Saturday, July 19, 2014

Awesome Friends


I have awesome friends.  I would love it if they lived closer so we could go out and drink wine and chat, but hey ho, we don't have everything.  I have not been having the best time recently, struggling with loneliness, stress, frustration and general low-mood.  So - some of my friends have done some amazingly touching things to cheer me up.

First, my lovely friend Yvette was making batts the other week and I admired them.  Next thing I know she is asking for my address.  A week or so later an amazing parcel arrived containing four mini batts in perfect colours, two crunchie bars (sadly now gone ;-) ) and a gorgeous cool yarn bowl made by her.  (Check out her Etsy store - she is fab!)



Then yesterday a mysterious parcel appeared in my mailbox.  Inside was a card from my fabulous friend, Helen, who I dearly miss.  We used to go to knit night every week at The Yarn Cake and I miss that so much.  She had put together a parcel with Natalie (from The Yarn Yard) and Katie (from Hilltop Cloud). 



Inside was an array of gifts, I am so lucky!  Some Ashcroft spinning wheel accessories to keep my lovely wheel in shape.  Some gorgeous silk/wool yarn in a lovely deep orange from Natalie as well as one of her project bags - love them both.  



Katie sent a large tote bag and some of her stunning fibre - love the pencil roving!  



Helen also added in some of Katie's camel/wool fibre (never spun camel before - it's so soft.)  



Finally there is a huge bar of chocolate and some rocky road hot chocolate spoons.

I feel the urge to strip my wheel and spin all the things - and what to make with that yarn - something for me obviously!!  Thank you all.  Love you, and miss you all.  (Come and stay sometime and I can show you around the Stockholm yarn shops ;-) )

I have amazing friends.  Did I say that already?

Jelly Roll Race

I have had a jelly roll knocking around for ages and finally picked it up this week. I have known about jelly roll races for a while (go google them) and found this video which explains the technique.



So I thought I would give it a go. It took a while to get the machine set up and get used to the technique. Certainly not the neatest of quilt tops. But, nevertheless, I am pleased with the results. I still have all of the finishing to do, so the edging and the padding and the top stitching.

What do you think?