Sunday at Sandown....

Staying local this weekend for my annual trip to Sandown - my local Quilt Show, with great excitement four QQ headed off with their water bottles and sandwiches....and a 'small' list of quilting items needed!

Part of the exhibition this year was on the quilts produced by Ferret.  I had met her and completed a course just a few weeks back.  Her newest addition to her amazing collection of quilts on show..... I find it hard to believe when I view such amazing quilts, as this, that it comes from - fabric, threads and of course loads of talent.

I did note how differently I was viewing the quilts this year, having just completed the wholecloth course a few weeks back, especially Ferret's quilts. It's all about the filling.....

There seem to be a whole host of wholecloths (of varying kinds) on display this year...

I also took extra note of the boarder finishes, and the texture in some quilts- making them just that little bit different...

All such beautiful quilts.....all such talented quilters.....my aim, my challenge to myself - exhibit a quilt/wall hanging next year.  Will I achieve my goal ..... mmmmm we will see in June next year!





Beach Life....

A lot of me time this weekend.  A Quirky Quilters meeting at A's - and being the completely rebellious group that we are, did Crochet all day!! And with D catching up at work after a busy/short staffed week - I headed straight to the BH when we had finished for the day.

Great progress has been made on the blanket of late - in fact, in truth, far too much progress at the expense of projects that really need to be finished!! However, I am now officially half way.  I would like to say at this particular point in the progression of this project..... I LLLLOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE my (that's my) blanket!!!! Just LOvE it...... 

...... I really need to think about what to do with my ends left when I have darned them in! Such a pretty pile!

Although 'me time' this weekend - I had gone to the BH with the intension of getting a couple of jobs crossed off my list - one of which was to replace the blinds in our bedroom - they have only been sitting on the side for six months now! But done - crossed off! Great satisfaction when I cross stuff off my (very long) list!

I used the 'man tools' without a man again..... I think I may rename 'my tools'!!!!

Curtain tie backs - prettified and hooks put up......

And as the evening had turned out so warm I headed off to the beach......  this is a garden I pass most times to get to the beach .... and I thinks its the best in the village - my goal in life is to have a garden this pretty..... (and to be fair this is only the bit outside on the path!!!!)

And there it is - it sometimes feels like forever since I last saw the sea ... but in fact it was only a few weeks back!  And no one in sight - even better!

Something I did notice tonight was the wild flowers..... never have I seen such a great display in the fours years we have had the BH......maybe it was all the watering they had last year!!

And leaving the beach to head back to the BH was equally colourful.....



This weekend ..... all is well with the world!

Fun with Ferret

I have had this weekend booked for a year now ...... not just any weekend but a quilting weekend with two Quirkies at Farncombe Estate and I cannot express how much I have been looking forward to it.

Starting off in Burford, a little town we found back in 2011, we had lunch in the sun, we walked up the high street and down, we visited  the most amazing needlework shop.

We enjoyed the colour, the local wildlife.....

 

 And finally made our way to Farncombe for late afternoon....

Bedrooms were found....

After our evening meal our course began.  With the opening line from Ferret, I like to cheat, my mine raced about thinking if I can produce work like this then I am more than happy to cheat too!!!

http://www.ferfab.co.uk/portfolio/showpic.php?dir=art&name=phoenix_rising.jpg

http://www.ferfab.co.uk/portfolio/showpic.php?dir=trad&name=prometheus.jpg

The title of this course is Wholecloth Quilts on Small Machines.  I had spent a little time getting an image in my head as to what I wanted to come away with, but there is always a very fine line when doing any kind of course, as to very much learning the techniques and to take away that knowledge OR to actually walk away with a usable 'quilt'.

Time had not allowed me to prepare too much so I have taken several bags to cover all angles!!!  Designing our quilt was the first stage and very much took the whole of Friday evening.  Now, this is the bit I knew I would find most daunting - knowing that I can't even draw a stick man (well OK just a stick man maybe if pushed). But I have to say with the aid of a quilting pattern book I managed a basic design I was happy with. And with a minor adjustment from circles to oval, on the suggestion of Ferret. I finished my design and started my grid lines.

The final stages brought us a very unexpected sunset......an amazing view...... would make a fabulous quilt in fact!

And so to bed......

Saturday started with a stroll.....

We 'stole' many items on the way to breakfast, during breakfast and on our way to class to help with the quilting designs - much to the amusement of the staff.

The morning was spent transferring our paper design to our quilt top......

Thread selected.....

And off we go.....

A stretch of the legs after lunch......

And more quilting.....

I have to say at this stage I am pretty happy with the way things are progressing.  I'm pleased with my design, I'm pleased with my quilting and pleased that I'm was not so stressed as some of the other students who are still designing (although I would like to say I was not completely stress free!!)

Tea and cake was had.....although I think there was little disappointment on the cake front!!

Finishing at 9.30pm Saturday evening we felt a wine was needed to help with the sleeping process.....and with very few in the bar we settled down - and with only quilters left at 11.30pm a decision was made to walk up the hill to bed!

Sunday morning was very much about quilting techniques, and of course the 'cheating' technique to join other pieces to your already quilted section.

And this is the quilt I walked away with......

Such an excellent course, an even better setting, no interruptions, just pure quilting and I loved it.  I am so very happy with my experimental piece.  It of course needs to be finished but I am looking forward to completing it soon.