Blog Archives - Nicola Foreman Quilts

Teeny Tiny Hexagons

31/5/2022

These pre-cut quarter-inch hexagon templates arrived in the post from Sew & Quilt and are just what I needed for block one of Lynette Anderson's mystery button club, Say it with Flowers. Hexies really are my nemesis, and I had struggled with making my own tiny templates, so these one really are a game-changer. I've ordered from Sew & Quilt before, and they really are excellent quality templates, and the customer service is fantastic...

...I'd initially made a rather slow start to this block, although now the hexie templates have arrived, hopefully I can get it completed over the next couple of days. I'm using the Apliquick method of applique for this project, and this cute little watering can has already been hand embroidered and embellished with a pretty Suffolk Puff. It will look even lovelier when those teeny tiny hexagons have been made and stitched into place!

Quilts UK Malvern 2022 - The Shopping

28/5/2022

I'd completely forgotten to share a few pictures of the shopping from when I was at the Spring Quilt Festival earlier this month! Firstly there were a couple of pretty kits that I spotted on the Cowslip Workshops stall - I've already got a few kits that I'd bought from at previous quilt shows (see my post about my long list of kits about those) - and as soon as I saw these my will power had completely gone! As these are quite small projects, I should be able to comple them soon...

...a visit to the Oh Sew Sweet stall ticked off a few ByAnnie patterns that were on my shopping list, as you know I am a huge fan of both ByAnnie patterns and Lorraine and Geoff from Oh Sew Sweet! And last but not least, this super bright panel to make a very simple cot quilt for Rory to snuggle under when he comes to visit his Nanny. I couldn't decide which one to buy, as Beryl from Sew and So's of Bungay had several to choose from, so I let Mr F pick his favourite, and I think he did rather well!

Quilts Somewhat in the Middle

23/5/2022

A pretty parcel arrived recently from Pincushion Pantiles - a starter kit for Tuesday's Child, and a beautiful book, Quilts Somewhat in the Middle, by the Australian designer Susan Smith. As soon as the housework is finished, I'll be curled up on the sofa with a cuppa and this beautiful book!

Anni Downs - Simply Home

21/5/2022

This GORGEOUS book by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched arrived in the post a couple of days ago from Coast and Country Crafts and Quilts. Simply Home Quilts and Little Things is packed full of ideas, spread over 328 pages, with 25 different projects and as it's published by Quiltmania it's written in both English and French. It includes full size pattern templates too (I absolutely HATE having to try to enlarge pattern templates) which are printed on two VERY large paper pullouts. I didn't get a chance to look at it properly when it arrived, so I spent most of yesterday morning curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea, oohhing and aahhing over the se pretty projects. Even more to add to my to-do list!

Quilts UK Malvern 2022 - Mr F's Favourite

20/5/2022

Well Mr F was very patient when I was oohhing and aahhing at all the beautiful quilts, although after the first couple of aisles had been admired, he scuttled off to sit and his newspaper, then disappeared outside to sit in the sunshine with a well deserved cup of tea, leaving me to continue looking at quilts without him tutting!! However, he'd also secretly been admiring the quilts, as he also had a favourite - Flower Border by Claire Tinsley. It really didn't surprise me at all that this was his favourite, since he's an excellent gardener!

The information with the quilt, Claire Tinsley wrote the following:
The borders of our garden became our sanctuary and inspiration over "Lockdown". We had many visitors, i.e. birds, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, frogs and a mous! This piece is made up of bonded applique batiks and I used acrylic ink to paint details. I have used my longarm achine for the quilting.

Quilts UK Malvern 2022 - What a Showstopper!

19/5/2022

This absolutely AMAZING quilt truely was a showstopper! Tranquilty, by Lynda Jackson - Capricorn Quilting - won several of the awards at the show, including Best of Show, Overall Champion, Large Wall Hanging, Wholecloth, Handguided Longarm, Advanced professional AND a Judges choice. My photographs really don't do it justice, and it really to be seen in real life to appreciate all of the intricate quilting.

The information Lynda provided with the quilt is as follows:
Tranquility
This kis my original design, which has been quilted on Radiance silk/cotton fabric with a Handi Quilter longarm. All free-motion and hand guided quilting has been done by me. It has decorative "petals" and subtle shots of colour behind them at the borders. Fabric-covered beads surround the quilt and curround each petal.

Quilts UK Malvern 2022 - Sandy Lush

18/5/2022

For several years, I've been an admirer of the amazing work by Sandy Lush, so I was really excited to see that there was a display of this incredibly talented quilter's beautiful quilts at Malvern this year, called Roses Are Red.
If you click on each photograph to enlarge it, not only can you read Sandy's information about each quilt, you can also see that the details on these quilts really are amazing!

White Cottage Post Lockdown Block of the Month Quilts

17/5/2022

The Quilts UK Malvern Spring Quilt Festival was held last week, and I was so pleased to be able to spend the first day of the show there. I spent a long time oohing and ahhing at all the beautiful quilts, while Mr F decided it was the perfect time to find a chair and read his newspaper! Anyway, this particular display of quilts really caught my attention! These were made by students of White Cottage Country Crafts. The information provided with this stunning display states:

"As a welcome back to the shop post-lockdown from 12th April 2021, it was decided to give their customers a free block block pattern every month. This pattern coud either be used on it's own or instructions were given so that a full quilt could be made by the end of the course".

The complete pattern was available on the White Cottage Country Crafts stand. The display shows the diversity of the creativity from one pattern.

Below are pictures of the quilts which were displayed, and I've included the name of the maker of each one of them. If you click on the pictures to enlarge them, you'll see some of the details...

Brenda Wedge
Jewel Meadow

Jean Escott
A Hint of Autumn Optimism

Ronnie Smart
All Big Things Come from Small Beginnings

Mary Flower
Around the Rainbow

Auri Shelley

Jane Dearman
My First Quilt

Elizabeth Cornish

Maureen Silverwood

Elizabeth Comfort
Cottage Medallion

Quilts UK Malvern 2022 - The Stunning Quilts

16/5/2022

My first visit to the Quilts UK Malvern Spring Festival was certainly a memorable one, as oh my goodness there were so many beautiful quilts on display, it really was a feast for the eyes! I couldn't possibly get pictures of every single quilt there, but here are the ones that were my favourites. They're in no particular order, and the names of the quilter is above each picture. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Please click on the pictures to enlarge them - you will be amazed at the details on them.

Frieda Oxenham
Troubled Waters

Hanne Asbey
Northern Sky

Lynda Jackson
Tranquility

Flowerpatch Quilters
Wild Meadow Quilt

Montpellier Quilters
50 Shades of Blue

Megan Arnold
Rotherfield Grey with Adaptations

Karin McKelvey
Flower Shark's Teeth

Jo-Anne Clymo
Bella Bella

Melanie Small & Maureen Crawford
Jackie's Rose Garden

Jo Colwill and Becky Stephens
Zarafa

Yvonne McBree
Purple Haze

Ferret
Gravity - The Constellations

Pencombe School
Many Hearts Make a School

Megan Arnald
Okehampton with Adaptations

Melody Collier
Melody's Challenge

Carol Hadwin
Bordering the Stars

Ferret
A Round for Lisa

Alyson Wells
Porcelain Petals

Jo Colwill
Christopher Wilson-Tate Quilt

Andrea Ashwell
In for a Penny, in for a Pound

Claire Walace
Summertime

Simone Steuxner
Green is Gold

Liz Jone
Sophia

Kayleigh Murphy, Leanne Murphy & Cath Brough
Speke Hall

Jan Hassard
Time Passing - Log Cabiin Perspective

Jan Hassard
Watersmeet

Quilts UK Malvern 2022 - The Marquee of Quilts

15/5/2022

I've had a very frustrating day sorting out the photographs I took at the Quilts UK Malvern Spring Quilt Festival, as for some reason my phone and laptop are not wanting to play nicely together! Anyway, here's a quick peek at the marquee where the quilts were exhibited. Hopefully as soon as I've sorted out a few "technical" difficulties (probably due to user error!) I'll be able to upload more pictures of the stunning quilts!