Summer Snippets

It's hard to believe we're past the middle of August now.......why is that the warm months always fly by the quickest?

It's been a funny old summer here and despite the warm, even hot, days that we've had, the amount of wet days seems to dominate and I'm in the mindset that Autumn is really not far away at all. 

Gathering the first blackberries in July this year was the start of this pre-Autumn feeling. So early, usually we don't pick them until the middle or end of August. It's been a bumper year for blackberries here in Kent and we have stacks in the freezer already and hopefully more to come. 

To me, the mornings smell autumnal, the evenings too when there's the smell of bonfires or wet grass in the air. I've started making warming soups and beany stews, the oil has been delivered in readiness for the chilly mornings (we actually had the heating on for an hour each day when it was wet and chilly -  in August!!) so it takes me by surprise when I step outside on a sunny morning and find its actually warm and still summer!

When the weather was wet I got back into sewing after a longish break. After selling a few patchwork pot stands in my Etsy Shop recently, I thought I'd better get sewing again so got out my patchwork books and was inspired to make some more. 

Some of the pot stands below are already sold but there are still a few left in my shop here

They are made in traditional block designs, some log cabin Courthouse Steps designs, a Windmill design and a Broken Dishes design. I will be making more.

Windmill design

Broken Dishes design

Courthouse Steps already sold

Then...............

 a lucky win of complimentary tickets to the Festival of Quilts at the Birmingham NEC last weekend, courtesy of the generous Carolyn Forster, quilter, teacher and author of lots of beautiful books including Quilting on the Go, inspired me even more and now there is no stopping me! 

The Festival of Quilts was amazing! I'd wanted to go for years, and being a member of the Quilters Guild I was always aware when it was on through the quarterly magazine articles, but having no sewing friends I never plucked up the courage to go alone. 

A good friend with no sewing interest wanted to go and we both had a brilliant time. She now knows what a fat quarter is and is about to tackle her first patchwork project!

Here are just a few of the amazing quilts that were on display.

The quilts were incredible. Each one different in concept, but each one beautifully made. 

Inspired by the beautiful quilts, and armed with some gorgeous fabrics, I got busy making something on a slightly smaller scale than the quilts.....some little patchwork coaster sets!

 French General fabric coaster set 1, now sold

 French General fabric Set 2

Blue Sky fabrics by Edyta Sitar for Andover 

The last two sets of 4 coasters, the French General fabrics Set 2 and the Blue Sky set are available in my Etsy Shop

Edited : Blue Sky set now SOLD

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Before the Festival I also made some cushions for home and for sale

One for the sitting room.......

......one for my daughters bedroom which sits nicely on her cosy chair

.......and one for my online shop! An upcycled denim jeans cushion now in my Etsy Shop

I shall be making more of these!

I've also been making some reversible bandana bibs which are currently being "tested" out by a friends baby granddaughter! If they fit well then I will make some for the shop.

Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone, may the sun shine long into September (please, pretty please, as I'm off on holiday soon!)

Edited 21 Aug :  As the little Blue Sky Set of Coasters shown earlier in this post has now sold, I have just finished a similar set (see above and below) which is now in my Etsy Shop here. These coasters have a definite vintage French feel about them, with the beautiful blue, cream and white fabrics used and the hand quilted finish.

Gill xx