March 2019

So this is the month we really got fed up with winter. It usually does not affect us much health wise, but this winter season has been different. At the end of January we all got the flu (in spite of the Mr. and myself’s yearly flu jabs) and after that we were left with severe coughing fits that just would not go away so in March that meant a trip to the doctor’s for all three of us (including our daughter Eline) and we were all diagnosed with whooping cough!

This really has been the strangest winter health wise, roll on spring!

Things looked like spring at Ans’ when we (Ans, Betty (click) and I ) for our Kleine Bee (Small Bee) as Betty named it. Small but sweet, it was a really nice day filled with colorful fabrics, lovely projects, lots of chatting and a yummy lunch.

Betty was working on one of her own designs, Ans was working on the Vriendinnetjes Ketting (Girlfriends Chain) she started during Betty's workshop in February at Dorry’s (click) and (click)  and I worked on Rosa Biddlecombe (click).

Ans’ and Betty’s cute pincushions on one of Betty’s projects, it certainly was spring on the table 😊 

Both Betty and Ans always spend part of the year in France, where a.o. they find lovely vintage French fabrics. Ans gifted me an adorable piece for a Rosa Biddlecombe block:-

And this is the block I made with it:

It will become a cherished part my Rosa Biddelcombe quilt of which I finished the center,  mostly fabrics from the stash of Margaret Mew (click).

Until next month everyone, thank you for visiting my blog.

Phyllis

February 2019

After the quiet January month February brought some quilty cheer again with two highlights I’d love to share with you:

First of all there was a super day to Dorry’s beautiful country quilt shop, Quilt-It and Dotty (click) in Overloon, Brabant. I drove over there with Betty (click) and Ans for Betty’s Vriendinnetjes Ketting (Girlfriends Chain) workshop and show & tell.

Early morning we packed Betty's quilts for the show&tell in her car and left for the 2 hour drive to Overloon

I had not seen Dorry’s shop since she expanded it yet and (no surprise there, she has excellent taste) it is beautiful. Light, very spacious, cosy, country style, so much to see, so much inspiration, come in and have a look:

Betty’s workshop and show&tell were a delight, it is such a fun pattern to make and her quilts are beautiful, very special use of color, she spends part of the year in France and I can so see the sun in her quilts:-

The Vriendinnetjes Ketting (Girlfriends Chain) quilt:

The workshop:

We were being really well looked after by Dorry – I have called her the “hostess with the mostest” before (click) –  I felt like a kid in a candy store and a spoiled one at that.

After lunch it was time for Betty’s Show & Tell:

Dorry joined in by showing a few of her quilts:

Including the antique quilt that was the inspiration for one of Betty’s quilts:

Dorry and I share a ballet past, she spent more years than I pursuing this passion, I had to quit early after I ruined my ankles already at age 12, dancing on pointe way too young and way too much (I loved it so).
The talk came to this shared passion, in particular the way we still walk because of that ballet turnout, basically like ducks 😊  and we could not resist a pose.

The day went way too quickly, I was sorry we had to leave but I left with wonderful memories of a lovely day.

Then there was an afternoon at Karen’s (click) and (click) , another great hostess (these ladies are so talented, excellent quilters, hostesses and running their own businesses, hats off to them).

Among other things (and there are always many!) Karen is working on a striking compass quilt, I love the colors she is using and the look of the whole thing.

A lady of many talents she also re-upholstered this chair and foot stool, she even managed to have the pattern continue from one to the other. Can you imagine sitting here doing your hand quilting on a stormy night (we get some heavy storms now and then in our part of the country and they are noisy!), with a doggy at your feet?

Quilts, knitting, sewing, upholstery, cooking, running a B&B, quilt retreats and doing workshops a.o. in making boxes, like I said, a lady of many talents,  she surprised me with this lovely gift, made by her:

We both love anything to do with deer and this box is just perrrrrfect!

I started using it straight away, it is perfect for my current project, the Rosa Biddlecombe quilt , pattern by Margaret Mew (click)

which is keeping me busy quilt wise right now, see you next month!

Phyllis

January 2019, a finish!

January was a bit of a quiet month, but not by choice.

For the first time in decades and in spite of getting the flu jab every year I fell ill… with the flu. Nasty. Because of the flu and a few snow days I had to cancel a few dates I had with quilt friends, so nothing to write about in that respect but then I thought…. I had not yet posted a quilt I finished a while ago (yes, I do finish something now and then😉  )

So here it is:  tadaaaaaahhh! My King George quilt or as I call it: Royal Circles.

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Quilt stats:

Name: Royal Circles

Pattern: King George III by Susan Ambrose

Size: 55”x 73”  or 1.40 m. x 1.85 m.  

Method: hand piecing, hand quilting

Fabric: 100% cotton

Batting: 100% cotton

I enjoyed making this quilt very much, the pattern is perfect, the circles came together beautifully without any problems.

Hope you enjoyed these pictures, hopefully more quilty fun in February,

Phyllis