Gah, no car today as it's having another head gasket fitted. The head gasket went and was replaced by a garage up in Norwich, but apparently the silly boys forgot to 'skim the head' so the engine smoked like a good 'un and we were pouring oil in, which promptly leaked all over the floor - bad times:-( The Norwich garage said we could take it to our local garage to have a new head gasket done and they would reimburse us since this will cost another £300 plus, I do hope they stump up the cash.
Last night Himself and I went for a walk through the fields next to our house, usually it's just the two of us, but on this occasion Bagel decided to follow us. We were convinced he would give up after a few metres as he's not a cat who like exercise, but we were astonished that he just kept up with us - only stopping occasionally to look around and miaow loudly as if to say "I don't recognise this bit - lets stop now and go home" we carried on walking fully expecting him to either make his own way home or stop and have a rest, but he kept running and doing his level best to keep up with us (we did keep stopping to give him a chance). We decided we wouldn't go into the field where the cows were as that might completely freak him out. so we kept walking for well over a mile making the most of the mild evening. When we got home, poor Bagel flopped on the rug in front of the TV and barely moved for the rest of the evening, I bet he slept like a log last night!
So today I was going to do a few errands on foot, but this is what greeted me:
I thought I might make a new ironing board cover instead. Two layers of 100% cotton wadding, steamed to shrink before cutting to size. The top fabric was a spare bit of jolly yellow fabric washed on a very hot white wash to make sure the colour doesn't run and it's finished shrinking.
I used the old cover as a template and re-used the gathering cord. Using a zig zag stitch and the cording foot, I attach the cord to the raw edge (no need to hem)
Gather up the cord smoothing the cover over the wadding layers.
My sleeve board was made in the same way.
Next I caught up on all the mending - boring but necessary
Doesn't look that great yet does it?
Then went on to sewing an eye and adding a few sequins.....
Then a tail was added....
Until finally I had a fish:
Here are the backs, I used a black (Superior Threads - 'Masterpiece') thread on these, with such tiny stitches - the light needs to be good or no chance of seeing what I'm doing!
This rather gorgeous and inspirational paint brochure came from Homebase, 
The first swap is for January and February and we each have to make a quilt aprroximatly A3 size. Each person then has to upload a photo of their quilt on BQL and at the end of February, send me a list of their five favourites, I shall then sort it out so every particpant gets a quilt from their list. I was surprised firstly at how many folk took up the challenge and how many have already made their quilts. Only BQL members are allowed to view the quilts, but there are some really super little quilts I have already earmarked at least ten quilts I would love to own and not everyone has finished adding the quilts, I can see this is going to be hard. Hopefully someone will put my quilt on their list, or I don't get a chance to swap. Here is my quilt and a close up:
I used the old cover as a template and re-used the gathering cord. Using a zig zag stitch and the cording foot, I attach the cord to the raw edge (no need to hem) 
Place the ribbon ends so that they sit in the dip of the heart
pin in place
Sew around the heart shape using a tiny stitch length - but don't forget to leave the turning gap. Snip all the curves very carefully
Turn the heart out - remembering the pin in the hanging ribbon is still in there. Carefully push out the seams, stuff very firmly (I use a light polyester stuffing from Dunelm.) Do not use your scissors to push the stuffing in the point, I find a spoon handle or large wooden knitting needle works for me. Find a nice long but fine needle (mine is for doll making) and some strong thread sew on the buttons.
