Thursday 13 November 2008

Applique workshop (140)

I was sitting here at home this morning, waiting to drive DH to the station and planning my day, when suddenly the 'internal filofax' kicked in and I realised I was due at a workshop over at The Quilt Room. So, having been to the station, it was a mad dash to find fabric, sewing kit, change into more suitable 'going-out-for-the-day' clothes, make some lunch and leave by 9.30am. The washing up just had to wait.

The workshop was about making rough edge applique flowers, stuck on with bondaweb and edged with herringbone stitch. The flowers look really effective, the hand stitching gives them real texture. It was a very friendly group, and it's a lovely way to spend the day, stitching and chatting. I managed to complete 4 blocks, which I will turn into a cushion cover, with a wide border for a vine and leaves design. The tutor had made a wall hanging size quilt which looked terrific, and another to add to my To Do list. (Using flash has left them looking a little washed out I'm afraid).
At lunch time I went out for a short walk in the town and came across a book shop that was closing down. I really don't need any more quilt books, but what can you do when they're drastically reduced? I bought Lynn Edwards 'New Sampler Quilt' book - I used her first book to make my black, white and red quilt earlier this year. I'd been thinking that I'd like to make another sampler quilt some time, so now I have no excuse not to! I also bought a little book of Star blocks - another idea for a future quilt.

Now, shopping. Where do 'they' get the idea that women like shopping? From the huge response to my last post, it seems that few of us enjoy it. A few of you enjoy buying fabric and books, but little else. I'd forgotten about books, but that is really the only kind of shopping that I do enjoy, it's so unhurried and unpressured, and you end up with something that you really want. If only I could be as organised as those of you are who seem to do most of your shopping on the internet. I buy all my shoes online, but haven't found anywhere to buy clothes yet, and can never get myself organised enough to buy groceries or vegetables online. I suppose if I could plan menus ahead of time it would be easier, but I'm not much of a cook either and leave that right until the last minute too, cooking whatever I can dig out of the fridge, cupboard or freezer. Hey ho, I don't suppose there'll ever be an easy answer in our life times.

10 comments:

Donna said...

Looks like a wonderful technique was learned today! Glad you didn't completely forget, even if it was a rush :-)

scraphappy said...

Such adorable little flowers. And you are so smart to have a plan for them already rather than letting them pile up in the orphan bin. Do you have any UFO's at all? What will you do for a New Year's resolution if you can't vow to cross some of of the list!

Brenda said...

Your applique project looks great! It is fun to learn a new technique with others. Looks like a wonderful book to own, have fun with the projects you chose.

Kay said...

That's amazing that you can buy your shoes online. I would need to walk in them, stare at them, walk some more and then make a decision after trying on a size too big and a size too small.

Kay said...

Those appliques look great, too!

Lynn said...

Your applique flowers are so pretty. I think that there will be a lot of ways to use these. Can you make them in different sizes - wouldn't small ones be cute as embelishments? My - you got a lot of comments on shopping - I thought I was the only one who disliked to shop! But guess what - today I headed to the book store for some early Christmas shopping - fun!

Tanya said...

Oh my gosh, I don't think I could ever do all my shopping online. I am not organized enough either. I end up buying Christmas presents once a year for my niece and nephew but usually I regret my purchase later in the year when I see that whatever I bought wasn't what I really expected. I'll have to do a better job this year!

Sheryl said...

Your applique looks great considering it sounded like quite a rush to get to the class...
We have a great local?? online company called Ezibuy and they sell lots of really nice clothes well priced and good quality and as for cooking meals I think I might be a cookbook and cooking magazine "collector" so I am not usually stuck for ideas for meals although I may have to swap an ingredient or two if I don't have what I need in the cupboard and so far hubby and daughters haven't complained so I must be on the right track..lol..

Jo-Anne said...

I haven't read many blogs lately and just caught up on yours...soooo sorry about your house sale....there should be some recourse for you. Here in the US, a buyer usually puts down some "earnest money" which the seller can keep if he backs out of the sale. Do they do that there?? Really, it's just not right that he can come in after you have accepted his offer and then ask for more of a price reduction....very nervy if you ask me!
I love all the projects that you've been working on, especially your FIL's quilt. Those colors really do it for me! And, by the way, I'm with you on the shopping bit...hate it!
I hope your day is fantastic!

Katie said...

I missed commenting about shopping. Shopping is fine, I just wish I was wealthy enough to not worry about the money part of it! :-)

Love your little flowers!