Drip, Drip, Drip!!!

How lovely to wake up to rain and slightly cooler temperatures this morning although the forecast says it will be warmer and brighter this afternoon.

No Ruby to prepare for today as she and the rest of the family are having a whale of time down South at the seaside. I got a wonderful photo through of Marlowe last night....boy that girl can spread chocolate ice cream further than I have ever seen it spread before...lol.

DD and I are off out shopping tonight. Just a few top ups of basics and we'll probably eat out too to save cooking when we get in.

Andy is fed ready for work so I just have to wash the pots and wipe down in the kitchen and I'll be back at the sewing machine for a while.

Hope you all have a lovely day today.
Sheila-x-

Blooming!!!

I took a little walk down the garden this morning to check on my Peony. No full blown flowers yet but just look at the new rose we put in last year......

The buds start off flushed with a lovely dark pink but as the roses open they are a beautiful creamy pink with a sugary pink blush....just gorgeous.

The climbing rose on what is left of the old apricot tree didn't flower last year as we cut it back really hard. Judging by the number of buds it is going to put on one heck of a show this year and already smells wonderful.

The little birdhouse is the home of Mr and Mrs Blue Tit and their babies. I couldn't hear them cheeping this morning so I hope everything is OK in there.

Jobs done, papers read and coffee partaken of so I am back at the sewing machine and making a black and white gingham circle skirt for Ruby's doll. I'm using up offcuts to make as many clothes as I can and clear some space as I am getting a bit twitchy for new fabric....lol.

Hope you are all enjoying this sunny day.

Sheila-x-

Staying In!!!

We've decided not to go out today. Andy is pottering and doing a few jobs....changing the bathroom light bulb and  mowing the lawns so far and then I think he is going for a fiddle about in his shed.
I'm just tidying up a little and then I shall be sewing for a while before I have to make the tea and then after that we will settle down and carry on watching part two of the last season of Sopranos. I have absolutely loved watching this and will be quite sad when it's finished.

Ooooh....just spotted the papers on the table so a coffee and a read before I do anything else.

Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-

Home Alone!!!

Well....that's my little visitor gone. We have had a fabulous weekend with lots of giggles, cuddles and kisses. Ooooh she does my old heart good does our Ruby.
Now I have just one load of laundry to do and then I can spend the rest of the day sewing as we will be having our Sunday lunch at tea time with DD being at work.

Hope you are all having a smashing weekend.
Sheila-x-

It's A Tad Wet!!!

What a difference today from yesterday. It's quite chilly, a little windy and very wet. I am not complaining as the garden needed it badly and everything is looking fresh and clean.

Today I have had a general tidy round but am saving noisier jobs for when Andy gets up so that I don't disturb him. This means I am having a bit of quiet time until then and trying to finish the doll dress I started. There will have to be a few more made as we have a new addition to the doll collection. Ruby and I have been waiting for them to bring out a doll with short hair and at last they have so we now have six dolls.

Ruby is coming to stay for the weekend so tonight we were going to take her out for tea to The Harvester but it is closed for refurbishment and will re-open as a steak house in June. I'm not a fan of steak so I am very disappointed that I will no longer be able to get my chicken and salad fix at Harvester.
Frankie & Benny's it is then.
After that we'll come home to a film and popcorn in our pj's.
Tomorrow I think will be a quick trip to the big town to search for a couple more pieces of clothing to add to my rather depleted wardrobe and as I don't usually go into the big town on Saturday I will go and check if the haberdashery stall is still on the market....I am desperate for buttons.
Usually when Ruby stays for the weekend we arrange to meet DDIL and Marlowe at the pub for lunch but this time we have to get her back earlyish on Sunday morning as they have something on so it will be a late home cooked lunch as DD is at work.
Andy is off Monday so we might have a ride out somewhere for a couple of hours. At one time we would have taken Smudge for a good walk at Carsington but the poor old guy doesn't like going out for walks much these days and he would just get too distressed in the car.

I can hear sounds of movement upstairs so I had best go and get my Mrs Mop head on...lol.

Hope you all have a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend.
Sheila-x-

Another Lovely Morning!!!....Post Number 2000....Wow!!!

It's nice and sunny out again and the garden is an absolute hive of activity with all the birds visiting the feeding areas and Mr Blue Tit busily feeding his Mrs in the nesting box.
Flowers are blooming. The red thistle looks spectacular and there are roses and peonies with so many buds that are waiting to blossom.
There are jobs that need doing out there....the herb table needs some trimming and tidying up for starters but that will be a job to do with Ruby at the weekend as she loves the herb table.
Inside I have done a bit of wiping down in the kitchen and am just about to start cleaning the cooker. Oh that is a job I just dislike so much....but it has to be done so I'll just get on with it and then I can have some time sewing later.....I might indulge in a quick coffee though before I start....lol.

What are you all up to today? Whatever it is I hope the sun is shining on you.
Sheila-x-

Ready To Wear!!!

One little outfit ready for Miss Marlowe when she comes to drop off Ruby today. I have tried the top on her and she looked adorable in it but I didn't like the buttons I had used. They have been replaced now with these white ones.
There should have been a pair of shorts to go with it too but I got a bit distracted when I was using the overlocker and ended up cutting off a vital piece...lol.....they went in the bin as did the first dress I made in this style for her. I worked to the pattern instructions and it was horrible so this one I made up as I went along. It turned out much better.
So far I have one doll dress cut out.....so many pieces for such a small thing but it's going to be cute.

This morning I have made one large quiche for our tea with leftovers and a smaller one to send down to Doodle Mansion which they can use either for meal or pack ups. They smell lovely and I know DDIL loves my quiche so I hope they enjoy it.

I'm just going to have a quick sandwich and a cold drink....and maybe five minutes with my feet up before I need to have a tidy up and throw the hoover round ready for my gorgeous girl coming so I'll go and do that.

Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-

In Full Swing Again!!!

Yay.....I am back in full swing again....movin' and shakin' round the house like a thing possessed and catching up with everything.
No kitchen cleaning done yet but I am thinking Thursday for that job as Ruby will be here for tea tomorrow and has requested quiche much to my shock. I'll just do cheese and bacon....nothing too fancy and see how we go with that....and while I am baking I'll probably make some scones for the freezer.

I did a bit of sewing yesterday.....well I sewed two buttons onto Marlowe's top and threaded the elastic into her little skirt ready to secure it and close up the slot today. Once I have done that I'll be cutting out a load of doll clothes to use up the offcuts as I am fed up of tripping over the bag they are in. Between that and tripping over the dog I'm surprised that I have somehow got away with not suffering any broken limbs....lol.

I've just had to make poor old Smudge an appointment with the vet as all his Cushing's symptoms seem to be returning despite him being on medication for it... maybe he needs a bigger dose... I don't know.

It's a lovely day again today....sunny with a good stiff breeze and perfect for line drying. I have one load out which should be about ready to come in and another one to go out. I will probably spend the rest of the the day sniffing at the line dried washing....lol.

Hope the sun is shining for you all.
Sheila-x-

A New Week!!!

......and am I glad to see the back of last week.
After a week of feeling like I had a heavy black cloud hanging over me I thought a nice relaxing Sunday would see me right....and what do I get.....a flaming migraine. It started while I was cooking lunch and finally went at about 9pm.
Anyhoo....I am feeling much better today and ready to get on with my week and back to my sewing.

Sometime this week the kitchen needs a good clean but it won't be today as there is laundry and evening meal prep to do......a crunchy tuna salad with lemon mayonnaise as it is already hot here this morning....23c in the sewing room with the curtains closed....phew. We can't even have the back door open as we have our perennial problem of the plague of tiny flies that gather just outside the door. They appear every May and June and drive me bonkers.

Right...I shall go and get on with sorting this laundry and then get chopping for the salad.

Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-

Edited to add that I have had to add comment moderation due to a surge in spam comments which I do my best to keep removing but it is just getting ridiculous now.

Can't Get Myself Going!!!

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my last couple of posts. You are all so very kind.

I'm feeling a bit down at the moment and just can't seem to get myself going so I am just pottering about doing bits and bobs and my sewing has been abandoned just until I get myself right again.
Today I will see my Ruby so I am sure she will cheer me up no end and DD is taking us both out for tea tonight and that will be something nice to look forward to.

Hope you are all well and enjoying some sun.
Sheila-x-

One Year!!!

I can't believe that today is one year since you left us.

I think about you every day and miss you so much.

Love you always my darling Maggie.

Organised Chaos!!!

This is the state of my sewing table today. Chaotic...yes but I know what and where everything is.
I have six garments cut out ready for sewing.....which I shall be starting shortly but while I have been waiting for the dog to move from under my feet I have been cutting out a dolls clothes pattern to use some of the offcuts from Marlowe's clothes. Ruby will love her dolls having similar outfits to her little sister.
I should have got some sewing done yesterday but oh my goodness....the carpet shampooing really did me in and I ached from head to toe. I think I should have done upstairs one day and downstairs on another instead of doing it all in one day.......and I needed to whip the beast out again today as Smudge peed in the kitchen....again!!! That dog is driving me nuts. It's a good job I love him so much.

Laundry is almost done and I have a very simple tea to prepare. Andy treated DD and I to a ready cooked chicken this morning so that and a bowl of salad will hit the spot today.

There will have to be a bit of top up shopping done tonight so we'll nip out after tea. Normally I would try and do it on the day we have to take Ruby home to save making two trips but I don't think it can wait until later in the week.

Before I start anything I am just going to have five minutes now that Andy has gone to work and then the machines will be coming out.

Hope you're all having a lovely day of sunshine.
Sheila-x-

Sad!!!

No waffling today.......just sending my heartfelt condolences to Sue (The Cottage At The End Of The Lane) and her family.

Rest In Peace Col-x-

My Aching Arms!!!

Upstairs is shampooed to within an inch of it's life so I am just giving my poor old arms a rest for a few minutes before I start on downstairs and make them ache all over again.
Luckily it's fairly cool today so I am not getting too hot and bothered.

The rest of the weekend is mine so I hope to come out of it with a few garments for little Miss Marlowe. Just need to cut out another couple of things and then I can just sit and sew them all.

OK.....back to the beast and more arm aching...lol.

Hope you're all having a good weekend so far.
Sheila-x-

Out Of Kilter!!!

Had a bit of an off day yesterday hence no post.
I didn't feel ill as such just a bit out of kilter and couldn't think of much to say so I just sat and did more cutting out and pinning ready for sewing.
Feel heaps better today and would love to be sewing but I have house stuff that needs doing but hopefully will get to the machine after tea.

Yet more salad for tea  with some ham and something I haven't done for years.....a potato and onion bake....thinly sliced potatoes and onions with veg stock cooked covered with foil until the potatoes are tender and then uncovered and baked until crispy on the top. It will make a nice change from the boiled new potatoes Andy likes.

Another weekend with no particular plans apart from shampooing carpets....how exciting...lol. They desperately need doing after the long muddy winter and I like to do that job when there is someone else here to entertain the dog and keep him from under my feet.

Looks like the next job on my list is peeling and slicing so I will go and get that done and start the cooking.

Hope you all have a happy weekend.
Sheila-x-

I've Started And I Will Finish!!!

I made a good start on the clothes sorting yesterday but it will have to be finished at the weekend now as Andy will be in bed until late afternoon every day this week.
The charity shop will do quite well once I have finished.

Needles were ordered for the overlocker and a little cutting out was done but then I got distracted by sorting out the presser feet and accessories for my machines and by the time I'd done that it was nearly tea time.
The pork casserole was lovely but I think we will go back to salad today....mainly to use up what we have left but also because Ruby will be here for tea and it will be a nice quick meal to leave time for cuddles. The couple of hours she is here go so quickly.

All I have to do today is some tidying so I should be able to finish off the cutting out before my gorgeous girl gets here and then tomorrow will be a sewing day.

Hope you are all having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-

Back To The Job List!!!

All back to normal here at Tea Towel Mansion today.
DD has gone back off to work after her week off and Andy is on a night shift so I'll now have time and space to get back to the jobs that need doing.
Today I am starting on my wardrobe sort out. I have so many clothes that are now too big for me and it's pointless hanging on to them so they have to go.
First I have to put a pork casserole on to cook as Andy wants a dinner with gravy.
When he goes to bed later I'll come down and spend some time cutting out in the sewing room and I must search for and order some ball point needles for my overlocker so that I can use some of the five metre length of jersey I have to make a skirt for myself.

It's a lovely sunny day here again today but tempered with a nice little breeze so hopefully I shall get through the day without melting too much...lol.

Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-

Alive!!!

Well the sunshine has certainly bought my little corner of the world to life.
Yesterday there was a real buzz as people came out to work in their gardens, wash their cars and generally potter about.
I haven't seen so many people out and about for months.
Andy mowed our lawns and DD tidied up the borders and filled in a few gaps with new plants and today the garden furniture has come out of winter storage ready for our barbecue later on which we are having instead of a roast Sunday lunch. I had planned on doing that tomorrow when DD isn't at work but....and you could have knocked me down with a feather....Andy has said that as it will be hot again we will have salad with cold meats. I'm up for that.

Although I wasn't outside yesterday I did get some jobs ticked off the list including altering that second pair of curtains for upstairs. I promised DD they would be done before she went back to work and I just scraped through....lol.
I also got some patterns cut out ready for more dress making and all the laundry is done.
Today I have put some chicken to marinate in fajita spices and made a potato salad and a Greek salad...minus the olives which we don't like and all I have to do now is bake a baguette and we'll be ready for when DD gets home from work.

I hope you are all having a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend.
Sheila-x-

....And Another Dress Finished!!!

Ruby's cream with pink roses dress is finished.....

It just needs a wash and a good iron before being shipped off to The Doodle House.
I must admit that I like the black one better but that is just me.
The next one will be the daisy one but I think I am going to get a bit brave and finish the neckline and armholes with bias binding made from the same fabric to give the dress a slightly softer finish and I may possibly leave the zip out.....or I may find another pattern completely. Not decided yet.

I didn't go out to Trentham this morning with DD as I woke up with a vile headache. She has gone on her own and Andy has just left for work so I am having a little peace and quiet on my own. I don't know how long it will last but it is lovely.

DD and I have had a week of very healthy eating so tonight I am going to treat us to homemade fish, chips and peas. Normally we would wait and have it with Andy as he is usually home just after 7pm on a Friday but they have changed his hours so I am going to have to cook twice tonight as we can't wait until nearly 9pm for ours. It's really annoying when they keep chopping and changing their working hours.

Nothing particular planned for the weekend except maybe a barbecue on Monday if the weather is nice as DD has the day off in lieu of working on Sunday. I'll probably catch up with some jobs that have been neglected while I have been gadding about all week.
By Tuesday I will be ready to have the house back to myself I can tell you.

Have a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-

Another Morning Out.....And This Weeks Fabric Stash!!!

Yet another trip out this morning to Derby although just on the outskirts and not into the city centre as I needed to go to Hobbycraft. I did still manage to buy fabric but it wasn't planned...lol.

So here is all the fabric I have bought since last Saturday.......

The blender fabrics from Derby Market. There are two lots of the red one as when she unrolled the bolt there was a piece already cut...nearly a metre for £2 and then I bought another two metres @ £3.99 pm. Just one metre each of the yellow and orange as I know I won't use lots of those.

One metre of the red hollyhock by Fabric Freedom for £3.99 and then three remnants @ £2 each and they are all a metre or over.

All £3.99 a metre. 3 of the turquoise daisy for another dress for Ruby. 1 of the blue floral to add to quilting stash and I just couldn't resist the chicken fabric which I will probably use for a dress for Marlowe.

A bit of an impulse buy from Hobbycraft this morning but I have been looking for something a bit funky to use with this pattern. A bit pricier than my market finds though at £8 a metre.

They finally had the red in this distressed blender so I had to get some while they have it.

Well now I really do have to knuckle down and get some more sewing done to make room for these to go into my storage boxes because I can't squeeze another metre in them at the moment.

Ruby's second dress is almost finished....just the hem to do and then while I have the pattern out I might cut another one in the daisy print which means I won't have to store three metres of it.....there is method in my madness....lol.

Quick visits to S********'s and M&S and now we are home. More salad for tea today and another session of Sopranos.

Tomorrow will be our last day out for this week and we'll be off to Trentham as DD needs to buy a birthday gift for a friend and you can always find something unusual in the shopping village there.

Thank you all so much for comments on my last couple of posts. Next week I shall have more time to answer you all individually and I badly need to catch up on the blogs I read too.

Hope you're all enjoying sunshine today.

Sheila-x-

A Day Out!!!

Sorry for the lack of a blog post yesterday but DD and I were up and out early to get to Derby.
Fabric shopping was done and then we had a good walk around the shopping centre as usually we just go to the shops we know we want to go to.
It was nice to have a browse but my purse stayed firmly in my bag....lol.
On the way home we decided to stop at The Cherry Tree for lunch to save us having to cook when we got home. We both went for the carvery and it was absolutely gorgeous although I couldn't eat all of mine.
By the time we got in I was fit for nothing much more than sofa hugging and watching our new box set....The Sopranos. we are loving it so far.

Today we have to pick Ruby up from school and she will be coming here for tea. I hope to have her new dress ready for when she gets here....or at least finished enough for her to try on.

It's a really nasty day here. Thrashing it down with rain and really cold so I think the heating will go on this afternoon.

Hope you are all having a good day.

Sheila-x-