A Village Quilter

Spring has arrived. The snow has gone and everything in the garden is starting to grow. It's a beautiful sunny day. I haven't really done much craft stuff this week - but I have been looking through a really good book. It's An Illustrated Life by Danny Gregory. For those of us with sketch book phobia (like me) it's very reassuring as it's provides a wide variety of styles by a wide range of people from across the world. If you get the chance to get a copy - please do - it's a great book. This weekend I hope to be able to complete my fourth block for the Easter Exhibition - something I can cross of my to do list. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Here's a few more things I've been working on. Here are another two 10" blocks for the exhibition at Bramble Patch at Easter. Both blocks are made from my hand dyed calico. The top one, as if you need it explaining, is 3 leaves that have been heat and bonded onto the fabric, stitched around the edge with the veins being machine stitched - all using YLI variegated thread. I added a row of buttons - as I just like the buttons... This one as a bit more involved. I made it in two separate pieces - the top being half square triangles from yet more of the hand dyed calico. The bottom part is made from potassium permanganate dyed (you guessed it) calico and I layered it up and used my short chenille blade on it. I've then added french knots to represent the starlings in the sky and beads and button to represent the stones in the ploughed field. And here is my February BQL challenge . Sorting out my list last weekend has really helped me to make progress with my sewing. SN...

Yes - I've managed to do more sewing today - what a great way to spend your time. This 10" square is a combination of blocks from the book 200 quilt blocks to mix & match by Davina Thomas. Top left: Flying Geese variation Top right: Geese around the corner Bottom left: Birds in the air Bottom right: Sashed geese. I've used some of the calico I dyed a while ago. Calculating the sizes was a bit of a challenge - but with the aid of the trusty Scrap Quilt Sensation by Katherine Guerrier I didn't have too many problems. This one is part of a series that I'll be exhibiting at the Bramble Patch from 4 - 18 April and the artists (yes I'm afraid that includes me) will be there, talking about our work (yes it does sound very grand) on Saturday 4th April. I really hope some of you may be able to come along. I'll let you know nearer the time what time we'll be there. The series will make much more sense in context. Honest. Some of you may of heard it snowed...

Thank you all for the lovely comments you left on my last posting. It's great to hear from you all. I had a lovely day yesterday with the girls in the village hall. The aim was to test one of the members instructions for a scrappy Double Irish Chain. The idea is that you do all the hard work putting the scarves together and don't have to spend time moving the blocks around to get a good scrappy finish. It was very good - but my head did hurt by the end of the day LOL. As you can see I did make good progress but there's still some left to so. Unfortunately won't have time this week and we've been told -;) we have to have them ready for our festival in June. So as usual no pressure..... It was really interesting to see how we all had the same instructions and how the different colour choices looked so very different. I've also been a very good girl and got my entry off for Trentham (3 - 5 April 2009). I'm very annoying as I've got the quilt ready now. ...

Here's my BQL January 2009 challenge. The idea is that you make a 12" quilt - it gives you the opportunity to try new techniques, colours and use up some of your stash. I'd really encourage you to have a go as it really doesn't take too long. As it's new year it's a great opportunity to try new things and think in new ways. One thing I think we should all take more time with is in looking after ourselves. With this in mind I'd like to tell you about a new digital radio station I've found called Chill FM . They also have a website that enables you to download their podcasts - I've found listening to their meditation podcasts before I go to bed has really helped me get a good nights sleep. I'd love to hear your experiences with them. And finally I'd like to let you know about another website that also has podcatsts available - it's Alyson Stanfield's website Art Biz Coach.com. She really puts a lot of effort into her website, news...

Hello, Yes - I'm still alive. I managed to catch the wonderful viral infection that DH had and I've spent most of the last week in bed. I now have a delightful cough left - but I am feeling so much better. I think most of the UK must have had it by now. And my first day out was a really good one - and of course sewing related. As I'd been going to the monthly classes at the Bramble Patch I hadn't been free (or had the time) to attend any of the events with the Rocheberie Schoolhouse Quilters - but yesterday I did. And it was a really good day. It's great value for money - only £4.00 and that includes tea and coffee for the day and cake is only 50p per slice ( and very nice too). The talk is usually in the afternoon - but this time it was in the morning - it was given by Amanda Hall of Monkey Buttons . Lots of talk about bags.... Amanda started the talk by saying she had 36 hours in her day - I think she must have at least 48 as she seems to get sooooo much done...

I've had a great holiday. A lovely Christmas and New Year, met up with friends and got lots done. Best one for ages. I've been brave and decided to sign up to the 2009 BQL challenge. The idea is that you make a 12 inch square quilt each month. Kandy published the instructions and you learn lots of new skills as the year goes on. I really like the challenges as it encourages you to try different skills and see if you like them without having committed to a large quilt. Now the dreaded January New Year's Resolutions. I'm still pondering - so when I've decided I'll let you know...