Friendship

The mugs are set up on old bushel boxes - good for carrying and for showing!

So, we're back from the Quilt Show and I can honestly say it was exhausting but also great fun.  The thing that stood out for me over the two days of the show was how friendly and helpful everyone in the world of quilting/sewing/making is!
Obviously I already knew that from blogging with you all, but it was lovely to chat for real and to meet new quilting-mad friends!

Quilt-block wrapping paper in 'Summer Winds' pattern

The lucky draw was drawn - congrats to you, Freda!  Parcel in the post!   It was a good experience and we didn't forget anything, afterall!  So, we will probably do it all again in the Autumn.

'Right Hand of Friendship' ceramic quilt block bowl 

It was also a useful way to get feedback on our new homewares products.  The most popular pattern range amongst customers seems to be the 'Right Hand of Friendship' items, which is also the case for the handmade pottery. That is surely because quilters are such a thoughtful, friendly bunch of people and the sentiment strikes a chord with them.

Friendship gifts.   www.cathydaniel.co.uk

So, lots of these were bought, even for Christmas presents,  (in May!!).

But now, I have to put my pottery hat on for a few weeks, (do potters wear hats??), to catch up with a backlog of orders from some very patient people!  Some of my bowls were seen at the recent Loch Lomond Quilt Show, and as a result, a flurry of orders has come in from north of the border!  And I have also been asked to work on a very special project, which I am seriously excited about, but which will have to wait til another blog post!

x Cathy

Can you remember Colours?

You will know that I use thread to attach my handmade buttons to the ceramic quilt bowls and also to sew up the threadbare patches?  Well, I needed more thread and thought I'd just pop in as I was in the town. But which green is mine, and which is the blue that matches the blue glaze I use?  

Sewn-up threadbare patch on ceramic quilt bowl

You'd think it would be easy enough to choose, since I use these threads all the time.  No .... not worth the risk.  Come back another time - a little more prepared!

Handmade ceramic buttons with their matching thread

So I did.  I took my buttons in and matched them up.  Yes ...  I can hear you ... of course, I could just keep the little labels or make a note of the numbers, but that would be way too organised for me!

Quilty homewares products available from us at Spalding Quilt Show 30th & 31st May

So, I am starting to worry that we are not organised enough for the Quilt Show at the weekend - I do have lists of lists - that's a good start!  Come and see us if you're going - we're on Stand 52.  We'll be the ones looking like we've forgotton something!

x Cathy

Same but Different

One single quilt-block pattern.  Millions of individual quilters.  Millions of unique interpretations of that one pattern.  Each finished block/quilt telling its own story of how, why, for whom, it was made.  Each block the same but different, like us.

'Peace and Plenty' quilt block pattern  (McCall's Quilting)

'Peace and Plenty' -  a classic block first published around 1945.  My version in the homewares collection uses vintage 1930s fabric prints, in a traditional red, white and blue colour scheme. What does this say about me?  That I love bold use of colour, striking combinations, perhaps?

Design for Peace and Plenty product range (copyright Cathy Daniel)

Cotton Tea Towel:  www.cathydaniel.co.uk

Below -  a simple but effective version, found on Pinterest.  Hope I've got the attribution source correct.  These colours would look great in my beach house ....  if I had one!

Found on Pinterest :  heikescharmann.wordpress.com

My 'Peace and Plenty' handmade ceramic quilt bowl - same pattern, but different effect. What does this say about me?  That I'm going through a dotty phase?  (Absolutely!)

 

'Peace and Plenty' ceramic quilt block bowl - www.cathydaniel.co.uk

I love the traditional patterns, but I am the first to admit that I am no expert. I'm a potter, not a quilter.

So, if any quilters out there have made any of the patterns I have used for the Homewares range, I would love to show them in future posts.  They are 'Peace and Plenty',  'Summer Winds',  'Bear Tracks'  and  'Right Hand of Friendship'.  Just drop me an email about it - mail@cathydaniel.co.uk.

Have a wonderful, creative, fun week, putting your own unique stamp on to your work!

xCathy