FOQ Inspiration

I have just spent two full-on wonderful days at the NEC and I eventually arrived home in Devon yesterday evening after a 5+ hour journey on the M5 - all 3 lanes were a slow trickle, both directions.  Sheer volume of traffic said the lady on the radio, so nothing to do except think about the beautiful work I had seen and the glorious stalls full of temptation!
First of all I want to congratulate Jo from Cowslip Workshops.  Not only was her stall a delight to the eyes:

 but her quilt was placed 3rd in the Group Quilt category:

I am just so thrilled for her - she puts so much effort and enthusiasm into Cowslip and her work, so this result - in my opinion - was well deserved.
The stalls were as always full of beautiful fabrics and so much temptation:
Here is Lynnette Anderson's stall: (thanks for letting me take a photo Lynette!):

and of course Kaffe Fassett's quilts looked amazing on The Cotton Patch stand:

here he is signing his latest book for an unknown quilter, and of course I just had to have a copy also for the sheer delight of colour and ideas on every page!
Also one of the loveliest designers is Nel Whatmore:  I bought one of her kits last year and was back again this year for some of her latest fabrics, she is such a sweetie:

This year there seemed to be far more quilts in the Art, Contemporary and Pictorial categories:  not the sort of work I would ever attempt, but I can appreciate the hundreds of hours that has gone into each and every design.
This is so clever, a different picture each way you look::

These miniatures are breath-taking:

And I loved some of the clothes:

This cuckoo clock is great:

And here is just a random selection of  the more traditional patchwork quilts which caught my eye, always my favourites:

And those of you who are regular readers of my blog will know of my love of Noah's Ark, so I have to finish off with this gorgeous quilt:

Another great Festival and it is just wonderful to see so many beautiful quilts exhibited under one roof.
I hope the above photos have given you just a small idea of what was on show:  there are so many amazingly talented quilters out there.  Congratulations to each and every one of you and thank you for sharing your work.  You are pure inspiration.
Have a great weekend everyone.

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.