Marmalade wars

This morning (Sunday) is so cold. Next door's roof is covered in frost and there is a thick white foggy stillness to everything. Mike brought me toast and tea in bed as a treat with my marmalade on the side. I said only a nice person could have made marmalade as good as this, in my usual self deprecating way. He said his was just as good. You see, dear reader, we have totally different tastes in marmalade so each year we both make a batch- he prefers thick and dark with large peel chunks and I love a lighter, brighter, fresher marmalade with fine cut peel. On these differences are marriages founded. Oh bother, now I've got sticky hands and toast crumbs in the bed. Might have to get up soon and face the day.

I made myself a promise that I would finish off one or two WIPs before I started anything new this year. I had 6 blocks for this Japanese +x lap quilt done from the class at Patchfinders in Cheadle with the lovely Lucy Brennan (Charm About You) from last October. I had enjoyed the class and most of the blocks were already cut out so I'm not sure why it hung around so long. This week I spent 3 full days sewing up a storm to finish the other 19 blocks and assembling the top. The fabric is Juggling Summer by Zen Chic for Moda- quite different from anything else I have done but I'm loving it.

The quilt as it is measures 65 x 65". I have been contemplating adding a narrow dark border before binding. I thought that if I just added binding to it that I would lose a bit of all the outside blocks. I contacted Lucy for her opinion and she reminded me there was a ¼" seam allowance. Whatever was I thinking of(or not)?
So I am just going to add the binding now. Lucy also reminded me about black wadding (batting) so that if there is any bearding of fibres it will not show when quilted.
 Lucy quilted hers by hand with lovely large stitches. I love the look but hand quilting is not my thing so I would appreciate some ideas for machine quilting.

The quilt is destined to be a winter quilt for the conservatory. The room is quite warm enough when the sun is out as it is south facing but can be cooler early or later in the day.

Lastly, a film review. Whatever next? I went with my lovely friends Celia and Judith to our local cinema and arts centre, Chapter, in Cardiff to see "Testament of Youth". The film is based on the book by Vera Brittain and is the true story of her years during the first world war. This film is the most moving account of love, loss, hopelessness and the waste of life during this abominable war that I have ever seen. Superb acting especially by Alicia Vikander, a young Swedish actress. I can only say that if you get the chance to see it you must. A full review can be seen here by Tim Robey, film critic with the Telegraph paper.

Have a wonderful Sunday. I hope to get out and about later to enjoy the cold.

Catherine

I've linked up with Kelly of My Quilt Infatuation. (the badge is in the right hand column)

All the fun of the fair.

The beautiful weather continues so Mike and I went to the Malvern Autumn Show on Sunday to see all the produce, floral displays and country crafts. There were exhibitions of giant vegetables, Shire horses, dog training events, food tastings and cookery demonstrations. The show ground was so huge that frequent stops were required for refuelling with pasties and craft beers. Children enjoyed the funfair while parents looked at vintage cars.

I had the great pleasure of catching up with a fellow blogger who had a stall in the Vintage tent. Tracey has a super crafting/family blog, A Patchwork Life, which I have been following for some time. When I saw that she was going to be exhibiting and selling some of her super stuffed toys and Christmas ornaments I knew I would love to meet her in person. She is just as nice as she is in her blog. I bought the cutest knitted mouse in 60's inspired dress. I gave this later in the day to my 4 year old granddaughter Lexie and it was a great hit.

I have knitted frantically this last two weeks and I have not one, but two finishes to show. I had knitted the Playful Stripes cardigan before which helped but the Wee Wildflower cardigan was a new pattern for me. It won't be the last time I knit it though.

I love the bobble flower pattern on the pockets and the loopy edge. Next time though I will knit it in a softer wool yarn. I used Jenny Watson Babysoft, an acrylic/polyamide blend. The feel is not quite as nice as the yarn I used for Playful Stripes but it should be hardwearing and it is machine washable. It was also very reasonably priced at less than half the price of the Debbie Bliss Rialto DK I used for Playful Stripes.
Pattern: Wee Wildflower by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting.
Size: 23.5" chest

This is my absolute favourite cardi to knit. It is a joy to knit with the Debbie Bliss yarn; it is so soft and luxurious and machine washable too! If only it was cheaper. I bought the spotty buttons online from Kirsty at Love Paper Fish.com
Pattern: Playful Stripes Cardigan
Size: age 2 years

I've really got the knitting bug back and have cast on another cardigan which I will show you at the end of the week. Not much progress on my Coastal Ripple crochet blanket though. Tomorrow I'm off to my
patchwork class. So much to do and so little time.

I've decided that since I am linking to Yarn along that I will start posting about the latest book I am reading. I have always loved books and still buy lots but increasingly I use my Kindle. It is so easy to travel with and download new stuff too. BUT you cannot beat the real thing, especially in hardback.
My latest read is The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton. I'm only about 25% in and it is almost unputdownable. Set in 17th c. Amsterdam it tells of the strange marriage between a shy young woman and a merchant. The detail of the society they live in and their household makes for an extremely good read. I've linked to the review on goodreads.com as the précis is so good.

Have a wonderful week (and let me know what you are doing too)

Catherine

I'm linking up to Wool on Sundays, Anything goes Mondays and later in the week (Wednesday) to Yarn along.


I've also got more details of the knits on my Ravelry pages.