Back from the brink???

Most folk think living in the countryside in Scotland would be idyllic, lovely views, fresh air, animals and nature all around, even the very occasional dry day....whats to complain about?

Paperwork, movement forms, medicine books, cattle tags, sheep tags, cattle passports, accounts, Census forms, I A C S Forms, and the Man (or Woman) from the 'Ministry'

Bureaucrats

Wikipedia states that in the modern day a bureaucracy is a government administrative unit that carries out the decisions of the legislature or democratically-elected representation of a state.
A bureaucracy is a group of officials within a government or other institution that implements the rules, laws, ideas, and functions of their institution.

In this day and age where everyone is watching their own back for fear of reprisals and blame people with a bit of power can become dangerous. What ever happened to common sense?


So to take my mind off of the trials and tribulations for the week I took myself off to the Spring Quilt Show at the weekend, spent a few of hours looking at quilts and chatting, spent some £s, of course that was compulsory....

The spring show is more of an exhibit than a competition....lovely quilts as usual.....

In the foyer a wonderful display by Hilary Beattie

Master Caster by Hilary Beattie

Alliums by Hilary Beattie

Love these silhouettes sorry didn't get the name of this collection but they are by Hilary Beattie too

A taste of summer, loved the simplicity of one...

Just Dessert by Catherine Miller

Although a longarm quilter I am always drawn to the hand quilted quilts, Sandi Lush is a true artist....dates that I saw were between 1997 and 2012......

Liberty Rose by Sandi Lush

China Peach by Sandie Lush

Dawn by Sandi Lush

Dreamspinner by Sandi Lush

Scrappy...

I have a customer who makes lovely scrappy quilts with gorgeous faded colours, different  borders give a totally different look to the quilt.....we chose Happy times for one and Plush for the other, although the backings are busy so it doesn't show too much on the backs....

Plush

First time Sampler...

I find it very hard to believe that this is my new customers first quilt, it was very square and flat and one of those that are a pleasure to quilt.....

The pantograph is wildflower, it shows up lovely on the zingy blue backing fabric....

Angela chose the option of having her binding applied by me on the longarm, now all that's needed is a couple of evenings sitting by the fire with a little hand sewing....

Colorado Sunshine....

Just what I need a bit of Colorado Sunshine to brighten up a dreary February day in Scotland and it's got even more lovely sunshine in real life and yes it's come all the way from Colorado!

No-reply blogger.....

I knew if I asked someone would help....my good friend Kathy sent me this link, here you will find great instructions on how to change your no-reply settings so you can receive direct emails

http://happyhourprojects.com/blog-tips-are-you-noreply-commentblogger-com/


Thanks Kathy and thanks Adrianne

And the winner is....

So we weighed up the pros and cons and with a little help from the youngsters picked the winner.....

And 'Yes' we have snow again.....and it's now even deeper

Our friendly Partridge has been playing this game all along 'peeking and booing' behind the photo frames.....

The winner of a 6 month gift voucher for the Quilt Show is Robin Lancaster with Peekaboo....congratulations Robin!

Now, can someone help with directions for changing your no-reply settings for blogger.....it seems to be far more difficult than it was or should be.....someone must know how to change these easily?

Groundhog Day....

Apart from being Candlemas Day in the UK, it's also Groundhog Day in the US, so in true 'groundhog' fashion I'm back with another post, an update really.....

The weather today is stunning...clear, clear skies but because of that there was a crisp frost this morning, a very different day, different photo....we'll have to wait and see if the little rhyme in the previous post holds true?

What happened to January?

I can't believe where January went....we had rain, snow, wind, then more rain...the fields are sodden and can take no more water......who ever would want to visit Scotland.....lol....

This little rhyme is fitting for today.....as today is Candlemas Day.....02/02/2013

If Candlemas Day be dry and fair
There's half the winter to come and mair
If Candlemas Day be wet and foul
Then half o' winter was gone at yule......

I'll let you know.....



Work wise, I've been kept busy with farm office work, getting the books ready for the Accountant and generally getting things back in order....there was a time when all of my paperwork was in order and I knew where to find all of my invoices and information. Now that I am at home more I hope to get back to that state of affairs....we'll see how that goes???

In between all of this tedious work I did a few customer quilts and drew out a couple of quilt patterns for my own future projects, I'm hoping to find time to make at least one quilt of my own this year, so here's hoping?

I've been blessed with some lovely quilts and new customers. Sometimes me living in the country can be a bit awkward for my customers especially if the weather isn't good even though we live on a tarmac road so it's handy for them to have me do a 'drop off and pick up service at my local quilt shop (LQS) which is  Borderland Fabrics in Jedburgh. 
Now that some of the quilts have been picked up or returned to customers I can start to show you what I've been working on.

The Happy Times panto is always a favorite it quilts out well and gives a lovely softly draping quilt.

This is Jenny's quilt made from fabric yardage but from a pattern taken from a 'jelly roll' book......

Doreen made this quilt for her Granddaughter to take to Uni, it's Doreen's first quilt but I'm sure it won't be her last.....

Post 300 Giveaway .....

In celebration of post number 300 I think we could have a little giveaway. I have a gift voucher for a '6 month membership to The Quilt Show' you can find the home page here .  The gift certificate is to be redeemed by February 18th by a new member.

So, if you would like a chance of winning this fabulous prize I would like you help me choose a name for the friendly Partridge who is still coming to visit me at my kitchen window....my DH has told me that 'chuck chuck' is not a suitable name for such a pretty Partridge......this is a two step process.... read the instructions, I need your name, your email address and a name for the Partridge....

Step one - Leave a comment telling me your chosen name for the Partridge.

Step two – Leave a second comment letting me know you are a follower or a new follower.
You can comment anonymously but you need to leave your name and email so I can contact you. If you use your blogger account please make sure you are not a ‘no-reply blogger’.

The giveaway will close on Sunday February 3rd 2013 at 12 MN GMT, that will be in the early hours of the morning in the US, early evening in OZ.....but it doesn't matter where you live just so long as you have an email address. A name will be chosen and the redemption number for 'The Quilt Show' membership will be sent by email to the lucky winner, so come on let's see how imaginative you can be????

If, for any reason I cannot contact you within 48 hours, the gift certificate number will be emailed to the next lucky winner? 

For Ani.....

My very good friend Ani is feeling a little under the weather just now....flu and colds are not much fun....I'm feeling a bit under the weather too....but it's the real weather affecting us today....

Do you know this man...if you see him do not approach him......lol.....the radio says the roads are blocked and drifting but I'm tucked up nice and warm here in my Farmhouse unlike my DH who has to venture out no matter what the weather.......I can hear the hum of the tractors and farm bikes making sure all the animals are fed and safe, wish I had my camera two minutes ago to show you the horses galloping about playing in the snow....as long as they are fed they love it!