Ferret workshop

This is the outcome of the workshop last weekend. It was one of the most relaxing I have been to, I learnt such a lot though. It was a great day with lovely people to chat to as well. I am quite pleased with the machine quilting although its hard to see on this photo. My machine quilting gets to a point when I think its not bad then I don't do any for ages.

Since seeing Philippa Naylors quilts I have decided that I must improve my machine quilting. I forgot to mention last time that I bought Philippa's book, Quilting in the Limelight at her workshop. It is the story of Philippas life in quilting alongside lots of techniques. The photos are stunning, perhaps the best that I have seen in any quilting book.

Autumn Sunset & workshops

After seeing the sunset on Julie's blog, I thought I would share the amazing sunset I captured earlier this week outside my window. Julie lives about 30 miles away from me. One advantage of Lincolnshire is that it's very flat with huge skies.
I do sometimes feel privileged that this is literally outside my window.

I am looking forwards to a quiet weekend as for the past two weekends I have been doing workshops, two weeks ago I did a day with Philippa Naylor. She was a really good tutor and very generous in sharing her knowledge. Last weekend saw me at a QGBI Region 10 day with Ferret. She was a really good speaker and not at all fazed when a lady came into the hall, shouting, "can the scouts use the toilets". The workshop on Sunday was Art Quilts by Numbers, it was a great day and lots was learnt. I will take a photo of my swan tomorrow so you can see what I did. I must admit that the curved Philippa Naylor sample isn't quite so finished.
Just to prove though I have been stitching, this was one of my lastest journal quilts made with bleached fabrics -

I'm also pleased to report that DS loves secondary school, my little boy is growing up fast. He has just discovered the embellisher machine and is starting to make some Christmas presents. Maybe I ought to start too!

Slipping through my fingers.................................

Well today was the day that DS1 left me to go to Secondary school. I promised not to take any photos so this was his short journey from our gate up to the top of the lane (by the white house). It has brought back so many memories of his sudden arrival into the world eleven weeks early. The song "Slipping through my fingers" by Abba has just been going round and round inside my head as the lyrics seem so appropriate. In case you don't know or remember it starts like this (the original was about a girl though)-

"School bag in hand he leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent minded smile
I watch him go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing him forever
And without really entering his world
I'm glad whenever I can share his laughter
That funny little boy"

His feet are two sizes larger than mind and he does keep hassling me for a new quilt, one which covers his toes. I have the fabric and design, why can't I buy time?

After taking the above photo this morning I also took one of the view from my front window -

This was on a cloudy day but the sunsets are amazing. We are lucky enough to see barn owls as well as many other birds and wildlife. Foxes are definitely not welcome though as last Winter we lost chickens, ducks and geese.

Off now to bake a chocolate cake and smartie cookies by request.