Tuesday, 5 June 2012

Saturday 26th May: Chelsea Flower Show

What better weather to sit in CD's garden, what better garden to sit in, in this wonderful weather!!  We could not have chosen a better day to visit the Chelsea Flower show hosted by CD, in her back garden!!

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CD greeted us with great hospitality...home made ginger biscuits and a pot of tea....you don't get that at CB's!!!!!

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And so the fun started. We were missing EL, who sadly was laid up in bed feeling a bit poorly (hope you are much better by the time you read this EL!), but the rest of the QQ were all in high spirits.....a bit of sunshine, a day of quilting, and good company - seems to send us all a bit giddy!!

Everyone was working on such different projects..

CD - A quilt for the Hever show - but to be shown outside.  This is a new concept this year and all the QQ are very interested to see what is produced to withstand the outside elements!  CD has amazing imagination, which I find completely inspiring, and of course this project, I'm sure will not disappoint!

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HS was working on a baby quilt....fabulous colours, and great progress made during the day!

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HW was working on some small scissor keepers. H has been producing these little keeper for some time now and I recall her saying at the end of last year that, that batch would be the last, but they have proved soooo very popular that another batch is being produced.  H makes these to raise money for charity, and I for one would love to know how much she has raised from making just these keepers? - HW do you know?? I would love to show you a photo of these little items but HW was in charge of taking photo's today and I can't seem to find one of her project - therefore I will include a random photo just to make you smile!!  HW also brought along the most amazing hand applique quilt to show (and tell) but I cannot show you that either,as its for a gift.  Watch this space - it'll appear soon!

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CD was working on her wholecloth quilt again - with a self impose deadline of July 4th - three years to the day she started - the edging was well under way!

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We had two belated birthdays to celebrate today....AB - who had her 50th back in February. And HS - who had her birthday a couple of weeks back.

Although we all attended AB's 50th back in February - we were unable to present her with her main gift on the day as we had only started it three days before!!  Who said the QQ were organised!!  Anyway - although they have been ready for a little while, we have been trying to wait until we were all there to pass on our gifts as we had all made one.... and the gift was .....

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Handmade, wholecloth, cushion covers - a matching set of six. Each member made a cushion with the sixth one being a joint effort.  We will post about the whole making process later!

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Second birthday celebration was for HS - this of course meant extra cake...

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HS was also very grateful, that QQ reminded her that she was a Grandma - AB had kindly purchased a nice bag - that of course will be a constant reminder - should she ever forget!


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The best day, helped by the wonderful weather and equally wonderful surrounding!!

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Saturday, 28 April 2012

28 April 2012 - A wet and humorous Fulham Day Handquilting

The Quirkies gathered and Helen's to drive northward up the A3 past Kingston, into Fulham to meet at Ellen's house for the first time.  It was a smooth journey only running into traffic at Putney High Street and Lille Road Recreation Ground where the Moscow State Circus is performing in heavy rain!

All had handwork with a number of self-confessed UFOs and a couple of charity projects.  Note Helen's glamorous gel-polished nails below - we were all jealous of her new look.


Carole's handquilt project
Helen's charity thatched cottage scissor keepers
Christine's applique
Annie's fabulous Christmas project












As we stitched, the birds sang (despite the rain) and we were keen to update on Helen's beekeeping course.  She has now ordered the bees, has a flat pack hive in her garage and regaled us with pictures of her in her beekeeping suit covered in bees (ummmm). Helen plans a bee blog which we all eagerly await.

Bees seemed to be the theme of the day . . . and Ellen got a bit carried away playing a CD by the BlackDown Voices complete with bee buzzing set to music!

 Lunch on a wet day was Angela Hartnett's Pea and Mint Soup along with warm Twenty-First Century Cheese, Ham and Chive Break (Lorraine Pascale).


Followed by a lovely trifle from Carole (delicious liqueur at the bottom) and birthday cake to celebrate the April birthday girls - Christine, Helen and Taggy who was out with her family and sorely missed.


Work carried on after the celebrations with Carole teaching Ellen how to blog and Christine lending a sewing machine to new quilter Ellen for "trials" before taking the plunge and buying her own. 

Ending the day on an upbeat note, Christine shared two recently completed projects, to the delight of us all. 

Christine's Zappy Do with Jennie Raymont
Just beautiful Christine

Thank you all for a wonderful day!

Friday, 27 April 2012

Twin Town Patchwork and Quilting Show





Twin Town Patchwork Exhibition ~ Europa Gallery at Sutton Library 20th - 21st April 2012.
The exhibition comprises entries from two groups of Sutton quilters and quilters from two of Sutton's
'Twin Towns', namely Gagny in Paris, France and Charlottenburg Wilmersdorf in Berlin, Germany.

But more importantly for us Quirkies- 2 quirkies are in the Lavender girls (Lavender quirkies?) so we had
to go and have a quiet ( us quiet?) peak at what they'd been up to!!



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