Bless me bloggers it has been 8 days since my last post...

...but I have a good excuse!  What a bumper half term it has been!  We have had fabulous weather (so unusual for the UK) and we have taken full advantage with plenty of fun in the sun, BBQ's and Pimms in the garden.  It has been more like a summer holiday and I really don't want to get back to the routine tomorrow.  My DH was off for the week and we had some relaxing days in the garden mixed with trips down to the park.  My DD2 has re-found her confidence with her bike and my DH has been a great coach.  I snapped this picture on the way down to the park.  I just love it...

I also grabbed this picture of the neighbours weeds growing out of the fence on the way to the park!  Amazing how good it looks when you get a close-up!

Along with all this good weather comes the promise of bargains at the car-boot.  I, per-usual, was on the look out for cotton shirts.  The first table had 2 shirts for 50p each!  Next I found a lovely ladies pyjama with little flowers.  But the best of the lots were some XXL shirts I got from a lady that sold them to me for 75p each.  She asked me why I was looking for 100% cotton and I explained that I made patchwork quilts. 
"Like the Americans?" she asked...
"Yes", I said to be polite...even though I'm Canadian and we all know that it is multi-cultural hobby! 
"so", she said, "you are going to cut them up?" 
"Yes" I said...
to which a sly smile came across her face..."oh that's a good use for them, they were my ex-husbands!"
I wish I'd bought the lot now :o)

Until next time...

I need another quilt project like a ...

Back in September I bought the book Garden Club Quilts and it has sat on the shelf since.  After hearing from Libby that there were a few bloggers (see the list on the sidebar) encouraging each other in the project, I too decided to jump in.  Perhaps with the encouragement of others I'll actually get this one done. 

So far I have pulled some fabric and started tracing templates.  Perhaps this weekend I might get some stitching down..

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Just a couple of other things that I have found in my morning reading.  Have a look at this stitching one women did for her hubby.  Ahhh...I love my DH, but I would just use plain paper and a pen!

And lastly I leave you with another squirrel pic.  This little lady(?) is quite brave and didn't seem to mind me taking pictures.  I do wonder if it is the same one I've always taken pictures of and perhaps she knows the drill :o)

Have a good weekend!!

Until next time...

Trip to the V & A ... and a quilt shop ;o)

On Saturday I went down to London with the children and as it happened I ensured my travels took me in the direction of Kew Gardens and the quaint, but lovely Tikki Quilt shop.  The shop had a wonderful array of fabrics and threads which delighted my senses.  I did make a little purchase, but I haven't snapped any pictures of my loot. :o)

From there we headed further into London to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum.  I had never been there and will definitely plan another visit to see the rest of it.  As I only had a few hours to look around I headed straight for the fashion and textile areas of the museum, but not before taking a picture of this breathtaking glass sculpture in entrance.  It was absolutely amazing!

As I was making my way through I caught sight of this kimono in the Japan section...seems 1/2 square triangles have always been a popular pattern.  Just take a look at the quilting...

And speaking of quilting, the textile area of the museum has an extensive collection of needlework dating back centuries. Each of the pieces are stored in glass trays in cabinets. Using the index on the wall you can find an array of needlework. I saw several samplers, one dating back to 1754! And the stitches so tiny! I found this example of quilting, but unfortunately didn't take note of the age...I think is was about 14th century...but I'm not sure. Isn't it interesting to see that the patterns are the same ones we use today!

In the fashion section there were so many beautiful pieces of clothing...but these two corsets caught my eye.  Julia over at Marmalade Kiss is making her own corset based on a V&A pattern..Here is her version... Isn't it stunning!!  I'm impressed that Julia has a good figure to wear a corset...I hate to imagine my body in one!

The V&A has so much to inspire and I wish I'd had more time to see some of the other areas.  It was a good day out and I look forward to going again.
Until next time...

A little round up...

Whoosh!  That's just how this week has felt.  I can't believe tomorrow is Friday and I am only just now getting around to telling you what I did last weekend! :o)

First I have to say a HUGE thank you to you all that left comments in my last post about my Etsy Shop.  I have had a few orders which has been very encouraging and I've had some lovely emails that have been so supportive...many many thanks!

Last weekend was the May meeting for Rochebeire Schoolhouse Quilters.  Our speaker was Shirley Bloomfield who is renown for her exquisite Baltimore style applique.  It was a real treat to hear her speak.  Pictures from the meeting are HERE. 

I always look forward to Rochebeire because as well as a speaker there is plenty going on to inspire.  Lynda (who is a Project Linus coordinator) brought along tops that needed quilting.  Here are a couple that I thought I might try at some point to try and slim down the strip baskets.  Both don't rely on values, but rather the mixture of several fabrics that all play nicely together.

In order to display them she had Liz hang them from the gym frame in the hall.  Now I knew Liz was talented, but you should have seen her on these monkey bars...puts Spiderman to shame ;o)  I of course was at the ready with my camera (much to Liz's disgust) and captured her talents! Sorry Liz...just couldn't resist! :o)

Until next time...

Joining the Etsy (rhymes with Betsy) Revolution

Shaking with nerves..I have done it..I've posted my first items on Etsy...

So far I have managed to list sets of postcards of pictures you have seen over the last year on the blog.  I'm absolutely thrilled with these and I hope you will be too.

I'm also hoping to get some notecards done and I've also planned a few sewing related items...but they aren't quite ready yet.  Please have a look and let me know what you think.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade janeweston.etsy.com

Until next time...

Interesting Pictures

I've been out and about with my camera and have snapped a few interesting pictures...I hope you like them ;o)



This is the lilac blossoms on my tree in my garden



These flowers were snapped from the car while we were waiting a in huge traffic jam! 
(making good use of my time! LOL)



This door and window caught my eye.



And lastly..this is why I bought my camera (Nikon D40)...just look at the blue of the sky!  This picture is straight out of the camera...no doctoring. I just love it!

Until next time...

VW Show

Last Sunday we went to the VW show at Stanford Hall.  The weather breezy...but the sun was shining and so were all the cars and vans.  I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I took on the day.









Look at this interior...I wish my house looked like that!  Isn't it cute!

Until next time...

Camera Strap Cover

Do you know how hard it is to photograph oneself in the mirror, holding the camera with one hand while at the same time trying to showcase the lovely camera strap cover you've just made and keep it in focus!!?

Seriously though, this is a great tutorial.  Very easy to make, very easy to attach and very stylish :o)

The tutorial is over at "Made by Petchy"


Until next time...

If you fancy voting...

This is just a bit of fun...but if you fancy voting for my blog click on the Dorset Cereals picture here on the right :o)

Until next time...

And the winner is...

Can I just start by saying how absolutely shocked I am at the amount of comments you all left and such wonderful comments they were!  I wasn't able to answer every comment...173 is a large number!! :o)  but I wanted you all to know that I really appreciate all the interest in my blog.  There are times I think that no one is reading...but after this week I can rest assured that there are people out there interested in my ramblings.

If you are interested in more talent...have a look at the blogs of those that have commented.  I have had a wonderful time this week discovering new blogs and finding even more inspiration! 

Now on to the winner!

I was going to try and find a fancy way to pick a number...but in the end, I've used a random number generator.. and the winning number is 26!

As you can see the winner is Stina from Sweden!!!  Congratulations!!

Drop me an email with your details :o)


Until next time...