A Grand Day Out

A sneak preview of Christmas. I have at last settled down to getting something completed for a Christmas gift - I can't let you in on the bigger picture in case it spoils the surprise - just to say this was very much " I saw this and thought of you "
And here's another little corner. Lots of applique, a little bit of embroidery , some hand quilting, machine stitching and even some stuffing -- can you guess what it is yet?


Last week the Friday afternoon class had an outing to a quilt show by The Durham Quilters at Durham County Hall. The work was very good and inspired us all to go back to class in the afternoon and get down to work . Some of it was so good we did think about just giving up as we could never reach those standards.
This was my favourite quilt because of the story behind it. The quilt was made by a lady for her 16 year old grand daughter's birthday. It was made from her baby dresses. It had a lovely soft look of vintage fabrics and there were also some photos of the lucky girl printed onto fabric and incorporated into the quilt. A beautiful heirloom.

This Japanese style quilt was very eye catching and something that I felt I could attempt - From a book by Susan Briscoe - I'll have to look out for that.

However this was the quilt that made us think we should just go home - give up quilting now and perhaps take up model aircraft building. We could never attain these standards. A beautiful quilt made to commemorate the quilters 40th wedding anniversary - perhaps if I start now and worked for the next 14 years I might have a chance.

Thanks to all the talented quilters, whom I haven't been able to name here, for your inspiration.

A Grand Day Out !

Happy Quilting x

Prizes in the Post

I am a winner!! A couple of weeks ago a large brown envelope arrived - a very long letter from the bank manager ? No ! A prize from the giveaway in the September issue of the British Patchwork and Quilting magazine. Ideal for Jenny to take to school for her textiles A'level class.

This inspired me to get on with the pinwheels quilt which is now finished. This is not a very good picture - it would have shown off better on a sunny day in the garden but I didn't like to hang a white quilt in a tree!I have also finished the cardigan for baby too. This pattern is from the Womens Weekly magazine . It is knit in one piece starting at the back rib, cast on for the arms then off again for the neck opening and so on down the front to the front rib. The yarn is Rowan Classic Baby Alpaca DK, soft but warm.This time of year it is always good to look out for a holly bush to go back with the secateurs on Christmas eve to snip bits for Christmas decoration. There are loads of berries about at the moment - hope there are some left for Christmas.Today we have been out walking and the low winter sunshine showed up Prudhoe castle against the autumn leaves.
On a recent trip to Durham again the clear skies and sunshine show the autumn colours off to their best on the banks of the River Wear.
And finally, not for those who don't like heights , I wouldn't like to clean the windows of the Sage building on the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside.

Happy Quilting xx