Stitchers in Residence

Last week The Wednesday Group de-camped to the summer house at Blue Ginger near Malvern for 5 days of laughter, stitch and, of course...cake! Here are some photos of all our jolly japes on the Thursday - our designated 'Group Challenge Day'.

Here's the summer house, complete with bunting inside and a very pretty tree by its doors.

After last year's Group exhibition we thought it would be fun to have a banner with our name on it, so over the last few months we've each been busily creating letters. This was the first time they'd all been put together and we were rather thrilled with the result!

There's a great deal of concentration during the letter hanging stage...

 ...before a few last minute tweaks!

Wednesday Groupers provide letter hanging support from the sidelines! (I've just had a thought...should everyone who came to see us at Blue Ginger be called 'Wednesday Groupies'?!)

All set up and ready to go...

Creations from the Applewood workshop of the fabulous Murgatroyd and Bean (aka The Wednesday Group's very own Kathleen!)

On the shelf are the results of last year's Group Challenge at Blue Ginger...the Consequential Critters. Underneath is Lindsay's rather excellent stitched creation, all about a group of her friends.

More from Murgatroyd and Bean.

Here's the hub of our Group Challenge Day...it wasn't too bad until the rain started!

 This year's Group Challenge was to make birds from all sorts of fabric scraps and bits and bobs...

 ...but before we started, we all thought it was a good idea to skip off for slice of cake. Lindsay was particularly excited at the prospect!

Cake eaten, it was time to get down to work. Once templates were chosen, we were off!

 Kathleen definitely wins the prize for the most impressive bundle of threads (which she calls 'The Beast'!)

With the wet weather came the slight hazard of 'chair sinkage'. Unfortunately, Lindsay was affected the most by this...

 ...and by the end of the day she was on a most haphazard angle!

Lois hard at work on her first feathery creation.

 It's heads down for Ann and Judi as they work away...

 ...and also for Lois, Alison and Lindsay.

 The seriousness couldn't last for long and it was soon giggles and tomfoolery all round!

Here's my little feathered creation, which I just managed to finish before the downpour that saw us all heading inside for a warming cuppa!

A Trip to Snowshill Manor

The Treasures had a lovely day out for Father's Day today. After a very yummy lunch in Broadway, we went up the hill to Snowshill Manor. It's owned by The National Trust and we love going there. There's lots to explore in the house (which was owned by Charles Paget Wade and is home to his extraordinary collections) and beautiful gardens to wander about in. As afternoon tea was high up on our agenda we didn't go into the house today, instead opting for a pootle about in the garden. Here are a few snapshots I took along the way...

I hope you all had a lovely Father's Day too, whatever you were up to...and that the rain kept away for just a little while at least!

Textile Treasures

It is with much excitement that I can announce that the Textile Treasure Shop is now open.There are all sorts of vintage lovelies to be discovered, so do pop over for a browse.

Here are some of the treasures that are looking for new homes.

Keep your eye on the Textile Treasure Shop as I'll be regularly adding new vintage treasures.

Happy shopping!

Vintage and Handmade Fun

Last Saturday saw me heading off to Chipping Sodbury for the Spring Handmade and Vintage Fair. As always, it was a great day...a little quieter than usual, but lots of fun none the less. Here's my stall.

I went for a slightly different look this time and gave my newly acquired Colman's starch box centre stage. With the Jubilee celebrations just around the corner, I also bought some new bunting for decoration.

Amongst the things I was selling on Sarturday were a collection of vintage first aid dressings and the like. Some of them date from the Second World War, when their previous owner was a volunteer fireman. I also found this suitcase recently, complete with wonderful Cunard labels. I was rather sad to see it sold, but where would I be if I kept all of my stock?!

There was definitely a patriotic theme to Saturday's fair...even the cakes joined in!

Yummmmm!

I had Mummy Treasure as my willing assistant on Saturday so I managed to escape from behind my stall at various points for a look around...and here are some of the wonderful things that caught my eye...

The Washerwoman

I was rather taken with Lizzie's French sacks. I love the lettering on them. Lizzie said lots of people had been buying them to make cushions for their gardens. What a great idea!

Lucy Bloom

Lucy's stall is always full of all sorts of vintage loveliness. Lucy and Jayne were next to the Textile Treasure Seeker stand so we were able to have a good natter and a catch up!

Treutmade

Gertie's stall was awash with all things red, white and blue. I love her suffolk puff cushions. 

The Sea Garden

Christine's stall was a veritable feast of vintage and handmade loveliness. It all looked perfect and really enticing.

Sal's Snippets

 A fabulous display of patriotism from Sal.

Hen House

Lovely designs by Hen.

Hen's Teeth

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Viv and her work. I love everything she makes and her designs just make me smile from ear to ear. 

I've always had a soft spot for vintage ephemera, so I couldn't resist these shop price signs from The Sea Garden. I think I might string up the paper ones and put them in our kitchen for all to see.

Country Cottage Chic

Jayne definitely took the prize for the most regal display!

Nostalgia at the Stonehouse

Niki's dolls are just brilliant. These patriotic gals look ready for a Jubilee celebration!

 

Nostalgia at the Stonehouse

It was a great day. I was particularly pleased with my 'new' 1950s dress that I bought from Donna Flower . I've already worn it to Little Treasure's Jubilee celebrations at playgroup and plan on weraing it lots over the summer. Here's to gilry florals and oodles of bunting!

COMING VERY SOON...

...Textile Treasure Seeker will be going online very shortly. The eagle-eyed amongst you might have already spotted the link to 'My Shop' on this blog and I assure you that within the next few days the doors of my little emporium will be flung open, with a selection of vintage treasures waiting to find new homes.