I've been taking part in the Great British Quilter challenge on Instagram, and today was all about tea and treats. I probably drink unpteen cups of tea when I'm busy in my sewing studio, and my afternoon cuppa is usually accompanied by a slice of cake. It's a very British tradition for afternoon tea, and my cake just has to be homemade - obviously! Here are a selection of my homemade goodies - as you can see, Lemon Drizzle cake and Victoria Sponge feature a couple of times, and my absolute favourite homemade treat is cheese scones, especially when they're served with chilli jam. Occassionally I'll have a cheeky glass of wine while I'm hand sewing in the evenings too!
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Block 5 of A Merry Christmas Garden is finished! I love the simplicuty of this design by the Australian designer Gail Pan, there's nothing complicated, just simple patchwork piecing and applique - with a little bit of hand embroidery added too. The applique shapes are not too small and fiddly, and I've usually managed to prepare these in the evenings after a busy day at work. A few more berries are scattered over this block, and simple bias strips are used for the heart. Only one more block to go - I've really enjoyed stitching this project and can't wait to see all the blocks joined together! If you want to make this gorgeous quilt too, this set of patterns and all the fabrics were supplied by Cross Patch, an online shop based in Wales, here in the UK.
Today is going to be very emotional, as it's my last day in my current role, and I've been given an exciting opportunity and I'm starting a new job on Monday. Tissues incase of tears? Yes. Waterproof mascara incase of tears? Yes. Showstopper cake for afternoon tea?? Bloody hell YES!!! This is my version of the National Trust's recipe for the gin and lime cake that I recenty sampled on a visit to the tea rooms at Sutton Hoo. I'm sure my hospital colleagues are going to miss my baking skills almost as much as they're going to miss my nursing skills!
Well here it is - Block 4 of A Merry Christmas Garden is completed! This is a beautiful festive quilt, and the pattern is by the Australian designer Gail Pan. (If you remeber I was lucky enough to meet her at FOQ this year). This is available as a 6-part BOM from Cross Patch, an online shop based in Wales here in the UK. The fabrics were also supplied from Cross Patch as part of the BOM. I really love this basketful of candy canes with a birdy sitting on top!
Several of those berries that I'd made a few days ago have been appliqued into place along with some candy canes. Those Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Circles really do give a very professional look to these berries, with lovely smooth curves. I've used Karen Kay Buckley Perfect stems too, and really pleased with the results. I have got a Clover Bias Tool that can also be used for making bias strips, but however hard I try, I just can't get on with it so prefer to use these Perfect Stems instead. I've also used them for the bias basket handle too, whilst the candy canes were made using applique paper and the Apliquick tools that I love!
I'm due to start a new job in a couple of weeks, and 2 of my very special friends and me had a night out at Milsom's Kesgrave Hall this evening to celebrate! I chose the Dingley Dell poek and chorizo scotch eggs and as you can see they looked delicious. You'll have to believe me when I say they tasted as good as they looked!
kThis is the next collection of Valdani Perle Threads available from Cross Patch. These beautiful threads are from the "Welsh Summer" collection, and they certainly remind me of a wonderful weel I spent in Wales just a couple of months ago. These threads are perfect for hand embroidery and hand quilting. I'm looking forward to using these in future projects!
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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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