keeping warm

we are experiencing real winter weather, even here on the sunny south

coast of England.   We had a goodly covering of snow and with temperatures

hovering around freezing it's still hanging around.   I should have taken a shibori

workshop on Sunday, which was cancelled due to the weather.   Actually, I was

quite glad.   My prepared Procion dyes really don't like the cold!   It's been

rearranged for the end of June, when we will probably have monsoon rain!

However, a good time for stitching.   The kurta quilt is progressing.   Sashing

stitched to the squares, so now I have 5 x 6 rows.    Horizonal sashing strips

prepared, and then there are the joining squares

a little pile is gathering  I am hoping to put the quilt together by the

end of the week

whilst rummaging through fabric baskets a little sampler of

Indian embroidery and mirror work.   I added a few more

stitches before filing so as not to loose it again

a blast from the past

seven appliqued stars on indigo dyed linen background

and I see I had started filling in the star with Kantha

stitching - the needle and thread are still there

goodness me,   this one deserves finishing

and finally, a dish of winter vegetables ready for roasting

warm wishes to you all

this week has mainly been about paperwork

and sorting samples and files for up and coming 

workshops in attempt to be organised

as a little diversion I made a purple

felt broach

Preparation

or getting into the zone

Actually finding time to do some hand stitching.   I've made a prototype Book Bag to take with me on my travels.   There will be a workshop on this next year, so it will be good to see if it stands up to the journey.    Good old indigo dyed linen, sturdy enough I think.  

it will hold my Kindle, my sketchbook and assorted pens and pencils

my now well traveled sketchbook cover

Something completely different

On Sunday a chance to visit the Festival of Quilts.

I admired the quilts from contemporary to traditional,

the separate exhibitions from well known makers,

and groups, from all over the world. I wandered

through the traders' area.   Found there was a lot

of things I didn't need.

One exhibit I adored was the wedding blankets

of the Marsh Arabs of South Iraq.   Camel wool

base, embroidered with wool - chain stitch

using a tambour or ari hook.   They were joyful.