Sew Stitch Knit

Monday, 17 March 2014

Last Day in London

17th March 2014

On Sunday the family went to Columbia Road Flower Market.....

...we arrived at 11am and it was really busy....

...French buskers added to the atmosphere...

...flowers were so beautiful and stallholders were shouting out their offers in a cockney accent...

....all very good quality and reasonably priced...

.....unfortunately I was unable to purchase as I was going home on the train!!

Visited the small local shops, many selling vintage, and enjoyed the warm sunshine before meeting the family for the birthday dinner in the upstairs room of this pub...

...superb meal and lots of chat and laughter, just a perfect way to spend a Sunday!

Back to reality now, washing and food shopping and already looking forward to my next visit on 3rd April to the Textiles Show at the Excel !!

Must do some sewing tomorrow....

Saturday, 15 March 2014

Olympia Knitting and Stitching Show

15th March 2014

Had a brilliant day yesterday although there didn't seem to be as many stands or demonstrations as last year.

There were 2 small exhibitions for clothing design and quilted wall hangings and both were amazing!

All these photos show work by A level students....

...this had all the layers machine stitched and was designed and made by a boy!!

Felted and stitched...

..such a fun design with embroidery and beads and buttons...

....felted flowers and leaves in the most gorgeous colours, lots of texture...

...this won, silk, machine embroidery on soluble fabric, lace, beads and lots of textured fabric in the dress. Her sketch book was also a work of art!!

Great to see such talent in young people.

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Now for the quilted wall hangings.....

...my photos do not do any of this work justice but it will give you an idea, I hope.....

..'Life is a Maze'

...so effective...

...this was based on the earths soil levels...

....close up of simple hand stitches used to great effect...

again a close up to show small pieces of fabric attached using straight machine stitch..

....this was stunning!

...close up of the fish...

..the line detail was satin stitch.

Lastly my purchases...

...papers, fleece, fabrics, wooden stamps and yarn for baby blankets (half price for Debbie Bliss cotton!)

I didn't go tooooo mad!

Columbia Road flower market tomorrow then a big family lunch birthday celebration lunch!!

Thursday, 13 March 2014

a Day Out in Windsor

13th March 2014

Had a brilliant day yesterday!

We went by train to Windsor, sunny when we left Richmond but misty when we arrived!

Walked up the hill to the castle which is HUGE....

....loved this...

..still walking up...

..not at the entrance yet...

...nearly there....

...taken from inside after going through 'airport type security'...

.....Queen's Jubilee Garden, a beautifully landscaped area including a bandstand.

This photo isn't very good but the landscaping up the hill to the tower was wonderful....

....silly me on the right forgot to take off my 'tour headphones"!!

Photographs were not allowed anywhere inside which is a shame because the craftsmanship and paintings were fantastic!

He must have been so bored of all the tourists taking photos!!

St George's Chapel, so amazing inside...

....amazing stone work!

Photos taken from the postcards I bought...

...doors from 13th century featuring intricate iron scroll work...

..St George's Chapel, the nave looking toward the quire, the stone work was breathtaking....

...quire looking towards the east window, the knights have their standards above their seats.

View from the Round Tower looking towards Eton.

St George's Hall in the State Apartments....

...the Lantern Lobby, this was the Private Chapel where the fire of 1992 started.

This room was inspired by the Octagon at Ely Cathedral. It is such a beautiful room constructed in laminated oak in a modern gothic style showing we have brilliant craftsmen today.