It's Been a Long Time

Well it has been a long time and at the busiest time of the year I thought I would squeeze a post in.
Its those little people they keep me really busy and if they want to go out to play I'm up for it, As we all know time flies and already Abi is at pre-school and Max is 20 months and running, yes literally running and climbing everywhere.
So not much to report on the sewing front, Still buying fabric like you do and before long both those little ones will no longer be able to come out to play so I will get back to sewing when I can.
I had a lovely holiday in New England in September. I went with a friend who is not a quilter but loves crafts so she did indulge me a few quilt shops.

So here I am at The Busy Thimble in Litchfield Maine, Cyndi does have lovely fabrics and I bought some of Di Ford's Cloverdale range from her. Your heart misses a beat when you go through these doors and its hard not to want every single fabric.

I also let Wendy The Constant Quilter know I was going to be there and it was nice to put face to blog.  Cyndi's blog is The Busy Thimble. Its been so long since I've blogged I'm not sure how to link.

We drove from Maine and this is a must stop Polly's Pancake Parlour in New Hampshire but oh my how it has changed since my last visit. The pancakes were just as good but the new building doesn't have the charm of the old one. I believe it was practically falling down, Well that's progress for you.

We stopped over near Burlington one night and carried on to the Shelburne Museum and I've photographed these two before and go to say I love the top one especially . 

We then drove on down to Middlebury and by pure chance came across the Sheldon Museum which had an exhibition of Warren Kimble's works and objects from his private collection. They also had this most gorgeous quilt on the bed upstairs. 

Coming across this museum was a lovely surprise and we enjoyed the exhibits

We moved on through Vermont driving through beautiful countryside, passed by lakes and old barns.

We stayed at the lovely Inn at Manchester for the remainder of our stay. I love this place a real family run business and they always make you feel special. 

So this is what has now happened and why I get totally frustrated with blogger It wont let me load any more photos. 

I'm going to have to leave it here and will make a pledge that I will get back and finish this little story off with some nice photos of the Dear Jane quilt. 

Till Then. 

Sue 

Getting Blogging

I've had so much on lately their has been no time for blogging but today I have loads to report on.
After Nantes Di Ford payed  another visit at my home. Its always so nice to have Di here along with some very excited ladies who hadn't seen each other for a while.
The new project started was Pendle Hill whilst some  choose to carry on with their Sutton Grange or  Jane's Garden.
Its always a nice day where everyone contributes a dish for lunch and that is another treat in itself.

Di's PENDLE HILL 

Heads down and all very busy.

We had a little show and tell with a couple of quilts that Di would be going on to teach at Cowslip Workshops.

A very happy band of Di Ford UK fans

Di is remaking the Mount Mellick quilt in red and again this is a winner.

Shirley from Stitchery Do Blog brought along her Sutton Grange which is coming along nicely.

Here is my Sutton Grange, I have changed the Drunkards Paths to Broken Dishes and am piecing the next border too rather than applique. All the outer block now made I need to get sewing!

Thank you Di  as usual we all had a marvellous day with you and we learn so much.

A little more progress on my Abigail Rose quilt. Not to many more of those hexes to make. 

Back from the Longarm quilter has come my Texas Stars. As always Sandy has done an amazing job. Thank you Sandy you really know what I like. 

And here we are at Quilts UK a couple of weeks back. I took Abi along with me and she posed beautifully for me in front of my Jane's Garden which got Judges Merit and was quilted by Sandy Chandler. 

She was so sweet, mummy had told her she was going to a quilt show. As we left the show she said but I haven't seen the show. Bless her she thought their was going to be some sort of singing and dancing event. 

I forgot to show you these lovely gifts I received in Nantes from Linda, Randi, Ellen and Sue.

Finally today's gift in the post from Di Ford this gorgeous book with fifteen wonderful quilts in it. I Face booked Di to thank her and said if I had known what was in the parcel I would have kissed the postman but he really isn't my type and am sure he would have run a mile!

I've had a busy month and better get back to some sewing. 

Happy Stitching. 

Pour l'Amour du Fil 2015

Well its certainly been a while since I lasted posted. Life has been a bit on the hectic side but have found a slot to write this post.

My trip to Nantes was hugely successful apart from the night before when I discovered my car wouldn't start. The AA man arrived late evening and run lost of diagnostics from his computer and couldn't find out what was wrong. Gone are the days when they just lifted the bonnet and pushed and pulled a few things. After some time it was decided the car should be towed to the  garage where the keys were left for them. Fortunately Sue had driven up from Cornwall that evening and we were able to set off at 6.30am for the airport in her car. Before I go any further I will tell you now I had a phone call  in France that afternoon from VW to say they had found the fault. Wait for it !!  I had put petrol in my diesel car!

 Duh big Duh I think the diesel pump swapped places with the petrol. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. As you can imagine I came back  to a large bill!!!
Well Nantes was great and will now show you lots of eye candy.
 Bill Volckening's New York Beauty quilts were just wonderful.  http://willywonkyquilts.blogspot.co.uk/

Of course I had to have my photo with Bill

Then it was time to find Irene Blancks booth.http://www.focusonquilts.com.au/ what lovely fresh quilts Irene makes and she now has a book out with Quiltmania

so these were the two books that came home with me. Bill's is a little on the weighty side and not for bedtime reading and makes a nice addition to my coffee stool.

The weather was wonderful in Nantes and as usual meet up with lots of friends from around the world. We have such a good time when we meet up with these like minds . Randi, Ellen Sue, Sylvia, Irene and myself had dinner together in the evenings but without Irene one of them as she was at the Quiltmania reception.

I will try to get posting some more from this trip in the next few days but with Quilts UK coming up who can tell.

Enjoy
Sue

A Quick Post

I spent a happy time away at Easter and visited Berrington Hall where they had costumes on display from the BBC drama's Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice  and Mansfield Park.
Absolutely gorgeous costumes and I was surprised how short Hugh Grant must be as I'm 5 foot nothing and the model with his costume on  wasn't much taller than me.
Here a few snapshots of the day.

This is Hugh Grants costume

The following dresses were behind a glass screen as they  are original dresses from the period. Just look at those early cotton prints, very pretty and feminine. 

These ones are of the butlers room and the laundry

Finally a little progress on my Di Ford Sutton Grange quilt. I decided not to make the applique jockey cap blocks but to make these  broken dishes instead. 

Much faster for me as I do enjoy piecing. 

Hopefully I will have some more eye candy from Nantes to post next week. 

Until then. 

Sue 

International Quilting Day

Today is International Quilting day. So what do you do you make a mini quilt which is what I have done. 

Whilst clearing up in my sewing room I found these left over nine patches and these is how I used them. A little hand quilting project. Yeah I'm sure I can manage that !!!! 

I had a real good sort out and clear up in my sewing room, it felt so good to put the vacum cleaner over the floor and as the sun was shining through the window I even cleaned that. So I had better show you the hub before it gets all messed up again lol.

My quilt books and cutting area. 

My little goodies area.

Yes this is the stash!!!  Will I ever get through it??? Probably not but it is nice to have it for when you need that right little piece of fabric. 

TV to watch or listen to while I work and the computer on standby. 

I worked quite late finishing my tidy up ( well it was past midnight) and couldn't find Mery. I checked all round the house and finally found she had given up on me and taken to my bed. 

It's a dogs life here! 

Sue