Is it a patchwork quilt?

This would be a lovely patchwork quilt but in fact it is a tiled floor, in the Byram Arcade in Huddersfield in Yorkshire. Now if I was a designer I could use this as inspiration for a quilt. It reminded me of Amy Butler's holiday photos and the fabrics she created from them. ( Well except she was in India and I was in Yorkshire in the rain)Last week Jenny and I found ourselves in Huddersfield with time to spare. The Victorian Byram Arcade if full of little specialist craft and hobby shops and well worth a visit. Our favourites were Pretty Little things selling French, vintage style gifts, Create 26 - a collection of artists designers and makers creating unique fashion accessories, home ware and gifts, and right at the top
Spun Yarn Shop where I bought some funky Flamenco yarn to make a scarf. It was full of quirky things - I particularly liked these steps up to a photographers shop.

Back in Blackhall Mill work continues at The fat Quarters Friday afternoon group and Irene is starting to put together her friendship quilt.
Janet has already finished piecing and layering up her Moroccan themed quilt- that disappearing nine patch block has worked really well.
I have made some new cushions for the sofa....
and tidied up my threads onto my new spool holder....
and then sat and watched as spring came to my conservatory.

Happy Quilting xx

Age is but a number ......

but unfortunately for me - a big number.

So we went here to celebrate .................and see a show. Hairspray was fantastic. This was the touring show starring Michael Ball as Edna. Mickey Dolenz of Monkees fame played her husband and together they were hilarious. I can thoroughly recommend it .
Now I am old enough to be a Great Aunt, I have finished the first baby cardigan. This Sirdar Snuggly snowflake yarn looks and feels lovely but has been horrible to knit. It is not possible to see individual stitches as you go so it has been very difficult to spot mistakes and to unpick stitches. Picking up the stitches along the front for the band was almost impossible too but it all worked out in the end.
I couldn't find any buttons I liked in Hexham yesterday so I got some self cover button out of my work bag, then I had the choice of lots of fabric from my scrap box to make the perfect buttons. I chose this faded rosebud fabric from the Durham quilt collection by Lecien. Aren't they cute and if the scan is wrong and it's a boy - then we just recover the buttons.
The quilt for baby number 2 is coming on well. The sheep look great now they have been appliqued in black. Back in the scrap box again I found the ideal orange fabric for the flowers.
The Friday afternoon class at the Fat Quarters has become an applique class. Julie is working on this cup cake design.
and Margaret's Friendship Quilt is coming along great too.But to keep the sewing machines in use Janet is making a Moroccan inspired throw for her brother with a nine patch design. Lovely warm fabrics aren't they.

Happy Quilting xx

New Year - New Project

Happy New Year to you all. Yesterday we got out the wellies for a walk on the beach.
Off to Tynemouth in the sunshine and a biting wind for a bit of fresh air....
along with one or two others. I have never seen the beach so busy even in the height of summer.
Then home for a spot of dinner and this lovely pud created by my dear sister, Nigella, sorry I mean Helen!!


Then I settled down to some sewing - a new project for one of the new babies expected in our extended family in the spring.And here is the applique all stuck in place ready to sew. The green fabrics are from the Nana's Garden range by Rabbits Haven. I am looking forward to being a great auntie.

Happy quilting xx