Friday 27 August 2010

WHERE DO I START?

OK I know I haven't been on here for over a week now! All I can say is I have been busy - you will have to take my word for that - I have also been reading quite a lot!! It is good to get away from pressures once in a while don't you find? Anyway I thought the time is right to catch up on a few things here. So you best get yourself a cup of tea if you are going to wade through this lot. Just try to enjoy it, that's the best I can offer...

I start off with last Thursday when I finally got my Mother's Day present from Annette, which was a trip to the Festival of Quilts at Birmingham. WooHoo. Here I go.....
Just look at all these stalls to visit...
I managed to have a go on this machine. Di had asked me to look out for it and price it etc etc. Hmm best keep quiet on that front methinks!!! Whew! But, what a beauty it was. I was invited by the lovely Chad to 'have-a-go' on it, which I was very pleased about, I love long arm machines, they really fascinate me, the only time I get anywhere near one is at this show, so I always hang around and wait for a try on them...
Prices...
Here I am having a go. I loved it...
This is what I managed to do, not brilliant but hey! I gave it a go...
What do you think she is doing?
Just look at her, she loved it...
Go Rebecca...
The lovely Chad gave us each a bag to carry our purchases at the show, what a star...
It was a huge bag, do you think it got filled?
I met up with Angela in the afternoon and we watched a demonstration for this latest machine. It does Sashiko. It is very clever the way it does it, but I wont be having one of these - £1,800.00
a snip!!!!
This appalled me - NO seats, people were sitting on the floor...
Absolutely dreadful...
No way was I sitting on the floor, I couldn't even if I wanted to. I went and got a chair from the nearby cafe area. They should really provide more seating for people, they charge enough!!!!

Now the really bad bit -
Can you believe that someone has STOLEN this quilt from a stall at the show. I am horrified and disgusted at this, I want everyone to put it on their Blogs or whatever so it gets known everywhere possible, make the guilty party send it back. It cannot have been a Quilter done this dreadful thing surely, I refuse to think that. Hopefully it will be returned, the lady has said there will be no questions asked if it gets back to her. I hope it makes it home safe and in one piece. Watch out for it ladies, let anyone know if you see it.

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I think I spent the majority of my money I had saved all year within the first half hour at the show, at one stall too, far too many goodies to resist I thought...
fabrics...
fabrics...
Calico...
fabrics...
fabric...
fabric...
fat quarters - £1 each - bargain...
black and white fabrics for swaps I am in...
Pattern I couldn't resist...
Well, I just HAD to buy this didn't I?
The only book I bought - cos I normally buy from Amazon, but I just HAD to have this one straight away!!

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In the afternoon, Rebecca had a class booked by her mum. It was to make Seaside bunting.
Now for a few days prior to the show, she had been saying she didn't want to go and she didn't want to do the stupid class!!!
Well, HO HO HO, just look at her face...
Her grin gets wider...
and wider...
Great bunting Rebecca, well done.
Thank you Ange for the photo's mine were no good as we guessed
Guess who wants to know what the classes are for next year?????

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I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE PICTURE
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PUT THEM ON YOUR BLOGS OR WHATEVER
YOU CAN ONLY SEE THEM AT THE OFFICIAL SITEON FACEBOOK
FOR FESTIVAL OF QUILTS

RULES RULES RULES
THIS, FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T ALLOW BACK PACKS TO BE USED
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
YET COULDN'T SUPPLY ENOUGH SEATS FOR FOLK

Hmmmm.
I fail to see how this one a First Prize at a QUILT SHOW.
Sorry, no offence meant, but, come on....

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This week we have had Di's dog to stay as she has gone on holiday with all her family. He is a fairly nervous dog, and guess what! We have had Fireworks and two thunderstorms, and rain every single day. Sod's law I guess. Poor old thing has been scared out of his wits almost every day. First two days wouldn't eat a thing, what little he did eat went straight through him. He normally settles quite quickly into our routine, but not this time, he has had us up through the night, barking and wanting to go outside - in the rain!!! Not a good week. Never mind Curly they are back on Saturday and you can go home to your own bits and bobs.
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Here are some toy-making bits I have found in my sewing room in a tin. They are remnants from when I used to make toys. If you would like them, let me know and they are yours. ALL of them.
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I know just the person to give this red bag to now I have finished it...

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Marian sent this Hexagon template for Annette and myself - I haven't got round to using it yet Marian, but I will get there in time. Thank you me dear.

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When Maggi came to Northampton to see the Lions last week, she brought gifts for Rebecca and myself. She had made us these little 'wotnots'. This is Rebecca's and she has said it is a mouse - Yep I can see that...
This is my one, I am hanging it in my sedwing room this way up, I think it is a jellyfish, I love it.
Thank you Maggi.
She also made me a super little bag which I have forgotten to take a pik of - doh.
I will do it tomorrow.

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Now this is from a way back, I don't think I have put it on here yet, oh well, if I have it's worth seeing twice anyway. It is fabrics I have bought from THE QUILT TOP [formerly Cobblestone Cabin] -
 this is a gorgeous batik fabric I had ogled all day at the Quilt Set when they came, I had told Di I couldn't really afford it, so what does she go and do, she buys some for me, what a pal, cheers Di. Isn't it fabulous?

This was very strange, I bought these three thin quarters and what do you think?
Both Suzanne and Annette had bought them too - for all of us to like them is pretty amazing don't you think, none of us knew the other had bought them, it wasn't until Lisa told us, we knew it either...
I know, I know, it's the little fairies. I liked this so bought it. Why? Who knows...
This is a 'half sized jelly roll' just love these fabrics...
Following are items I have bought from a new shop we found via Suzanne...
Goodies for my Embellishing machine...
unusual wool! it opens up to a net, great stuff...
Couldn't resist this fabric, doesn't it just shout
WOW LOOK AT ME...
more bits for the Embellisher...
and more...
couldn't you just eat these...
and last but not least, some sparkly bits, also for the Embellisher or even my sewing machine...

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These are all swap related items -
blocks...

the above for Rebecca, below for someone else?????
This is a Bag swap on the Embellisher I entered -
I received this fabulous bag from my partner...
and this is the one I sent out...
Black and White Postcard received from Ann B...
The talented Ange has sent the next Postcard to me, I have hers to do for August, don't you just love these cards she sends me? Also the Sew a Row I am in, this time my strip was from Ange, isn't it fabulous? Thanks Ange, I love them...
Postcard made for the Alphabet swap I am in - letter 'Q'
I made a few ATC's and then wrote questions on the front with the answers on the back, basically they are questions I am asked over and over again...
I attached them to the front of the Postcard with a bead so they should swivel...

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WOOHOO I am nearly up to date.
I spent the other day cutting fabric. I pulled out all my scraps and pieces less than a full fat quarter and 'stripped' them. I made a right old mess I can tell you, but now, all is tidy and sorted.
This box holds the 1"   +   1 1/2"   +   2" strips...
Here is what I was aiming to get though, my own 'jellied strips'
2 1/2" strips, all cut and sorted into colour rolls - they wont stay like this for long once I start using them though, hahahaha....
and here are all the strings that are left when you straighten the fabrics up - at first I was going to 'bin' them, but then I remembered Di telling me something and so......
I have an idea!!!!!!

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Well there we are, I am up to date now, well, almost. I have spottred a few things I have missed so will try to get them on here tomorrow - well later today now. This has taken me 2 hours to do so far. Enough for today. I hope you enjoyed it all, if you did, do please leave me a comment, if you need an answer I will get back to you. Thanks for looking anyway.
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11 comments:

Pat said...

I really did enjoy this post, although I did have to stop and take a short nap halfway through it (JUST JOKING WITH YOU)!!! I think it is horrible that someone stole that quilt at the show...and it is also not very nice that they lacked a sufficient seating area for their patrons!

Unknown said...

wow, what a post dear lady, I loved it all, especially all the fabrics, you should get my package really soon

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan, I was eager to read your stories about Birmingham. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Vienna. Elisabeth

Pat B said...

Would love to have had a go on the longarm - my friend in Alaska has the HQ16 and she and her husband both use it.
Love that multi coloured ric-rac,where did you get it from?

Anonymous said...

Hi Janet,

Looks as if you had a super time at the show, I agree that the seating arrangement was appalling, my seat was taken away from me and I had only just started to move. only about 2" of the seat. how rude, lol
It was my first time at B.ham , loved it, apart from one stall that was charging £30 for a paper quilt pattern. afraid my friend could not run to that. Reb looks as if she really enjoyed herself there as well....
and me I wanted so much , so many lovely things to look at........ Love your blog and my you have been so busy, all those goodies you bought. they look lovely. I know you will make some super duper things with it,

ttfn
joan

Searchfamilies said...

Yes i would say that you have been a tad busy lol
Love the post & seeing all the wonderful things
Hugs Janice

Maggi said...

Really enjoyed reading the post Jan, although my coffee did go cold while I was doing it! You have plenty of purchases to keep you going there for a few days. Can't believe that I kept to my resolve not to buy fabric this year - wish I could be as strong willed over other things. Rebecca's bunting is lovely, so nice to see it for real and to see how pleased she was with it.

Leah said...

I enjoyed getting caught up on all you have been doing. Looks like you have been busy as usual. I love looking at all the neat things you come up with. Can't wait to see what you do with all those strings!

Till next time :)

Unknown said...

Hi Jan, Yes, I have enjoyed reading this post, I was beginning to think you'd left the country!!! I do have to agree on one point though......the lack of seating at the FOQ's!! If I'd sat on the floor, I'd still be there now! It's soooo tiring on the feet, must be the concrete floors. I had to walk around in my stockinged feet the second day I was there, as you say, we pay enough so more seating should be provided.

Noel said...

Wow that's a lot of stuff...where do I begin....looks like you and Reb had a great time and what a wonderful gift too! Love all the goodies you bought but no long arm QM this tirp...lol!
Like the bag you made and poor Curley...it's had for some dogs to adjust to another home.
That's horrid that someone would steel a quilt from a booth and you know it's not kids...that's the sickening thing...it's an adult! I hope it finds it's way home too and brings the person no pleasure in having it!!
Ok, I agree how on earth did a stuffed dragon win 1ST prize at a quilt show....lol!
Nice bunch of gifts and your ABC ATC is too cute!
Ange did a beautiful job on her post cards also the Sew A Row is too cute....nice!
Ok I think I got it all...HUGS♥♥

Di said...

What did I say about the bits?