Mad Dogs and Englishmen

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun so they say and let me tell you that temperatures here are soaring. I have retreated indoors for a bit of coolness. I hate to say that as I have longed for some sunshine, now we have it, it is baking. I am not complaining and will venture out again soon.

I managed a few klosjes yesterday too - 9. My total now, and please can I have a drum roll - ta da!! 100. Hurrah. 152 to go!! The cushion on my garden chair is one of the first things that I made when I took up Patchwork. I made it for my daughter for her bedroom and it now lives in the summer house. Suffice to say it is very faded although holding up fairly well. Sometimes you just can't be too precious about things, it was made to be used.



The bluebells this year have been beautiful and are on their way out



These beauties grow in abundance in my garden. I keep wanting to call them cornflowers but they aren't. I am sure someone will know what they are and tell me.



This quilt was the winner and best in show at Quilts UK. It is by Lilian Harris, Kent. It is beautifully stitched.



I love this one but cannot find the name of who made it in my guide book, so apologies.




For those of you who love miniatures. This was tiny but delightful. Made by Sandra Goldsbrough, Lincolnshire.



I don't know why I didn't get a full view of this quilt but the blocks were all along these lines. It was beautiful and delicate. Made by Judith Wilson,Hertfordshire and is called Strawberry Thieves, based on William Morris's designs and with inspiration from a book by Michele Hill. Machine appliqued and quilted.



Some of the goodies that came home with me. Barbara Chainey has the most beautiful quilt patterns and I think I have most of them now, collected over the last few years. The Japanese book is fantastic, full of amazing hand quilted beauties that has me wanting to stitch them all. Time is all I need!! A few more fabrics to help out The Farmer's Wife and the start of my Civil War fabrics.



Last but not least. The very talented Danielle won the competition for the search for Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webbers up and coming West End show Wizard of Oz. If you get the opportunity to go to London you won't be disappointed. She is just 18 and a star in the making. What has made me laugh and this is for you Sue-Anne, they also searched for a dog to play the role of Toto and the winner was Dave, who I swear is Buddy all the way from Australia. Even down to his little red bandana.

Enjoy the sun and Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.