I Need a Rest!!!

not too much sewing has been going on at my house lately. We are still helping out DD & SIL prepare their new house for the move.

I did however break out a new (well, had it ages but not used it) toy to make two more blocks for a stalled project.

It is a "Sew Straight Seam Guide" by Quilt in a Day.  It is designed to sew a 1/4" diagonal seam without drawing a guide line. Got it out - read the instructions and then decided to go old school and use a pencil and ruler, as all the other blocks had been made this way and I did not want any deviation in measurement at this point!.

 So i got those blocks made and  added them to the other 7 that had been hanging in my studio for ..... two years!!!

 I had been going to make my bed quilt with these, but had decided that it was just too fussy for my liking.

 The blocks are 16" and this quilt top now measures 62" square. The pieced backing is coming on nicely and I will machine quilt it soon - I hope!


Between the renovations we had a short trip to Tenby in South Wales.

A 4 1/2hour trip on one of the hottest days of the year with no AC in the car (needs fixing - just no time to leave the car at the garage!) was not the most pleasant, but as we crossed the Severn Bridge we knew we only had about an hour left.

 And we were not disappointed. Tenby is a beautiful little town that has not been spoiled by the fact it is a popular seaside resort.

our hotel

the view from our room

 A lovely church

 Which hosted a Choral Concert in aid of a local charity

 And some fabulous stained glass

 We have have indulged in some local yummies

 whilst watching the changing view. It was hot and sunny, but as the sun went down a sea mist rolled in and the island completely diasappeared!

from the gardens near the museum

 We spent some time in the Tudor Merchants House (an NT property) built just before 1500AD the National trust have recreated the rooms to looks as they may have done in that time

 the lower floor was used as a shop and trading place and the upper two floors weer accessed by an outside staircase (now incorporated in an adjoining building).

 Can you see the strings stretched across the bed - hence the "Sleep Tight" wished at bedtime

 It was a lovely morning spent wandering around. The house originally stood in its own grounds with a large productive garden and a clear view across the busy trading port, but now many other buildings have been squeezed in and there is only a small courtyard garden and no sea view! 

 In Tenby, the RNLI have a small but FULL second-hand bookshop to help raise funds. I do feel they would sell more books if you could actually get in the shop!!

 Anyway, back home it was time for the Mini Mania Challenge June reveal.
This month we were only to use 1 1/2" strips to create 4 or more blocks.

A quick design was scribbled out 

and my quilt was made up in a jiffy.

 But I think that the July Challenge will take a bit more time -  New York Beauty is on the Agenda!

All the family were staying with is for a few days and we headed over to see what Grafham Water had to offer - it is only a couple of miles from DD's new house.
 Apart from miles of cycle and walking paths, a water-sport and cycling centre and a good coffee shop - there was a very nice sandpit playground, which all of the kids enjoyed!!!!

 It has been soooooo warm lately and when we got back it was definitely time to cool off

who needs a posh pool! 😂

 Meanwhile I may have overdone it in the garden ..........

how did I manage that?!!!💪💪💪