What a find!

Have you ever had that situation when you are sure you have that perfect piece of fabric stashed away somewhere - but just can't remember where you have put it? Well, that has kept me occupied for a few hours looking for the right box. I know I have some off cuts of pale blue fine needle corduroy in a box in our store room, it has been there for over twenty years, and I'm sure it is still there. So I have been searching... I haven't found it yet - but have found other treasures that I sort of knew where there but hadn't needed until I rediscovered them again!

Way back in the mid 70's I went to my first Laura Ashley shop in London, I think to the Fulham Road branch. There were rows and rows of the most beautiful dresses and blouses, but just starting out in my career at that time I couldn't afford to buy one. However, I could afford to buy a few bags of patchwork scraps which were being sold to avoid the material going to waste. These were off cuts from pockets or necklines, and were just right for making patchwork shapes.

Way back then, this was my first attempt at making anything in patchwork using paper pieced hexagons....

.... the idea was to make a bed quilt. I can still remember during the winter evenings sitting in the living room of the house I shared with three young teachers watching TV and making hexagons. However, other priorities must have taken over and my quilt didn't really get much further than a cushion size! Here it is, straight from the box. I still love the vast range of tiny patterns and beautiful print colours.

I must have been going through a 'blue' period then, but did have other colours as well and I still have all that beautiful fabric - newly discovered - and am now contemplating what to use it for.

 Just to get me going I have made a small (14" square) patchwork cushion using some of the reds, but I do have a few other ideas brewing. It is such a dull day here today and is pouring with rain, as you can see on the window panes

I still need to find that pale blue corduroy, so who knows what other treasures I will discover!

Finished at last!

It has taken a long time (see previous posts here and here), it has been a bit stop and start but finally the 'holiday project' hat is finished!

C is really pleased and is delighted about how it has turned out, and so am I. This was my first foray using a cable stitch, the first hat I have made since the girls were babies, and something a little different from knitting socks.

I liked it just as it was, but C wanted to see what it would be like with a pom pom on the top so she set about making one. I think she was right....

.... it does just finish it off.

So what's my next project? I have sock wool waiting - but I think it may be some sewing.

London Olympics 2012

What a great few days we have had in London! We were lucky to get tickets to the track and field at the Olympic Stadium and saw some great action. The whole day was so exciting - the Olympic park is huge and there were so so many people visiting. The weather was fantastic, too hot really. Although almost a week has gone by now, here are just a few photos to remember the day.

Walking up to the stadium

The Orbit

The Velodrome

The Olympic flame in the stadium

Final of the Men's Pole Vault

Final of the Women's Hammer

Final of the Women's 4 x 100 meters !!!

Well done Team USA

There were several other finals and heats going on during our session and also medal presentations. It really was a special day that I will always remember.

The Stadium all lit up as we were leaving

London was also looking spectacular when we went into the city on the Sunday to cheer on the Mens Marathon.

Flags along the Mall

The countdown clock in Trafalgar Square (this photo was taken a little earlier in the week)

Nelson looking very smart in his Union Jack hat! This was part of the cultural olympiad, where well known statues were temporarily adorned with hats designed by British milliners

The Mens Marathon passing on the first of three laps past us on the Embankment. It was a great route for spectators as we could cheer the runners on six times as they went past one way and back the other!

We were right next to one of the feeding stations for the runners which stretched way out of sight!

We are now looking forward to the Paralympics which starts on 29th August. We will be supporting them all - but this time watching on the TV.

Local Arts and Crafts exhibition

This past weekend and the coming weekend (10-12 August) our parish Church are holding an exhibition of local arts, crafts and rural skills. The Church looked fantastic decked out with a really interesting range of work. There are also demonstrations of lace making and patchwork and outside sheep shearing and an exhibit showing a 'living roof'.  It was great to meet other crafty people who live locally and to see how much talent there is around. Below are just a few of the many different exhibits.

Beautiful blue quilt

Hooky rugs

Lace making

Walking sticks

Fly tying for fishing

VNTG beautiful material covered journals

A few of my bits

There were competitions for the children - to decorate an egg box, make an olympic medal, decorate a stone, make a bookmark and a handwriting competition.

And a beautiful rainbow to greet us outside!