Work is busier than ever, which is great for the shop, not so good when I'm wanting to start a new project! Finally a day off to myself - sunshine beaming through the window, John Grisham's The Racketeer on iTunes, and a new block completed. I have seriously fallen in love with the Swoon Block, inspired Beth de Maille's Pinterest board I thought I would try one for my quilted pictures.
 

I've also been looking forward to using Denyse Schmidt's new Shelburne Falls fabrics, (available at Doughtysonline) I think the small prints lend themselves well to such an intricate block.

I quilted using a white thread just to give some definition, now I just have to frame it!

I recently went to a talk by Philippa Naylor, a truly inspiring quilter, and lady! Not only is her history fascinating, its also highly entertaining - she had Leominster Quilters in fits of laughter. As for her quilts, the colours are stunning - mostly self-dyed - the quilting is sublime, especially the use of trapunto, and her lists of awards is very well deserving.

http://www.philippanaylor.com/index.html

If you ever get a chance to attend one of her talks, or even her workshops, do it, you won't regret it. If not, her book is truly inspiring, I've had a go at my own feather quilting, and had some interesting results, but I'm improving! Watch this space.

Happy Hexie Quilt kit

Just managed to finished the third quilt kit for Sewing for Pleasure, the kits went quite well, but footfall was very low, probably something to do with the snow!