the royal wadding

Sorry i couldnt resist the pun!

Anyone else think this weather is a bit freakish?

Lovely though!!

I've finished my wadding trials.

There were 8 samples in all,

bought from the cotton patch

It wasnt strictly a precise exercise as I 

also used it as a way to practice 

machine patching and quilting.

On the whole I've got a good idea of my preference

regarding shrinkage and drape.

ps.colours were not chosen to be adored

especially the string block!

apologies!!

So here we go.

lemon meringue zigzag

Hobbs heirloom premium.

80% cotton 20% polyester

Wadding is 4mm thick

and semi/soft.

No shrinkage after washing.

nice.

log cabin

Hobbs heirloom white

3mm and soft.

approx. 1/2" shrinkage

nice light weight drape.

pink-wheels

Hobbs heirloom wool

10mm and semi/soft

no shrinkage.

gives a kind of poofy look after washing.

A bit delicate for everyday use.

yellow aquares

Quilters cotton request

2mm and soft.

no shrinkage.

another light weighter.

(free hand quilting is tough!!!!)

green and black

Silk

10mm super soft!!

Maybe a tiny amount of shrinkage.

Really lovely for a special project,

but not for everyday use.

Hideous string block

Quilters dream blend

2mm softish

no shrinkage

lonestar

Quilters dream select

3mm and softer

Shrunk approx 1/4"

Remains quilt a bulky drape after washing,

nice traditional quilt feel.

pink bricks with terrible free hand hearts!!

Warm and natural

3mm and lumpy soft.

Shrunk a little.

Feels quite solid, after washing

All in all a good learning experience.

If you have never tried natural or a blend

before I highly recommend giving it ago.

I love the way the wadding grabs on to the fabric

which made pinning and quilting a lot easier.

Also the thought of machine quilting a large quilt

is less daunting now I've worked with these samples

as they are a dream to manoeuvre.

On the whole 

I enjoyed sewing the first wadding best, 

plus its a blend so the durabilty will be there.

But really, I think any of the cotton wadding would be fine.

fresh air good friday

Happy Easter to you all.

I hope you are able to enjoy some sun this weekend,

wherever you are.

Last weekend I made a cage for my salad.

Yep the sparrows are not 

eating my salad this year!

Remember to enjoy your garden!

ps. can you tell I have a decent camera again!!

No more underwater shots!

just a chair

Whilst most of you were interested 

in my last 'fun' post 

on saving energy,

I fear I may have offended?

So here's a bit of mindless enjoyment.

I failed to tell you with the turquoise chair,

that I have 5 more, all for the princely sum of £15

(from the dump).

I'm going to paint the four chairs

and leave the arm chairs wooden.

This chair is painted in a grey satinwood,

paint I already had from painting shelves.

If I have offended anyone

keep it to yourself :O)

thanks x

geeky but quite interesting

So my husband got this gadget

free from southern electric.

Don't ask me what he did to get it 

because I don't know!

It measures how many watts of electricity

we use

(amongst other nerdy things!)

Thought you might like a

heads up on

the good the bad and the ugly!!

The one above  46 is the basic usage

including fridge, clocks etc.
We are looking at the big number here!

From low to high,

here we go with the good!!

sewing machine

radio

tv

washing machine 30 degrees

And now for the bad!!

hair dryer

iron

 vacuum cleaner

And the grand finale..

the ugly!!

the humble kettle!!!

makes you think doesn't it?

At least now I know how we save money,

by not using the baddies LOL!!

Don't think I could give up tea though!!

ps. I can do requests!
not sure about the whole leaving things on stand by?
My husband doesnt believe in it.
I shall have to do another experiment.

pps. not that I'm addicted or anything.
leaving my lap top adaptor switched on at the wall
yet not actually charging
doesnt use any electricity,
not that it should, but I always worry,
but now I don't have too!

edited:
this blog post is supposed to be a fun
look on how household appliances use energy,
and to help you work out ways of paying less electricity.
We were in know way made to have this gadget!

spring runner sew along finale

This is my entry for the spring runner sew along

held by stumbles and stitches

This was my first sew along

and my second machine project.

The fabric inspiration came from
a gorgeous floral remnant.

I wasn't sure if I had done it justice....

....but now I completely love it!!

Enjoy!

It's certainly been a timely project,

spring is definitely here now

whoopee!

If you would like to see what the other 

participants came up with 

take a look.

fresh air friday

Is it really Friday again?

I have pretty much been

a slave to the paintbrush

this week.

Although I have managed to squeeze in 

a number of hours in the garden.

Remember my lovely ballerina tulips.

Unfortunately, most of them are still in the shed!

I think they are far safer left in the garden,

than in my hands!

 Absolutely love the onion family!!

Not exactly sure what these are,

they are not bog standard chives, 

or garlic chives,

as I grow both, and they aren't the same.

My beloved camassia

already starting to bloom,

which I think is early.

I shall have to check last years post.
edited:
Yep just checked last years posts,
nearly a whole month early!

 We have a ton of bluebells in our garden,

which I love because I have to do nothing but enjoy!

 Another excellent do nothing plant is

Euphorbia amygdaloides

Lovely heart shaped

dicentra

 A snapshot of the veg bed.

Still too early for squash and sweetcorn,

but it's nice to plan.

 No grapes to be fed this year!

He's already eyed up my kitchen door.

The always forgotten beautiful

cherry blossom

Jobs I have done this week

and for you to do at the weekend.

spreading soil improver over the dryer part of the garden,

now the garden really pongs!

dug out an old wisteria 

hmm scary roots!

picked and eaten rhubarb twice!!

dug out the yellow/orange rose

It's a lovely rose, I just wouldn't have bought it myself.

It confines what I can grow,

colourwise

I'm more of a relaxed romantic kind of gal.

I have potted it up and taken cuttings.

moved over-crowded plants.

weeded

So bring on Gardeners World..

..whatever the weather enjoy your garden :o)