The Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch is winding it's way around the Country at the moment and last week it was going to be passing the end of my road and it seemed a shame to miss it as it probably will never happen again. I was surprised and pleased to see that it was well supported. I have never seen so many police cars and motor bikes that I wondered if Taunton was actually safe as it seemed that all of the Counties Forces were at the end of my road.

The runner in question was Marcus Trescothick, cricketer who plays for Somerset and England. He also did the run in a surgical boot due to an injury. I was that busy photographing the entourage that I almost missed him. Further in the town much excitement was caused by the appearance of Will.I.Am who did a bit of the run. Don't know what his allegiance is with my corner of the world but the crowd were pleased to see him. Will is a pop singer currently on a tv programme called The Voice along with Tom Jones.



 The year 2000  was an Olympic year and my eldest daughter was going to be 18 and was allowed to go on her first holiday abroad with her friends to Greece. They were also lucky enough to see the Olympic Torch in Kos. Rachel  fell in love with the turtles that were swimming in the water and came home with a large, furry, turtle toy, I decided to make her a quilt for her 18th birthday. I was still relatively new to this at this point.  Storm at Sea was the appropriate block and the turtles and the blocks were paper pieced. Much deliberation went on as to how the turtles should be set but in the end it was worked out and as they seemed to be swimming in formation I called the quilt - Synchronised Swimming. ( I apologise for the photo being the wrong way round but I couldn't change the format and it is the only photo I have of this quilt and it is a photo of a photo so not ideal). Maybe if you click on it you will get a better view.

There has been a lot of activity in the garden and the blackbirds are nesting in the archway at the side of the garden and inches away from the window where I usually sit. There are three hungry beaks on show.

Daddy blackbird keeping a watchful eye but hops around us gathering food if we are out in the garden. I hope I am sitting in the chair and can see them when they are ready to fly the nest.

Meanwhile at Stitcherydo HQ the hexagon pile is growing and nearly done. Not sure what I shall do without my box of ever faithful companions.

Happy Stitching.

Shirley.

A Week in St.Ives

Are you sitting comfortably?  Have you got a drink? Are you ready? Here goes.....

Last week we went to St.Ives for a much needed holiday and if you follow me regularly you will know it is my most favourite place on this earth. There is just something so special about the light that makes you feel invigorated. No wonder artists the world over come here to paint.

When we set out it was raining  yet again and we wondered what sort of week we would be in for given that the weather forecast was set for rain, rain and more rain. In all fairness we didn't do too badly and one day was so glorious that we were forced to remove a few layers of clothing and sit outside and enjoy a pot of tea in the sunshine.

This beach boasts the Tate Gallery and is as famous as the London Tate.

 Just love all the colours in the water.

The panorama speaks for itsself.

The hotel grounds have a beautiful woodland walk which were covered in bluebells. Wish I could bottle the perfume for you, the scent was divine. Given that there had been a lot of rain it was surprisingly dry underfoot.

We amused ourselves in childlike pleasure at the unusual high tide that was sending waves crashing over the wall and drenching poor unsuspecting victims who thought they were safe!

No trip to St.Ives is complete without a visit to the bead shop. I have mentioned before that it is like Aladdin's Cave in there and this is just a selection of what I came out with.

The bead shop is located in a little arcade on the harbour front and in the previous photo it is the other side of the water on the far right.

I also had a trip to a patchwork shop called Coast and Country and it is a wonder I got out of there intact or my bank balance to be more precise.

A delightful shop which is well stocked and located at  the entrance to a garden centre it also has a bistro style cafe for patient husbands to wait.

This gorgeous Tilda tin had to come home with me. ( Wendy are you drooling?)

Inside is now stocked with a yummy selection of fat quarters  for which I have no project in mind for but needed.

 Just in case you were wondering if I did any sewing the answer is yes, I did. This is the centre to a block from Material Obsession Two. It is a large block consisting of one shape, when assembled makes into 60 degree triangles, which in turn make into hexagons and the whole block looks like a star. Each block consists of 72 pieces. Just using some leftovers from Camelot to see how it works out. So far have only assembled 18/72. It may be a lone star or it may be more. We shall see.

I also made a bit of progress on the hexagons. A lot more cutting and prepping. Slowly, slowly. One day it will be done. Well over half way now.

 I feel now that I should wake you up with some soothing music or maybe crashing waves to see if you have made it to the end. Hope you enjoyed the trip.

Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.

 Edit. Why try and fix something that aint broke blogger. I am as frustrated as everyone else with the changes. What comes up on the screen isn't how I have formatted it all, so apologies for any errors. I guess it will eventually click into place how to do it all and save the changes.