Advent Elf

Sandra has sent me this picture of the Advent Elf we will be making at the workshop on Wednesday 21st November - the workshop is now fully booked, but  the the pattern will also be available on the Advent Calender day on saturday 24th November.

I think she's great fun - and there is also a boy version.

Shepherd's Delight!

I see it's over a month since I last wrote - time flies.  The workshop has been very busy, with the new workshops up and running and Pitch and stitch every Tuesday - it's always so interesting to see all the different things people are doing.  My Kneeler was blessed at the Harvest Festival service at church ( a friend said afterwards, 'Did we really pray for five minutes for a cushion...?) and I have finally finished the last of Pauline's quilts.  Using all the fabric left over from the first quilt, I made it with Japanese Patches - it seemed to take forever but the joy of the patches is that you then don't have to worry about quilting it - you did it as you went along:


The front



The back!

I copied an idea I got from the NEC, which was to reverse the outer border which I think makes it look more 'finished'.  The centre is the Mariner's Compass which I started at one of our summer workshops.

Now that's out of the way I can start finishing some other projects.  Today I went back to a brilliant bag I started in May... should be finished soon.

At least it looks like it may stop raining for a while - this evening produced a spectacular sunset:

I know at least one shepherd who was delighted!

Pigeons

Obviously I'm not crazy about pigeons - they cause a lot of damage in the garden and decimate my beans every year.  However, it did amuse us when this lady built her nest (nest is maybe rather a grand title for the pile of sticks thrown onto the old towel) just outside the back door and then proceeded to sit.

And sit, and sit.  As we banged in and out, held conversations on the doorstep, threw wellies into the porch, took things off and on the shelf, used the rakes and brooms stored in the corner, as the dogs came and went, - in fact the only time she'd fly off for a few seconds was when I'd try to hang the mop on the nail next to her and would miss it and hit the shelf instead.
Then, this morning, she seemed to be sitting higher than usual and we soon found out why:

Hmm.  Not the prettiest little fledglings - but at least their mother loves them!!

Autumn Workshops

I've now got some photos of the Lynn Johnson Workshops:

This is the 'Home Sweet Home' hanging:



Here's a detail

 The use of natural felt makes it look so pretty and I really like embroidering felt.

Then this is the 'Country Compass':

Absolutely stunning!!

Autumn Schedule

I've finally finished the Autumn Schedule, so here's a sneak preview of what we have lined up.  I'll be mailing the full descriptions out in the next day or so, so if you want more information let me know your e mail address:

Wednesday 26th September - Medallion Quilt course with Lynda Johnson
Wednesday 3rd October -  Quilt as you go Country Compass with Lynda - 3 part course over 7 weeks
Wednesday 10th October - Beginner's Sampler course Part 1
Saturday 13th October - Home Sweet Home felt hanging with Lynda
Wednesday 17th October - Finishing Day
Wednesday 24th October -  Country Compass Part 2
 Wednesday 31st October - Medallion Quilt course
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th November- Quilting weekend with Helene Burgess
Wednesday 7th November - Beginner's Sampler course Part 2
Wednesday 14th November - Country Compass Part 3
Saturday 17th November - Knitted Cable Collar with Amanda Bond
Wednesday 21st November - 4ft tall Danish style giant elf Advent calendar with 24 pockets Saturday 24th November - Advent Calendar Day
Wednesday 28th November - Medallion Quilt Day
Saturday 1st December - Christmas Cards
Wednesday 5th December - Quick and Easy Knitted, Felted Slippers with Amanda
Wednesday 12th December - Christmas Pitch and Stitch
Saturday 15th December - Wreath making morning

Wow! - lots to choose from!

We plough the fields and scatter.....

Just one thing to say:
All is FINALLY safeley gathered in!!!!

And while we've spent the summer running in and out, stopping and starting, sitting around waiting for the right weather, at the right time, other people have been more productive!

Cath has finished her beautiful Medallion Quilt:

Wow!

And Helen, who came to the Trip Around the World workshop, has finished this lovely cot quilt:

Perfect for the new arrival - whether it's a girl or a boy!

Explaining Horrible Harvest

What's horrible about the harvest is that it isn't happening.  Everything's too wet so we are at the end of August and only half way through!  I did watch Jeffrey loading the corn trailer George was driving a while ago, and then George took me for a ride in the tractor but that seems like a distant memory now!

Anyway, things are ticking over in the workshop.  Sandra and I are sewing the seeds of the Autumn Schedule and there are some good things coming up.
Sarah has finished her beautiful Double Wedding Ring Quilt:

Obviously it is for a wedding gift and Sarah used the hearts and flowers design on the wedding invitations for the quilting.  A lovely idea.