Stash Pictures ~ That's All

From Nimble Thimble

LHN - Thread Gatherer

Drawn Thread ~ Morning Glory

Drawn Thread ~ Sisters + Friends

Drawn Thread ~ Love Scissor Tag

There was another design but as it has no picture other than the chart I'm not uploading it for obvious reasons.

From Castle Court Quilters

Yummy Christmas fabric ~ I already had the piece on the right

Finca Perle, stitch ripper and fabric with sewing accessories

A Trip With The LM

It's amazing how the change of one word ~ or place name ~ can suddenly make a LM business trip sound very appealing.  It's a trip that the LM has made many times while we've been together and never before have I had the urge to make the journey with him ...... until now.
Welshpool ~ never fancied it really ~ until the LM declared that he would be staying in Oswestry, and as soon as he mentioned this my ears pricked up.  Why? well because I know that The Nimble Thimble is not far from Oswestry ~ and never before have I heard of it's proximity to Welshpool ~ perhaps I should take up geography again!
So, we drove down late afternoon on Thursday a couple of weeks ago, stayed over and the following morning I deposited the LM off at his appointment and set off back to Oswestry.

Well, 8am was too early to go directly to The Nimble Thimble, so I parked up and went in search of coffee (and granola bar).  It was a warm but raining off and on.  I visited all the charity shops in search of brooches for my bouquet ~ found a couple but they had missing stones, but I did buy a vintage enamelled hair grip that I might be able to include.
I found the most incredible bead shop ~ Beadazzeled ~ what an absolute treasure trove and the owner was so lovely.  Unfortunately my parking was due to expire so I had to leave sooner than I cared.  If you're ever in the area it's most definitely worth a visit.
Then I set off for the main event.

The Nimble Thimble at Llangedwyn Mill ~ Gorgeous setting even in the wet miserable weather of the day.  And when you step inside it's difficult to know where to start looking ~ there are just so many fabulous things to take in.  Chris explained where everything was and gave details of some special offers/sales that were currently on.  I had a wonderful time leafing through all the different designers ~ I'll show you what I bought another time as I have no photographs yet ~ sorry.  Instead, here are some pictures of inside. 

 

 Note to self ~ must find out how to do "clever" stuff with photographs.

 

I hope to return soon ~ perhaps the Lovely C & I could have a road trip?  Might need to save up a bit first.

Chris was very welcoming and helpful ~ she enquired if I liked fabric as there was a quilting shop not far from Oswestry that was worth a visit.  Well, I was in the area, it seemed rude not to go.

Castle Court Quilter is spread over three rooms ~ two filled with masses of gorgeous fabrics & patterns etc and a large teaching room for classes.  Diana, the owner was busy getting ready for a local show but was really lovely and helpful.  I bought some fabric ~ what a surprise ~ however I can't show it as I have no pictures ~ Oops!  Will resolve that soon.

I can show you these gorgeous Finca perle colours ~ it's enough to make your mouth water ~ and, yes I did bring some of it home with me.  I had a very late lunch in the castle coffee shop over the road before heading back to collect the LM from where I had deposited him.  Our journey home was awful ~ it was the Friday when the Olympic festivities were cancelled in Blackpool.  I've never seen so much rain on the motorway, let alone driven in it.  I was pleased to relinquish the driving seat at Charnock Richard services, it didn't stop raining but the worst was definitely over by then.

Conclusion ~ beads, cross stitch & fabric all within a reasonable distance ~ definitely worth visiting the area.

Kate   

What a Difference a Week Makes



And I'm so pleased it does ~ this is what we experienced last Thursday on our journey home from work.

5.3 miles ~ journey time 2 hours 36 minutes



We didn't risk it ~ turned around to find
 an alternative route



Then we got stuck here for over an hour







Alternative route ~ wrong side of the river
Cemetary wall collapse





Taking the car for a plodge before crossing
the river again

Dude where's our road?
Taken by GB2 from bedroom

Coming up the drive
Taken by GB2

We were very lucky, we know of others who were stranded far longer, were without power and worse again for those who suffered damage to their property.  Never underestimate the power of nature.

I'll leave you with the lightening over the Tyne Bridge

Kate

Summer Exchange

As reveal day has now passed I can show you the summer exchange pieces from Needlecraft Haven.
This is the lovely bag, recipe book and card that I received from Dusty.  It's already had a couple of outings - yesterday it carried a little quilt top to Just Quilting to get wadding, backing and binding fabric, and last night it carried my sewing to Tuesday Stitching Group.  It's a great size and I love it - thanks so much Dusty.
I think it will be coming to France to carry my holiday stitching.

 I stitched this design for Barb ~ I know that The Sampler Girl's design are favourites of hers.  That and the subject matter made it perfect.  It was a dream to stitch and I finished it as a pillow with pockets added on the reverse side.  I am so pleased that Barb likes it.
I've signed up to do the Autumn exchange too so I'm currently looking out designs that would be appropriate.

Today my main task is stash organising, I have stuff spread out all over the place trying to get it into some semblance of order ~ it's a job that has needed doing for quite some time.  I'm hoping to get it all finished today and also get my database updated.

Wish me luck!

Kate

Stitchery Project Roll

I mentioned in my last post the project roll I finished ~ we were to complete the stitchery prior to the class and I was on track to do so until 2 days before the class I left my sewing bag in the office!  So I was up very late the following night and actually finished at the beginning of the class.
There were six of us making the project roll at Just Quilting and it was a lovely class and I actutally managed to finish ~ I'm not sure but this may be a first!

I don't know about you but choosing fabric for a project takes me forever and as I wanted to use threads in the stitchery that co-ordinated I called in the week before to do this and also to trace the design using the light box.
I really enjoyed the stitchery once I got started, I always worry that my stitches are too big/too small/not straight but............. I'm very pleased with how this turned out.

 Here's mine both inside and out ~ the quilted lines are a little wonky!  Those are the LM's legs in the background ~ oops.

It's a large size as it's meant to be used for quilt blocks ~ it currently holds about 6 of my stitching projects that are waiting to be finished.

These are all the finished rolls pictured at the end of the class ~ mine is 2nd from the front.
We also started to make a little needle book too which you can see just to the right of Jill's roll at the front.
I have another class booked at Just Quilting next month ~ Christmas in July ~ I'm really looking forward to seeing what's in store for us.  Hopefully I will finish something in that class too.

Kate

Lots to Tell

It's been quite some time since I was here last ~ lots of things have been going on, some good some not so good however we're not going to get bogged down with that.
Since I was last here:

• The LM and I took a trip to Scotland in the LM car with a group from the TVR Club ~ we extended our stay to spend a few days on the Isle of Skye which was absolutely beautiful.  I'll post some pictures another time.
• We've booked our wedding, issued save the date letters, bought tartan and started a collection of brooches
• I finished a stitchery and did a class to make it into a project roll ~ pictures soon
• I had a trip to London with the LM while he was there on business ~ I walked forever ~ visiting some of the places I was taken to as a child by the WP's.  Too much walking stopped me doing anything at all the following day!
• GB1 has finished his AS Level exams
• GB2 has completed his GCSE exams
• I had a trip to Penrith for a stitching day
• LM has had his boy's week in Le Mans for the 24 hour race
• I had a "finishing" weekend
• GB1 has spent the last week on a medical shadowing work experience in a local hospital
• LM & I were in Wales Thursday/Friday - unfortunately the LM was working however I was able to visit some fabulous places ~ report soon
• I haven't stitched enough!

Last weekend was IHSW and I had decided to make it a finishing weekend ~ the cutting mat, sewing machine, ironing board and various other bits of paraphernalia were permanent features the whole weekend.  I had a lovely time ~ I managed 6 finishes (well 5 really as one was completed earlier in the week).  One is an exchange piece that I can't share until after reveal day which is 30 June and one a birthday present which is yet to be given to the recipient.  These are the others:

This is Lizzie Kate's Ho Ho Ho in a Row which I have made into a small pillow finish using some fabric I bought at the Harrogate show last November from a range called Ready Steady Snow.  It's  lovely & bright and suits the design well.  I was going to use the same fabric to finish Jolly Holiday also by Lizzie Kate but didn't get round to it.

Next is Wee Santa 2005 from Heart in Hand.

Another pillow finish with fabric bought from Just Quilting not with anything specific in mind but I like how it turned out.  Same fabric was used for back.

This is Herbert, also from Heart in Hand ~ you may notice that he isn't signed or dated, Herbert was started in 2007 on a flight to Germany for work.  Back then the only pieces I signed where those I did for other people.  Same fabric range as above but a slightly smaller pillow.

Smaller pillow again, same fabric range ~ this is Whee Willie another Heart in Hand design.

And here's the trio all together ~ I am delighted with how they have turned out.  I am also very pleased that they have become "something" rather than just finished stitched pieces sitting in a drawer, I look forward to displaying them in our home at Christmas.  I hope that those of you who participated in the IHSW enjoyed your creative time as much as I did.

I have tons of blog reading to catch up with ~ can't promise to leave comments but I will be reading all your updates. 

Until next time.

Kate

Naughty Blogger

I am still here, had stuff going on but will be back shortly with a few updates. See you soon. Kate