Monday 6 April 2009

Quilt show and new fire

I had a wonderful day out at Trentham visiting Quilts in the Garden on Sunday. It was well worth the visit as there were some wonderful quilts on display although sadly they were not really at their best as the lighting was not good. I did the best that I could with the photos but it was not easy, particularly as it was difficult to get into a good position for a shot as well. The winning bed quilt was by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths, another beautiful example of her hand work, including the Sea Lily blocks from Jenny Beyer's book which were hand pieced using the traditional English method.



I loved the colours that were in Maggie Relph's wall hanging which was made from her sunprint fabric.



This next one is another lovely wall hanging by Annabel Rainbow - it really stood out in the rather dim light.



There was also a small exhibition by a contemporary textile group called Eclectica who meet at the Forge Museum at Redditch which provided some excellent and varied pieces. I can't acknowledge who made the pieces I'm afraid.






I was extremely restrained amongst the traders for a change and only bought two wall hanging patterns from Anja Townrow. I have several others from her but have only ever made one of them - perhaps I will be inspired to do some more now. Having said I was restrained we did also visit the retail village after lunch and I discovered a shop called Weird Fish and treated myself to a new jacket which meant that I had just about spent up before going back to the quilt show. I did need a new jacket whereas I definitely did not need more fabric!

The fireplace is finished. relatively painless because the two young men who were with me for three days were so pleasant and left the place immaculate. Here is the 'before' picture with the old gas fire and the fake marble and MDF surround that I had always hated.



And this is what I have now - the slightly darker marks have now gone, it was just from where they had wiped down the stone and it was still damp. I love it as it makes the room seem warmer even when it is not lit.



I got a wonderful surprise when I was checking my emails on Sunday evening to find that a landscape hanging that I had been doing with the Learningfa Yahoo group was on the home page. First time I have done a landscape and I have to admit that I had to add the three-dimensional butterflies to help out the perspective but I am quite pleased with it.



I'm now back on shifts until Sunday morning so time spent sewing will be greatly reduced but I wish you all, happy stitching.

Maggi

12 comments:

  1. I wish I could have attended that show! The quilts all look so yummy! But if the truth be known, it was your own quilt on the bottom of your post that I liked the best. Gorgeous!
    Also, thanks for the compliments you left on my blog!

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  2. Thank you for your report on the show. I was hoping to go too but couldn't make it. I think the group you mention is maybe Eclectica and the tulip piece looks very like Sue Hunt's work (they were at the Sewing For Pleasure Show and I've got a similar photo).

    Your new fire and fireplace look lovely. I would love a multi burner in my studio.

    Well done on your landscape quilt. It's beautiful.

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  3. Thanks for putting those quilts on your blog, Maggi. I love quilt shows - i often find that on some I love the colours but the stitching is a bit "off" and on others the stitching is superb but they are not my colours - it is quite rare to find one that meets all the criteria - I love those daisies. It is such a subjective thing, isn't it?

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  4. Hello maggie! Thank you so much for the link and your kind words about Yellow Daisies. I couldn't go to the show myself so was pleased to see that they'd made it there safe and sound. Your landscape quilt is gorgeous and I love the depth you've managed to get and you're right about the 3D butterflies bringing it all forward. Congratulations!

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  5. Hi Maggi, Just found your blog (from PP forum) and noticed you are 'cool link of the week'. Ros

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  6. Your landscape quilt is beautiful and I love the wallhangings from the quilt show too. Your new fire place and woodburning stove look very smart and attractive. I get more pleasure from home improvements than almost any other expenditure (except books, threads and fabric)!!

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  7. HI Maggi,
    What lovely quilts from the show- I love the sun print fabric one- the colors are beautiful.
    It sounds like you had a wonderful day out.
    Don't work too hard this week.
    Regards,
    Anna

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  8. Hi Maggie. What fabulous quilts, my favourite has to be the Annabel Rainbow. I love the colour green. Your new fireplace is gorgeous bet you smile everytime you look at it. I do like tidy workmen! Your own landscape quilt is beautiful. xx

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  9. Sounds like you had a great time! I love those quilts...very pretty. I am not familiar with her patterns, am going to look her up now.

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  10. Maggi thank for this Quilt Show.
    Congratulation for your landscape that I like very much.
    ciao ciao

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  11. The landscape is wonderful. Love the butterflies.

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  12. Gosh, your quilts are just stunning! The landscape quilt is a work of art!

    Visiting from the Spring Bloom Mini Quilt Swap!

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