Another finish and some more bits & pieces

Another long term UFO is finished!  The pattern for this quilt was originally bought as a BOM (pattern and buttons only) - I didn't particularly like the materials that were included in the full kit and also I wasn't keen on the setting and I wanted to use some of my stash.

The blocks are all different sizes and are embroidered.  I lightly coloured parts of each block to give the overall effect I wanted to achieve - I used Derwent Water Pencils that my son had used for school (15 years ago) which I found when doing a clean out!

After quilting the buttons were then added.

Here is a close-up of some of the beautiful buttons.

 My Monday night group Regent St Stitchers are having a 'Birthday Block' activity, this year we are starting with November.  We all make the same block, but with the colours for the recipient for the particular month.  Unfortunately, mine is not until July next year, but these four below are for the November and a couple of December birthdays. We get to choose a light and a dark - when my time comes I have chosen white-on-white and for the dark different reds.

Two beautiful books

Last week I went to the Wyndham Quilters (in Werribee, Vic) Quilt-In.  A great day with friends Jenni, Judy, Wendy.  Corliss Searcy from Threadbear in Castlemaine was the speaker and she bought along some of her fabulous antique quilts from her family's collection.  Such eye candy, unfortunately my camera wasn't working very well and the photos didn't come out.

Corliss also had her 'shop' there and of course I had to explore!  I purchased these two absolutely fabulous books -

This first one 'A Schoolgirl's Work' is a collection of embroidery samplers worked by (of course) school girls spanning the years from 1710 to 1841 and the girls' ages are from 7 - 19 years.  A stunning book if you like antique stitcheries and samplers, together with a little bit of history about the girls.

The second book 'When the Cold Wind Blows' is a collection of beautiful applique quilts.  The authors show two variations of each quilt.

Both of these books were written and produced by Barb Adams and Alma Allen of Blackbird Designs and are beautifully presented and printed.  Wonderful treasures to have in one's library.