Saturday 25 May 2013

Friday's Smiles on Saturday

Morning Everyone,

I know, I'm a day late, but yesterday was super busy for me and in the end I simply ran out of time. Oh, and today is going to be equally busy as I'm off to Dunelm Mill - Elizabeth is desperately seeking fabric ... more of later :)

First, I've been well entertained this week with these little fellows.
Baby starlings lining up by the feeder waiting for mum to spoon beak feed them.
It's been fascinating watching them start to learn to fly and now search out food for themselves - albeit at the best stocked open air cafe in the neighbourhood.

Next, the EM's latest baked masterpiece.
A chocolate cake ...the man is turning into a domestic god! The multi-coloured embellishments were his own individual touch and not in the recipe. Oh, and it is made with half-spoon sugar, so half the calories in each slice, what more could a woman want :))

And finally, this vision of beauty.
My new sewing machine :)) I got so fed up with the machine from hell - mentioned with loathing elsewhere on this blog and now consigned to a dark cupboard never to be seen again! I so missed my old, and much lamented, Jones machine that I went looking for one that had all the same functions and features with a few more up-to-date ones thrown in for good measure and this Husqvarna Viking E20 fitted the remit perfectly. Now, I can't wait to test it, but it will be baby steps at first.  After trying out all the stitches, learning how to use the automatic threader - a function that is totally new to me but hopefully will save my poor eyes - and all the interesting feet that are tucked away in it's tool box - methinks a pretty cushion cover might be a good place to start. And that's the reason I'm off to Dunelm Mill. I am reliably informed by Lunch Lady Jan that they have fabric at a good price.

So there you are, the things that made me smile in a week that you might think there wasn't much to smile about.

I hope you have all had something that made you smile too and that the weekend will be a happy one for you too.

Take care and happy crafting,

12 comments:

Lunch Lady Jan said...

wow, Elizabeth....that's a lean, mean, sewing machine! What a beauty, you're going to have so much fun with that :-)
Hope you find something interesting in Dunelm...it can be a bit hit and miss but always worth a try!
I look forward to seeing your new creations!
Hugs, LLJ xxxx

Twiglet said...

It warms my heart to see a beautiful new sewing machine! I hope you love it and it suits you well - you will have hours of fun. The cake looks fab - only half calories? - think I need one of those! x Jo

Jackie said...

We haven't seen any of our starling babies yet, usually unundated with them here. Lovely photographs, and cake, and sewing machine even though sewing and me do not mix at all :o)
Jackie xx

Annie said...

Love your baby birds. They are so funny to watch aren't they? Tell your other half I'm impressed with his baking skills...hope it tasted as good as it looks.
Hope you have lots of fun with the new machine. Shout if you need help /advise.
Hugs,
Annie x

Angie said...

I so wish my machine had an auto thread ...then i might be able to use it. Please ask the domestic god for his recipe ...sounds amazing....the boiled cake was yummy.
Those bird shots were brilliant ...I would just sit and watch forever.xx

Annie said...

Just noticed that you would like to put Scotland on the map so can you please email me with your details to wipso@toucansurf.com and I will get an ATC in the post for you :-)
Thanks,
Hugs,
Annie x

May said...

Gorgeous new sewing machine Elizabeth, I hope you got your fabric so we can see your fabby makes... The cake looks so good .. enjoy!! Love the pic of the birds.. have a great sewing weekend... Hugs May x x x

fairy thoughts said...

Ooooo a fab new toy how exciting that would definitely make me smile too. Have fun and I look forward to seeing your latest makes
Janet @9

Cathy said...

Hi Elizabeth, there sure is lots to smile about here, love your photos of the birds. The choccy cake looks delicious and beautifully decorated! My hubby is proud of his sponge cakes. ( Have to wait til our chooks are laying as they need plenty of eggs but they are very tasty)

Fantastic looking sewing machine too, it sounds wonderful, have fun playing with it :) Cathy x

Carol said...

What a lot of smiles, fab new machine, scrumptious looking cake and those wonderful starlings. I love watching the birds.
Thank you for sharing Carol xx

scrappymo! said...

I'll fly right over for a slice of that cake!

Marie-Louise said...

Goodness Elizabeth - a husband who bakes low calorie cakes which look so fabulous and a new sewing machine - such a lucky lady you are.