My bags are packed and I am ready to join the influx of helpers to Christchurch. We’ve watched the news with the kids. We have explained that Mummy is going to help people’s houses. I shall be back shortly. My bags are packed and I am ready to join the influx of helpers to Christchurch. We’ve watched the news with the kids. We...

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I fear my Jam making mojo has left me this summer. Last year I had it down to a swift process. I spread it over two nights just to keep boiling sugar away from little hands. I even gave each batch labels and names. This year I tried unsuccessfully to preserve in a series of one night stands. As I stirred I dreamed...

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Christchurch was hit with an earthquake of devastating proportions yesterday.You can search the news agencies for the big stories and summaries. The web is awash with them at the moment. On a personal level you read an individual account as Sarah of Miss Crafty Tea Pot tells of how it felt in her little house here.While we, at casa Seven-Stitches, live a long...

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In 2010 the Victoria and Albert Museum held a ground breaking exhibition surveying the history of Quilts in Britian. This is the book that accompanied that exhibition. I wish I could make a knowledgeable comment on whether it is as amazing as the exhibition itself. If I had a time machine, I would be tempted to see this exhibition again and again on...

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Family trips have always included numerous detours. One of my Dad’s favourite detours was to hunt for forgotten orchards. His favourites are the ones where you can find obscure fruits. These days we would call them heirloom. I’m forever pointing out the side roads to my dearest as he drives past them. Did you know that if you turn down the right side...

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Here it is, a tutorial for Friendship Hearts. The beauty of this block is that it is made in matching pairs, one to keep and one to give away.This block came about as I was given the challenge of making a quilt block including a heart. I set to make it as simple as possible and came up with this. I first made...

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I live in the craft section of my library. It seems a shame to leave the books on the shelf and so I feel compelled to take them on regular outings. We walk together, take the train together and dream together. Consequently, I thought it was only fair to share what I have been reading. The last few weeks have seen some book...

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