A Cracking Good Yarn!

 And a fabulous weekend was had, starting with a visit to Yarndale.
This is only the second year that this event has been held. The venue is the Auction Mart (cattle market) in Skipton. The building is transformed from a plain utility building into a riot of colour.

 Lucy (the infamous) from Attic 24 has requested for crocheted Mandalas to be sent in from anyone who wished to do so, to decorate this barn. 1182 people did so, including C (who did one for me too - I hadn't cracked the crochet thing then)

 Lucy had crocheted extra large Mandalas and strung them around a child's Hoola Hoop

 Some purchases were made ...

 and some designs were admired

 Just love this blanket

 and this one

 And more colour. The stall holders were very generous with their time and knowledge. These were all and spun and dyed yarns made from mostly "cottage" style industry. Some alpaca fibres and there were quite a few rabbits giving up their fluff for the angora yarns.

 A novel way of displaying your goodies. I have one of these printers drawers - maybe.......

There were areas where you could just sit and knit or crochet and chat among like minded folk

 And the attic 24 corner

 And photos taken for a friend who could not be there

J posing with the art

 And I just fell in love with these planters, but couldn't make up my mind which colour to buy.

 An area filled with last years bunting

 And some of the Egg Cosy Challenge exhibits, which were sold off for charity

 If it stood still long enough, it got "Yarn Bombed"

 A map to add your home town on. Visitors from abroad too - A huge contingent from Ireland.

 Everywhere you went, something had been "got"

 After the show, we ventured into Skipton to go to Coopers where Lucy & Tracy have their studio. Tracy makes some lovely mice and hares to sell and blogs here

Lucy's chair (for a special fan)

 We were allowed to use these to have our refreshments. The coffee shop was PACKED!!

Jo with the yarn stash

S was having fun too

 The whole place was full of colourful inspiration.

 And (trumpet roll) the mini workshop that I participated in resulted in this (I think) lovely crochet basket . It is made with three strands of Carpet Yarn so is quite rigid.

So proud!!

Whilst I was there Mr T and Mr D had a game of golf. So Win Win there.

a walk round the village

 We were invited back to S home to have dinner with the family including two of the most delightful young teenagers  that you would ever wish to meet.
A great day.

The next day we ventured over the Yorkshire Dales down some REALLY narrow roads and over to County Durham to meet with friends.  We ate at The Otter & Fish  - well worth a visit if you are ever in the area. A great meal, as always and just enough room to squeeze in a desert ( Key Lime Cocktail) - Yummy!

Sunday night was spent just north of Newcastle, and Monday morning off up to Northumberland to visit another friend who used to live close by.

More food - Lunch at Barter Books which is a treasure chest full of readables situated in the old railway station in Alnwick.

 After farewells in Alnwick, we headed down the coast with a quick pit stop and a paddle (brrrr) in Alnmouth

 View from across the estuary

 And another night just south of Newcastle. More food, this time at a rather good Italian restaurant which was recommended by someone at the Washington services on the A1.
" Go over the foot bridge through the car park and you will find a hole in the fence. Through the gap, and turn right about 50 yards "
( is this a northern joke??)
So off we went. Finding the hole in the fence was no problem and we had a great meal, with a couple of drinks I was a bit worried about finding the gap in the fence on the way back - but should not have been bothered - it was well worth the adventure.

743 mile round trip (with a few detours) . I have had a great weekend.

32 days to the next trip!!!!  Getting excited!!

Slacking!

On the blog front,  but I don't seem to have had any free time either!

I have jumped in with the football shirt quilt and am nearly there too!

Just one more row to add then layer it with the pieced backing that I have made and then return to sender!! I do hope that the nephews wife has told him that she has disposed of his collection of shirts.........

No chance of getting this bag finished (or even started)

Elizabeth Hartmans Version

Amy Butler Weekender bag using this method  before my long awaited weekend away at
Yarndale and then on to visit friends "Up 't north"
BUT I have another little trip planned and I WILL have it completed before then!


If I get a chance to add this weeks events I will, but if not it will be a colourful photo report from cooler climes next week.

He Did It!!

 Great North Run completed! Well done Lee!  Lots of monies raised in aid of Anthony Nolan - a good job well done.   Himself and Miss S Mrs S can now wing off on their delayed honeymoon.
I can't believe that he has managed to keep the destination secret from her Ladyship so long! She will only find out when they get to the airport.  Hope he's got it right!!

 Whilst that half of the family were up north doing charitable work Mr T & I went "sarf" to see little miss.  It was a little overcast, but a lovely warm day and a long walk on the seafront was on the menu. The tide was out, so no paddling done today.

 I love this time of year. The sun has been shining but the intensity of the heat has gone so that suits me so much better.
The last of the garden blooms are enjoying the warmth

potato patch nearly all cleared, they have been good

And a quilty finish too. This mas been made for Makower to promote the new
Downton Abbey 2 range of fabrics due out this month.

 These are prints from "The Downstairs" they are such pretty prints. Very old fashioned, sort of antiquey and remind me of a quilt dated 1790 something that I saw in a museum in Paducah.   The pattern is available to download here

And I must have been a good girl, because these beautiful flowers were delivered this morning. 

Thank You!

 I seem to have cleared the tables (waiting for those football shirts to be delivered!) so I am going to try to get this bag made before they do.

I have had the pattern for ages, but am going away in 55days (not counting - really) and I would like it as a carry on bag.
I am going to use the tips given in this blog
I want it to be quite firm but not too many layers of wadding so am using cotton duck as suggested. We will see what happens.  

A Quilt Show

At the Chapel in Great Doddington has been planned to raise funds for their "Windows Renovation Project".

The LQS had asked their customers for items to exhibit. And they poured in.  There were lots.

Friday evening saw some very good friends (and two very handy husbands) turn up to help set the exhibition up. It is not a large building, and maybe the light was not ideal but here are a few pictures for those of that were not wise enough were not able to attend.

Doreen's  beautiful hand embroidered quilt

 

Michele's Christmas quilt

Fiona's  beautiful appliqué piece. Her second (YES SECOND) quilt

 Jo's bright Round Robin Quilt (you can read the story behind this one here)

 There were other items on display too

 The rocking horse was made by Beverley , a member of Higham Piecemakers . On Monday he will be winging his way over to meet a new arrival in New Zealand
The Candlewick Embroidered rabbit was made by the talented Fiona. Amanda made the Caterpillar and the book, Susannah the Giraffe and Lynda had the little bed made to fit the miniature quilt she had made. 

 Lots of Christmas cards made at PP

 A bevvy of cushions of all shapes and sizes

 

This one was done at a workshop recently

International fame Nicholas.

 And this fabulous knitted patchwork quilt made by the lovely Gina who can knit faster than I can sew! This was done as a Mystery Block workshop I think at this lovely shop . I may be wrong, but it is still a lovely shop that has classes and groups of knitting ladies.

 Bella had entered a couple of quilts. This is her lovely sampler

 My VERY good friend Lynda supplied a host of items for the Christmas corner

And these three came only for the tea and cake I think

the old chap seems to have fallen asleep

 Carol ( who worked her socks of setting up and taking down- Thank You Carol) also had a couple of items, and this is her Seminole quilt, again done in a Workshop at PP.  You can read about Carol's exploits (and there ARE exploits) over at her blog
"Once Upon A Thimble"

I love these bright colours

 Lynda also had this lovely hanging to keep her pin badges, purchased at the quilt shows she visits 

 And there was a great grange of prizes to be won on the Tombola table.

Pauline's patchwork tablecloth

Lots of lovely people came along to visit this little show, and the comments received were super.  I don't know the exact figure, but the Chapel raised in excess of £400  so hopefully those windows will be repaired shortly.

I have done very little sewing this week, pictures of the many hanging sleeves attached are not inspiring.

Son in Law is taking part in the Great North Run today for Anthony Nolan (the UK's Blood Cancer Charity and Bone Marrow Register) . Good Luck Lee!! (glad its not me!!)

I am travelling south a bit for my quota of cuddles with little Miss O .

Happy Sunday!

I dont understand it!

I have been dashing around like the proverbial all week and when I looked to see what photos I can add to the blog this week and I have no evidence of productivity at all!


I did add the face to "Bobby" on the baby quilt made for a friend.

And I forgot to take a pic of the baby burglar that I added to the back of it. Made me laugh!

I have been backed into a corner  asked to make a quit for my nephew for his 40th birthday. I love said nephew and will do it willingly, but his wife wants me to use 23 years worth of Liverpool football shirts!

Not my favourite fabric and I will have to keep them away from the football fans in this house because Liverpool is NOT a favoured team. This could help with the cutting up of the shirts?

Anyway - the shirts will be handed over and I will have to make the best of it. Nephews birthday is mid October so there will be no time to try to avoid starting this job.

We have been looking after another nephew for a couple of days before he flies out to Cape Town to meet his ship (HMS Protector) and then head off for the South Atlantic. He is VERY tall, and I have noticed that he has to duck when going through our doors. It must be like living with "The Borrowers". Anyway we will be taking him to Heathrow tomorrow. 

I have charged up the batteries on my very nice new camera and I will make a point of snapping some interesting things this week.