Monday morning

It is sunny outside and I've woken up feeling optimistic and happy. For some reason I started thinking about the song "Monday, Monday" by the Mamas and the Papas; anyone remember it? Well it was a long time ago (1966) so you are forgiven if you don't know it. I checked out the lyrics and find they are so sad- that's really weird. I'm not sure why I associate it with feeling good. I must never have paid attention to the words. Still, it is a brand new week full of possibilities.

First, the almost finished top of a table runner.

I took a class on foundation paper piecing with Jeannie Duncan-Farr at Cutting Edge last week. I love FPP- the way you just cover the paper and get accurate points. Jeannie had designed a colourful table runner with a flying geese border.

Jeannies table runner from the Cutting Edge website

 I had chosen an entirely different colour palette for mine and struggled a bit as I did not have any green for the leaves. Still, here are some photos of my progress.

I have pieced the whole top now but still need to appliqué the central flower. It will be interesting to see how everyone else got on when we meet tomorrow for our monthly meeting. I plan to start a new embroidery as it will be something that is easy to do in the garden while enjoying the sunny weather.

Mike and I took a trip to the National Botanic Garden of Wales yesterday and what a treat! The main aims of the garden are conservation and research that is accessible to all. This gem of a garden is only an hour away from Cardiff and yet I only visited it once in the year it opened to my shame. The planting has matured and there is something for everyone to explore; history, sculpture, plants in medicine, bees, glorious gardens and the largest single span glasshouse in the world that was designed by Norman Foster and partners. A few photos....

It was difficult to show the scale of the glasshouse because of the way it nestles in the landscape.

If you are planning a trip to Wales try to get to visit the garden. Something here for everyone.

Have a great sewing week,

Catherine

I'll be linking to several link parties this week and I have the links in the sidebar on the right;

A brand new to me Monday link party Monday Makers run by Nurdan of Hug-a-bit Quilts. It would be nice if you could drop into her party and show some support.
Anything Goes Mondays seems to be missing this week.
 Linky Tuesday (Freemotion by the River) and So Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts.
 Esther Aliu's WOW and WIP Wednesday (Freshly Pieced)

A Bits and Pieces kind of week

I don't suppose many of you remember the 60's so well but there was a group called the Dave Clark Five who had a hit with a song called "Bits and Pieces" in 1964. It has been a really enjoyable week with lots going on but not much accomplished on the crafting front- just bits and pieces!

I thought I'd start today with some photos of the garden taken about 9am this morning.

I had a stroll around just soaking up the early morning sun and birdsong. Days like this are too infrequent.

Then it was off to the Farmers Market for some bread, croissants and the most amazing apricot custard tarts for dinner tonight. I also needed some greens and found this beautiful fresh chard on one of the stalls.

 The colour of the stems is amazing and contrasts so vividly with the shiny dark green leaves.

Finally, the bit and pieces I achieved this week. It's not much as we had two house viewings and I needed to declutter and clean.

The first photo is a few Maybelle flowers in cotton. I think I may make a lot more and make a spring garland for the kitchen. I'm practising my crochet as next weekend I am off up to Skipton in Yorkshire to learn how to make a Bower bird with Lucy of Attic24 fame. I am so excited!!

I've just cut the binding for Hugo's quilt in Garden pin dot by Michael Miller.

So that's it. Not much accomplished but a lovely week watching a friend's daughter get married, afternoon tea with another friend and lunch out with my quilting group.

The decks are free now to cut more triangles for Vivi's quilt.


Have a wonderful May Day Bank Holiday tomorrow.



Catherine


I wonder if those few flowers qualify me to link up with Wool on Sundays. I'll give it a go! Check out the other lovely things on Janine's blog, Rainbow Hare Quilts.

Sunday morning with hints of Spring and an almost finish.

What a beautiful start to the day. Not a breath of wind and in the sun it feels quite mild. I decided to take a few photos in the garden to remind me that Spring is not too far ahead.

View at 9am from back garden

Daphne buhloa in bloom

I've decided to link up with Wool on Sundays at Rainbow Hare Quilts this morning. I spent all yesterday hand quilting until my finger tips would stand no more so I decided to see what knitting projects I had forgotten about at the bottom of my basket. I came across this jumper I started knitting for Isobel who is now nearly 11 months.

I had picked up 4 balls of Rowan Cashsoft baby dk in a sale last year and started knitting this in late October. The pattern is a Lace Edged Round neck sweater taken from Baby Bamboo too (346 code B).

I'm not sure why it wasn't finished but it could have had something to do with Christmas. Anyway, all it needed was the neckband and sewing up. I just have to graft the last sleeve on now and block this afternoon.

We live in Vale of Glamorgan but only live 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre. We get the best of both worlds. Beautiful situation and all the amenities of the city too. One of the many attractions of life in Cardiff is the Riverside Farmer's Market held every Sunday morning from 10am to 1pm. Fresh vegetables, meat, cheeses, preserves and the most amazing bread- what more could you ask for? It's an absolute foodie heaven.

Choosing some venison for a pie

The Millenium Stadium

Despite the fact that it feels so mild this morning it is still only 4°. Time to go home and eat the Welsh Cakes with some coffee.

Enjoy your weekend

Catherine