Malvern 2013

Last weekend was Quilts UK at Malven . I went over last Thursday and again on Sunday  to collect the two quilts that that had been entered and  needed to collect the cup we had won  for our  charity fund raising quilt. 
A big cheer went up when I stepped forward to collect the cup from Roger Cooling of Grosvenor Exhibitions. We had apparently won as a group some years back, well certainly before my time and I have been a member for 20 years.

L To R- Mary, Margaret, Jane, Jill , Helen, Me Sue M and Sue H

Some of the members that were there on Sunday  congregated to have a photo taken in front of the quilt.

I had a phone call on Friday from Virginia  and it was quickly arranged that she would come down to Cheltenham on the bus and we would then head off to Malvern. So for Virginia it was her first Malvern and she did the honours with the camera for the photo  shoots.
So for all you Aussie ladies that know Virginia she is getting out and about and hopefully enjoying a little bit of the English quilting scene.

Virginia with the lovely Malvern hills in the background

To my surprise I got a Judges Merit rosette for my Butternut and Blue quilt

Got to go I have to polish the cup for our next meeting.- Hmm  I wonder who's going to take on the task of polishing it throughout  the year. ??????????
Will be back next time with some quilt photos from the show.

Nantes 2013

I came home from Nantes unpacked and repacked for a family holiday to Cornwall and realised I hadn't showed what I bought at the show.

As you can imagine Di Ford's, Petra and Ann Moonen's books were on the top of the shopping list and  I spent many an evening whilst away in Cornwall drooling over the contents of these books.

I bought these orphan blocks from  Mary Koval. No idea what I am going to do with them but they looked lonely and wanted to come home with me.

I was also given a few gifts. The red coffee mat came from Linda Quilts In The Barn. Sue (PIC) made dear Jane blocks  to give as presents. I think she made six and announced that was the only six she was ever going to make!!!
Randi made this sweet little needle keep, don't you  just love the fabric..

As mentioned in a previous post I took the Di Ford class and those of you that know me know that the only applique I ever do is on the machine. But hey I was so taken with Di's project that we worked on I must show you a bit of my progress.
Here is my fist piece of  needle turn applique- still a bit of a way to go buy hey I am determined to do this as I will enjoy piecing the blocks that  surround it.

Whilst we were in Nantes we meet Fran on Di's class and to my surprise I called in at Cowslip Workshops to see Jo on my way home from Cornwall last week and the first person I meet was Fran. Jo snapped this picture of us. Nice to see you Fran.

Had some good news yesterday our quilt group got a first at Quilts UK , Malvern . We won under the category of Charity Fund Raising quilt and this quilt will be raffled next April at our exhibition.
If you want to have a little look hop over to here .  Shipton Quilters

Sue

Pour l'Amour du fil part 2 2013

I took  Lot's of photo's in Nantes and  not all of quilts.
I  had one morning where I walked round the city and did a little shopping for that special  little person in my life.
I thought I would show you a little of the city and more of some of the Antique quilts that I saw at the show. 

The mechanical elephant that we rode on.

Spagetti Junction  perhaps

This tree was gorgeous and would love to know what its called. Can anyone help?

The Castle

Wandering through a back street I found this tiny doorway maybe for tiny people who knows.

Walking back to the hotel one evening

Wouldn't I like someone to buy me  flowers from here.

Lovely applique quilt belonging to Mary Koval.

This one was on the Labour's of Love booth

So was this lovely hexagon

Well that wraps up this round of photos I will be back in few days with some more.

Pour l'Amour du fil 2013

Happy to report I am home having had a wonderful couple of days at the show in  Nantes .
Once again we meet up with so many friends from around the world and made a few new ones along the way.  Maureen , Ellen and Fran.  I also meet  another fellow blogger Will  for the first time and we had a short while to talk quilts -  but that's what we do!
 

I can't tell you how much fun and laughter we have had and some of it at my expense.  Just remember Linda Collins and Pic . What went on in Nantes at The Square restaurant stays in Nantes.

We started off on Wednesday afternoon with a class with Di Ford which was outstanding and I am in complete awe of how she makes her quilts  they are simply amazing . Of course I now have Di's book and hope some of her magic will rub off on me, One lives in hope!!!!!  I'm also hoping she will come to teach in the UK sometime in the future. I definitely have a bed for Di and her hubby at my house.

This is what we started at Di's fussy cutting class.

I couldn't  resist having my photo taken with Di.

Of course one of the main events of this years show was the 150th Anniversary of the Dear Jane quilt and what a feast for the eyes that was. Unbelievable to see 114 Dear Jane quilts hanging in one space.

Dear Jane Anniversary Cake.

OMG THIS IS A MINIATURE DEAR JANE .

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Last but not least we finished  off with a lovely dinner last night with Randi  ( I'm not going to mention your new name you might get arrested ) Ellen, Maureen , and Sue .

Thank you ladies I had a great  time with you and here's to Alsace in 2014.

Prickly Stars

Prickly stars is almost together. I am now making half square triangles to go around the edge.
Desperately trying to get a few things finished this week like binding on quilts as well.

Trying to get these thing done as I'm off to Nantes next week . Its going to be fun I think as PIC and I will be meeting up with quilters from around the globe once again. 

Were doing a workshop with Di Ford on Wednesday and I for one can't wait to get hold of her new book. 

You can be assured we will eat and drink far to much whilst enjoying great company and spending euro's. 

Hope to see some fellow bloggers and followers there!