May's charity quilt 

This is the top of the charity quilt that we made last week - thank you to everyone who came to help!! 

To all of you who couldn't make this quilt sewing day - there will be another gift quilt day next month!!

Til next time 

 God Bless

Sue..x

May's Charity Quilt & a hungry visitor 

Today we had a lovely time making the quilt for Emmaus - not quite finished - but well on its way - photos will follow when it's done!!

 Thank you to those lovely ladies who came along and sewed- I am very grateful!!

Then when I was leaving this afternoon - something caught my eye - I stopped and carefully got out of the car, grabbing my phone as I cautiously hid behind the open door.

 I often see wildlife behind the barn - but very seldom do I get very close before the animal is startled and flees.

 Today i moved slowly and took my time and although she kept looking up she was content for me to be there.

 so here she is a very hungry deer happily munching on the farmers beans. 

 I don't suppose the farmers will be very happy - but I was delighted and I think she was enjoying her afternoon tea!!  Til next time - God Bless  - Sue ..x

PJ's or Jim-Jams?

 I love Jim - jams - I find them so much more comfortable than nighties!!

 when I wear a nightie i t rucks up underneath me or it lays out on the bed and my husband lies on top of it and then I can't move -- Jim Jams or PJ's are so much better and you can lounge around the house in them during the day.

 I made these Jim jam bottoms - shorties - nice and cool for the Summer.

 I'm going to wear the black & white cup cakes ones to a sleepover teamed up with a white t shirt - I'm going to wear the blue with red spots ones around the house and to bed at home and I think I'm going to keep the lilac & turquoise checked ones as cover up shorts for the beach!!

Until next time - God Bless

Sue..x

Lamb Italienne

I am quite particular about the food I eat. I have an organic veg box delivered - I only buy carefully selected groceries and I tend to buy most of my meat from a farmer friend.

 Last month I bought a lamb from my friend and today I made one of my childhood favourite lamb dishes - Lamb Italienne!!

It is so simple!!

 Take 2 carrots - a medium onion -  a couple of sticks of celery - 1 x can of tomatoes and 8 x best end lamb cutlets. 

 Chop carrots, onion & celery - fry gently in a little oil. Place in a casserole- trim excess fat off the lamb and fry in the same pan as the vegetables - when brown place on top of the vegetables - tip the can of tomatoes into the pan add 1/4 pint of water, mixed herbs- salt & pepper and bring to the boil.  Pour over the lamb - cover and place ina medium hot oven - 180c for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile - mix 4 oz of S.R. flour with 1 1/2 oz of suet - add chopped parsley - sals and enough cold water to make a sticky consistency . when meat cooked place the dumplings on top of the meat - leave uncovered and return to the oven for approx 20 minutes.

 Serve with potatoes and green vegetables - delicious!! 

I hope you enjoy this!! 

 Til next time 

 God Bless 

Sue.x

Spring herbs & salads 

Don't you just love this time of year - when the herbs are growing in the garden and you can just pop out and grab a handful of wonderful fresh fragrant herbs!!

Then of course there are the lovely new spring vegetables coming in - so as my family are very fond of salads - I made coleslaw - and potato Salad

To make coleslaw - peel & grate 2 carrots - chop 1 small apple and slice 1/2 a small white cabbage - wash and chop a handful of chives and then add your preferred dressing - I mix mayo with salad cream together for my dressing - so quick made in minutes!! 

For potato salad - wash a few new potatoes- boil with fresh mint sprigs until soft - allow to cool wash and chop a handful of fresh chives - stir in your preferred dressing - I always use mayo for this one and enjoy!!

Til next time 

 God BlessSue..x

A new sewing machine cover 

 This afternoon I realized how tatty my sewing machine cover was - it was all torn and it was white plastic & boring - So I decided to make a new one-- 

 I measured the machine added a couple of inches for seams and ease of fitting.

 I dragged out some bright fabric from my stash and some calico and  a spare piece of wadding.

 First I cut out the spotty fabric as wide as the sewing machine is deep and as long measuring from one side to the other.

then I layered up the three pieces and quilted it. 

Then I trimmed this piece. I then cut out the two pieces for the front and back and again layered them up and quilted them. 

I then stitched the front and back  pieces to the central upper strip and bound the bottom.

 Popped it over the machine and threw out the old cover -- very happy now that my machine has a smart bright new cover!! 

 Til next time 

 God Bless 

 Sue.xx

How to make a cushion cover with an envelope back.

 Measure your cushion pad and add 1 1/4" inch to both width & length measurements. Let us say for example that your cushion pad is 16" square. Cut out your cushion front 17 1/4" square. Cut out a back piece 17 1/4 " x 16" then another piece 17 1/4 " x 12".

Fold under 1/2"  and then 1/2" again ( so you have a double fold ) on one of the shorter sides of each of the cushion backs - pin and stitch down.

Lay the cushion front right sides down - position a cushion back piece on the top right sides up with the lower raw edges even with the cushion front and the seamed edge towards the top of the cushion front, then lay the other cushion back piece with raw edges even with the cushion front and the seamed edge towards the bottom of the cushion ( basically pointing in the opposite direction).

Stitch all the way round the perimeter of the cushion cover taking a 1/4" seam.  Turn wrong sides out and press.

Now stitch all the way around again enclosing the first seam. Turn right sides out and press. 

Put your cushion pad inside and position on your sofa-bed- chair etc.

 Note - For a plumper cushion make the cover a wee bit smaller & for a flatter cushion make the cover a wee bit bigger!! 

 Enjoy! 

 God Bless 

 Sue..x 

Another bright cushion to add to my new seating area 

I have now made a second cushion to add to  my seating area - it was fun to make and quite simple and best of all I used up some fabric from my stash!! 

I just cut squares five squares -and 4 small triangles and 4 larger triangles and then joined three squares together in a line and added a small triangle to either end - then joined a larger triangle to each side of the two remaining squares then added a small triangle to the side thus creating a larger triangle and then joined it all together. I then cut four strips and added them to each side - then created an envelope back.

That was easy too!!

I cut two pieces of fabric the same size as the cushion front! Then along one edge on each piece I turned under 1/4 " and then turned it under again and hemmed it. 

I then  laid the pieces on top of each other wrong sides to right sides with the hemmed edges on opposite sides - I then placed the cushion top on top right sides up. I sewed around the entire cushion cover taking a 1/4" seam.

 I then turned the cushion cover wrong sides out and re sewed  the seam taking 3/8 " seam. turned it right sides out -Pressed the cushion and popped it on the cushion pad - and took the photo - really quick - bright & fun!! 

Doing another one tomorrow

 Til' next time 

 God bless 

 Sue..x

Beautiful Blue Buttons 

My new blue buttons came recently - they are like my vanilla buttons with lovely words and hearts. This time as well as peace, hope, love, joy & faith - I also have some with 'trust' written on them. 

I am so pleased with them - they are so soft and they mingle really well with the vanilla ones too don't you think?

I love the sentiments - and if we all possessed these qualities then we would surely be very blessed!

 Til next time 

 God Bless 

Sue..x

 

New cushion for new seating area 

I have made a new seating area for the barn positioned right next to the coffee machine and next to a pile of patchwork & sewing magazines. 

I wanted to brighten it up so I have made a new cushion cover and will be making some more over the next few days to make the bench extra cosy!!

So next time you're in the neighbourhood - drop in - pour yourself a coffee or tea and grab a magazine for a free read!!

 I also made this quick wall hanging from a charm pack plus some border fabric !!

Really easy and quick!! 

 til next time

 God Bless 

Sue..x