Festival of Quilts

We've just got back from a really good day at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC.  It was really inspiring - there were lots of really beautiful quilts although, naturally, I didn't agree with the judging a lot of the time!
Most exciting was bumping into Clare Kingslake - and she has DESIGNED A LORNE HILL FARM REDWORK stitchery!!  Can't wait to see it - look out for the workshop in the Autumn.  Clare's new book is so lovely - it should be on every quilter's bookshelf.
Out of all the quilts I saw (and of course I didn't see them all) the one that I really loved (and this is where I wish I'd bought the catalogue - but I usually buy one and then when I get it home, because there are no pictures, forget which one was which - and yes, I know, if I was a serious quilter I'd take photos and make notes) was called something like Lady Isabella's travels - it was machine stitched pictures on white with what looked like faded embroidery templates in the backgrounds - hard to describe but it was beautiful - old-fashioned and delicate - I must find out more.  In the Picture quilts ( I think) there was an amazing hanging showing women in Australia preparing to decorate an old 'watering hole' with quilts and marching in with quilts and cakes - it was stunning, a real work of art and I don't usually warm to the art quilts.  There was also a beautiful double wedding ring (I know the pain that goes into them) and some lovely hexagon quilts which had been quilted in interesting ways.
On the shopping front I don't know what was wrong with me - I bought one quilt as you go book, some fat quarters, some thread.......and that was it!  I was really disappointed with the Il etait une fois stand - no stitcheries - and couldn't find the Petra Prins and assumed they weren't there.  When we got outside and I saw Helene had a bag of PP purchases, I could have happily scratched her eyes out.  I didn't.
A good day though, and thanks to Barbara for driving.  No thanks to Sandra who didn't make the sandwiches I was expecting.
Meanwhile, back on the farm, harvest is not happening so I have two very sullen men around the house who had to content themselves with worming the sheep today.  Probably won't be on tomorrow either so we will be morris dancing in Hungerford tomorrow afternoon, but if the forecast is right they should be combining again on Sunday.
And no-one bought the Friday Night Pizza Night pizzas so I had to drive into town as soon as I got home.