Pages

Friday 1 December 2017

Good intentions

Well all my good intentions of getting back to posting on Wednesdays I am back to Friday.  So, what happened to make me late?  I don't have an answer to that one, except I haven't much to share and the insanity that is Gypsy is still very much in evidence.  I love Gypsy and it's still my dream quilt, but I would like to get my life back.  Sometimes I have been tempted to shelve it and do some other stuff, like the Christmas projects which will not get done this year, but if I stop I don't know if I will ever get started again.

I have such a messy workspace, it's not my fault, honest, well, not all my fault anyway, I'm blaming Gypsy, there are just so many fabrics I can't put away.  Like the too many commas in this paragraph hehe!  Want to see what I mean?  Not the commas you can see that anyway, the workspace.


That's what I mean, and that's the bit I can show you.  I think it would be so much easier if I was using different strips to those I am using in the quilt, I'm trying not to put a strip next to a block of the same fabric or colour and it is so hard.  I have spent hours and hours just choosing the strips and then I get so far and need to change them it's driving me gaga.   Yes you do get a glimpse of Gypsy, sections 8, 9, and ten are finished and stitched together, about a third of the quilt I would say.  I have also finished section two and section one just has the left side to finish, it should have been done yesterday but for the strip carry on.  On one or two of the blocks I even ended up changing the border as it was easier than finding another strip.   Want to see where I actually do the business?


My sewing table, yes it's just as bad, strips, fabric, worksheets, and the far end is my cutting area too. My bin on the floor is starting to overflow and I can't even show you my lovely new trolly as the bottom shelf is full of scraps to be sorted, I don't know where I will put them, my scrap boxes are crammed full already.


These are this weeks blocks, week 18 Square in a square with Courthouse steps.  There is only one block next week, the very last one, then you get to see the quilt in construction properly and by Christmas the top will be finished and will be revealed in all it's glory.  If I ever get the strips sorted that is.

I was in the lovely town of Harrogate for the Knitting and Stitching show on Saturday with my friend the lovely Jan, we had a great time.  I do think the show is going back though, although there was some lovely quilting stands there were fewer than usual and there appeared to be more of the cheaper retailers in evidence.  It is a craft show though so it's not all quilting, in the ten or more years I have been going there have been many changes.  At one time it was full of cross stitch retailers but there was only a couple this year, and then every other stand seemed to sell stuff for card making and that has now all but disappeared.  Even knitting seems to have shrunk a lot, and in my opinion stands selling handbags which are manufactured don't come into the category of knitting and stitching.  The Bernina stand seemed to be doing a good trade though, no I wasn't shopping for another machine all I wanted was some more bobbins for Baby, there isn't a retailer nearby and online I noticed they seem to sell for more than the RRP so I decided to wait because by the time I added postage it was ridiculous.

The first thing we did on arrival was to go to Betty's Tearooms for brunch.  I don't know about you but I always think the food available at shows is overpriced and poor so we always eat before we go in and it was almost lunchtime when we got there.


This will give you an idea of what it is like, this is the ground floor tea room, we were seated on the lower floor and there is another one for snacks too.


This is how the staff are dressed, it's like stepping back into another world.  The staff are so wonderful too, nothing is too much trouble, no wonder is has such a good reputation and it is always busy.


I always have kedgeree with a poached egg, if you haven't had it before it's sort of like risotto, it has smoked haddock, almonds and sultanas in and has a slight curry flavour, it is also very delicious.


A tray of earl grey tea made with tea leaves, you can just see Jan tucking into her scrambled eggs and bacon on a bagel.

Want to see a pic of me in Bettys?  I took my glasses off specially.


This is what I look like now, or at least last Saturday, I had my hair trimmed a bit yesterday but it's basically the same.

Talking about glasses I was at the hospital for a check on my eyes, they have healed well and I am going to have the other one done.  My distance vision in the first eye is almost perfect and when I get the second one done I can throw the distance glasses away, I only ever used them for driving before but I can't see properly without them with just one eye done.  I will still need a small prescription for close work and reading, I don't mind that a bit.  My world will brighten up even more when I get the second eye done as I still have a yellow cast looking through both eyes together, which I normally do.  I can't go around covering my left eye to see the bright and beautiful world now can I?

After Bettys I was so caught up in the show I forgot to take any more pics and there was no quilts on show anyway, shame.  I can show you some of what I bought though.


Embroidery needles as my local shop just sells multi size packs, a bear pattern so I can make a memory bear, the most beautiful ceramic magnetised pin tray, and a pair of Ernest Wright needlework  scissors, I have been after these for a while.  The scissors are handmade of Sheffield steel and the company has been going for over a hundred years.  They do a repair and sharpening service too, it says on their website the oldest scissors the had back for repair were eighty years old, how about that!  I particularly wanted a pair this size, I have smaller ones and bigger ones but for some jobs they are either too big or too small, these are perfect to fill the gap.  Let's hope I don't misplace them, I'm one pair short just now, I do hope I find them faster than the last time.


I also bought a ceramic needle catcher too as there is never a pincushion when I need it, they are either across the room or I knocked it on the floor, and it's handy for when I'm sitting hand stitching too, it beats playing hunt the needle in case one of the girls gets it in their foot, I found Indi chewing a flowerhead pin once, if there is anything dropped Indi will always find it.  I did get some other stuff, a Gypsy Gripper for my ruler which I haven't tried yet but they always seem to have good reviews, wool batts and needles for needle felted animals, but that's for next year, Jan is going to teach me she has made the most beautiful little hare and I have a love of hares.

Well I didn't have much sewing to show you but I do seemed to have rattled on a fair bit.  I was going to show you a bit more of the book from last week but I'll keep it for another day.

Until then,
With smiles from,
Kate x

Linking up with:
Midweek Makers
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
TGIFF hosted by Faith and Fabric
Finished Or Not Friday
Crazy Mom Quilts




22 comments:

  1. I did think about going to Harrogate, but I decided against it. I need to get on with my own sewing, rather than skiving off to look at other peoples. Maybe I'll go to the spring show. Thanks for the write up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. going to a show/sale is so much fun - I totally agree you the food is over priced and not very good normally inside the show area - last time we went we ate before we went inside. I think shows tend to go in cycles for what is sold - one year there was so much wool being sold the next year barely any. Glad you can have your next eye surgery soon and then you will be done with it and see normally again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great day for you! The restaurant looks amazing. In the states we see trends,too. But our quilt shows are very much quilts and vendors. Bags, as you see, as well. I am so happy for you and your eyes. It is amazing how that can affect all we do. I am going to the eye doctor, today. But mine is for needing stronger and stronger readers.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kedgeree may be the cousin of khichri that I grew up with. It is my favorite comfort food. From now on, it will get a poached egg on top. You look adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  5. For a scrappy project like the Gypsy Wife quilt, I think the but of upheaval in your sewing space makes a lot of sense. I, too, get a bit uncomfortable with a lot of clutter and prefer things orderly, but it's not always possible to make progress with things tucked away! I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well for you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been going to Harrogate for years for this show, but this year we were all rather underwhelmed by the whole experience. x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, but what a pretty mess in your sewing area -- all those bright colors! I cannot wait to see your finished Gypsy Wife! Those little teaser pictures tell me it's going to be stunning! The tearoom looks lovely, and your food sounds like it was delicious. So happy to hear that your eye has healed well and that you are ready for the next one to be done! I love the photo of you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A lovely blog! I'm still waiting to hear if you bought bobbins for Baby... A78mandel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Messy, maybe. But if you're rummaging through these fabrics for making those blocks, then it happens! And wonderful to hear you eye is healing well. Life will look incredible when the other is done! Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers 100

    ReplyDelete
  10. That needle catcher brooch is brilliant! I think I need one of those. Your Gypsy is taking over your life, but in the end you'll win and tame her into domesticity :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to add that you look lovely in that photo. That color sweater/jumper really suits you! And you haven't dropped any food off your fork, which for me is a bit of a miracle, so that's great :)

      Delete
  11. Two words for Gypsy, a gorgeous mess! But the finish will be well worth it. The tearoom staff look straight out of Downton Abbey. What fun you had that day, and your smile shows it. Love the pin magnet brooch. Take care, friend.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your gypsy quilt is coming out great! There are a crazy number of fabrics, but the quilt is going to be awesome (definitely worth a messy sewing room).

    ReplyDelete
  13. That Gypsy quilt is going to be fabulous when done, so perhaps it's worth a bit of upheaval? A day spent with a good friend and crafty stuff sounds fabulous. Thank you for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This post was just full of loveliness today, the venue you went to, the tearoom where you had a delightful meal and your photo. I am glad you are looking and feeling well. As for sharing your Gypsy Wife adventure, I know your pain, I mean the fun you are just having with this quilt. I still shake my head at the mere sighting of someone making GW.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think your Gypsy Wife is SO going to be worth all the hassle. But I do totally understand being ready to move on. You've been making good progress! I love seeing the piles of fabric piles of your work in progress. Looks pretty normal to me! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm glad to see that someone else makes as big a mess sewing as I do! When all the fabrics are that colorful it's kind of fun. (Just trying to be positive) Looks like you've been having lots of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gypsy will be over before you know it. Keep going. I think it's going to look amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your Gypsy quilt is coming along beautifully. As for the mess, it's well worth it. Looks like you had fun at the tea room, even if the show wasn't all it's been in the past. Hope you get in some good stitching time this week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your gypsy quilt is looking very great - hang in there, it'll all be over soon! Glad to hear the eye surgery went well. Kedgeree sounds like a slightly less bland version of risotto with a touch of curry in it. I do like a paella if we're talking rice dishes :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. There's that terrific pic of you I saw the other day on Instagram! Glad the eye has healed so well. Harrogate...rings a bell...is it featured in the Catherine Cookson novels? Or something to do with tea methinks? I just LOVE seeing Gypsy on the design wall and hearing that someone else dithers and fusses about no same fabrics together...lol...and has a messy creative space, a happy mess! Gypsy will be so very beautiful. The tearoom looks wonderful; I agree with you on the food at craft/quilt shows.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have been to the tearoom in York and it was an wonderful experience. The gypsy quilt is looking wonderful! Well worth the mess :)

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave a comment, it helps me grow as a quilter and as a blogger. It also makes me very happy :)
I try to respond to all comments by email, but if I don't reply within a few days it may be because you are a no reply blogger

With smiles from,
Kate