A Week Of Craftiness

Pam was back at work on Tuesday after her week in Scotland, check out her blog for a beautiful sunset photo. It was very quiet without Pam but she was missed and it's nice to have her back.
You know the saying while the cats away the mice will play, well this mouse couldn't wait to play. This is Barbara sitting in Pams chair and she loved every minute of it.



It has been a real week of craftiness here this week.

This is a chicken I have made using commercial ribbons. It's just one bit of homework I need to do for my course.


Next is some experimental work using wire, I have knitted three dresses they aren't finished yet but if teacher is looking then she will know I am doing some homework :-)

Here they are in close up.

This is a baby quilt made by Fiona a regular customer. She thought we would like to see it because she bought the fabric from us and she was right. It's lovely and bright just what every baby needs.

Then there was Steph and she has been very busy.

First some Raspberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies that she made. They were very tasty.

Then of course there were more chickens. She has made these into doorstops.

She has also made a Holdall but has taken it away with her this weekend before I had a chance to take a photo.

I managed to finish my Courthouse Steps quilt including a wavy border. I have got to take a photo of it but I will show you.

Tomorrow Pam is teaching a quilt class. It will be her first time at teaching and I am confident that she will be an excellent teacher - she has put a lot of time into the preparation for the class and made lots of samples and comprehensive notes. If the shop isn't too busy I am hoping to take part in the class as well.

I can't believe it will soon be my 50th post and time for a giveaway. Doesn't time fly by.

Why I Love The Postman

The Postman called yesterday with an ordinary-looking parcel for me. On closer inspection it became obvious that it was no ordinary parcel - the label said from The V and A. I immediately knew what was in it and I couldn't get it open quick enough but when I did I wasn't disappointed. Neil had ordered this book for me some time ago.

It's actually four small books each with a c d rom.

I have chosen two pages from each book to show you. The first is Indian Florals

This one is my favourite, I love William Morris.

This picture is from the Digital Pioneers book.


This one is from The Fifties. I love the white flowers they look so delicate against the blue background.

This picture shows a quilt made by Sam (Barbara's) daughter and it's her first attempt at patchwork. She has done a brilliant job. She made the quilt top from two charm packs and some extra fabric for the sashing.

This is mums latest quilt, the colours are wonderful.


And now my quilt, which is coming along slowly. I have started quilting it now (my first attempt) in wavy lines. I couldn't do straight ones could I, why did I choose to do it the hard way?


I have made a few mistakes and it's not perfect :-( but I do like the wavy lines. I keep telling myself it wouldn't have looked as good if I had done straight lines, and it makes good practice. You can see the lines better on the back.

I've added this picture just because I like the Sunflowers.

Catch Up

On the way home from Wales on Monday we took a detour and went to Easton Walled Gardens. These are some of the photos I took but they really don't do the garden justice and I can't tell you how beautiful it is, you need to go and see it for yourself - you won't be disappointed. The gardens are just off the A1 going north towards Grantham.

On Tuesday Gina came to the shop to teach free machine embroidery. The following photos are pictures of some of the work produced. Unfortunately I can't put names to pieces of work and not everyone's work is there but some lovely pieces were produced. All the ladies seemed to enjoy themselves and I know Gina did.

Last night I did the Race For Life around Ferry Meadows. Also with me were Stephanie, Pam and her daughter Caroline. We had great fun and are very proud of ourselves because we did it in 1hr 1m 35secs and that was without any training. We are already looking forward to next year :-)

48 Hours Of Peace And Quiet

We arrived here Friday afternoon and we were greeted by this on the table. There was also another bottle of wine in the fridge. We did manage to resist opening the chocolates for over 24 hours.

This is a picture of the master bedroom, the bed is very comfortable.

The best thing of all though is this view from the front door and it's what the weekend is all about - peace and quiet.

It really is very beautiful here and we have been so lucky with the weather. It was scorching hot yesterday and today the sun is shining with a light breeze. The birds are happy and chirping, the cows are mooing and the sheep are bleating. I'm not sure I want to go home, except I miss my sewing machine.

Yesterday we visited the Centre for Alternative Technology on the outskirts of Machynlleth. Set in stunning surroundings the whole site is a thought-provoking exhibition of the dangers of and remedies for global warming. After starting with a water-driven cliff-railway ride, we (well Neil actually) sampled waterless toilets and (both of us of course!) organic ice-cream. The whole site is like a giant Science Museum with inter-active demonstrations and exhibitions with lots of things to pull, twist and push. With no children evident Neil felt it his duty to push, pull and twist every knob! He even ran on a treadmill, which anyone who knows Neil will understand was something of a feat...

Nothing In Particular

It has been pointed out to me that it's a little while since my last post (thankyou Barbara :-) )

I have been busy with my courthouse steps, homework and a couple of banners for a local carnival, and of course there's the shop. We have had a lovely week with lots of laughter and the odd fabric delivery.

Silly me though I haven't taken any pictures of my work so here is one of Barbara's baby quilt.

Tomorrow I am of to Wales for a long weekend. I think we are going to Trefeglwys ( hope I spelt it right). Hope you all have a good weekend.

Decisions Decisions

Question:-


What do you do when you've had a fabric delivery and you can't decide which you like best?

Answer:-

Simple - you have all three :-)

And you use them to make a quilt, entirely out of Courthouse Steps. They look like dog bones and cotton reels.

It isn't finished yet, I just laid them next to each other to show you. Neil really really doesn't like it, but I love it. It's so bright.

This is Barbara's version. Barbara is making a baby quilt, the centre squares are burgundy not black as they look on blogger. The quilt is for a little boy and the colours are that of a football team, but I don't know which one- I forgot :-( (Angela I think it is Aston Villa...... Neil)

Today though I have been working on this. It is for my C and G course, we have to show the use of commercial ribbons.
I'm not sure I like it but as it isn't finished yet I might grow to like it.

Quilt Update

Just a quick post to let you know how quilt number one is coming along. I managed to get the sashing and a narrow border done today. I think I might add a blue border but make it wider on the sides, the quilt is definately long enough and then use the red for the binding.



I am quite pleased with it so far and a big thank you goes to Pam and Barbara for lots of help and advice, by the way that's Pam standing on the table holding the quilt up.

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 :-)