Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been.....

I've been to London to see the Queen. Well not actually the Queen as she was on her holidays in Scotland - we must have passed each other about York - but I've seen everything else.



Last weekend my DH and I accompanied Jenny and her friends on a weekend break to London.

We did a bit of shopping in Harrods...
....an open top bus trip....

....a trip down the Thames....
....a bit more shopping....
.. watched the street entertainers ....
....soaked up a bit of history at the Tower....
...and a bit of culture at the V & A....
...and we've been sleeping it off ever since!

Teaching and celebrating

Friday saw my first venture into teaching. At Make, Katie's workshop in Allendale, I was invited to lead a class " Get started with Patchwork". It was a bit nerve racking at first but the ladies in the class were lovely, keen to learn and didn't ask any awkward questions I couldn't answer.
They all worked hard and we achieved the desired outcome - 5 hand stitched pin cushions and 5 machine pieced cushions. I think they were all pleased with them and I was delighted with what they managed to produce in such a short time. I hope I was able to inspire them with my love of patchwork and quilting and that they will all carry on sewing for pleasure.
On Saturday we went to visit my dad at home in the borders - it was such a lovely weekend I was inspired to get out my camera and took a105 photos. Here is just a small selection.
From Scenic ....


to arty...
and portrait of a photographer...
relaxing in the garden...
and what a lovely garden Penny has created here...
Lighting the barbecue is definitely mens work....
And all for Dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!!

Happy Quilting xx

And the winner is .....

And the winner is .... A. We got out Harry Potter's sorting hat and put in all your comments from the blog and drew out a winner.
As there were 2 Mandys I have taken a picture of your comment so you recognise it . Please email me with your snail mail address and I will post your prize, I hope you enjoy making Down Beside the Seaside as much as I have. Thank you for all your comments and thank you to Janet Clare for the pattern.
I am now quilting by hand in a wave shape and plan to frame the finished wall handing. My DH popped out to the shed yesterday and knocked up a frame in a few minutes for me. I only have a couple of hours quilting to finish it.
As we all know, quilting as part of a group is to get inspiration from others. Janet from the Friday afternoon group has at last finished this wonderful quilt for her grandson. Loads of applique, piecing and hand quilting have made this a truly fabulous heirloom, hope George loves it.
This weeks scenic shot comes from the bedroom window and the magnificent sunset last night.

If you have been inspired by the patchwork on my blog and would like to give it a try yourself - look out for Get Started with Patchwork at Make recycled craft workshop. Click here to find out more.

Happy quilting xx

Down beside the Seaside Giveaway

My first giveaway on this blog courtesy of Janet Clare designer of this lovely wall hanging . The pattern is for a quick machine pieced and raw edge applique wall hanging.
I spent a wonderful weekend sewing with Janet at a class organised by Kim at the fat quarters in Blackhall Mill. Janet was such a kind, patient teacher and a wonderful artist using her sewing machine. Her she is with her original wall hanging.



We learnt how to use the free motion technique for embroidery and free motion drawing with the machine. This was the bit to really get your head around that you draw the picture by moving the paper and not the pencil ( moving the fabric not the needle).
Once we had it worked out we moved onto drawing a street of houses with thread on a piece of woollen blanket , as Irene is showing here.
Then we move the technique on a step with applique and the free motion embroidery combined. I was quite proud of this little house.


Then, having learnt all the techniques it was on with the project. First the easy little beach houses.
Then a little more complicated, onto the sea gull. At this stage I had to add some vilene as a stabiliser on the back of the fabric to stop the work being eaten by the sewing machine.
Then onto the real fiddly bits, this tiny little girl flying her kite, I was quite proud of the sewing I did on the kite string.

And finally My finished wall hanging - well not quite - it still needs wadding and hand quilting. Call back next week for the next installment.

In the meantime, don't forget to leave a comment and on Sunday 11th July , I shall draw one name out of the hat to win the pattern Janet so kindly donated. Don't forget to check out her website here for hints and techniques and details of the classes she is teaching. It is a fabulous technique to learn and she is such a great teacher - we went from knowing nothing to completing a wall hanging in 2 days.

Happy quilting xx