A Sunny Cycle Ride

Hello Lovelies ,
 with rain forecast to return later this week I knew I would regret it if I didn't get out in the sunshine for a while this morning. I was planning on going for a run but reading THIS post yesterday changed my mind. I love Cuckoos new bike and was suddenly inspired to haul my old , but still rather lovely, bike out of the garage this morning. I'm not a fan of running in the heat anyway , but cycling is perfect for a sunny day. I'm so lucky to live  close to quiet lanes and open countryside and they are looking soooo pretty at the moment......

My sort of cycling is pottering along , taking time to notice all the wonderful views and flowers......

I'm cycling in a dress today....it's not as long as this shadow makes it appear. It's a simple cotton shirt dress that flares enough to make pedaling easy ...yes I really love cycling in something a bit floaty on a warm day ...it's so cool and relaxed.....

I stop under my favourite tree to enjoy the shade and admire it's impressive branches.......

As I pedal along I'm suddenly met with a  strong scent...it's unmistakable...so I pull on the brakes and head back to hunt it out .........

the Honeysuckle looks gorgeous growing wild in the hedgerow. 

As you can see my bike is showing her age in places. I have had her from new...late 80's....and the only new things are the gel seat cover ( so comfy ) and the wire basket( she originally had a white wire basket). I'm hoping to get a nice wicker one soon. She is a Raleigh and I still love this style of bike , which is now making a bit of a comeback.  THIS is today's equivalent  to mine  and  I love THIS one but not more than my own lovely old lady ....

She suits me perfectly  . I like the way you sit up straight on this type of bike , it's great to get a good view....true, her brakes are not the best, but I don't go very fast, and she only has three  gears but  I understand them and use them all :0) 

Traveling a bit further I hear the sound of running water and stop on a bridge to gaze at the ripples and   reflected sunlight.......

On the way home I'm happy the get a close up of some clover.....I just adore this colour and it looks perfect with the yellow buttercup.......

Nearing home now , I finally spot some poppies....they are not as plentiful as last year but still look stunning close up with the sunlight shining through the papery petals....

I could really get used to cycling in the country....in fact I'm hoping for another nice day soon so I can explore a bit further...it's so easy to cover a good distance, compared with running, but still good exercise  :0)

Oh, and in case this all seems very idyllic.... and it was.... I spent the rest of today tackling a mountain of washing and an exceedingly cluttered boys bedroom.
Hope your week is going well.
Jacquie x

P.S. thankyou for all your lovely comments, they always make me happy.

Happy Colours

Hello Lovelies,
 I love this time of year for it's long days and abundance of colour. Mother nature is at her best , despite the rain . These few Anemones , picked from the garden are just stunning with a bit of snow-in-summer. It's only a tiny posy , but what a pop of colour....just gorgeous......makes me happier than a big ,shop bought, bunch :0)

I'm also happy to see these Lupin seeds, that I only planted a week ago , are already beginning to grow. These will hopefully add lots of colour to my garden next summer......

Yesterday was Fathers Day in the U.K. and my eldest made his Dad a yummy sponge cake. He did ice and decorate it , but I just loved how it looked ,and smelt,when it came out of the oven............

Such a stunning Golden colour

 I finally got around to hanging up a Sunburst granny heart I made to test the pattern I shared with you lovelies. This one is made from cotton yarn and I chose pastel colours for a change. I love the added buttons and beads ..........

It's simply hanging from a picture hook  .

My Happy hexagons have been turning into Happy flowers.......

I'm enjoying the simple hand sewing involved and choosing nice combinations of pattern and colour.

Here they are pushed together...........

Lots of bright,happy colours 

I'm still not sure what I'm making here..I have an idea that I think is great , then I change my mind altogether. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated . One thing I'm pretty sure it wont be is a full size quilt. I'm not brave enough to try that yet and I'm not looking for something that takes months to do....I've too many other things I want to make :0)

Jacquie x

A June Run

Hello Lovelies,
 I've been in the running doldrums a bit lately. I completed my first solo races in the spring and really enjoyed both and  managed  reasonable times...but more importantly to me, I paced myself well ,without my running friend for guidance.
 I love the feeling of still having something left at the end . ....allowing a strong finish , even overtaking a few folk in the home straight. I may be well down the field but it makes me feel like I'm a winner :0)

 The half marathon in particular took a lot of training , increasing my long  runs by a mile a week till I managed 12 miles a couple of weeks before the event. I can't say I enjoy running that far by myself. It's a bit of a slog but so worth it to make the big day a positive experience.
 Since completing these races I've been doing very little running....just a couple of short runs a week . It's been nice easing up a bit but I'm also aware that I don't want to loose the fitness level I've worked so hard to get to.
It's a funny thing exercising , I enjoy it ( especially when it's over ! ), but  still think up excuses to get out of it.
 That's when a running friend becomes invaluable....set a date , chose a scenic route,and you are pretty much committed to doing it...even if the weather forecast is rubbish :0)
 The route we chose was around a reservoir. .......

You start off by crossing the dam...it's very exposed but you get a great view , and it's lovely to see it looking so full.......

heck...that looks a looong way around !

We were very happy to see a bit of blue sky , even a chink of sunlight . I've brought my camera in a bum bag (belt bag )...it's the first time I have tried running whist wearing one and it was fine. Of course while sunshine is great for pretty pictures it makes for rather warm running so I'm not really sad that it's a cloudy day.

You might think a run around a reservoir would be totally flat , but here they have made a cycle and walking track that leaves the waters edge and climbs steep little hills , affording a good view .....once you get to the top !!

The grass was full of buttercups and clover , so pretty.

A lot of the route is through trees , which were looking particularly lush .........

This is the view from the opposite end to the dam.......half way round then , yay........

Actually this run did not feel like a slog, even when it rained,someone to chat to who doesn't mind stopping for a quick photo opportunity makes a lot of difference.

At one point the route takes you along a quiet road through a picturesque village.....that van is a mobile library :0)

Towards the end I even managed to squeeze in a couple of close ups of the pretty wild flowers and tall grasses.......

I put my foot in a big puddle getting this shot and squelched the last mile round .

For anyone who is getting into , or progressing  with their running ,here are a few tips from someone who is not an expert.

1. for runs of over about 45 minutes...less if it's hot , I always take a drink of water in a small bottle like THIS

2. I do most of my running in THIS type of bottoms , they are so comfortable and great at controlling wobble :0) Don't try and run in those boot leg type exercise trousers, all that flapping material is awful when you run.

3.T.K. Maxx is a good place to find reasonably priced running gear. I'm not a label fan but it's worth going for good quality , moisture control, clothing to make your running more comfortable....this shop has the top makes reduced in price because they are last seasons colours or end of line.

4. Go to a running shop and get your running shoes professionally fitted ...and do this in the afternoon as your feet swell as the day goes on.

5. If I'm running about eight miles or more I also take along an energy gel or two. These are  a thick sugar solution with added flavour like orange,   they do give you a boost. Take them slowly and with a drink ...they don't taste very nice.

6. Once you start getting into longer distances , running socks are important too. I wear  twin skinned ones ..the idea is that the two layers rub against each other rather than against your skin  , which can cause blisters.

7. I run with a MP3 player most of the time....it's great to have a beat to run to , but don't set it too loud. I like to be able to hear people reply when I say hello as we pass , and more importantly ...I need to be able to hear approaching traffic !

At the end of this wonderful eight mile route we headed for the cafe.....and enjoyed a huge scone , a girly chat ........

and the amazing view........

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments on my patchwork . More about the hexagons next time :0)

Jacquie x

Happy Hexagons

Hello Lovelies,
I'm still patchwork addicted at the moment .I'm sure it will pass but right now it's all I'm thinking about so I'm going with the flow and enjoying this burst of patchy mojo.
I'm fortunate to have a sizable fabric stash ( nothing fancy and often recycled ) so I've been able to feed this addiction without hitting the shops. Actually I love that patchwork was developed to use up scraps and recycle fabric...that really appeals to my thrifty side. It makes me happy to be able to create something pretty from old clothes, sheets and little bits of fabric.
Over the last few days I've turned my attention to hand sewn hexagons...."English paper piecing" is a term I've learnt from the internet.

I think this simple , portable form of patchwork is a bit like the sewing equivalent to granny squares. It's very relaxing choosing lots of colours and tacking them onto the paper template. Like granny squares you don't have to commit yourself to what the finished project will become just yet...I like that :0)

Ooooooh I LOVE this image . A stack of happy Hexagons, just gorgeous in my eyes.

These are 1 1/2 inch hexagons....that is each side is 1 1/2 inches long....they are actually 3 inches across at the widest part. I found my templates to download and print at home HERE...isn't that great ...I love the internet :0)
Following the advice on that site I printed mine onto thin card . I've been tacking through the card as I always did with paper many years ago ......

The card is better for getting a nice crisp hexagon but boy it's given me sore fingers , pushing the needle through fabric AND card so many times. I think I need to have a rethink and try just tacking the fabric to its self at the back only.

The other thing I was not sure of was how good I'd be at all the tiny little hand joining stitches so yesterday I downloaded some teeny 3/4 inch hexagons , cut out seven and made this to revamp my handbag ,as the crochet flowers I added last year were looking pretty shabby........

I was relieved that my hand sewing skills ( and eyesight! ) were still good enough to join the hexagons . I decided to attach this little "flower" with a running stitch and some embroidery thread rather than attempt more tiny stitches.......

This is the third makeover this of thrifted denim bag  .This version  looks a bit seventies to me , but I think retro is good :0)

I'll leave you with some happy hexagon links to insipre you .

The talented Rachel of Ruby Red has a great pinterest board HERE
Oh and do check out THIS ,THIS, and THIS
There are so many people out there who make wonderful things from little hexagon shapes , I'm both awed and inspired , hope you are too.
On  a practical note....there is also a great "HOW TO" HERE
Jacquie x

Holiday Sewing

Hello Lovelies ,  we have had a rather jolly Jubilee weekend, time spent with friends and family enjoying the celebrations.
The highlight for me was a local beacon lighting and spectacular firework display. It's great that my boys are old enough to stay up till late on occasion and enjoy such a memorable event. It's dawned on me that they are roughly the same age as I was for the Queen's Silver jubilee 35 years ago. I hope that they will have fond memories of it .........

Fortunately the weather was dry, not warm , but at least dry on Monday evening.

Conditions have rapidly gone downhill since then. At least all the rain has made the garden look very lush and I've had an excuse to carry on sewing this week.

I love watching the pair of blackbirds nesting in our garden gathering food for their young. Here Mr Blackbird looks like he is saying hello to our rabbit ,who is sensibly staying indoors.

When my niece came to visit we spent and enjoyable couple of hours having a go at hand sewn hexagons. Here is her little project.....I love the primary colours she chose and her stitching is so neat......

Yesterday I made a second caravan cushion. This time I decided to make a "log cabin" design. I think this can look complicated , but it's really not at all. My centre square was one of my thrifted cross stitch pictures.
Here I've attached a strip of fabric to the top edge and pressed the seam towards the edge.....

Here I'm about to add the second strip. My strips are 3 inches wide and I made 1/2 inch seams but you can go with what ever suits you.
Trim this strip level with the bottom of the centre square before sewing...

Here I've attached two more strips , first the flowery one was attached to the check and cross stitch . Then the plain blue was attached to three fabrics......

The next side that needs a strip is the top one in this picture. It's easy to get the correct side if you just remember it's always the side made up of three fabrics.

Here's my finished cushion......Ta-Dah ......

As you can see , I've used some different different fabrics this time. I wanted it to co-ordinate with my first cushion but not be too similar.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out .There is a little oops on the back , where I made the fabric an inch too small , so I had to add a strip of the same fabric , but I'm really not upset about it.This time I got some velcro to make the closure . Slightly quicker then hand sewing snap fasteners.

Just this morning as the wind and rain lashed the windows I've made another log cabin...I know , I've got a patchwork addiction!

This one is a teeny pincushion.........using 3 cm strips ........

It's to go in my little work box..........

Now it's time to pack away my sewing machine I thought I would carry on my patchwork addiction with some hexagons of my own  :0)

Jacquie x

Sunday Sewing

Hello Lovelies,
 thank you for all your wonderful comments on my crochet heart pattern. I'm so glad you liked it :0)

There was such a contrast with the weather this Sunday, compared to the wall to wall sunshine we enjoyed last week.......cold and rain all day. Such a shame for people who were holding outdoor Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

I stayed indoors and started a little patchwork project inspired by this book........

Sigh ...one day I WILL make a quilt like this .

And especially the patchwork cushions in this image....found via  a link in Lucy's Caravan Dreams post.
I pulled out fabric from my stash and cut out 36,four inch squares ( enough for an 18 inch cushion pad )........



It was actually rather lovely sitting in the conservatory, listening to the rain , with the cozy glow of the light from my machine..........



This sort of design is trickier that it looks.........getting four corners to meet exactly requires accuracy , some joins worked ......



And some were a fail.......



But I still had lots of fun , using just things I had. These fabrics are ........... Thrifted school dress, thrifted curtain , vintage Laura Ashley ( been in my stash since the 80's ! ) and an outgrown boys shirt.

For the back I used this cheerful retro floral, also from my stash and made an envelope back..... I didn't have a long enough zip nor any velcro and didn't fancy making button holes, so I rummaged in the bottom of my sewing box and found some press studs....or snap fasteners....



To hide where I attached these I added some of my lovely embroidered ribbon.........



Lucy spotted this gorgeous trim when we met up last month and it's perfect for this project. I also followed her advice in this post and ironed some interfacing onto the back of my cushion front for added strength. It was a big advantage when it came to sewing the two sides together...no seams to get caught up on.........



Here's the finished cushion ,from the back ...........



And here's the front.......I love it , wonky seams and all :0)



The idea is to make two patchwork cushions to take with us on holiday. We don't have our own touring caravan but hopefully these , some bunting  and crochet blankets will add a bit of crafty prettiness to what will no doubt be a bland, beige rented static caravan .....



If you are in the U.K. I hope you have had some fun this long  Jubilee weekend. Jacquie x

 P.S. the roses at the top of this post are David Austin "William Morris ", rescued from my wet garden , and popped in candle holders to cheer up my kitchen windowsill....a bit of a brain wave I thought :0)

P.P.S. I've removed the word verification from my comments as some people commented how difficult they are to decipher these days ...I hate them too .