We popped into Diss Quilters quilt exhibition at the weekend. It’s my closest quilt group and I hope to join at some point but there’s a waiting list.
The venue was the wonderful church in South Lopham which set off the quilts wonderfully -
Category Archives: About me
My new studio!
At last and taking longer than I’d ever imagined, I’ve got a new quilt studio to lose my self in.
And somewhere to sit and dream -
I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out (well apart from still having to step over the wood for the skirting boards!) and have been looking out wallhangings that I can cover the walls – or rather ceilings which is a bit more of a challenge.
Festival of Quilts
I’ve not been to the Festival of Quilts for a few years so it was great to have the opportunity to go and be totally inspired and awed by the quilts and engage in some retail therapy to get the creative juices going!
Here are some of my favourites -
The 1718 quilt was on display too which was a treat to see
as were some of the modern copies and interpretations of this amazing quilt
Tula Pink Quilt Top Done!
Over the last 9 months I’ve been making some of the blocks from Tula Pinks book – take a look at the Quilt Challenge page.
And now I’ve reached the point of putting the top together. I decided to try out a shadow effect when setting the blocks and I’m really please with how it’s turned out -
Workshop Diversion
At the beginning of August I spent two fantastic days at a workshop with Katherine Guerrier called Houses with Attitude! I went because she is one of my quilting heroes – I hugely admire her kwirky style -
and enjoyed a workshop with her at the NEC some years ago when we made art wall hangings.
It was a really fun two days – playing with fabrics, being free to create and improvise. I made two houses with some fillers and trees -
And having thought originally I’d just do a wall hanging, I think I’ll make some more and make a fun lap quilt to bring a smile on those dull days. It’s a great scrap user uppers and makes a nice change from making blocks.
Auction Quilt
A friend of mine who is involved in the River Waveney Trust has been organising an auction of items and promises to raise money and asked if I had anything I was happy to donate.
I made the Irish Coffee quilt a number of years ago – it was exhibited at one of the Roothing Valley quilt shows and has covered one of our beds for a number of years. It seemed time to let it go to a new home.
I was delighted to hear that it had been bought by a man for his wife who is largely bed ridden. I so hope she gets pleasure from it as well as keeping her warm.
Spring flowers
We have an horticultural and produce show in our village twice a year. The spring show is dominate by daffs, tulips and other spring flowers.
When all the judging is done and the prizes handed out, the flowers and other produce is auctioned off to raise funds. Aren’t these lovely -
And they lasted well too!
A real treat
I was recently in the US and realised that I wasn’t a million miles from Jinny Beyer’s Studio in Great Falls, Virginia.
I have huge admiration for her fabrics as well as the wonderful book she took 10 years to produce which catalogues lots of patchwork blocks. I find it a wonderful resource if I’m looking for inspiration or am looking for a particular book.Jenny was at the shop and it was lovely to meet her in person. They were taking part in a shop hop across North Virginia and Maryland so the place was buzzing with ladies who were visiting all 10 shops and picking up free patterns and other goodies.
Knowing I was unlikely to be back – at least for a while – I bought some lovely kits of her fabrics which I’m now itching to start.
Unfortunately placed barcode
Oops 
The colourful world of Kaffe Fassett
Earlier this week, we went to the American Museums just outside Bath. It’s 30 years since I last visited – the quilts there were the inspiration that resulted in me eventually starting to quilt myself.
The Kaffe Fassett exhibition was wonderful, quirky and had a tremendous feel good feeling right from the start
I particularly liked the way the exhibition pulled together the various medium he has used into the different colours which showed how the same tones have run through all his work.
Like many, I first came across Kaffe Fassett with his designs for Rowan Yarns – I loved both the yarns and the wonderful designs. Then I rediscovered him when he moved to needlepoint – I’d done tapestry since I was a teenager and very much welcomed his colours and freer designs.
And of course, now I enjoy making quilts from his wonderful fabrics. What a talented and inspiring man!
