Snowdrops and a walk in the Woods

At last the ice and snow have thawed, just in time for the school half term so we are able to get out and about. Today we set off for a picnic and a good long walk. We went to Allen Banks which is a National Trust owned walk amongst ancient woodland. The steep sided gorge where the River Allen flows down to meet the River South Tyne was once part of a large estate which was landscaped in Victorian times to make pleasure grounds for the nearby Ridley Hall.

It was good to see these snow drops had sprung up under the snow and there was quite a drift of them down by the river. After a picnic lunch we set off up the valley towards the first bridge

This is just the sort of bridge the Three Billy Goats Gruff had to cross but Jenny wasn't taking any chances and jumped up and down to scare the troll and to wobble the bridge and scare me too.

Leaving the main track and the other walkers behind we started uphill towards Morrallee Tarn. The climb was heavy going but worth it as it was so quiet and peaceful up there, only the sound of the birds and me gasping for breath. We have seen deer up there before but today there was only a large Heron sitting on the Tarn looking for fish. He flew off as we crashed out of the woods disturbing his peace.

I have eventually finished my piece of Durham quilting from the Sandie Lush class. Once I got the hang of it , I found it quite relaxing to do. My stitches are about 4 times bigger than Sandie's were but I think she has had a bit more practice than I have.

Margaret finished hers in a couple of days , it has taken me a couple of weeks. How I have to make them into a pair of cushions.

Last week I also made a quick bag from the Tilda Sew Pretty Homestyle book. This was quick and easy to make and using up fabric from my stash , there were only the handles to pay for.

Oh well, back to work tomorrow.

Happy Quilting xx

North Country Quilting

Great weekend, Saturday was a whole day of quilting with a class in North Country Quilting by Sandie Lush organised by The Fat Quarters
"This day will give you opportunity to explore quilting patterns traditional to the North East of England, learn how they were made and use them to make your very own heirloom or stitch a cushion from one of the patterns Sandie has already designed for you." This was Kim's flier for the day and it certainly lived up to expectation.


The Friday afternoon girls were out in force, Helen, Margaret and myself seen here heads down and working hard.

We started off by tracing the pattern with Derwent watercolour pencils, (no more fancy blue water soluble markers) and quickly learnt that with traditional quilting , anything goes, alsorts of fabric and thread.

I struggled getting the rocking motion using two thimbles and the hoop but when I got home and the pressure was off I got along much better.

This is Sandie's example of the pattern I am doing Durham Quilting #2. The stitches were tiny and so even.

I eventually got a photo of Sandie and Kim holding up the examples of her work. She is very modest about her beautiful designs and her wonderful stitching.

While I would not intend to design my own quilt, it was interesting to learn how it was done in days gone by and the differences between the North county quilting and the Welsh quilting.



And I got home in time for Jenny's birthday party. Here she is blowing out the candles. I retired to my bed with my quilting and left them all to it.

Hope you can see this , I am having trouble opening pictures on blogger

Happy Quilting xx