I know this is way too early to be thinking about next Christmas when we only just got over this last one. But here is a great origami flower that will not only make Christmas decs, but will add a lovely touch to any other special occasion.
I know it has been a while since I've posted, but I have been just so busy traveling and organizing the quilt show.
We had a fantastic weekend with the show. I am pleased to say that I have presented the Heart of Kent Hospice with a cheque for £4200. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped and encouraged along the way.
This year, with the generous donation of a Brother sewing machine from Maidstone Sewing Centre, the overall visitors choice winner was Cindy Doe with her quilt, "Some of my favourite things". Well done Cindy!!!
Isn't this just a lovely quilt. Very beautifully embroidered and quilted. Easy on the eye with the gentle greens and pinks.
Here is the slideshow of the quilt show setup and entries.
I also will announce the winners of the raffle quilts. They have been notified and collected. So if you haven't received the call, I'm afraid you didn't win.
Thanks again to all for making it a very special weekend and hope to see you all again next year.
So many fabrics and gadgets and patterns and books!! I could have spent many more hours, but time was short. I had three days worth of intense classes. Just loved the buzz and the teachers were the best. I am thinking of getting a mini SUGAR retreat organized here in the UK. Anyone up for it? Let me know!
This weekend I have been busy planning an HST exchange. On Thursday I mentioned it to my quilt group in Aylesford, but hadn't really thought out how this would be carried out.
I love scrappy quilts and last year while at the Lancaster Quilt Show, I took a workshop with Edyta Sitar. She is a lovely lady and the workshop was a load of fun. She is the inspiration behind the HST exchanges. Her book, "Friendship Triangles", explains how, using her printed papers, groups can sew and exchange 2" finished triangle units, in order to get a wide variety of fabrics without the expense of buying them. There is a great free video on "The Quilt Show" with Edyta. Watch to see her explanation of how it all works.
I will be improvising by printing my own HST sets on a sheet of A4 paper. This will produce 16 - 2" finished HST units. I know there are many ways to make 2" finished units, but this paper method ensures conformity throughout. Also the idea is to sew two fabrics together and hand them in for the exchange without cutting and opening. When everyone who wants to participate has handed in their HSTs, I will cut and sort all the units. 16 HSTs in the same colourway will be exchanged for an equal number of units but in a variety of fabrics. Participants will collect the HSTs until there are enough to complete which ever project they choose. Papers will be left on the units until they are ready for assembly. This will make sure the seams will always press in the correct direction and bias edges will not be stretched. Once units are pressed open, then the papers can be removed.
The exchange is initially going to be run between the three quilt groups that I am associated with. If this takes off and runs well, I will consider doing it by post in the UK. Obviously, the more the merrier. So let's see how things roll on the smaller scale. If anyone else is interested, perhaps you could let me know by email.
Here are the beginnings of A4 mini quilts which each year are made as prizes in our 2012 HOKH Maidstone Quilt Show tombola. The lovely ladies of the Castle Wall Quilt group have helped me in making and finishing off these super mini quilts. Plenty more are needed. So if you feel inclined, please let me know and I will tell you how to get them to me. A reminder that the show is at Aylesford Priory, Kent, on 31 Aug - 2 Sept 2012. Not to be missed!
Providence RI is a lovely city. It is even better because MQX is there this week!!! If anyone is visiting the show and has some free time, I found this great map to use as a walking guide to do some sightseeing. Thanks to Chris at the Providence Preservation Society for this. I wish I had it when I visited Providence in the past.
