A visit to the Museum

Following an invitation earlier this week, I set off yesterday for Thornbury Museum to meet up with some friends and view the 'Chambers Quilt' which is currently on loan to the museum and which is part of their 'Stitches in Time' Exhibition running till April, There is an interesting display of antique sewing/knitting related items from the Museum's store rooms which do not see light of day very often due to their age and delicate nature and the quilt is the stunning centre piece of the exhibition. To my surprise it was a formal but relaxed afternoon, the Mayor of Thornbury and her consort were there as were several members of the Family who own the quilt, and there was Tea & Cake, so the afternoon was all the more enjoyable! The Chambers Quilt (actually it's a coverlet but...) is believed to have been made to raise funds to help build a new Vicarage some time in the late 19th century. This beautiful hand embroidered, hand made quilt has lain undiscovered for around 100 years. The Family of the original owner were clearing some out buildings on a Family property when they came across a box full of 'rags', luckily before throwing it into a skip they looked through the top layers and saw some red & white fabrics, on further inspection they discovered this stunning quilt.  If you live near enough and have some time for a visit do come along it's well worth the effort, there are plenty of places to eat, some nice shops and plenty  interesting places to see on the Heritage Trail in our lovely town and all with free parking.
Last time I promised a pictures of my Gloves so here they are

along with 3 'Hats for the Homeless' I've made as part of the latest Charity project at The Wool Stop

This is the last of a batch of 12 knitted over the last few weeks and hopefully they will keep someone warm.

I thought as I was here I would show you a few more quilts from 'the show' last weekend. In the 'Best in Show/ Visitors Choice' the votes are in and counted and the winner notified ... it was the stunning William Morris in La Belle Jardin by Anne Boyce, and I'm sure you don't mind another look....

and here are a few more for your delight

Autumn Glory - Joyce Prothero

French Braid - Hilary Walsh

 Dancing in Dreamtime - Arlene Lane

Basketball Crazy - Gaynor Garnish

Gracie's Quilt - Carole Leat

This is the lovely Louise Boyce (Daughter of Anne ) demonstrating her work using a felting/embellishing machine.

Some of her items for sale

and finally - today has been a beautiful day and I hope that Spring is finally on its way, looking at the Rockery this morning I certainly hope so the snowdrops and Crocus are out and there are even some daffs well on the way to bursting into flower.(This was taken around 7.30am just before the sun came out, (and Yes! I was out there in my Jammies!!!)

See you all again soon....

Lx

What a weekend!

Well folks

I made it here at last, I just don't know where the days have gone this month. Not much sewing done I'm afraid but quite a bit of early morning knitting during some quiet time before DH wakes - I finished my gloves which I LOVE! and I'm now making another pair, I've forgotten to photo the completed pair but I'll show you next time, I spent a couple of night at DD's who had a hospital appointment very early one morning so some baby was sitting required. 

On 15th it was Clock Tower Quilters meeting where I was able to put the last bit of embroidery on my Sheep Picture...

I added some fly stitch to represent Crows flying over and stitched some horns on the brown one which I thought looked a bit like a Hebridean sheep, then I went to town with some straight stitch and french knots for the flowers in the grass.

I plan to put it in a box frame as reccomended by Claire Kingslake who taught the workshop so I can hang it up.

Then suddenly it was all systems go in the run up to Severn Valley Quilters bi-annual Quilt show on the 20th/21st. We set up on Friday morning

The 'hanging' committee at work

The show takes shape

and opened for 'business' at 2pm, with 20 minutes to spare Pheww!!!  Already several people were waiting to come in and by close of day at 5pm we had had over 100 people through the door. Opening again on Saturday at 10 it was pretty much the same story and by 4pm we'd had another 150 people in, some of whom had traveled quite distance to be there, which is very rewarding. Here is a small sample of the quilts on show.

 

Some smaller items showing two more 'sheep' projects

Circles of Hope - Pauline Widdas

Flowering Vines - Janet Rawles

William Morris in La Belle Jardin - Anne Boyce

Giraffe wall hanging - Wendy Naish

Sashiko Sampler - Lorna Henshaw

We Make other things too! - Various makers

Equilateral Shawl - Elaine Arnold

Ribbons & Lace - Jane Boston

Country Lanes - Heather Hasell.

There were of course many many more including over 30 Charity quilts which have been made by our members during the last 9 months to be given to children of all ages at a Deaf Blind school in Bristol where many of the children have other life limiting problems. they have promised to send us some photos of the quilts with the recipients when they are handed out which I am dying to see.

Tonight it's S.V.Q's monthly meeting so as Chairman I will have lots of votes of  thanks to hand out to all who helped, before our workshop on making Felted Bead Necklaces with Sue Wakefield.

So that's all for today, see you all again soon

Lorraine x