Weeping Windows, Poppies in Liverpool

On this beautiful sunny warm November day we went into the city centre to see the new art installation outside our magnificent St George's Hall. Over 5000 of the (almost a million) poppies which were displayed at the Tower of London have been retained to create smaller tributes in cities around Great Britain over the next year. 

I did not expect them to make much of an impact, being far smaller number, but when I saw how they were displayed it was quite moving and yet it in was easy to imagine how it was in London.

The sandbags provided a barrier to public access and were perfectly in keeping with the theme of the event and far better than a fence.

 This will be on public display throughout the Winter and I almost hope it snows sometime as it will look amazing in contrast. I'll be there armed with my camera.

Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window

© Richard Lea-Hair and Historic Royal Palaces

By Paul Cummins, artist, and Tom Piper, designer 

Weeping Window is a cascade comprising several thousand handmade ceramic poppies seen pouring from a high window to the ground below; Wave is a sweeping arch of bright red poppy heads suspended on towering stalks. These two sculptures, by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, marking the centenary of the outbreak of war, are now brought to audiences at venues across the country as part of the 14-18 NOW programme.

14-18 NOW is presenting the iconic poppy sculptures Wave and Weeping Window at selected locations around the UK until 2018.

The breathtaking sculptures were initially conceived as the key dramatic sculptural elements in the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London in the autumn of 2014.

This winter the iconic Weeping Window will be on display outside St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

 The poppies can be seen in the background on the steps at the base of the columns and in front is 

the senotaph with all the wreaths from the weekend's memorial service.

Chicken Feet for a Friday Smile

Recently I was asked to replace the feet and repair the legs of the chicken suit for the CHICS (Children's Cancer Support) group. 
The full suit is worn by the CHIC at all their fundraising events. 
I replaced them in a more substantial fabric and they looked so funny but were exactly what they wanted and looked much better when they were worn over human feet. I had no intention of modelling them here for you, I must say!

The gas engineer did look at me quite oddly when he came in to check the meter and saw them hanging in the hall.

I was only too glad to help and certainly didn't want payment or reward but within a couple of days I received this delivery of  gorgeous flowers. I must say they really made me smile and I was very grateful but CHICS now know never to try to repay me for any help I give in the future!! I'd far rather that the money went to help the children.

The smile button is on full alert this week over at Annie's blog, a stitch in time so pop over for more smiles to kick start your weekend. 

This week I enjoyed a super day out at my lovely friend Neet's house, where we did a little crafting and a lots of chatting and eating fabulous food. Her pizza's with a cauliflower base, (YES CAULIFLOWER!!!) are to die for and I'm smiling because I have the recipe.

I am standing on tippy toe here with Neet as she is so much taller than me but it hardly made a difference, I'm still a little titch! 

Here's the patchwork bag I made for her which I have been saving for some time.....

Neet gave me this exquisite church which she had made from a die cut and it goes so well with the origami Christmas tree which I made. The tree is so easy and is easy to find on pinterest.

Neet had an amazing fun display for Halloween, with some items she had made herself ...

but this witch, bought in Prague, kicked her legs, screamed and her eyes lit up.

Yesterday I visited an exhibition in Chester with my quilt group at All Saint's Church, Hoole Road. It's on until Saturday and is well worth a visit if you are near enough to get there.

Yes, I've had a good week with lots of smiles and laughs and there are more to come as soon as I get over to Annie's.

Attic Window Quilt & Malvern Show

Had a busy, tiring week, ending with a trip to the Autumn Quilt Show in Malvern. A long journey there and back as Fridays are always extra busy on the motorways, but we all really enjoyed it.

Winter Village, Attic Window Quilt.

This week I finished this Christmas quilt in double quick time. 

A fairly small quilt and it measures 42 inches x 50 inches.

 My friend Josie told me about the tutorial video for it on Missouri Star Quilt Co site and I wanted to try it out. It was so quick and easy to make, especially with the help of the excellent video instruction. I have found that MSCO tutorials are so easy to follow and their presenter Jenny gives good hints, tips and shortcuts for the easy ways to make quilts.

I love the 3D effect it gives of the scene through the windows.

Here's a taster of the Malvern Show.......So many fabulous stands

The Contented Cats

Tudor Rose

Lots of dolls and Christmas makes on display. 

 some of my favourite exhibits......

 mind bogglingly amazing detail.....

 loved these small arty quilt hangings.....

a great way to use up scraps.

 The black really makes the pinwheels pop giving a 3D look. Simple but clever.

 This close up of a large quilt really shows the quality and detail of the exhibits.

Holly Swag & Friday Smile

 It looks like I might as well admit it.... these days, I only manage to post when I realise that it's Friday and I know I should add a smile to Annie's and all the other lovelies who join in this bit of fun each week.

This week I have been busy but I've managed a few bits of sewing and finished this swag for Christmas. There I have said it... CHRISTMAS!! 

It's looming making things for the occasion is the best part for me. 

No! I'm not leaving it up over the fire until Christmas! It's packed away already!

 I saw similar at an exhibiton in Kent, earlier in the year but I had to make it in my own pattern and change the style and size. It's quite quick and easy to make.

Just cut out big holly leaves in seasonal fabric and lining pieces for the backs. Stitch a bit of thin wadding or interfacing to stiffen them , sew around the leaves, trim and turn to the right size. Press and stitch up the gap. 

The berries are cardboard or plastic discs covered with red fabric gathered up (with a bit of wadding popped inside), or just use big red buttons. 

Here is my template but the leaves can be made any size to suit.

 I marked around the card then cut extra for the seams. 

It doesn't matter which way up the template is used.

Stitch veins onto the leaves using a triple stretch stitch, which shows up somewhat bolder than a normal straight stitch. Curve the lines to look "natural"

I spotted this poster, below, on pinterest ... how true! 

No matter where I go I always take "threads" with me! 

DH says that when they are in your sandwiches, that's the time to complain!

It's my Friday smile for Annie 

and I hope you'll pop over to her blog to see some more.

It's good to smile.. it costs nothing and it's catching!

When my friend Dolores visited last week I loved her new sewing case, which she had bought in IKEA. I had the green eyed monster so my DH kindly treated me to one this week. 

I thought I would personalise mine to distinguish it from anyone else's as I am sure that some of my quilt club friends will want one for themselves when they see mine.

I haven't quite decided what to add to the back to finish it off. Any ideas, a word, a quote??

 It is good value for £10 as there are so many sewing notions inside held by elastic keeps. Large shears, snips, unpicker, pins needles, etc. 
It's so handy to take in my kit for workshops.

1st Quilt for Dolores & a Friday Smile

My lovely friends, Dolores and Alan, spent time with us this week and we allhad a lovely time together out and about but the main success was that I helped Dolores to assemble the quilt she was making for her daughter. The First Quilt she has made!

We also attended the Happy Stampers Show in Port Sunlight where it was good to see so many crafty friends.

Earlier in the Summer I visited Dolores in Maidstone and kicked her off making the centre Celtic interlocked hearts panel, which she finished, then she made 180 blocks so we worked together to assemble them all into this wondrous huge quilt below. Amazingly, it ended up perfectly square considering it is 2.14 metres (7 foot) square. 

  Once finished, we enjoyed a lovely day out to visit the super ladies at 

Quilters Trading Post in Buerton Cheshire, far out in the countryside, 

where Dolores arranged for it to be professionally quilted on their huge Gamill machines. 

I'm joining in with Annie's Friday Smile as we've enjoyed such a happy, productive, time together.

More smiles to start off the weekend over at Annie's place!

It was fascinating to watch a machine in progress before Dolores selected the wadding, her backing fabric  and stitch pattern. There's her quilt on the table above, ready to go but it will be nearly Christmas before it's ready as the machines are all booked up!

It's such a lovely place with beautiful examples hanging around the walls and it is an Aladdin's cave for quilters. 

Dolores had a welcome rest from making all her important decisions and sat in the rest corner with one of the staff before we headed off to Bridgemere Garden World for lunch.

I've got a Friday Smile after our super time together but it was so sad to see them go. Looking forward now to the next time. 

Birthday Makes & Friday Smiles

Catching up as I've only posted once in weeks but I haven't been idle.

I made 10 "crowns" just like Elsa wears in the film "Frozen" for my little grandee's birthday party. In the pots are sparkly diamantes and sequins for the little girl guests to stick on so they all had a crown to wear at the party.

I drew the shape on A4 card which was then stuck onto felt with fabric spray adhesive, then cut out. With cord elastic at each side they were ready to wear and the fun part of decorating was left to the children.

I also made drawstring goody bags in "Frozen" fabric for them to take home and I found Frozen activity packs at a bargain price.

I made another Elsa costume as my daughter and her little friends had worn out the one I made last year.  

This was made whilst I stayed in the apartment.... all guesswork and no overlocking, just a borrowed basic sewing machine.

and here's the 6 year old princess who wore it for her party and whilst I am well and truly "Frozen" out she had a wonderful time. 

Super cake in theme and the snowflakes were punched out with a paper punch in rice paper. Amazingly, when we tried it, it worked really well. They punched out perfectly.

Pop over to Annie's blog to start the weekend with smiles

Here are the reasons for my Friday Smile today but I do miss them so much. I'm looking forward now to seeing the Brighton Belles, my other two grandchildren. I just wish they were all nearer.

Last week it was her little brother's 2nd birthday and he had a really suitable cake ..... a great idea, made by their Mamma and really novel.....a big digger doing a demolition job on a heap of crushed Maltesers and broken chocolate bars.

We went to a tractor festival out in the countryside and my little grandson was so excited.

Tractors old and new and this old relic took the children on rides, (and quite a few adults too)

Still Smiling! and this one amazed me how agile and fearless she was!

There were ploughing competitions and, as the furrows were ploughed, the crop of potatoes was turned up. We were all given sacks to collect potatoes and I fully expected to have to weigh and pay for them but they were FREE and we all staggered home with the bounty.

The two couples, below, gave me a smile as they had the perfect way to carry their spuds to their car........on their umberellas.

My final smile is because I will see Cardarian, (my lovely friend Dolores) who will visit me next week and we will be going to Port Sunlight Show on Sat 3rd Oct which means I will meet up with some other lovely crafty friends. If anyone, who knows us, is planning to be there we will be outside the front at 1pm so come and say "Hello".