SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

Hello Patchers and Quilters

Apologies for the late Newsletter.  The summer seems to have passed by in a flash.  A lot of my time has been spent preparing and attending shows.

August 2^nd saw Kit and Kaboodle at Osmotherley Show, not the best of days weather-wise but still well attended.

August 8^th was at Hinderwell Show, this was a new show for me and it was a good day.  The range of ready made reversible Toddler clothes went very well. (see www.kitandkaboodleuk.com under Catalogue see Toddlers)

The following day was another new show for me at Ripley.  This was a cold wet day and I must admit I was glad to get home at the end of the day!

I think the ‘show of shows’ had to be Egton on 20^th August.  As I drove over the moors on a cold morning, an announcement on the radio said that traders and eventers were being pulled onto the show field!  I thought ‘that can’t be right’.  Oh yes it was – later newspaper reports said the field was 6” to 8” deep in mud – I am here to tell you that it was more like 10” to 12”!  Five tractors were waiting at the entrance to pull vehicles onto the field; fortunately an official took pity on me and said I could park on hard standing with the sheep!! That was fine, but I then had all my boxes to carry across the show field to the craft marquee on the opposite side of the field.  Fortunately for me the Craft Secretary had her sons on stand-by and they helped me to unload and re-load at the end of the day.  People were walking around bare foot as shoes had been lost in the mud! Despite all this there were, reportedly, five thousand people there.  It takes a lot to keep Yorkshire people and visitors to Yorkshire, inside.

August 23^rd was Wensleydale Show- at last a sunny, warm day and then August 27^th Reeth Show.  I love this show with the fell racing a huge attraction and enjoyed by all. It is such a beautiful setting – a great day out.

Bowes Show on August 13^th unfortunately had to be cancelled, due to the appalling weather conditions.

The weekend of 20^th/21^st September brought the Dales Harvest at Hawes.  This was the second year for the Dales Harvest.  This year the crafters were in the Memorial Hall and not a marquee, which I think worked a lot better.  Hawes was awash with people – lots to do for everyone of all ages. (Mark this in your diary for next year)

Monday 22^nd September saw the last show of the season at Pately Bridge (Nidderdale Show).  Although not as bad as last year it did rain again and it was cold.  The marquee wasn’t quite the quagmire of the previous year, just a bit muddy underfoot.  The Small Traders marquee has some of the best stalls of the season with lots of variation, something to interest everybody from patchwork to liqueur tasting!!

My last show was a new venture by Whitby Rotary Club – a Town and Country Fair.  There were lots of demonstrations – martial arts, dancing, Whitby Jet Majorettes, Goathland Hunt dogs and more.  Another lovely setting at Cross Butts on the edge of the Whitby Moor looking across towards the Abbey.

Enough of the shows.  Next on the agenda – I am holding two classes at Morton-on-Swale village hall.  The first is to be on Saturday November 15^th and the second on Saturday December 6^th.

As last year the classes will run from 10am to 3pm.  You will be welcomed with tea/coffee and biscuits.  Lunch will be from 12 to 12.30pm (bring a packed lunch) and afternoon tea at 2.30pm with some homemade goodies.  Drinks are available on demand throughout the day!

On November 15^th the class will be QUILTED CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS 

And on December 6^th CHRISTMAS TREE made up of 12 pieces and decorated.

The cost of the class includes all materials and decorations, though you are quite welcome to bring any bits and bobs you may want to use.  The cost of each day is £20.

The classes can be booked by e mailing me at sales@kitandkaboodleuk.com or by telephone on 07801 559 667.  I look forward to seeing you there.

The Block for September is called ‘Wind Rows’ – a variation of a Log Cabin block, using lights and darks in fabric.  It is made up of 13 pieces, squares and rectangles.  The kit contains pre-cut pieces of both fabric and paper for English paper piecing.  I have used a deep blue fabric, a white fabric and a blue and white gingham check.

As usual the kit measures 10” x 10” on completion and made up of 100% cotton fabric the cost being £5 plus £2 p and p.  Order through the web site or contact me by e mail or ‘phone.

Lastly I would just like to tell you about a recent trip to Canada.  My husband and I made a business trip in August to Ontario and I managed to visit one or two (!) quilting and patchwork shops.  It is always interesting to see different interpretations of how fabrics are made up.  It is truly amazing the ideas different people have.  The highlight for me was being able to spend a few minutes quilting with a Mennonite lady.  These ladies are so precise and quick when quilting.  It was a real pleasure to spend some time chatting with them about their quilting.  Many of their quilts were for sale – a real heirloom of the future.

The next Newsletter will bring us round to thinking about Christmas.  I would love to hear your ideas for a quilted Christmas gift.

Happy Sewing - Nona

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