Into the Blue

 Maybe this post should be called still into the blue..........when my blue and white checkerboard quilt top was finished i had a few squares left over so i thought i would make them into a cushion.....

 ..............it also meant that i could try out some hand quilting patterns on a small project to see what would look nice on the actual quilt...........i fancied  quilting some circles using indigo thread........

 .............and i liked the effect a lot.....also liked how it echoes the sarah jane children at play fabric used on the alternate squares..............i drew the circles on my patchwork in a rather rudimentary way, using  big and small greengate cups and a water soluble marker pen......as this didn't show up on the very dark blue squares i used a little piece of tailor's chalk to draw those parts......

 ..............now i know i really like this pattern and want to use it on my quilt i might make a proper template and buy a chalk pencil to mark the darker areas with......

 ........it is quite a quick one to stitch and i'm looking forward to getting the backing fabric and beginning this quilting..........meanwhile i have a new little summery blue cushion to enjoy......

 ..........i do love blue, even though i usually use a lot of pink and other bright warm colours in my sewing....... i have a lot of blue dresses ;)......

 ...........i added some seasidey pale blue stripes to the cushion for a simple border......

 ..............below is a posy from the cutting garden this week.....

 ..............also this week we celebrated the anniversary of 150 years since the birth of beatrix potter.....regular readers of this blog know how much i admire beatrix potter, beloved author, illustrator, scientist and conservationist.....i have loved visiting her house at hill top every so often since i was in my teens, have read her little books to my children and grandchildren countless times over the years, and have enjoyed her collected letters and the biographies of her too..........

 ............it's that time of year again when we begin to pack our bags and head off for the seaside.....

 ............i will be taking a little blog break next week and having a nice change of scene......watching my husband and others sailing in the regatta and spending fun times with family and friends...........above is a janet bell painting of beaumaris (on the sunny isle of angelsey)  that i've had a long time and which i love...........and we shall be there soon :)..........

 ............we are packing our stripy tops....and lots of books and crafty things of course......

............and just in case you are wondering if i am now totally obsessed with blue...no, still into pink too and here are some sugar pink hydrangeas from our garden specially for you :).......thank you for visiting me here dear readers and for leaving such kind comments..........it is a pleasure to hear from you or just to have you drop by........wishing you a cheery sunny start to august and plenty of  happy crafty times...............back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxx