fox

I hadn't seen this little one in ages, so when I looked out my window this morning I was pleased to see that he was still around. Foxes have a bad reputation here, mostly because they steal from people's back gardens and made horrid noises in the middle of the night. Yet I'm always pleased when I see them out and about. Can you spot my little guy in there somewhere?

Homemade placemats

My set of four placemats is finally finished. It has been a little challenging at times, and I still can't believe how annoying it was to sew straight quilting lines. Maybe I need to draw figures next time and make funny shapes instead?
In any case the result is cute, if a little too childich to my taste, and in all honesty I don't know how often I'm going to use them. Would you?

Saying that, i've really enjoyed working with different colour bias tape, and it's helped me get to grips with my new patchwork cutting table and tools, so it can't be all that bad.
If you feel like having a go at the placemats yourself, the very talented Ayumills over at Pink Penguin is the generous person who made the tutorial. You can find it here.
This project has kind of made me realise just how little time I spent on sewing in the last year or so, and no wonder, I've been away most of my holidays! So it's decided (touch wood, I'll keep this promise): this summer, I have nothing much planned, so I'm going to sew. And my aim for this fun-cum-busy summer is to make a quilt. After the very very very long observation phase (spending endless visits at Hen house - just how amazing are her quilts?), time for action. But I am not sure where to get started for a nice, simple quilt, and your help would be greatly appreciated ;)

* which book or pattern should I use? (I was thinking of buying material obsession, do you like it?)
* what's the best wadding?
* where can I get it from?
* is it really important to colour-match?

Thanks for your help!

simple lunch

How could I possibly have resisted that yummy cornish pasty in the butcher's window? It was simply beyond my strength.

Served with a courgette, tomato and fresh basil salad - lovely!

sewing project

After a semi-successful attempt (how difficult can it be to sew straight line after straight line, I thought? Turns out, not so easy...) at Pink Penguin's tutorial for lovely patchwork placemats, I am on a mission to make myself a set of 4 assorted ones. I won't confess to how long I've had a the material ready for that project (probably around 6 months). What matters is, it's nearly finished now, and I can't wait to be done with all those quilting lines - yesterday I felt like I had double vision!

As recommended, I have picked different bias tapes for each placemat.

Not long to wait to see the finished product now!

sewing project & new header

more coming soon!

Goodbye Vietnam

I am hanging on to that feeling I have had for the last couple of weeks. It goes diminishing everyday as normal life and its routine actions take over my life again. My head is still full of beautiful memories from that land far far away, its contrasts, natural beauties and thought-provoking history.
Stow away your tray tables, sit back and relax, I'm taking you to Vietnam for a few minutes.

Halong Bay

The tasty food of the Red Bride cooking school

 One of my finest "Kodak moments" - capturing the fishing net in Hoi An bay

Mekong delta

I disconnected, ate weird and wonderful food, drank cocktails, went kayaking in Halong bay, and took my first balloon ride. What a fantastic time!

Please do not use, print or copy any photos without permission.