The First Snowdrop Of Spring

As promised here is a picture of Pam's quilt finished, isn't it lovely? She has backed it with fleece fabric so it is very snuggly and warm. Just what you need in this weather. I might have to make one myself.


This Snowdrop is the first one to appear in my front garden. It's reassuring to know that spring is on its way even though it doesn't feel like it. I think it's amazing that anything can grow when it is so cold, nature really is amazing.

I had my tooth out on Monday but I didn't feel a thing I was fast asleep! I did ask the dentist to take them all out but he wouldn't. So I will only have to go through it all again. Now I've got an ear infection...........................

Art and Stitch Open Day

We have had a very successful day today.

Neil was up by 5am producing flyers and we were at the shop before 8am. Our first visitor (some 20 minutes before we officially opened!) was greeted by ribbons, balloons and banners.



Gina Ferrari brought a comprehensive selection of display items and demonstration kit, and demo'd solidly for six hours (I'm not sure if she even managed to eat!). She was a great success with our visitors and we look forward to welcoming her back to tutor two more formal workshops in June.


Gina (left) with a rapt audience

She brought THAT dress with her, and a young lady was duly persuaded to model it!

Anne Stacey was also busy demonstrating her quilting skills and once again we look forward to her workshops over the next few weeks.

I was able to spend time chatting to friends old and new, serving at the counter and generally keeping things ticking over. Thank you to Gina, Anne and all our visitors for making the day go so smoothly.

Tomorrow we are back at the shop as we have our first full-day workshop - it's proving to be quite a weekend!

Creating with water-soluble film

I saw Gina today. She had received her parcel yesterday afternoon so now I can share with you what was in it - chocolate, an Oliver Twists experimental pack, and a 2009 calendar/fridge magnet. I can't wait to see what Gina creates with that! Thank you for entering Gina and I hope you enjoy working with it.



Meanwhile I have been experimenting with water-soluble film. This piece involved stitching on a piece of organza sandwiched between two layers of film, then adding the edge triangles free-hand to link to the first stitching worked. The beads (they are there honestly!) were added by hand, then I washed the film away and pinned the piece out to dry overnight. This could easily be developed into a cuff bracelet.

I will be away from my PC for the next few days preparing for our Open Day at the shop, so don't forget if anyone would like to meet Gina (or me!) you will be very welcome to come along on Saturday between 10 and 4. More details at http://http://www.artandstitch.co.uk/workshops.html and http://www.ginaferrari.blogspot.com.

My First Giveaway- RESULT

No-one came up wth the right answer of a bracelet, but Gina's entry was the nearest so a small package is on the way to her!

Pam's Progress

As promised here are some pictures of Pam's quilt. You can now see how the quilt top will look, and how the stripey fabric fits in with the others.






The squares are laid out in the order that they will be sewn together.


Pam did get half an hour in the shop this afternoon and she has managed to get the bottom row sewn together.

More images will follow as the quilt comes together.

Pam's Quilt

Pam is making this quilt from a layer cake. When I first saw the colours I wasn't very impressed - an opinion that soon changed.
I watched as Pam cut all the rectangles which didn't take very long-36 squares altogether.





Then she started to arrange the bits and pieces and you get some idea of whats to come. Pam let me help arrange the rectangles (a very important job). We had views as to which colours should and shouldn't be put next to each other.
There was one thing we did agree on though, and that was the stripes (none in this picture!). We really didn't think they matched at all and shouldn't be used. But Pam had no choice the pattern said she needed 36 squares and the only way to achieve that was to use the striped squares.




Here is Pam sewing the squares together. She has now got them all sewn together and today she pressed them all. Then the fun started, she laid them all out on the table and arranged them as they are to be sewn together. I was allowed to help with that too! We both had to admit that the stripes do actually work and bring a certain something to the overall look.



Tomorrow I will show you the squares laid out ready to sew.

Back To Reality

We are back from Wales. We've had a lovely rest and a wonderful time. We stayed at http://www.luxurylodgeswales.co.uk it really is as good as it looks.
I took lots of photos but will share them another time as it is getting late and I haven't finished unpacking yet.
Don't forget my giveaway you have until Friday so good luck.

The Real Thing!

Here he is in real life with the dog. This was taken this morning and I'm not sure who was complaining about the cold most.

That could easily be the doll on the bench - put's Gina's skills into perspective doesn't it!

These photos are from Brancaster Staithe on the north Norfolk coast. They are excellent images for use in my Texture sketch book. I did say I was going to do some homework! There hasn't been any making or crafting going on here today, but a lot of thinking about it. I am hoping to get some done tomorrow.

Cushion Cover

I just wanted to show you this, my daughter made it. It was her xmas present to me and I think it is lovely. She chose the perfect colours to make it in, I love autumnal colours they are my favourites-red as well.

Thank you Stephanie.

My Gorgeous Husband

For those who have asked to see the real thing here he is. Neil thinks this was taken in 1983/84, a long time before I knew him. When he's dropped his guard I will get a more up to date picture.





Yesterday I managed to do 3 whole rows of this. I don't do much crochet, in fact the only other crochet I have done was a Granny Square blanket but I am enjoying this. It is getting rather heavy and it keeps me very warm while I'm working on it.

These next 2 photos are of a blanket that my grandmother made about 30 years ago. I don't think I will ever be as good as she was, particularly not when I take into account that she used a proper pattern to make the blanket. Thats a pattern with symbols; no written instruction except for the size of crochet hook and amount of wool- amazing. She really was a very talented lady.

I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and say thank you to you all, for your kind comments and welcomes to the Blogosphere.

Just in case teacher is looking in I am now going to go and do some homework.