New felted Mouse

I've been playing around with felt recently, and have to say I'm really enjoying it.  My daughter bought me a new book for Christmas, and I've just made this cute mouse from it.  It was by an Italian Designer, the name escapes me for the moment, and I can't lay my hands on the book......will have to find it to tell you who designed her.

Where is this year going to?

I can't believe where this year is going to, July already!  

I, along with three other ladies have started a new group and together we are the Artisans. We got together to promote all that is wonderful in the crafting community of South West Scotland.

We have been organising craft markets in and around the Dumfries and Galloway area, chosing both local and national charities to support at each event.  We have a really fantastic base of crafters who produce amazing items for sale, you can guarantee that there will be a good variety of crafts available along with local food and drink producers too.

Our latest craft market was at Gretna Green.  We were supporting the Help for Heroes charity, and I have to say it was an amazing weekend.  We met some wonderful people from all over the world, some were up at weddings in Gretna, others were on holiday, but we nattered to everyone and had a fabulous time.

The refreshments were provided by a wonderful group of ladies called Women of the World (WOW) who did us proud on the day, making lovely hot food, soups, rolls, sandwiches, cream teas, and copious amounts of scrummy home baking....you just can't beat it.

Plus we raised an amazing £884.68 for the charity, so it was definitely worth the effort.....looking forward to the next one.

I will be posting regularly about the Artisans and will keep you all posted on our upcoming events.

My Stall at the Gretna Artisans Market June 2013

Oh my, what a week!

Well I have been uber busy this week, why you ask, well it all started like this....firstly I was busy baking for a volunteer day that I was going to on Sunday. Then on Friday I attended a craft fair in Dumfries in aid of Alzheimers, then on Sunday I went to said volunteer day and cleared part of a woodland area at the South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital.  Since then I have been battling with this horrid weather, and going to work and trying to tidy my house etc etc etc.   Yes I have been rather busy of late.

Tonight I am off to teach at my quilting class. I was off last week, doing a demo for a local WRI, so it will be nice to catch up with all my ladies this evening.

I have just finished a mini landscape quilt that I started at a class run by Effie Galletly ( a very talented lady). I really enjoyed it, here's the finished article.

Since Monday, I have never been away from the computer.  I have made some wonderful new contacts via social networking, most of them gained from my craft fair day.  It really is a good way to meet new people who have the same outlook on crafting as you do.  So all in all a very good week, and gosh it's only Wednesday.....what will the rest of th

Volunteering Day

Today has been lovely.  The weather here in the South of Scotland has been gorgeous, sunny and warm for a change, and I have spent the day with lovely people, all of whom volunteered to help clear some woodland areas at the South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital (you can find them on facebook).

We did an amazing amount of work, rebuilding a flight aviary, chopping down trees, and clearing woods and tidying up a shed.  All in all a good days work.  Many thanks to all who took part.

Am now home, having just soaked in the bath and am ready for my tea.....bring it on.

Deanne Hartwell Jones

I went to a great talk by Deanne Hartwell-Jones at Solway Quilters (Dumfries) last night.  Deanne is truly an inspiration.  All her quilts are made by hand - no sewing machine ever gets near them.  She pieces everything over papers, so her quilts are beautifully square, all points are perfect and the quilting is wonderful.  She comes from Mid Wales, near Cardigan Bay and said she draws much of her inspiration from the surrounding scenery and wild Welsh Hills.  I was really inspired to go home and do some more hand work, which I have always enjoyed, so when I get a spare few minutes, I will definitely be having a go......just need to find a few spare minutes !!!



This is a log cabin quilt made by Deanne, using old fabrics from dresses, aprons etc that she collected over the years. It's even lovelier when you see it close up. Amazing.




Deanne with some of her other fabulous quilts.  She was a very interesting speaker, and I could have easily sat for hours listening to her stories of quilts.  She said that she retired 12 years ago and since then has just "churned out quilts".........oh to retire, I can't wait to have time to do some churning!!!

Sunday Craft Fair

I had a lovely day yesterday at Auldgirth Craft Fair.  The sun shone, there was plenty of food and drink and I met some very nice people to boot!  So all in all a good day.  It wasn't terribly busy at the fair, but I got time to natter to a few folk, as well as do a bit of networking, which is always a good thing!
Back home and completely shattered.  Didn't realise how much I've done this week, maybe not in the form of housework etc, but lots and lots of exercise and swimming.  I've had a week of doing things for "me" which although was great at the time, I have to say I'm feeling a bit guilty about now - daft I know, but unless my house is spotless and all washing and ironing done, I always feel guilty!!!  A psychiatrist could have a field day with me I'm sure !!!

Craft Fair preparation

Well I've had a really busy day, it started early when I went to the gym with my friend Sheila and we sweated buckets (did you really want to know that - probably not!) and did miles on the bikes and the treadmill.  Then I rowed for Britain, I have finally found something that I enjoy doing.  Maybe I should have been a rower!!!  Anyway after a gruelling hour in the gym we went for a swim, and I am pleased to say that I managed the whole 64 lengths, which I am reliably told is a mile.  Have to say it felt more like 5 miles, however I was delighted that I managed it.  Definitely could not have done that a fortnight ago, but I am finding my stamina levels have improved drastically in such a short time.

Since I got home I have been busily getting my quilting bits and bobs ready for Sunday as I am going to be taking a stall at Auldgirth Craft Fair, Dumfries.  Hopefully the weather should be good, as I gather there is a BBQ and various types of entertainment going on outside, so fingers crossed that it's sunny and warm.

I am off to Harrogate tomorrow for the Great Northern Quilt Show, can't wait!