The BIG prize

The quilt show was at the Market Bosworth Festival and the villages own quilt group had a display in the parish hall.  It was their 25th anniversary year of quilting.

Lots of beautiful quilts on show....

This one was so very special.  Bunting had been made for a quilters daughters wedding in spring colours.  There were also some plain calico panels that guests could write on.  After the wedding, the words were then embroidered on the calico over the writing and the bunting was cut up into small pieces.  All of it was used to make this wonderful wedding quilt as a reminder of the special day and an heirloom for the future.

 

The Frozen quilt was for sale. The little birdie house was for you to place your bid into and the highest bidder got to keep it.

 

Two ladies were giving demonstrations of certain patchwork techniques and you could have a go.  All the quilts along the back of the stage had been made during a beginners course with each square being a different pattern.  Linda the lady on the right is the tutor that comes along to help and instruct us.  Roll on October when we have another days class booked with her.  If I had another day in the week I would definitely sign up to join the beginners class each week.

 

 

Were you all in suspense of what my prize was?

Instead of an entrance fee to the show, you were asked to contribute £1 on your way in (only if you wanted to) and you were given a raffle ticket with the chance to win one of their handmade quilts.

My name came out the bucket and I was the lucky winner  ...... a wonderfully handmade double bed quilt in the most spectacular variety of patchwork colours.

 

It is so beautifully made and such a treasure to receive. 

 

Thank you to the Market Bosworth quilters, I am not sure if a lady made it herself or it was a collaboration of them all.

 

I bought a couple of things whilst there, one a gift and the other a little ornament for the Christmas tree and kit/instructions on how to make them myself.   That means I have officially started Christmas thinking and it's only July!

 

 

If you follow Richard III and what's been happening recently, you will no doubt have been thinking I know the name of that village. Yes, it was where the Battle of Bosworth was.  The quilters made the banners that were hung along the procession route for the re-interment earlier this year.

 

Lots of bunting was also made by lots of villagers...

 

 

All proceeds from the show this year have gone to cancer research UK and the Trussell Trust Foodbank (this helps people who are struggling to provide food for their families with the current government cuts).

 

A lovely morning out with the added bonus of winning such a stunning prize.

 

Blessings to you all

 

Summer is here...

My Summer SAL, "Wee Summer" by Heart in Hand is now in it's frame, I changed it on the Summer Solstice.

The same evening I was playing with the camera and captured some lovely snaps in the garden

The sky seems to be have been wonderful recently, all pink in the evenings....

and sunny days.  A little heatwave forecast for this week...

Flowers are blooming ....

and we have a new addition in the garden.  DH had a great gift for Fathers Day.  He just needs a name.  Any thoughts?  What about Hector Spadendig.... does that sound like it could have come from G O T lol.

 

Only 1 stitch project to share with you, the LHN SAL.  Pear Tree, just it's border to add this week.

 

 

I have stitched a small something else, but its a gift so will have to remain secret till its received.

and the challenge, I can hear you all asking ...... for May and now June (yes it was the reveal yesterday) well......... they still need to be finished.   Wasting time and procrastinating far too much over which fabrics/trims to use for them both.  I just need to get on with it and do it!

Charity knitting pile grew with 4 more hats.   Total items for June was 2 cardigans, 9 hats and a pair of children's socks.

 

Adult sock is finished and the second one started...

Yesterday I went to a quilting exhibition.  It was organised by the lady who recently came along to teach us at the community centre.  It was in conjunction with a festival in their village.  Lots of beautiful quilts on show and things for sale.  A phone call with exciting news for me last night regarding the raffle.  I have to go collect my prize this evening.  I'll share what it is with you next time together with some photos that DH took whilst we were there of the lovely things on show - I didn't have time to take pics, too busy chatting with the quilters and learning how they make such magnificent pieces to craftwork.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love and blessings to you all

The longest day ... already!

This weekend sees us coming to the Summer Solstice, the longest day.  It will also coincide with Fathers Day here in the UK on Sunday.  I hope all dads everywhere have a wonderful day.  My thoughts will be also be with those like me who have angel dads.

Last year DH brought me a posy of the first of the seasons sweet peas on Fathers Day and this year we have just one bloom so far, he brought me that yesterday from the bottom of the garden.  Perhaps its with not being in the open at the allotment that they are later at home?  The smell is wonderful.

 

The plants in the boxes just outside my kitchen window are Sweet Williams, my own late dads favourite.  they are the best they have ever been and have been blooming for quite a few weeks now with lots more buds to open yet.

 

Plants in the greenhouse are coming along nicely too and we've had our first little cucumber for tea.  So different from the shop bought ones and so tasty.

 

 

Last time I mentioned that I was going to a painting workshop at the Craftshare group.  What an eye opener that was.  The tutor, Jayne, created such a beautiful seashore scene and in only 2 hours.

 

She uses the Bob Ross method of painting.  I'd never heard of him, perhaps you have?   We have a class in August where we will also be creating a sea scene like this.  Something to look forward to, but I wont be rushing out to buy paints and easel I don't think at the moment!

A little charity knitting  has flown off the needles....

I've also been to the new improved local larger library now its had its refurbishment and as it was adult learners weeks there was a knitting group with a proper teacher to help solve your problems.  She was kind enough to chat to me about my sock knitting and instruct me as to how I can start them off better and not end up with a loose join in the top.  It worked out well so I also have a pair of socks on the needles now (forgot to take pic of those). 

A lot more knitting happening than stitching but I did a little parlour evening stitching last night and my current WIP, Pears by LHN from an old JCS ornament magazine, looks like this ...

I still haven't made up last month and this months challenge design, they still sit on the table awaiting inspiration for finishing them.  Perhaps this weekend it will come.....

Hope all the UK readers are enjoying the lovely sunshine we have been having this past week.

Blessings to you all



***Edit
Jo has asked which issue the pears came from. 
It was the JCS ornament edition dated 2006.

 

 

Sunshiney evenings .... less crafting!

The weather has been lovely recently. 

We had an evening stroll in the park.  Just a short drive from us and somewhere I had not been before.  How is it that you drive past somewhere for years and then suddenly think you might like to go and see what's there? 

It was lovely ...

Flowers blooming in abundance .....

 

Spotted some outside gym equipment amongst the mature trees, put there by the local council to encourage exercise, might have to try that next time!

 

The cricket pitch all ready for some sporting action .....

 

 

A blue evening sky through the tall trees.  The gentle breeze rustling through them reminded me of grandmother willow in the Disney film Pocahontas (I love that film) ......

 

 

Someone has been busy with the chainsaw making an old tree into a seat - nice acorns

 

 

With the warmer evenings, not so much time for craftwork.  Time is being spent in the garden at the end of the day.  DH and I catching up on the days events and just generally enjoying the flowers and seeing what's new since the day before.

A cardigan for the charity group ....

and a pair of children's pink socks.....

My Summer piece for the SAL is complete and ready to go into the frame later this month and Spring will be put away.  Wee Summer by Heart in Hand.

 

LHN/CCN SAL stitching and I completed Woodland Snowfall 

 

Mum celebrated her birthday at the beginning of this month and I made her a quilted snappy bag.  She was very impressed with it, so that pleased me.

 

There are now 3 things on my table that need finishing off so perhaps the sewing machine needs to come out to play this weekend.

I've had a lovely blog reading session this afternoon and caught up on all your lovely work.  Lots of different designs being stitched at the moment. Some new ones and some oldies that I haven't seen for a while. Nice quilting being created by ladies and lots seem to be knitting and crocheting. 

Enjoy your crafting time whatever you are doing.  We have a painting demonstration this week at the craftshare.  Have I got time to take up another hobby??

Blessings to you all