Pour l'Amour du Fil - Nantes

On the 20th April, I was in Nantes for the Pour L'Amour du Fil exhibition. It was my first time and I was looking forward to seeing the work of international quilting designers, as well as doing some shopping.
The exhibition did not disappoint. I got to meet the lovely Judy Newman who signed her new book for me.

I had a great time. It truly was an international exhibition - exhibitors, retailers and attendees. If you ever think you would like to go, I'd definitely recommend it. Nantes city was lovely and it made a great weekend break.
What follows are some photos of the work I saw displayed.

Pendle Hill - Di Ford Hall
I'd love to make this

Embroidered Friendship postcards

Haven't got the designer's name

Gifted Gorgeousness - April

Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Each month on (around) the 15th, we post about a project that we are stitching which uses anything that has been gifted to us or which we intend to give as a gift. If you click here, this will take you to Jo's blog and the links to the other stitchers who are taking part. You can sign up at any time and if you would like to do so, the rules can be found here.

April has been a busy month for gifted gorgeousness. In my previous post, if you haven't seen it already, you can read about the gifts I made and received in Needlecraft Haven's Easter Exchange. I'm also including my chocolate egg as that ribbon will be used sometime ☺.

Here's a close-up of the Easter ornament I made for Christine.

Peter Cottontail - Just Nan
Fabric - 28ct Blue Cashel linen
Threads: recommended DMC threads

I have no photo of Plum Street Samplers' 'Halloweenies' this month as I found another counting error in my stitching! Now that I've spotted it, my eye is drawn to it every time and I can see the misalignment between motifs. I've put it to one side for a few days until I feel ready to face it again.

I had a lot happening end of January/February and though I found comfort in my stitching then, my counting was obviously all over the place. Maybe next month I'll have more positive news about it.

Until then, enjoy your stitching.

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange

Happy Easter everyone. Clare (aimetu) at Needlecraft Haven organised an Easter Exchange for us. Our exchange was to include a stitched Easter ornament, a card and a sweet treat. All my favourites - including the sweet treat ☺.

I was truly spoilt by my exchange partner, Deb (no blog). She stitched me Just Nan's Dewdrop Bunny, a design I haven't got and included a Blackbird Designs chart, some pins, fabric, chocolates in a bag and a stitched card featuring a JBW Design rabbit! Didn't I say I was spoilt.

Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange, 2017
Gifts from my exchange partner, Deb

Christine (The Alchymyst's Study) was my exchange partner and I sent her a modified version of Just Nan's Peter Cottontail, finished as a bell and a chocolate fish for Easter. You are just as likely to find a chocolate fish in our local chocolatier as a chocolate egg. The fish and eggs are filled with petites fritures, a selection of little chocolate fish and shells.

Peter Cottontail - Just Nan and Chocolate fish
My exchange items to Christine

I found the idea for the bell finish here, which included a graphed template of the bell shape. I stitched the phrase 'Easter 2017' on the interior of the bell, but I didn't think to take a photo of it. This is a finish I will do again.

For those of you who like chocolate, I'll finish with a photo of the chocolate egg that my husband bought me this year. It's still in one piece ... for now.

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop 2017

Welcome to the Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop organised by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. For those of you unfamiliar with this blog hop, all you have to do is visit each of the blogs in the order given on Jo's blog and note down the letter in each one to find the mystery phrase they make up. Return to Jo's blog to leave a comment saying what the phrase is. There is a draw for the winner of the correct phrase and they will receive a prize.

This year I stitched this little Whimzi design from Just Nan for Easter. Not a perfect photo but it was the best I could get.

Tulip Bunny - Just Nan
Fabric - 32ct Spring Garden Belfast line
Threads - recommended DMC threads

My letter is:

For your next letter, hop over to Astrid at:

http://astridxstitching.blogspot.com/ 

Enjoy your treasure hunt.

Contrasting fabrics

The lady who leads our patchwork group asked us to use strong contrasting fabrics when making our schoolhouse blocks. With this blue polka dot and white combination I think I achieved the contrast. This was all stitched and quilted by hand and though I lost interest at one point with stitching so many pieces together, I'm pleased with the final product. This has been finished as a small wall hanging.

One of my friends said that the polka dots made it look as if it was snowing. I think I agree.

Schoolhouse quilt block
Finished size - approx. 33cm x 32cm

Next week we are using fabric scraps which are any length and at least 3cm wide to make blocks. I have no idea what to expect from this exercise, so watch this space.