Baby, its cold outside............

Winter has come early to Northumberland!  We have around 12 inches of snow and when the sun shines it is a winter wonderland.  It is probably hard to believe but these two photos were taken this morning within 10 minutes of each other.  It is now snowing again heavily and I don't think we will be going anywhere for a day or two.

On the plus side we can sit by this

and get lots of stitching done.  Since the snow started I have finished Holly, the Christmas Elf

and am now working on Ivy.  It has been good to find time to blog again too.

New Book

I had a surprise in the post today, a copy of Cloth Doll Artistry by Barbara Willis which I won in a draw at ukclothdollmakers.  It is a lovely book, a mix of clear instructions and sheer inspiration so thank you Jules who organised the draw.  Here is the link for it at Amazon

I am not usually lucky in draws but this week I also won a fat quarter of fabric at a Quilters Guild event.  It was a pie & pea supper at which American Quilter Faye Labanaris was talking about a series of quilts she has made entitled America's Stately Wreaths each one featuring the apropriate state flower.  The fabric is two William Morris panels - I'm not sure how I will use them yet but no doubt inspiration will strike sometime.  Any suggestions anyone?  Last Sunday Faye ran a workshop to create an applique block of British wild flowers using a variety of ribbons, fabric markers and ultrasuede.  This last was new to me but very nice to work with.  It was really enjoyable to spend a day hand stitching in good company.  I completed about a third of the block on the day and will post a pic when it is finished.