ORIGINAL INSPIRATION for The Singing Garden Quilt.

When asked to create a BOM for Popular Patchwork magazine I sat - and sat - and sat in the garden, staring at flowers and birds and anything else that moved looking for inspiration.

The cheapo blingy windmill caught my eye - how could it do anything else? 

That was my starting point and the first block - later discarded - was born.

BUGS WITH MEASLES...

WOT A DAY THIS HAS BEEN Mark 2

Almost a repeat of yesterday except I have not done any ironing nor made any bread. 

I watched bird activity in my garden instead. Two blue-tits are housed in one of the nesting boxes - flying back and forth like crazy - obviously feeding their young. I didn't want to miss the fledglings leaving the box - sat for most of the afternoon with binoculars glued to my face in the hope of seeing them.  No luck and the blue-tits are still 'at it' this afternoon if you'll pardon the expression.  

Did manage to cook liver and onions for 'high tea' with creamed potatoes, chopped cabbage and peas/carrots followed by a delicious rhubarb tart on a pastry cream base served chilled - with cream. Starting diet tomorrow.

Blackbirds have built a nest on top of an old nesting box. Lots of activity in that quarter - but no sign of any youngsters.  Lots of young sparrows and starlings not to mention adult coal-tits, doves and 'The Pigeon Family' who feed and bathe in the large bird-bath together with 'Armless' who damaged his wing last winter and I foolishly(?) fed him and let him roost in my shed until he was able to fly. I say foolish because he has since brought all his family - from home and abroad by the looks of things - to feed in the garden.

However, this morning I layered the 'Singing Garden' BOM quilt I designed for Popular Patchwork magazine. Used a mini gadget with tags that I bought from Malvern Show a couple of weeks ago. Number of tags used was frightening (1000's) but perhaps I 'tagged' too close - about 2 to 3 ins apart.  It was certainly much quicker than tacking (basting) or safety pinning.

The proof of the pudding so to speak will be when I start to quilt and whether or not they will be a nuisance and difficult to remove.

I pinned and straight stitched 1/4" around all sides of the quilt before cutting away excess backing and wadding - then zig zagged around the whole quilt.  

Looks as though it has a case of measles with all the black 'spots.'

Now the fun begins.  Have sat and stared at it - will no doubt stare at it some more before I begin. My trusty Bernina is all set with a new needle and threaded with pure silk thread (as is the bobbin) . . . . . .no more excuses . . . . . . . 

Cooking a turkey crown I bought last Christmas from Aldi for tea ('supper' if you're posh). Looks very big and very solid. Cooking instructions state  two hours @ 180ºC covered with foil. Then half an hour without.  Will do.

Not sure what to serve with it.  Will make that decision when I tear myself away from this computer. Certainly will be having Rhubarb Tart - have enough to feed me for a fortnight (2 weeks in American speak!)  Ta ta for now . . . . . 

WOT A DAY THIS HAS BEEN . . . .

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This describes my day!

WAKEY WAKEY!

Another new dawn! 

What pleasures or surprises lie in store for me today, I wonder?

Whoopee! Bedmaking, breadmaking, and a huge pile of ironing on my To Do list.

This is fascinating stuff, folks. Will fill you in this evening with the finer details of my day.

 

GREETINGS!

I may slip in the odd quilting tip or picture as a bit of light relief for those who happen by chance to light upon this blog, meanwhile I am off to bed with book - "Love in a Time of Cholera" - but no candle.