Little Gems

I know I have blogged about this before but the time is going on and this is just a reminder that the Quilter's Guild are asking people to make and donate a 'Little Gem' for the Tombola project at Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham in August. Full details can be found on the Little Gem Quilts website "http://www.littlegemquilts.wordpress.com">

This project is for a very good cause as it is to raise funds for St. Anthony's Museum at Guild Headquarters in York. Please if you have time, make one for us. The project is open to anyone, not just Guild members. Full details are on the website.

Fair Update

On Saturday we drove to Bath to set up our stand for the Vintage Fashion Fair at the Assembly Rooms on Sunday. Sunday was a very warm day and we did not see an awful lot of people so things were quite quiet. Just before it was time to pack up we were made to feel a little better with the arrival of a late customer who went round the room like a whirlwind buying things from almost everyone. I think she saved the day for some of us.
We were sitting underneath the chandeleir all day!! Thank goodness it was securely in place.








I have had a busy few days. We were at Calne in Wiltshire Thursday and Friday for a Talent for Textiles Fair.



We travelled to Calne on Thursday and spent the night in B&B in Calne town centre. Not a very big Town and not very much to see but what there is is interesting and the redevelopments have been done very tastefully.
We had a successful day selling our goodies and travelled back home Friday evening.

Sewing for Days

I have been sewing for days, getting ready for a Talent for Textiles Fair at Calstone House, Calne, Wiltshire on Friday 12th June. I have so much fabric hanging around my house I am having a blitz and am making up as much as I can.
These bags are made from an assortment of vintage fabrics and are just basic shopper size but made with lovely fabrics. My favourite is the flowery one with the duck egg blue background.
I have used vintage french linen and metis for extra strength.
I am selling these bags for £18. If anyone would like to buy one please let me know before Thursday as I shall be taking them with me to Calne.
Now that I am in stitching mode again I have lots of ideas for things to do as well as a commission to make some corsets.
I have put more detailed photographs of the bags in to my photostream on flickr. Just click on the badge at the side.

RACE FOR LIFE, KINGSTON MAURWARD

Have just got back from Kingston Maurward, Dorchester where the RACE FOR LIFE has been taking place. My daughter, grand-daughter and a friend were taking part.
It seemed a daunting task to cover 5 kilometers on such a hot day. Fortunately there has been a breeze blowing and this made it a little easier.
They all managed it past the finishing line. Martin Clunes was there to start the race and was there at the finishing line to cheer them all on. He's a nice chap. He lives in Dorset not far from Dorchester.
I think they did very well, as did all the participants. As usual I didn't get through the 2 or 3 hours without shedding a few tears. Everyone was racing for someone and all the runners had a label on their back with the names of loved ones. It was a lump in the throat moment for me and as much as I tried I couldn't stop myself reading every lable that went past me.
They should all be very proud of themselves and I know I am proud of my lot. Perhaps I will have a go myself next year. Better start training now!!!!!!!

Petworth continued

On the way back to the Horseguards Inn on Saturday evening we turned a corner and came upon these lovelies. I was allowed to stroke the pony owned by the little girl in the trap. His name was Alfie.!!! What an end to a lovely day.

Petworth House

Last Saturday I was at my local regional Quilters Guild Day at Sturminster Marshall where I had been invited to take my personal collection of Antique Costume to show them. It was a great day with lots of trade stands to browse and purchase yet more fabric from! The speaker in the morning session was Susan Chapman whose work I have always admired as well as her no-nonsense approach to things. She had brought plenty of her things for us to see and gave a very interesting and informative talk about her work and methods. My slot was in the afternoon and I think I managed to keep everyone interested and entertained. We packed up at about 4 p.m. and I then loaded my car and set off for Petworth in Sussex. I was going to join Linda there where she had a stand at the Costume and Textile Fair being held there in Marquees in the grounds. It was quite a long drive made longer by a few of my detours!!!!!! but I arrived about 6.30 p.m. just in time for a large glass of red wine and an excellent meal.
We were staying at the Horseguards Inn at Tillington. Such a lovely place, run by young people who were the most charming hosts. The room was beautiful and spotlessly clean and the food and service excellent. It deserves 5*****. If you are ever in the vicinity it is well worth going to have a look. They are very green and have their own chickens for eggs, make their own marmalade, grow their own herbs and veg. Quite something.
Petworth House is a delight and the grounds are beautifully kept. We had our own little tented village with a Deli Bar and a Jazz Band. The weather was scorching and it got so hot in our Marquee that I had to shed some layers and ended up wearing one of our dyed linen shifts!
The business was good and we sold a lot of our French linen which is excellent news as it means we have to go back and get some more!!
Horseguards Inn, Tillington.

Textiles at Poundbury

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338396600167100514" /> We had a grea day at Poundbury on Wednesday. The weather was dry and sunny but quite windy which was a little troublesome for the people with stalls outside. However, it didn't rain which was a big plus.
I was indoors with all my costume and pretty bits. It was busy and the atmosphere was friendly and jolly with lots of regular customers and quite a few new faces turning up.

On Saturday I am one of the Speakers at the Quilters Guild Region 4 Area Day held at Sturminster Marshall. I shall be taking along my collection of Antique Costume to show them. I shall also have some of my own work with me for the 'Show and Tell'. When I first started Patchwork and Quilting I was influenced a lot by my interest in Antique Textiles and used a lot of reproduction printed fabrics. Now, my work has changed and I only use fabrics that I have dyed myself. When I have finished at Sturminster Marshall I shall be driving straight to Petworth, in Sussex to join Linda who has a stand at the Textile and Costume Fair at Petworth House. It will be a long day but it will be a nice break of sorts as we don't come back to Dorset until Monday evening.

Happy Bank Holiday week-end everyone.