A sprint towards the finish line

The Festival of Quilts

So off I went on Friday for my childfree day. I made an early start and had the company of my technical advisor's newly acquired Sat Nav system to get me safely to Birmingham. We had some initial programming problems as Daisy didn't wish to go the way we wanted to so the early part of my journey was accompanied by her increasingly long suffering tones telling me to "turn around as soon as possible". None the less I got there without getting too cross with Daisy. On walking into the exhibition I was immediately completely overwhelmed. It was amazing, huge, so much to see. Foolishly I didn't bring a camera, I wasn't certain what the policy on photographs would be but in fact could have taken photographs of most things. Ah well, I'll know next time.

Several things particularly stood out to me, it was brilliant to see Janet Bolton's work up close.

Kaffe Fassett's exhibition was fantastic, explosions of colour and pattern and some quilts from his own collection which were really beautiful. I had to have my book signed of course, and I must confess to being rather taken with him in the flesh. He seemed like his work, larger than life and vibrant, very charismatic.

Asa Wettre's stand was particularly inspiring to me. I beautiful collection of quilts alongside Magdalen Ljung's collection of Swedish Doll quilts. I always feel a strong pull towards Swedish design and use of colour, somehow those blue tones seem so suited to our light and make me feel very tranquil. I picked up several postcards and since arriving home have ordered Old Swedish Quilts on Ebay.

Of course there was shopping. Oh boy was there shopping. I am planning my first ever quilt. My dear friends have asked me to be godmother to their son and as I can't be a very financially benevolant godmother I am hoping that lovingly handmade gifts will compensate. I have wanted to make a quilt for such a long time and have been stashing fabric for some time but for everything in my head was very "girly". Seeing the Swedish Quilts made something click and I rushed around the stands searching out the blue toned stripes and checks I suddenly needed. Since coming home I have been plagued by confusion again, how to lay them out? But I do feel happy with my palette.

Of course I couldn't resist a little floral, girley stuff.

There was trim.

And some other things to play with.

I know this is a long post but if you are still reading I would just like to say thank you for all the lovely comments, it really means a lot and it was so nice to read the birthday wishes. I try where possible to reply to all comments by email or on the blog of the poster. Sometimes there is no blog or email to respond to in which case I would like to take this moment to say thank you so much for taking the time to comment and I am so sorry I can't reply personally but your comments are hugely appreciated.