The times they are a changin'

In two weeks since my last post so much has happened - we lost a young and vibrant mum, gunned down in broad daylight whilst just doing the job she obviously loved and believed in.

After a dishonest political campaign (by both sides IMO) we are now a country in turmoil, divided and facing an uncertain future.....

Day to day however, life goes on but routine here at Bluepatch central has been a little disrupted - following on from Nursery Sports Day, we have been taking precautions to avoid - NITS - we have all been under the weather with what might be hay fever, all the while waiting for the inevitable eruption of chickenpox!
Finally this weekend it is well on the wane and the little 'un might make it for her last day at nursery year 1, on Tuesday,

The event that I mentioned in my last post, in aid of Memories are Better than Dreams went ahead last Saturday and was very well attended, with over £2000 being raised.

For those of you who were involved in my Open Day fundraiser back in April for "Team Beth" and The Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, you might be interested in watching this video - it lasts quite a few minutes and shows off Scotland at its best. I am proud to say my son in law is one of the cyclists taking part - they did so well.

Tip - Watch it fullscreen.




So on a sewing theme I have been plodding on with my Today's Quilter BOM by Jen Kingwell, still working on Month 9 (Month 11 has just been published) but I am happy to say I have just finished all eight blocks for month 9.

I might have to take a little break from the BOM as I have decided to take up an Ayrshire Quilters' challenge and make a small quilt for an upcoming local exhibition, hope to have more info for my next post.

I managed to make a quick block for Leeds Modern Quilters' Guild in response to their "Quilts for Jo" - they are hoping to have enough blocks to provide Jo Cox's children (and family members) with comfort quilts. (see opening para)

And I almost forgot - I made a start on my Luna Lapin kit by Cool Crafting. I treated myself to this back in April when I was at the Knitting and Stitching Show. I have thoroughly enjoyed making her, and have the kit to make another dress, plus coat & shoes - she will be one smart bunny.

And finally, I took delivery of a lovely selection of threads from Aurifil for my shop.

I have a super selection of 40wt & 50wt large spools, a fabulous boxed collection by Karen Lewis Textiles, and some Aurifil storage boxes. One of the things that frustrates me greatly about my shop is the fact that just one spool of Aurifil thread constitutes a small parcel in Royal Mail eyes - I could also fill a shoebox with spools for the same postage rate - crazy!! So, I have played with my calculator and am now offering free shipping on UK / EU orders of £25 and over. I hope you agree that coupled with my competitive prices, this offers great value.

Enjoy the video!

Repeat...........

Yes, I feel like I am siting down to repeat my last post.

Amazingly, Ayrshire is still basking in summer sun. On our local news last night, the newsreader asked the weather man "is it just a Scottish thing where we keep saying, (in a doom laden voice)"......."oh it cannae last forever"..........!!

Well in these parts it feels like forever already and we are loving it.

As my OH had last week off we felt particularly blessed smug, and even took ourselves out into the lovely Ayrshire countryside for a good walk - pity I hadn't checked that it wasn't all particularly flat, heh heh, now in hindsight I can say the effort was well worth it - so was the pub lunch that followed.

I think I have now finished making wee things for the upcoming event in aid of Memories are Better than Dreams. Just a reminder to all my local readers that the fundraiser will take place in the Jennie Campbell School of Dance, (New Road, Ayr), Saturday 18th June from 2.30 - 4.30. 

This week it's been all about my Tiny Totes for Tiny Tots - easily made from charms or scraps - if you would like to have a go there is a tutorial in my Tutorials Page.

Still lagging a bit on my BOM blocks but finished another two from month nine. I think a whole quilt of these would look fantastic but I am NOT going there.

Lost a bit of definition in this next one, should have used a darker value for the star points, but didn't have a dark purple, hey ho.

In shop news I am awaiting delivery of quite a big Aurifil order so stay tuned to see all the lovely colours I will be adding, including quite a few at 40wt.

As I begin to clear my feet in my sewing room my thoughts are turning to a new quilt that I have been planning for some time. Maybe by the time I write next, I will have started to cut, exciting times.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a few shots from nursery sports day.

Mummys' race (wouldn't have missed this for anything)

Daddys' race

and my little winner (1 of 28 little winners, of course)

Hope the sun is shining where you are. x