Retail Therapy

Yesterday we went for a drive out. The snow has mostly disappeared, just patches on exposed high ground. Everywhere looks so dreary after snowy weather. We went to Frome in Somerset. It is a lovely little town with a stream that runs through the middle of the street and some very nice individual shops. Millie Moon is a shop that stocks Amy Butler patterns and fabrics and some Kaffe Fassett. Not a very big shop but pretty and with a vintage feel to it. Bought one or two things!!



From there we decided to go to Midsomer Quilting shop which wasn't too far away. What a very good set up there. Relaxed atmosphere and a good cup of tea /coffee free of charge whilst you browse. I may have come away from there with one or two more items!! Has a good selection of fabrics and notions, something to satisfy most people I should have thought. There is also a garden centre which would keep most husbands from boredom.There is also a little shop for other crafts. However, it was cold and damp and definitely not gardening weather. One of the co owners Chris Howell has written a book on the history of the surrounding villages and the impact that World War 1 had on its families, we were given a copy. The book is called No Thankful Village. My husband was also given a dvd of a play, written again by Chris Howell called The Miner's Tale. My husband is a Mineral Surveyor and the area has a coal mining history. My husband was impressed with the shop so hopefully he will be happy to go there again at some point. I don't know what I am going to make with any of the fabrics yet. I have to stroke them a bit first before deciding. I have eclectic tastes, but only buy what I love.

I have finished my pink socks. That makes it finish number 3 for January. Don't laugh now. I took this photo pointing the camera at my feet. It is better than the one my husband took. You really wouldn't want to see that one.



I have also been making something not on the list. Sarah's friend Lucy had a beautiful baby girl last week. Evie weighed in at 7lb 12oz. I was asked to make a baby quilt. In the cupboard hidden away was an unfinished project from many moons ago. It has been rescued, cut down, washed and turned into something that I feel quite pleased with. I backed it with a pretty pink nursery toile fabric. As I only had a metre it determined the size of the quilt. Unusual for me I machine quilted it. I am just waiting now for some binding before I show you the finished thing. Just goes to show that if you save something long enough eventually you will find a use for it. I dare not tell you how long it has been stashed away. Let me just say that we have lived in this house 15 years and it came with me from the previous loft. It is bordering on being vintage. My excuse - not telling.

Love Shirl.x