Quilt Show!

Last month I spent a fantastic morning at The Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham. My Mum lives in Solihull so I was able to leave my three boys with their Nan rather than dragging them around what is pretty close to three teenage boys' idea of hell. (Thanks Mum!)

It wasn't the first time I'd visited the show but I have to say that this year I was blown away by the incredible artistry and creativity not to mention amazing skills that were on display in the form of quilts. The women, men and craft groups that work to produce these beautiful works of art are truly inspiring. Here are just a few of my favourites that I was lucky enough to view:

Scenes from Shakespeare featuring Meerkat Characters - how cool?

I have been to quilting courses in the past and one thing I know is that quilting takes time. These beautiful quilts must have taken ages to make but wow! the results are stunning.

One day, when I no longer run a busy business and my children are grown up and independent I plan to spend a lot of time quilting. I am not sure I could ever produce amazing results like those at the Festival of Quilts but I look forward to giving it a go.

In the meantime, here is this Summer's quilted project. I have managed to fit it in in-between holidays to Spain, Cornwall and Swtizerland (I have been very lucky this year), days out with the family and planning school projects for September. It pales in comparison to some of the quilts I saw at the show but I love the theme and fabrics used and had lots of fun making it.

The British seaside was my inspiration. I adore beach huts and love the thought of owning one one day. How idyllic would it be to sit and watch the waves with a cup of tea working on a latest craft project? I can dream.... I have used a Dresden Plate design for the sun in the top left hand corner and I like my subtle cloud shapes above the beach huts. The candy colours were lovely to work with and I have used candy pink and blue stripe and polka dot fabric to create a patchwork backing. The bright and cheerful yellow buttons echo the bright yellow sun on the front.

I think this cushion will be my burst of summer sunshine indoors when the days get shorter. While I was at the Festival of Quilts I couldn't help but buy more fabric (the choice is amazing). I can't help thinking it may be time to make an Autumn cushion to go with this summer one!