Rosy Red

Let me tell you a story about kitsets that come from hardware shops, with promises from the sales person that it's a ''piece of cake'' to put together!! This is Rosy, our brand new wheelbarrow. She looks pretty smart, don't you think?

I had given in to the child's constant ''suggestion'' that we really needed a wheelbarrow, so we duly purchased one, with, I assumed,a complete set of idiot- proof instructions. She arrived at Maitland Street at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, in several pieces, as the word kitset would suggest. And yes, there were instructions - one little sheet with words and diagrams so small that a magnifying glass was required. But, what intrigued me the most was the clever use of space on that one little sheet - the way the manufacturers had managed to squeeze as many steps as possible into one diagram, so that realisitically you needed an engineering degree to actually figure out how the diagram worked, before even beginning to put the wheelbarrow together. You would not believe how many times we put nuts and bolts in place, to then have to remove them and try them from a different angle - and what in heavens name is a ''spring washer'' and where does that go!!! Emotions on the day ranged from utter frustration to hysterical giggling. There were a few choice words muttered on occasion, and at one stage I clearly recall telling my child that I would never ever listen to his ''suggestions'' again!!! (Actually, I think I may have told him that more than once!) At 4.00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, mission accomplished - two and a half hours to put 12 nuts and bolts, and let's not forget the spring washers, in place so that the wheelbarrow functioned the right way up, with handles pointing in the right direction and a wheel that did not sway from side to side! Give me a sewing machine and patchwork pattern any day! So, Rosy has been christened and the ''fun'' we had putting her together will be a memory I shall cherish, lovingly retold to Jake the next time he tries to tell me we need something from a hardward shop that has to be assembled!!!

Turns out that red is a bit of a theme with this post. I've been playing with a little bit of cross stitch - this is a gorgeous little house design by Viginie Gousse - http://cmonmonde.over-blog.com/. Now I am just looking for the perfect little frame for it - maybe I might paint one.

And this is something I stitched on the gorgeous French General heavy weight cotton/linen fabric that I got some weeks ago - I found the pattern in a Country Living magazine and I'm really pleased with how it looks - I will make it into a cushion wrap.

Last week Scandinavian Christmas got an airing - I thought it was time I did the next block - so here's block three finished.

And now for something that is not red - I've finally finished the borders on The Gingham Girls. I've got the backing and batting ready to go, so over the next few weeks, hopefully I'll make a start on quilting it.

It's officially the first day of Spring on Wednesday - only one more day of Winter! Yippee!!

Happy Stitching

Jenny

Triangles and Hexagons

The morning walks over the last few weeks have really tested my dedication - I'm a bit of a sook in the cold. But, this morning as I was leaving I spied the child's MP3 - aha, I thought - some music will help! Now, apart from my sewing machine and my lappie, I don't do so well with gadgets, so it took me a few minutes to work out how to make the thing go - not being able to find a simple ''on'' button I thought it must have been touch screen start - so I spent several minutes patting the MP3 allover before discovering a miniscule, tiny, almost invisible switch thingie on the side!! Certainly not designed for those of us who have less than perfect eyesight. Anyway, it started off pretty well with songs I knew, then there was the occasional one I'd never heard of, and then....there was the song I probably would have preferred not to hear. Flipping heck, I nearly tripped over when the opening lyrics blasted in my ears. Woohoo!!! I decided it was best I didn't know the rest of the contents of the MP3 and maybe I'll go get my own one, and load it up with music that I like. Though, in all fairness to Jake, he did have one of my all time favourite Santana songs loaded - excellent taste!

So, he's been starting to do some serious downhill practice for races that start this month - seems that the track doesn't have to be dry to ride it....

...the amount of mud that's on his bike was about a quarter of what was one him! He rode in my car covered in muck - up and down the hill - at first it was kind of funny, but then it just plain stunk. Muck stinks! I am desperately hoping that the next practice session will be sunny and dry.

The garden is starting to unfurl - have been spending some time making a few changes and starting to tidy things up cos the daffies are coming!

This has the most amazing perfume.

Other than gardening and running round after the child, and the occasional walk I have still been stitching. Finished a few more Jane Austen blocks - here's another gorgeous bonnet...

...and the Bay Window at Bath...

...and a quote from one of Jane's letters...

I've also been playing with a little bit of cross stitch - one of the Stacy Nash designs that I've had for a while - it will make up into a lovely little sewing roll.

And I've started my hexagon quilt - another project I've been meaning to start for a couple of years! This is very probably going to be the equivalent of my crocheted blanket - in 5 years time I will still be stitching hexagons together wondering why I ever started! But I really do love paper piecing little hexagons so am in no rush - it can take as long as it likes:)

Another project I started last week is a simple half-triangle quilt - inspired by a photo in a recent magazine - I just loved the simplicity of it, and wondered how it would look in my favourity soft colours. These are the rows I've done so far - a few more to go over the weekend, perhaps, and then I can join them all together. Then to hand quilt or machine. I think the hand-quilting will win
.

So, that's what has been keeping me busy for the past few weeks, along with the usual other stuff:)

Time to go do a few more hexagons, and make a cuppa.

Happy stitching

Jenny