Bargains and a Hooky trial

I had a little trip into Pontardawe  and came away with a few bargain buys. First up was my stick deodorant, pricey but I can not cope with sprays and do not like the roll on sort, BOGOF so I had 10. I would have had a few more but felt that I had to leave 2 on the shelf. Then my shampoo of choice was also on a BOGOFso I had 2, they are the largest size and I already have 2 from the last time they were on offer.
I wanted to buy some chocolate filled Brioche for a friend and lo and behold they too were on the same offer, cue a little happy dance.

Yesterday I read Thistlebear's post showing her latest crochet blanket, Heartwarmer. She included a pattern, I was intrigued by the "cellular blanket" look so found an odd ball of yarn and tried it out, I am hooked (pun intended) it is so simple and a soothing stitch. I see a new blanket in my future. The sample will become a dolls blanket for Kaitlyn.

 

As it was Shrove Tuesday yesterday I decided to treat myself to a tasty breakfast, not pancakes I do like them but only "when I like them" if you know what I mean. No I rustled up 4 large cheesey scones, some grated cheddar and a little corner of  Stilton with a spoonful of wholegrain mustard in the mix made a very nice snack. One more was my supper, the other 2 are in the freezer for a little while. Now that we are in Lent I will be watching what I eat, chocolate in any shape or form is out of bounds and pastries and breads are strictly limited. I do this every year, it was part of my life as a child and has continued.

 



 

I did make 4 but ate one while it was hot.

 

My breakfast this morning was this little treat,

 



 

an orange, half price from Lidl, and a grapefruit, peeled and sliced and swimming in their own juice. Lent does not mean that you have to live on gruel and cabbage soup. I try very hard to use what I have all the time but in Lent I make a stronger effort and justify every purchase.

 

I read the Jolly Jabber blog, that is where I found the Snapshot quilt, and this Single Wedding Ring block was featured. They had it made up to a 13" finished block. When Fran went home after the New Year she took one of the big Christmas cushions with her. I have been looking for a pattern for a replacement cover and love this at first sight. It was not big enough so I made it with bigger HST and it will be finished and on its way to her soon.

 

I made the bold fabric into the background because I did not have quite enough of the lighter print, I do like it this way round. I even found a free printable for paper piecing the HST,s and my points are perfect with no angst.

 

And here comes the Ta Dah moment, the second Snapshot block, many more pieces than the first so I used 2 1/2" squares as leaders and enders.

 

Look at this lovely little pile, all ready to become 4 patch blocks when the machine starts again. All from my scrap bin, ready cut and sorted by size on my last "tidy up" in the scrap department.

 

I regard this as free bonus sewing, it means that there are no thread ends to trim from the back of my block and uses a few more scraps from the mountain. Goodness knows what they will become, suggestions on a postcard........:-)

I ran over a nail yesterday and it cost me a new tyre, hey ho, as the M O T is due in a couple of months I had them check the brakes. The verdict was that there was around 4 weeks driving left in them so the car has gone to have them replaced this morning.

And now I feel a cup of tea coming on followed by a quick whizz round the kitchen and bathroom. While I am at it I better scoot the vacuum cleaner round and get the floors done as well. Ben and I were in the garden yesterday so there are a few dusty spots and a dead twig or three to be slurped up.

                             TTFN                                        Pam