Inspirations

One of the good things about going to a quilting class is the inspiration you get from seeing the completed quilts that other people bring in. At the Fat Quarters this week , Kim has been collecting quilts for the show at the Pins and Needles needlework and craft show at the Metro radio arena in Newcastle next week. This quilt made by Annette has everything in it, needle turn applique , embroidery, machine piecing, and finally this enormous quilt was machine quilted on her little Bernina Machine.

Margaret brought one of her quilts , hand quilted to Sandy Lush designs. This is a poor picture and doesn't do it justice.
But here you can see the fine detail of her hand quilting in one of the blocks.


Annette had more - this time a quilt top she had just completed in foundation piecing . This is moonlight stars .
And again a close up of one of the blocks.

Irene has nearly finished this beautiful fairyland quilt from a pattern by Natalie Lymer at Cinderberry stitches. When it is finished I will show you a better picture. The applique is fabulous and the icecream clolours of the fabrics make it a little girls dream.
A snails trail - another contribution by Annette - busy girl- is machine pieced and quilted.
And finally I have finished my black and white scrappy Linus quilt. Yesterday was bright and sunny so it was good to get out into the garden to take a picture in the sunshine.

Hope you are inspired too.

Happy Quilting xx

Valentines day

With all the birthdays out of the way it is now time to turn our thoughts to Valentines day. My DH bought me these lovely roses. I am not a great flower arranger as you can tell.
Holiday from work has found us out and about locally again. We have been to Gateshead to see the Knitted Lives exhibition at the Shipley Art Gallery.

Knitted Lives, an Equal Arts project, is a colourful and beautifully crafted exhibition, created by local women working with textile artists Fiona Rutherford and Jenny Burns. Celebrating the knitters’ personal histories and full of energy and humour, the surprising collection features everything from a midwife's bike to boots and cricket bats to cakes. Sorry I didn't take any pictures but search "knitted lives" on google images to see the results for yourself.
Inspired I got out my knitting again. I am knitting a batwing cardigan in Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. Unfortunately I did not think it through when I bought the yarn - knitted on size 11 needles it grows very slowly and it may take me forever more to finish it.
Haven't knitting needles changed recently. All my needles came from my Nana and so were about 60 or 70 years old. Suddenly the size 8 s went missing and I had to go and buy a new pair - and surprise surprise they had pointy ends which made the knitting much easier . Mine must have gone blunt with over use. Since then I have collected these Pony Bamboo needles, Brittany needles made from birch wood and the pretty bead topped needles. Who would have though the knitting needle could come in so many variations.

I have been getting on with my Linus quilt too this week, last night I machine quilted the blocks, just got the border to finish tonight. I am really please with it considering it is made from scraps.
The Brightest Star in the Sky is the latest book on my bedside table. A Christmas present from my DH. Jo Brand was read in less than a week and is thoroughly recommended, especially to women in our age group ( I am a couple of years younger than Jo). As well as being an entertaining read it was so evocative of so many memories of my own miss spent youth.

And finally this week's scenic shot was taken back in January when the snow was at its worst - this is the car park for my office - very pretty in these conditions. Personally I prefer tarmac and cars to snow boots and pretty!

And a special message for my DS who is hovering around before starting her own blog -- GET ON WITH IT!!

Happy quilting xx

Yet Another Birthday.

The celebrations have been continuing in our house since my last blog.
Jenny has had a birthday too. An expensive one - 17 - means adding her to my car insurance and learning to drive. She has had 2 lessons so far and has now been into fourth gear - so watch out!
I have finished piecing the top for the Linus quilt I have been making from scraps. There is still a border to go on but I think it is a quite dramatic effect - this is not a quilt for a peaceful night's sleep.
Margaret has finished her sampler quilt, even put a hanging sleeve on the back. It is really lovely, I am inspired to have a go at one myself.
Here is my latest creation - The world's largest pin cushion! At a massive 9 inches across it was described in Rosalie Quinlan's book A stitch in time - as a large pin cushion which wouldn't get lost on your sewing table. Mine will have to stay on my sewing table - it is so big that if I want to take it to class - I will have to get a bigger car. I have enjoyed making it however. I have been full of cold for the last two days so just sat on the sofa, watching rubbish on TV and sewing my pin cushion.
Here is the king of the pin cushions taking his place among my smaller pin cushions.

I have decided to put a picture of the book I am reading on my blog. A trip into the Oxfam bookshop in Hexham yesterday saw me buy this Look back in Hunger by Jo Brand. I love it when I find something second hand which I could have paid full price for. So Jo Brand I can hear her voice when I am reading it.

Happy Quilting x