Get your patchworks out

When a magazine e- mailed me to ask for images of my patchworks for a feature in the Spring it gave me the excuse to get all my babies out.
Some of them are treasured " wrecks " some are stock, wish I had some that got away.... I find a gap in my life as well as my cupboard when I sell quilts....still this is what I do

New Kid on the Block

http://scarletvelvetsgothicemporium.blogspot.com/

Restoring Quilts, long job but worth the effort

This antique Durham is gorgeous, look at the quilting !
The problem was it had raggy frayed edges otherwise great.
I am reluctant to just bind them and machine the edge , I prefer to unpick far enough back and cut back the batting so you can fold over the edges and hand sew them down.
The result I think you will agree is much more pleasing and often hardly discernible.
It has taken me 12 hours up to now, I just have to stitch down two sides it is all pinned.
So now you know how I have spent my Boxing Day !!
very satisfying now I am on the home straight.

Muckleford revisited Christmas morning

My friend June bearing gifts


Tessa and Andrews Old Chapel


Old Dorset thatch
Twin cottages Foxlea and Hazelbank
Excuse me if I indulge in a little nostalgia , it's that time of year after all.
Those of you that have known me for a while will remember Hazelbank at Muckleford where I was for nine years.
I have kept the connection with my friends and neighbours there and try to be there Christmas morning to see Sue and June each year.
I always have a little lump in my throat as the memories there are very strong and we all had some wonderful times as it was the sort of house you could fill with people and we often did.
So for all of us a few pictures of it looking like a picture book
Merry Boxing Day to You All xxxxx

Christmas at no 2

View from my office
My wooden birds
Santa has been busy
Many cooks
I have just had a text from my children to say they have reached Putney where Lawrence and Nagisa live. Sam has to go to Hemel Hempstead then I can relax.
Ever since I have been on my own with my children when Lawrence was 10 and Samantha thirteen, we established our own Christmas traditions and elected to do the whole thing a week before Christmas , a special celebration just for us so that on " The Day " choices were made easier they could be with Dad or Grandparents or friends and no one had to feel torn.
If I was alone I used to spoil myself and relax having already done it all.
I really thought this year the weather was going to spoil it all and was thrilled but rather nervous when I got a message saying they were at Fleet services, it was snowing but Sam's French farmer's car was making steady progress ! They battled down Puddletown bypass which was thick with snow despite the brilliant sunshine and arrived bearing gifts and the usual germs! just in time judging from the phonecall from my sister in Surrey who said is was blizzard conditions there after they had passed through.
As you can see Santa's helper had been busy stuffing stockings which were all opened this morning including mine which they do!!
We had a special treat for lunch Nagisa and Lawrence prepare Japanese dumplings wow yummy
Does anyone know where I can get the little dumpling pancakes here in Dorset as I have a nice stash of filling in the freezer.

Little Victorian gem

spotted this on the way to get the coffee, lovely little hexagons and some good early fabrics in amongst the lovely shirting's. There are some really vibrant blocks giving it a "Grandma's flower garden " look
I love the Indigo especially the little horseshoes. It has a few faults but not many and easy fixed with the correct fabric.
The quilt has been backed in blue brushed cotton. It has a predominantly cream background rather than white, fits across a standard double bed but is made for a double ended iron or wooden bedstead.

Todays buys cosy eiderdowns

`Christmas has officially arrived at my Studio

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL XXXXX

There are nets and nets

I seem to have had a run of lace and net curtaining ,I have here some wonderful white panels with applique 5 of them all perfect and an amazing amount of Victorian lace edged in cream also 5 of those but 3 one length and two another.
I also have several more single cream 20's/30's panels in a range of patterns and some pairs plus a huge amount of white with fleur de lys all over them they need fiddling with as there is some damage but an amazing amount of fabric to work with depending what size you require.
See you at Shepton Mallet Flea Market stall no 91 on Showrings tomorrow Sunday 12th call me with any requests or questions 01305264914

Scandinavia meets France those Fabulous red and whites

At this time of year I love my red and white, it is Christmas to me , my Scandinavian roots and connections , with my mother's Norman roots. They were all Norsemen in the distant past after all !
The snowy view from my window this morning prompted me to surround myself with the wonderful rich reds and French raspberry reds I love so much and to share it with you.