My Family, Special Friends and a Finished Quilt

I found it difficult to sew patchwork or to cross-stitch whilst it was so hot -  but now it is cooler again I have been slowly sewing the binding onto this blue and white quilt - 90 ins square - so I did one side per evening:

This is for Grace, she is from New Zealand but is currently living in Paris - so this may travel many miles!

I am currently cross-stiching a beautiful Stacey Nash design:  this is so lovely and though it says "Merry Christmas" I decided not to add  that, so have slightly downsized it so that I can enjoy it 12 months of the year.  I have substituted with  variegated threads where I can as I love that soft look and have personalised it with my name and our house name:

Two weeks ago I went up to London and spent time with a special girlfriend, and my family.  I had such a great time, as you can see:
On Saturday Nina took me to Kensington Palace:  the gardens were so beautiful:

and then on to my favourite London store "Liberty's" for tea and cake:

here is my dear friend Nina admiring the beautiful flowers at the store entrance:

their displays are so colourful - this shows the Scarf Department:

In the evening we had a Thai dinner and then as yet another surprise we went to see the Noel Coward play "Private Lives" - I had such a wonderful day.  Everything was such a treat!  I made Nina this wee cushion as a reminder of our lifetime friendship:

Then the next morning I met up with my three children and their partners so that we could celebrate youngest daughter's 30th birthday:  here is Dot peeping over the top of a picture I cross-stitched for her:

and  here I am with "my girls":

.....here are my precious three:  Dot, Robbie and Fran:

.......and with their partners:

Nisha and Robbie:  Fran and Angelo:  Maarten and Dot.  We had such a happy day.
On Monday I went to Cobham:  and here is Lise with her birthday gift:

About 33 years ago Lise introduced me to patchwork - and then cross-stitch.  And I never looked back!  So this quilt made a great gift for her as I used sampler fabrics:  a celebration of all she has taught me. She is just such a dear and amazing friend.

And next week it is the Festival of Quilts!  I am very excited....!

I am off up to Nottingham first to spend some time with my Mother, and then 2 days at the NEC before returning to Devon.  The FOQ is always an amazing showcase of talent and inspiration which I hope to be able to share with you on my return.
As always I hope all is good with all my Followers - and thank you for sparing the time to read my ramblings!  Have a great weekend.