January Blues!

Well, so much for a post a week! I was so out of sorts last weekend, I couldn't settle to anything, so nothing much got done. But I've made up for it since.....

When I went to the Autumn Quilt Show at Malvern, I bought some flannels in squares and 2 1/2" strips. Lovely soft pastels and no small children to make it for! So it's for me, a complete self indulgence!

I've just quilted inside the squares. Unfortunately I don't have anything suitable to bind it with at the moment, so it'll have to stay as a UFO. A colleague at work gave me a card she had purchased in Paperchase as I waxed lyrical about the design possibilities (so much so, I think she felt obliged to let me have one!). This is my first attempt at taking the design and putting it into a different medium. What do you think?

I think the tree needs to be a stronger green. The outer fabric and the back is a sort of suede-style and a bit of a so-in-so to sew. It looked naked, so I added the flowers:

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I decided to make a cushion for the shop. It's Kaffe Fassett fabric around the edge, with Michael Miller fabric for the heart, all purchased from Lexi Loves in Cirencester

I recently bought myself a copy of the book, and I tried the bowl pattern (just in front the book) Spurred on from this, I crocheted the flower with a 7mm hook and wool meant for felting. It started off about 4" square: and turned into a 3" square flower.

It's still rather larger than I had anticipated but at least now I know it will shrink approximately 25%!

Not bad for a grumpy week!

Holiday Part 2!

I'm a bit of a history geek, so when we go away I end up dragging whoever is with us to what I consider interesting places. In this quest, we visited Cromford Mill, a fantastic renovation project. Serendipity intervened and we happened across - a quilt shop! Good selection but, with enough fabrics at home waiting for thread, I passed with no purchase (although the senses were certainly satisfied).

I am the navigator in hoiday, and one of my favourite occupations is to ensure DH has to drive round the unusual. I found a ford on the map so naturaly, it had to be driven through...

Am the only person for whom simple things like this give a frisson of delight? Speaking of delight, I was thrilled to come across the dam at Derwent where 617 squadron practiced with the bouncing bomb in WWII.

On our way home, I also found another quilting shop, Heirs and Graces. Set in a lovely Wesleyan chapel in Darley Dale, it has a fantastic selection of fabrics and books. I was left alone to browse (which is how I prefer it), but other ladies in there who wanted help were accomodated. Very friendy and well worth a visit if you're anywhere near (within 2 hours drive would count as near, I reckon!)

This raises for me a little idea that I have entertained for some time. Whenever I'm away from home, I always try to look up local quilt shops and other craft stores but these can frequently be difficult to locate. I'd love a database of fabric shops. Does anyone have one?

Three weeks!

How did it get to be three weeks since I last updated this? Where has it gone?

Big Weekend in Lydiard Park was one explanation.

I sorted out my buttons.....
which gave me an extraordinary amount of satisfaction.

I visited three shops. What a contrast! The first one is some distance from home; I had a meeting and some spare time and decided to make a little detour. I often like to do this - my other half reckons I can sniff them out (since I managed to find one on our 'romantic' getaway in Iceland). But this had to be the least friendly and welcoming patchwork shop I have ever visited - such a contrast to the usual help and service you get.

The second is a gorgeous haberdashers in Cirencester called Sew 'n' Sew. Really friendly and helpful, directed other half to coffee shops in the area so I could browse unhindered. Patchwork and dressmaking fabrics plus just about every notion you can think of.

Finally, Lexi Loves (sorry the link is to a map of where to find her; I'm sure she has a website, but I can't find it at the mo). Limited but eclectic selection of fabrics (Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler style), books, buttons and other odds and ends that not only light up your day, but may inspire you to have a go yourself. I've been here a few times and no matter which staff are on (includng Lexi herself), they're willing to help if needed or let you wander as required.

But I have been buzy with the needle and thread, mostly working on a quilt for my son from another mother ;-)

Grant was pleased with my little creation. Have to say I'm rather chuffed with the design myself.

OK, I'll try not to leave it so long next time!