Before I go to join celebrations - thought I'd let you know that the Silk Threads from Imran on Ebay have still not arrived!!! 

Oh dear, just found another UFO - to join ones I posted yesterday - see below!

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS!

You can now subscribe to fabulous POPULAR PATCHWORK magazine by accessing the Form on the sidebar and have a peek at its website whilst you're at it. Katy is Web Editor and you will be assured of a warm greeting by all the girls on-line. 

www.popularpatchwork.com or merely click on the sidebar to access this colourful and informative site.

I've been a subscriber since the inception of this magazine. Worth every penny.

See new QUILTS SLIDE SHOW on RH side bar.

Lots of nice things to see -  no Art Quilts yet - but they'll soon be on their way!

Those were the days my friends . . . .

Some ancient UFO's - waiting . . .

Tea dyeing Article for PP magazine.

Tea-dyed cushions for PP magazine.

Another UFO finished for Christmas.

Best G & T in existence!

Ready for NEW YEAR celebrations?

Once upon a time... in April 2004

Another life . . . . . .

A bit of colour in my busy kitchen to cheer me up!

One of 5 Victorian rag dolls I made for grand-daughters with eyes/hair to match their own..

Luckily I tested this navy batik!

Attempting some work before New Year but it's cold in workroom!

It only remains for me to wish you all A Very Happy Christmas!

My Christmas cushions!

Buying Threads on Ebay

Have at last received emails from Imran. Seems he is abroad hence mistake for which he apologises profusely and is sending me the missing silk threads ASAP.

So hopefully - in words ye old Bard himself spake: 

"All's well that ends well!"   (I hope).

Cranberries? No! 'tis ye Olde Cherry Ripes from Bucks.

O me of little words . . .

'Banter' is not apt description of contributions to the Blog of late.

Circumstances, i.e. hospital visits - attending to the sick - running about like a headless chicken - have demanded my full attention hence pictures of quilts Ancient and Modern in place of text.

I shall continue to bombard you with an eclectic selection of craft work until things have resolved and sick relatives are restored to rude health.  Health, at any rate.

Meanwhile, am beavering away - administering Beechams Powders to all and sundry - mopping brow(s), including mine own, serving calf's foot jelly and copious quantities of of beef tea to invalid(s) - attaching Border and Appliqué(s) to the Autumn version of Singing Garden Quilt. 

Not to mention washing/ironing and feeding the birds. 

Oh, mustn't forget scrubbing the step with donkey stone as good Lancashire housewives are expected to do.

Am having fun playing with Blog -  lots of wonderful colours but I'll try not to get too carried away.  Tra la la la . . . . 

I do hope participating quilters add their own original appliqué touches to SG. Make it personal and much more exciting.

Step-by-Step instructions for techniques can be accessed on Popular Patchwork website by clicking www.popularpatchwork.com on side bar of this Blog.

For all sewing needs, including wonderful fabrics, click on 'Fabrix' website at side bar. The lovely, talented and always smiling Terri, is at your service. Go on - have a click!

You want a wonderful bag to end all bags?  Brenda and Peter Dean in Oz have a pattern for it. 

Click on 'e-quilting' website at side bar and you'll see what I mean. Go on - have a click!!

Star over BETHLEHEM #2

Star over BETHLEHEM #1

Sample for dyeing workshop - using single piece of home-dyed fabric.

Sample for a Spiders web workshop.

A christmas sampler I made years ago for Polly. Looks ancient now!

Sample for an 'Easy Piecey Pineapple' workshop.

Scrap Sampler - won Visitors Choice prize at Quilt Show.

STARTING DIET TOMORROW!!!

Ending day on a higher note - and to show I'm just fine!

Am surrounded by invalids!

i) Sister in hospital for knee op.
ii) Great grand child, Baby Harry - has chicken pox.
iii) Eldest daughter has chest infection - seeing doc tomorrow.
iv) Daughter-in-law going in hospital next Tuesday for hip replacement.
v) My close friend having major bowel op on 29th.

I am fine!

Ah! Just remembered - having laser treatment on eyes on 13th January. Perhaps that doesn't count.
Just hope the doc has recovered from New Year celebrations and doesn't have shaky hands like Shakin' Stevens!

Ooooh!

"Knees up Mother Brown!" Sister after knee op today. She won't mind you having a peek!

My card. Reverse appliqué." Having a very Merry Christmas!"

Latest painting by my invalid. It's for his Christmas Cards.Isn't he clever!

My grandson's latest painting - good pic for painting with fabric.

Barry's and Leon's Fabric Stores. Chorlton/Birmingham.

Ending day wi' a bit of colour. Postcard of my garden sent by Priscilla from PP.

Not colourful - but sweet little Harry - my great-grandson this Christmas.

Time for Panto and Aladdin's Cave in Manchester!

This is Barry's fabric store in Manchester. 

A bit depressed after a visit to Christie Hospital (cancer hospital for non UK residents) so popped into this store en route from said hospital to buy some calico.  If they had some. 

If they had some???  Barry has EVERYTHING!  Wunderbar fabrics for every imaginable creation.

A veritable Aladdin's Cave!  They have branches all over the UK so do have a look guy and gals.

No website I'm afraid. You'll have to totter along to the store. They cater for everything creative and are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!  Yes, that's how cheap they are.  Only canaries are cheeper.

Perhaps the word inexpensive is more appropriate having had a good education. Me that is. Not sure about Barry.

Talking of whom - I hope you read this Barry, this 'cos I 'm going to ask for a discount when I next visit the store - which will probably be tomorrow as we have another CT scan appointment in the morning.

Talking of COLOUR . . .

Having FUN with colour!!

This colour thing is getting to me . . .

Have preferred making bed quilts to wallhangings and suchlike in the past, but now have urge to create colourful somethings or other using some of my stash of home-dyed fabrics. 

The few pictured below (have lots more) are a result of a series of "Come Dye with Me" workshops I organised with the lovely Terri at  FABRIX of Lancaster (see website on side panel).

Am anxious to get started but as I have 3 quilts to finish before Christmas and a couple of others before February - my creations will have to take a back seat.  

Then there's the  Christmas presents in the form of  fabric ??? to complete.  It's all GO GO GO. Ah!

More colour!

Pastures new . . .

Time to put thinking cap on head . . . hmm . . . and await inspiration whilst stirring Christmas pud. 

Have a 3 year old pud in shed, which may possibly be past it's sell-by-date so starting anew. 

Bit like quilting for 2009.

No silver sixpences this year due to credit crunch!

Singing Garden has flown north . . .

Colour on brain . . .

Never fear! Merely experimenting ladies and gentleman.

Fabrix of Lancaster Sampler Group .

Painting with Fabric - latest offering . . .unfinished

INSPIRATION FOR SINGING GARDEN.

This was the inspiration and starting point for the Singing Garden Quilt. Took a year to complete.

Singing Garden Quilt goes on a Journey . ...

The Singing Garden Quilt is all packed up and ready to go on Tuesday - to the Editor . . .  to be seen by all and sundry in it's finished state.

Can't tell you too much at this stage - all will be revealed in Popular Patchwork magazine early in the New Year. 

Bet you can't wait!!!