Well what a wonderful 2 weeks of sport - I have so enjoyed watching the Olympics and feel quite lost this morning with no rowing, swimming/diving, athletics or gymnastics to watch! Although I am not normally what one would call a "sporty person" I became totally absorbed and addicted. I feel so proud of what we as a country produced, and amazed at the dedication and committment of all the participants from around the world. Congratulations to everyone.
Sadly 10 days ago my dear Mum had a fall and had to have stitches in her head. Her confidence has been shattered and she really does seem extremely frail bless her. I went off up to Nottingham and spent 4 days looking after her. We watched the Olympics together, and I took my cross stitch and managed to complete this:
The majority of this is from the Shakespeare's Peddler design "Spring at Bean Family Farm" but I have personalised it and moved things around: I have sewn this for my friend Jo who runs Cowslip Workshops - she has been so thoughtful and generous to me these past months when I have been so low, and it is a small gift to say "thank you". Instead of a red brick house it is a blue/grey cornish stone farmhouse, and I added a row of quilts on a washing line plus some extra lambs - all this gives it the "Cowslip" feel. It is now off to the framers - something rustic I think!
In my last blog told you about the problems I was experiencing tryng to make a strip quilt from a jelly roll - well in the end I unpicked the whole quilt - it was over 2 ins out from one side to another, and I also found that the quarter-square triangle borders I was trying to make from a Layer Cake also caused me problems as some of the pre-cut squares were up to a quarter inch out from others.
So I made log cabin squares - and by doing this was able to square up every round and then I squared up the quarter-square triangles - and this is the end result:
It took me a lot of unpicking, but I got there in the end - and the result is fresh and bright. I shall be VERY careful when using jelly rolls/layer cakes in the future - perhaps I was just unlucky this time. When this has been quilted it is going to be a 70th birthday gift for a friend who loves pink!
My youngest daughter Dot paid us a flying visit at the end of July as she went to a wedding reception very close by - it was a bonus to see her as she has just started a new job as "Manager" of "Opening Ceremony" - a shop in Covent Garden. OC had only previously been in the USA and Japan, but wanted to come to London. She is loving it - and seems really happy which is great.
Off to the wedding looking gorgeous in a dress previously modelled by Kate Moss. Then back up to London, still looking gorgeous!:
The weather was kind, and our home and garden looks so lovely when the sun shines - such a rare occurance this summer:
And now it is that time of year again: the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham! I am so excited! A wonderful source of inspiration.............. and so much fabric! Of course I DO NOT NEED ANY FABRIC!! Watch this space...............I shall come back with many photos to share with you.
I will spend 2 days at the show, and then I will drive on up to Nottngham and spend another 4 days with my Mum. I can hardly believe a whole year has passed since the last FOQ - such a difficult year for us where so much has changed. But my love of quilting and sewing continues - long may it do so.
Sadly 10 days ago my dear Mum had a fall and had to have stitches in her head. Her confidence has been shattered and she really does seem extremely frail bless her. I went off up to Nottingham and spent 4 days looking after her. We watched the Olympics together, and I took my cross stitch and managed to complete this:
In my last blog told you about the problems I was experiencing tryng to make a strip quilt from a jelly roll - well in the end I unpicked the whole quilt - it was over 2 ins out from one side to another, and I also found that the quarter-square triangle borders I was trying to make from a Layer Cake also caused me problems as some of the pre-cut squares were up to a quarter inch out from others.
So I made log cabin squares - and by doing this was able to square up every round and then I squared up the quarter-square triangles - and this is the end result:
My youngest daughter Dot paid us a flying visit at the end of July as she went to a wedding reception very close by - it was a bonus to see her as she has just started a new job as "Manager" of "Opening Ceremony" - a shop in Covent Garden. OC had only previously been in the USA and Japan, but wanted to come to London. She is loving it - and seems really happy which is great.
I will spend 2 days at the show, and then I will drive on up to Nottngham and spend another 4 days with my Mum. I can hardly believe a whole year has passed since the last FOQ - such a difficult year for us where so much has changed. But my love of quilting and sewing continues - long may it do so.
Oh my gosh, your house and garden is gorgeous! Love your stitching finish too -- I love how you personalized it in your own way. Your quilt is wonderful as well! And your DD is beautiful, both dressed up and down! Hope your mom is feeling better soon and is feeling more confident too, poor thing.
ReplyDeleteI love how you adapted the sampler to fit your needs! I think it turned out beautifully and it will be a much appreciated gift, I'm sure. Love the quilt too!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is just a doll! So sorry to hear about your mom's fall. I hope she'll be well and confident soon!
The Jenny Bean sampler came out lovely. I know that your friend will treasure it. The quilt looks amazing too.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your Mom is improving daily and gaining back some of her confidence. Your daughter is gorgeous. Lovely pics of the countryside.
Have a great week!
Such lovely positve comments: thank you so much x
ReplyDeleteThe sampler is gorgeous - what a treasure. You have the patience of a saint to unpick that quilt! Your girly looks gorgeous - she's so lucky to work in Covent Garden. I hope your mum is improving. Parents are such a worry - just when you get the kids sorted! X
ReplyDeleteJust love your quilt - the colors are wonderful. Your sampler is really nice and I love the little sheep (I am a sheepie type person)
ReplyDeleteHope you Mum is doing better - enjoy the FOQ and so glad you found your board from last year so you can spend your money on something else!!
Love your house and garden - beautiful.