Well here is the blog post you've all been waiting for - the shopping! There were so many goodies to tempt me, and I'm sure I could've bought far more than I did, but I was very busy helping Lynette on her stall, so didn't get a chance to buy too much else! As you can see, Lynette had some scrumptious things on her stall, and I just couldn't resist this cute toadstool charm to adorn my scissors with. I've recently been using Cottage Garden Threads, and as they are usually only available from Australia, I thought I'd make the most of getting a few skeins while I had the chance. Lynette had some beautiful stitchery kits, and I thought some smaller projects would be ideal for me as Mr F keeps complaining about the growing mound of quilts that are taking over Foreman Towers... ...this stitchery kits contained all the fabrics AND threads that were needed, and Lynette had a selection of wooden frames to but them in too - well it would've been silly not to get them, as once they're stitched, these can bee instantly framed and ready to hang up on display! I bought some more of these super zippers (one with a key is for a particularly special project, but more about that in a few weeks!) and lastly this gorgeous bundle of fabrics complete with a wooden embroidery thread holder - it's a kit for a quilt designed by Lynette that is featured in "Simply Vintage" magazine, and I was lucky enough to bet this edition from Lynette - and as soon as I arrived home I contacted The Fat Quarters as they stock this, and I've now got a subscription set up with them so I don't miss out on this fantastic magazine... ...I visited The Fat Quarters for some weaveline (a thin cotton interfacing to fuse on the back of stitchery) and managed to also get some glue-pen refills, and couldn't resist these gorgeous red bag handles. I'd already got bag handles on my list, and as usual paid a visit to The Eternal Maker stand to get some more. These lime green ones are to go with some batiks that I'd bought a few weeks ago, and I adored these red/white spotty ones! Another favourite stall for shopping was Cross Patch, and they had some stunning stitchery kits, and this one "Circle of Love" by Rosalie Quinlan came home with me too... ...I always make a visit to Kaleidoscope Books and this year was no exception - the 2 most recent books by Nancy Halvorsen, Table Please Part 1 and Part 2 were quickly purchased, followed by a quick trip to Kaleidoscope Fabrics, and I bought a bundle of 10 fat quarters of gorgeous turquoise batiks and added a few half metres to co-ordinate with them ready to make a quilt for a very special person (shhh it's a secret!! so can't reveal too much about that project just yet!) and finally a trip to the FOQ wouldn't be complete without a bag kit - and this one was from the Monkey Buttons stand. The sample on display was made up in Lynette Anderson's beautiful fabrics, and this kit had just been put together while I was waiting to be served. It contains some beautiful blue fabrics, and a grey textured woven fabric that really is lovely. Now I just need a few days of sewing time so I can make a start on some of these lovely projects!
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Yesterday I went to Norwich for the day, mainly to see my daughter Alice (she's at UEA and settling in really well - she is making lots of new friends and seems very happy and so that means her mum is very happy too!!) and also to see my sister (she's very crafty too so we always have lots to talk about!!). Well as I was a bit late leaving home, I just happened to be driving through Bungay just as it was opening time for Sew and So's and it really would've been a little bit rude of me not to have popped in to say hello - and while I was there I saw these beautiful Tilda prints - they were displayed so lovely that I just HAD to buy them (and I did get a fat quarter bundle for my sister too - for her birthday - you see, I'm very nice like that!!). Then it was off to Norwich to collect Alice from UEA (and yes she LOVED the cushion that I'd made for her of Jasper) and we then drove over to see my sister for a warm welcome and a cuppa, and look who I met - this very handsome fellow called Bernard, who is often seen lurking on her blog... ...obviously a day in Norwich wouldn't be complete without lunch at Biddy's Tea Rooms and one of their spectacular sausage rolls - this one is pork and apple and sage and yes I did manage to eat all of it and if my friend Sherry is reading this, no I didn't eat the chocolate and raspberry muffin in the background - Alice did though!!
OK so here is what you've REALLY been waiting for... the pictures of the shopping that I did at FoQ!! Well of course the first stop was the lovely Lynette Anderson Designs stall, where my daughter was working. There were so many wonderful things on display it was hard to decide what to choose!! There were books and patterns and bag making accessories (this leather bag flap and strap are just wonderful!) and fabric bundles and buttons..... .....here you can see a better picture of these gorgeous zippers - the end tags were so beautiful - these will be the perfect flourish on a cosmetic pouch or on a sewing bag. Oh and yes, some wooden bobbins for winding embroidery thread onto, and yes, there's a kit lurking under there too, the "Orange Tree" pillow, complete with fabrics and a hand painted wooden button to embellish it with. Lynette very kindly gave me a copy of her latest book (thank you SO much for your generosity Lynette!!) and I couldn't resist getting one of these beautiful handmade scissor fobs - yes that really is made with Lynette's fabric, all foundation pieced - I'll have the poshest scissors in Suffolk!!..... .....would you believe the only fabric (apart from a cute little bundle of "Wildflower Flower Wood" designed by Lynette for Lecien, that's a gift for a friend - so it doesn't REALLY count!) was a couple of Layer cakes "Aspen Frost" - this is the new Christmas collection by Basic Grey. A couple of books were also on my shopping list - the newest book by Nancy Halvorsen, "Ho Ho Ho Let it Snow" (my poor bookshelf is groaning at the thought of MORE books!) and a book "Cushions and Quilts" by the very talented Jo Colwill from Cowslip Workshops - I'd seen this book on her blog, and was so pleased as her stall was opposite Lynette's at the show so got see Jo lots during the show. Oh and yes, some rather strange looking bag clasps that I just NEEDED to get..... .....and finally it just wouldn't be the same without a bit of shopping on The Fat Quarters stall. It's always great to catch up with Kim, and this year Kim and Debbie were staying at the same hotel as us, so we often saw each other at breakfast time as well as at the show! This beautiful BOM had been on my wish list for AGES and is called "Scandinavian Rose", and is by the Australian designer Rosalie Quinlan, and her latest BOM "Best Friends Forever" - these are both pre-printed handkerchief linen, which means I don't have to spend hours tracing stitchery patterns! Oh and I also bought a real show-bargain of large cans of 505 spray glue, but they look a bit boring so didn't think you'd need to see a picture of them!
Just a quick update to let you all know what a great time I had today with my daughter! We drove over to Bungay, to visit Sew and So's - Alice needed some fabric for some gifts she's making, and I needed just a half meter of fabric to line a tote bag that I'm going to make with a fat quarter bundle that I bought from the Sew and So's stand at Duxford last week. Well, while I was browsing I spotted a great book containing patterns for table runners - I've already got another book and a couple of patterns by the same designer, and they are really easy to understand, so just HAD to get it, and then I saw some gorgeous purple and green batik, that I'm hoping will go with the purple and green lace that I bought recently. Finally I spotted some more magnetic sew-in buttons for bag making - the ones I had bought from Duxford last week were 3x as expensive as these - I think you can guess where I'll be buying these from in future!..... .....Alice bought a selection of fabrics - she is going to be busy making gifts for some of her colleagues, and bought Hollyhock Garden Leciens, and a yummy pink batik and some pretty red and white fabric..... .....and these cute fabrics are going to be used for her laptop cover. Oh don't you just love those cute little piggies!! Anyway, after that super shopping spree, we were in need of refreshments, so hot-footed it off to the Earsham Street Cafe for lunch - and if any of you see Alice at work this week at Quilters Haven, ask her about the delicious Chocolate Orange cake she devoured for her pudding!! Well what are you doing to day to celebrate worldwide quilting day? I'm taking my youngest daughter to Sew and So's at Bungay as she really NEEDS some of Lynette Anderson's beautiful Hollyhock Garden fabric. She's promised to treat me to afternoon tea at the Earsham Street cafe as a treat too! She's making a bag as a gift for one of her colleagues, so I suppose when we get home we'll spend the evening sewing with her new fabric - oh dear it's a hard life, but it has to be done hehe!! What a super day out I had on Saturday, at the Spring Quilt Festival which was held at Duxford, in Cambridgeshire. I had gone along with some quilting friends, and as you can see I'd taken a VERY large shopping bag with me, just incase I saw any fabrics or threads that I needed to buy. (Note to Val - next time you need to take a larger bag!!)..... .....there were lots and lots of stands to look at, and several new ones that I'd never seen before, but I had a list of favourites that I HAD to visit! One of the first stops was to say hello to Rob at the Sew and So's stand (they've got a great quilt shop in Bungay). There was a fabulous array of Lecien fabrics on show, and yes I did make a little purchase from this stall, but I'll show you that later..... .....then it was off to say hello to Janet and Louise of Glenroy Designs. Do you recognize that orange and yellow batik quilt in the background? Yes, it's my Mango Salsa quilt that I made a few weeks ago. I bought the batiks from them last summer, and loaned it to Janet and Louise for their display..... .....Nicky and Pam Lintott from The Quilt Room were there with a wonderful selection of beautiful fabrics and pre-cuts - and they had some stunning quilts on their stand too. These quilts really were superb, and I especially liked the chicken quilt. The Quilt Room Blog is one of the blogs I follow, and it's always nice to see them at quilt shows..... .....and finally this is what you've all been waiting for - my purchases!!! This lovely bundle of soft green and yellow fat quarters was from Sew and So's (this collection is "Silent Cinema" by Jenean Morrison for FreeSpirit fabrics)along with this lovely tin to keep sewing things in. I was very graciously going to let my friend Sarah have it, but then Rob said he had 2 tins - result! I also managed to find some bits and bobs for bags - and lots of lace - and a LITTLE bit more fabric too! Oh and look Lesley McDonald - I some lime green ric-rac that just had to come home with me! I even managed to find a cutting board cleaner - it was quite expensive, but hopefully this will save me having to buy a new cutting board! Anyway, I had a great time, and when I finally got home I was glad to sit down with a well deserved cuppa and admire my purchases! Now I've just about got time to save my pennies ready fort he Autumn Quilt Festival in November! Oh and what about the quilts that were on display? I'll show you those tomorrow - after I've finished looking at my lovely fabric !! Those of you who follow my blog regularly may have noticed a link on the side bar to a very crafty online shop called "little a designs". I stumbled across this shop on Facebook, and have been hooked on looking at the beautiful cushions that were for sale. Well then I realized that some ribbons and lace were for sale too..... .....well of course I couldn't resist this beautiful velvet/lace ribbon, and ordered a few meters of it, in an assortment of colours. After waiting very patiently for the postman to deliver to Foreman Towers, this little parcel finally arrived in the post on Monday, and now I can't wait to get sewing again at the weekend - I just LOVE this green and purple combination. This will make the perfect trimming to some cosmetic bags! I had a great time on Saturday, as I went fabric shopping with my youngest daughter Alice. She really NEEDED another piece of red batik to go with all the red batiks she'd already bought from Quilters Haven, so off we went to Sew and So's at Bungay, to see if they had any. Well after lots of perusing around, she DID manage to find the perfect one - and also her mother found a few perfect fabrics too!! Last summer I spent AGES at the NEC (having already desperately searched online) trying to find a "Tonga Treats Strips" in a particular colourway - "Blueberry Pie" for Alice, and couldn't get them anywhere at all - and I ended up getting a couple of balipops in a similar colourway instead (and no I haven't used them yet!!) and what was the first thing I saw as we walked into Sew and So's? You've guessed - the exact packet of Tonga Treats Strips "Blueberry Pie" - well obviously that just HAD to be bought!!..... .....also I managed to find just a few Lecien fabrics that I needed to make some more cosmetic bags with - I bought some half-meters of this pretty yellow selection, from a range called "Princess Rose", and also a few brown "Antique Floral" fabrics. Oh and then I spotted this little fat quarter bundle, which included some printed linen - perfect! After we'd both finished shopping, we strolled down to Earsham Street Cafe where we had a delicious afternoon tea - Alice did say she wasn't really very hungry, however she managed to polish off a huge slice of peanut butter cake that was 3 layers high - and I had a scrummy piece of carrot cake - note to self - MUST go there again! Ok so this is what you've all been waiting for - the pictures showing you what I actually bought from the Festival of Quilts!! Well I was very good this year, and didn't buy that much, as I still hadn't used all the fabric that I bought last year, so decided I'd only buy the things I really really needed! So first of all there were a couple of books - (I really NEEDED these books hehe!!). I just love the Art to Heart books by Nancy Halvorsen and her latest edition, "Christmas Favourites" is brilliant. I've now got ALL of Nancy's books and most of her patterns too. Did I say I really really needed this one?? And then I was thrilled to get a copy of Kim Schaeffer's book "Calendar Quilts" as I've been looking for it for ages, and just HAD to buy it! This came in a beautiful wallet with full size patterns and instruction booklet..... .....then I was on a search for bag making paraphernalia and especially leather bag handles, and I found some lovely ones from the Button Company - I really love the red spotted handles! On another stall I spotted some silver hands engraved with "hand made" which I thought would be nice to sew onto special gifts for friends (I had bought some brass hands earlier in the year from the Stitch and Craft Show) and I also found some small sew-in fasteners too, as sometimes magnetic fasteners can be a bit too "fierce"..... .....there were so many gorgeous fabrics on display, and it was so difficult to choose which ones I wanted to make bags and runners and quilts - in the end I just bought a couple of Blueberry Bali Pops for my daughter Alice, who wants to make a quilt for her bed. She wants to decorate her room in creams and blues so I thought she'd like these batiks! Then I saw an incredible bargain - I always use 505 spray when I'm spray-basting my small quilts and bags and runners, so was nearly giddy when I saw a"special show offer" - 5x 500ml cans at the special show price of £40 - this really was too good to miss, and will last me a very long time!! Well that was all the shopping I did this year, and yes I did get stopped several times by ladies who were admiring my AnnAKa shopping bag! I couldn't always understand what they were saying (as ladies come from all over the world to the Festival of Quilts and not all of them spoke English!!) but I think by their smiles and nods of approval they liked it nearly as much as I do!! |
About me...Hi - welcome to my quilting blog! My passions are my family, my dog, my friends and sewing, not necessarily in that order! Archives
July 2023
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