Thursday 24th June

 Today was supposed to be out first meeting indoors after lockdown being lifted but lockdown wasn't lifted so we met outdoors instead.  Yesterday the forecast said it would be warm but cloudy, no mention of rain so I couldn't believe it when I woke up and it was pouring down.  It kept going until gone 9 o'clock but I kept my nerve and by the time we started to assemble it had stopped, the sun came out and we ended up complaining it was too hot. Everyone really enjoyed getting out and meeting up with like minded people, chatting and stitching it was so lovely and I was so glad we had done it.

I managed to get a few photographs of the work people were doing, a bit off key as they had to be laid across knees instead of on tables but interesting pieces non the less.

So this is Lis's lovely piece of canvas work. She doesn't yet know what she is going to do with it but the design is lovely.

Christina, I think, is working on a piece from an online workshop with Sue Stone.

Helen is killing two birds with one stone, working on an African piece for the exhibition as well as combining our stitch samples.

Diane's lovely stitch piece of a hot air balloon but I forgot to ask her what it was for but it is still lovely.

And I have finished my cushion cover using up bits of the African fabrics that I bought.  The orange stitch round the edge and in the middle is raised chain band.

Thursday 17th June

 Don't know about anyone else but I have found it too hot to sew this last week.  I tried using the train this week and went to Hull for the day on Wednesday with my cousin.  The temperature was 27 degrees but felt hotter as the sun bounced off the pavement in the big square.  We found a lovely little museum dedicated to the local men who fought in the two World Wars.  All the exhibits have been donated and it is run by volunteers who are so enthusiastic it made it a pleasure to go round. I thought Scarborough town centre was dead until I saw Hull, there are so many empty shops there and a shortage of little cafes and restaurants so there is nothing to pull people in.  The train wasn't too bad, not too busy but a lot of people not wearing masks.

Disappointingly, with the extension of restrictions we can't start the group again in person but I am hoping that with weather permitting we can meet on the playing field outside the village hall and have a good old chin wag.

As I have no photos of stitch work to show you I am adding a picture of the delphiniums in my garden before the forecasted heavy rain spoils them.  They have been particularly spectacular this year.

Thursday 10th June

 Summer seems to have arrived at last, including a terrific thunderstorm earlier in the week. The thunder rattled round for a couple of hours and the rain when it came was torrential, it completely flattened my Granny's Bonnets, I had to pick them and they are now shedding petals all over the lounge.  I had a lovely meeting up with Roma and Jackie in Whitby this week.  As usual, coffee turned into lunch but we had a good natter and put the world to rights.  I haven't done much sewing this week but I don't think I have published the pictures of the lap quilt my daughter made for a friend as a wedding present.

The patterned fabrics are two charm packs of Kaffe Fassett designs. The purple backing just rolls over onto the front edge as a binding.

That's all for now, will be in touch with the members soon about the first meeting on the 24th.

Thursday 3rd June

 What a lovely bank holiday week, worth waiting for.  Have had lunch at Foulsyke Farm near Scalby, went to York last Saturday which was heaving but nice to see people out and about again, did a lovely walk in Helmsley with a picnic and tea at the Walled Garden cafe and today we went to Danby to see the exhibition there and had another picnic.  The exhibition is by a number of printmakers from the area and was really good, worth the drive up there.

Just three pictures for you this week. Roma has done two landscapes using all the stitches we have been working with over the last year. The third is a piece of fabric she had printed a few years ago using a lino cut and this will be transformed into a seascape.

To all members of the group, just three more weeks and we can start meeting up again - Hurray!!

Thursday 27th May

 The sun is coming out at last and it feels a little bit warmer, lets hope it stays.  Went out last night for a meal in a restaurant, first time since last September, it was really enjoyable and the three of us never stopped talking. You don't realise how much you miss other peoples company until you get back together again.

Ann and Christina have been busy sewing.

This is Ann's quilt she has been doing.  It is all hand appliqued using 11 skeins of stranded cotton! She is also intending to hand quilt it but maybe not until the weather gets cooler again and it is nice to have a quilt over your knees.

Christina has made this lovely little landscape for her granddaughters birthday card.  She has used the technique we learned with Kate Slaughter.

I have been sewing and have nearly finished my leaf piece but I keep adding to it which is why it is taking so long.  Next week I am hoping to go to an exhibition in Danby so will let you know what it is like.

Thursday 20th May

 Is it just me or is this year going by faster than ever?  I think the fact that the weather has felt more like March than May makes you think it is March.  I have been back swimming this last two weeks, that's the first time since last March and did my legs and arms remind me, second visit was better than the first but it did make me realize how much I had missed it. No photos from members this week but I have been using my African fabrics to start this cushion cover.

It is just a small decorative cushion, no one will be allowed to sit on it so I have decided to add some stitch and beads to it.  Will have to order some threads first but hopefully I can make a start on it next week.

Keep stitching!

Friday 14th May

 Lovely to see the sun out at last, have been sitting in my garden instead of working in it.  I found a new walk this week starting from West Ayton up Cockrah Road and out into the countryside.  There is a small wood to one side that was full of bluebells, they are a stunning shade of blue in the wild. My calendar is begining to look busy again and I have to remember to look at it and check what is going on.  I went swimming yesterday for the first time since last March, first my legs screamed then my arms joined in.  Can't believe how much I used to do, I certainly need to get back in practice.

Had an email from Diane this week.  She did a Quilters Guild virtual conference in April and has done some work from the workshops she attended.

First was this patchwork piece on Colour and Contrast with Caroline Gibbs.

This next one is Simple Sewing/Bolo with Rosemary Muntus.  Really nice hand stitching, something I am enjoying at the moment.

I haven't done much since last week but I have got a cushion pad and some African fabrics to get started on so if the weather isn't too good next week I may get it under way.