Glamorous visitors

Thought I would show our windows which we are very proud of (we think they are tasteful and subtle) so have added some pictures.  Our original plan was to change them every week but have since realised that this is slightly unrealistic. 



Had a visit from two of my most glamorous, young & slim friends (Tansy & Rebecca) on a day when I am wearing a bra that my husband had boiled washed (I didn't think when I put it on) so it was too tight, a cardigan which did its best to accentuate my bra and all the flab that was trying to escape, an old skirt and boots.  You can imagine how glamorous I felt beside them! Tansy is doing a button jewellery workshop for us so came in to have a chat - she has written a book called 'Earrings' which is due out in June so hopefully people in the class will get a preview.

Debby

Photo'd out

This last week has been different

We have managed to finish our workshop/class list and I have even been able to get it onto the website but not the correct way (as described by Cam who made the website and the manual) in my own basic way by copying and pasting.  I spent so long trying to follow the instructions only to find it failed, so instead of jumping up and down on the computer I  reverted to simple basic I.T the only way I know how.  Looking back over the list I can't believe that I offered to do cathedral window, even more so after making a sample over the christmas break (not even a quilt, just six squares) in my description I say that you could make a quilt!!!

We have had some new fabric in and now we are snowed under with ideas but time always seem to be the problem.

On Tuesday we were busy having our photos taken with Jenny Dove, Bronwin Gwillim and other members of staff from Musgrove Park Hospital. We are helping with a wonderful project to help make Sedgemoor Ward, who look after patients with dementia, a much more welcoming and postive environment. I have attached the press release and hopefully people will be inspired to make at least one 4" square  to be added to the Memory Quilt.  The information should go in the local newspapers (not sure my photo will appear as the photographer said that I looked a bit fierce!! but Jenny, another lovely lady called Sue and hopefully Joan will be featured)

Packs are now available in the shop if you would like to help.

Making Memories - Musgrove Memory Quilt


Are you good with a needle and thread? Fancy doing something creative?

Want to help people suffering from dementia?

Musgrove Park Hospital is inviting creative people to contribute to the Musgrove Memory Quilt which will help make Sedgemoor Ward become a model of care for patients with dementia.

What is the Musgrove Memory Quilt?

The Musgrove Memory Quilt will be made up of 4 large panels each representing life in Somerset in the 40’s 50’s 60’s and 70’s. Vintage fabrics, photographs and small items such as old tickets, cards and buttons will be added to the quilted panels to add interest and character. The completed panels will be installed along the right hand side of the corridor as you enter from the hospital street.

Jenny Dove, an award winning textile artist will be working with Art for Life, Musgrove’s art project, to complete the quilt. The project is sponsored by new quilting shop Dotty Dolly in Wellington and they are inviting local textile artists, students, community groups, staff and patients to get involved by producing a small square piece that can be included in the final design.

Why is it so important?

Hospital can be a scary place for someone with dementia and the busy and unfamiliar environment can be especially confusing. Musgrove’s Sedgemoor Ward has gained a national award to develop a more welcoming and positive environment with clear signage, places to walk and sit and stimulating things to look at and handle. At the heart of this project will be the Musgrove Memory Quilt specially made to engage patients and inspire them to remember the past.

How to get involved

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to Dotty Dolly quilters shop at 13 Fore Street Wellington (opposite the National West Bank)
2. Chose one of the 4 memory decades, either the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or 70’s
3. Pick up a pack and carefully read the instructions
4. Get creative
5. Drop off your finished piece back at Dotty Dolly by 1st April 2011




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So please help - we don't know what our future holds.

Debby

Still on about Christmas

My last blog didn't cover all of Christmas so need to just catch up a bit. 

We had some lovely cards from our customers, particularly Audrey who made her card with a range of christmas fabrics which was a really nice thing to do.  We also met quite a few men who came in to buy presents for their wives some of which had an idea of what they would like some who had no idea at all!!  The most encouraging thing was that people were buying starter kits for their children/teenagers.

The nearer it got to Christmas the more rubbish my wrapping became, I am not the best at working out the best way to make things look attractive (I can see Joan cringing sometimes) at times it looks like I am wrapping fish and chips so apologies if you were one of my victims.  Over Christmas there was an episode of Miranda showing her wrapping skills, that should give you an idea of mine.

If you are in need of a break this year one of our customers (Kate) is running patchwork and quilting breaks which sounds a lovely idea, all you do is sew and use your creative side and someone else does the rest, including the cooking.  You can find out more from her website http://www.come2quilt/.

I need someone to help with this blogging thing - I have added us as a follower of our blog (which is ridiculous) and can't delete it, what I wanted to do was become a follower of sticherydo but I have now done it wrong twice so if you know how I can sort it out I would be very grateful. 

Debby

Our break is over

Well our break is over and we are back in the shop tomorrow morning - its going to be a bit of a shock getting up early again.  Joan rang this afternoon panicking as it was snowing and we could really do without another week of bad weather but the forecast is not too bad (hopefully). 

We have decided to put some of our fabric on to a clearance shelf so you may see us debating (not arguing) about which ones we want to put forward.

It was nice to get a message over the holiday from a lady called Rosemary who is reading our blog in Northamptonshire which is amazing, I always think I am mostly talking to myself, which is normal as you will know if you walk past the shop.  We also have a radio now so I am keeping the singing quiet at the moment but guaranteed it will get louder as time goes on, you never know Joan and I may start performing dance routines if the right record (showing my age) comes on!!!

Hope you have all had a happy and peaceful break and look forward to seeing you soon

Debby