Happy Easter

A much belated post, I am sorry, but I've been so taken up with mum and stuff I haven't felt like sitting down and faffing with blog posts. That sounds awful doesn't it? When I really enjoy blogging. And I haven't been busy-busy, just tired with lots of hospital visits and driving. I have managed lots of lovely musical treats and seeing friends, but the effort of taking photos and putting the post together has been a bit beyond me.

However, I would like to thanks everyone for the lovely comments you've left - I guess quite a few of us have been in a similar position, I have been really touched by the kind thoughts. And outside of blogland too, family and friends, and facebook friends from all over the Globe, just that contact, you know?

Mum is improving in her mobility after the hip replacement but her wound has been leaking a lot which has knocked her back, and she gets confused - but she knows she's confused - we have some great and hilarious conversations at times!

So I have done a bit of sewing, and here to prove it - I have actually finished and bound the Sunflower Farm Quilt! Hurrah! How long has that been hanging around??? All ready for Norfolk Open Studios next month. EEEeeeek! Already!

And finished the final One Bird cushion cover with help from Stitch and Bitch friends as I could not work out how to fold and cut the back to make the opening for the cushion, being somewhat spatially challenged! I made the buttons from stiff card and felted wool.

So I hope the Easter break is a happy one in your home, and you are enjoying the holiday. I meant to blog earlier and entreat you all to boycott Nestlé Easter eggs but I've left it too late - that is a post for another day perhaps.

Again, thanks for your lovely kind thoughts, and have a brilliant holiday, whatever you are doing!

Rag Rugs

Following swiftly on (for me!) from my Open Studios post, I thought I'd post some photos of my very small and select rag rug collection! Here you see my Primitive Vase rug, which I started years ago with Yvonne. I'd like to say I have finished it but to be honest it isn't bound, just sits on the floor in my sewing room. But I do love it, warts and all. I 'designed' it myself (ah you'd guessed that, hadn't you?) and it incorporates many of my quilting favourites - stripes, triangles, and naive flower pots.

On to something a little more professionally finished!

This is the lovely sunflower cushion I brought away from Sally-Ann's Open Studio on Thursday. It fits beautifully against a small quilt on my wicker chair in the living room. Love it!

Not quite in the same class - my unfinished Bird seat cushion.

Erm, yes, it is a bird, honest! I'm a bit cross with myself as I packed the wing and feet too tightly; the fabric is multi-coloured and I thought it might work but I think it perhaps doesn't. Oh dear. Perhaps I should get down to a spot of 'frogging', it's only going to bother me. (Frogging, so-called because the sound of swift un-picking is like 'ribbit ribbit') Yes, Lynne, come on, do it, you know it makes sense.

From the back, you can see the outlines a bit better this way round. Actually, now I come to think about it, this looks quite neat..............

             Close-up. No, that multi-coloured fabric doesn't work, does it? Out it comes. Sigh.

This is better! The tulip rug I purchased from Sally-Ann at Open Studios 2011. This sits on the floor before the kitchen sink, so it gets well worn; you can see it has faded a little, but it washes well - we just chuck it in the machine and out it comes sparkling clean and no unravelling.

       Here you can see Sally-Ann's clever use of colour mixing for a variegated effect. Love it!

And to finish up another peek at my Primitive Vase, laid flat on the garden table. You can see the colours a little more clearly. I'm still quite chuffed with this, I must say.

Thanks to Yvonne, I hope to be tootling along to a rag rug group later this year, so perhaps some of the undoubted expertise might rub off on me while I'm there! I live in hope! Happy Weekends to you.

Open Studios Private View

This is my friend Yvonne Autie, also a member of Stitch& Bitch. Silversmith, rag-rug maker and superb machine-embroiderer, Yvonne gave a Private View evening last night to commence Norfolk Open Studios. I went along to pour drinks, offer nibbles (not of me!!) and chat to the folks who came to visit, despite the funny weather. The above photo is taken from a magazine article about her work.

                        Some of Yvonne's brilliant silver jewellery, love these rings!

                                           Bookmarks, fabric brooches and fabric postcards.

             
                                                         Bags made from rag-rugging

                                  Yvonne's wonderful and intricate articulated silver brooches

                                    Close up of a couple of rings. I have one each of these.

                              Close up of a quilted wall panel depicting wonderful geckos.

                                                          Close up of two large rag-rug panels.

There were so many more photographs I should have taken, but the visitors started to arrive, I out my camera down, and didn't get chance to pick it up again! We had a steady stream and I met some very interesting and entertaining people, it was actually great fun. Then to cap it all, we went for a meal at the local pub. A super evening and great to see that good crafts are still attracting viewers and buyers.

Yvonne is now open for Open Studios. If you are in and around Norfolk for the next two weeks, do get yourself a brochure and plan yourself a few visits to the various artists studios; it's great fun and you never know - you may find JUST the piece you were looking for!