Interesting Find

DH and I went to a local "antiques" fair this morning and this dish caught my eye. It's about 8" diameter and in a sandy stoneware clay. I think it's lovely and await my followers in Oz telling me they're a ten a penny tourist item! I'll still love it,

Leisurely Afternoon

I could go and do some gardening but these books have just arrived so I think I know what I'll do this afternoon. Have a great weekend.

Pony Trekking Video

I can't believe I didn't post a video of Sam on his first ever pony trekking experience while we were in Northumberland.  As you can see, I have remedied that :-)
Tomorrow Al and I are looking after the wonderful Sam for a few days.  I'm taking some sewing with me as Sam will be at school during the day.  I should have something to share soon.  I'll be continuing to work on The Wall (thanks for all your encouraging comments, here and on Facebook) and working on a piece based on the colours of the landscapes we enjoyed, especially the heather and the stunning rowan trees which were heavily laden with deep orange berries.

The Wall

Some progress made with my book of journal quilts based on our holiday in Northumberland, I'm enjoying the hand stitching.

Country Roads Quilters, September

I had a lovely day with Country Roads Quilters today after the Summer break.  We had a good attendance and an inspiring show and tell of what everyone had been doing, textile wise, over the Summer.  We also planned some workshops and activities for the coming months.

I was delighted to have the help of several fellow quilters to arrange a lap quilt.

This consists of blocks I received for my birthday from members of Global Piecers  and is sashed with some of the extra fabric they sent. The crossing points will be squares of a rich russet when I find the ideal fabric.  There are more blocks to make up the reverse of the lap quilt (I have a few of a suitable colouring from an earlier block swap), but one thing at a time.  Thank you ladies, I think we cracked it!

Heart Block Swap Progress

The current Global Piecers swap is of heart blocks. The idea is to remind each other that people all around the world are thinking about us, praying for us and simply there for us, especially when life gives us lemons. I imagine most of us will make a wall hanging with our blocks so that we can see it every day.

I can't reveal who these blocks are for and haven't shown one as Sal wanted blue and white hearts and so it would be pretty obvious which was heading her way.  I've had a lovely afternoon hand stitching the blocks and thinking about the people they are for. Each block is 6.5" wide unfinished and a multiple of 6" plus half an inch long, this should make for an interesting layout.

Tomorrow I am off on a jolly with DD. We are going to Stitchcraft Studio in Grantham (at long last, it's been open over a year now). The trip is mainly for Saz but I expect I could be tempted, watch this space.

Home and Starting to Think in Stitches

We're back safely from our holiday on Hadrian's Wall and, after doing the washing, cleaning out the car and restocking the fridge/freezer which defrosted while we were away, my mind is turning to quilty thoughts.
I didn't do very much shopping while we were away but did get a few little treats.  We visited the Forge Studios in Allendale and discovered a real treasure.  Not only is there a collection of individual craftspeople based there but there are good quality exhibitions and a very nice café.

I bought a scraps bag and some lovely threads with a project based on the area in mind and I collected various bits and pieces on our travels.  I'm not sure how I'll be using them but I certainly had a lot of inspiration in the countryside.

I was also unable to resist this throw from one of the English Heritage sites we visited.  It's made in Britain, from recycled wool.

Here's some of that inspiration:

And finally, these Roman scissors ( below left) were found at one of the sites we visited and were exhibited with a modern pair alongside, good design never dates does it?

More Adventures

What have we been doing? Another trip to the excellent Beamish Museum where we saw cinder toffee being made and got to ride on loads of different trams and buses. Also Sam tried out this little grey Fergie for size. 

More Roman adventures at Chesters Fort and Sam now has his very own soldier costume, much to the delight of other visitors.

What about these great wild flowers? Super seed heads. Anyone know what they are please?