Purr purr Clunk. Oh dear.

 That was yesterday morning.

I was sewing strips onto the next batch of squares and the machine protested.

I stopped, obviously, and took the offending fabric out. removed bobbin and case, unthreaded and gave it a defluff and brush down. Still clunky but not as bad. I just turned it off and walked away, time was pressing and I did not want to do half a job.

Later today I will repeat and replace the needle as well. I would love to book it in for a service and mot but that means getting into the middle of Swansea. My eyes will not allow me to make that journey, driving into Swansea is not on my radar for a long time. I do not like the trip, I get lost in the one way system every time I do it. It's fine getting in, it's the way out that confuses me.

As far as I know that is the nearest place where I can get the machine seen to, there was a place in Carmarthen but I think they have gone out of business. Other than that it is Cardiff and wild horses would not get me driving there, even if my eyes were 100%. 

I will have to ask around, when I am in Neath on Monday I will go to the market, there are 2 stalls, one that sells fabric and another that do alterations and make curtains, hopefully one of them will be able to help.

I have cleared the table and will get the little Singer out if I have to, it just means that i will be traipsing back and forth to do the pressing. Although I plan on making a big batch of masks in the next few days and that is easy enough to do in the kitchen.

I am not too concered about keeping to schedule on the blocks, I have 120 made and more cut ready to sew so a couple of days off will not hurt.

I still have to make my mind up on the layout, it could be straight rows although I was considering a central square, to cover the middle of the bed,set on point with straight rows filling out to the size that I want. I will probably have a trial layout session next week.

I have Revi and Poppy over the weekend, my neighbour is working on jobs that are not suitable to have them with him. I don't mind and Herbie was overjoyed when they turned up this morning.

Now I need to get ready to take them out for a walk. 

I have put my order in to Asda for next week, I am not going shopping unless it is essential at the moment. From monday Wales have made it mandatory to wear masks in shops, and not before time, I have the masks but not the inkling to go out there.

Keep safe.

                           TTFN                                                        Pam

New Blogger Format.

What's it all about Blogger?

Was there a good reason for the change?

Why not just iron out the wrinkles in the original.

I am not adverse to change, as long as there is good reason for it. Change for changes sake suggests to me that somebody/somebodies are justifying their position on the workforce.

I have seen it many times in my working life, an office nearly always has too many staff for the workload generated. They have a nice settled relationship so the thinking caps go on and paperwork is issued, new systems are introduced etc. The staus quo remains intact.

Enough of this.

What I dropped in for was to let you know that I am on target. 80 blocks sewn and cut to size, 20 more with the first 3 strips attached.

I have even tidied the desk top before getting stuck in to the next round of sewing. That will be later in the day as I have the Bichons from 11:30, their mum has her first treatment session today. My thoughts will be with her, I know how scared she is and wish that I could travel with her but that is not possible.

I caught a glimpse of Boris scuttling along the pavement sans mask on the news this morning. Apparently Joe public cannot understand the rule of 6 or the wearing of masks in public. I wonder why.

I am happy that the rain has dried up for a spell, I want to get into the garden later, 5 dogs stuck indoors is a recipe for madness and mayhem. They have a plethora of outdoor toys to race around with and "chase me round the apple trees" is a popular game. I sit on the patio and cheer them on over my current sock knitting.

Revi has just thrown all the cushions off the other sofa and has squeezed herself next to me. She may be big but she is still a puppy, with all the need for close contact that all puppies have at times.

The clock is ticking and I have a few chores to attend to before I go to get the Bichons.

Keep safe.

                                   TTFN                                                      Pam

PS You may have gathered that I am not a fan of the new style blogger. I expect that it will grow on me. Which is more than I can say for the new Ravelry.

It's all about the orange

The postie just brought me a parcel. Yum, just love parcels, at least the soft squishy sort.

Oh Yes! Thats Orange.

So is that.

Sadly not these.

But they are for mans socks.

Michael would wear orange.

The other 2 would not.

The wonderful thing about these, not ignoring the fact that I will get 3 pairs out of the 2 balls, is that they come from a New online shop. Yarn n yarns, the same name as the podcast.

The lovely Ange opened her yarn shop in Penarth and I was lucky enough to get a lift ther ages ago. I had hoped for a return trip but things happen.......People make plans and the gods laugh.

Since then the lease ran out on the shop and rather than curl up in a corner Ange opened a virtual shop. https://yarn-n-yarns.com/

the stock is not huge, but she plans to expand once she has "tested the waters".

I will be back to shop regularly. You all know that I like a bargain, I hate paying for postage, and keep an eagle eye open for a bargain.

For some time most of my yarn purchases have been from Wool Warehouse. I have always made my order up to free postage level. In all honesty I will probably do so in the future, but not the so very near future.

I have several projects lined up, patterns, needles, yarn and note book with a pen in my own bags.

In truth I possibly have more sock yarn than Angela does. Well very nearly.

But as I always have socks on the needles, and as I love to support a good business I will be buying a couple of 100gm balls every few weeks. There are a few peeps in my life who now only wear handknitted socks.  My fault, when Michael,s sock drawers (3) were crammed full I nagged persuaded the others to let me knit them a pair, Ha little did they know that it was never going to stop at A pair. My brother in law is diabetic and his feet are so much better for wearing wool that he gets at least 4 pairs a year. That doesn't sound many but I started him off with a dozen.

On a different note I have had to ammend my plans for dealing with my block trimmings. I was thinking of making a crumb quilt or cushion covers. However, now that I have trimmed lots I realise that I was so mean with cutting the strings that the trimmings are miniscule. Too small to sew, they will become the stuffing for toys for Herbie and co. Still no waste.

I was going to waffle on about my aims to have as near no waste  as possible with this quilt. I was also going to expand on how I am trying to expand this into other areas. Then the parcel turned up and the tide turned. Another day, perhaps.

Keep safe.

                             TTFN                                      Pam

Do go and pay Ange a visit, if you sign up to her newsletter you get a code for a discount on the first order, its well worth a look.

delayed tomorrow

Yesterday flew past, I was sewing away on the string blocks while the dogs tumbled around. 
Michael was pottering around after being rained off work so the tea was flowing freely.

At end of play I had 44 blocks completed and cut to size with another 6 ready to trim.

It wasn't until I settled down in my bed that I remembered The Parcel. Oops.

Here it is

First out was the cutest crochet that I have seen in a long time. It will be in the wall in my sewing room.

Lots of lovely yarn for me to play with.

Pins and a tape measure, you can never have too many of either.

Labels and ties, just perfect as I don't use any shiny or sparkly ones that can not be recycled.

All kinds of pretties for embellishing.

More pretties. Yum.

Stitch markers/progress keepers/ dropped stitch rescuers.

I count myself very lucky to have received such a plethora of goodies. The stitchmarkers will be put into use this week as I have a new cast on planned, there may be lots of pattern repeats to mark.

Last but not least the 6 blocks that need trimming to size.

Tut Tut, you may think, those were sewn yesterday.

Aha, I think. (there may be a song in there)

What you do not know, because I haven't told you, is that I spent an age this morning emptying a scrap box. It was one with several large pieces, and I have pressed the lot. I have also cut the lot into strips (and triangles for the corners) There was very little waste, so little that I weighed it and it came to the grand total of 22 grams.

I can live with that. The trimmings from the completed blocks are living in a bag and will become a crumb quilt/cushion covers. I can not throw them out, even any selvedges are cut as narrow as possible and become ties round bundles and gifts. I have made long skinny strips into boot laces, my current ones are bright orange.

We had roast beef on Sunday and there is quite a bit left. That is going through the mincer and will be cottage pie for dinner tonight. There is enough to make one for my neighbour Steve. 

I make it as a one dish wonder and fill it with vegetables as well as meat. A dash of horseradish in the base and a handful (or so) of cheese on the top means more taste with less washing up. Win win.

Now I think it is time that I got back to my sewing. BTW I took the time to clear the desk top and put all the strings into same width groups. That should help it to run smoothly, it had got into a real rats nest.

Keep safe.

                      TTFN                                       Pam

PS. We now have a lockdown in Caerphilly due to an upsurge in 

C-19. people on the spot are blaming young adults for ignoring sociaal distancing. 

Michael says they are just not playing caerphilly enough. GROAN.

Can I do it?

And how quickly?

Inspite of the fact that I made these,

Curtains for my base units, better than boring doors, made from some of the countless charms that I had dug out.

And these, curtains for the top units, made with strips (and a few cut down charms) that were found in a tangled mess.

A bit more interesting for eye level than squares.

I still have 5 of these

A few random baskets

And some plastic boxes that are stashed upstairs full of scraps.

I was grazing round You tube a few days ago and spotted Lori Holt,s name. Well I have some of her books and some carefully hoarded fabric so I had a little look.

She has started a stash busting series of tutorials and the second one was String blocks. I have only made one quilt from those so it was time to put on my Big Girls Knicky Knacky Knoos.

Out came the boxes and one by one they were tipped out and all strips removed.

Then there was a massive pressing session, and all dark colours were removed for another day.

A few larger bits were pressed just in case I can use them.

This is the current state of my desk top.

This is what is emerging from the chaos.

These blocks will finish at 7" and I will need 168 ish for the quilt that is living in my head.

I would like to finish this in 3 weeks, gulp, yes 3 weeks. I have run up 25 of these today and have another 10 started. 

It is a very simple job, not as much pressing as some blocks and no points to worry about and no seam matching. Best of all No Sliver Trimming. I have a 7 1/2" template for fussy cutting and it is a quick job, with my rotating cutting mat, to whizz round with a rotary cutter.

I will finish the 10 started blocks after dinner and I have the sew in interfacing all cut into squares. I plan on making at least 20 a day so feel that 3 weeks is an achievable target.

I have the wadding and backing fabric and will make the binding from any left over strips, if there are not enough I will just cut some to match the backing.

This is to be a Birthday gift, and although I have plenty of time, it will soon be That Time. I have a long list to get through hence my 3 week deadline.

Wish me luck.

I have been saving a parcel unwrapping and was planning on doing it this weekend. Unfortunately it did not happen so tomorrow I will unveil the giveaway that I won from Crafty in the Med. 

Francesca has  bought a car and should have collected it yesterday morning. The dealership slipped up with the MOT check so it was put off till tomorrow. hopefully we will now see her in 2 weeks time.

Provided that we are not in lockdown or one of us is ill. Fingers crossed.

Now it is time that I put myself into cooking mode and got in the kitchen. That beef will not cook itself.

Keep safe.

                          TTFN                                      Pam

walking to my own beat

Goodness me, I seem to have listened to my self and acted upon what I heard.
I have been tired for a few days and have slowed down to a crawl. I am getting to bed earlier and waking later.
Any tasks that have to be done are spaced out with rest periods betwen. Today I did some gardening and watched 2 old movies and got some sock knitting in.
I made fish pie with carrots and calabrese for dinner and pegged some washing out. Far less than I would ordinarily do on a Saturday but I am pleased.

I am just a bit frustrated at getting less done but at the same time I am listening to my body and giving it what it is asking for.

My new blueberry bushes are in the ground and doing well, they are well established plants so there may be a few fruits next year. That reminds me that I need to pick any ripe fruit off the older ones tomorrow, Purple Porage for breakfast.

My friend starts her treatment next Thursday for 15 days, Monday to Friday. I will be looking after the Bichons and keeping a close eye on her.

This will be short and sweet as my eyes are heavy and I think that the sandman was here a few minutes ago.

My hand is fully recovered so knitting is going well and I hope to be spinning tomorrow.

Keep safe.

                            TTFN                           Pam

Nothing much to see here

We are all ticking along nicely, Herbie has his"girls" as usual. Michael keeps himself occupied for most of the day and i am being extremely lazy for a couple of days.

It was not planned and I don't much like it BUT needs must and all that.
Somehow I have hurt my left hand and am unable to knit, crochet or spin without pain, sooooooooooo I let common sense prevail and am resting it. I am slathering plenty of hand salve on it and hope that the massaging will help. It is certainly easier today but I will rest it for another day and see.

We have a little rain today, not enough to write home about, so the dogs are emulating me and a  bit more. They have spent most of the day lolling on the sofa in a pile, it looks as though they are playing twister in their sleep. I daresay they will make up for it tomorrow.

I took some masks to a neighbour this afternoon, we met while dog walking yesterday and she asked if I was still making them. I had a small pile so dropped a few off, of course we had a chat and she had unearthed a tin of buttons that she passed on to me. Then she lent me her late mum,s knitting pattern file to have a look through. 
It was a trip down memory lane, not so much the actual patterns although I do have some of them in my collection, but the styles and the stitched patterns used.
I could see my Mum knitting away and producing very similar garments. 

I have the Pinch of Nom cook book and one of our go to dishes is Dirty Cajun Rice, sounds awful but is delicious. I was going to make it tonight but got sidetracked while digging in the freezer.
I emerged triumphant with half a pack of pork sausage and half a pack of smoked bacon. I did not fancy rice with those so after speaking with Michael we made a descision.
Tonights dinner has been dubbed " perky porky pasta". I will use much the same spices and vegetables but will leave out the mushrooms and use courgettes and sweetcorn.  

I have cleaned the Singer sewing machine, after all the patchwork it needed it. A drop or 3 of oil and a new needle and she is ready for the next project. When the dogs are here I use her rather than my big Janome as she goes on the kitchen table. 3 dogs in the sewing room is a big fat no.
I have moved stuff around to create my "corner shop" and some of it at just the right level for a Labrador tail to swipe it over. Never mind a mad Jug who things he can fly and launches himself in to the air at the drop of a hat.

Never a dull moment here.

I have been watching far too much telly, but it is YouTube and very informative.
I like factual programs, building, engineering and so on, love some of the car programs but not all. 
I stumbled upon the Fouch family from Idaho, pretty amazing stuff. They not only built their house but practically made it from their property. Just about every bit of timber was felled, milled and finished by Nick, the husband, and helped along the way by Esther his wife. He also designed the house and built an amazing spiral staircase with wonderful metal handrails.

I am slowly going through the back catalogue and enjoying every moment, watching their homestead grow and picking up a few tips along the way.
They no longer make videos but am sure that their lives are brimming full as the children grow and the homestead develops.

Now the clock tells me that I ought to get some of dinner preppped and that the dogs will soon be starving and after their food.

Keep safe.

                           TTFN                                 Pam