Flushed with success (ok, that's a bad one!)

Who knew you can change the sound of your toilet filling up after you flush it?! I'm stupidly excited about this. The new toilet didn't have the 'gubbins' it was supposed to in the cistern - and the replacement that was provided was er, 'insert a suitable toilet word for rubbish'.
This inlet valve (from your local DIY superstore - the plumbing bit, yes I never go there either!) fills the cistern so much more quietly than the usual one (useful in an en-suite or loo near your bedroom). I'm so impressed!!! It actually makes the toilet sound more expensive (well, car manufacturers spend a lot of time working on how the shutting the doors sounds.....so I'm not THAT weird.........

Another 50 shades of grey....

When I bought the crackle-glazed grey bathroom tiles, I knew matching a paint with them would be challenging. I love grey. I think it's got an understated elegance. It's so often used in the set for 1940's-50's films and looks stunning. A great backdrop for showing off other colours. Trying to match greys however - is a different matter, some are pink-y based, some are blue-y. It was an issue I'd already come across picking the fabrics for this quilt (opposite), trying to match the plain fabric with the printed branches. It takes great care and viewing in a variety of lights (daylight, artificial light, even different times of day). 

After very careful perusal of the colour swatches I invested in a paint tester, fairly confident in my choice. How wrong was I?! Five tester pots later....(this is getting expensive - why didn't I just settle on 'cream')...and my bathroom walls now resemble one of my patchwork quilts. I have to say, reading 50 Shades of Grey was much more enjoyable than watching paint dry! 

A day on the tiles...

I've bought some lovely Laura Ashley (who's sponsoring the textile group I'm involved in setting up at The Maltings) grey tiles. I bought them for £8 sq metre instead of the full price of over £30! I love a bargain.



Laura Ashley photo - not my bathroom.

I braced myself to lift them from the trolley into my car, aware that a chap was watching me. To my surprise he quickly stepped up and offered his help (chivalry is not dead!).

"Cor these are heavy!" he exclaimed through gritted teeth as he lifted them.
I thought, 'Yeah I know' a) I'm stronger than I look b) I'm not stupid - that's why I accepted your help mate!

Any one know a good bender?

Project bathroom is under way. I'm finally feeling confident that the leaks (numerous volumes and sources) have been sorted.

Half of the floor had to be removed after one leak.

Confident enough to replace the grey-green bathroom suite - who ever thought that was a good idea?! - with a shiny white one. I'm sooooo looking forward to a lovely bathroom to relax in - although that is a long way off as I'm too tight/too much of a control freak to get trades involved!

After dusting off the DIY manual I came across this little gem of advice 'it is not easy to bend 22mm pipe over your knee. You are advised to hire a professional bender.' I wonder where I could find one of those......

"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