Heaths Country Store - Ollerton

I love this shop.
Of all the craft shops in the world this is the one I would choose.

It is packed to the gunnels with the most glorious quilting materials together with lots and lots of other goodies.  A lot of the fabrics are American and there is definately a feel of old America.  Heath is an Artist in his own right and there are great big pictures on the walls which he has painted himself.

I get so engrossed in the place that I often miss the obvious like the new counter which I walked straight past.

These are a selection of brand new fabrics.  I visited about a month ago and bought a selection for the make-up bag I am embroidering.  It is the project I decided to do at quilting group but I haven't got on very quickly.  I hope to finish it shortly though.

The shop is divided in to little sections show casing particular fabrics inter mingled with pictures, wall hangings and patchwork quilts.  The place never fails to inspire me and I stand and gaze at the sheer beauty of the place.
Heath the owner is a real character with very long hair.  Yesterday he was painting the picture behind the counter and was dressed in a loose flowing artists coverall. He looked very eccentric.

Finally for the wool lovers amongst us.  Moving the counter has opened up the place quite a lot.  It has lost a bit of it's character but I'm sure it will grow in to itself again.  Heath manages to fill every new nook and cranny with exciting worthwhile objects so I can't wait to see what appears the next time I visit.
I didn't manage to photograph the room at the end because there was a knit and natter group being held.  In there is where the darker more oldie worldie fabrics are together with the fat quarters.  I might get a shot next time I go.
You can visit Heaths at 1 Rufford Avenue, New Ollerton, Nottingham, NG22 9PN -
Telephone 01623 836666 or visit their website here
As ever thank you for visiting and I'll speak to you again soon.

Knit and Natter and Autumn Leaves Quilt

It's getting to be a bit of a habit this Sunday morning blog session.  It just seems to fit in nicely with my routine.
Yesterday was a great day at the stall.  Very busy.  My friend Catherine came to see me.  We are in the process of organising a Knit and Natter group which is very exciting.  It will be in Worksop and I should be able to tell you more in the next few days.  We both agree that this seems to be the next natural step forward so watch this space.

Last Wednesday was the St Peter's Mothers Union Festive Lunch.  Yes I know Christmas is well and truly over but we always have our Christmas lunch in January.  We had outside caterers who came to the hall and cooked and served the food.  It was lovely.  This is my Mum who is always well turned out sporting the latest in Christmas Cracker hats.
Thursday was quilting night and here is a selection of sample quilting techniques which we will be attempting this term.  I struggle to keep up with the others so don't be surprised if I don't get to the stage of show casing my own examples.

My teacher Helen is amazing.  She has made all these herself and they look even more vibrant in real life. The quilt is in pieces at the moment.

I love going to this class and even if I don't get round to doing all the different types of applique in person I will still get the tuition and if in the future I do get more time I will be able to put this new found knowledge to good use.

In the meantime I can dream of being skilled enough to achieve such master pieces.

Quilt Festival

Hello, I hope you are having a lovely weekend.  The weather has been great hasn't it?
Yesterday at the stall I was pretty busy and managed to break my takings record.  I had lots of customers who all insisted on buying my lovely wool and accessories.  I even had one lady buy one of my handmade corsages.  It always makes my day when that happens.  To actually have people wanting to buy the things you have made is a very satisfying feeling.

Today has been great.  It has been the Bawtry and Austerfield Quilt Show these past three days and a good time has been had by all.  I volunteered to help in the kitchen for a couple of hours but ended up sat taking the money for the refreshments.  What a nice and easy job for such a hot and sticky day. 
At 2 0'clock we had a lunch of soup and sandwiches with orange squash to wash it all down.  Mmm lovely.
The quilts and other bits and bobs were hung in the two churches and they looked beautiful.

It must be great for our teacher Helen who runs all the classes where all these things were made. 

It never fails to amaze me just how many talented and creative people are out there beavering away.

And of course last but by no means least, my own contribution.  I also had a stool and a craft bag there too. No quilts though.
Unfortunately the brown cushion had the wrong label on it.  I think it must have been a bit late in the day when they got to mine or the label lady had had one too many lemonades.  Never mind.
Bye for now. Paula x