The weather here in London UK is beautiful, it's sunny and warm. In fact I'm beginning to worry that the weather is peaking too early, after all Spring only started on Monday and the weather is already behaving like summer. I'm not complaining as it's a very welcome relief after the rain and cold of recent weeks. Our house faces south and so our through living room dining room has been bathed in sunlight all day. It's been a pleasure setting up my machine on the dining table and enjoying sewing time in the sun. I've opened the patio doors behind me and can enjoy the bird songs (and squabbles) as they visit the feeder. I'm also enjoying being able to dry my washing outside again. I do need to get out into the garden to do some weeding and general tidying, plus we will need to get some bedding plants for the pots. The sun has really lifted my mood and I have several photos I want to share with you. Unfortunately, whilst caring for our old and sick fur babies I didn't feel much like blogging or stitching but the sun has given me a boost.
Last Saturday we celebrated John's 70th birthday. His birthday was on March 15th but ahead of time we moved the day to the weekend as we knew Scamp would not live through the week. Saturday also meant that our older daughter was able to join us but unfortunately, Oliver, her partner was working, so not quite the full family complement. Between us we had decided to be a little silly. Since there was nothing big and expensive John wanted we decided to get him 70 presents. they had to be things he would like, would be able to use or that would be eaten. Richard and Lucy set the dining table with the presents so this is what John saw when he went into the room.
In the end he had over 70 presents, mostly because we all got a little excited and bought extras plus we lost count! It took a while for him to open them all but we all enjoyed the bubbly while he did so. He was amazed we'd managed to keep it all hidden away and loved the varied gifts he received.
The previous weekend John and I went away to our favourite hotel, a little south of Bath. This was John's birthday weekend but I got a trip to my favourite quilt shop, Midsomer Quilting. John had put in bids on two of the 12 inch challenge quilts and having won them, he needed to pick them up. Many of the quilts in the challenge are auctioned to raise money for the local hospice. As always the shop had quilts on display.
My favourite quilt on display was this one.
Based on the Bayeux tapestry style and depicting it being made I love the things that bring it bang up to date. Can you spot the electric sewing machine? The work on this quilt was fabulous. I haven't been to the festival of quilts for many years but I may try and visit this year.
On the Sunday we visited Lacock village and Lacock Abbey. Both have been used as venues for filming, appearing in Downton Abbey, the BBC's Pride and Prejudice and Cranford, Harry Potter and the half blood prince and Wolfman amongst others. The village is owned by the National Trust and people live in the houses in the village. The summer period must be a nightmare with loads of visitors all taking photos. I only took 1 photo of the village streets.
70 gifts?!?! What fun idea since there was nothing "big" that John wanted for his birthday. Sewing machine, house, and car... all hidden in plain view. Thanks for sharing that incredible quilt, Lyndsey!
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