the happy quilter

Nine blocks and a birthday

2012-02-02T20:36:00.005Z

Last week I promised I would let you know how I got on with the freezer paper applique, and the result is great - no problem, much easier than needle turn applique and a nicer edge with a better shape - even the pointy ends of the wings of the honey bees.As this is the 9th block I put them all together to see what it looks like and I am pleased with the effect, the yellow and pink fabrics lift the design.This will help me with the other blocks. Which one next?
This was my bargain find this week. Bias binging in a floral fabric!! And only a£1 a metre from a fabulous bead shop here in Manchester.
We were in Manchester to celebrate Jenny's birthday

and for her to show us around some of her favourite shops in Manchester like Junk - where she bought this reworked jumper she is modelling. Junk is a great shop which has been lovingly furnished entirely from reusable materials (first discarded then reclaimed) given new life in a consciously sustainable environment. They run courses too - have a look on the website.

This weeks scenic shot is of the Manchester skyline from our hotel room in Salford Quays
And the same view at night !

Happy Quilting xx

Getting back to quilting

2012-01-26T20:14:00.003Z

I have been neglecting my blog and neglecting patchwork and quilting . However with the New Year I have resurrected my sampler quilt. This Maple leaf block is all sewn by hand in American pieced patchwork technique but looking at the photo, I think I will have to unpick that last corner piece and match the seams a bit better.
This block is called Honey bee, The centre 9 patch piece is machine stitched and the applique is my first attempt at doing applique with freezer paper - I will report back how I get on in the next post.
I have been knitting still though and am making a soft chunky jumper for Jenny in Sirdar Big Softie. Its great 1 row = 1 centimetre
and whats better she will match her rabbit when she wears it.
Out and about this week, I have been to visit a new patchwork and quilting shop in Long Framlington in Northumberland. Ann opened Stitchin' Heaven 5 weeks ago and is just getting her range of fabrics together but be sure of a lovely warm welcome , a cup of tea and lots of inspiration. I bought this little book from Bareroots to try to improve my embroidery techniques but it has a lot of lovely little projects in it too.

Happy Quilting xx

A tea-rrific day

2012-01-10T21:03:00.005Z

I had a tea-rrific day on my birthday last weekI had lots of lovely pressies ...pretty.......stitchy.....
........pretty and stitchy......
........Knitty..............
............... Cathy.................
..................lots of new ideas and inspiration.

Thanks for all the lovely presents. I had a super day.

Happy Quilting xx

Merry Christmas - sorry its late

2011-12-27T17:58:00.007Z

Merry Christmas - sorry its late -but we've been away .................shopping here.....

.............decorating here................................singing carols here...............................

....................making decorations.........................
..............and new table cloths...................
............opening presents...................

................and more pressies .......................
...............spending the day with family...........................................and now its all over.....................

Hope you had a happy time

Happy Quilting xx

Fine Cell Work

2011-11-30T15:12:00.005Z

I am a bit behind with my posts but felt I must show you these photos from the Fine Cell Work Exhibition and Christmas shopping event at The Sage, Gateshead.

Fine Cell Work is a social enterprise that teaches needlework to prison inmates, so they can learn a useful skill, make beautiful objects, and re-enter society with the independence to stop re-offending.

60 volunteers go into prisons every 2 weeks to teach and mentor the stitchers. The work is sold either through exhibitions, on line shops or commissioned directly.

"Fine Cell Work gives these men dignity in work and through this, dignity in life. When a man gains self-respect he may start addressing his offensive behaviour". Officer, HMP Wandsworth

Prisoners can earn approximately 37% of the sale price of each piece, which can either be saved for their release, sent home to their family or spent on luxuries.

In May 2011, Qa Research published its in-depth, qualitative evaluation into Fine Cell Work at five prisons across England and Scotland.

The report found that the benefits of Fine Cell Work to prisoners include:

Improved mental health and social skills.
Promotion of a calm state of mind.
The passing of time productively.
A strong sense of achievement, pride and self-confidence.
A more positive outlook on their future post-release.

Whether you beliefs are that offenders are in prison to be punished or to be rehabilitated - the standard of the work was truly impressive.
And made me appreciate my freedom and all the fresh air on the Quayside.
Decorating has kept me away from sewing these last 2 weeks but I am pleased with the total transformation in my hallway. A mix of contemporary - with the chrome fittings and curtains - and traditional - with a table made for my Grandparents wedding present back int the 1930s.

And finally I have managed a little bit of sewing and the Colonial knot cushion is nearly finished - just the bead work to complete.

Happy Quilting xx

Matt Baker's Rickshaw Challenge

2011-11-12T20:49:00.004Z

Tonight we have been out and about to support Matt Baker on his rickshaw challenge for Children in Need.

Matt and Pudsey cycled into Hexham at 7pm almost 3 hours late after cycling from Hawick in the borders today.The journey of 484 miles started in Edinburgh yesterday and will finish on Friday in London for the live show of the 2011 Children in Need appeal.Matt said he was late because he kept stopping to chat to his many supporters along the way, and at Hexham's Wentworth stadium he spent ages chatting to everyone , young and old.If you want to support him too Text 'MATT' to 70705 - follow him on line here or just follow him down the road like we did and drop your donation into his bucket.

I have been sewing too, trying out some little stitcheries from Mandy Shaw's book Stitch with Love.
And learning to do Colonial knots for a cushion project from Sandie Lush Pattern.And the latest knitting project to be finished are these chunky mittens which are now packed up and posted to Manchester to Jenny.
And finally the scenic shot is a wildlife shot this week - This magnificent Eagle owl - I wouldn't like to get too close to that beak!!

Happy Quilting xx

Snoods and steps

2011-10-24T19:20:00.003+01:00

This has been a busy week away from work ...doing lots of nice things...like finishing off my advent calendar
.......finishing off the snood I have been knitting for Jenny......
....then turning this scarf into a snood with a quick twist and a quick seam.......

....then a visit here to see Jenny......
...and more shopping here in the Trafford centre.......

....this giant knitting is a window display in Gap....
....and this was a magnificent staircase in the Trafford Centre too...
....a bit of a contrast to these steps on Hadrian's Wall yesterday.....

....when we went out for a walk in the fresh air ................... Sycamore Gap .... always makes for a great photo...

Happy Quilting xx

A Bumper Crop

2011-10-09T20:45:00.003+01:00

Not a very rustic basket to put my crop of apples in - but there were so many a laundry basket had to be pressed into service . After last years poor crop - we have a bumper crop this year.
But what to make with them all ? Crumble of course.....and then there was parsnip and apple soup or parsnipple soup as it is known here!
A trip to Newcastle yesterday and I bought some wool to knit a snood for Jenny - and then this quilt book was only £1.99 in a sale! I can't resist a bargain.
This is my next quilting project - an advent calender made from a panel - shouldn't be too difficult I hope.
and at last I have finished the baby cardigan in the lovely soft Bamboo yarn from Sirdar. Isn't it cute.

Happy Quilting xx

Practical bags and lots of luggage

2011-09-26T20:07:00.005+01:00

Off to Uni. Jenny has flown the nest and is off to Uni with the entire contents of her bedroom and a good half of the stock of the local shops too. We got there and went out and bought more, so we will have to hire a van to bring her home at the end of the year. Here's wishing her Good Luck in her studies!!
So to keep me busy, I went out and bought some fabric and a pattern to make something. A practical bag design by Tanya Whelan.
and very practical it is too - big enough for odd bits of shopping but quite smart too. The linen fabric by Lecien was lovely to work with and the greige colour is very up to date too.
I have also been out to a quilt show too - at The Quilters Cupboard near Durham. Lots of inspiration and good ideas.
like a block I'd never seen before on a sampler quilt....
and look how this stencil shape for the quilting completely changes the look of this block.

and new ideas --hitting flowers with a hammer?

add a little bit of machine embroidery and suddenly you have a work
of art. I would love to try this.
These sea horses by Maggie were great too - a three dimensional piece of textile art - a recent prize winner at the Harrogate quilt show.
This was my favourite quilt - but there was no name on it so I can't mention you by name but it is really lovely.

I really enjoyed my day out in Durham, Lovely to meet fellow quilters to get inspiration and new ideas, (and drink tea and eat lots of cake!!)

Happy Quilting xx

William Shakespeare and The Beatles

2011-09-13T21:42:00.006+01:00

What have William Shakespeare and The Beatles got in common? Answer; They have all been turned into cushions.As I said last week, you can never have too many cushions . This week's project by Jenny was to turn her unwanted Red Nose Day T shirts into something she could keep as she didn't want to wear the T shirts again. Ironing interfacing onto the back of the T shirts has helped them keep their shape. We live very near a factory fabrics and furnishing shop, with all those different shaped cushion pads at £1.50 each , it is just too tempting to pop in and buy another for the next project.Recycling is in the air and Rosie has made a cheap fleece throw into a cosy scarf with a pair of scissors and a few buttons and ribbons.
And talking of cosy - keep your eggs cosy with this little egg cosy I have knitted. Guess which football team I support. I hadn't made a pompom for years - but its like riding a bike - you never forget.Before the weather broke I decided the garden needed a little livening up and so I planted these bright pink begonias - a little late summer colour was what the sign in the garden centre promised. Don't know what happened to the late summer though.I gave my granny's old garden seat a coat of willow paint to brighten it up too.and the new lavender bushes , although small, have a lot of lavender to be picked if they survive the wind.

And this weeks scenic shot is across the mouth of the Tyne looking from North Shields to South Shields on Sunday. The wind was just starting to pick up and was ideal for these little sailing boats.

Happy Quilting xx

You can never have too many cushions

2011-09-07T21:43:00.004+01:00

I have finished my knitted cushion and am really pleased with it. The flash on the photo doesn't show the patterns too well but I love all the different textures of the squares. Inspired by Debbie Abrahams blanket pattern based on floor coverings. Apologies to Debbie for the addition of the Dalek but it was a special request from Jenny. (Dalek pattern from Ravelry)
I have really got the hang of ladder stitch for stitching the blocks together now and was surprised by the weight of the yarn when knitted up and put together. I would be a fantastic blanket but I haven't the patience to knit that many squares. The back of the cushion is fabric and my sewing machine coped very well with the challenge of sewing cotton and knitting together.I have made yet another pinny from Leanne Beasley's Apron Strings pattern - I think this is the 7th or 8th.
This time I appliqued the name onto the pocket, instead of doing an embroidery. I drew the letters free hand and used my machine for the applique and was pleased at the result.

Happy Quilting xx

Feeling autumnal and its still August

2011-08-29T19:54:00.005+01:00

With berries on the trees already it makes me think of autumn, although it has been August bank holiday weekend .and autumn makes me feel like knitting.
so I have been finishing off the squares I made from Debbie Abrahams book and using the skills she taught us way back at the start of summer at her mystery blanket day. I have been blocking out my squares into the required 6 3/4 " x 6 3/4" just like she showed me.
They are actually pinned to the ironing board, not onto a rocky shore ( this is my ironing board cover) The Dalek is not one of Debbie's designs but a special request from my DD to be incorporated into her cushion. I decided that 160 squares to make a blanket was a bit ambitious so I have stopped at 9 to make a cushion cover.
and straight onto the next project a little baby cardigan for a friend who is expecting a little boy any time now. This Sirdar snuggly summer stripes yarn is so soft, it is made from a blend of 80% bamboo and 20% wool.
Jenny has been busy sewing gifts for friends too. The soft pink flowers of this Durham Quilt fabric by Lecien are lovely and intended for my next quilt project but were liberated from my stash.
These little embroidered badges are a gift from my sister, do you think they are old and if so what have they come off? Now what will I do with them?
My vintage collection corner is growing after a trip to a local car boot sale. I was delighted to find the Maling ware jug, my gran gave me one just the same many years ago but it fell off a shelf and broke when my small children were being a bit too boisterous!! Although after watching a TV programme about hoarding last week, perhaps I should just go easy on my collection. I am enjoying looking out for old textiles too.
This had embroidered tray cloth is so sweet and must have taken someone hours to sew. I hope they got as much pleasure from sewing it as I am just looking at it.

Happy Quilting xx

Must post more often !!!!

2011-08-15T20:13:00.005+01:00

Since my last post we have done so much , 2 weekends, one very wet and one a bit drier. The very wet weekend was spent visiting my DD up in the borders. In order to get out of the rain we visited the Chain Bridge Honey farm just out side Berwick upon Tweed. The Union Chain Bridge was the first major bridge of its kind to be designed for vehicles and is the oldest surviving iron suspension bridge in Europe.It is right next door to the Chain Bridge Honey Farm. Well worth a visit to find out all about Honey and beeswax products, to sample and to buy. But best to get out of the rain was their wonderful Cafe in this old double decker bus.We sat on the top deck to have our food, lovely homemade soup and sandwiches. Just what you need to keep warm in August!!
But another special find on the site was Living by Liz. A kitchenalia, vintage and retro shop belonging to Liz.
She has lots of lovely finds on sale - You can contact her at vintage@livingbyliz.co.uk to find out her opening hours. Well worth a visit.I bought a vintage Bero recipe book. I had a 1980's Bero book which I used all the time but it is no more so I replaced it with a 1960's version. This inspired Jenny to create our own vintage corner showing of some new purchases and some of granny's things I had hidden away.Isn't that embroidery on the table cloth lovely.
This weekend we were in Newcastle at the festival to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Newcastle Gateshead Millennium bridge.
which started with a torch light procession along the Tyne Bridge Then proceeded down river with a fire work display from a barge on the river all in time to local music, everything from the Northumbrian pipes to Sting.And at last I have found time to tame those foundation pieced squares. Twelve squares was my limit - I couldn't face one more - but I have decided to make them into a table runner. Now I will have to decide how to quilt them - any suggestions?

Happy Quilting xx

Margaret's House

2011-08-09T21:21:00.003+01:00

I have lovely friends who let me use my blog to show off their work. Margaret's current project is a patchwork dolls house quilt from a pattern by Rosalie Quinlan.
Applique is Margaret's favourite technique at the moment, She enjoys sitting down to the hand stitching
There are 9 rooms in the house, here we have a sewing room, bedroom, nursery and the washing on the line.
Watch out for more as the quilt takes shape....
My dear daughter has also been doing some sewing this week. She has made a really original gift for a friend. The images of her trip to the Harry Potter premier in London we printed onto the Miracle fabric sheets and then used them as part of the patchwork design for the front of the cushion.
I have been doing a little gardening between rain storms. The next job is to prune the apple tree.
We are going to have a bumper crop this year.

Happy Quilting xx

Happy Holidays

2011-07-24T19:50:00.004+01:00

SUN.....................

SEA.............................SAND.......
SAIL BOATS....................
SCENERY........................................SAIL BOARDING............................................And SANGRIA....................................

With wall to wall sunshine we have had a fantastic holiday in Mallorca. Oh and there was one more "S" - a sting by a jelly fish. Its still sore - We all know what the cure is but no one will oblige and I cannot pee on my own elbow!!

Happy Quilting!!

Antiques Roadshow

2011-07-14T21:01:00.006+01:00

a day out with a difference today, my DH and I have been to the Antiques Roadshow
at Seaton Delaval Hall in south East Northumberland
We saw all the celebs - including the lovely Fiona Bruce here seen sneaking off with a reporter from BBC Radio Newcastle.
We got to watch TV in the making. It was easy to spot the BBC people - they all had jackets on - the locals were all in T shirts as it was a sunny 16 degrees.
The gardens were magnificent too - well worth a visit.
Recently gifted to the national trust - the house and the grounds are now open to the public. There is a nice little tea shop too. Well worth a visit. To be shown on BBC in the autumn - we'll all have to wait until then to see if I made it onto TV.

Happy Quilting xx

The Bikini Diet

2011-07-04T20:16:00.004+01:00

This is my bikini diet - I have taken to going for a 30 minute walk every evening before dinner - in and effort to loose some weight ( or at least not put on any more) before my holidays. I haven't lost any weight but have been enjoying the summer sunshine and these lovely warm evenings with my trainers and my camera. The poppy fields are starting to fade now .But other flowers are coming in to bloom - like these wild geraniums along the riverside.
Unfortunately the Himalayan balsam is also blooming and taking over our natural riverside habitat.
These geraniums are cultivated and live in my front garden but cost me the huge price of £18 for 2 plants!!
The bikini diet also involves a twice weekly delivery of a Graze box - with the slogan eat more healthy food (fewer biscuits) - they are delivered by Graze.com to our place of work twice a week so on Tuesdays and Thursdays the downstairs office have a healthy snack to look forward to, to brighten the day.
Today I popped in to see Katie at Make at Allen Mill. As usual she was full of great ideas for recycling - today she showed me how to quickly make these balls of yarn from old T- shirts.
and then weave with them on this peg loom. If you want to know how you'll have to call and see her too at Make .

Hope you've been enjoying the weather too and good luck with your bikini diet.

Happy Quilting xx

Woolfest 2011

2011-06-26T20:25:00.005+01:00

Woolfest Cumbria 2011. Knitting buddies have all talked about it but this was the first time I have been ... So much to see ....so much to buy..whether you knit, weave, crotchet, spin felt or even sew there was something for every body...And the donors of the wool in the first place ... This friendly Merino sheepand these timid alpacas.... If you haven't been yet put the date in your diary for next year....
and start saving now.I have so many unfinished projects on the go at the moment , I decided that I must set to and finish something off. I am really pleased with my finished piece of textile art, Precious Memories which I made at the Mandy Patullo workshop with Katie a couple of weeks ago. All framed up , I am quite proud of it. And to think I was just playing about with that Miracle fabric paper to see how it worked.

And another UFO finished off - the Moda Honey bun roll made up into another lovely bag- all topped off with a fabric covered button.

The poppies in the fields up and down the Tyne Valley have been quite something this year . And I have never seen one as thick with poppies as this field near Corbridge

Happy Quilting xx

Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket Knitters

2011-06-13T20:24:00.003+01:00

As an occasional member of the Cafe Nero Knitting group at Hexham, I was invited to join in their Debbie Abrahams Mystery blanket day. What a wonderful day we had on Saturday. Here you can see Debbie's mystery blanket 2009. Knit from individual squares revealed one month at a time , her designs incorporate colour, texture and embellishment with buttons, beads and sequins.
Although I am not knitting the mystery blanket myself I had a great day and Debbie was a great teacher passing on lots of knitting and finishing skills to us. As with lots of crafts, I was taught to knit by my mother and grandmothers and have just really picked things up as I went along. It was wonderful to be taught some skills and techniques by an expert. Here Debbie was showing us how to sew together 2 squares at the side seams with mattress stitch.
And here joining the top and bottom of the squares together with mattress stitch again. The stitching was completely invisible. Debbie travels around the country running knitting workshops as well as designing projects and writing books. Check out her website here.
Then she showed us how to block out the squares so they are perfectly square. This is the bit at the end of a pattern I have never bothered with before - I am in too much of a hurry to put the garment together. But this gave a really professional finish. Her technique didn't involve any ironing so could be used on textured knitting and knitting embellished with beads.
Past mystery blanket knitters brought their blankets and mystery cushions which looked magnificent all together for the group shot. Thanks to Laraine who was our hostess for the day, providing us with the most magnificent lunch.
And in an effort to work off some of the calories from the excesses of the weekend , I went out for a walk by the River Tyne this evening.
After all the rain on Saturday and Sunday it was good to be out in the sunshine again.

Happy quilting and happy knitting too xx

A little cutie

2011-06-07T20:40:00.004+01:00

This wekend we have been to Glasgow to meet with family and to coo over the new baby. Isn't she gorgeous all dressed up to go out in her new hat and the cardigan Granny Kiwi knitted?
We ate ....
and we drank.....
Did a bit of sight seeing ....
and a bit of shopping - this peacock sculpture is on top of a city centre store.

But look what the post man brought today....
A prize in the post . I won the Janome QXL 605 Quilting machine in a competition in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine. I was thrilled and now need to get down to some serious quilting again.

Happy quilting xx

May Bank Holiday weekend

2011-05-30T21:00:00.004+01:00

Another bank holiday weekend, so brace yourself for lots of scenic photos. Jenny is swotting for her A levels so DH and I have been out and about by ourselves for a couple of days.
Yesterday we had a picnic at Tynemouth overlooking the mouth of the river, it was very windy but a lovely sunny day.
The historic priory was silhouetted against a beautiful blue sky.
The sand in the bay looked lovely but the sea was very cold - no swimmers today.
Today we have been out into the North Pennines in search of family history at the Nenthead Mines Heritage centre
Another image from the family history album shows miners coming out of the lead mine at the end of their shift. As my dad's great grandfather lived nearby in the 1870s, I was hoping they would be able to identify my photograph.
As you can see the buildings look very similar and there were photos of the same sort of trucks in the museum but unfortunately no one was able to identify the mine on my photograph. It was quite interesting however, I thought lead mines just produced lead but no they produced other things such as silver, zinc, flurspar and quartz. Worth a visit and good scones in the tea shop.
And scenic too!!!

A little bit of sewing over the weekend - I made Snickerdoodles - a rabbit for a baby from a pattern by Bunny Hill Designs. Spot the real rabbit.She obviously felt threatened with another lady rabbit in her territory and attacked!
And I have done a bit more knitting too. Square no 2 of my Debbie Abrahams design blanket. This one is called GRID. Only 115 to go!!

Thanks to Mandy for the Happy Quilter Label in the post. Wish my machine could do that!!

Thank you all for visiting my blog - Today I reached my goal of 1000 hits in a month- hope you all enjoy it.

Happy Quilting xx

Precious memories

2011-05-25T19:19:00.002+01:00

Precious memories was the title of the class I enjoyed at MAKE recycled craft workshop last weekend. We spent a wonderful day with textile artist Mandy Pattullo creating a personal piece of textile art. It was an ideal opportunity to use one of the family photos I had taken from my family history book and transferred onto fabric. Here you can see my piece of work just laid out ready to be assembled. The picture shows my grandparents on their wedding day in 1932. The surrounding text is just a passage from the bible to show how important her religion was in her life. As was music - she enjoyed playing the piano. I could tell you the pieces of lace and trimmings came from her wedding dress but actually they came from an antique shop and some from Katie's stash but the overall effect is good. I have got some embroidery to put on then I will show you the finished work.
Mandy showed us a quick and easy way of transferring an image onto fabric using household emulsion paint. She showed us some wonderful examples of her work to which you can see if you visit her at The Hearth at Horsley on The Art Tour.An added bonus of the classes at MAKE is the wonderful lunch and afternoon tea provided by The Allendale bakery next door. My afternoon tea was brought to the table so I didn't even have to stop work to enjoy it. The fruit scone with butter jam and cream was absolutely fabulous - probably in my top 3 of all time best scones I have eaten - and I have sampled a lot.
And more treats were in store when my DH celebrated a big birthday too.

Happy Quilting xx

Postcard cushions

2011-05-16T21:22:00.003+01:00

Normal service has been resumed - back to old style blogger
I hope you like the cushion I made from the printed fabric on last weeks post. thank you for all your comments
The product I used is called Miracle fabric sheets from C.Jenkins www.cjenkinscompany.com.
I have also been doing some knitting this week. I bought some Amy Butler Rowan wool and cotton yarn to start on a blanket from this Debbie Abrahams book.All the squares are the same colour but different textures based on floor coverings - this is sisal. It is quite relaxing to knit.I can never resist a craft magazine when I see a new one on the shelves- this 1935 magazine in RE yesterday was no exception. There are some great images inside which I might scan and turn into more cushions - look out.

Happy Quilting xx

A week of contrasts

2011-05-09T21:37:00.000+01:00

This week has been a week of contrasts ........from the busy streets of Manchester where we saw this wonderful fountain...............


to the rolling hills of Northumberland.............................	The weird colours are due to the dark thunder clouds scudding across the sky

And sewing .........From traditional foundation piecing of a square in a square block.

. This project has been resurrected from my stash when I nearly bought the same fabric again because I loved it so much.........

.................To experimenting with new techniques.......................................................................................... I have been trying out printing onto fabric. I bought the Miracle Fabric Sheets at the Edinburgh Quilt show and with a little help from my dear son, I was able to scan these photos of my grand parents and great grand parents and then print them onto fabric. The printed fabric looks like calico and is still soft to touch,
A couple of weeks ago I bought these Vintage French postcards from Julie at The Cloth Shed. They too were scanned and printed onto the fabric.

I am not quite sure what I am going to do with it now I have mastered the process but I hope to get some ideas from Mandy Patullo when I go on her Precious memories workshop at Make in Allendale at the end of the month. Pop in and see Katie at Make or check out the other workshops here as she is doing four over the next couple of months. I do like her textile designs and hope I can branch out from using patterns to being a bit more creative.
Watch this space.

Happy Quilting xx

Royal Bunting Day

2011-05-02T19:49:00.007+01:00

The Royal Wedding - an excuse for a day off work, an excuse for having too much to drink or an excuse to make bunting? Yes!! I just love bunting and although I had not planned to celebrate the Royal Wedding I realised it was an excuse to indulge myself - and make bunting!!

Off to The Fat Quarters where I bought just three 20cm strips of fabric, a red and white spot, a white and blue spot and a blue with a ditsy white print. I found a piece of blue stripe fabric in my stash and when it was all assembled I was able to make 10 metres of bunting all for about £6.20.
Unfortunately it started to rain so the bunting had to come inside but provided a fitting back drop for Kate Moss and Big Ben when they set off for a Best of British school party.

I finished off the little jacket I made with these buttons ...
.....cute ladybirds.....
I have been knitting with the lovely Adriafil yarn I bought from Louise at Woolfish last weekend. It is 50% wool and 50% cotton and so soft. I do like variegated wool as I am always wanting to know what colour comes next.

Happy quilting xx

Sunny Easter weekend

2011-04-28T13:23:00.003+01:00

Happy Easter - a bit late I know but again the weather has been so good I have been outside away from the computer
The apple blossom has bloomed on the apple tree in the garden. Last year we had little blossom and only about a dozen apples on the tree, this year it is thick with blooms so we are hoping for a bumper crop of apples.We spent the Easter Weekend with the family up in the Scottish borders.
and went to the beach to create sculpture ..
and watch the wild life - on the way to the beach we saw a deer, a mole and buzzards flying over head.
The flowers on the shore were as good as the Gardens at Howick Hall last weekend - these bluebells were right at the edge of the beach. and the wild garlic filled the hill sides with pungent smelling flowers.
and there was still time for a little bit of knitting - I finished this baby hoody. Just buttons to add and it will be off in the post to Glasgow.

Happy Quilting xx

Howick Hall Gardens

2011-04-19T21:20:00.004+01:00

The weekend started well with sunshine and a quilters lunch at the Herb Patch. Margaret is showing off her latest quilt another sampler quilt. Beautifully quilted as usual. When I go to quilt shows with Margaret she is often in awe of other peoples work asking why should she bother. The hand quilting on this quilt is so beautifully done that's how she has made me feel this time - I couldn't attempt anything like that. The quilt was just waiting for the binding to be finished - I bet its on the bed by now.
Making the most of the weather again on Saturday DH and I visited Howick Hall in North Northumberland. Home to Earl Grey - Prime minister of England in the 19th Century and inventor of Earl Grey Tea.
The gardens are an arboretum with species from all over the world - from our common woodland flowers to ...
more exotic specimens.....
and you can walk through the gardens right down to the sea. I remember swimming in this cove as a child (were summers hotter or the sea warmer then?) We always had egg and tomato seaside sandwiches.
But on Saturday we had scones with homemade rhubarb jam and of course Earl Grey Tea.

Hope you are getting out and about enjoying the spring sunshine too.

Happy Quilting xx

Shortbread buttons

2011-04-11T21:27:00.004+01:00

Now I am not a great cook but when I saw a recipe for shortbread button biscuits in the new May edition of Country Living magazine, I just had to give them a try. I was delighted with the finished product.
Suitable for knitters , quilters and tea drinkers in fact anybody who likes needle crafts and biscuits. The only down side was the 3lb bag of rice flour I carried from Fenwick's delicatessen I bought to make them, I now have one arm longer than the other.
and they are absolutely perfect to show off the glass dome I found in a charity shop for £1 last week, a perfect fit for my glass cake stand.

I have been too busy in the garden this weekend to do any sewing or knitting - the sunshine was too good to miss. This lovely shrub has bloomed again I think it is called Brides Bouquet - and it is absolutely laden with blooms.
as is the cherry tree in my front garden. ....and now we can have fancy close up shots with the new camera!!

Happy Quilting xx

Pansies and other gorgeous things

2011-04-03T14:57:00.007+01:00

Now I have 2 cameras, I have been experimenting a bit to see if I can improve the images on my blog. So now we can have every photo in close up.........................a bit further away ..............or at a distance....... Which ever way I look at them these pansies have bloomed magnificently with the spring sunshine. I bought them at the beginning of November as winter flowering pansies to brighten up the front of the house. After 3 weeks the snow came and wiped them out. Fortunately I had not got round to tipping the planters into the compost bin and suddenly they have bloomed again.The daffodils are also blooming ... these ones showing off in a jug I bought in a charity shop to put custard in at Christmas. But watch out for that table cloth - when I bought the fabric I wasn't sure what to do with it. But a metre of Amy Butler fabric for only £6 deserved something special.But I think it is more useful as a pinny. I can just about make this pattern with my eyes shut now. A present for a friend who is retiring - I hope she doesn't feel tied to the kitchen sink by the apron strings!! I bought these lovely little tags from Helen at Busy Bees Studios open day last week.And I've been putting them on everything I've made this week. A pair of quilted hotties.And a sweet little make up bag made from a Moda Honey bun which is a tiny jelly roll of 1 1/2 " strips of fabric. They came in a pack of 2 and have been lurking at the bottom of my stash for the last 2 years or so.
I have torn myself away from the sewing table to do a bit of gardening, I bought some new lavender plants, a few primroses and a pretty white flowering perennial called Snow Cap.
And here it is with all the other gorgeous things that I bought from the gorgeous Helen at her gorgeous Busy Bee studio in the gorgeous sunshine last weekend.

Hope you like the photos

Happy Quilting xx

Scrappy log cabin quilt success

2011-03-23T21:17:00.003Z

Scrappy worked well for Janet. This is the quilt top she has sewn from the blocks at last weeks scrappy log cabin class. Although it is not truly random as she had selected green, brown and red fabrics from her scrap bag - it works well and shows off the log cabin blocks beautifully.
While we were at the class Margaret was working busily on her sampler quilt. The combinations of the pink and green Nancy Halvorsen fabrics look lovely.
She has used Sandie Lush designs for her quilting on most of the blocks.
as we can see with this work in process.
and here she is giving Janet a masterclass in how to assemble a quilt that has been made with the quilt-as-you-go method. Janet is looking very worried about it!
The weekend sunshine took us to Scotland to visit my Dad and to look around the wonderful new visitor centre at St Abbs. The village hall has been tastefully refurbished, but if you can't visit in person visit them on line here.
This is the view from the front of the visitor centre and looks good in the clear sunshine.
And finally
my new toy. When I learn how to use it , I hope this will greatly improve the photos on the blog.
Watch this space ....................

Happy Quilting xx

Scrappy log cabin quilt

2011-03-17T20:59:00.005Z

Last week, the Friday afternoon class at the Fat Quarters turned into an all day class led by the lovely Hazel and entitled "scrappy log cabin quilts". We learned Hazel's quick method of piecing log cabin blocks to use up all the scraps in the stash to make a quilt.
I have such a wide selection of fabrics in my box that when I put them together in the prescribed random manner I didn't like the finished effect. I have said before that I don't do random and this just confirmed it for me. I would certainly use her method of piecing again but use more carefully selected fabrics. These are just too scrappy.

Well as the mug says When in doubt Brew up!

From Quilting to Couture....

And this week was Prudhoe fashion week. Last night the textile students at Prudhoe high school put on a fashion show of all their work. Here Jenny is seen modelling last year's finished project - Her Paris Chic dress.

And this year's dress - just finished 2 days before
with a close up of the detail on the front of the dress. The brief was to design a dress to be worn by a British athlete at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. Unfortunately Jenny's dress wasn't finished before Stella McCartney got the job.

And this week's action shot is pancake tossing ( I think that was actually last week) You wouldn't believe how many pancakes we had to eat to get this one shot of one in mid toss.

Happy Quilting xxx

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party

2011-03-06T18:36:00.006Z

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party is the latest book from Alexander McCall Smith in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. On Monday the book was launched world wide from Hexham and I was lucky enough to be there.Meeting the author himself ............
and getting one of the very first copies signed by him.

This was a thoroughly entertaining evening with a fascinating insight into the world of this prolific author (he describes himself as a serial novelist ). He was a wonderful speaker full of gentle good humour - I would love to be in his company for dinner - I could have listened to him all night.
And far from the wild animals of Botswana we have been out in the wide blue skies of Northumberland today and seen the first lambs of the year. This tiny little bundle was in a field at Dilston near Corbridge ...
and here are the rest of the family.
and on our way to Allendale this afternoon we stopped to say Hello to the alpacas at Lowgate who were also enjoying the sunshine.

I have started sewing with the fabric I bought last week in Edinburgh. I have made a pillowcase for the pillowcase challenge supporting the ConKerr Charity. Starting in America it aims to bring smiles to the faces of children suffering severe illness by brightening up their hospital room with a fun pillowcase. The girls at The Fat Quarters are launching it in this country to bring smiles to seriously ill children in the 4 hospices and the RVI hospital in the North East of England. Look here for more information.

Happy Quilting xx

A Grand Day Out

2011-02-27T14:42:00.005Z

On Friday we had A Grand Day Out to the Spring Quilt Festival at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
Now well used to the complicated route to get there, 2 trains, one bus and a long walk we were hungry for both food and quilts when we got there.

Janet and Margaret are having a close up view of this quilt by Paula Doyle. When you look down the hall at the display of quilts it is easy to think " I don't know why I bother - I could never do anything like this !!"
There are quilts that we were in awe of like this one from Rosalind Pollock who embellishes all her quilts with tiny little seed beads ...
Quilts that you thought perhaps you might like to try yourself... like this one by Jean Wilkinson which was a mystery quilt made entirely from materials in her stash.
We particularly liked the corner log cabin blocks and the way she had quilted them.
Journal Quilts by Ineke Berlyn. This reminded me of the free motion embroidery technique we learnt with Janet Clare last year. perhaps I could have a go at something like this too.

And then of course there's the shopping. I bought lovely brushed cottons from The Seattle Quilt company to make more quilted hotties, a Shonai Sashiko Sampler beginners kit from Euro Japan Links Ltd, children's fabric to make a pillow case ( more on that later), bits and pieces from Daisy Chain designs , a 50p magazine to read on the train home. The prize for the most patient stall holder of the day goes to the lovely lady at Fiddlesticks fabrics who spent ages with us and eventually all we bought was a bobbin of variegated thread.

We also thoroughly enjoyed talking to fellow quilters, telling us about their travels and their quilt shows.

Looking forward to the Autumn Quilt show...Watch this space.

Happy Quilting xx

First Signs of Spring

2011-02-24T20:18:00.004Z

It has been a very long winter- but today spring has sprung. There are lots of snow drops in the woodland down on the Tyne riverside park - all out smiling in the sun today.
And pussy willow ..........and hazel catkins.......
This was the first outing for my new boots.....all under this wide blue sky....

the spring theme is reflected in my stitching too. ....... although it is still too soon for butterflies
............and a little bit more knitting......

Off to Edinburgh tomorrow for the Spring Quilt Festival - watch this space

Happy Quilting xx

Sheep in the meadow ....

2011-02-17T19:53:00.005Z

I am really pleased with the way my baby sheep quilt has turned out.
But I don't think they were modelled on this flock at the Herb patch last weekend.
But these horns are just magnificent aren't they?
and I have been doing some baby knitting too as the first baby of the next generation of our family has arrived This little cardigan is about to be parcelled up for baby Hanna. Knit in Sirdar snuggly Tiny Tots yarn, it has been quick and easy to do, a nice pattern to follow although the arms look very long. I just loved this pretty little flower button.
Infact I was so pleased with all the baby things I have made recently that I took a picture of them all together !
Jenny has been busy too making this baby card from felt and blanket stitched around the pram with a couple of vintage buttons for wheels.
Unfortunately Michael saw it as a pac man eating a butterfly.

Happy Quilting xx

More celebrations

2011-02-04T21:56:00.004Z

Last week was the big birthday week in our house , both Michael and Jenny have celebrated birthdays. Michael successfully avoided the camera but here is an action shot of Jenny. The cup cakes came from Lottie McPhee's cupcakes in Whitley Bay. Raspberry and white chocolate flavour, decorated with glitter too, they were absolutely delicious.
Sewing this week, things are coming together - I have finished the quilt top of the sheep baby quilt.
Irene has finished the quilt top of her Friendship Quilt

And Janet has finished the pin wheels in this lovely quilt too.

Happy Quilting xx

Is it a patchwork quilt?

2011-01-18T20:41:00.003Z

This would be a lovely patchwork quilt but in fact it is a tiled floor, in the Byram Arcade in Huddersfield in Yorkshire. Now if I was a designer I could use this as inspiration for a quilt. It reminded me of Amy Butler's holiday photos and the fabrics she created from them. ( Well except she was in India and I was in Yorkshire in the rain)Last week Jenny and I found ourselves in Huddersfield with time to spare. The Victorian Byram Arcade if full of little specialist craft and hobby shops and well worth a visit. Our favourites were Pretty Little things selling French, vintage style gifts, Create 26 - a collection of artists designers and makers creating unique fashion accessories, home ware and gifts, and right at the top
Spun Yarn Shop where I bought some funky Flamenco yarn to make a scarf. It was full of quirky things - I particularly liked these steps up to a photographers shop.

Back in Blackhall Mill work continues at The fat Quarters Friday afternoon group and Irene is starting to put together her friendship quilt.
Janet has already finished piecing and layering up her Moroccan themed quilt- that disappearing nine patch block has worked really well.
I have made some new cushions for the sofa....
and tidied up my threads onto my new spool holder....
and then sat and watched as spring came to my conservatory.

Happy Quilting xx

Age is but a number ......

2011-01-09T17:48:00.006Z

but unfortunately for me - a big number.

So we went here to celebrate .................and see a show. Hairspray was fantastic. This was the touring show starring Michael Ball as Edna. Mickey Dolenz of Monkees fame played her husband and together they were hilarious. I can thoroughly recommend it .
Now I am old enough to be a Great Aunt, I have finished the first baby cardigan. This Sirdar Snuggly snowflake yarn looks and feels lovely but has been horrible to knit. It is not possible to see individual stitches as you go so it has been very difficult to spot mistakes and to unpick stitches. Picking up the stitches along the front for the band was almost impossible too but it all worked out in the end.
I couldn't find any buttons I liked in Hexham yesterday so I got some self cover button out of my work bag, then I had the choice of lots of fabric from my scrap box to make the perfect buttons. I chose this faded rosebud fabric from the Durham quilt collection by Lecien. Aren't they cute and if the scan is wrong and it's a boy - then we just recover the buttons.
The quilt for baby number 2 is coming on well. The sheep look great now they have been appliqued in black. Back in the scrap box again I found the ideal orange fabric for the flowers.
The Friday afternoon class at the Fat Quarters has become an applique class. Julie is working on this cup cake design.
and Margaret's Friendship Quilt is coming along great too.But to keep the sewing machines in use Janet is making a Moroccan inspired throw for her brother with a nine patch design. Lovely warm fabrics aren't they.

Happy Quilting xx

New Year - New Project

2011-01-02T20:33:00.004Z

Happy New Year to you all. Yesterday we got out the wellies for a walk on the beach.
Off to Tynemouth in the sunshine and a biting wind for a bit of fresh air....
along with one or two others. I have never seen the beach so busy even in the height of summer.
Then home for a spot of dinner and this lovely pud created by my dear sister, Nigella, sorry I mean Helen!!

Then I settled down to some sewing - a new project for one of the new babies expected in our extended family in the spring.And here is the applique all stuck in place ready to sew. The green fabrics are from the Nana's Garden range by Rabbits Haven. I am looking forward to being a great auntie.

Happy quilting xx

Homemade Christmas - Move over Kirsty

2010-12-28T18:35:00.003Z

This year my sister and I have had a bit of a homemade thing going on - Inspired by Kirsty Allsop and her Homemade Christmas TV programmes last year - we started early.
Helen made chocolate lollies - are they healthy if they have fruit and nuts on them?
I made her a knitting needle case .......
......and the i pinny. It has a special pocket to put her i pod in so she can listen while she cooks.
.....then Peter contributed with homemade chutneys.
I fought back with a knitted Dalek washcloth for Jenny! Exfoliate , exfoliate !!
And finally finishing her knitting on Christmas eve with these man mitts for Michael.
With these lovely gifts I hope I will be inspired to do more next year. And expect some changes to the blog inspired by that Blogging for Bliss book. ( If I ever get time to read it)
After the present opening there was a bit of tidying up to do. But aren't those wellies fab?
Not to mention a huge pile of washing up.
and finally a family portrait with a guest appearance by Auntie Sheila.

Hope you had a Happy Christmas too.

Happy Quilting xx

Christmas is coming

2010-12-19T21:36:00.003Z

Christmas is coming and the tree is up. It hasn't yet fallen over but one of the sets of lights has gone off. This little ginger bread house is a ceramic decoration.
I like this new decoration I bought when I visited The Busy Bee studio last month.
Over the last couple of years we have gone away from the traditional baubles in favour of decorations that are just a bit different.

The nicest card I have received is this lovely robin from Irene. Good to see she is putting those free motion embroidery skills we learnt from Janet Clare to good use.I can't stop making these quilted hotties. With all this icy weather, I hope they will be well received as presents.
And a Christmas baby, little Harvey David, first grandchild for Kim at The Fat Quarters. Isn't he adorable?

Lastly, this weeks scenic shot is a view over the Tyne at Corbridge, yesterday was crisp and cold but clear and sunny too. A lovely day here when the rest of the country is covered in snow.

Keep warm and Happy Quilting xx

Library pictures

2010-12-15T20:25:00.005Z

Don't worry , we haven't had any more snow YET, although it is forecast for tomorrow.

I have forgotten to take my camera with me when I went out this week so we don't have many photos to show you. So here are some snowy shots for a couple of weeks ago or library pictures as they say on TV when they have nothing to show us.

On Saturday Jenny and I went to Hexham to the Christmas market. We met Jill from Pixie Peg crafts and bought a Christmas tree decoration from her. I do like to meet other bloggers in person, you can check out here blog here and see the photos I would have taken if only I had remembered my camera.

Then we went out to choose our Christmas tree and still I forgot my camera.

At least I remembered it for class on Friday at the Fat Quarters. Margaret had been stuck indoors for 2 weeks with the snow and has done lots of applique on her Best of Friends quilt. Isn't it lovely?
And all those lovely colours make me think of sunnier weather.

Happy Quilting xx

Meeting Joe

2010-12-09T20:35:00.003Z

Jenny was lucky enough to be invited to the Gala performance of the new Chronicles of Narnia movie , The voyage of the Dawn Treader and to meet the lovely Joe McElderry. He sings the title theme of the movie. Jenny says he was lovely, lots of time to sign autographs, photos and a cuddle.

Frrrreeeeeezzzing

2010-12-06T19:48:00.004Z

I don't think I have ever known it so cold as it was on Friday. I went to Hexham on the train - roads too bad for the car. Had to scrape the ice from the inside of the train windows to be able to see the view. ( And that was with the heaters on in the carriage)
I have never been on a train before when the driver had to get out at the station and scrape the windscreen!!

Today it was a bit warmer - a balmy minus nine degrees CA delicious cheese and sun dried tomato scone fresh from the oven was perfect for warming up at The Chare in Hexham.
A little bit of knitting for someone special.

And just to warm us up. A reminder of this fantastic dolphin safari on holiday earlier in the year. At this point I was so hot I could feel the sun burning my legs and didn't know how I could stand it for the next hour or so!!

From one extreme to another , roll on summer.

Happy Quilting xx

And it snowed ....

2010-11-29T20:27:00.004Z

On Friday there was snow.......On Saturday there was a bit more snow ....
and then there was today !!! We have had about 9 inches of snow overnight. But at least the car park at the office was quiet
and the roads home quiet too.
Ideal for a bit of sewing. When I bought the red ric rac the gentleman in RE where I bought it asked what I was going to make with it. I was just adding it to my stash in case I ever got snowed in and had a ric rac emergency. On Sunday Jenny had just such an emergency when making this Christmas stocking - can you guess Harvey is a dog?
I made yet another Quilted Hottie and Magic tried to run off with it to her hutch.

Happy Quilting xx

Something beginning with R

2010-11-22T20:12:00.005Z

Something Beginning with R is the theme for a fancy dress party Jenny is going to in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately we are living with the box in the middle of the dining table until then.
The dining table also doubles up as my sewing table as it is too cold to sew in the conservatory in the winter. This is what has been on my sewing table this week. Another Quilted Hottie ...
....And another ...
and another apron.. a birthday present for Janet... as seen in last week's sneak preview.

And this weeks scenic shot is Prudhoe Castle taken through the autumn leaves a couple of weeks ago. Today it has been so wet and dark - not a day for the camera and SNOW is forecast- Oh No.

Happy Quilting xx
and another apron.. a birthday present for Janet.

Can you guess what it is yet?

2010-11-09T20:17:00.005Z

Can you guess what it is yet? When I visited my DS last week I was intrigued to guess what on earth she was knitting.
...............................................A lovely pair of mittens ready for winter!!

.............................But last Saturday was a lovely Autumn day down by the river. Warm in the sunshine but cold in the shade!

.....................................................and those autumn colours!!

On Sunday we visited Helen again at Busy bees studio Christmas open day.

The trouble with going to Busy Bees is the congestion on the access road. These two adorable calves were causing a jam on the track down to the farm.

.................................................And lots of irresistible Christmas goodies.

.................................................And I have been doing a little bit of sewing.

Now I'm off to watch Kirsty's Homemade Home on Channel 4 - she's doing patchwork tonight.

Happy Quilting xx

Seven swans a swimming...

2010-10-30T20:40:00.004+01:00

Seven swans a swimming !! Wow what a beautiful autumn day it has been. This family of swans were enjoying the sunshine at Bradley Pond in Crawcrook.
The babies were as big as the parents ( more like teenagers really)

The apple harvest has been poor this year - this bowl full was all we got from our tree this year - a disappointment. However my brother in law has had a glut of tomatoes so we have had a lovely present of Pete's tomato chutney- both green and red.

Last Sunday I popped over to Busy Bees studio to see the lovely things Helen had on sale for Halloween. If you haven't been yet, look out for her next open day and hurry down to the farm.
I couldn't resist buying this Halloween cushion.

I love to get a newly finished quilt hung up on the washing line to blow in the wind. The blue skies and sunshine bring out the summer colours of the batik fabrics. I've just got the label to sew on then it will be finished.

Happy Quilting xx

Friday afternoon Quilting

2010-10-16T21:49:00.003+01:00

At last I have been able to get on with quilting my Cotton Candy quilt.
- Most of it is free motion quilting in a medium sized stipple effect - I like the pattern to look like jigsaw pieces....
....with a stencil pattern quilted in the centre of the star. I have found the free motion quilting much easier to control since the course on free motion embroidery with Janet Clare - I just have more control of my machine now.
Every body has been busy at the Friday afternoon class - Irene is doing more of her wonderful applique, this time working on The Gift of Friendship by Natalie Bird.
Janet is making a minature quilt from this book Quick Quilted Minatures - more lovely applique.
and Margaret is making an advent calendar for her great grandson's first Christmas.
We have been out and about today ... who could drive past a sign like this ? Not me!
I loved this chocolate spotty fabric and variegated embroidery floss from Madeira.

and the view from the English - Scottish border is just amazing!

Happy Quilting xx

Scottish Quilt championships 2010

2010-09-28T20:52:00.004+01:00

Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to ...
The Scottish quilt championships 2010.
I felt I should start off by showing you the Judges choice - Winter garden by Liz Jones.

Last Friday, the Friday afternoon ladies took a train north across the border to Edinburgh for the Scottish Quilt Championships ... For inspiration and shopping. Here are just a few of the magnificent quilts on display there.
Yours truly having a close up....Margaret and Janet admiring Along the Shore - Broughty Ferry by Peppercorns - there were even real tufts of grass growing in the sand dunes.
A close up of A Worcester Garden by Suzanne Kelly shows a different way of quilting a traditional hexagon quilt
Washers and Cogs in the sun by Georgina Chapman was very effective in the blue and white.
Glorious Autumn by Freida Oxenham was awarded the overall champion - inspiration came from a drive through the Galloway forest last autumn. The quilt was foundation pieced and hand beaded ( and those pieces were tiny).
Waligoe and its steps by Jean Boath inspired me to have a go with photographs printed onto cotton - I bought a big box of freezer paper to try it out.

This quilt I had seen in the making at The Fat Quarters. Deborah Collins won 3rd prize in the Terrance challenge. There are just 2 different blocks in this quilt - clever?
And then there was a stop for refreshments.....

and shopping. I bought a wonderful book by Gail Lawther - Glimpses of New Zealand - her quilt collection was inspired by her travels to NZ. The quilts were wonderful but sadly no photography allowed - you'll just have to buy the book.But is was nice to talk to Gail and her husband and she signed my book. Aren't some people clever - not only to make such unique quilts but to design them your self and write a book about it into the bargain.

Hope you are inspired -- I know I was .

Happy quilting xx

In the Pink

2010-09-23T20:00:00.003+01:00

This pink quilt was made by Irene one of the Friday afternoon ladies at The Fat Quarters. One of the best things about being in a group is the inspiration from other peoples work.
Earlier in the year, every Friday she bought a different fat quarter of fabric on a pink and white theme. Here you can see the wonderful quilt she has created with them. Cut into 5" squares and arranged in a diagonal stripy pattern, simple but effective.
and its all brought together with some wonderful hand quilting , I just love the beads on this lovely border pattern, and the scrappy binging made from all the left over strips. Isn't it pretty?
Last weekend we made the most of the lovely autumn weather and had a long walk on Druridge Bay, we just about had the place to ourselves. The weather hasn't been like that today though. Lots of rain and flooding in the North East tonight.
and just to remind ourselves of the better weather - when we got on this boat in the marina at Gibraltar, it was so hot that I didn't know how I would survive the next hour in the blazing sun without any shade.

Tomorrow we are off to The Scottish Quilt Championships in Edinburgh - watch this space !!

Happy Quilting xx

Still on Spanish Time

2010-09-16T21:36:00.004+01:00

The blog has been badly neglected in favour of this....This is where we have been..... Puerto de la Duquesa on the Costa del SolFantastic scenery.....great food....
amazing drinks......
a warm sea....

full of dolphins....

and for my DH a trip back to his childhood in Gibraltar.

The sewing machine will come out again when the suitcases are put away.

Happy Quilting xx

Last days of summer

2010-08-24T18:35:00.005+01:00

Cotton candy bali pops- my latest quilt top is coming together at long last. There have been at least 4 mistakes in this pattern by Suzanne McNeill from her book I Love Batiks. I would like to be using my blog to make recommendations - but this is a warning - look out for these patterns- they don't work! If I had been a beginner I would have been completely stuck with this pattern and all of this lovely fabric would have been confined to the UFO box.Between the showers the garden has been full of butterflies - and the distressed paintwork of my garden seat has been a great place for them to dry their wings - there were 6 on the seat that I managed to capture in this photo.
Himalayan balsam is in the local news as it is taking over the riverbanks on the Tyne. Not a native of the North of England, it is taking over the habitat of the native plants ...
..But isn't it pretty... and I remember seeing it in Monet's garden in France.
There are lots of sheep about at the moment - these 5 are on a lovely new baby quilt Margaret is making in the Friday afternoon class at the Fat Quarters.Taken from a Lynn Edwards Pattern, they are very cute and isn't her stitching lovely and neat on that applique.
And finally no weekend is complete without tea and a scone. This is probably the best scone with jam and cream ( Jersey cream and butter!) that I have ever had! and I have tried a few! This is definitely a recommendation for cream teas at Wheelbirks ice cream parlour if you are passing.

Happy Quilting xx

Marble Arch, Prudhoe

2010-08-12T20:12:00.003+01:00

Prudhoe's version of Marble Arch. For ages I have wanted a small archway to put over the garden path leading to the back door and the dust bins, when I saw one is a box at the local garden centre for just £9.99 I snapped it up. I got a lot for my money when it turned out to be about twice the size I imagined and twice the width of the path. It is now firmly planted in front of the decking where it might protect us from the footballs of the neighbouring children.At one side I have planted a climbing rose (Hamlet) and a honeysuckle...At the other side a pretty pink climbing patio rose. They have been well watered by the weather this week so I hope they grow up quite quickly.
Jenny has a part time job for the summer holidays at the ceramic experience in Blaydon and asked me to give them a mention as a great place to entertain kids in wet weather during the school holidays. Ceramic painting, jewellery making, scalextric and soft play. And a cafe too, so pop in and see her . Check out their website, here, for opening times and directions.

This was my brush with celebrity last week when I saw Ben Shepherd(ex GMTV) on his fund raising C2C run. Ben is the one in the superman outfit - not a very good photo but I was trying to overtake them and take a photo and not run them down. If you want to sponsor them too go to the website Seb4chuf and help raise funds for the childrens heart unit at the Freeman hospital.

Not a lot of sewing this week, I am in a bit of a dilemma with my latest quilt - the last set of blocks are too small - shall I unpick them all or just try and make it fit...? Watch this space.

Happy quilting xx

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been.....

2010-07-29T20:04:00.006+01:00

I've been to London to see the Queen. Well not actually the Queen as she was on her holidays in Scotland - we must have passed each other about York - but I've seen everything else.

Last weekend my DH and I accompanied Jenny and her friends on a weekend break to London.

We did a bit of shopping in Harrods...
....an open top bus trip....

....a trip down the Thames....
....a bit more shopping....
.. watched the street entertainers ....
....soaked up a bit of history at the Tower....
...and a bit of culture at the V & A....
...and we've been sleeping it off ever since!

Teaching and celebrating

2010-07-19T20:15:00.005+01:00

Friday saw my first venture into teaching. At Make, Katie's workshop in Allendale, I was invited to lead a class " Get started with Patchwork". It was a bit nerve racking at first but the ladies in the class were lovely, keen to learn and didn't ask any awkward questions I couldn't answer.
They all worked hard and we achieved the desired outcome - 5 hand stitched pin cushions and 5 machine pieced cushions. I think they were all pleased with them and I was delighted with what they managed to produce in such a short time. I hope I was able to inspire them with my love of patchwork and quilting and that they will all carry on sewing for pleasure.
On Saturday we went to visit my dad at home in the borders - it was such a lovely weekend I was inspired to get out my camera and took a105 photos. Here is just a small selection.
From Scenic ....

to arty...
and portrait of a photographer...
relaxing in the garden...
and what a lovely garden Penny has created here...
Lighting the barbecue is definitely mens work....
And all for Dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!!

Happy Quilting xx

And the winner is .....

2010-07-12T20:57:00.005+01:00

And the winner is .... A. We got out Harry Potter's sorting hat and put in all your comments from the blog and drew out a winner.
As there were 2 Mandys I have taken a picture of your comment so you recognise it . Please email me with your snail mail address and I will post your prize, I hope you enjoy making Down Beside the Seaside as much as I have. Thank you for all your comments and thank you to Janet Clare for the pattern.
I am now quilting by hand in a wave shape and plan to frame the finished wall handing. My DH popped out to the shed yesterday and knocked up a frame in a few minutes for me. I only have a couple of hours quilting to finish it.
As we all know, quilting as part of a group is to get inspiration from others. Janet from the Friday afternoon group has at last finished this wonderful quilt for her grandson. Loads of applique, piecing and hand quilting have made this a truly fabulous heirloom, hope George loves it.
This weeks scenic shot comes from the bedroom window and the magnificent sunset last night.

If you have been inspired by the patchwork on my blog and would like to give it a try yourself - look out for Get Started with Patchwork at Make recycled craft workshop. Click here to find out more.

Happy quilting xx

Down beside the Seaside Giveaway

2010-07-05T19:42:00.004+01:00

My first giveaway on this blog courtesy of Janet Clare designer of this lovely wall hanging . The pattern is for a quick machine pieced and raw edge applique wall hanging.
I spent a wonderful weekend sewing with Janet at a class organised by Kim at the fat quarters in Blackhall Mill. Janet was such a kind, patient teacher and a wonderful artist using her sewing machine. Her she is with her original wall hanging.

We learnt how to use the free motion technique for embroidery and free motion drawing with the machine. This was the bit to really get your head around that you draw the picture by moving the paper and not the pencil ( moving the fabric not the needle).
Once we had it worked out we moved onto drawing a street of houses with thread on a piece of woollen blanket , as Irene is showing here.
Then we move the technique on a step with applique and the free motion embroidery combined. I was quite proud of this little house.

Then, having learnt all the techniques it was on with the project. First the easy little beach houses.
Then a little more complicated, onto the sea gull. At this stage I had to add some vilene as a stabiliser on the back of the fabric to stop the work being eaten by the sewing machine.
Then onto the real fiddly bits, this tiny little girl flying her kite, I was quite proud of the sewing I did on the kite string.

And finally My finished wall hanging - well not quite - it still needs wadding and hand quilting. Call back next week for the next installment.

In the meantime, don't forget to leave a comment and on Sunday 11th July , I shall draw one name out of the hat to win the pattern Janet so kindly donated. Don't forget to check out her website here for hints and techniques and details of the classes she is teaching. It is a fabulous technique to learn and she is such a great teacher - we went from knowing nothing to completing a wall hanging in 2 days.

Happy quilting xx

Scarecrow Competition

2010-06-28T19:53:00.004+01:00

While driving around the local area last week I came across these new characters who seemed to have taken up residence in the neighbouring village of Wylam. This lovely lady was sitting outside the florists shop.
And the French onion seller was outside the village greengrocers.
And the postman was collecting from the post office.
This chap should have been in South Africa though, helping out the England team.
Mary Poppins was seen flying in to help out with all the unruly children
And finally , the police were on hand to keep law and order on the roads.

These fantastic scarecrows were all taking part in the first Wylam scarecrow competition, part of the village celebrations for the annual summer fayre. There were many more dotted around the village, too many to show you here, but great fun.
I have started to put together the star blocks for my bali pops quilt. Having mastered the flying geese for the star points, I found this block went together quite quickly and I think it looks quite effective. But with a broken washing machine, buying a new car, a broken tooth and a trip to Leeds University open day at the weekend, I haven't had much time for sewing this weekend.

Happy Quilting xx

My Flower Garden Quilt

2010-06-21T21:27:00.006+01:00

My garden has grown from a collection of plants I have gathered from other peoples gardens and moved around from place to place, so there is no colour coordinated plan. This blue clematis was rescued from under the conservatory when it was being built, unfortunately it has blossomed on the very top of a six foot fence , behind the shed. The best place to see it is from next doors bathroom window.
Underneath the clematis is this yellow perennial, I don't know what it is called but it was given to me many years ago, by a client who had to dig up his garden so we could install a ramp for his wife to get out in her wheelchair.I don't have many roses in the garden but this one is also climbing up the fence, entangled between honeysuckle and bamboo.
You can see the many colours of my chaotic planting style.
But you can see where the colour inspiration for this quilt has come from. I was a bit worried how all the colours would work in this quilt, but with the Grandmother's Fan block, I am bringing it all together - I might call it my flower garden quilt.

Happy Quilting xx

Changeable weather and Bali Pops

2010-06-14T20:31:00.009+01:00

Before we get down to some sewing today , I would like to show you these Geraniums which are in my front garden. I bought them about 3 years ago and paid nearly £20 for 2 plants - I had ordered them from a nursery without asking the price! However each year they have grown stronger and this year they are starting to put on a lovely display.
I am sick of seeing all those world cup flags flying and decided to show off my bunting , but didn't want to get it wet in the changeable weather so --- I have hung it up inside the conservatory! Now the rain won't spoil it!!
On Saturday when the sun did come out, my DS and I set out on The Art Tour, first stop was Katie at Make in Allendale . Check out her website, here, she is running a Get Started with Patchwork course in July - I know the teacher and I think it will be good fun! Well we sat in the sun and ordered a piece of cake from the Allendale Bakery next door and got no further.
My sewing this past week has been unseasonal . I have made another Quilted Hottie from The Cath Kidston SEW book. It is lovely to make and I hope it made a lovely birthday present for Irene to look forward to next winter.
I have started out on my next quilting project , a Cotton Candy Quilt make with a bali pops Jellyroll. These are definately summer colours. This is my first attempt at flying geese.

This is what one of the star blocks should look like when assembled.
And I have completed another block of the sampler quilt - this Dresden plate block was lovely to do, easy to pick up and put together quickly - I even finished the final centre circle in my lunch hour. I am quite enjoying the hand sewing.

Happy quilting xx

Bank holiday sea views and a card trick or two.

2010-06-06T16:24:00.003+01:00

Bank holiday weekend found us in Scotland visiting my Dad - The weather didn't look like this when we arrived, It was dark , damp and dismal but the gusty wind blew the clouds away and the sun came out.

We had come to support him and his friends with a fund raising afternoon ( which involved eating lots of cream teas) for the St Abbs Coastal Rowing Association. Follow their blog here.

Although the sea was a bit rough for rowing today .
Another Coastal view a bit further down the north east coast when we went to South Shields on Monday. It was anything but peaceful as a van full of policemen screamed to a halt and the policemen ran past us in hot pursuit of someone - then the police helicopter swooped down low in front of us on the cliff top.
So we retreated inland to Birkheads secret garden for a bit of peace and quiet
and a pot of tea of course. Situated only about 5 or 6 miles from the Metrocentre, these wonderful gardens are a real treat and well worth a visit.

And I have done a little bit of sewing - The "strangled" star block is now complete - although it put up a fight right to the end.
The Card Trick block was much easier to do and went together quite nicely. All this hand sewing- its is not like me at all. I am now starting on a Dresden plate block - all by hand too!

Happy Quilting xx

Quilts in the garden

2010-05-25T21:48:00.004+01:00

Quilts in the garden , well one quilt , I have finished my latest quilt project, which I made in a fabric 9 by Sanae from Moda- very appropriate as it is a nine patch block cut up and rotated into a disappearing nine patch which gives it a very scrappy effect.
I like the reverse of the quilt just as much.
And I am very pleased with my first attempt at following a stencil in free motion quilting. I hope you like it too. A good thing to make with a pile of coordinating fat quarters and no particular pattern in mind.
My DH celebrated his birthday this week (21 again!) Yes he did have two birthday cakes - they were on a 2 for £3 offer in M&S and I never could resist a bargain.
His birthday present was 2 tickets to see Mark Knopfler at the arena in Newcastle. A fabulous night - what a talented guy - and way better than the last show we saw, that terrible performance by Whitney Houston.

Hope the good weather hasn't kept you too far away from your sewing machine.

Happy Quilting xx

Bluebells and lots of quilts

2010-05-19T20:48:00.005+01:00

Bluebells are really beautiful in the woods at the moment and in my garden too.
This lovely wood is right by the main road near to my home, but well protected with a barbed wire fence.
And the bluebell colours are in keeping with this lovely quilt I saw when I visited a friend last week. The Dresden Plate block is quite dramatic in blues and purples and the plain blocks are quilted in a Dresden plate shape pattern too.
More blues with the geometric card trick pattern - all done by hand - Inspiration for me to keep going with my sampler quilt
The third quilt in Margaret's collection is a beautifully hand quilted pattern with beads and colonial knots.
Here is a close up of one of the blocks. The quilt took her 18 months to complete - a treasured heirloom but she sleeps under it every night.

Margaret T has been busy too. On Friday afternoon she showed us her latest work in progress, a fantastic applique of an African village. This has taken her just 3 weeks to do.

In between times she has pieced this Star strip quilt with her machine but quilted it by hand - it reminds me of harvest time and ploughed fields.
Irene is having a run on doll making at the moment - her latest project is this lovely Japanese doll.

I have been finishing off my machine quilting - just the binding to sew on. It is good to be able to admire other people's quilts and take inspiration from them. I'm inspired - hope you are too!

Happy Quilting xx

Lynne Edwards Sampler quilt Challenge

2010-05-11T19:25:00.002+01:00

All started well with the Tumbling blocks block from the Lynne Edwards Sampler quilt book. No problems - a few evenings of hand sewing and all was well ( although I am not brave enough to cut out the white background fabric from behind the blocks - what happens if it all falls to pieces?)

Up for more of a challenge I moved onto book 2 and the Tangled Star block. This very nearly became the strangled star block. I just could not get the pieces to join together.
I thought I'll have a break - do another block - this time the Playing cards block and come back to it ....
I came back to it but no... it would not cooperate so I thought I would go back to knitting and bought this lovely book.. Usbourne's How to Knit.
It must be possible - I have done it before. This tangled star cushion was my very first attempt at patchwork nearly 4 years ago - although I had step by step instruction from Kim.
Eventually it has started to come together - it has taken 5 days and lots of wasted fabric to get to this small start of one corner of the block - I think this is going to be a slow quilt.

Happy quilting xx

Cherry blossom and beaches

2010-05-03T17:53:00.005+01:00

Hasn't it been a fantastic year for cherry blossom? The tree in my garden has been thick with clusters of frothy white blossom.

Further down the street there are a couple of pink flowering cherry trees - also heavy with blossom this year.In fact spring is definitely here and there are tulips in my garden too.Today we went for some fresh air at the seaside. Beautiful Druridge bay was bathed in sunshine and quite deserted. We had a lovely walk.But don't think that because it is sunny - it is warm. Oh No! It was very very cold and luckily I had taken my snow coat with me.And it was very very windy too. Ideal conditions for kite surfers , this guy was actually flying rather than surfing.
On a much more sedate note I must show you Janet's quilt which she has just put together the blocks for. This is the most wonderful piece of appliqué. The pattern is Playtime Quilt from American Jane patterns designed by Sandy Klop. The stars and windmills are pieced and everything else is appliqué- a real labour of love has created this family heirloom.
My efforts this week are small by comparison, I have started to do a sampler quilt (from Lynne Edwards Sampler quilt book). The machine quilting is not quite finished yet on my last quilt but I have run out of thread so I started this in front of the TV last night while watching Lewis. Hope you like it - It is certainly going to be colourful.

Happy Quilting xx

Blossom and Busy Bees

2010-04-25T21:05:00.006+01:00

Spring has sprung and the garden is full of flowers and blossom. I don't know what this little shrub is , I bought it for 50p at a school fayre years ago but it puts a lovely show on every year - which is more than can be said for Whitney Houston
For Christmas I bought my DH tickets to see Whitney Houston at the Newcastle Arena. We had looked forward to it for months but the press reviews were poor. Whitney was full of cold and disappointing to say the least. She coughed and sneezed her way through the show. The big numbers were sung by her backing group with Whitney just putting in a few Diva warbles here and there. Certainly past her sell by date!!
Today we have been out visiting other bloggers again. After a treck through the Durham country side , down some strange single track roads following the sat nav, we found Busy Bees studio.
Helen has this wonderful studio in a The Old Goose House which was open for the day.
with lots of lovely things to buy. Her next open day is in May - go and pay her a visit. Or in the mean time - check out her blog here
I have been doing some sewing too. I have got around to quilting my latest creation. I wanted to machine quilt it with a pattern rather than just stippling.
Free motion quilting is quick but certainly not easy.
First , the preparation,
1. Cancel everything else that needs your attention
2. Get in plenty of take away menus - you won't be able to stop to cook.
3. Set up your machine as per the instruction book.
4. Ensure all the planets are lined up in the most favourable horoscope

5.Trace the design onto the quilt.
6. Concentrate
7. Sew - go for it!
8. Don't get complacent and think "I've got it!" as this causes the thread to snap immediately.

And if you're lucky it will come out OK as its near to impossible to unpick.

Just the border to do now , Will keep you posted.

Happy quilting xx

Sunsets and Strippy Quilts

2010-04-18T20:20:00.004+01:00

A beautiful sunset courtesy of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. Too good a photo opportunity to miss

We sat and watched the sun go down on Friday evening after another lovely spring day.
When I saw this quilt pattern in a copy of Fabrications magazine I bought for 50p at the quilt show in Edinburgh, I knew that it was just the sort of thing that Margaret would love to make.

Sue Goodman is the designer of Little Strippy a miniature quilt which has been beautifully hand quilted using North Country quilting patterns
Margaret has made a beautiful job of it and here is a close up of her lovely quilting.
Jenny Rayment made a third visit to The Fat Quarters at the weekend. Teaching on Saturday and Sunday , then giving her very entertaining talk on her life and times as a quilter. And here she is modelling her outfit from the Houston festival of Quilts.
On Saturday she gave a talk on dying fabric in the microwave and here are a couple of landscape quilts she has made with fabric she dyed herself.
I have been layering up my latest quilt this week so haven't done much sewing but Jenny and I made a couple of little purses. After a trip to Accessorize for inspiration we then went into the market and bought a bag of fabric scraps and 2 zips for a total of £1.40. We are quite pleased with the little purses we have made and think they are certainly as good as those for £7.00 a time in Accessorize.

Hope you''re inspired too.

Happy quilting xx

Up close with Alpacas

2010-04-12T20:45:00.005+01:00

After plans for a weekend away had to be cancelled at the last minute- we had an unexpected bonus on a run out into the country. We have passed by a field of alpacas before at Lowgate just south of Hexham and have stopped to take blog photos. This time when I was leaning over the farm wall with my camera , the owner shouted us in to come and meet the alpacas.
The owners of Wear Alpaca have a herd of 12 alpacas, with 6 of the females pregnant , lots more babies on the way. They were quite timid but allowed us into their field and let us feed them by hand. It was great to be so close to them and look at their lovely coats and find out all about the process which turns the raw fleece into their lovely hand knit accessories.
Their collections are created by local knitwear designer Susanne Steward and knit using the traditional skills of Northumbrian ladies. Visit the Wear Alpaca website for a closer look.
When we eventually were able to tear ourselves away from the alpacas we carried on to visit Katie in her new shop Make at Allendale. This is the ultimate etsy shop. One with a door, windows, counter and a till. Lots of lovely goodies to buy too. Upstairs is her workshop where she will be running classes and next door a bakery and tea shop.
The weather was so lovely we sat outside in Katie's bath seat and sampled tea and cakes from the bakery while we chatted. Do try and get up to visit her and support this great new venture.

Inspired by Katie's great ethic of recycling, I came home and decided to see what I could make from my stash. This fabric Michael chose when he was a toddler and I made him a pair of trousers from it. Then Jenny had a PE bag made from it and 20 years on I used the last piece to make this apron. I guess at 20 years old it is a vintage fabric. The Leanne Beasley Apron Strings pattern is used yet again.
And before we went out we did a spot of gardening - here is the front garden looking quite tidy.

Happy Quilting xx

Quilted Hottie for Easter

2010-04-05T19:40:00.004+01:00

This Quilted Hottie from Cath Kidston's Sew book is my latest project. I made it in a flannel material so it is warm to the touch
However, Ms Kidston's instructions were for hand quilting - This would have taken an age and not the one evening I spent on it doing the cross hatch quilting by machine.
and a close up of the quilting and the button and trim.

On Saturday we went on an open top bus tour. Can you guess where we went ?
We learnt all sorts of things we didn't know. Andrew's liver salts were invented here!
This is St Andrew's church in Newgate Street in Newcastle. It might see weird going on a bus tour of your own town but it was absolutely fascinating - I can thoroughly recommend it . http://www.city-sightseeing.com
And no bank holiday weekend would be complete without a trip North to see my Dad and a picturesque shot of St Abbs Harbour.
The sun did come out for a few minutes.

But you have to beware of other bloggers taking photos!!

Then today we went for a breezy walk around Derwent reservoir. which was over flowing with all the rain we have had recently.

Hope you had a busy weekend too

Happy Quilting xx

Disappearing nine patch quilt

2010-03-21T17:57:00.007Z

With all the travelling done and a stay at home weekend , I have been able to get on with some sewing. My latest project is a quilt for the sofa in the conservatory - here it is just practicing at being a throw on the sofa.

I started with 9 fat quarters of a fabric called 9 from Moda which I had bought a fat quarter at a time over a few weeks at The fat Quarters. ( OK I know there are just 8 but i didn't like the 9th one and so I repeated the red and gold spot)
I cut them into 5" squares .
Then sewed them into a 9 patch block.Then I cut the block in half vertically And again horizontally. The top left and bottom right squares were turned around and the block sewn back together.
12 blocks sewn together and you have a quilt top. Well with a couple of borders it will be big enough for a throw for the sofa.
The plan is to free motion quilt it but with a proper design this time rather than just free motion stippling as usual. I bought the book Freemotion quilting made easy on our trip to Edinburgh. These are the first few exercises from the book. As Janet says Beware of anything that is labelled "made easy" - it is not necessarily true as my practice pieces show.
The illustrations in the book are perfect and you can see every stitch - just like hand quilting - I think I need a bit more practice !!
Jenny was much more successful with her project this week - a purse made with scraps from the ribbon box for a friends birthday.

Happy Quilting xx

International Womens day

2010-03-14T21:51:00.002Z

I am now about a week behind with my posts, I know international women's day was last Monday, but here are my photos. First of all this magnificent amaryllis has flowered, it was a Christmas present from my aunt.

Last Sunday Jenny and I went to a Clothes swap at the Assembly rooms in Newcastle run by daisy green events in conjunction with the cooperative - to celebrate international women's day. The idea was that you took any unwanted clothes, accessories, books or CDs and swapped them. Here Jenny is browsing the rails.I didn't get a lot from the swap, just shorts, a top and a book but I did very well in the raffle - winning 6 bottles of fair trade cooperative wine. Jenny is seen here modelling one of the tops she got - without spending anything- she had something new to wear to school every day this week! There were fashion shows and stalls all on a make and mend theme - from recycled clothes to organic cosmetics ( the ingredients grown in a field at Morpeth)
The AS level textile project is finished. Jenny has designed and made this dress herself.
Here is a close up of the detail on the bodice - a reverse applique heart with machine embroidered edge and the handmade flowers, some with recycled buttons as centres. the fabric is a lovely dupion silk in the very fashionable nude colour. I like it - I just hope the examiner likes it too. The bottom border is made from chenilling 4 different fabrics with machine embroidery and a scattering of gold sequins.

Happy Quilting xx

Spring Quilt Festival Edinburgh 2010

2010-03-07T21:20:00.008Z

I have had such a busy 10 days or so that I haven't had time to blog about it, but there is so much to show you. Margaret, Janet and I went to the Spring Quilt Festival in Edinburgh last weekend and here is Margaret scrutinising the first quilt which was on display as we walked in.
There was a fantastic display of quilts - some I will be able to name but there were too many to remember so apologies to the wonderful quilters who are not named here. This one was made from recycled shirts.
These beautiful blocks depicting plates on a welsh dresser
This was my favourite - A Northern View by Roy Dickinson.
And this was my favourite Patchwork quilt.There were lots of trade stands - we bought all sorts. Here is my booty from the show. All around were ladies saying to their friends "Don't let me buy anything else" as they walked away from a stall laden with goodies - then -- "oh look at that - we'll just have a quick look there" -- and so it went on.
Then of course there were the refueling stops.

We had a great time and are planning to go back again in September for the Scottish Quilt championships in the autumn.

On the Thursday I took the afternoon off work to go to the Pins and Needles show at Newcastle arena where my Wish upon a Star quilt was hung in the quilt show.This was some huge knitting project by Ingrid Wagner - a knitted fishing boat.

Saturday was day 3 of my creative weekend and on to St Abbs for Woolfest 2010 courtesy of Louise at Woolfish. This was my first go at spinning on a 21st century computer controlled spinning wheel made by this very patient gentleman from Almost alien.

I was restrained in my shopping this time and only bought a couple of balls of sock yarn to knit these fingerless gloves in this months Lets Knit magazine. (Oops - the sideways picture gremlin is back)

Hope you have been inspired by all the things I have seen on my travels last week. Don't forget to leave a comment. This weekend has been just as busy but you'll have to wait a few days for those pictures.

Happy Quilting xx