Wednesday 9 February 2011

I Love Stoke on Trent

A few weeks back I was sent this fabulous book by Barbara Chainey. It is called The Lost City of Stoke on Trent and is by Matthew Rice. (Talented husband of Emma Bridgewater). Those of you who have been paying attention will remember this is my place of birth and my occasional references to it.




Inside it has fabulous little paintings and drawings like the one shown and chronicles the lost heritage of Stoke on Trent and the buildings that made it a once world famous centre for excellent pottery. You will notice from the cover that there is a huge untapped resource for patchwork designs from the pottery tiles alone. Thank you Barbara for the gift. It has given me great pleasure reading it and my head is buzzing with ideas for that Potteries Heritage Quilt. Thank you too for the pink fabric.



At Kate's today we celebrated Rosemary's birthday with tea and yummy cake. There was also a bit of sewing to be shown off.

Kate has been making this lovely little heart quilt, beautifully quilted and covered with red buttons.



Rosemary finished this pretty little cot quilt for a friend. One thing I love about Rosemary is the fact that she chooses the most prettiest fabrics for whatever it is that she makes and I sit there secretly coveting them, well, quite openly really.



I wanted to show you a close up of the baby in the pram because it is so cute but the photo is rubbish.



The little wall hanging is also by Rosemary and again note those pretty fabrics.



I even had a little bit to show and tell myself today other than hexagons. This little project was started many moons ago after watching a programme on Quilters TV with Eleanor Burns. I made half of the blocks, promptly put them away and found them the other day minus instructions. Eventually I managed to work it out and put them together. It needs a little border and then the outer border. A soon to be finished project. Yeah!



Finally, The List. I can honestly say that it has been a hit this month. I managed everything on it except for item 13. I am happy that I didn't get to item 13 as that one gets me into such trouble. One other thing is that I have decided not to do the Civil War Blocks. Having done 2, not liking my fabric choice too much and not wanting to start again with another set of fabrics I have abandoned them. I may do a few more at some point and make something smallish with them. I am enjoying seeing what everyone else is doing though. I haven't produced a list for February, just doing my own thing as and when I can this month.

These socks are destined for my niece and they took an age to finish and I was glad to see them done.



Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.x

16 comments:

  1. Looks like it was a very pink and lovely heart day. Well Valentines is coming up.
    Nice gift from Barbara. Not worth continuing with the Civil War blocks if you were not happy. Maybe if you used the colours that are in your comfort zone it might work and don't worry about doing it in reproduction fabrics.

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  2. You have been a busy bee socialising, knitting with a bit of quilting thrown in.
    Rosemary's work is lovely in every aspect. I like the quilting around the heart buttons.
    The quilt in your signature pink looks great and I am sure you will be glad to finish it.
    The book is a lovely gift. It will always remind you of your birthplace and a good friend.

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  3. Lovely to read your post Shirley..
    everything is beautiful, Rosemary's work is gorgeous.
    Your found again project is lovely, love the darker border, lovely finish!
    I know how long socks take to knit..I gave up after three pair...
    Julia ♥

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  4. Love all the projects shown on your post Shirley. The book on your hometown looks really interesting and how nice to have it all documented.

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  5. You and your friends have been very productive lately! I'm impressed. I love the socks. 8)

    Happy stitching,
    Susan in Texas

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  6. Thank you for sharing all this lovely work

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  7. The book looks lovely and how about the projects? They were a treat to see thank you. I still haven't given socks a go, one day.

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  8. Some lovely work Shirley and what a variety of projects. I like your UFO and am looking forward to seeing what you choose to do for the outer border.
    I am also looking forward in time to seeing this Potteries Heritage Quilt and I can see what an inspiration that wonderful book must have been - a lovely and thoughtful gift.
    Great socks. Take care!

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  9. I love the Matthew Rice book too. I visited Stoke for the very first time this summer (I am an EB collector) and thought it was such an interesting place, wonderful architecture but could do with someone fighting its corner. Actually my next post is about Stoke because I enjoyed it so much. Lots to see!

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  10. The book looks interesting. Enjoyed the quilt show. Cool socks!

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  11. Lots of lovely things to look at again - well done on all counts. Now to decide which bit of Stoke we should start with ...

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  12. Such a wonderful time you must have had with your friends. There's talent throughout those sweet projects.
    You're wise to stop a project you're not fully enjoying. That's the brave thing to do. Now you can concentrate on other projects you fully love.

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  13. Lovely items again. The thought of Stoke as a lost city almost seems to make it quite romantic (note I did say almost!)

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  14. I love the look of the book. Lots of lovely projects there and I do love your socks I still have one sock half knitted somewhere!!!!!!!

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  15. That book about Stoke looks really good. My in-laws have lived in Stoke their whole lives...do you think they would find it interesting? If so, I might just get it for my MIL's birthday!

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  16. Love the socks, you'll have to give me a lesson, finally managed to get journal quilts started on blog!!
    Have found another project to start!!
    Look forward to next Wednesday.
    Wendyxx

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