Saturday 25 October 2014

1514 In Machine Quilting Magazine

Look what dropped through the door this week, fabulous magazine and a wonderful article even though I say so myself! Thank you Machine Quilting Unlimited, so pleased to play a small part, well five and a bit pages....hehe....lot's of other wonderful articles in there too. You can purchase this magazine on line and have it delivered to your door or your PC straight from the US at https://mqumag.com or have a hard copy delivered from http://www.contentedcat.co.uk here in the UK.

You can also see more of this quilt in this blog post 1514 aka The Horse




Back next time with some customer quilt...that's a promise...again....


Monday 20 October 2014

Needle Stars with Paula

I recently took a trip over the border into England for Regional Day for the North East branch of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles, Region 15E.

It was a fun filled weekend, speakers for the day were Paula Nadelstern and Margaret Boe.

I just made it to the hall in time to here Paula tell her stories and show us her quilts too...what an interesting day, two very different styles but equally compelling.


Paula has been a long time piecing hero of mine, her quilts are intricate manipulations of fabric, even though we were told that it's the fabrics that make them look difficult...don't believe it....


Margaret too had travelled over the border from Edinburgh and took the afternoon slot and entertained us with her numerous tales of her quilting life.

Margaret chatting after her talk...
I was totally spoiled and had the pleasure of dinner out with Paula, Liz (our wonderful hostess) and Gillian on Saturday night.


Liz, Paula and Myself

On the Sunday I was lucky enough to take a class with Paula, I was so engrossed that we didn't take many treasured photos, most of my other class mates were already packing up or gone by the time I thought to find my phone....but this one is special.....



I did manage to finish my first block...at home....


Looks impressive, I'm not totally happy with it so my next block is cut out and ready to sew....need to get the technique down while it's still in my mind. Wish I had more time to spend on this but somehow my customers seem to think Christmas is coming, I have a few quilts to get on with....

I promise to show some customer quilts in my next post....


Thursday 2 October 2014

1514 aka The Horse wins Best of Show

 I was totally blown away last week when Grosvenor Shows phoned to tell me my quilt 1514 aka The Horse had won Best in Show and Best large wall hanging. I'm always a bit stunned to get a phone call like that, I still can hardly get my head around the fact that I am an award winning quilter.You can see some of the process of making this quilt in this post 1514 aka The Horse....

Me and my Mum with my award winning quilt... 

Best Large Wall Hanging Award
I also won a Jugdes Choice award from Merrilyn Orr

Best of Show Award from David Drummond Sewing Machines.... David was actually born in Hawick

My Friend and customer Liz Villalobos also won Best Bed Quilt and I won Best Longarm Quilter for her quilt Astrum Pennequae


My quilt Strip Polka won a 3rd Prize ribbon in the theme category 'diamonds'.

My quilt Portland Points won a 3rd prize too in the large wall hanging category.


I had tough competition from Birgit Shueller from Germany who won runner Up Champion with her quilt Shooting Stars.



Hand Quilting from Andrea Stracke also from Germany

Andrea's Ribbons

My friend Rhianons quilt 'Fruit Salad' on the left with her ribbons


Rhianon's Tropical Fish


Rhianon with our quilts, you can visit Rhianons blog here


Loved this African themed quilt by Freda Oxnam


Fabulous Quilt commemorating  100 years since the 1st World War.... if any one can give me the name of the maker I'd be grateful and pleased to include it....

I finished off with a little retail therapy by adding to my collection of Bonnie Hunter books with Susan at the Kaleidoscope Books stand...

All in all a very enjoyable if not tiring weekend....