones, both making and anointing.
DeleteHi Oam, have been so bogged down in stuff haven't managed to read blogs lately, so have been catching up with yours. I love your quilting, and I too use leaders and enders when chain piecing - the most sensible thing to do, I think! You seem to be really settling in to your new life, I hope it continues to entrance you! We are off to Crickhowell tomorrow for a few days in the caravan so hope we are both going to have a week of good weather!! Lxx
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the break, I am having a whale of a time, not enough hours in the day or days in the week.
DeleteLove your new machine. Learning Welsh sounds very ambitious. Seems you've had a lovely time enjoying the sunshine and the company. I had an amazing weekend myself spent with family. Love, Helen x
ReplyDeleteIt may be a high hope but I am going to give it a whirl, I fell it would be rude not to. Plus it is a beautiful language to listen to. Glad you had a good weekend.
DeleteGoodness me Pam, it seems as if it is such a long time since I passed by this way! So many posts to catch up on. I dont seem to have had much time recently to read many blogs. Hope you are settling in well.I think the patchwork cushion is fab by the way!
ReplyDeleteI try to have an hour in blogland to start my day, I set my phone alrm and just log off as soon as it screams at me. Then later on I plan to write my own post. I like the cushion too but all those seams....I had to press them open in the end.
DeleteWOW! your new machine definitely looks the business. Fabulous scrappy quilting, I have so much to learn about patchwork. The ladies at our Thimbles group are excellent at sharing their knowledge, maybe one day I will get past the plain squares stage :-)
ReplyDeleteMy machine is so good that I plan on getting rid of all my others, except for the treadle, and possibly buying an embroidery machine.
DeleteYour machine looks really complicated, it would terrify me lol x
ReplyDeleteI thought so too, then I had a demonstration in the store and a play myself. I watched the video twice and read through the instruction book before I so much as put a spool of thread on it. I would advise anyone to do much the same. I love it.
DeleteI love the colors in your cushion cover piece. That looks like a really nice sewing machine. Too complicated for me but I bet you will do amazing things with it.
ReplyDelete