Cowslip Exhibition 2012

Tuesday was the day for  Apple County Quilters annual trip to Cowslip Workshops Summer Exhibition at Launceston, Cornwall. We have been going there for quite a few years now and as usual it did not disappoint. We arrive en masse and Jo and her staff always make us most welcome.  It is a visual treat. Everyone works so hard to make it so.

First stop has to be the cafe where you can get yummy cakes and a good pot of tea/coffee or a delicious home cooked lunch and sit surrounded by quilts and patchwork cushions on the chairs and benches.

In the porch we all had to admire these little visitors. Swallows nesting up in the eaves.



Anyone who has been following me for a while will know that I love this place and everywhere you look is oozing with inspiration. Don't take my word for it, go and see it for yourself.

This quilt was a very simple four patch, large blocks with beautiful handquilting with a simple floral motif. I think most of us came away with suitable thread to try this out. I apologise as I have no names or other details other than  photographs.

I adore this one and I know that I have to make something like this. It is simply beautiful and again had  lovely handquilting.

Complete change in colours and stunning applique.

Based on the book Little Brown Bird by Margaret Docherty. Again I have no name but a stunning quilt.

This one satisfied my red fix.

Very pretty and what a great idea to set the applique into a heart.

Traditional and perfectly done. Beautiful.

Loved the colours in this one and it would be right at home on my bed. No red or pink here but, oh! I love it. Such fabulous quilts and cushions everywhere. The Union flag to the right is charting the progress of the Olympic Torch around the British Isles. Great Quilt.

Jo is well known for her applique and quilting and her use of pretty fabrics. Her students make stunning quilts. They reflect the peace and tranquility of the surroundings. Jo did joke that she would need a very large gin and tonic at the end of the day as she was frazzled but it didn't show.

This one made me smile. It was titled Because We Can. It has nine patch tumbling block mountains with silhouetted people climbing up them.  Notice the British flag as victor on the top.  Obviously an Olympic gold medal winner.

Every corner of the barn was packed with beautiful quilts. Something for everyone to enjoy.

The opposite corner with a lovely bed loaned from a local shop.

There. I knew there would be a hexagon quilt somewhere and it was red. Double bonus.

Packed to the rafters.

I will leave you with the view from Cowslip looking towards Launceston with the castle  perched on the hill top. As you can see, the weather was wet and dismal and didn't let up at all but it didn't dampen our spirits and I for one came away full of ideas. If only my hands can keep up with the activity going on in my brain.

Happy Stitching.

Love Shirley.