Progress on two fronts

In and amongst a very busy few weeks - auditors (we passed with flying colours - hurray), university viewings with Sarah (UWE at Bristol is favourite so far - although it didn't stop us trecking up to Sheffield and back one Sunday), trying to puzzle out the first months financial reconciliation with the new computer system (only over two months late through no fault of mine - don't ask!!!), usual ferrying kids here and there etc etc etc - there has been some creative output


Firstly the jewel box quilt has now grown to a 5 x 5 layout - the photo only shows 4 x 5 but you'll just have to trust me that the last row's been attached - Sarah has decided that she'd like to claim this one when it's finished to take away with her as a sofa throw when she goes to university in September 2010 - that gives me a little time to decide whether to add borders and then to quilt it.

I've so enjoyed putting this one together that I'm carrying on making 4patches and HSTs in neutrals and shirtings to make a second quilt with a slightly different layout - more of that next time - plus I've not got the jewel box pattern out of my system yet either and I have it in mind to do another but with 3" units instead of 4" and in batiks with a single salt wash batik fabric for the background in a beige/mushroom shade of which I have a good four or five yards in my stash. So if anyone wants to swap fabrics and send me some dark or bright batiks I'd love to trade for material of your choice or a little Bebbington original if you prefer.

Away from jewel boxes but keeping on the batiks - all the appliqued sashings are now sitting between the batik basket blocks and I'm now steeling myself for clearing enough space on my cutting table to cut a narrow 1" green border and then a wider 10" sand border around this for more applique to complete the top



However it's not just me that's been busy - oh no indeed - himself has been working like a proverbial slave in the back garden laying my beautiful courtyard patio area (well some of it anyway) in all the incredible heat and humidity we've had up to this past few days (until the weather broke with heavy rain showers on Monday anyway)

The top level is almost complete (he's added more since this photo was taken) - it just needs the pointed brick edging to finish this part - ignore the umbrella, it was an aid to keeping him cool while he worked and will actually finish up at the other end of the garden (behind the photographer)

Himself has stoically suffered the 'grand designs' aspirations of the 'design superintendent' (that's me) and put in carefully placed focal accents (you may feel this might just bear a passing resemblance to a patchwork block pattern!)

And under the windows of the conservatory the lavender bed is finished complete with recycled gate post finials to accent the corners - just waiting for the plants to grow to fill it out now.