How can I possibly describe the joy the almost-two-weeks-of-retreat gave me? As the weather was not brilliant, I did not have an excuse not to quilt (as if I needed one!) but no matter what the elements threw at me it was just such a pleasure to be able to look out of the window and see THIS
See why I'm so crazy about the place now?
This picture was taken when the sun was shining, but the weather was mostly pretty dire - what do you expect for early February? I really was quite happy about this because it meant I could sit with a crackling log fire, a hot cup of tea and piece away without thinking I should be outside enjoying the scenery. After all, I do go to Port Isaac principally to piece!!
This picture was taken when the sun was shining, but the weather was mostly pretty dire - what do you expect for early February? I really was quite happy about this because it meant I could sit with a crackling log fire, a hot cup of tea and piece away without thinking I should be outside enjoying the scenery. After all, I do go to Port Isaac principally to piece!!
 | So, without further ado... THIS is what I created during the first week of my stay. Strangely, it was inspired by one of my autumn Port Isaac retreats where the weather was similarly bad and made a sort of mini-maelstrom in the harbour. I am SO looking forward to quilting it, as it matches very nicely with the wallpaper in our main bedroom here in France, but I may have to fight off my son, who has fallen in love with it... some things don't change! |
As I got that quilt finished quite quickly I had several days left and so decided to do a rather simpler quilt, the materials for which had been sitting around for a while. I have a theory that 'quilts know their own birthday' and this particular bundle of fabric certainly 'spoke' to me on this occasion! I originally designed it because I had heard a lot about 'South Western colours' but everything which was designed around them seemed very dark. I wanted to create something using that palette but which was a bit lighter and 'sparkly'. Also, because I am quite fascinated by the Clovis settlements in the US - blame my subsidiary studies in anthropology during my first degree for that one! - I was sort of led towards a more 'tribal' feel .
So... this is 'South West Lite'. Although I don't normally use this palette, I'm really happy with the results and I do think it has a bit more of a 'primitive' persona than my usual designs, a bit like cave paintings? Some things do not change, however, because this is another one my son wants to appropriate. If I let him have ALL the quilts he likes, I doubt whether he could get into his room, still less SLEEP!!
It's back to reality now, and I am feeling so much more energised and positive after my 'time off'! I'm also feeling the creative juices stirring so... watch this space....
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