Sunday 6 April 2014

Like the No.33 bus...

...you can wait ages for friends or family to come visit and then 3 lots come along at the same time.

Hand Drawn Garden Plus flimsy
It's been pretty busy round here lately. As Ferris Bueller would say, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Two weeks ago, fellow Stitch Tease bee mates Di and Helen came to visit, and stayed in our little riad. On their first morning, Zaki and I gave them a basic orientation of the souqs.  Here's Di and Zaki having a chat and putting the world to rights.


And here's my 'How am I going to carry 2 stools home!" face. Thank you Di for your help!

Photo credit - Helen at Runquiltknitwrite
I'll admit it was sometimes difficult to make conversation or share a joke. Not.

Photo credit - Di at Quiltova  
It was great fun to show Helen and Di around - by Day 2 they were old hands...sipping mint tea, negotiating like a local and telling me about places I should go to!

Of course, you can't have 3 quilters in the same room without the obligatory show and tell.  Here are the three of us holding my first Stitch Tease quilt. It was snapped by our guardian while Helen and Di's taxi to the airport waited outside hence it is a little fuzzy.


I hope they'll come back and visit again. It was fun to have them around.

 It was also lovely to catch up with my best friend from high school who came to visit too!


And yesterday my mum left after staying for 2 weeks.   Here she is waiting for her camel burger at Clock Cafe.


...and here's the camel burger. A-MAZING!!


...and here's a snap of me having a cuddle with my boy.


So has there been any sewing going on I hear you cry.  Well yes there has.  

A few weeks ago, I cut up most of the half yard bundle of Anna Maria Horner's Hand Drawn Garden bundle I bought from Jennifer a few months ago.  I cut it in to simple squares as I wanted to make a simple patchwork quilt.  Only this line is very eclectic and I wasn't sure the whole thing was working.  After asking for advice on Instagram and receiving some good stuff, I ignored it and made a plus quilt.

Crazy and eclectic.


I added a 2 1/2 scrappy border of low volume fabrics to frame the craziness and then added a 2" border of more Hand Drawn Garden.


This may not be everyone's cup of Orange Pekoe but it's most definitely mine.  I absolutely love it - it's big, bold and beautiful and I can't wait to baste and quilt it.  I just have to order some backing!

So now it's back down to earth with a bump. Back to work but with the promise that summer hols offically start in 10 weeks - woohoo, oh and a quilt commission too.

More of that next time. Happy Days.














24 comments:

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Great visitors, and beautiful quilt top!
I will make your maples next week, kids permitting xxx

Cindy said...

Absolutely beautiful top. The prints suit the pattern perfectly. It looks like life is treating you so very well with bright skies, smiles, good friends and delish food. So happy that you shared it all with us :)

Fran said...

What gorgeous, happy photos! You live in such a bright and sunny place, so envious of all those handcrafts and pottery!

Katy Cameron said...

Yay for fabulous visitors and quilts! Don't believe that was a camel burger though, not a hump in sight...

Canadian Abroad said...

Your days have been so full of good stuff. Love to hear about it, and love that quilt. The colours are stunning.

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Oh all those sunny photos are making me jealous! Love those pluses, so vibrant.

diegoagogo said...

I love the colours of that quilt but I really really love the low volume border. Genius!
I would go wild in that ceramic shop, I just love the patterns. I bought 2 plates when we were in Tunisia last year. Morocco is on the list :)

CJ said...

I love the quilt. Love it. Your beautiful vibrant quilts always look so wonderful with their Moroccan backdrop. Glad you've had such nice visits. Was that Actual Camel?! I didn't know you could eat them!

QuiltCandy said...

I think that quilt is absolutely fabulous! I hadn't realised it was a plus quilt until I looked at it sideways, but it works for me on every level - bright, colourful and fun! Enjoy finishing this one! And what a wonderful week you've had with your friends and family.

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

What fabulous happy snaps! It looks like a wonderful few weeks. Your quilt looks amazing! Bright and bold, but it works beautifully.

Jessica said...

Love love love this quilt! Glad you've had so many great visits lately :)

Judith, Belfast said...

So lovely to see your happy visitor pics! And your quilt is mad and wonderful! Jxo

Dianne Neale said...

A lovely reminder of our holiday - it seems an age ago now!

Sunnybec said...

Your comment about the No. 33 bus made me laugh out loud, not heard that for years, but how right you are. Looks like you had a fabulous time though. Love both your quilts xx

Charlotte said...

I love the plus quilt - it's perfect!

maria said...

Such fun photos.
Your quilt is so cheerful and happy.

Katherine said...

From all the smiles, I'd say good times were had by all. Lovely pics, Annabella!

Wow. Your newest quilt is a fiesta of gorgeous colour. Bold and beautiful has my vote. Wonder what you'll choose for the backing?

Heather @ Winding Bobbins said...

So wonderful Annabella! The visitors AND that gorgeous quilt!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's lovely to hear that you've been having a good time! Love that quilt top!

Chez Roo said...

Looks so fun! Can I come next time? Love your hand drawn garden of gorgeousness!

Leanne said...

It is a busy place at your house. Those markets are incredible, I would love to see them. I also love your quilt, plus quilts always make me happy.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I'm still sad I missed this fun girls trip with my fellow stitch teasers.

dutchcomfort said...

It looks like a great time was had by all of you! Love your colourful quilt!

Nat at Made in Home said...

Happy happy days!!! Love the quilt! Look slike you had a fab time.. Never tried a camel burger, have to now (already tried ostrich and zebra...)