Tuesday 28 October 2014

One stunning quilt ...



made by my sister-in-law, Eileen Charleston!  

In Eileen's words ... "The quilt was made for my wonderful daughter Katherine and I'm currently stitching a dedication to her into the work.  I hope that it brings her many happy memories in the future and that one day our descendants might look at it and wonder about our lives.



"I started my quilt at a workshop at Quorn Country Crafts here in Loughborough about 5 years ago!!  Because I tend to be a slow worker, after the course I still had quite a bit to do and it's been a comfort and delight to keep picking it up as and when I could and see it slowly evolve. Barbara from the shop says that everyone needs to have a big project on the go that takes time, it made me feel better to hear that!  


"It is a candlewick quilt, it's widely thought that the name originates from the women who went west in America to settle new land.  Because what they could take with them in the wagons was limited they sewed using calico or canvas and ingeniously used candle wicks for thread hence the work generally being white or cream on white/cream.  Colonial or French knots and backstitch were traditionally used but I've used chain, stem, back, running and whipped running, buttonhole, coral, knots, satin, lazy daisy, fishbone and lattice stitches as well using DMC Perle thread and a chenille needle.  


"I embroidered 16 squares using designs supplied by Quorn Country Crafts and some that Katherine drew for me; she drew the irises, her favourite flowers and the peacocks, I included a rose design since it reminded me of the white rose of Yorkshire where both Katherine and I were born.  The squares were sewn together by machine and bars were added to make the quilt big enough for a double bed.  I then hand quilted each square and the bars and edges of the work using cream quilting cotton (it took over a reel of thread!) and a quilting needle.  The thread was waxed to make it stronger and easier to get through the work.  


"Although it's a long process I absolutely love sitting quietly and working by hand, it's so soothing in difficult times and so creative since you can chose what to quilt and it's great to see the embroidery suddenly have a 3D look to it. 


"My nerve failed when it came to binding such a large piece of hand quilted work so it was undertaken by Steph at Cup Cake Cottons and she did a wonderful job.  I finished off hemming the bound edge by hand and it went together beautifully."


It's absolutely beautiful Eileen!  Well done you! 

Vanessa x

Sunday 26 October 2014

Happy Birthday Andy ...



I think he likes our present! :)



I used a pattern by Allison Harris from Cluck Cluck Sew called Touchdown!  As Andy is American, I thought this pattern was appropriate and would help to remind him of home!   


Barbara at Fir Tree Quilting used her usual magic and came up with a pattern to long arm quilt it, which has a star in it for the stars and stripes!


It's been a difficult couple of weeks because my lovely Dad has been very poorly again and has had to undergo a second major operation!  Get well soon Dad ....

We all love you!


Vanessa x





Saturday 18 October 2014

Come on girls ......




I made this quilt for my sister-in-law Jo's birthday!  Jo loves chickens as much as I do, so I couldn't resist making her this quilt!  It's from a pattern by Pam & Nicky Lintott and the fabric is a dessert roll made up of Chateau Rouge by French General.  

As usual, I sent the quilt off to be long arm quilted by Barbara at Fir Tree Quilting.  Barbara suggested a feathers pattern and I think it works perfectly ...



 Happy belated birthday Jo Jo!



Vanessa x


Sunday 5 October 2014

Lovely to be back at Cupcake Cottons .....

this week working on my first angel quilt block ...



this angel is called Charlotte the Shopper!  She was born to shop!



the pattern is called An Angels Story and each month we will be making one or two blocks!  The pattern is just lovely with a little paragraph telling you all about the angel you are stitching - it's so sweet!



If you love Anni Downs like I do, then get yourself to Cupcake Cottons where Steph has permission to use her patterns!




I must also share this book by Gail Pan.  It has some beautiful designs in it and really easy to follow  stitching instructions - great for me as I'm not the best hand stitcher!

I bought the fabric for my angel quilt with the voucher my dear friends gave me for my birthday so I'm dedicating this quilt to them - thank you Sue, Maggie, Theresa and Lesley!

Vanessa x

Sunday 28 September 2014

Sew ...

Poppy is learning to sew!  She loved my tree cushion and asked if I could show her how to make one.  So last weekend we picked some fabrics and this weekend we started sewing ...


Making a start!

Work in progress!
Finished cushion!

Poppy loves owls!

An old school label came in handy!
Well done Poppy! Love you Mum x

Wednesday 24 September 2014

It was so lovely to hear from an old friend, Pat, this week ...

I worked with Pat many years ago in Derby and she contacted me to wish Mum and Dad a happy anniversary.  It was really lovely to hear from her and catch up with all her news.  And she made some complimentary comments about my blog and my sewing!  So thank you Pat ... a little something is on the way to you ... Happy Birthday on Wednesday!


Pat sews beautifully herself.  When I had my children she stitched them each a lovely sampler which I still have ...


Special gifts which I will keep forever!


Moving on from cushions and samplers though ... I made this book cover this evening.  It took me ages to work out how to do it but I'm thrilled with the result!  Poppy has already ordered one!


I used fabric called Noteworthy from a range by Moda.  I have a real love of stationery as well as fabric, so it was a perfect combination!


Vanessa x

Thursday 11 September 2014

A special delivery arrived ...

for my parents this morning ...



a Diamond Wedding Anniversary card from the Queen!



Needless to say they were totally surprised and thrilled, as they were with all the cards, flowers and gifts they have received!


Congratulations Mum and Dad for 60 years together!


Saturday 6 September 2014

Mad River Quilting, Vermont ...



I was in this lovely shop two years ago - September 2012 - and I bought a kit for a table runner ......


 however, I've turned it into one of my cushion covers ....


and here is the back ...


It's a little bit of Vermont in my sitting room!  I also bought this amazing fabric which I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with!


It's silly, but I have fabric which I love so much, I can't actually bring myself to use it!

Wednesday 3 September 2014

Chuffed to bits ...

that Margaret, my friend Julie Anger's Mum, picked my cushion as her raffle prize!


Thank you and hope you enjoy it Margaret! 

Monday 1 September 2014

A blue Cockerel in Trafalgar Square ....



Photo by Andy Zak from moving car!

whatever next?  It's 4.72m high!  Amazing!


Nothing to do with chickens or quilting but the poppies are beautiful  ...


These two looked pretty good ....


and this chap ...


and the guy with his arm around me is wonderful!




Happy belated Birthday David! xxx


Monday 25 August 2014

One for Mum ....

I've been busy making more cushions for the Village Fete next Sunday.  I showed the cushions to Mum and she loved them BUT none of them were the right colour - she wanted one for her spare room!  So I've spent a very wet bank holiday Monday afternoon making one especially for her ...

The front

The back
I hope she likes it.  I made this one as a raffle prize ...

Pattern by Lori Holt
Now I'm all cushioned out!

Friday 15 August 2014

Wonder how long it will take ...

for Archie to jump into my new quilt basket ?


Not sure I'm going to be able to part with this cute cushion ...


And look at this fabulous fabric from Cupcake Cottons ...



Steph and Sue call it Jam and Jerusalem!  I just love it.  I've asked Steph to put some aside for me because I think it will make the perfect backing for a teapot quilt I'm planning!  Oh so many quilts to make ... so much lovely fabric ... happiness!!! 



Wednesday 6 August 2014

The things you do for love ....


so David has bought himself a new camera ...... perfect for taking photographs of my quilts I feel!  

                      

out we went into the local countryside ......... he must love me!


David is now my official photographer!