In the Garden

The weather was lovely today! I headed straight out and into the garden after school this afternoon. My only intention was to read but then the butterflies were so interesting to watch! By the time I ran in to get my camera and came back out, only one butterfly remained - a Comma -but I managed to get a couple of pictures.

V&A Quilt Exhibition

I finally made it to the V&A last week to see the exhibition
QUILTS: 1700 - 2010. There are 65 quilts on display, predominantly from the V&A's own collection and some quilts are on loan to the museum. There are also a number of commissions by contemporary artists.
 
I love going around quilt shows. There's nothing like being able to see, up close, the work that someone has put into their piece. Historic or modern, each has a story all its own. 
  
 It's hard to say which pieces or aspects of the show I enjoyed most, but I was touched deeply by a video made at  HMP Wandsworth. The video features male prisoners sewing, showing their work and talking about what quilting means to them.

A collaborative piece by 53 inmates Of Wandsworth Prison commissioned for the exhibition.

The whole cloth quilts from the 1920's and 1930's made by women from South Wales and areas of the North of England were stunning. The quilt makers were encouraged and helped by the Rural Industries Bureau to make quilts as a source of income. Some, similar to the one above, were sold to Claridges  Hotel of London.

The last exhibit in the show is Tracy Emin's "To Meet My Past" 2002

Visit http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/textiles/quilts-1700-2010/ for more information about the show and special web features. 

Be sure to have a peek at  Quilt of Quilts  a virtual "patchwork of quilt pictures."

You can upload a picture of your quilt and "share your quilt's story with the world."
I've uploaded my quilt!

                                                                                                        

To celebrate Quilts 1700 - 2010, the V&A shop and Liberty Art Fabrics have collaborated on a limited edition collection of fabrics which have been selected from quilts on display in the exhibition. There are 18  gorgeous designs.

 I bought three fabrics with designs taken from English patchwork coverlets:  "Seaweed" from 1829, "India Flower" 1797, and "Seed Head" 1830 - I simply couldn't resist!

Outside the V&A - elephants are taking over the city!

Handmade by Hannah

Hannah Cox made this darling brooch just for ME!

Hard to believe she's never made a yo-yo before - just look at those amazing leaves!

Thanks Hannah, it looks great on my jean jacket! 

Faerie Dust

I've dusted off my wand and wings, made a wish and decided to make a fresh start! I have a few ideas about the direction I want to this blog to take - but will allow myself to let it happen, flow and change because that is totally me!
If you would like to show your craft work ,sewing projects, share ideas or favourite links, please let me know by leaving a comment or sending an email.

Love Hearts!

The competion is now closed and I would like to thank everyone that took the time to enter!

The winners of a red velvet heart pin are:

Dot and Spots for comments that were deep and meaningful

Angela for being the first to comment
Josie for wanting to comment online but commented in person instead

Happy Valentine's Day

I really love Andy Warhol prints and although I don't own any originals of his work, I am the proud owner this Andy doll complete with soup can t-shirt and amazing hair-do.
Knowing my love of Andy, my sister Michelle sent him to me from the states. She has also sent me Andy Warhol wallets -Elvis, self-portrait and flowers. While visiting my family in the states last summer, Michelle and I found Andy Bags! Mine is green with flowers and Michelle got Jackie O in red. They are amazing.







So here is my final valentine choice for this year - a print by Andy Warhol.
I believe it is called 55 Hearts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ephemera

Ephemera refers to materials printed on paper, intended for a specific purpose and then to be thrown away. Paper ephemera includes items such as calling cards, invitations, bookmarks, ballots, tickets, clippings, menus, handbills, poster, etc. Many of these, including vintage valentines, are now "paper collectibles."

This 3D valentine is one from a collection at OldLouisville.com

Vintage 3D valentines, pop-ups and those with moving parts are extremely delicate and , of course, must be handled with care.

To see an amazing collection of vintage with moving parts visit MarthaStewart.com and watch the video segment.

Remember, if you leave a comment, you could win a velvet heart pin!