Thursday 19 April 2012

The morning after the night before


Non-stop rain (well at least it feels like it) has kept me in the house a lot this week. Apart from first thing when I get ritually soaked taking the kids to school. I do have an umbrella, but despite my finely honed multi-tasking skills, it is pretty much impossible to carry one and be the kid's sherpa. Swimming bags, PE bags, water bottles, crepe paper covered shoe boxes containing seagulls made from stones. There is no space in my hands for an umbrella. So I have become a little obsessed by owning a rain cape that will cover me from head down to the tops of my wellies. Look, I have found one;



Look how it covers almost everything that the wellies don't. Perfect. I won't look this glamorous though as in reality I am quite disgusting*.

Stuck in because of the rain I found a rare opportunity for some day time sewing. I am progressing slowly on the rogue hexagon quilt. I settled myself into the sofa with the cat, my other quilt to keep me warm, and dared to turn on the TV. I've never watched daytime TV since I started working at home full time. I'm a little wary it will escalate and before I know it, Jeremy Kyle will be on daily and I won't make it out of my PJ's. (Perhaps my rain cape would hide these on the school run so that I don't end up in the Daily Mail.)


To my joy, I stumbled across an old episode of ER, right from the opening titles. Back in the days where Green was alive, Carter was bumbling, Benton was grumpy and Clooney was the original McDreamy. I have a weakness for medical dramas, especially ER which I still haven't quite forgiven for ending as nothing is nearly as good. So I had a happy hour sewing hexagons and watching/listening to medical stuff I don't really understand. I still have a number of rogue hexagons appearing, I have no idea how or why, but I am keeping a close eye on them and sewing them into submission.

My love of medical dramas is ironic considering I am the most squeamish person ever. Fast forward an hour to find me lying on the doctors table, feet elevated by a kindly nurse as I nearly passed out having a minor blip removed from my head. I used my Frankenstein head to great effect when I got home, scaring the kids and wrangling another hour of sewing infront of the TV. So in all, I have made some good progress on the quilt.


I am aiming to make it as big as my daughter's gathering flowers quilt, it seems fair. I want to finish the top soon as I would like to get started on Hazel when she arrives. I am waiting for this extra wide Moda backing, I think the grey dots will be perfect. I still have most of the fabrics used for this quilt here. But this, this or this would make wonderful additions.

Fast forward to the next morning and my son continues to be fascinated by my Frankenstein head. However I have managed to brush my hair to hide it and he asks me why I have done this, making the suggestion 'Is it to make you look less disgusting*?' Thanks love.

14 comments:

  1. Oh I so need a cape now, to go with my granny trolley for the school run!
    One of my girls is home with Slapped Cheek today, maybe you son needs it!

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    1. Yes I think you are right, the little tike, but he had slapped cheek in the Easter hols and was bright red for about a week. Maybe I should have mocked him then...

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  2. Love the cape! And the quilt... the fabrics you've used are so calming and just plain classy :-)

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  3. Love the quilt and am very, very tempted to get a cape.

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  4. I'm a big ER fan too and was ridiculously heart-broken when it finished:-( I'm sure it's the main reason I ended up being a doctor! Now ER repeats are my ironing companion on my days off. Ive been told you can buy every episode in a box set... just in case you need a sewing companion! Xx

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    1. I might have series linked it, but don't tell anyone! I always wonder if doctors cringe when they watch things like ER. At least they don't say 'stat!" like they do in House...

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  5. Ah, kids are so lovely sometimes! Hope you're looking more like your usual self soon!

    I'm really liking the hexagon quilt and am sorely tempted to try one myself.

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    1. Thank you, looking quite normal now, hexagon quilts are lovely, quite therapeutic if very, very slow!

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  6. Gosh, what a great cape. This week I've had permanently wet legs from the thighs down where my coat ends. The quilt looks lovely by the way x

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  7. I am sooo with you on the daytime telly thing. Loose women...bleugh, but an episode of ER, the older the better, and I'm one happy bunny. Can't wait for the Moda backing. My Walk in the Woods quilt top is ready and waiting for the grey dots. (Hope it matches!!)

    Jo X

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  8. I have a rain cape that I got given when I ran a half marathon sponsored by New Balance. As it's one in their colours it is bright red and makes me feel just like Little Red Riding Hood!

    A random question (but you reminded me of it when you mentioned the extra wide Moda backing) but how do people back double and king size quilts? I'm longing to make one for our bedroom when we redecorate but I'm not sure what to do on the back - do I need to join panels together?

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    1. Sounds like a great cape! yes I think you are right, if you can't find backing wide enough then it's a case of joining panels together.

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    2. I think what you really need to get is a Drizabone coat - http://www.drizaboneclothing.co.uk/store/DrizaBone_Fortress_Full_Length_Coat.html

      I wear one of these when I ride - it even has leg straps to stop the wind lifting it off my legs - and even in the heaviest downpour I've stayed nice and cosy and dry! And it has the added benefit of smelling lovely, although I suspect I might be alone in my liking the smell of waxed jackets!!

      ps, forgot to mention how lovely your quilt is!

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