The British Quilt and Stitch Village 2015

Hello everyone.  I was going through my photo album on my phone and suddenly realised that I hadn't posted about the trip my bestest friend Sue and I made to the Quilt and Stich Village at the end of April - so, better late than never...

 

 

It is held at Uttoxeter Race course, the weather was lovely...

 

 

The standard of entries to the embroidery competition was higher than ever...

 

 

Had to include a football theme here ;)...

 

 

Loved the colours used on this piece...

But the real reason for our trip was to see Sue's entries...aren't they amazing...

A crown to mark the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and a clock, the skill and hours of work that went into these cannot be truly measured...

She very deservedly won first prize in two categories!!  Well done Sue, I am so pleased that your beautiful work has won recognition for the second year in a row. 

We also had the chance to stock up on some craft supplies, there is a really nice collection of stalls with lots of goodies on offer.  I really look forward to attending this show, I have been to each one so far.

Hope you are having a lovely week!

Helenxx

Feeling Thankful

Thank Goodness its the Weekend!!!!!!!!!!  Wow, what a week.

Hello everyone, hope you are well and looking forward to a lovely weekend.  My feet haven't touched the ground this week, it has been very hectic again.  But now it is Saturday and I can have a little scrap of time to sit down, have a coffee, and reflect on things I have been thankful about lately.

First of all, a few weeks ago I received a lovely message from Susan to say that I had won the monthly apron giveaway she organises.  She makes the most amazing aprons, and very generously gives away one each month.  She is also an amazing cook and posts super recipes. 

The apron I had won had an October theme in the colours of the fabric, and to say that Susan is a talented seamstress is a vast understatement.  Susan, thank you so, so much, and I must apologise for the poor quality of the photos - it has not properly got light here for over a week.  Please go over to Susan's blog to see the apron in all it's true glory, but here are my efforts at trying to show how lovely it is...

Don't you just love the pocket design - so neat...

Trying to give an idea of the true colours of the fabric...

 

 

She also included a sweet card with a lovely message inside...

Susan, you are amazing, thank you again so much.

Last Sunday saw the last Formula 1 motor race of the season, if you read this blog regularly you will know that this household is an F1 fanatic household.  Darling Daughter made Red Velvet cupcakes to celebrate our favourite driver Mr. Kimi Raikkonen... the 2007 World Champion...

Number 7 is the number of his car...

 

watching the race munching cakes...

 

 Bless him, he has not had the best of years but we are hoping for better things next year.

This morning I have had time to sit and actually enjoy a cuppa without having to rush around...

And last night DH bought these home with him, didn't take long before they all disappeared...

Finally I thought I would share some batik and quilting work my Darling Daughter has been working on for her A level Textiles project.  She, like me, loves Autumn and has been using autumn leaves as inspiration.  I am so delighted with the quality of her work, she has really started to show a real skill and maturity in what she produces.  And her machine embroidery puts mine to absolute shame!

Well, I am going to treat myself to another cuppa (steady on there!!) before getting organised to go out on errands.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.  And of course, to all my friends out there in the US, belated Thanksgiving greetings.

Helenxx

Moorish Designs

Hello again, hope all is well with you and yours.

As a creative type, I love to observe different patterns - whether these are natural forms (think honeycomb or knots in wood), or man made.  The design and pattern I saw on the amazing buildings in Al Andalus recently totally bowled me over.  Lots of photos were taken.  Here are some of my favourites...

...to me, some lend themselves to patchwork, others to embroidery...such beauty, such precision and attention to detail...all completed whilst the rest of Europe was firmly in the Dark Ages...amazing.  Inspiring.

Helenxx