Easter Treasure

The annual Easter Egg Hunt took place yesterday. As usual the treasure map was drawn tea stained and burnt around the edges by grandad. Flags had pictures of Aimee and Murray on them.......the man is mad!!!!!

Murray couldn't wait to get his trousers back on before joining in.
This is him putting one in the basket thought he would be more interested in pulling them out. We spent the beginning of the week renovating the Adirondack chairs that you see in the background. Colin sanded them got rid of the green colour and back to the natural wood. Have coloured them lavander which I love we have a double one coming whichI think will have to be pink.

Aimee studing the map.

We had a BBQ which everyone loved we did have cardigans and jumpers on as it did get a bit chilly it has been a much better day today.Aimee didn't want to go home so ended up staying the night which she loved.

Most of my blog photos are of the grandchildren or patchwork.
Here is one of Aimee & Murrays Mummy & Daddy.
Aimee got grandad to download Angry Birds game onto his ipod touch this morning and he has promised to get to level 3 by tonight guess what he is doing now....lol . It is scary seeing how easy Aimee finds it.
Hope you all have had a lovely Easter

Pretty Pinwheels

Had started making blocks out of Batiks well had got as far as chopping up the material. Went looking for thread in the crafting cupboard and pretty material I had bought an age ago caught my eye so being the easily distracted person that I am I pulled it out and started chopping and stitching

above is the result

OR SHOULD I SAY

ABOVE IS THE FINAL RESULT
A very nice afternoon playing

Just need to decide what to do with them now

Shamrocks

We are lucky enough to live very near the stunning Ochil Hills.

The collection of villages running along the foot of the hills aptly called The Hillfoots

One of the villages is Alva and I love the flowershop there called Shamrocks

Sandra the owner has given wonderful service to me and my family over the years

I can go in with a vague idea as to what I would like and she always manages to get it just right.

Anyway yesterday popped in and said would like something for the kitchen just to cheer me up.

First time being out and about since the dreaded virus struck.

She knows I like things tradional with a twist Aren't they stunning

The flowers are sitting on Running Chicken table mat I finished this morning taken from

Quilt Yourself Gorgeous Book by Mandy Shaw

http://www.dandeliondesigns.co.uk/

Ooot Shoots

The coughing virus that is going around has hit our family and worked

its way around every member of the family.

After fighting the coughing like Igot a 40 a day ciggie habit and exhaustion like you wouldn't believe I have had a jammie day and popped back to bed this afternoon.

Murrays favourite drink when he gets the chance is a Fruit Shoot or Oooot Shoot to a 19 month old bundle of fun. Anyway I have just discovered they taste a bit like ribena I had one during the night to help soothe the aching throat. Not too bad at all. As you can see Murray just loves them

Easter deco

A few of the Easter decorations in place.

Also on the table is a small picture that for as long as I can remember was on my wee grannies

mantelpiece and moved with her in the latter years to the nursing home

she kept it on her bedside table.

The little celtic cross was a gift from my mum and dad

it came from Iona my mums favourite place.

A little pair of glass baby shoes that my dear friend

gave me when our darling grandaughter was born.

Kitchen unit has a few things too think the rabbit is soooooo cute.

Mamma Day

Well the girls totally surprised me this year. I have been spoiled.

A box set of Jane Austen DVDs

Name your own Rose Hurricane Lamp

Scarf and beads that DGD chose

Also just had my dinner made

The best thing though the text message received this morning

"Morning Happy Mothers Day

Thank you for being a wonderful mum and granny.

Love Ashley, Graham, Aimee & Murray"

Boy did I cry

Now Colin and I don't usually give pressies to each other on Mothers Day

Cause I aint his mum and he aint my dad

But look at what the lovely man bought me

Pretty cool and soooooooo comfy

I have had a lovely day but tinged with sadness would love to have

my mum and wee grannie here

Miss and love them always

Grey around the edges

I finally got around to putting a quilt together with a Moda Basic Grey charm pack that has been keeping the cupboard warm since last September.

Really like the backing fabric.

But my fav is the binding just love that.

It is a very spring like day here although it is windy. My big problem is I can't stop yawning and have no energy whatsoever.

As a family it is not the best time health wise.

DH coughing and spluttering like he is about to expire. Aimee been off school a couple of days Murray on his second dose of steroid and is in competition with grandad for the cougher of the week.

Hey ho the Easter break has started.

Hoping for a bit of sunshine and a return of the energy levels.

Not quite a dresser

As I have mentioned in the past I have 'stuff '

I have been very good and tried my best to de-clutter.

The things that are left are things that I love and could not bare to part with.

Too many memories.

I needed somewhere to display them as I love having my 'things' around me.

Above is the storage solution that hubbie came up with.

It is made up with the 'Billy' shelfing system from Ikea.

I have to say I wasn't convinced it would work but I have to say I think it looks great.

A bit country looking made from modern units.

Some of the highlights are.

Birdhouse that hubbie bought in Macys.

Doll reminds me of my girlies when they were young and their red curly hair.

My button angel from my dear friend Margaret.

Love this sampler also has a wee birdhouse.

Finally got around to framing it

Bought this picture at the Country Living Fair in November last year.

It is a winter scene with a Christmas Tree but love too much to only have it on display at Xmas

Close-up of button Angel.

My friend knows me soooooooooo well

'Country Hearts'

I am a sucker for pretty country things and love checked and tiny floral fabrics.

Made this over the past few days.

Lots of cute fabrics that I love

Lots of hand sewing and quilting

Look at the cute button

It has pride of place hanging on the door of the kitchen
display cabinet

'1997'

My first venture into crafting happened many moons ago when I was at the local library and came across a book by Una Stubbs (actress) on stitch craft she spent any spare time she had stitching. This book was like turning on a light bulb for me and so began my love of stitching.

I spent my free time (not much of it with two girls, work and a hubbie who worked away from home) cross stitching. Chatting to somone at work led to a quilting class in the Speirs Centre (community hall) which I enjoyed but slipped back to cross stitch.

A few years later a visit to Linlithgow Palace resulted in finding Purely Patchwork I signed up for a basic class and my love affair with Patchwork And Quilting began.

The unpacking of 'that box' also resulted in finding the first sampler I made at Purely Patchwork it was all hand sewn and was completed in March 1997. (14 years ago hard to believe when in my mind I am still 18.....) My fav colour green as usual.

All these years wonder how many stitches ?????? The one thing that has remained is my love of hand sewing and although I do sometimes use my sewing machine for quickness I am first and foremost a hand quilter and love nothing better than sitting cosy in front of the fire a cup of something comforting and my ipod playing my favourite music...... bliss