Precious memories

Precious memories was the title of the class I enjoyed at MAKE recycled craft workshop last weekend. We spent a wonderful day with textile artist Mandy Pattullo creating a personal piece of textile art. It was an ideal opportunity to use one of the family photos I had taken from my family history book and transferred onto fabric. Here you can see my piece of work just laid out ready to be assembled. The picture shows my grandparents on their wedding day in 1932. The surrounding text is just a passage from the bible to show how important her religion was in her life. As was music - she enjoyed playing the piano. I could tell you the pieces of lace and trimmings came from her wedding dress but actually they came from an antique shop and some from Katie's stash but the overall effect is good. I have got some embroidery to put on then I will show you the finished work.
Mandy showed us a quick and easy way of transferring an image onto fabric using household emulsion paint. She showed us some wonderful examples of her work to which you can see if you visit her at The Hearth at Horsley on The Art Tour.An added bonus of the classes at MAKE is the wonderful lunch and afternoon tea provided by The Allendale bakery next door. My afternoon tea was brought to the table so I didn't even have to stop work to enjoy it. The fruit scone with butter jam and cream was absolutely fabulous - probably in my top 3 of all time best scones I have eaten - and I have sampled a lot.
And more treats were in store when my DH celebrated a big birthday too.

Happy Quilting xx

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

Changeable weather and Bali Pops

Before we get down to some sewing today , I would like to show you these Geraniums which are in my front garden. I bought them about 3 years ago and paid nearly £20 for 2 plants - I had ordered them from a nursery without asking the price! However each year they have grown stronger and this year they are starting to put on a lovely display.
I am sick of seeing all those world cup flags flying and decided to show off my bunting , but didn't want to get it wet in the changeable weather so --- I have hung it up inside the conservatory! Now the rain won't spoil it!!
On Saturday when the sun did come out, my DS and I set out on The Art Tour, first stop was Katie at Make in Allendale . Check out her website, here, she is running a Get Started with Patchwork course in July - I know the teacher and I think it will be good fun! Well we sat in the sun and ordered a piece of cake from the Allendale Bakery next door and got no further.
My sewing this past week has been unseasonal . I have made another Quilted Hottie from The Cath Kidston SEW book. It is lovely to make and I hope it made a lovely birthday present for Irene to look forward to next winter.
I have started out on my next quilting project , a Cotton Candy Quilt make with a bali pops Jellyroll. These are definately summer colours. This is my first attempt at flying geese.

This is what one of the star blocks should look like when assembled.
And I have completed another block of the sampler quilt - this Dresden plate block was lovely to do, easy to pick up and put together quickly - I even finished the final centre circle in my lunch hour. I am quite enjoying the hand sewing.

Happy quilting xx

Up close with Alpacas

After plans for a weekend away had to be cancelled at the last minute- we had an unexpected bonus on a run out into the country. We have passed by a field of alpacas before at Lowgate just south of Hexham and have stopped to take blog photos. This time when I was leaning over the farm wall with my camera , the owner shouted us in to come and meet the alpacas.
The owners of Wear Alpaca have a herd of 12 alpacas, with 6 of the females pregnant , lots more babies on the way. They were quite timid but allowed us into their field and let us feed them by hand. It was great to be so close to them and look at their lovely coats and find out all about the process which turns the raw fleece into their lovely hand knit accessories.
Their collections are created by local knitwear designer Susanne Steward and knit using the traditional skills of Northumbrian ladies. Visit the Wear Alpaca website for a closer look.
When we eventually were able to tear ourselves away from the alpacas we carried on to visit Katie in her new shop Make at Allendale. This is the ultimate etsy shop. One with a door, windows, counter and a till. Lots of lovely goodies to buy too. Upstairs is her workshop where she will be running classes and next door a bakery and tea shop.
The weather was so lovely we sat outside in Katie's bath seat and sampled tea and cakes from the bakery while we chatted. Do try and get up to visit her and support this great new venture.

Inspired by Katie's great ethic of recycling, I came home and decided to see what I could make from my stash. This fabric Michael chose when he was a toddler and I made him a pair of trousers from it. Then Jenny had a PE bag made from it and 20 years on I used the last piece to make this apron. I guess at 20 years old it is a vintage fabric. The Leanne Beasley Apron Strings pattern is used yet again.
And before we went out we did a spot of gardening - here is the front garden looking quite tidy.

Happy Quilting xx