Vintage Bouquet

I have been working on another quilt Vintage Bouquet by Jo Colwill of The Cowslip Workshops , the pattern is from her new book.

I was anxious to complete the second border in was the most complicated I have done to date  on joining up the corners. 

Now for the large third border which has oodles of appliqué.

Another weekend has been and gone. We were eagerly awaiting this last one as The National Youth Choir were performing at Truro Cathedral as part of their SummerFest 2015.

The programme started with Ave Regina Caelorum from Mexico, then we journeyed to Brazil, Canada, Haiti, Uruguay, Times Square, Appalachians, then home to the west country and folk songs from Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

A very enjoyable evening with a choir performing at the highest standard plus we had brilliant seats, we were even in front of the Mayor and Mayoress!!

We had company today as Kian joined us. Truro was buzzing with a local produce market. 

At this time of year the flower displays were at their best and it was a pleasure to wander the cobbled streets in the sunshine.

We had a pre-performance dinner at our favourite Truro restaurant. Kian at 14 was too young to sample the champagne bar but still enjoyed the setting and the food.

Ray had me in stitches yesterday morning.

He was washing his balls and cleaning his golf shoes in my breakfast room. If you look closely you will see that Poppy is holding onto her ball just in case Daddy washes that too .

Faded Roses

Faded Roses from Jo Colwill's (The Cowslip) book Cushions and Quilts. At 72" square it took a while to quilt.

I am pleased how it came out though.

I had a very special visitor this week, one of my dearest friends, there have been several occasions in the last eighteen months when I never thought she would be here to visit Trewoon again.

The Postman Brings a Surprise

I have been quilting today, I start to get excited as my patchwork turns into a quilt, I love the way it feels with the added body of the stitches.

Yesterday found us at the Minnack Theatre.

The setting is amazing and so unique.

During the performance there was a dramatic helicopter rescue from the cliffs rising up from Porthcurno Cove.

We saw a performance of Grapes of Wrath by the Shattered Windscreen Company.

Wednesday was day Two of Kian's quilting project.

It is always good to walk away from a project and come back and re-assess it. Last week both Kian and myself were not happy with the background fabric for the boxer dog squares. 

An S.O.S call to Penny brought a quick response and with her help, guidance and the donation of some red fabric a new background was decided on. Thank you Penny.

Kian has a Spanish heritage so the colours of Spain's flag were chosen.

Today was spent drawing, cutting and appliquéing boxer dogs onto the new squares, the old ones won't be wasted as Kian will be making some pillows out of them.

We then spent time going through the importance of an accurate and consistent 1/4" seam and the knock on repercussions when this is not achieved. Kian practised on scrap fabric then went for it. I think when you look at the photos you will agree that Kian absorbed and applied this well. 

We also discussed the correct ways to press patchwork and how the seams should lie to achieve perfect finishes.

It was a long day but enjoyable sharing my studio, we chatted about many different topics and had lots of laughter too. A day well spent.

A silk work has arrived at Trewoon today, at auction it was listed as being from the private collection of Victor Needham of Bournemouth. I bid on it purely as I adore silk works and this one was so appealing.

We were surprised when we unpacked it to find some writing on the reverse indicating that it was given to Charlotte Knollys by Queen Alexandra, Edward VII's consort. 

Charlotte Knollys was Lady-in-Waiting and the first female Private Secretary to Queen Alexandra until her death in 1925. We found images of her writing on the web and it matches. Here is Charlotte in Court Dress.

Charlotte died, aged 95, unmarried, at her flat in South Audley Street, London in 1930.

A major part of the attraction of samplers and antique needlework is the history that surrounds them. Art and history have always been of interest.

Some Quilting

This is a dear friend's quilt and I have quilted the centre panel for her. She will now quilt the borders and bind it.

It is a gift for her grandson, any little boy would be delighted with such a special quilt. An heirloom for sure.

In every walk with nature one receives far more that she seeks

EK progresses but Band 5 is taking longer than the previous 4. It is far more intricate but I have enjoyed its twists and turns.

Do you remember this quilt I posted about in January

I have now pieced together the off cuts to make another one in reverse. Here it is on my design board.

I hope to start the quilting this week but need to choose a design.

I recently made two cushions from the same pattern but using different fabrics for the patchwork centre and linen for the surrounding strips and back panel.

This is a great way to use up offcuts of linen from samplers. I have even used small scraps on the right hand cushion for the patchwork.

The wet weather has continued and although today has been dry it has been very wintery and "grey".

We decided to walk the nature reserve between Mullion and Predannack.

The ground is very wet.

and muddy

You wouldn't want to loose your wellies in this !!!

or this

on second thoughts we had better find a way to walk around

There is always much beauty to be seen

Here is Mullion Cove

The recent storms have caused damage to both walls and you can just make out a JCB carrying out repairs and  moving boulders whilst the tide is out.

Our walk now took us back towards Predanaack.

This little cove is only accessible by sea and you can often spot seals here but none today.

A climb over the style and a last look back.

We were all tired after trudging through the mud and the car was a welcome sight.

I am now sat in front of the wood burner typing surrounded by Ray, Poppy and Blue snoring.

Blue is definitely having sweet dreams.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It has been an age since I posted on my personal blog. I have been busy with lots of projects though. Elizabethan Treasures has been framed and hung.

I am very pleased with her and it was a good exercise in mastering some speciality stitches.

I have also completed a fairly large blackwork piece and I added lots of petite beads. I think if you click the photo it will clearer ( I am having problems with posting photo from my ipad onto blogger).

 

I am afraid that I could not get on with Elizabeth Simon, I adored the satin stitch flower border but unpicked the two outer borders and filled in the centre with a favourite poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

She is now at the framers.

A small finish was a hardanger placemat.

I tried very hard so that the back and front were identical. Can you tell the difference? I have left a waste knot showing on the front.

My other stitching projects are a SAL for GiGi's Saxony Band Sampler and we are on week 13.

I started at the bottom as I intend to change the top band and to add a verse if I have enough fabric.

It is very delicate looking and I am loving The Attic's conversion.

My main stitching project is Rachel Jarratt by the Scarlet Letter.

This is my first time with the fishbone stitch. I am very taken with band samplers at the moment.

This one has been very enjoyable (so far) stitching the outline and then colouring in.

Here is where I am at the moment.

I have been busy quilting and have had two finishes. A gift for a little baby girl who lives on a farm close to the sea.

The Celebration range from Moda seemed perfect as it had animals and sailing ships.

My other finish was going to be for one of my cottages but I loved it so much it now resides in my drawing room.

I used a favourite quilting pattern.

I have a few more quilts on the go but seem to be waiting for threads or wadding after the Christmas break.

I have completed some more blocks on Vintage Valentines

I seemed to have made lots of pillows lately. They make great gifts. Here are two of them.

Chris and Kate were delighted with their Christmas present.

The artist has captured the dogs so well. They didn't have the foggiest idea that they were getting this for Christmas and it was so nice to see their faces when they opened the box.

Archie was very poorly over Christmas and we were unsure if he would be able to celebrate his first birthday but he rallied on the 2nd.

We can tell from this photo that he has lost a lot of weight. He is growing up so quickly.

The weather has been dreadful, quite frightening in fact.

One of our very tall trees cracked from the top to over two thirds down and was only stopped from crashing down onto our cars by another tree. It was fortunate that the wind dropped for a few hours for the tree surgoens to attend to it.

Huge chunks of sand have been gouged out of the cove and I think that the owners of the beach cafe are worried that their building is going to be washed away. No photos as I am not well at the moment to go out with my camera.

These photos are from Porthleven which is very close to us. You can see just how big the waves are.

Stay safe and warm until next time.