Got round to doing a bit of colouring today.

First I traced it through and added a bit of shading.
Wetted it and 'smudged' the colour up a little (still not happy with the bleeding but I might have to live with it)

Then it's a matter of choosing the right colour. (or colours)

I did another one but with Textile Medium. I have to wait 24 hours before I heat set it to see how it comes out but it doesn't look very wonderful so far.

Never ever eat like this again!

We are seriously full after a super lunch at the Four Seasons in Dogermersfield. It's Fliss 21st on Tuesday but we celebrated here today. Steph made this fab cake, unfortunately Fliss is taking it back down to university so it hasn't been cut.
My lovely girl.

Just one of the lovely flower spots in the hotel.

V and A Exhibition

I arrived like the white rabbit late, but with 2 minutes to spare. I hate rushing but walked in through the doors knowing the exhibition time was finally here. Years ago we first heard of this and it seemed so long in the future it would never arrive.

For those of you overseas, my route from the train station took me past Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park Corner and Harrods. (I still get a kick out of these places) The entrance to the V and A is impressive but as I didn't want to risk life and limb going back across the road to get a better view and be even later arriving, this photo is as good as it gets.
The whole exhibition was wonderful a full exhibition of quilts not normally available to view. (There are a few contemporary works but we as quilters will not perhaps appreciate these as much, with one or two exceptions) There is as there surely had to be, a Sanderson star (not the best Sanderson Star but representive of them), wholecloths mainly from the 19th century, a fabulous strippy with feathers to die for (well I would notice that wouldn't I?)
The stars of the show are the pieced quilts and coverlets. The one below really took my fancy with the most incredible stars in each circle (Susan Briscoe might have other photos of this quilt on her blog ). This particular photo is curtesy of the V&A and they retain their copyright (please respect).


They have their famous quilt with the sundial centre dated 1797. We've seen this quilt in many books but it is so very impressive in person.
The Rajah quilt has been borrowed from Australia for the duration of the exhibition and this one coverlet would make the trip worth while, after all a trip to Canberra would be required to see it again and I think I'm right in saying they only have it on display for one day a year.
There are the 'soldiers' quilts, made from tiny pieces of military uniforms (my feeling is only men could be so determined to piece these works. They impress me with their skill but not their artistry.
I didn't see the Tristram quilt, can it really not be on display or did I miss it (possible)
I shall go back perhaps next month, perhaps next week if I can't wait...
Run to see this, don't walk.

Winchester Shopping

These kitsch pins are from The Hambleton and the fabrics from Cath Kidston. I am surprised to find the pink and blue fabrics have a totally different weave. The pink a very loosely woven straight weave and the blue a very lightweight drapery weave.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Ovi Mail: Create an account directly from your phone
http://mail.ovi.com

Odd views of Winchester

If they want to put their brash red up in your town and say they cannot change it, this is proof it can be done. This McDonalds is so much less offensive than their regular branches.

And just as we were going though to the car park to come home we found these women setting up a cake stall for tomorrow. It has become an annual event for Help the Heroes. Last year they raised just under £6,000.


So we came home with two chutneys and marmalade....

This fabulous whiskey soaked fruit cake. (Colin has already have the first slice, well it is his birthday)

And these lovely cupcakes...


The diet can start tomorrow.

Not too happy with the background....

Playing with different effects

On the left, soluble coloured pencil wetted with wet/damp brush (water), in the middle same but using the Aquadoodle pen (kids toy, like a felt tip but you fill with water) on the right the Textil felt tip pen.
And the little bit of coloured background was done with the pencil almost fully on it's side and then 'spread' with a wet brush.

Going round in circles

First draw your feather into a space you have set.

Then scan it and print it, or photocopy it. Do it the number of times you need all in one go. Even the best printers, copiers and/or scanners distort the image a little. At least if it's all done in one go the chances are the distortions will all be the same.


I've cut out my feathers and glued them down so I have my master pattern to trace through onto the fabric as many times as I need.

Plumes

I've been wasting a lot of time trying to draw plumes effectively. I tried doing a feather, drawing it on both sides of the paper, Cutting round the top of the feather, with tape, sticking some thread so I can fold it over to see what really happens.


Pulled over to the left

Pulled over straight down
Pulled over to the right.
And just drawn with what 'felt' right.

I'm going round in circles over this. It should be so simple but these things never are.....

The sun has been shining (and cats and quilts)

This pond is down the road from the house about 100 yds away. It's called a pond though it is the largest body of freshwater in Hampshire. I'm pleased to find the swans survived the frozen winter. And as soon as the first sun is out, so come the crocus. This photo doesn't do this lawn of them justice.

 Rosie thinks she has a right to be on this quilt, guess what darling? I suppose I haven't gone over it finally to remove cat hair so one more time won't matter too much......

Just go waste a day or so here

Inspire me now this site  is the reason I have nothing quilty to post about. The images are wonderful.

Edit!
See on the comments  below
Anne had a problem clicking on the lifeboat on page six, so it's probably best not to click on the links if your computer is vulerable.