Time flies

It's amazing how time flies. I can't believe that it is so long since my last post. However - I have been v busy since then, attending the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, a trip to Manchester, the Harrogate Quilt show and spending a few days in Herefordshire, testing out amongst other things, the cider of course  and discovering the work of local artists. The Festival of Quilts was as busy as ever, as was the Harrogate show. It was really interesting to see the work on show; I've been particularly drawn to the quilts with bright colours and bold designs, particularly applique. 


In Manchester we went to the Whitworth and saw amongst other things its fabulous textile gallery. We also went to the City's art gallery but didn't do it justice in the time available- another trip must be on the cards!


Mike and I spent a few days in Herefordshire earlier this month. Of the work we came across, I especially enjoyed seeing the work of Sarah Cheese, who lives in the Forest of Dean and whose work is a mixture of quilting and machine embroidery. Sarah Cheese


I also really liked the work of Mark Hearld. His work can be seen at Godfrey and Watt  and St Judes Gallery

I've been producing some work for the Cooper Gallery Christmas Fair; its not materialising as quickly as I would like, but I still have time. I will post images of a selection of stuff nearer the time. The vvvvv most exciting thing however is that the day after tomorrow is my first day as a full time student after a gap of 20 something years-only 2 more sleeps! OMG! Am v v v excited! It is amazing that it is almost here. I have paid my fees, I have bought my student travel card, I don't have any studenty clothes, I don't have pink hair, but I am good to go!

Guinea Pig Sleeping Bags

I have been busy making some Guinea pig (or other small animal!) sleeping bags today, which I may take with me to the Christmas Fair to sell. Pootle has been spending a lazy Sunday in his so I'm sure there are some other GP's or other small furries out there who would appreciate the same facilities! These are the first items that have benefitted from my newly arrived labels, which I am v pleased with. 

The Cooper Gallery Christmas Fayre

Hot off the press- I have today, taken the plunge and signed up for the Cooper Gallery Christmas Fayre, which is in Barnsley on 26th November 2011. It sells locally made arts and crafts and I now have a stall to fill! Best get stitching!

Guinea Pig what's?!!!!!!

We very sadly lost one of our beautiful guinea pigs Boris earlier this year. We had only recently adopted Max to be Boris's companion after his brother Smudge died before Christmas, so there was nothing for it but to now adopt a friend for Max. His name is Pootle and he came with his own sleeping bag which he adores, so of course I had to make him some more! I've also tried them out with Max who also loves them but goes more for the day bed approach, lying on top of them instead of in them. So day beds for guinea pigs may be the next creation. Still, here is Pootle modelling beautifully one of his new sleeping bags, which incidentally are available to order! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it- but he spends hours napping in them!

Mike's birthday and other events

In March it was Mike's birthday. Not that I wish to divulge a gentleman's age...but he was 44- Droopy Drawers!!! Here's the picture I made for him.

In June, it was another friend's birthday and here she is...and I won't be divulging her age, but she does look well on it!

I also produced a picture to celebrate the marriage of a British chap and his Australian wife. Here is the result:

We have swapped our cars for automatics to help Mike. Mine is just fabulous and has been christened Alan. Mike is yet to drive him! This is a self portrait of me with Alan!

Finally, its my Dad's birthday this weekend and he'll be 85- he will have received a card of my portrait of him, this morning. Not sure what he will have made of this, but I'm hoping he will remember all of those disco dancing lessons we went to in the 70's when Saturday Night Fever was at its height!

Gaudy Quilt Makes Progress!

So, a wonderful time was had by all on our return trip to Quiltworks near Penrith. My wonderful friends really knuckled down to it this time and by the end of the weekend we had 20 blocks instead of 9.5! Here are the before and after photos:

Above are the lively ladies hard at work - you can see that tea is an essential part of the process!

I have since amazed myself and finished off my Celtic Knot. We've provisionally booked for next year so maybe the sashings will be on by 2012!

International Quilt Day Event 19th March 2011

Pre-accident, I had committed to running a workshop at the International Quilt Day Event at the church where our group Barnsley Creative Embroiderers meets, to raise money for Barnsley Hospice. So despite feeling less than brilliant, I did it! It was only a two hour workshop, but everyone progressed really well with their hand applique pictures. Here's where people got to: