Thursday, July 24, 2008

Surviving the holidays...



Well, today is the first day of the summer holidays and we managed to survive it with a minimum of argument. After a small lie-in (not by Sarah, who stayed with a friend last night and apparently, got up just as early as on a school day) and some boring business, like hanging out wash and putting away the grocery delivery, we headed out to Hampton Court Palace (collecting Sarah on the way) to meet up with Helen for a coffee. She's down in London briefly before heading out to points abroad and she and her DH Dennis took a bit of time from their tourist schedule to meet up with me and my passle of rowdy urchins (well, one was more sulky than rowdy - you can guess which one!). So, here we are in the Tiltyard garden in front of a nice border - we are both squinting as the sun was very bright - about which I am not complaining, not one bit! Helen made a little trip to Creative Quilting first, as it's just over the road, and brought me some lovely lime green buttons. Which will get put to good use, I'm sure.

After we met up I took the kids off across the road (in the other direction) to Bushey Park, which has a lovely playground with an enormous sandpit - we had a few hours picnicking and playing in the sand there, before coming back to the house and getting out the paddling pool...



Despite all that activity I did manage to do some quilt related stuff today. This morning, I got the thin cream border attached to the group 9 patch quilt - looking good, isn't it! Next, a narrow border of little squares and then, onto the quilting - they are talking about doing it by hand - good practice for me, perhaps...

And this afternoon, I managed to find time for two ATCs, to the theme "B is for Bird" - one to swap on the Textile Challenges group and one for spare. With the gold background, they are a bit difficult to photograph, but I think you get the general idea.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Love the group nine patch - the subtleness of the colours is wonderful

Unknown said...

In fact the kids were not rowdy or even sulky and Olivia and I did a great deal - she swapped the chocolate base of her snack bar for a piece of my cream scone. She has great negotitaion skills! Kate also gave me a delicious and thoughtfully wrapped package of African fabrics which put my spur of the moment buttons to shame. Thanks Kate - great to meet you

Andrea said...

The nine-patch is beautiful so far. And clicking on the pic for a better look I must say how impressed I am by how tidy all your crafty stuff is in the background - puts me to shame - lol.

carole brungar said...

Kate, your quilt is looking stunning!
Carole

Ruth's Place said...

The nine-patch and the cards are lovely.

Angela said...

It never ceases to amaze me how much you manage to cram into every day! Your bird ATCs are adorable!

Clare said...

Best of luck for the rest of the hols. DD has been at home for 3 weeks now - only another 6 to go!

Lynda said...

The birds look so delicate - as if they're ready to fly straight off! The ninepatch is really set off well by the border.