Random photos and inpirations...

 

I had a rummage through the Picasa web albums for this blog, as I'm still puzzled how the photo in my previous post got out, but as I can't find it here,it must have got out via another route... maybe I sent it as an e mail attachment to someone who posted it on a forum? I didn't think I've ever posted it on Facebook.  So it remains a mystery.  I don't even teach hishi seigaiha in a workshop.

I found quite a few other random interesting and amusing photos from several years ago, so I've reposted them here.

First up is a photo from around 2008 - Hartley Morris Men's musicians, and Glyn's melodeon is in the photo.  It is the Hohner Pokerwork in the centre.  It has been a while since it has been played as well as by Tony, as Glyn is still very much a beginner.  This melodeon came to us all the way from Kent via 'Quilters' Express', passed hand to hand via the Quilters' Guilds' Portsmouth AGM last year and the Quilt Museum at York and arriving at the Loch Lomond Quilt Show in May. Speaking of the Quilt Museum, the photo below was taken on my first visit there in 2009 and I am planning to see all the exhibitions next year before the present museum closes and the collection and Guild HQ move to to another home.

 

 With my friends from Yuza Sashiko Guild at the museum in 2010.

I have started writing up the cutting and technique instructions for 'Japanese Circles and Squares' this week, going rather slowly (as is this blog post!) as I am typing one-handed due to rather painful tendonitis, which the doctor thinks was caused by all the hand sewing on the kilts I've been making.  I will certainly include machine applique instructions for the circles!  I hope to make my favourite workshop quilt the subject of my first self published book, which will have many variations on the workshop design.  It would be great to be able to include some photos of quilts made at or after my workshops, but I would ideally need better quality photos than many I already have.  Ideally, the quilt needs to be photographed flat/square, evenly lit, not blurry, at 300dpi minimum over an A5 image.  So, filling the frame at the best resolution on a camera that is 7mega pixels or higher.  I would need the photos e mailing as jpgs and it would be nice to be reminded re your fabric choices etc too.

This quilt was made at a workshop near Bristol -

This Japanese colourscheme looks almost festive!

 

Because it is nearly Christmas, here are a few quilt inspiration images to suit the season - the tiles at Llangollen town hall; several details from York Minster; and restored medieval wallpaintings from Llanidloes market hall.

 

 

 

 

 

Also, because Christmas packing is on the horizon, here are a few photos of the much-missed Fluff and Takenoko showing how to fit awkward shapes into boxes of various sizes...

Morris dance date for your diary

One of the highlights of my trips to Kent while demonstrating/teaching at the National Quilt Championships at Sandown Park is an evening out with Hartley Morris Men, the side my cousin (currently Squire of the Morris Ring) began dancing with. This year, it coincides with the following locations - 18th - 8.30 p.m. Harrow, Knockholt (TN14 7JT)
_____9.30 p.m. The Bricklayer's Arms, Chipstead (TN13 2RZ)

Judging by the postcodes, we won't have too far to travel from where we are staying. A great evening of dance with a good singaround afterwards is pretty much guaranteed.

Update with photos -

An almost Solstice sunset -

St George's Day in England & Wealden Quilt Show

InWales, it was Thursday, but in England, April 23rd is St George's Day. What could be better than to celebrate by spending the evening out at a good pub, watching some morris dancing?

Hartley Morris Men and Kettle Bridge Clogs danced at the Queen's Head, Mereworth.

Four of the local scouts had learned a stick dance for their Heritage Badge and they performed it with some of Hartley's dancers. Afterwards, the Squire of the Morris Ring presented them with certificates.

There were plenty of St George's flags and red and white to be seen, not only on the dancers' kit, though Hartley's Fool leaves you in no doubt where they're from with his Union Jack tailcoat & hat. One of his coat badges is "You can always tell a Brit.... but you can't tell him much!" LOL



There's always some good singing in the bar after Hartley have danced out, with lots of choruses to join in with. I was trying to look after my voice for two days of sashiko demos at the Wealden Quilt Show at Crowborough, so I tried to keep quieter than usual. After three days' demoing & talking at Quilts in the Garden earlier this month, I could only croak on the Monday morning!


The Denman Kannon central panel is nearly finished and I'll be able to add the borders soon.

It was a lovely show with many excellent quilts, and a good proportion of larger bed quilts - often there aren't so many bed quilts at shows these days. Thank you very much to Lynette (the "Stitch Witch") and Jan for inviting me at short notice!

There were several large "Round the World" theme sampler quilts done to Lynette's designs, with blocks for different countries. It is always refreshing to see a new take on a sampler quilt. She also had her lovely new pansies panel on display - you can see it on her website.

Jan was demoing with one of the top of the range Bernina sewing machines, with programmable embroidery designs. I was too busy during the show to see it working, but it looked really interesting.