Tuesday 28 September 2010

Scottish Quilt championships 2010

Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to ...
The Scottish quilt championships 2010.
I felt I should start off by showing you the Judges choice - Winter garden by Liz Jones.

Last Friday, the Friday afternoon ladies took a train north across the border to Edinburgh for the Scottish Quilt Championships ... For inspiration and shopping. Here are just a few of the magnificent quilts on display there.
Yours truly having a close up....Margaret and Janet admiring Along the Shore - Broughty Ferry by Peppercorns - there were even real tufts of grass growing in the sand dunes.
A close up of A Worcester Garden by Suzanne Kelly shows a different way of quilting a traditional hexagon quilt
Washers and Cogs in the sun by Georgina Chapman was very effective in the blue and white.
Glorious Autumn by Freida Oxenham was awarded the overall champion - inspiration came from a drive through the Galloway forest last autumn. The quilt was foundation pieced and hand beaded ( and those pieces were tiny).
Waligoe and its steps by Jean Boath inspired me to have a go with photographs printed onto cotton - I bought a big box of freezer paper to try it out.


This quilt I had seen in the making at The Fat Quarters. Deborah Collins won 3rd prize in the Terrance challenge. There are just 2 different blocks in this quilt - clever?
And then there was a stop for refreshments.....



and shopping. I bought a wonderful book by Gail Lawther - Glimpses of New Zealand - her quilt collection was inspired by her travels to NZ. The quilts were wonderful but sadly no photography allowed - you'll just have to buy the book.But is was nice to talk to Gail and her husband and she signed my book. Aren't some people clever - not only to make such unique quilts but to design them your self and write a book about it into the bargain.

Hope you are inspired -- I know I was .

Happy quilting xx

Thursday 23 September 2010

In the Pink


This pink quilt was made by Irene one of the Friday afternoon ladies at The Fat Quarters. One of the best things about being in a group is the inspiration from other peoples work.
Earlier in the year, every Friday she bought a different fat quarter of fabric on a pink and white theme. Here you can see the wonderful quilt she has created with them. Cut into 5" squares and arranged in a diagonal stripy pattern, simple but effective.
and its all brought together with some wonderful hand quilting , I just love the beads on this lovely border pattern, and the scrappy binging made from all the left over strips. Isn't it pretty?
Last weekend we made the most of the lovely autumn weather and had a long walk on Druridge Bay, we just about had the place to ourselves. The weather hasn't been like that today though. Lots of rain and flooding in the North East tonight.
and just to remind ourselves of the better weather - when we got on this boat in the marina at Gibraltar, it was so hot that I didn't know how I would survive the next hour in the blazing sun without any shade.

Tomorrow we are off to The Scottish Quilt Championships in Edinburgh - watch this space !!

Happy Quilting xx

Thursday 16 September 2010

Still on Spanish Time

The blog has been badly neglected in favour of this....This is where we have been..... Puerto de la Duquesa on the Costa del SolFantastic scenery.....great food....
amazing drinks......
a warm sea....


full of dolphins....


and for my DH a trip back to his childhood in Gibraltar.

The sewing machine will come out again when the suitcases are put away.

Happy Quilting xx