Total frustration

Whoever said “lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot” was either not very clever or didn’t stay in our house.  First hit was on 9 January, leaving us weeks without internet, although it felt like months. Luckily we were insured and we just got paid some 2 days ago and even more lucky, the TV and sound system has not yet been replaced but then, lightning struck again last night.  Same old, same old and we are back to square one. I thought with having my laptop formatted at the same time as the previous computer/router fixes, it wouldn’t affect me much but I’ve been trying to use my “new” laptop now for 2 days straight and all I get is “do not switch off your computer, updates installing”.

To add to the bad news I had a technician out earlier the day to check on a freezer just to be informed that it cannot be repaired with a neat R450,00 call out fee.

As the saying goes “the darkest cloud has a silver lining” I finally got my ruler base for my longarm and I am rather eager to start practising on this little addition.

17 piece Black and white half yard bundle

On 23 December 2017 I saw Quilted Twins advertise this bundle and decided to take a leap of faith and order from them.  Leap of faith, not because I didn’t trust them but because of our pathetic postal service and by golly 8 weeks later I got my fabric.

This however is not the best news yet.  Including custom fees I’ve paid R69,00 per meter LESS than the cheapest fabric I can find in our city.  I might just become an importer for personal use again.  Aren’t these just adorable?  Now….. what to make, what to make???

Marie’s Quilt top

We had the little ones for a sleep-over…. Well at least they slept.  The little man seems to get nightmares and cried bitterly sad, from being fast asleep, twice during the night, leaving me unable to sleep again.  Hubby too had an eventful night in that the alarm company of the business phoned him a couple of times.  It lead to us two old people to hit a bed rather early yesterday evening.  They did have fun though and swam until they got tired.

Our local Pfaff dealer also gave me her beginners quilt top to play with on the frame and I had so much fun, just a pity it was done in 2 afternoons and I guess if I want more, I better start cutting and piecing and that part takes forever and a day.

I still have a lot to learn but I see progress with every quilt I do.  This is the front of her top.

This is the back.

On Ringo Lake, a Bonny Hunter mystery – 8

We were treated to a lovely dinner by friend Karin and her dearest last night and I am really getting old now, one evening out and I’m bushed the next day

I finally got to the point to join all my pieces to form blocks.  It was good to see something realizing from all the cutting and piecing. Plenty of my blocks compete to see which could be the most crooked or have triangle tips cut off but so be it.  I am taming this beast, skew or not.

Then it was time for some more string piecing to get the sashings done.

On Ringo Lake, a Bonny Hunter mystery – 7

I am taking care of the feathered grand children while the youngsters took their dogs to experience the beach and the sea for the first time.  Here they can be seen starting their journey by car.

And then the pups met the water, initially a little apprehensive but then it was all systems go and they are apparently dead tired at night.

This clue was another fun one with no cutting and string piecing all the way.

Making slow progress but moving forward.