A bright red log cabin, so easy and quick to make and uses up some small scraps in the middle.
A scrappy Strip top, I sew these 5" strips together as leaders and enders while making blocks, before long you have enough for a quilt or a stack of cushions. I am only doing 1 cushion with these as I want to make one in Rail Fence blocks and 1 with HST. Watch this space.
After my enormous dinner on Wednesday I thought that I better eat healthier yesterday.
A mixed leaf salad with peppers, cucumber , celery, radishes and fresh herbs. I cute up a small piece of Cheddar and a smaller piece of cheese with Chilies. It was lovely I used some Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar and the little pops of heat from the chili cheese were tasty.
I had a small slice of my Banana Cake for pudding, it is small the plate is only 6".
This the log cabin cushion from the book I used for the knitting bag, I prefer the traditional method of dark on one corner and light on the opposite. I have made the Courthouse Steps version a long time ago, maybe I will make another once I have finished the other 2 for James and Cerys.
On another note altogether, my nails have been weak for years, they split and splinter at the slightest touch,I put it down to the fact that I always had wet hands at work or I wore rubber gloves and at home I was in the garden for much of the time.
I have tried various products at odd times but none of them stood a chance to work because as I handled food I could not wear any of it at work.
Well a while ago I read about a new product from Sally Hansen, Miracle Cure, it comes in a little blue bottle with a gold top. You have to apply a thin coat on to bare nails every 2 days. I have now put my 8th coat on and my nails are no better at all. I am doing less gardening (and less housework with all this sewing and crochet) and had hoped to see a distinct improvement by now. I will carry on for 2 more weeks and if there is no improvement I will be contacting the company. This pretty little bottle was £10 and I expect to get something for my money.
Reasons to be grateful.
1. The thunder during the night brought a little rain and hot sun all day today.
2. My sewing is going well and you can not see a dent in the stash.
3. Ben is still scratching but not as madly.
4. I have a big salad for dinner tonight.
5. Fran requested a Bakewell Pudding, so I have made 1 for the weekend, 1 for her to take back on Monday and 1 for a friend.
I did step out of tradition and used strawberry jam, I have used all the raspberry from last year. I will be out looking for some fruit next week. I say jam but it is all seedless, Fran can not cope with the seeds and I prefer to have jelly as well. I am watching the blackberries, they are growing strong and I will be going off the beaten track to gather them. I do not want to upset the people who pick them every year from the easy to reach places. The Cobnuts are growing apace, I keep an eagle eye out for Grey squirrels but have seen no sign so far.
I am not sure what we will have for dinner tomorrow but Sunday it will be meatloaf, Fran will take a sandwich filled with some on Monday to get her through the train journey and I am going to make one for Maggie. I was having a cup of tea with her yesterday and the subject of weekend food came up, she almost drooled when I mentioned the meatloaf. It is not a recipe for one person so I will make extra and she can have it Monday.
I filled my slow cooker with beef olives today, they are to be dinner for friends on Saturday, they do not have a slow cooker so I offered to make and cook for them if they bought the ingredients.
I have some seeds to set and I have to look for some more pots and troughs over the weekend, I have plenty of compost.
I will not do any sewing now until Fran leaves on Monday, we will be far to busy talking. it is a good job that the cushions I have planned go together really fast.
On that note I am off to the kitchen toot sweet, I feel the need for tea.
Have a good weekend.
TTFN Pam
When I had problems with my nails I used a product called Nail Envy by OPI, you painted it on every day for 7 days then removed it and started the cycle again, it made my nails rock hard and they grew lovey I was then able to paint them and do nail art on them, I know a few people who tried the same product and had great results it also helps if you can massage some almond oil into the cuticles each night as well.
ReplyDeleteThat magazine I mentioned is part of the love Craft series.
Have a nice weekend with your visitors. :-)
Thank you Dawn, I will look for the Nail Envy later. I saw the magazine but have most of those things in the books and mags that I have, as I could not justify buying it I have ordered Quilty Fun from Lori Holt.
DeleteI love the top cushion, beautiful and bright. I rub almond oil into my cuticles each night before I paint them. I wouldn't say they are really strong but they are stronger than they use to be x
ReplyDeleteI am goint to try Dawn's recommendation and will look for Almond Oil as well.
DeleteThose cushions are lovely. Great colors! I read your blog regularly and I really admire your productivity:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeannette, I do like a splash of colour but these are going to James and Cerys for their new home. I do have some in mind for myself though.
DeleteWombles itching has calmed down since we changed his diet, we still have hiccups when he manages to snaffle some of the other dogs grub though the little sod lol
ReplyDeleteGood news, what food have you put him on, I met someone yesterday who has trouble keeping her whippet out of the cat,s food, she is supposed to be on a special diet. It is perverse as the little terrier is allowed to eat anything and doesn't. I know that cat food is not good for dogs as does the owner, it is just the cats and the Whippet that neither know or care.
DeleteStrangely after all the "posh foods" the dog groomer told me to put him on original Chappie. No biscuits just tinned Chappie. Took about two weeks to notice the difference but he's healed nicely now x
DeleteThe dog groomer suggested Chappie, had to be the original one though. Healed in a flash and he only itches a bit now. Hopefully that cured him x
DeleteHi Pam can you recommend anywhere to buy wadding for quilting, does it work out expensive, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHave a good look on line and then look in high street shops like Dunelm, hobby craft and any quilt shop or haberdashery to compare prices. It can be very expensive, I buy a full roll at a time so I do get a discount and before I moved I bought 2 so I was stocked up.
DeleteThanks Pam x
DeleteAs always your work is beautiful and the salad looks delish. Can you share the recipe for the bakewell pudding? My mum used to make bakewell tarts years ago and they were really good. I know what you mean about the soft/splitting nails. I think it must be an age thing. My nails used to be strong and grew like weeds. Everyone with the acrylic nails always said they would love to have my nails. Not any more, not only do the split all the time but they are growing in bumpy which ia not good when they get to the end and they are wavy. The only solution seems to be keeping them really short!
ReplyDeleteI live in hope that I can rescue my nails, time will tell. My Bakewell Pudding is very simple, an unbaked pastry case, I use a deepish dish and shortcrust pastry with a thinish layer of jam. Then I make a simple sponge mix replacing up to half the flour with ground almonds, I add baking powder. I always weigh the eggs and weigh flour/almond mix, sugar and buttery stuff to match, beat this with a wooden spoon and cover the jam then bake at 170 for about 30 minutes. My cooking is very 'ish as I use what I have rather than shop for 1 or 2 things. If I am short on ground almond I use a little semolina and add Almond extract.
DeleteHi Pam, I am late again reading blogs, so much happening. I agree - if the product doesn't work they should know about it and at least refund your outlay. My nails are very weak and brittle, have tried everything to no avail.
ReplyDeleteHaven't done any jam making this year, but am keeping my eye on our local blackberries, there are some great spots away from traffic fumes and pesticides. Lxxx
I do not expect miracles and will not want to grow inch long talons, just tidy nails. I am going to try Dawn's recommendation next, and some almond oil.
DeleteBeautiful patchwork, Pam. I particularly like the log cabin. I actually think I've got that very book that you've got! Mmmm, yummy looking banana cake. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, I have the sister book, Sewing in no Time as well. I have made things from both, the instructions are very clear in both. The cake is good, whatever combination that I use.
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