Friday, 1 December 2017

A Cambodian Adventure - Temples

We have recently returned from a fabulous trip round Cambodia. It has been a huge adventure and we learnt such a lot about the country and its history, both ancient and more recent. 


Our first temple visit was at Banteay Chhmar. This moated temple complex is near the Community where we had our first Homestay in Cambodia. A wonderful experience of traditional Cambodian life. 


Before we left Banteay Chhmar, we visited the silk weavers and saw the beautiful scarves and silk products that they were making. They were so lovely I couldn't resist a small scarf as a reminder of the trip.


At Siem Riep we had a very early start to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Unfortunately it was a cloudy morning but this did not alter the grandeur of this beautiful temple complex. 


We also met the local monkey troop which lives here.


At Ta Prohm temple ( my favourite ) the spung trees were growing through the walls and creating wonderful structures in their own right. This is where Tomb Raider was filmed.


Even though the spung is taking over, there are little glimpses of the temple between the roots.


The temple at Angkor Thom again was spectacular and everywhere you looked there were huge carved faces on each side of the pillars. There must have been hundreds of them. 


At  all the temples there were beautiful intricate bas relief carvings depicting  the battles and victories of the early Khmer Kings





I have such a lot of wonderful pictures to sort out and I am sure they will be a source of inspiration in my work in the next year. 

Bev





Friday, 27 October 2017

Autumn Catch Up

Firstly I would like to thank all my students and readers for bearing with me over the last couple of months whilst I recovered from my tonsillectomy. It really knocked me for six and only now am I feeling that I am on the road to recovery. The problem with being out of action is the amount of work that needs catching up. I feel as if I am getting on top of it now, thank goodness.

Last weekend we had a fun 2 day workshop at Tudor Rose Patchwork, Oakley making kaleidoscope quilts. These are some of the blocks and quilts in progress from the weekend. 






Christine, Fiona, Joy, Margaret, and Stephanie all worked so hard and I can't wait to see the finished quilts. 

There was also a flurry of quilts in the Beginners Patchwork & Quilting classes

Cherry with this lovely rail fence quilt

Judy and her beautiful king sized quilt.

and Margrit with her fabulous bed runner.

Lots of new projects were started this week and I am looking forward to seeing them as they develop.
Happy Quilting
Bev



Tuesday, 22 August 2017

More printing

It has been a busy weekend in the studio with more of my City & Guilds students joining me for a couple of days of printing and stencilling.


Lots of techniques and art materials were explored to see what effects could be made on paper and fabric.
This is a gallery of photos from the day.



  
 


I had a lovely time as well using one wooden printing block to make these  printed charm squares.


 Now to decide what to make with them

Bev

Sunday, 20 August 2017

City & Guilds News

Many moons have passed since my last blog post but believe me I have been busy. 

Nine students have completed their City & Guilds courses and I would like to congratulate them for all their hard work.

Level 1 Hand Embroidery - Helen Macintosh and Helen Atkinson

Level 1 Patchwork & Quilting - Anne Wilkinson, Wendy Harkness, Sue Ives, Clare Raymond Barker and Jon Massey

Level 2 Patchwork & Quilting - Paula Tidman and Deborah Moore.

Their work has been a joy to go through and I look forward to seeing them progress in the future. I will post pictures of their work soon.

Meanwhile I have been kept on my toes my by current City & Guilds students. 
We have been having wonderful messy days in my home studio, printing, silk screen, thermofax, mono printing and block printing. We have also been stencilling and using discharge pastes. 





We are busy again this weekend and I am amazed at all the work that my students produce in such a short time.

Bev





Thursday, 10 August 2017

In My Garden BOTM Quilt

It has been many moons since my last blog post but believe me it has been a super busy time. 

One very exciting project which I can now share is my Block of the Month Quilt exclusive to  Tudor Rose Patchwork


I was in my garden when I started this design, drawing and sketching ideas in my sketchbook. Flowers, butterflies, vegetables and lots of other garden inspiration. The only block I designed straight to computer was the flower pots as I didn't have my sketchbook to hand. 
Each month there is a new appliqué pattern and it builds up into this fun quilt.


Today it is being launched at the Tudor Rose Stand at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham. 
Pop by and see the finished quilt on their stand. 

I am looking forward to being at the FOQ on Saturday and seeing all the wonderful quilts on display.
It was also great to hear the FOQ mentioned on the Radio 2 Chris Evans show this morning. You can never have too much quilting chat.

Happy Quilting
Bev

Monday, 17 April 2017

Grasmere Cushion Pattern

I have now published the Grasmere Cushion Pattern based on my popular Grasmere Quilt design. This is a great small project if you do not want to make a large quilt.

 The cushions measure 18" square (45 cms) approx each.



The pattern is available from my Etsy Shop - RoeMayo and local patchwork and quilting shops. 

More new designs are coming soon, including a great messenger bag and handy tote. 
Happy Quilting
Bev



A visit to Keswick

We have had a lovely visit back to my home town of Keswick in the English Lake District. Whilst we were there we popped into the wonderful quilt exhibition which is on at Rheged near Penrith. New Quilting Exhibition it is on until Sunday 23rd April.

These are some of the wonderful quilts on display.

Ramona Conconi - Under the Sea

Sara Impey - Bitter Pills

 John Winn- Jungle

There are also a few quilts on display from the Hellback Collection, by kind permission of Charles Blackett-Ord.
This is the wonderful 1799 patchwork coverlet which comprises over 4000 pieces. 


I would recommend a visit if you are nearby.

I am also pleased to announce another outlet for my range of patchwork patterns.  Needles & Pins in Keswick where you can see my patterns in the window and are available for purchase inside. 



This is a little treasure trove of a shop,  packed with knitting and crochet supplies, beads and fat quarters for patchwork, and now my patterns.
It was a great visit home and I am looking forward to returning soon.

Happy Quilting
Bev

Saturday, 25 March 2017

Keswick Quilt pattern and special offer

I am excited that my next pattern has been published. This was originally the mystery quilt on the blog but has now been renamed "Keswick" after my home town.

Keswick Quilt Pattern on RoeMayo Etsy shop 

It is a square quilt approximately 65" square (166cms) with a bold pattern of blocks - on point and directional. 






In a previous post I showed Lynn's wonderful version of the pattern. 
I love seeing how the design changes with different fabric choices. 

To celebrate having my sixth pattern published in this booklet form, I have added a special "buy any 2 pattern" offer on my Etsy shop. Single patterns cost £8.99 plus postage and buy any 2 patterns £13.50 



Buy 2 Patterns  Roemayo Etsy Shop

I have added more links on the pattern page of the blog.

With the City & Guilds courses closing soon I am offering a last level 2 course at Bee Crafty at Ellington. I also may have space on the level 2 course at Tudor Rose Patchwork near Bedford.

Please contact me at rmcreativestitches@hotmail.com for further details

City & Guilds Patchwork & Quilting - Level 2 Certificate at Bee Crafty starting in May 2017     PLACES AVAILABLE


Happy Quilting
Bev



Tuesday, 14 March 2017

Tuesday Catch up

Today I am feeling slightly sorry for myself as I have just had cataract surgery. Sitting here in an eye patch I am getting impatient for things to get back to normal ( or even better than normal with my new bright shiny eyes ) but it has only been a few hours since it was done. Colours will be clearer, I hadn't noticed how dull everything was getting. No rose tinted glasses needed as I had inbuilt sepia lenses.

Having a day at home I can take stock of the last week and post an update so it not all bad.


Fridays Focus On - Applique group was busy and several of the students brought in pieces they had started in my day schools earlier in the year.


Pearl took part in the Greta table runner day school and brough in her finished under to wow us all. 


Mo and Pam were in the folded patchwork day school. Mo has made these wonderful bright blocks which will be made into a cushion cover.


and Pam used these wonderfully rich fabrics she bought in Japan for her blocks.



I am also going to be running a last City & Guilds level 2 course in Patchwork & Quilting at Bee Crafty at Ellington
This is the last City & Guilds course I will offer as the 7716 craft qualifications are being withdrawn. If you would like details please email me at 
rmcreativestitches@hotmail.com

Places are limited to 10 students and early booking is essential to ensure a place on the course.

The photograph above is Jenny's wonderful wallhanging 
Previous students work can be seen on earlier blog posts

I am now off to rest my eye
Happy Quilting
Bev




Saturday, 25 February 2017

Folded Patchwork Day School

 Folded patchwork is one of my favourite techniques. Following on from the successful day school last year I have extended the technique to include other shapes for this fun cushion cover.


Everyone was so busy they didn't have time to chat 


But we made time at the end of the day to admire everyones work.


Some of the beautiful blocks made on the day. 


 If you would like me to visit your group to teach this technique, or any of my other day schools, email me at rmcreativestitches@hotmail.com

Happy Quilting

Bev Mayo