More Jane's Garden

The last week has seen me down with another cold which once again seems to have gone to my chest. What is it with me, when my dear departed was in the nursing home I used to go for my every other day visits when all sorts of cough, colds and viruses were rife and not catch a thing !!! but now I just seem to catch every cold that is passing by.

So I stayed in the warm and although feeling groggy sat with the fire alight and good  DVD's and made progress with Jane's Garden. I'm now ready to continue making the surrounding blocks and feel this part of the quilt will go more quickly than my appliqué which I do struggle with. 

You may remember that I talked about one of my quilts going into an Exhibition this year. Just before Christmas the museum curator contacted me to ask if I would mind if they used my quilt for the publicity for the exhibition. Would I mind!!!! Of course I'm  absolutely over the moon, who wouldn't be? 

It's being curated by Tracey Chevalier author of The Girl With The Pearl Earring and who's latest book The Last Runaway has been read by many of you as its about a quilter. 

Here is the link to the Exhibition which is called What Goes On Behind The Bedroom Door and is being held at Danson House http://www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/dansonhouse/

 http://www.artlyst.com/articles/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-author-tracy-chevalier-to-curate-new-exhibition

I'm looking forward to seeing how they put this exhibition together when the quilters are so diverse.

Sue 

The New Year Ahead

  The festive season is almost over and as we all think about the past year it's time to think about the coming one and with that in mind I want to tell you about an exciting new project that is happening at Cowslip Workshops.

I've just had a happy time with Jo whilst the shop and cafe has been closed over the the holiday season where she was preparing for Di Fords block of the month.You can see the centre of it here.
http://www.cowslipworkshops.co.uk/blog

Here are some of the lovely fabrics for the Di Ford block of the month. If any of you want to sign up for this project you had better hop over to Cowslip Workshops to sign up. 

As it was closed over the Christmas period I took the opportunity to take some photos of the shop and cafe. 

Lovely flannels and wool. 

You will never see  the cafe this quiet again. It opens again from the 3rd of January with lots of yummy food and cakes. 

Jo's beautiful Christmas quilts are still adorning the walls. It's looks so welcoming.

Hope you enjoyed a belated bit of Christmas from my favourite quilt shop and cafe 

Happy New Year and here's to lots of sewing in 2014.

Sue 

http://www.cowslipworkshops.co.uk/blog

Tis Time

I haven't achieved half of what I would have liked to on the quilting front this past year but hopefully 2014 will be a more productive year. 

It's time for me to thank you all for following my blog, leaving lovely comments and to wish you all a very 

                                   HAPPY CHRISTMAS and HEALTHY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Sue 

The Festive Season

After my trip to India It's been some time since I got down to any sewing mainly because I wasn't feeling that great. I felt so tired and light headed and finally my stomach started playing me up. After a visit to the doctors and tests it turns out I bought more back from India  than I went with. YEP I have a nasty old parasite been living in my lower gut. I'm on a very strong antibiotic and the next week should see it gone!!!!  Fingers crossed!

I have felt a little better this week and am not feeling quite so light headed and vague.

Doctor told me to rest so have at last been putting the binding on my prickly star quilt. I don't know why I put off doing this job but the answer was to put on a good dvd and get on with it. 

Sandy at the Quilting Company has done a great job which you can see better from the back.

Good job Sandy. 

With the help of my son I managed to get the house decorated for Christmas. First up was to choose a Christmas tree. I needed a 6ft. Right just Neil's size. 

I also had a little help from Abi but she really was more intent on playing with the sledge and anything else she could get her hands on. 

This little one is in for a surprise next year with a baby brother or sister on its way. Seems only yesterday that my son and daughter in law were getting married and a twosome and then all of a sudden they will be a foursome.

Some more additions to my Christmas decorations this year is my new Willi Raye Santa.

I had my eye on this last winter but it was to expensive. I was delighted to find it in the January sale at half price. Good things come to those who wait!!!!!

Another half price bargain in the January sale.

Another couple of tree ornaments from my trip to New England this year.

What's on the rack this year. Not sure if its the same as last time but it looks festive.

I love Warren Kimble and bought a yard of this fabric of his on ebay some years ago. I just couldn't cut into it so instead just cut it into four strip and split it with checkerboard. Reminds me so much of Vermont. 

Finally the door wreath, I bought the greenery from my local florist and decorated it myself.

I know I should be resting up but hey Christmas is only nine days away and their's a lot to do. I hope your all prepared ?

Sue  

Purchases

I'm sure you may be wondering what I bought in India as textiles are so deep seated there.  

I bought these three books and am enjoying reading the history of textiles from the area where I travelled. 

This book is full of fabric samples which I just so full of in depth colour. 

I lovely paisley print and spotted this one that I had to have.

I couldn't resist this lovely silk either. Not sure what I will do with it but thought is gorgeous. 

Last but not least I tolld you we did some block printing with my sponsor child and two of the other little ones . They had such fun using a camel and peacock block.

I had fun using a large paisley block.

The morning we had block printing was such fun and was marvellous to watch how quickly the men blocked a whole table cloth with several colours being layered on top of one and other with such precision. 

Sue