Seven swans a swimming...

Seven swans a swimming !! Wow what a beautiful autumn day it has been. This family of swans were enjoying the sunshine at Bradley Pond in Crawcrook.
The babies were as big as the parents ( more like teenagers really)

The apple harvest has been poor this year - this bowl full was all we got from our tree this year - a disappointment. However my brother in law has had a glut of tomatoes so we have had a lovely present of Pete's tomato chutney- both green and red.


Last Sunday I popped over to Busy Bees studio to see the lovely things Helen had on sale for Halloween. If you haven't been yet, look out for her next open day and hurry down to the farm.
I couldn't resist buying this Halloween cushion.



I love to get a newly finished quilt hung up on the washing line to blow in the wind. The blue skies and sunshine bring out the summer colours of the batik fabrics. I've just got the label to sew on then it will be finished.

Happy Quilting xx

Friday afternoon Quilting

At last I have been able to get on with quilting my Cotton Candy quilt.
- Most of it is free motion quilting in a medium sized stipple effect - I like the pattern to look like jigsaw pieces....
....with a stencil pattern quilted in the centre of the star. I have found the free motion quilting much easier to control since the course on free motion embroidery with Janet Clare - I just have more control of my machine now.
Every body has been busy at the Friday afternoon class - Irene is doing more of her wonderful applique, this time working on The Gift of Friendship by Natalie Bird.
Janet is making a minature quilt from this book Quick Quilted Minatures - more lovely applique.
and Margaret is making an advent calendar for her great grandson's first Christmas.
We have been out and about today ... who could drive past a sign like this ? Not me!
I loved this chocolate spotty fabric and variegated embroidery floss from Madeira.

and the view from the English - Scottish border is just amazing!

Happy Quilting xx