IHSW Update

Just a quick update on what I was up to over the weekend.

We were up and away early on Saturday ~ like 06:30! ~ the LM was very excited as his little pet was finally coming home.  Here she is with her new paint job & wheels

It was beautiful, bright sunshine when we left home ~ as soon as we made the right turn to cross The Pennines the vista changed.  Dark skies with snow lying on the hills ~ it did snow at the highest points too.
The view down into Ravenstonedale

Each time we have had a journey connected with the LM car during the upgrade the weather has been atrocious and Saturday was no exception.
While the LM was stopping off to make a collection I popped over to here to kill a little time before he joined me for lunch.  I browsed the farm shop, gift shop and of course the quilting shop that are all on the site.  We've been here a couple of times previously and always enjoyed our visits to the coffee shop ~ lunch at the weekend was quite a disappointment.
I carried a couple of stitching projects around to work on during the day ~ they came home in the same state as they left.
Sunday was given over to the dreaded H****w**k and when that was finished so was I !!
So as far as IHSW was concerned I scored a huge fat zero ~ I hope you fared better.

Kate

A Few Pictures

As promised I'm back with a few pictures ~ hopefully not too many to bore you all!

Firstly, my completed Part IV of La Pensee Positive.  I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching on this project, although I have been slow with the later parts.  Only Part V to complete and then I will have to decide how I will finish this.  I haven't a clue what I will do ~ I wanted it to be something useful, like a huswif ~ I'm still undecided.

Apart from working on a wedding sampler for my Niece & her intended I haven't really done much stitching.  I have one exchange piece which I hope to finish today and then I can mail both my commitment stitches out tomorrow.


Now for a couple of pictures from the wedding that Mr & Mrs LM attended on Friday.

The venue ~ Close House Hotel.  The hotel and grounds are beautiful and apart from being a little on the chilly side the weather stayed dry.  The ceremony and reception were held here in the main hotel and the evening reception was held in the golf clubhouse.

 Stunning light fitting ~ for some reason the LM seems to have a thing for light fittings! ~ in the room where the ceremony & reception took place.

Mrs LM ~ get a load of me in another dress!  The guys over my shoulder are, L - R, Best Man, Groom, Usher.  Mr LM appears to have been quite camera shy on Friday!

Another shot showing just how stunning this room is - sadly after October this year Close House are no longer hosting weddings. The tables were all named after famous bends on racing circuits and the food and service were fabulous.

Signing the Register ~ well looking like it ~ apparently it is not permitted to photograph the actual signing.  Laura, daughter of the Bride, Jacqui, Paul & Andrew, brother of the Groom.

I couldn't leave without showing you a car shot!
I'm car-less today as GB2 has commandeered Miss Jazzy to go to school ~ payback later is that he has to take me to the supermarket.
I'm off to get myself sorted for a trip to the Metro Centre ~ walking there of course but it's only about 1.5 miles ~ to pick up a few things.


Kate

Busy, Busy, Busy

Too busy if truth be known ~ I'm hoping that things are going to calm down a little after tomorrow.
Despite being busy I have still managed quite a bit of stitching:

• I have finished Part IV of La Pensee Positive
• My wedding sampler project is almost complete
• Stitcher's Day Exchange piece is stitched waiting to be made up

Sadly I don't have any pictures at the moment ~ I would only be able to show La Pensee Positive as the others are gifts.


Over the last couple of weeks I've done a couple of University Applicant Visit Days with GB2 ~ yesterday he drove us to Loughborough in the fog!  His first major drive, all 175 miles, not bad for someone who passed his test less than 80 days after turning 17.  We have one more visit, next Friday, at a local university before he will be making his desired and insurance choices.  Hard to believe that we will soon be empty nesters.


Tomorrow Mr & Mrs LM are off to a wedding ~ I'm hoping that the weather stays bright & dry ~ it's friends from the TVR Club and is being held at a local hotel.  Unfortunately the LM car has not returned home yet but I'm sure there will be plenty other TVR's on display ~ perhaps I'll show you some of them over the weekend ~ I can hear you yawning already!


Happy Thursday




Kate

Can I Just Say

How much I really dislike frogging ~ Friday was "Frustrating Frogging Friday" and I'm flipping fed up with it!
Moan is now officially over.

It seems like ages since I last wrote a post. We've been away a couple of times ~ once to Berkshire where the LM had business and once to Scotland. Our trip north included visiting a couple of prospective wedding venues followed by a stay with my lovely Sis2 and her family. As usual it was a fabulous weekend, very relaxing. Saturday evening we headed to the village community hall for the pub quiz which was great fun, especially as we won! A naff trophy, a bottle of fizz, tin of chocolates, free DVD rentals and 6 steak pies.

All sorts of everything have kept me busy this week, car tyre repairs ~ don't get too excited, I take it to a man who can!, interviews, Tuesday Stitching Group, Quilting Group, dentist appointments and on Thursday a lovely day out with Carol.
We set off mid morning heading north, it was bright and breezy a nice drive up to our first stop at Quilting Heaven on the 697. We spent quite a while chatting and looking at all the lovely fabric, charts etc before making our respective purchases.

This is my stash ~ 5 fat quarters, only 4 pictured as the fifth will be part of a gift, and a stitchery pattern.
Then we set off for lunch and a stroll around Heighley Gate Garden Centre.  Part of the restaurant gives great views of the birds feeding so we sat watching for quite a while ~ there were some very enthusiastic drakes vying for the attention of the 2 ducks, it got a little vicious at times.  A couple of purchases were made at the garden centre before we set off for home.

I'm still working on my Christmas tree for the Christmas Ornaments All Year Round SAL ~ this is February's ornament and although I'm enjoying seeing it grow it is slow progress.  I've also been stitching a piece for a spring exchange on Needlecraft Haven ~ all finished and I'm really pleased with the finished product, can't show you this until the end of the month reveal date.
Today I'm having a day to myself ~ LM is out with the TVR Club on the first drive of the year and the GB's are working/visiting.  I've filled the time so far with ironing and now that it's all completed I'm going to put my feet up and work some more on Jolly Holiday.
Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Kate

Rude Awakening

Morning all.
The wind is back in the NE again - not happy! I was rudely awoken at 05:30'ish by the delightful sound of the car alarm (the under two covers LM car alarm) going off - found keys and went to investigate only to discover that the underneath cover had somehow managed to come off the car and was swirling around in the road. The top cover, which is tied onto the car, was off the front and flapping away furiously. If the two covered car was a puzzle on the Krypton Factor I doubt whether anyone would solve how the bottom one manages to disengage itself from the car from underneath the top cover. Anyhow, this puzzling event usually happens when The LM is away from home and I have been known to grab the nearest fleece and whatever shoes are in the hall to chase the dratted things down the street (one night it was oversized sweater on top of PJ's with sling back shoes!). Actually GB1 was the last person to play chase the cover back in December, the neighbours are probably still scarred from seeing a 6' 3" beanpole of a teenager running down the street in his dressing gown chasing a car cover!
I wasn't feeling particularly benevolent this morning so I promptly advised the dazed, half awake LM that he needed to go fetch the covers - perhaps not the kindest thing I've done so far this year!
Hopefully Thirsday will improve as it goes along.

Kate

Mystery Purchase

Cast your mind back to March and The Pins & Needles Exhibition at the Newcastle Arena ~ if you can remember what I was rambling on about back then you will be my hero!
I made a mystery purchase at the exhibition which I promised to show once I had found the finishing touch for it ~

This is an old mill bobbin converted to a lamp ~ it came without a shade. The original one I bought was the same colour & shape but far too small, so it was returned and this larger one bought in it's place.

 When it was converted felt was added to the bottom so it's fit to sit on any surface.

The picture to the right shows the label on top ~ I'm not too sure why I didn't turn the lamp before I photographed this!

I love the light my mystery purchase casts ~ I really like the reflection too.

I just love this lamp.

Tomorrow, or it might be today by the time this post is published, I am off to The Crafts House for a spot of painting/crafting.  The lovely C and I have signed up for the four seasonal crafting sessions.  The Spring session was back in March and you can see what we did here and here.  We have no idea what we will be making ~ only that it will be summer themed.  We do know however, that we will enjoy ourselves ~ Sandra always makes sure of it.

I managed another 30 minutes cycling after work ~ I didn't feel like it but it had to be done.  I'll try to get out again over the weekend, GB2 may come with me ~ but I will probably have to cycle 5 metres behind him so as not to damage his street cred!  It's likely that I will be much further behind him ~ he has teenage legs!
It's just me and the GB's this weekend ~ LM is away in France camping with a group from the TVR Club, they've gone to watch 24 Heures du Mans.  He'll return home creaking from sleeping on a camp bed, possibly pink from too much sun exposure, unshaven, full of silly boy tales and probably malnourished from a diet of pot noodle and haribo star mix.  I'm sure it will all be great.
I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to the weekend ~ enjoy whatever you may be doing.

Kate

Scotland & The LM Car

Please be aware that this is a very long post and no stitching is involved!

Well the LM car has made us very proud!  We returned home late Monday evening after completing a touring weekend in the Highlands of Scotland with The TVR Car Club ~ 1119 miles in total over the 4 day long weekend and all of it fabulous.

We set off early Friday morning to arrive in time for the breakfast meet ~ our fellow travellers were from the Cumbrian and Dumfries & Galloway regions.  Most arrived for bacon sandwiches & coffee in Gretna Green ~ some were late! and others we met a little further up the road.  Once all were rounded up there were 10 cars in total ~ 8 TVR's and 2 Mercedes.  Our morning coffee stop at The Lochside House Hotel could not have been timed more perfectly!  We arrived to see the new Princess leave for the Abbey ~ seeing the all important wedding gown.  Coffee and danish pastries were consumed while watching the ceremony.

 Next we were off to catch the Gourock to Hunters Quay ferry ~ it was a little choppy!  That's the LM car right in the centre.  Lunch was at Creggans Inn sitting outside on the shores of Loch Fyne ~ and we had our first competition.  We were asked at the coffee stop to make ourselves a Lord/Lady name ~ using the following:

• A Grandparent's name
• Name of our first pet
• Name of house/street we were born in

I became Lady Veda Ann Cherie Aberdeen and the LM was Lord Francis Suzy Felstrassa ~ the hotel staff were introduced to all of us and asked to judge the winner ~ it wasn't either of us!  Tom took that accolade but I'm afraid I can't recall his name.
Onwards to Inveraray, Lochgilphead and Oban where we had the briefest of stops.  Ballachullish was the final destination for the day and the bar was a welcome sight!

The view from our room and the cars lined up ready for the off on day 2 ~ we're one car short in this shot.  Can you see the snow on the hills in the background?  Breakfast was enjoyed, cars wiped down, roofs removed and we set off.  We paused to see the Commando Memorial at Lochaber and to take in the view of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor.

 

Apart from being a wee bit breezy you can see that the weather was fabulous.  The cars were drawing some attention too!

Morning coffee stop was at Eilean Donan Castle ~ I've seen this castle many times in photographs and on TV ~ up close it is something else to behold.

Unfortunately there wasn't time to tour the castle ~ LM and I will return one day to do this.

It was decided during coffee that the next section of the journey would be a Ladies drive ~ well I forgot about this and wasn't set up ready to drive when it was time to set off ~ whoops!  Consequently we lost the group and missed a turn ~ we knew we were off route when the Skye road bridge came into view.  LM deployed the map and got us back on course ~ it was nerve racking for me as when we found the turn the road wound its way up the hill and became single track road with passing places!  OK for the seasoned driver of the LM car ~ this was only my 2nd drive.  We meandered through glens and over hills eventually arriving at the next stopping point at Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach.  We were only a few minutes behind the others by the time we arrived ~ it was well worth the walk down (and back up!) the path to view the falls ~ it made me feel a little giddy but was quite spectacular.

I drove from here to the petrol stop in Ullapool ~ and managed to remain with the group this time!  The weather was absolutely glorious while we walked around the town.  LM was back in charge for the final leg of the journey from here to Altnaharra ~ if you check out the link you can see just how far north we were.   The lounge and a drink lured many of the group but LM and I wanted a quiet sit with a coffee in our room before showering for dinner.

We heard a fair amount of noise while relaxing in our room but paid no attention ~ turned out that the water went off for a spell ~ some of the group were mid-shower/hair washing at this point!  We think that 17 people all trying to shower simultaneously killed the pressure in the system ~ these things happen!

Saturday's competition was for best black & white outfit at dinner ~ again the hotel staff were asked to judge.  Linda was chosen ~ I think because she had included a wee bit of tartan!

Sunday was a much slower paced day ~ we set off about 10:30 and headed to our first stop at Kylesku.  We were booked into the Kylesku Hotel for coffee/lunch ~ nobody took the lunch option ~still full from breakfast!  We journeyed on until Scourie where  breakaway group ~ commonly known as nutters! ~ left the main group to drive an additional 150 miles to John O'Groats.  We stuck with the sedate mob ~ continuing to Durness the most north westerly village on the mainland. 

I was the only one who wanted to paddle ~ the sea just looked so gorgeous ~ it was extremely cold though!

We had coffee and scones a little further along the coast followed by a stop at Smoo Caves where LM and I walked down and ventured into the viewing gallery ~ it was late in the day and the tours were no longer running ~ what we could see was fabulous. 

We drove back to the hotel via Loch Eriboll, Loch Hope, The Kyle of Tongue, Loch Loyal  and finally Loch Naver back into Altnaharra.  Showers were taken in shifts to avoid the difficulties of Saturday evening!  The "nutters" arrived back from their epic journey and we enjoyed another fabulous dinner.

Sadly, Monday came around too soon and it was time to set off for home ~ some 400+ miles away!  Another lovely breakfast set us up for the day ~ Tom & Debbie set off earlier as they needed to be in Perth.  The remaining cars set off at 9'ish ~ first stop Tain and the Mansfield Castle Hotel for coffee.  Trish & John left us here to visit family in Inverness.  We had to find yet more fuel and then continued down the A9 and all it's gorgeous scenery to our afternoon coffee stop at the House of Bruar ~ we also had a brief mooch around the shop too.  We took to the hills again heading through Pitlochry, Blaigowrie, New Scone and Perth ~ Colin & Iona peeled off here and we continued to Edinburgh for our final stop of the day ~ dinner.

We were solo for our final leg from Edinburgh to Newcastle ~ the other 6 cars heading across to Cumbria.

I will post more photographs of our trip later.

If you have stayed this long I think perhaps you deserve a medal!  Thanks for listening to me rambling on!

Can't wait to do it all again next year ~ different areas to be explored and hopefully I will be doing more of the driving too.

I promise a stitching post next time.

Kate 

Tamara Veronica Rochester

This is what I christened the LM car when she first arrived at our house several years ago. 
Well yesterday she managed to survive a trip out with me driving!  Armed with sunglasses and a less than attractive but completely essential cap (no Bridgett Jones hair for me!) we set off.  I didn't want to drive from home, our street has an unforgiving incline up to the junction and I just wasn't confident enough to give that a go on my first outing, also wasn't keen on any neighbours watching just in case I made a hash of things.  So LM drove to a car park a short distance away.  It was a slow start ~ pulling away in first seemed difficult so I had one trip around the car park and then out onto the roads. 
The destination was an out of town retail park, mostly motorway or dual carriageway on the journey there so it was a little noisy with the roof off.  I even managed to park ~ although I did choose a spot well away from other vehicles.  It turned out to be a productive trip as we were able to get a few things and also had a treat in the form of coffee at Starbucks ~ apologies to GB1.  The roof came off again for the return journey and we took a more scenic route home via Durham, and Lanchester ~ plenty of opportunity to practise gear changes, braking and pulling away at junctions going this way.  In all I  drove a little over 60 miles and loved every minute of it!  Can't wait to do it again.
I have a busy week ahead with a couple of deadlines to meet ~ both work and stitching.  LM is away for a couple of days again and the GB's finish school Friday for the Easter break.  I'm hoping that the lovely weather will continue but I shan't hold my breath!
Have a good week.

Kate

Gorgeous Grace

I told you earlier in the week that Grace was looking much improved since I frogged and re-stitched "Needleworker"

 I'm much happier now and I've completed a bit more too.  I hope it won't be too much longer before she is finished.
She is really quite petite stitched over one - the scissors are 4" long.
 I'm now looking at ideas on making her into something ~ I have decided that I don't want a framed piece.

It's gorgeous today in my part of the world ~ I have laundry whirling in the breeze and more in the machine, all the windows open to let in the lovely spring air and I'm doing bits of this and that.  Bees and butterflies are floating around outside ~ lovely signs of spring. 
The LM car has rear wheels again and has been cleaned and polished to within an inch of it's life ~ he's now pootled off to the TVR CC  meet.  Don't ever tell LM I said pootled ~ I'm sure it's quite inappropriate when speaking of the LM car!  He'll be back in an hour or so and then it's my turn to "pootle" ~ nervous or what!

Kate

Saturday Sewing

Last year I was invited to go to a stitching day with one of the ladies from the TVR CC ~ the first opportunity I had to go was October and it was a lovely day.  It's held in a teaching room above Just Sew in Penrith, and I have stitched on various projects over the months.  Our group meet the 2nd Saturday of the month so this morning I set off at 7:45, collected a friend and we took the journey across the A69 in glorious sunshine arriving a little after 9.

Today I finished (almost) my heart ~ this was from the foundation piecing class that I took at the Pins & Needles Exhibition last week.  It still needs it's ribbon hanger and bow ~ but today I found that more than a little irritating, so rather than make a mess I set it aside.  It's a little lumpy round the edges ~ not sure how to eliminate that ~ did I need to stuff it a bit more do you think?

We had a walk out at lunch to a local deli for gorgeous ham, brie and onion confit baguettes.


I also managed to finish my bookmark for the exchange I'm participating in on the Needlecraft Haven board.  You will have to wait a while before I can show you the photographs.

I needed to get a button to add to my heart so while I was downstairs in the shop I had the obligatory mooch around and found this lovely trim to add to my stash.  Just love the colours.
I didn't dare start to look at the fabric!  I shall have to remember to take the camera with me next time to show you just what they carry.

We had a great journey home ~ it was 21C when we set off ~ in April!

We are going to try eating out here tonight and tomorrow I am having my first drive in this............

I have been assured by LM that it will have rear wheels by then!


Have a lovely evening


Kate.


PS ~ yes that is LM, not looking too lovely covered in car goop!  Still he's happy!

Look what arrived at my house!

I found it when I called home briefly after work yesterday before meeting friends for dinner ~ I knew what it was but still had to open the envelope to check.
It's absolutely beautiful, filled with gorgeous projects ~  not one that I don't like ~ how can I resist making a start on something!
Thanks to Sally for the advice on where to order ~ She pointed me in the direction of Anita's Little Stitches and what fabulous service.  Ordered Thursday last week and arrived yesterday.

Dinner was a chance to catch up with some old work colleagues, unfortunately one could not make it.  We had a lovely meal at Zizzi's in the Metro Centre, it was great to catch up on their news.  We all worked for the same company a couple of years ago.  It has been refreshing to hear that they, like me, feel that even though we are in temporary contracts it has been a very uplifting experience to break free of employment that was a bit oppressive.

We have plans for the weekend ~ LM and I are going to the Living North Live tomorrow, we've been to the Living North Christmas Fair for several years now but this will be our first visit to the Spring Fair and we're looking forward to it. GB1 and a friend are off to see the X Factor Live Tour at the Newcastle Arena ~ excited just doesn't come into it!  GB2 will no doubt just be doing the teenage thing!
LM also has a TVR Car Club run on Sunday ~ I'm not sure if I will be going yet as I have a wee backlog of housey jobs that I would like to clear before the start of next week.

I shall leave you with a picture if our goldfinches feeding on the thistle seed ~ aren't they gorgeous.  Only managed to catch three of them this time, we can have up to eight at times.  There was also a blue tit who was obviously camera shy as he's gone!  Not sure if the lovely spring weather we have had is going to hold out for the weekend ~ I hope so.  Enjoy your weekend!

Kate