What a week!

Months ago we trawled through the gig list of our local live music venue and bought tickets for some of our favourite artists. Since then we've enjoyed some great evenings entertained by the likes of Eric Bibb and Paul Jones' Blues Band. It was only when I checked my diary that it dawned on me that we also had tickets for the 19th March. Now a Wednesday night is not usually a big night for us but arrrggghhh this was set up day for Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch at the National Exhibition Centre. What terrible timing. I was running around trying to keep up with an energetic toddler all day and after a long day loading, unloading and building the display, to say nothing about the tedious motorway journey home, 'he who gardens' would be ready for a beer and a lie down! The last thing either of us would want is a night on the town. I nearly called the whole thing off but seems we oldies are made of stern stuff and so after a quick wash and brush up off we went. How glad I am that we made the effort!

We were first introduced to Harry Manx's music by our Canadian friend Catherine but this was the first time we'd seen him live. He was spectacular even if it made for a late night. He even came over for a chat and to sign our poster which will now grace the wall of fame (or as he called it, the wall of shame!) in my studio!

It felt as though my head had barely touched the pillow before we had to be up and off to the show. Laura had done her usual brilliant job of displaying the quilts and fabrics despite not feeling 100%. The quilts look pretty eye catching don't they? I probably shouldn't say that myself though.

You probably recognise a lot of the stuff here if you're a DMTV viewer or follow our blogs. At the opposite end of the stand the original painted bird panels were displayed on the wall alongside the fabrics Jamie and Laura digitally printed from them. Now that the show is over I'll be putting the panels up for sale here on the blog. You'll see them as soon as I can get around to it but I just need to photograph them properly first.

I didn't have much time off the stand to take a lot of photos of the show but I passed the display of costumes from Les Mis on the way in and out each day! Love that Russell Crowe coat!! Laura has posted lots more pics over on her blog if you'd like to see more.

No time to sit back and relax now the show is over - as ever we have lots to do so I'll go and make a start now.

Thanks for reading - talk again soon, Love Linda

Back in the land of the living

I haven't had much to say of late. My excuse for being so quiet is that I've been laid low with a nasty winter virus. It's beyond a joke now - after three weeks I've definitely had enough! There's never a good time to be ill but this timing really is rubbish as we are so busy. Tomorrow we're setting up our stand at Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch. I use the term 'we' in the royal sense if you know what I mean. I shall actually stay home with Amelie while the rest of the family do all the hauling and hammering! It's not that I'm lazy - honest. Children aren't allowed in the halls for reasons of health and safety so the two of us will have a lovely day at home and then I shall simply swan into the show on Thursday to find everything looking beautiful!

Our fun and games tomorrow might include making crocodiles out of soft dough! We did have several different colours when we started a few days ago but it's all beginning to look pretty murky now. Those eyes won't stay white for long!

Although I won't be there with them I have been thinking of the family. My contribution to the exertions of set up day are largely culinary. I'm sure they will enjoy their lunch tomorrow even if they don't have time to eat till the stand is built and they're on their way home.

These are still hot, just out of the oven tonight and the whole house smells fantastic. I think I've finally perfected the recipe after much fiddling and modification of ingredients and timing. If anyone is interested I'm happy to share - just leave a comment and I'll let you have the details.

I love it when DMTV viewers tell me they've been inspired to have a go at one of our projects so I was very pleased to receive this photo from Barbara recently. What a beautiful job she's made of the embroidered and painted panel - thanks for letting us see it Barbara.

Tonight's post has to be short as we have an early start in the morning. I promise not to leave it so long again.

Thanks for visiting - Linda

Stitching frenzy

I never do anything by halves and quilting is no exception. I can't help having an obsessive streak and once I start stitching by hand I find it hard to stop. Just one more shape, one more length of thread and then I'll put it away and go cook dinner or go to bed or whatever - or maybe I'll just do a little bit more to see what that different thread colour looks like ..........

I'm liking how the white Madeira Lana thread is bringing a spark of life to the dark areas of the print. I hadn't planned to use so much white but it's turning out to be the best choice. Makes me think of the froth and foam of the Breton seaspray in bright sunlight.

The sandy coloured thread is much more discreet in the low-key areas.

I've applied a short Hemingway quote to the top of the quilt using painted Bondaweb. I'm looking forward to wrapping each of the letter shapes with more hand stitch but all the background will be free motion, machine quilted.

I have a deadline to meet with this quilt so it's a good job I'm enjoying the quilting however, the lovely sunshine did manage to prise me away from my stitching and out of the house for a brief walk today. This little casualty caught my eye and came home with me to be arranged less than elegantly in a milk bottle.

There are strict rules about picking wild flowers but I don't think that anyone will notice the loss of one tiny broken snowdrop when the banks of the lanes are clothed so generously!

Thanks for dropping by - Linda

Making progress

After a great day printing in the studio this week I've layered up the Breton boat fabric and started the quilting. It's exciting to block print onto an existing image as you never quite know how it will turn out. I've used one of my favourite traditional designs, Storm at Sea - seemed an appropriate choice for my boat and beach theme!  I've kept the paint layer delicate so not to completely obliterate what lies beneath. The hand of the fabric is also far nicer if the added paint is not too heavy.

It's amazing how a bit of stitch transforms everything isn't it? What was a floppy, thin fabric is suddenly looking like it might one day be a quilt! I'm working this by hand using Madeira Lana threads and although I've only just begun, already I can see how the quilting is adding definition to the shapes and introducing a pleasing surface texture. Just a matter of making time now!

I know it's a bit of a cliche but everyone says how quickly children grow up don't they? How can it be that our darling baby grandchild is already striding off into the garden seeking adventure? If you're a doting grandma like me and you haven't seen the latest photos of Amelie on Laura's blog you might like to take a quick visit. It can't only be me who thinks she's adorable!

Just a short post today as I would rather be stitching than sitting at a computer - I'm sure you understand that feeling! Talk to you again soon, Linda

New Work

Escaping for the day

After all the rain lately we woke to blue skies and sunshine today. It promised to be a short respite as more bad weather is forecast. Seemed too good to waste so Laura, Amelie and I escaped for a few hours to one of our favourite places - a nearby arboretum.

I know it sounds ludicrous but I've worked from home for so long I haven't really noticed how beautiful our local winter landscape can be. There have been times when I haven't left the house for weeks on end so now that we work out of Laura's new studio it's almost like having a proper job. I have to get up in the mornings and get dressed rather than make coffee, check my email and then find myself still in my bathrobe at lunchtime! It's quite a shock to be honest. The bonus however is that I enjoy the short journey between our homes at varying times of day and in all weathers. I am suddenly aware of the amazing quality of light when the afternoon sun is low in the sky, of rainbows when the air is moist and most of all of the gnarly old trees that are everywhere in our landscape.

Our plan was to walk Amelie in the pushchair till she had her nap and then take lots of lovely tree photos while she dozed. Trouble was the arboretum is also a farm and there were far too many distractions like these noisy geese who hissed and grumbled at us till we moved away.

The fields are so saturated that these ewes had been brought into the farmyard. Posing like that they remind me of a Pre Raphaelite painting.Do you know the one I mean with the rosy cheeked shepherdess?  I want to get my brushes and watercolours out and have a go!

By the time we'd had lunch in the arboretum restaurant and then driven back home it was getting quite late and I didn't think there was time to start painting but I made time to carve a new print block of a bee. Who knew there were so many types?

Well actually this fellow obviously did - the illustrations in his book are wonderful. I was lucky enough to find it for £3 at a flea market!

I've tried the block out by making a graphite rubbing - that's the quickest way to see if it will work when I print with it using acrylic paint. We're having a play day tomorrow and plan to print till we run out of things to print on! I'll let you see how it all turns out soon.

bye for now - Linda

Six feet high and rising

If you're in the UK I don't need to tell you how bad the weather has been for weeks now. Even if you don't live here it probably hasn't escaped your notice that we're having a hard time. Our house has been flooded three times in the past so I have every sympathy with beleaguered souls across the country right now. It's a horrible feeling to find your home invaded by water and unless it's happened to you, most people wouldn't be aware that it's not just rainwater or river water but filthy stuff from overloaded drains or the kind that flows from saturated fields complete with pesticides, fertilisers and animal waste. Urrgghr!

This is the local river today. Looks rather like oxtail soup!

The little troll bridge which we use to reach Laura's house normally has about a metre of space between the metal supports and the surface of the river but is now partially submerged.

I wonder how long snowdrops can survive under water?

Something tells me this footpath won't see many folk pass through - not unless they are wearing waders!

Don't worry about us - we are keeping our heads above water and keeping busy. We've only lost one fence panel and two panels of the roof of the cow shed so far so it could be worse! I'll be posting work very soon so thanks for reading and please drop by again soon. Linda x