Surprise Parcel

I recieved a surprise in the post yesterday. Part of my course work has been to work with Lutrador but I just can't get on with the stuff. No matter how hard I try it never seems to go right. It's really staring to bug me especially when you can achieve beautiful results like this.

Gina clearly doesn't have any such problems. This notebook will serve as inspiration and isn't going to be used. It's so nice I can't stop picking it up and handling it, perhaps the magic will rub off. Thank you Gina.

These pictures are of Margaret's work. Margaret came to Gina's workshop last week and was so inspired by Gina and what she taught that she has carried on with it at home.

Margaret has been enjoying herself so much that she has added wool fibres, bits of lace and braid. She really is enjoying been experimental and is looking forward to Ginas next class.

I think Margaret has done very well and has every reason to be pleased with her achievements.

Bloody computers

My computer won't let me sign into my blog so I am having to use Neil's.

This is just another example of why I should never have got out of bed on a Wednesday morning - best laid plans and all that.

On Friday morning Stephanie was having trouble with her Wisdom Tooth and it soon became clear that she had an infection. So I told her not to worry I'd get her an appointment at the dentist and he would give her a prescription for some antibiotics. I re-assured her that he wouldn't take it out whilst she had an infection. Well how wrong can you be!

She went to the dentist Monday morning and yes he confirmed the infection but he wanted to take an x-ray before he decided what to do (that's when I started to panic). So of she toddled for the x-ray which didn't take long and then he said those dreaded words "it needs to come out" and I can do it now! Steph flew of the chair and sraight out the door leaving me standing.

Anyway to cut a long story short she finally agreed to go back later in the day and have it done. Luckily the root was dead straight and came out very easily. So Stephanie is understandably feeling sorry for herself and I feel awful for saying he wouldn't take it out.

They say things come in threes, she stitched her finger now her tooth so I am a little concerned about what's next.

On a more cheerful note this a picture of something I have been working on for the last month and a half. It's not finished yet but it has got to the point now where the end is in sight, and I am so pleased about that because I am doing one in pink and white as well. Why did I start two quilts at the same time and as my first patchwork project!

Thursday's Workshop

We had Gina Ferrari at the shop on Thursday for a workshop. I know this isn't the most flattering photo of Gina that I could use but it does show you just how relaxed a teacher she is. Gina definitely looked happy in her work.

This is a nicer picture of Gina, she is helping Margaret sort out her machine which was playing up.

The workshop was a beginners class in Free Machine Embroidery. Some of the ladies were a little anxious at the thought of dropping the feed dogs and the fabric only moving when they moved it.
I am happy to say that they all managed it with ease and were happy with the work they produced.

Everything was experimental, they used fabric scraps and thread off-cuts to make new pieces of fabric. These new pieces of fabric can then be used to cover books, make cards, christmas decorations etc etc. Some of the ladies are going to make needle cases.

The pictures don't do justice to their work. There was a lot of sparkle but that doesn't show.

Every one went away very happy with big smiles on their faces. I have had phone calls since the class from some of the ladies to say how much they enjoyed themselves and how wonderful Gina is. They are all looking forward to Gina's next class.

Next weekend we have got Sally Holman coming to teach her technique for making crazy patchwork. I am sure that will be another happy relaxed day.

What You Can Do In Two Days

Here are the results from the weekend workshop Weaver Fever.

The first one is Hilary's. Hilary has every reason to be very proud of herself, this was the first time she has ever done anything like this and she clearly accomplished a lot and it was also the first time she had used her new sewing machine.


The purple and pink on the left is Anne's. Anne was going to sell her quilt when she had finished it because they are not her usual choice of colours as she wanted to learn the technique and decided to use up some fabric from her stash. She has now changed her mind.

The green and cream one is Gail's. Unfortunately the photo doesn't let you see the patterns on Gail's fabric, but there are some little Gingerbread Men in there and they are so cute.

The blue and cream is by Fiona. The cream colours Fiona chose are patterned and it will be a vey pretty quilt.

Barbara made the brown and cream one. It is going to be a bed runner for her daughter. She came into the shop today and worked on it some more, I wouldn't be surprised if she finished it this week. Barbara was convinced that she wouldn't be able to do it but she has definitely proved herself wrong. It is a lovely warm and spicy colour combination.

I think they should all be proud of their achievements. I couldn't pick a favourite but I could have one for every day of the week :-)

Tidying Up

We have got a two day workshop this weekend so at 3.30 yesterday afternoon we decided that it might be a good idea to clear up and make the place look respectable. This first picture is a good example of why we needed to do it. I am pleased to say that this is Pam's mess (I don't make a mess :-) ).

And this is how it looks now, perfect isn't it. All that space just makes me want to get the fabric out and start playing around with colours, and of course making a mess again.

Have a good weekend.

Catching Up

It's been a long time since I last posted, we have been poorly sick. Both Neil and I have had nasty chest infections - we somehow managed to get through last week but spent all day Sunday and Monday on the sofa sleeping. I even slept through the F1 Grand Prix. So the Bank Holiday just passed us by. I hope you all had a good one and managed to make the most of the glorious weather.



The chicken family is expanding. Steph has made this one as a gift, I think it is the nicest one so far.



Because I was feeling sorry for myself I couldn't resist buying these, aren't they gorgeous. I love peonies.



Steph has also been busy baking. These are Date and Oatmeal Cookies.

These are Apricot and Oatmeal. Very nice, the recipe is one of Gina's.

I did make a couple of bags last week but I clearly wasn't at my best because the sewing is not the best so I won't be sharing those with you.

I was so poorly I didn't even read any of my favourite blogs. I am so far behind, I'm going to do it now.

The Worst Week Ever

I can't ever remember having such a disastrous week. It got off to a bad start when my patchwork wouldn't go right. I was making Delectable Mountains. I'd like to know why they are called that (a) they don't look anything like mountains (b) they are not delectable to make.

Now you might say to yourself that's not so bad and I would agree, but on Wednesday Stephanie came into the shop do some sewing with us. So far not so bad until she stitched through her finger (I have to say there wasn't much blood). Anyway Pam called for an ambulance and whilst she was still on the phone a paramedic turned up and 10 minutes later an ambulance arrived.
After a little gas and air, a bit of fiddling with the machine and Steph clinging to me for comfort they managed to get her disconnected from the machine with the needle still in her finger. So then it was off to hospital and four hours later the needle was out. The dressing and bandage are now off, and I have to say there isn't much to see.

Then on Thursday morning my Dad witnessed an attempted murder. Definately a case of wrong place wrong time.

On a lighter note I did manage to do some sewing and on Saturday I made this bag.



Then on Sunday morning I went to check on my Quail only to discover that over night one of them had died :-(

So far this week has been okay. I haven't got as much homework done for my C and G course as I would have liked, but we meet tomorrow so that will be a day spent with nice people doing nice things.

Bank Holiday

I hope you all had a good Bank Holiday.

Neil and I went to London to see a show.



We had a lovely day which started with a trip to my favourite place the V and A. I spent a few hours in the Textiles Room had a quick wander through Paintings and Jewellery then started to make my way to the exit when I came across the bookshop. Well, you can't just walk past a bookshop and not have a little peek inside can you!

When I came out I had a bag in my hand, not sure how that happened. When I looked in the bag there were two books, exactly what I would of chosen :-)

After the V and A we went for a pretheatre supper at the Indigo Restaurant, One Aldwych. The food was lovely. Then it was off to the theatre to see Oliver with Rowan Atkinson playing the part of Fagin. It was fantastic.

Ever Felt Like Chocolates

Ever Felt Like Chocolates was the title of a class that we had in the shop on Wednesday. The teacher was a lovely lady called Linda Beer, you can read more about her on her sister's blog
Vintage rockchick. You can also read more about the day by clicking on this link Fan My Flame .



As you can see they all made scrummy looking chocolates. There was just one very unusual thing about the day, they were all so very, very quiet. It was the quietest class we have ever had. They said it was because they were working hard to get a full box before the end of the day.

Take a look at these pictures. They are worked by hand in China. A very kind gentleman bought them in for me yesterday. Aren't they lovely, now I just need to get them framed.

Things finished

Let me introduce you to George (on the left) and Mildred. These are Pam's Log Cabin Chickens, aren't they cute. We will soon have enough for a chicken farm. Some days we actually do some work.

Some time last year I did a workshop at Art Van Go with Gina Ferrari but in true crafter style I didn't finish it until last week. For a long time I felt something was missing but wasn't sure what and then one day last week inspiration struck. Whilst I was in Jersey I went for a stroll along one of the beaches and collected some shells. The shells are in a jar on my desk in the shop and my eyes just happened to fall on the jar and there it was the perfect shell for the job. It's only a little thing but it makes all the difference to my picture and I am really pleased with it.

Now for another one of Pam's quilts. Pam is being super efficient, the quilt is a christmas present for a niece (lucky little lady) it really is fabulous.

Meet Mary

Just a quick post because I am meant to be on my way out the door to Kings Lynn for a Speedway meeting. But I wanted to introduce you to Mary. She is Fred's daughter.

Now all I need is a mummy chicken, so watch this space!

Little Blocks

We had a Patchwork class in the shop today, they were making Little Blocks and their teacher was Carole Porter.
There was only three ladies in today's class so they had plenty of room to spread themselves out. They all got on very well with each other and because it was a small class it gave me the chance to sit in with them now and again between customers and ordering and work things . So I enjoyed it very much and I learnt a little about the art of patchwork.
They very kindly let me take pictures of their work in progress. So in no particular order I will share them with you.

The first one is Gill's. It's very cheerful and every thing that spring is about.







This one is the handi work of Fiona, very dramatic and different from the other two.




Finally Barbara's. Barbara has been very sensible and is using her scraps of fabric to make the blocks. All the different colours work very well together.

When they are finished all three quilts are going to look lovely and if I get the chance I will take pictures of them and let you know how good they are.

Happy Easter

Say hello to Fred.

Fred was made from the Log Cabin blocks. Don't you just love his legs! They took me a whole evening to make, so even though they obviously wouldn't support him if he tried to stand he's keeping them. Cute isn't he.

There are some people who like to blog about all the goodies they make in the kitchen so I thought I would let you see my efforts.

Brilliant aren't they. It was hard work!

In the garden we have three Quails. Funny little things that give us lots of ammusement and they make the best pets. They don't take much to look after but they do eat a lot. Their favourite snack is fresh sweetcorn.

It's not a good photo they don't stay still for a second.

Yesterday they produced two eggs.

The next picture is of one of the borders out the front. The colours are so pretty just right for this time of year.

In the back garden we have a Magnolia Tree which is looking rather splendid.

I wish you all a Happy Easter.

Surprise

This is my first proper patchwork block - Log Cabin, and it is going to be a chicken- honestly!

These shoes do not belong to me, they were a surprise find this morning. They are my daughters. She has decided to tidy her bedroom (it's going to take her all year) and when I went in there this morning these shoes were there on the floor. I've never seen them before not even on her feet. I haven't seen her floor since I don't know when.

I was so surprised by this discovery that I thought I would share it with you.

The other thing that surprised me about this find, is that it's so out of character with Steph. Normally she can only ever be seen in jeans and trainers. I didn't know she owned anything like this.

It just goes to show that even at the tender age of 21 children can still surprise you.

There is a new blog out there in Cyber World, and I recommend you go and have a look - the work this lady produces speaks for itself http://www.sarahlpayne.blogspot.com/