Catching the Travel Bug-Scotland-Edinburgh!

Hello it's me again with another instalment to the travel bug adventures!
This holiday was to Edinburgh, I went with Mother dearest as a treat for her Birthday and Mother's day present rolled into one. September 2015

We stayed in the Holiday Inn-Waterfront hotel, which the bus ride there was actually longer than the plane journey! It was a good thing there was a lot of nice scenery on the way. There was another couple on the bus going to our hotel as well. The room was spacious the beds were comfortable. The breakfast was complimentary which is one thing I always look out for when booking a hotel as it saves time in the morning having to look for a cafe. The hotel was in a very peaceful part of the town with a good parade of restaurants a stone's throw away from us.

On our first day we discovered we were right by a shopping mall! We went around it and found there were some restaurants on the top floor of which we obtained some menus to take back to the hotel and a few late open shops we mooched around. After going through the menus we decided to go back out and eat at WagaMama  The food was a little disappointing as I was expecting it to have a little more flavour.

We had already booked tickets for the bus tours which was handy as the queue was quite long to buy them! It enabled us to go on 3 different buses which took you to different sites and attractions. All tours began at Waverley Bridge which reminded us of Piccadilly Square in london as it is full of high street shops, restaurants and there was a large park as well.

On our trip we went to

The Scott Monument-All 287 steps up the monument and 287 steps back down! We don't know what inspired us to go up it, but hey You Only Live Once right?! Our legs felt like jelly after we came out and we made the mistake of sitting down! If you can walk it off people! Walk it off!!

The Museum of Childhood-We were both quite disappointed with this museum as we were expecting perhaps a few more toys and games and even some interactive things, but alas it was not to be. Most items were behind glass cases and there was a rather scary room filled with Porcelain dolls!

Our Dynamic Earth- This had a tour of the past present and possible future of the earth in different interactive levels the tour lasted a little under an hour then there was a show on space and possible alien life on planets yet to be discovered.

The Botanical Gardens- Not the best idea when you suffer from hayfever, but it's worth a wander round if you love plants and flowers. They had some beautiful sculptures in hidden places around the garden.

The Royal Yacht Britannia-  We purchased the tickets before the trip as they were at a discounted price and Mother had been raving about it for ages! This was a rather interesting tour where you had a giant mobile phone to listen to the different points of interest around the Yacht

The Leith Mill/James Pringle Shopping Outlet

-Rather Underwhelming unless you want to purchase various pieces of Scottish clothing, food or souvenirs. We were not here for long...

The Royal Mile-Central hub of most of the souvenir shops hiding a few attractions and museums along the way. We went here a few times through the trip to pick up souvenirs, we also go to watch fudge being made

Other than the breakfast in the mornings we didn't really get to sample any proper Scottish food. Mother and I weren't too keen on trying Haggis! We did get our Chinese Takeaway which delivered to the hotel! We ate out at an Italian Restaurant Giuliano's!

We missed out on going to a few museums, which we said when we go back we would visit as they did look rather interesting and it is a lovely place to visit. Where we stayed was perfect as a bus tour when by our hotel so we could catch it into town!

So that was Edinburgh keep watching out for the next holiday breakdown.

IBeCheraldine =]

Quilt Colour Schemes part 2

Following on from Yesterday's Post I've been searching the internet for inspiration, flicking through magazines I had lying around as I was sure something about them caught my eye.

Some really grabbed my attention and then I decided to look through the 12 unopened packs of fabric from the two stash clubs I've joined. One is the Pink Castle Stash Stack Club and the other is the FabricShoppe Colour Your Stash Club. I then also found some other fabrics I had purchased that were already set in two colour ways.
After buying the latest copy of Love Patchwork and Quilting . Which is currently issue 10. I found some quilts I thought would go really well with the colour schemes I discovered.

Here are some colour combo's that will feature in my upcoming quilts and projects. The colours are just examples of the fabrics. Mind you I wont be using solids..... All fabrics however cane be found in the Fresh Modern Fabric Etsy Shop

The sketches for each project are already in progress. Templates have been made using some of my previous project designs. I thought about tutorials, but so many projects have been done, sold, chopped and changed, I thought why bother with the hassle.

I'll share the sketches once they are done. I even found graph paper to make them look all neat and professional...check me out! I bought some new colouring pencils and a ruler since mine broke in half....then I lost both halves....

So continue to watch this space. 

Cherie =]

What have I been up to??

You may have read yesterday that I had some things to share with you as to what I've been up to in my week away from blogging. I suppose the main thing has been catching up on some movie watching....TV watching and then of course Work takes up best part of the day!

So onto the pictures...

On the 7th I celebrated my 23rd Birthday! I got a great stash of art goodies and ordered myself some fabric which is yet to arrive. We celebrated mostly on the 6th. I also got some LABELS!!!  Not long until things are set in motion now...

I've been working on more Christmas goodies and have gotten back into card making. I pulled out some old supplies as well as using my new ones to whip up some cards. These are just a few I've made so far...

I also wanted to make myself a larger quilt for my Birthday...but the fabrics didn't arrive in time for me to do the back. I did though get the top completed and stuck to my original sketch! The back however will be totally different to the sketch....

I also started on some Christmas tree decorations...I just have to finish those off once I decide how  want them to look that is....

The framework for the shop is all done. Just got to add in the items! I need to get a memory card and Father will be taking the pictures....Only he insists I need props.....hmmmmmmm

Siya'll tomorrow! =D

Cushion Done!

Work was crazy busy the phone would not stop ringing...I swear I'm being sabotaged!! 

One present for the Younger Giant down, one to be delivered tomorrow. His card has been written up, all ready and set for Friday...I may treat him to dinner too....we shall see......

I had to stuff it in secret, though luckily he stayed in his room, just the Older Giant was being a pain in the butt! He stood at my door knocking until I got up to answer it even though I called 'who is it' he refused to come in! 

So not either of the buttons he chose! They were not practical.......

Then I got an email from Kristy-Quiet Play to become an Honourary Aussie for Polaroid Swap she's hosting! So I pulled out my scraps and a few ready made squares to use for the blocks. I shockingly have like no feature prints for fussy cutting.....hoping the I-spy swap I joined will help with that!

Just have the white fabric to iron then cut and these blocks will be underway...as I have to ship mine earlier....

Siya'll tomorrow =D

Cinnabon anybody?

I have some to share...OK well maybe they wont reach to you but I do have some!

Whilst waiting for my order to arrive I got on with some sewing. Pulling out all my solid and odd shaped scraps, I laid them out on my sewing area (read bed) as well as some newspaper squares cut to charms and 8.5" to make up some scrappy log cabin blocks.

Sarah-Lou suggested I make up some coin purses for my shop, so as I have a load of scraps, I thought best you use those up for something fun. I worked on the charm blocks first and have a few more to go in different colourways

During the sewing time Mother dithered about making some Cinnabons eventually she decided to and called me in to help...(she weighed the ingredients I did all the hard grafting and pulled my left elbow somehow in the process..)

How yummy do they look! I must say eating one now they taste even better. We didn't start them till after 4 so by dinner time they were done and ready. It's after 11 now, I like to have a late before midnight snack.

So I'm off to enjoy the rest of my cinnabon and a soya yoghurt

Siya'll tomorrow =D

Oh Hello.....Did ya miss me?

I noticed how some of you missed me...(you know who you be!) 

I've just been feeling a bit blah with the weather and all I hate it!! Friday was a long day. We actually finally got some seeds with just 2 children who attended who seemed to be more interested on playing games than actually gardening, so I made sure it was all done correctly. (Good thing Father taught me the basics I would like to thank him for my gardening skills) I then had to type up some paperwork to go with the folder for the course.
I was a little disappointed/hurt that the manger didn't even say bye before she left as I don't think they'll be needing my help next week as things go back to 'normal' and there will be 4 of them there. (I guess they may ring if they do....)

I haven been sewing and working hard to finish off my secret project. I'm happy to say the main part is done and now I'm just waiting on a delivery so it can be fully finished!

I had to spend some time at the iron to flatten things out and smooth out a few hundred creases! After the delivery gets here and is done I'll just need a good strong needle and thread.

Just want to say a quick thanks to a follower called Ada K. Sadly you're a no reply blogger and I'm not sure you'd read the post again to check if I comment back. So thank you so much for your kind words and for following my blog.

Not sure what I'll be working on next, thinking on doing a few mini-mini quilts to use up some of my scraps. Just gotta find some backing fabrics (I have a few feet of bottle green fabric!) 
I'll also be sketching up some ideas for a logo..still no name thought of yet.

Mother is off work for the next two weeks. On Wednesday we're going to see the new Batman movie and it's also her birthday(remind me I have to put a pillow in her case then wrap it!)...the rest of the week who knows.....

I best get to checking the spiced plums I put in the oven..if you'd like my recipe just ask.

Siya'll tomorrow...=D

One step closer!

Today I was out with the child lol! Seriously only one child showed up for gardening today, most of the others are probably enjoying fun sunny holidays abroad! We expanded the area of soil, before F (the new volunteer from the start of the week) came out to help us. We did most of the work I must say whilst the child kept wanting to take breaks or play around in the soil. Tomorrow is the last day for the Activities and no seeds have been bought as yet!!!! We mentioned to the Chairman that we needed some from last week and still nothing! Will be a shame to have dug up all that area for nothing! The manager said she'll have to run out and get some if the Chair doesn't get some by err tomorrow!
I think G was jealous that he had to stay indoors, doing some coursework stuff and miss out on all the gardening fun! He'll be out there tomorrow...so he hopes. We all had a laugh back inside whilst the child had lunch. (men can be really mean and tell thee worst jokes ever!)
I actually love gardening. There's something rather fun about being outdoors digging up soil ready to plant your own produce. Here at home we have a vegetable patch that I was sad to miss out on helping with due to volunteering.
There was some paper work and such to sort once the child had left. There were some missing forms that needed to be filled out..only with most of the children on holiday it may be a bit tricky to get them done!
F left early and I stayed to help sort out the paperwork and a few other bits and pieces. They seem to be happy enough to have me there as I think I've been rather helpful. I'm still looking for a proper job though....

Back home was continuation of my secret project....I guess you may be wondering why it's secret? I wasn't sure if it would work when I first started it as it came from an idea I saw and then adapted it to my own style. I had a task cutting and sorting making sure everything matched up right so I could make a decent tutorial at the end. I then hit a minor bump, as I forgot about one major aspect of the project and had to do some speedy calculations and searching for the missing part. I found it eventually after a few hours of looking.

I've still been working hard on it and shockingly have no other projects on the go! This has been a main getting all the major leg work sorted so I only have the final part to finish once my order comes through.
After that I can get to work on my sorting things for my Etsy shop! I still have to come up with:

• A cool and catchy name
• A logo
• Prices - thinking of doing a survey for ideas 
• Shipping costs-can go to the post office to get that sorted
• I need to get packaging and such for the items some are small and others are quilts or cushions- I think Father can get some envelopes for the smaller items...may have to look online for bulk boxes.....
• Getting some business cards printed after step one and two
• Taking pictures of each item and then uploading and editing them
• Organising the pictures in the shop
• The grand opening and crossing fingers that all goes well! 

I'm sure I'm missing something there, I'll add it in If I think of anything else....

More pinning to go, which is going faster than expected. I'm onto step 5 now. 

Siya'll tomorrow =D

When Hay fever attacks!

I really hate hay fever! I took some tablets this morning, but they seem to of had no effect. I'm going to blame the weather! I have been blowing my nose for the majority of the day! My poor innocent young bin full of snotty tissues! I also feel oddly nauseous don't know if its the hay fever or down to something I ate....
Today volunteering was cancelled due to the blamed weather. It was too wet to go outside, so there would have been no point sending the poor children out there!
So I got to go home super early.
I buckled down and got a whole lot more of the secret project done before stopping to eat some lunch then leave to go to the hospital. I was in the waiting room for nearly an hour after my appointment was supposed to be! It was for my teeth. I have to have a small operation done to remove some skin that is covering my back molar, the Dr was baffled as to why my teeth had grown like that which was rather funny. Apparently my wisdom teeth are buried so they wont actually come through and I don't have to get them removed either. They'll contact me with an appointment date for the operation. He said it should take no more than half an hour and healing should take a week or less....

Getting back home was more work on the project half of step 4 is done! The other half is in progress. I just need to place an order to finish the project completely. I won't be breaking the ban either.
I guess I can show you a sneak peak....

Hahahaha *wipes tears from eyes*

I have taken way more pictures so I can write up a tutorial eventually...

I also need to think about pricing for my stock items. I'm going to take a few pictures of the things I have then upload them on Flickr. I'll conduct a small survey to find out the prices potential customers would be willing to pay. Good idea? Bad idea? Suggestions if you have any....

Siya'll tomorrow =D

What's in your bag?...

So yesterday I had my full day 2nd interview. Full day being from 12-8.30! The company wasn't what I expected at all. The advert on the website I found it on was very misleading. It didn't highlight exactly what the company truly did and made it seem like it was an office job. It wasn't! We were out walking for all those hours. The job was for those people that knock on your door and ask if you've received a grant for house insulation. (the stuff that goes in your loft and walls to make it much warmer without need for heating!)
It was a very strange experience and almost seemed rude going into peoples houses. Sure we weren't selling them anything, but it didn't seem like something I could feel comfortable doing. We walked up and down the same street 3 times in 3  different time frames. The houses where people didn't answer on the first leg we had to knock back at on the 2nd and possible 3rd if they still didn't answer. It's a commission based job so the more people you sign up the more you get paid.
I wasn't keen on the idea you may be walking all those hours and could potentially make nothing for the day. My parents and the Older giant weren't impressed either. I didn't get home till after 10 as I had to wait for the last assessment then catch the bus. I think I would have gotten the job, but it wasn't the right job for me so I told them I wouldn't be interested in working there and it was left at that.
Mother kept me company as I ate dinner and she said I made the right choice. I could have left during the time, but I wanted to see the whole day through to get a better understanding of the company. I like seeing things through, just encase I miss something and wonder, should I of stayed.

(warning the following post has a lot of pictures!)

The title refers to what I was actually carrying in my bag yesterday as I wasn't sure if we had breaks and such and some other stuff was bought before the interview started

 My new bag that I've been using for a while as it was just sitting there and I spent a fair bit of money on it when I first bought it a year or 2 ago. I always have so much crammed inside it. Probably somethings I don't even need. If you look good you can see some handmade items I got from swaps or bought...the floral purse is not one of them!

This morning in the post I got my Graze Box my code for you to get a free box is here. The food looks so good!

After getting in from a lengthy shopping trip! I found this awesome magazine, which has some really great quilts, templates and inspiration inside. (Mother said to mention that SHE directed me to it..which she indeed did as the aisles have all changed again, so I actually walked past it) I'm not sure if it's just exclusive to Tesco. I found it on this site too..it's a little pricey though at £9.99 approx $15, but worth the money I'd say. I'll take a few snaps of the projects inside tomorrow for you to see.

Then I made some great progress on part 2 of the secret project. Even though I'm still achy from yesterdays walking, I pushed that out of my mind and got sewing up a storm...

Sewing table just before I went down to eat dinner. Yes I use a deck chair at the moment...folds down for easy storage...(and to hide the mess under the table.....Shhh)

I have a few jobs to apply to tomorrow one I need to pop my CV in the post. I'm looking forward to the volunteering on Monday! No 8 hours walking....

Siya'll tomorrow =D

So unexpected!....

Today was a day when the weather turned out to be hotter than expected.
At the centre I was indoors for a while having a chat with R and sorting out a few thing. Then I went outside to join G with the children. I must say it was a very productive day. We made the patch for growing slightly larger. The children were having a good time out there and some didn't want to go back inside! I got stuck in too clearing the grass. I help Father in out own garden when need be, though I haven't been out much this year due to the Volunteering. The Younger Giant got that honour. Older doesn't care for gardening.
We bought them back in so they could have their lunch which always seems to cause fights between the children. We did get them to apologise to each other, but children + lunch = disaster and guess who had to watch them. (This girl!) Remind me on Monday to slap G for leaving me with them! They were in the computer room after lunch to design their own gardens. They had fun for a while then got bored and started to play games instead. We (I) watched them and helped them until their parents came to collect them. One parent was half an hour late!

I went back in the office to help R with some paperwork. I had a missed call on my phone from the company from yesterday. They rang to say I had gotten through to the second stage of interviews and I was supposed to have been called yesterday. So that's tomorrow at 12. I was supposed to be helping again, but R said she would go in instead. I'll be there all next week with G as the manager is back. I wasn't expecting the call and the Interviewer? sounded sorry he hadn't called yesterday, as he expected I thought that meant they weren't interested (which is true lol!)
He said I'll be there from 12-6/7/8......As I'll be working with a team leader going round to sites. I have to take notes and such too. Not to sure about it, but I'll see what happens. After all nothing ventured nothing gained right?

Looking after children is exhausting work! So when I got back home I relaxed in front of the TV then read some more chapters of my book. Mother called to say she would be home late so I'd have to make dinner today and would 'help' me tomorrow. So I was doing dinner too.

I then sat to watch the mens 200m Final on the Olympics and was proud to see Jamaica get the top 3 spots!! Bolt, Blake and Weir really ran a brilliant race!

Oh and no post can be complete without a picture. I got some fabrics in the mail today, that I bought before my ban. from Marian she was having a destash sale in her Etsy shop. So I bagged a few prints

Some Tula Pink and Micheal Miller, as well as some cool scraps.

I'm so tired and I know I'm in for another long day....

Siya'll tomorrow =P

Guess who has two thumbs and more happy mail......

THIS GIRL!

I really didn't even expect to be getting mail everyday this week, but oddly that's how things have been turning out....I'll have to wait and see how tomorrow morning turns out.
However I didn't open my parcels as soon as I got back home...oh no....Instead I pulled out some fabrics to make some more GIVEAWAY (open till tomorrow midnight) goodies...only they're a surprise so I'll just show you this sneak. Funny of my 101 followers only 21 have entered......

Now onto the happy mail! I mentioned I have been searching the high fabric shops for Echo prints  I found some on an Etsy shop called The Tin Thimble to add to my collection. I just need 4 more prints and my collection will be completed! (The Florine in brass and dusted plum, choma golden rod and lena rugged suede)

Then my 112 Charms from the 'What was I thinking?' fabric swap

Please note I didn't properly separate out all 112 charms....

Then I got ironing for part 2 of the secret project...the banister is an excellent fabric holder! The strips to the right are not part of the project, they will be cut down for charms.

I then got to work on my Mothers birthday presents. The first being a cushion cover I started a while back for her by request...I ripped off th unpicked the backing (which wasn't the correct size in the first place) and the borders that I had put on there and picked out some strips from my scrap draw to use instead...I'll post a picture when the top is completed. The size will boosted from 14" to 18" now. The backing is going to be black and grey, as opposed to the blue it once was.
I just need to think of a few more things to make her. She's not really a zippered pouch using woman.....I made her a tissue pouch for Mothers Day.....any suggestions would be welcome.

Tomorrow I'll be working on some more GIVEAWAY goodies and cutting into all those strips....as well as making dinner (homemade pizza!!!)

Siya'll tomorrow =D

July Review!!

So wow it's August already! Which means I have to get my skates on to make Mother an awesome birthday present. (its rather annoying that all family birthdays are in consecutive months!) 


After losing my sewing mojo I still got a lot of hand sewing done.
Here is my July mosaic

I also got some swap items made and sent off. Sorted out my stash. Made some flower brooches. Worked on some sketches to help with colour inspiration and started up a secret project.

Today I got even more happy mail!! I am loving this week!!
My fabulous bundle of fabrics came from my new favourite shop Pink Castle Fabrics! The quilt dad blogger bundle as well as some of those gorgeous Madrona Road prints and a Tula print that snuck in...

I also got more progress done with part two of the secret project...I just have to iron all those pieces!

These will go into making some strip blocks, all 1" wide pieces

I'm linking up with

Siya'll tomorrow =D

A little help please......

So I've been doing a lot of blog reading in the past few months. Seeing various handmade items. The one that has baffled me the most is quilts.
When I read up the quilt stats and what the person intends to use it for that's when I get confused. As I haven't made many I have no idea on what the quilt sizes should be. I see some making baby quilts which range anywhere from 30"-60" which to me seems a little large for a baby, unless its a size for them to grow up into?
Square quilts also seem strange to me as most beds and such are rectangles. So two different inch sizes seem better to me.
Another one that baffles my mind are mini quilts/wall hangings. I imagine a mini quilt being something like 12" - possibly 16 at the largest. So when I read that someone has made it 18 - 30" to me that size range seems large to be putting up on a wall. Even when I was reading about doll quilts they too seemed large and I wondered how big is the doll?!

I'm sure the UK and USA metric/imperial sizing besides clothing works out the same right? or am I wrong as in the USA you use yards were we have metres....

So If any of you out there could give me some sizes what you consider to fall into the categories of mini quilts, baby quilts, lap quilts and the bed size quilts that would be really helpful.

So today I went to my besties birthday party...(though not official till the 30th)...the usual suspects were there. Which is funny as most seem to forget that I see them like every year at her party! Her Father even went as far as to ask if I was married yet. Like yeah right! Me? Married? As if!!
We ate, chatted, laughed it was a fun event as always!

In sewing news. I am going on an official as from today going on a fabric ban! I have been buying too much lately, even if it was to better my stash. My money is going down and I can no longer afford those purchases. I may even take down my swaps for a while until I can save up a bit more money.
Come this August/September I'll be sorting out my sewing things/fabric and the stock I have been making up, to open my own Etsy shop! I just have to take pictures and put together a banner, think of a name and sort pricing/shipping costs then it'll be underway.

I will leave you with some further sneaks to my next project.

Siya'll tomorrow!