Sunday 25 November 2012

Studio Surin


I would like to tell you about one of my dearest friend's Rachel, and her lovely mum Nicola. 

I have known Rachel since I was about 5 years old.  (Oh my goodness we have been friends for over 25 years - where has the time gone!)  We have such a lovely friendship.  It's one of those where it doesn't matter how long we haven't seen each other, as when we do, we just carry on where we left off.  We don't get to see each other anywhere near as much as I would like, but we always manage to come together for those important occasions; our respective weddings, my daughter's naming ceremony, and as many times in between as time and travel will allow.
 
In France, the day before Rachel's Wedding
 
 
Rachel has a wonderful mum, Nicola.  I have been very inspired by Nicola, as over the years I was lucky enough to see some of her work as she completed her Diploma in Patchwork and Quilting.  (You can read more about that here: http://www.quiltcandygirl.blogspot.com/p/about-sarah.html
 
Rachel's family have now moved to France, and Nicola has a beautiful little studio, Studio Surin, where she teaches patchwork, as well as continuing to make beautiful quilts and cushions using vintage French tapestries.
 
French 1950s Rose Tapestry Cushion
 
 
 
Pair of decorative cushions with 1960s Bird & Butterfly French tapestry panels
 
 
 
Beautiful French Tapestry Rose Cushion
 

 
Set of 3 Stunning Floral Tapestry Cushions
 
 I am sure Nicola would be thrilled if you took a look at her Etsy page, where she has a large selection of beautiful cushions for sale. 
 
 
And wouldn't they make the perfect, unique Christmas present!
 
Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have enjoyed looking at Nicola's work :-)
 
 

Monday 19 November 2012

Tea and a Chat

In case you haven't seen my other blog www.quiltcandygirl.blogspot.com then I just have to tell you my exciting news...I have been interviewed!

http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.com/2012/11/tea-and-chat-with-sarah-ashford-of.html


 
If you haven't already, I would love it if you spared a minute or two to take a peek, and I would love to know what you think. 
 
Thank you so much to all my loyal followers and supporters, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. xxx

Thursday 15 November 2012

Stitching Social Media

At long last I have finished all 6 samples for the latest module of my C and G course. Hooray!

It's taken me ages and ages, for excuses  reasons including procrastination and diverted attention (www.quiltcandygirl.blogspot.com) but finally, here they are:


From top left, clockwise: 1. English quilting, inspired by the Newsvine logo; 2. Corded quilting, using the 'Blogger' logo; 3. Shadow quilting using the Picassa logo; 4.Trupunto (stuffed Quilting) inspired by the Twitter logo; 5. Tied quilting, inspired by the Kiwibox Logo; 6. Suffolk Puffs, based on the Facebook Logo. 


So now to putting a portfolio together, which is great fun, before doing the dreaded paperwork!


Tuesday 6 November 2012

Tied Quilting Sample

So back to the business of my City and Guilds coursework.  This time, a sample using tied quilting, based on this logo.  Have you seen it before?

 
 
I know I hadn't till recently.  It's for Kiwibox, a social media network for teenagers...that's about all I know, but if you're interested, here's the link  http://www.kiwibox.com/
 
Anyhow, as part of the 'media' theme, I decided to interpret this into my tied quilting sample, and this is what I came up with.
 
 
 
 
The buttons, are tied on, and then the rest of the sample is held together with little green bows using pearle cotton thread. 
 
It was quite fun piecing this together, but I found the little bows quite fiddly.  I don't think this would really be a very durable method of holding a quilt together - a few of my buttons fell off and had to be tied on again, and that was with just a little bit of handling!  
 
Only one sample left to go for this module, corded quilting.  I have been putting this one off for ages as it sounds fiddly.  We shall see.  
 
 



Sunday 4 November 2012

I'd love you to join me...

I really do promise this is the very last time I am going to mention my new venture

But I just have to share with you my new blog that I have been working on.

Non-Stop. 

All Weekend. 

I am sure you will forgive me for hoping you will take a look. 



www.quiltcandygirl.blogspot.com


And I would be *delighted* if you would become a follower. But no pressure. Only if you want to ;-)

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I will be back soon with more sewing updates!



Friday 2 November 2012

And the Winner is...

So today it's time for me to draw the winner from my little giveaway that I ran to celebrate the launch of my brand new website www.quiltcandy.co.uk.  Thank you to all those who took part and 'liked' me on facebook, I really apprecaite it.  So without further ado, and with a little help from Mr Random number generator, the winner is...


Liked, followed& tweeted (and will be pinned as soon as Pinterest is back up & running!) - congratulations, all items are gorgeous especially bunting!
 
 
Congratulations Menai! And thank you for being such a loyal and dedicated follower.  I shall be in touch soon to find out which book you would like as your prize :-)
 
Menai also has a wonderful, funny, humourous and fabulous blog at http://menai.posterous.com/ I am sure she would be thrilled if you take a look.
 
Thank you so much if you took part, and I promise not to harp on about Quilt Candy in every blogpost. 
 
I now have a Quilt Candy blog, www.quiltcandygirl.blogspot.com so I shall keep all my QC ramblings on that blog.  I promise! 
 
Back soon with pictures of my tied quilting sample :-)
 
 
 
 

Thursday 1 November 2012

Fresh Sewing Day

So it's the 1st of November and Fresh Sewing Day over at Lily's Quilts
Lily's Quilts
But I have to say I am feeling pleased with myself  because I think I have got my biggest collage of finishes to date.


Main: Vintage India baby quilt; Top Right and down: Cross Stitch card for baby Amelia; Applique towel for Zane; 'In a Spin' pinwheel blanket for dolly; Applique towel for Indy; Pirate blanket for Patch the dog; shadow quilting sample using Picasa Logo; trupunto sample using Twitter Logo;  English quilting based on the Newsvine logo; Suffolk puffs using the Facebook Logo. 
 
The samples using the logos are for my City and Guilds coursework, sampling different quilting techniques.  And the Vintage India quilt and the mini quilts are for Quilt Candy...which is my brand new website www.quiltcandy.co.uk
 
 
 
I would love it if you would take a look, and to celebrate I am having a giveway, closing at 12.00pm tomorrow!  Click here to read the post and enter...there's a quilting book of your choice to  be won!
 
If you are new to my blog then thank you so much for stopping by.  It's lovely to meet you.  Leave me a comment and I will be sure to check out your blog too :-)
 
Happy November and only 4 weeks till the C word, I best start preparations soon!