Travelling Show
I’m back in London for a few days before heading off again.
10 days driving the family around England and Scotland had it’s moments!
Some a bit stressful but well worth the strain.
I had a very enjoyable time at the York Quilt Museum and Gallery.
I also dragged along my sister, great-niece and nephew.
Much to their surprise they enjoyed it!
A wonderful building in a beautiful setting.
Their current exhibitions, Quilt Art at 25 ends on 2nd May.
But go, if you can.
(It is travelling to various UK and European venues.)
We all came away with our favourite.
And I have some ideas about doing some “arty” quilts.
Family Time
The family, or at least part of it, has arrived!
That means lots of exercise (sightseeing) but little sewing!
Then on Monday (18th April) we hire a car and go north.
So I’m using the trip to fuel my inspiration.
Colours, patterns and textures – how will these translate into a quilt?
Excitement Rains
My flat is clean (still to finish the bathroom.)
Furniture has been moved and a camp bed made up in the bedroom.
Lounge/dining room has been reorganised and tablecloth ironed!!!
Kitchen tidy and food ready for baking!
Yes I am about to have visitors (arriving tomorrow from New Zealand.)
Very excited.
Four people staying in my small flat and three more visitors tomorrow to greet them.
And rain is expected so I can’t take them to the local park!
P.S. Yeah I know the title should be reins reigns 
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Picnic Patch needs to be renamed! Ideas gratefully accepted.
Batik Bali
Remember the Batik Bali quilt.
It’s finished but it’s turned into the picnic quilt.
And the picnic quilt has turned into a sofa throw.
Confused?
Batik Bali Front
Batik Bali Back
Batik Bali has been backed with the fabric I initially bought for the picnic quilt.
This backing is slightly thicker and heavier than the cotton I normally use.
Not as cuddly but better wearing, so more suited to a picnic quilt.
Why Batik Bali?
Because the fabrics used for the top of the quilt are from Hoffman Fabrics Bali Batiks range.
And the design is an adaptation of Tea Time in Bali by Larene Smith
Batik Bali is for sale in my Etsy store.
Sun, Sea and … Finished
Sun, Sea and ...
Yes it’s finished!
Actually it’s been finished for awhile but I needed to take photos of it.
Sun, Sea and ... Back
And the sun is back (at least for now!)
Clear blue skies, warm yellow sun and another Christmas quilt completed.
What more could someone want?
Mark Webber to win the Malaysian Grand Prix would be good.
Oh What a Beautiful Day
Daffodil
“Oh what a beautiful morning.
Oh what a beautiful day.
I’ve got a wonderful feeling
Everything’s going my way.”
(Oklahoma! Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Let’s just hope that I feel like this at the end of the day!
Bali Batik just about finished. Will be done today.
Picnic quilt ready for layering. To be done before 10am.
Formula 1 quilt designed and cutting started.
Its all looking good.
Space and Time
I need more space!
Watch This Space
As you can see layering a quilt can be a challenge.
I do it on the wall as there’s no room on the floor (also it’s easier!)
My bedroom has fabric and quilting supplies stacked in corners!
My lounge is where I sew, on the dining table.
And my kitchen bench is my cutting and ironing board.
Oh to have the space where I don’t need to move things if I want to sew!
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After a month of writing in Shelly’s Patch every day I have decided to slow down.
So future posts are likely to be every two or three days.
Maybe I’ll even have enough time to take some photos of what I’ve been doing.
Good News / Bad News
Good news: the backing for the picnic quilt arrived.
Bad news: the colour isn’t right.
Good news: the fabric blends well with another top (Batik Bali) that needs backing.
Bad news: more backing fabric is needed before I can finish the picnic quilt.
Good news: I can finish a quilt that I started in January.
Bad news: another delay with finishing the picnic quilt.
Good news: the top for the picnic quilt has been finished.
Good news: Batik Bali will be layered today and ready for quilting
Overall: good news out weighs the bad news.
A winning situation.
Picnic Patch
The picnic quilt has been started and the top just about finished.
I received the wadding yesterday but now need the backing fabric.
As my goal is to have this completed in the next five days - I need that backing!!
Picnic Patch
Not the best of photos but you get the idea.
This is another quilt in a disappearing nine patch design.
I’m getting excited about seeing the completed quilt and I promise to take a decent photo to show you 
UK Squared
UK Squared
This quilt is similar to UK Memories but I used a different quilting pattern.
I’m not sure about the blue on the front but I do like the contrast with the red on the back.
UK Squared has a home, as does UK Memories, but I see similar quilts in my future.
Back
So another pattern that will be added to my Etsy store in the future.
Have you checked out my store?
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PS: Ignore the tape holding the quilt up it’s there so I could take some photos of the quilt.
Anyone want a job as official quilt holder?
No pay, no benefits, no advancement.
Who could turn down such an offer?!
Photos on Flickr
More Photos
My Etsy Shop
Birdie Block of the Month
The Pledge
