Space Invaders?

and I am not referring to the ever encroaching 'stuff' in my work space (I know I cleared it recently, but it doesn't take long to get junked up again, that's what happens in a creative space) but these little beauties:

I was laying them out to see where I had gaps in my prospective rainbow, and I think I need some more purple and blue. They look like a very colourful game of space invaders (anyone under the age of 30 will probably not understand that reference unless they are seriously into retro video games). These are what has been keeping me sane while visiting over Christmas - great to have some hand sewing on the go when away from my sewing machine.

What else are picnic tables for?

So what are you likely to find many dedicated quilters doing a month before the Festival of Quilts? Despite it being hot enough to melt tungsten (at least that is how it feels) you will find us sitting under large bed quilts. Not because we all have masochistic tendencies (but hey, each to their own, I don't judge), it is because we need to hand-stitch down our binding. That's where the picnic tables come in - a cunning plan

You can't quite see him, but my little helper (large Chesapeake Bay Retriever) is also under the picnic tables (yes both) since he soon found this was the coolest place in the garden - as indeed it is!

As Promised...

...some images from the Duxford Autumn Quilt Show (I will reveal my follies later)
Mostly Blue to Begin With - quilts shown with the labels, as this is easier than typing it all out
Possibly my favourite (and I had to wait ages to get a photo, as it was much crowded-around)



Also by Janet Stevens, this delicious miniature



Pat Hann's delightful banner, and the details of the same..






And this detailed and textural Door Curtain by Maureen Rhodes



Not least, this delightful stitchery..




More hand-stitch tomorrow..