Mothers Day wishes

A belated Happy Mothers Day to all of you mums out there. The kids gave me a lovely day. Flowers and perfume from my DS and a beach bag and chocs from my DD. Breakfast in bed then we all went out for a delicious Sunday lunch.

I got the borders sewn on the quilt and the wording stitched on the border too. It was only when I looked at the pattern to see what to do next that I realised the stitching should have been done with 6 strands of DMC not the two that I used. Anyway 6 strands would not go through the needle threader. Next step is to put on the stars with raw edge applique. Sounds fancy but I think it just means machine stitching near to the edges - but do I use heat and bond first - pattern doesn't say, does any one know?

And finally this weeks scenic shot came in the course of duty. I had never been to Whalton Village before but it is very picturesque. Lying between Belsay and Morpeth it is the sort of place you only come across when you are lost or taking a short cut. However I was sent there. Luckily I had my camera in the car so took a few scenic shots, this is the best with the sun out and the daffs blowing in the breeze it looked lovely.

Holiday Thursday

Today I have taken a days leave from work to use up the end of my annual leave. My leave form had been added up incorrectly so I was given an extra day and I have made the most of it. First I went shopping in Newcastle, back to John Lewis haberdashery department to look at the Amy Butler fabrics again. I bought a pattern to make a halterneck sun top for my holidays and a few other bits and pieces. Next, refreshment time, and a pot of tea and the scone of the day in the restaurant. Today's scone was cheese and tomato - very tasty. Next I went to M&S to try to find some trousers that fit. I was horrified by the view in the mirror - obviously a magnifying mirror - all that can't be me!!! Must exercise and stop eating scones!! So I came home and went for a walk.

The sun was out and it is a balmy 12 C. I walked along the riverside and took a few photos. Then I climbed the hills for a more scenic view, These aren't mountains but man made spoil heaps or spetchels from what was once an ICI chemical plant. Sounds awful but it was lovely up there today. They are chalky like the white cliffs of Dover and are now a nature reserve being home to rare plants and butterflies.

A bit early yet for any of the flowers just lots of gorse bushes and a few crocuses in the garden.

I have got on well with the quilt this week, putting all the blocks together . Trying to get them all cut down to size was a bit of a fiddle and two of them needed to be unpicked and done again.