Mug Rug swap

Through the Quilting Gallery a mug rug swap was arranged.

My mug rugs went to Germany, and last week a brilliant package arrived from Texas USA. Nancy Fowler had made me two mug rugs on the Texas lone star and included in the package a Fat Quarter of Texas State wild flowers. The fabric is so pretty I will have to think of something very special to make with it.

I really enjoyed this swap with the

Mini IAM helps stash report

On Thursday 24th February I arranged with a friend for my granddaughter Abigail 7yrs and her granddaughter Olivia 14yrs to spend the day in my workroom.

I needed to come up with some ideas for them to make, and with a big age difference their capabilities.

I also have not used a lot of fabric from my stash this month so decided to give them free reign in my fabric cupboards!

It was a wonderful day and we all made purses, notebook covers and pillowcases. Well done girls.

Plus 5 yds of fabric helped my stash busting for February.

Wholecloth quilt progress

I have moved my wholecloth quilt next to the patio windows leading to the back garden.. and it is gradually progressing. At least I can watch the birds, fish and flowers as the needle goes in and out!

Hamtune Quilt Group

Last night 15th February, the group I belong to, Hamtune Quilters, had a special Valentine evening.

In 2010 over £1460 was raised for our nominated charity Motor Neurone Disease, this was presented to June Lewis from MND.

Our Christmas meeting had to be cancelled because of the snow, so it was decided to make Valentine day special.

We had a wonderful display of food, and the theme of Silk and Hearts gave us a nice display of items to look at. Every member was given a FQ of silk as a gift.

Hamtune Quilters meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. Venue Parklands Community Centre, Northampton.

Goodbye Lucy - Hello Paula

After much thought, my dream car Lucy the Mazda MX5 has been exchanged for a Fiat Punto, now called Paula!

Creaky knees and the need for four seats as opposed to two are the reasons for the change.

Design Wall 7th February

My design wall this week, is the first 8 blocks of Sun Bonnet Sue that I have made.. the Christmas one still needs a pair of curtains for the window! I am hoping this will inspire me to complete the set of 12. BUT my UFO project for the month of February is my wholecloth quilt, and although I know I will not finnish it I am trying to work on it every day.

Father in Laws 98th birthday

On the 3rd February Chris's dad John Robert Glasspool reached the wonderful age of 98 years. He manages to look after himself and goes out and about on his mobility scooter.

Sunday saw the family joining him for a meal, pictured with Jack are grandson Richard, and Great Granddaughters Abigail and Eleanor.

The teddy is called Gilbert and belongs to the nursery Eleanor attends, each weekend one child takes him home and then has to talk about where the teddy went over the weekend.. I doubt it goes to many 98th birthday parties!

Friday 4th February

Visitors from around the world called on Friday, Sister and Elder Mills from the USA, Elder Morrison from Canada and Elder Lawance from Yorkshire.
This photo shows them enjoying my "Happy Room".

Hamtune Quilters 1st Feb 2011

Last night was the Hamtune patchwork and quilting group meeting.

Our speaker was Jamie from www.Colouricious.com she inspired us to "have a go" at block printing on fabric, card and anything else we might find. Her daughter Harriet demonstrated the art of Indian Block printing and we were all provided with a piece of fabric to have a go for ourselves. [ My sample is pictured ]

The story of how the blocks are all hand made in India was fascinating.

www.theindianblockcompany.com

Bag day at Weedon!

Monday at my regular patchwork and quilting meet, I showed the group how to make a pillowcase, in a quick all in one method. Sorry I cannot remember where I saw this method to give the person that thought of it due credit.

The day was a big success and many pillowcases were made.

Fran & Tilly workshop 29/1/2011

Saturday was another Fran and Tilly workshop at Pitsford. There was a choice of two projects, a picture frame or sewing machine mat. I made a mat to go under my Innovis 4000D, which is proving very handy for all the tools I use on a regular basis

2011 UFO Challenge

Patchwork Times, Judy has picked out number 10 as the next UFO challenge.

This is my worse nightmare.. my large wholecloth quilt!

I intend working it by hand [ this is one of my least favorite methods of working] and at the moment I have worked one small piece.

Thinking positively I have bought a new quilting frame, went to a demo of how to hand quilt, so tomorrow I start!