"The thongs of the saddle world"

After a very busy day of running around....somehow I found myself in a local pub! Apart from the draft beer, my favourite thing in a pub is to 'eaves-drop' 'ear-wig' or a.k.a. listening into other people's conversations (yes Mother, I know you taught me not to!)

It was impossible not to hear the conversation going on at the next table, as I sipped an ice-cold beer. Two smartly dressed, grey-haired gentleman were talking very, very loudly. There was some serious male posturing going on. Their conversation turned to the olympics and a mutual passion for cycling, and how beautiful Box Hill is (yes it is). And discussing the bikes themselves, how modern saddles are so slim. 'Much more comfortable than those wide padded ones we had' one gent assured the other. 'Oh yes, these are like the thongs of the saddle world'......... I nearly spat out my beer......

Are you looking at my spread?

This is the first vintage hand-embroidered tablecloth I bought. It started a small obsession. I'll never part with this one - it's too useful! I love using it outdoors in the summer - weather permitting. The quality of the linen and the embroidery is superb. 

I firmly believe we should use pretty things and not save them for 'best'. This cloth makes me smile every time I see it - and I can't get enough of smiling and feeling good! If you've got something tucked away that you love....why not get it out today? You deserve to feel good too!

Loving your quilt.

Here's a few quick guildelines about looking after your quilt.
The pretty exterior disguises the fact that my quilts are pretty tough things, because of the top quality materials and traditional construction techniques. Quilts were always made to last! A bit of tender loving care means they look good and last for even longer, a real potential heirloom, creating a bit of your family history.

How do I wash my quilt?  

If stated - I've already washed it in my home washing machine. Use what ever is your choice of washing powder (ideally a colour-safe one) and fabric condidtioner. Avoid the Silk and Wool ones though - they can make cottons go yellow.

How do I dry my quilt?

Preferably flat and out of direct sunlight. Not always practical or possible! I like to line dry mine (hang with the back outwards towards the sun) as they dry much more quickly. You can tumble dry on a low heat but this will slightly speed up the ageing process....as it does with clothes. But the option is there.

How do I store my quilt?

Use it! They are designed and made to be used wherever you want, on the bed, hanging on the wall, on the back of the sofa, as a table protector - wherever your imagination takes you. Avoiding direct sunlight is a good idea. Not only does it fade fabric dyes it also damages the natural fibres, leading to weakness in the fabric and then holes.

My quilts are made of all natural fibres. Exactly like your cotton clothes - and aren't they hard wearing!

If you are a storage fantantic - avoid direct contact with untreated wood as the acids in the wood can react with cotton. Fold carefully and pad the folds with acid-free tissue paper. There are many detailed articles on the internet.

For more advice try here : Quilting 101

Does my bump look big in this?

The only time it is not only socially acceptable, but actively encouraged, to guess a woman's girth is at a baby shower. An American phenomenon that seems to be gaining popularlity this side of the pond. I went to Jeanette's yesterday, held in a pub under the flight path of the Farnborough Air Show!

Taken by my Dad - Michael Foot

There was some amazing flying as they showed us what the planes can do and the noise of the Vulcan just turned everyone to mush. Fortunately baby stayed where he was - I'm sure it was quieter in there! I discovered my hidden talent....guessing the number of sweets in jar :-) An aptitude test showed that I'm one of the few people think of numbers visually/with a gut sense. So I suppose it should have come naturally to me. I use it while making the quilts too. There is a lot of mathematics involved in calculating the amounts of fabrics and designing. That's what I enjoy - combining the maths with creativity.

Craft Displays

My thoughts have been on the up-coming craft fair with Malting Makers. I haven't sold at a craft fair before and the whole thing is quite daunting - I've never even done a car boot sale! There's so much to think of....banners, table display (getting a table - I wonder if they have them there), labels, leaflets? This week I've decided to concentrate on thinking about ways to display.

http://seaflowerstudios.com/

This photo was taken by my lovely Canadian Etsy e-mail/pen-pal Marissa at The Spot on Queen Design Market. An inflatable sofa makes such practical sense, I bet children jump all over it though.

Of course I have to be practical and think about how I'm going to store any display stands etc. afterwards.

Maybe something like a wooden airer

would be useful as it doesn't rely on fixing anything to a wall. A window display in TopShop caught my eye. There was a traditional wheelback chair opposite a desk - but the chair was painted matt pink. The mixture of traditional and modern made me smile. And does fit in with my vintage fabrics mixed in with the modern. I shall think about painting a new clothes airer. Pink or soft green.....or maybe one of each?

I should never look at Farrow and Ball! So many pretty colours!!!

If anyone has any ideas - please feel free to comment - all ideas welcome :)

Jammy Cow.

Actually no cows were harmed in the making of this blog post!

Despite the entirely unseasonal weather we've been experiencing in Hampshire this year - the calender tells me it's actually mid-summer. So my thoughts turn to jam-making. I have absolutely no talent when it comes to jams or marmalades - I'm a natural pickler tho :) (can't be good at everything!!). This year I have invested in a jam thermometer - or should I say a 'sugar thermometer' as the lady in the shop corrected me. If it doesn't improve my jam skills I can now make caramel!

Every year I buy fresh apricots when they are half-price - because I'm convinced I have a pickled apricot recipe. I don't. I have a yummy pickled peach recipe! Cue return trip to supermarket to buy the neccesary stuff for making jam..... So, I'm stocked up with sugar and apricots. There really isn't much more to it - so the recipe says. But my creative streak outs itself again. I've got some Lemon Balm growing outside...I wonder if that would be nice. Sounds it should be nice - 'Apricot and Lemon Balm Jam'. A quick internet search (I can't see an exact recipe) reveals that I should probably flavour the sugar with the herb first.

While back in the supermarket - the peaches were better than half-price! Cue - pickled peaches (see below). Peaches smell so yummy while cooking! Here's the recipe...www.deliaonline.com Now I have to wait 6 weeks until they are ready.......

I went on to make Rhubarb and Vanilla Jam. I tried using only one vanilla pod (expensive) and a mixture of sugar - as I didn't have a kilo of jam sugar but did have some golden vanilla sugar.