Sunday 23 September 2012

Out of Control

Ever felt totally out of control, frustrated and really, really angry ?? Well that is exactly how I felt on Thursday night !


What happened ?    Well, after driving some 300kms to catch a ferry to the UK to visit our families and do some shopping, on arriving at the ferry port at 10.00pm we were told that the crews had gone on a wild cat strike in the last couple of hours and that our sailing was cancelled.  Stunned does not begin to describe how we felt as the only alternative was another 400km drive away.

What did we do ?     Given that neither myself or DH are in the first flush of youth, another 400kms to an unknown situation was not an option, particularly as we would have to drive back across the UK for several hours to get to our destination over there so - after calming down a little, we decided to turn tail and drive back home.

What happens next ?    Goodness only knows as the 'wild cat strike' has now turned into a full scale stoppage, and the  ferry fleet is tied up until further notice leaving 1,000s of passengers stranded on both side of the Channel.  We are some of the luckier ones , at least we are back safe & sound in our own home and not sleeping on the docks trying to get a boat.

We have cancelled our crossing until such time as the whole thing is resolved, even though the sales staff offered to keep us on a 'short list' for the first available sailing, the uncertaintity of it all is not worth the stress of waiting for a phone call, this way at least WE are back in charge.

The reason for it all?  You can read about it here

So sad when we think of the number of pleasant crossings we have made with this fleet over the last 20 years!


Wednesday 19 September 2012

I started.....

...so I'll finish the visit to Les Jardins du Botrains with a couple of photos of the lake






Where  we found this very clever trompe l'oeil



and a garden bench with a difference !



Further on a thriving potager



 and what about this for a greenhouse?




We had a lovely time wandering around these beautiful gardens, and even though the photos don't really do them justice, I hope you've enjoyed the visit
too !
                                        




A Bientot !

Friday 14 September 2012

After Something Old - Something New

Last post was about something old-ish , this time I have something new to talk about !

I am  great fan of  Karen over on Selvage Blog , which explains why I have this mound of selvedges:-)


and yes, I have used some of them for a cushion,  a couple of tote & gift bags and even  a mini quilt in the past.

Besides encouraging quilters to use up their selvedges, Karen is, amongst her many other talents,  a designer , and I've just fallen in love with  Diamond Dish her latest string quilt pattern,

(photo courtesy of Selvage Blog)

I've often thought about making another one of these, but am not sure if I'd get bored making it a second time, but this pattern is just different enough to make me think seriously about it.

I 've just received a copy of the pattern, and straight away started to freak out as I realised it is made using the dreaded Y seams - something I have managed to avoid so far during my quilting life ! However - thanks to the lovely clear instructions in the pattern and with some help from  Kay Woods, I've managed to make a  few passable sample blocks !

First attempt was with scrap fabric



 then with strings



and another just because !




Maybe not  100%  perfect, but I'm happy with the result, so it's all systems go now for tackling the quilt.  Not quite decided yet whether to go with the white as in the sample block or switch to a bright colour as in Karen's quilt - what do you think ?

Do pop over to Karen's blog, and look at all the great ideas there,  and if you're a lover of antique quilts, check out Thursday's post too !

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Granny Squares

There's been a lot of chat in Blogland over the last weeks about Granny Blocks, which I believe started here at Bee in my Bonnet.

No, I haven't joined in Great Granny Along, but it did remind me of something  lurking in the  'Quilts in Waiting' drawer , and thought I'd show you my version of this quilt block.



From a pattern in Australian P&Q listed as a signature quilt, when I can't remember, but certainly a number of years ago.  The top has been waiting to be backed since October 2011 (hanging my head in shame !!) and to be honest, I'd forgotten how pretty it is so - I think it must be time to do something about it, don't you ?

Maybe a good pressing would be a start :-)


Sunday 9 September 2012

William Says .........

........you've got to stop and smell the roses !