Festival of Quilts :: From the other side ....

Want to know what setting up for Festival of Quilts is like?  

Then head over to my recent blog post on UKQU website!

40 Shades of Red :: A Challenge Exhibition

As part of The Quilters' Guild Region 11, I was eligible to enter into their challenge "40 Shades of Red" which was to help celebrate the Guild's 40th birthday this year.  I thought I would share a few of  the quilts with you.

Red Moon by Jill Exell ....

The initial exhibition was held at The Weaver's Gallery in Ledbury at the end of May, but I was unable to see it. Luckily it came more locally to me and I was able to see it a few weeks ago in Ullenhall Village Hall.

  Crazy Red by Katharine Guerrier

I was surprised at the number of quilts that were hung and had a lovely hour or so taking it all in.

 Celebration Flowers by Jenny Hall

The challenge was to create a quilt with a predominantly red theme.  There are so many reds and it was wonderful to see so many used in these lovely quilts.

 Red Arrows by Ruth Dobbins

No two were the same, in fact there was huge variety on show, but the theme of red pulled it all together and made for a cohesive exhibition.

The Red Brick Road by Ann White

All different techniques were used ....

Lesley Conning 

And the sizes were all different ....

Red Sails in the Sunset by Amanda Wright 

I think my favourite was this one ....

They Threw Me A Curved Ball by Sheilagh Webb

but then it could have been this one ....

I forgot to get the title of this one but it is by Karen McIlwraith

or maybe I surprised myself and went with this very traditional Storm at Sea ....

Up The Reds by Jane Johns

You see, how can you ever choose just one?  I would definitely recommend taking part in challenges if you ever can.  They make you think outside of your comfort zone and that deadline date is always a motivating factor!

And my quilt?  Well mine was the smallest ....

This is called Improvisationally Red.  Yes, I was one of those sending it in right at the last minute and a name really escaped me!  This was my first foray into improv piecing and I love the result.  I realise I never shared any progress pics here so I will do another blog post all about this little beauty.

Red Manor House Block of the Month :: Pattern Tester

So much has been going on in our lives and I have severely neglected this blog.  But why?  I really enjoy writing and I really enjoy looking back at past posts.  I plan to remedy this and in fact two things have just happened which have motivated me to get blogging again.  But more on that later ....

Rather than try to fit everything into one BIG post I am going to do little and often ... hmm let's see how that goes shall we?!

The first thing I have to share is that earlier in the year I was asked to be a pattern tested for The Quilters' Guild first Block of the Month.  The Red Manor House BOM has been designed by Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh and is based on the vintage coverlet the Guild owns of the same name.

The block I tested doesn't come out until 8 months into the BOM, but I can share my version of it with you now.

The petals were from a fat 1/8th pack from Sugar Bowl Crafts and the background is Kona

The BOM is to be launched at Festival of Quilts on Thursday 01 August at 11.30am on the Guild stand.  I hope to be able to pop over there for that and meet the designer and other pattern testers - I have been in great company for this testing!!  If you fancy seeing what other testers ahve made head over here.