I started, so I've finished...

...Part One.

The number of UFO's around the workroom are causing a hazard so I am trying to get them completed and a new home found for them somewhere else in the house.

This is a recently started piece. Isabel at the Quilting Group did a demo in February of Folded Hexagon Patchwork after she found the technique in

Japanese Folded Patchwork by Mary Clare Clark.

Front

Back

This will be going in the lounge once the redecorating has been done later in the year.

I joined the hexagon s using beads and ladder stitch.

The following quilt top has been in the "making" for approx. five years! I began it while in the black and white module two of the Distant Stitch Course. I needed to learn quilting techniques and as usual jumped in the deep-end by choosing this quilt designed by Paula Doyle of http://www.greenmountainquilts.com/. Paula once had a shop where I used to buy my quilting fabrics and equipment and how I got involved in the local quilting group. I took this along to my first meeting hoping to see Paula for advice. It sat in the first black border state for some time and I did give up a saturday a couple of years ago to make the flying geese parts. So what do you do when you need to pack for a holiday? Yes, you sew together the flying geese border then join it onto the main section! So the top in now complete and it stands at 60" x 80". I intend to take it to Isabel of Crompton Quilting as the thought of machine quilting a quilt this size does not appeal to me. I could make tops until I have a roomful, but I am not so keen on the quilting on such large pieces. I shall stick to small quilts in future

Seminole Quilt designed by Paula Doyle

Top finally completed by me!

More completed UFO's to follow...

Back from the North

Four loads of washing later, a food shopping list to replenish the fridge and cupboards ready, most of the car contents back where it came from two weeks ago and I've only been in the house since 6pm -I could do with a holiday!!!!

So we bit the bullet and took the Teenage Darlings to Center Parcs.

I usually go to Longlet with my girlfriends during November, which during the off peak season shared between 8 of us is reasonable for a weekend away. We went to Whinfell, near Penrith, as we could call in at the Parents (both sets in same village) on route and at the end of the break returning South.

It was great to see Dad, who is half way through his chemo and coping very well under the circumstances, he looked very different without his beard which he has sported for atleast all of my memory, although there are photos of us together without the beard!

I had a great time relaxing. I made a point of not doing any embroidery during the time there - as I sew daily with my job I thought I deserved a break - took plenty of photos and made notes of ideas which sprang to mind though.

The DH and the Darlings had a great time too and hope to return, maybe to a closer Parc next time, they said!

The second week was spent at a cottage on the edge of the Lake District and we visited all our favourite towns and recharged our inner batteries with beautiful scenery of mountains and lakes.

I needed some new reference of black headed sheep for updating a design I have, so I was really pleased when this sheep obliged with a bit of modelling

Loving the pose! It's back legs are just how I needed them positioned!

I finally found the way of changing the exposure on my digital camera while journeying back to base from Keswick one evening. The fact I have had this camera over three years makes me feel a little foolish. I should go on a course on how to get the most from your digital camera!

I was able to create this wonderful photo

Looks like its been through photoshop already!

Now off to sleep in my own bed...