Book v Kindle

A friend lent me this book, The Last Runaway by Rose Tremain. 

It tells the story of a Quaker girl from Dorset England who emigrated to America in the 1850's with her sister who was travelling to get married. 

Stories of slavery, quilting and life in a strange country are wonderfully interwoven.

I am usually a slow reader and found holding the book a problem so bought the Kindle version and then could not put it down.  A great read.

The Sewing / Embroidery machine cover

A busy sewing morning making my Embroidery / Sewing machine cover.
I had already completed the machine embroidery so just needed to put it all together. A few [ to say the least!] false starts and a lot of unpicking I managed to get the lining put together.
Next came the top which went together far easier.
I am pleased with the finished cover even though the sewing machine is facing the wrong way!
Note to self... be careful when mirror imaging items that have a definite right and left side.

I now deserve a White Magnum ice cream and some Wimbledon tennis!

Abigail's Sports Day

The sun was shining but it wasn't too hot as the children lined up for their Sports Day at Irthlingborough Junior School.
Grandma [me] and Grandad had been asked to attend and we found a place right opposite where Abigail and her class were sitting on the grass. I was so thankful to have my new walking cane seat [ see previous post]. The two hours of the races went by very quickly with Abigail running in the 200, 400 metres and relay race.

and we are off...

come on class 5MG

Abigail's near her teacher

we are winning!

time for a drink and rest

exchange at the relay race

waiting for the relay

Abigail racing to FIRST place

waiting for the off

around the last bend  in the 400m [A's 2nd]

showing off her 1st, 2nd and 3rd badges
WELL DONE ABIGAIL

The Milking Stool

Since having my knee replaced I find standing still for long periods very hard, and tomorrow I am attending Abigail's Sports Day which means lots of standing around.

Hopefully I have come up with the solution and purchased a walking cane seat, it folds flat to be used as a walking aid and then with a quick movement the little seat moves for perching. Chris said it looked like I was going out milking cows on it [ three legs!] but who cares if it helps.
In fact I can see lots of use for this handy gadget and it will be going on holiday with me and anywhere where I have to stand in a queue.

Wimbledon

The reason for my lack of blogging is TENNIS !  I cannot abide most sport but I love watching the tennis, especially Wimbledon. There were some thrilling matches at Eastbourne and yesterday I was pleased to see Andy Murray win his match but the most exciting match was Jo Wilfred Tsonga, which has still to be completed this afternoon.

However I have been working on the machine embroidery part of a cover for my Brother 4000D. For two years or more I have been meaning to make one and at last have it all cut out and embroidered, just need to make the piping and sew it all together.

The watch bracelet

With all the hot weather my watch bracelet has become rather tight so I decided today I would go into town [ a rare occurrence] and get them to put the spare link into it.
I needed a couple of new bras so put them and some food shopping on my list of "to do" while out.

While taking a short cut through one of the larger stores I spotted some cotton cut off trousers, and to cut the story short, walked out that store with two pairs of trousers two summer tops and a long sleeve top that was on sale ! They are all in colours I never wear but as I approach 70 years old I need more colour in my life! So roll on Summer I'm ready.

Ready for the next holiday!

Gym Fest 2014

Saturday we travelled to Stoke on Trent to see Abigail perform at the Gym Fest 2014.
The theme of the Fest was the Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow Scotland and groups of children came from as far away as Scotland and areas of England.
The event was set up as a non competitive gymnastic performance seven years ago.

The opening performance was from the Northampton Rhythmic Club of which Abigail age 10 3/4 is a member. They had the prop of a ship and performed sailing into Glasgow it was really special, especially for a very proud Grandma [me]!
The group also performed the closing ceremony.
All the acts received a commemorative medal.

Abigail is front far right

Jenny their gym instructor giving a helping hand
Abigail is front row 2nd from left

Blankenberge Belgium

Home again to a mountain of washing!
Our week in Belgium was very nice and extremely hot. I was unable to post pictures while in McD's for my last post so here are a few to catch up our holiday.
Most of the time we just lazed around and wandered up and down the promenade right outside our front door.

Approaching the Euro tunnel

Driving onto the train for the 25 min
tunnel crossing the English Channel
Surprised to find they are celebrating 20 years
since it opened.

View from the front door on our
first evening

A visit to Sluis Holland
The bells in this Church are just wonderful to hear

Chris relaxing with a drink in Holland

A visit to friend Gerda who owns the shop Ajour
in Brugge. If you want wool  this is the shop for you!

Driving into Brugge across the canal

Festivities in the centre of Brugge
around the corner from friend Michelle
who was working in a Souvenir shop for the day

Learning to crochet, many mistakes but it was
a fun project and learning curve.
I now need some real help when I get home!

A quick McD note

Friday 6am we set off for Folkestone and the Channel Tunnel. It was very busy with everyone travelling to Arromache for the WW2 commemoration.
We drove along the coast stopping at a pretty sea side resort to eat our packed lunch, then finally arrived in Blankenberge Belgium to find our studio apartment.
We are right on the prom but do not have a sea view as we face inland which is rather a shame.
However this has turned out to be rather good as it is quiet, where the front apartments are very noisy.
It is a holiday weekend here in Belgium and very hot so everywhere is extremely busy and parking is horrendous !

After settling in and dining in a nearby restaurant we visited my friend Vera for the evening sharing many memories.

Saturday we drove to Sluis in Holland and wandered around the shops, eating in a nice little restaurant and then travelled to see a friend, Gerda in her shop Ajour. I bought a set of 20 crochet hooks!

Today is Sunday and still very hot and busy everywhere, we had a lazy morning and then drove in the centre of Brugge to meet Michelle a friend I had not seen for 14 years!  We are now in McDonalds more to use the Internet than anything!

Just off to see Vera again.

Life is beautiful progress

I have spent most of the day cleaning house or packing, we leave for Belgium on Friday via the Channel tunnel for a weeks holiday. It must be over ten years since I was last there so I am really looking forward to our visit.
The reason for having to pack two days in advance is that tomorrow [Thursday]  is our monthly IAM meeting at my house and we have visitors tomorrow evening then we leave the house around 5.30am Friday!
Its definitely all go around here.

I have been working on my Life is Beautiful Quilt so thought I would show you the progress so far. I intend to take some of the hand embroidered squares with me on holiday just in case we have bad weather.
I have used white 100% cotton with circles of fusible pellon stuck to the back, then surrounded with hexagons.

The first seven designs

Reverse with papers left in hexagons
 on the outside edges

The Spring Window

I have managed to put together my Spring window and outlined the blocks with clover 1/4 inch wide black tape. I am not sure how I am going to finish the picture, whether to make it into a square or leave it the shape it is.

Machine Embroidered Spring Window

Family Visit

Over the weekend the family came for a hot dogs and hamburger meal. It was very exciting hearing all their news.

Abigail had spent 5 days in Scarborough with her school and then flown to Spain for 5 days with a friend and her parents. She looked very grown up for her 10 years and had a wonderful time.

Richard and Jacqueline took Eleanor [6yrs]  to France for a few days, it was her first stay in a Hotel [ they usually self cater] and first time on a ferry. Eleanor said she enjoyed the croissants for breakfast and staying up late!