Attack on the Quilt in the Attic!

Big apologies for the very poor quality of my mobile phone photographs of late............

Progress Report: I'm already swearing that I'll never make a quilt again!!! But I've gone past the half way point - I've sewn 70 blocks so far leaving 30 to go! I better get in front of that Bernina and get down to some serious stitching ....... Thank goodness for BBC Radio 6 and snacks!!!!!

On Offer Today

On offer from a door step near you!

Alan Again

I think Grayson Perry's latest exhibition of tapestries is over now, but if ever you get a chance, do go along to see his work. Along with his fabric pieces were his ceramics, I couldn't resist taking a pic of his 'Alan Measles' bear on top of one of his vases. Which reminds me - I must finish the Alan Measles tapestry that I picked up at his last show!........

Lost in Challock

We trundled around Kent in search of a certain village church. After a few wrong turns and false trails we managed to find it, well hidden but worth the effort. Inside were 3 murals from the last century that my other half was very interested in. While he looked at those I searched out the embroideries and found some tapestry kneelers including the above - meeow!!!!!

Up in the Garret

We're in Rye once again for a summer break. I've found a quiet spot up in the attic where I've set up my sewing machine. I'm working on a log cabin quilt for this very room, so I'm in the ideal place!

Olympic Rings

I love the Olympics - the opening and closing ceremonies, the world getting together, everyone trying their best, the handmade posters and flags, I find it all very uplifting. But I hate the way that the Olympic Rings have become 'untouchable', our natural desire to do our own versions of the world famous flag have been stamped on by the authorities and the 'official sponsors'. Schools, small business and individuals have been deprived of the chance to take part, if only in a small way, in an event that surely is meant for one and all. But here and there if you look closely you see signs of rebellion like this display in a haberdashery shop - Yay! That's the spirit, you can't take those rings away from us!

All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go

Finds

Today we wandered around Rye. I bought a few small things including the above - a beautiful pair of hand knitted booties made by the wife of the owner of the smallest bookshop I've ever been to! A glass paperweight and a hand turned wooden bowl from a vintage shop, all pleasing to the eye and very soothing to hold in your hands.

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Mr and Miss Ted

This week I've been tinkering on my knitting machine, unfortunately I managed to ruin it by getting a part stuck in the needle bed - ahg! So today I dragged out my old machine which has thankfully turned out to do the trick. I've also taught myself how to work a picot hem as you can see in Miss Ted's dress. Have a great weekend!X

Green Scene

Here's one of my latest bears named Mr Ted after the original(knitted) Mr Ted owned by my daughter. His jumper colour reminds me of the scout jumpers my mum used to knit for my brother...

Cushy Number

The lovely Ellie came to visit at the studio the other day bearing a wondrous gift that she knitted herself, it's so colourful and has a great texture that makes it very difficult to put down once you've picked it up! Thank you! X X X

Hello There!

Yup, I'm a little bit lopsided, but hey - nobody's perfect!

Hey You!

I just wanted to say thank you to all the lovely people out there for being wonderful and for cushioning the shock of turning 50 years old! x Lorna

Picnic Time

After weeks of endless rain we are now experiencing lovely hot sunny days - hooray! We had a tasty picnic and played games (duck duck goose and grandmas keys) at Kew Gardens with the daughters and some friends. We walked through the tree tops on the 'Tree Walk' and looked at the fabulous paintings of Marianne North. 

Behind The Scenes

Here's an inside view of some of my bears before I turn them inside out. The safety eyes and noses that I use come with either metal or plastic washers, making these bears look a little like crazy denim robots!

Bear Blast From The Past

I knitted these two teds many years ago when the girls were little, I think they were known as the Misses Teds, there was also a Mr Ted, all from a very old pattern from the 1940's I guess, if I find it (and Mr Ted) I'll post them up for you to see.

Jump To It!

Hi, I made knitted up these little bear jumpers on my brother knitting machine last week.

On The Way To Work.....

The other day I went to work with the other half and he chose the route that we took. We walked through an arcade and saw these huge teddy bears taking a break outside a shop - hilarious - it looks like they've just run the marathon!

Jump To It!

I'm happy with this bear jumper design now. I found out how to make a ribbed edge without using a ribbing attachment so the hems don't look so crazy. I should give those bears faces though, they're looking a little bit blank at the moment!

Bear With Me - Again!

I dragged out the old knitting machine to work on a jumper for this bear. I used a handy little tool that helps me to create the raglan sleeve. I'm nearly there with the finished version. Will keep you posted. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Behind The Scenes

Here's another set of log cabin style blocks. I work from the centre out, spiralling around as I go. If you look closely at the reverse side you can see how it builds up. Confused? I could show you step by step, but that would mean entering my patchworked mind! Any offers?

Bear With Me

I've been working on a new bear design, these are my first attempts.

Piece Work

I have pieced together the first 4 blocks of my next quilt. I really enjoyed making Rob's birthday quilt last year, but it was such a mad rush to get it finished in time for the big day, that I didn't do it justice (I keep noticing things that I'd like to change on it and gaps in the stitching - oooops!). So this time I've planned the whole quilt, collected all the fabrics together and finally cut out all the strips during the weekend. So now it's up to me to make up the 100 squares that I'll need to make a double bed sized quilt to match Rob's, but this time there's no deadline to meet so hopefully there won't be any crazy stitching unless I'm having a crazy day of course!

Cranbrook Finds

We visited a little town called Cranbrook in Kent last Saturday where I picked up this selection from a charity shop.

Fair and Square

Here you see 100 little squares of fabric all ready for my next patchwork project, I'll keep you posted...............

Christmas Past

Thank you Cynthia for this photo of your little angel bear, Christmas seems so far away now!

Work In Progress

At Hazel's

Hey, Hey, Hey! Here's Hazel's home crew! It must be getting pretty crowded there!

At Liberty's House

 

 

Well, these guys look well settled in! - Thank you Liberty for the lovely photographs!

Floral Tribute

When I was last in Birmingham I went to my favourite Brummy fabric emporium the Fancy Silk Store and bought this cheerful needlecord, the sales assistant tried to convince me that it was 'Jamaican Style' (nice try!), but I think it is from the 1960's as it was way down under the biggest stack of corduroy you've ever seen!