Sorry not to have written for a while - I've been away (twice) - more in a moment - and have been working hard on various projects for next years show and the year ahead.

Well, would you like the good news or the very good news first? Actually it is all very good news so thats go ahead with that: 

The 2008 show was visited by more visitors than ever before and we had so many lovely things said by our visitors, lots of comments about the wonderful exhibitions - so thank you to all our exhibitors, about the warmth and friendliness of our volunteers, so thank you to all our volunteers, the variety and choice of goods on offer by our traders, so thank you to all you traders.......I could go on but you get the general idea. 

Next years (2009) show will be even better, we have exhibitions coming from France, from around the world, from Scotland and the rest of the UK.  We have a wonderful new juried exhibition called "Homecoming Quilts", please spread the word around all the quilters you know outside Scotland.  LLQS09 is part of the official "Homecoming Scotland" programme for 2009, do visit www.homecomingscotland.com.  So encourage friends near and far to come to Scotland in 2009 and make sure that they come in May and visit us as well.

The new LLQS programme for classes and workshops - all year around will be announced at the beginning of August, with classes etc starting in September.  We have a new office, storage and WORKSHOP space in Dumbarton.  The three of us are busy re-wiring (is there no end to our talents?) with help from our friends, stripping (that's paint stripping) sanding and painting.  Its fun and hard work - but we have to be ready for September.

Isabel, Patricia and I have just been away with another friend Fiona on a New England Quilt Tour with Country Heritage Tours of Amherst New Hampshire.  We had the best time four quilters could have.  Our tour companions - another 47 women and 1 man were guided around quilt shops, shows and exhibitions by the world's best guide Vicki Pitts.  Driven with care and expertise by Renee.  We can't say enough good things about this trip, truely a great time was had by all, we can't wait to book for the next time.

Stay in touch - I'm  here over the summer - just a few days hooky to do some judging down at Birmingham and one or two other things. 

On e personal note - Richard and I have just celebrated 30 years of marriage!  Patricia is awaiting - anyday now - the birth of a new grandchild and Isabel and Chris are putting in a new kitchen.  Just in case you don't think we have lives outside LLQS.

Back soon

Ruth

Well........LLQS 2008 went by in a flash.......it was so lovely seeing you all - seeing all the quilts - hearing all the stories..so please all come back next year so we can do it all again! 

We were so blessed by your presence, by the quilts and by the weather.  Thank you.  To our fantastic volunteers a huge thank you as well. 

We've put the show newsletters on the website this year so that you can see them again and print them off for yourselves if you  missed a day.  They do make for hard work - but I think they are enjoyed by all - so thank you to my co-writer and production manager, Richard.  Actually all our husbands need a huge thank you - aren't they wonderful?  They appreciated that many of you did say thank you to them - and they loved the hugs they collected on the way round.

Mr "Fix It" Rod Hannah - was not around much during the show but we can't make a show without him.  I think he received at least one marriage offer this year - but bad news - he's devoted to Beth & their two daughters.

Patricia, Isabel and I do mean it when we say that we read all your comments - we do.  We actually make graphs and group the comments (Good and Bad) according to subjects.  Then we make a plan to change those things that need changing and keep the things we got right.  It will take a week or so to finish the report that I'll give to P & I, to our investors and funders - if you would like to see a copy please ask, its an exciting read I can tell you!

Before I start thanking the milkman and the lampost I'll stop for now but will be back soon with more news.

Haste ye back - and meantime Drum Bun (my Romanian is so good these days) it literally means "road good" but have a safe journey home and come back soon.

Ruth

I think the three of us (Isabel, Patricia and me) wake up each  morning with a jolt - what will the day bring?  Can we have forgotton to order trophies - printing - lunches or tell each other something important?  Ofcourse the fact that I'm writing about these things mean that I haven't forgotton them - its the things I've forgotton that I can't remember - if you know what I mean.

Pre quilt show jitters get to each of us in different ways - mine seems to be manic list making - something I'm not usually prone to.  If it all get too much I go and iron something - I love the warm steamy doing something practical nature of ironing - piles of lovingly iron and folded shirts for Richard.  Just in case you think I'm a real nutcase - I don't like any other bit of housework - dust is free to wander at will around my house!  It often seem to meet other dust and form "attractive" rolling dust bunnies.

Off to deliver leaflets - collect trophies - see photo man - Ian Wilson etc etc etc...

See you all soon

As most of you know I belong to every quilting group that will have me - so if you don't want me for a member and you see me approaching - you are duely warned!

Last week at the Helensburgh and District Quilters (who meet in Helensburgh!) we had a wonderful talk by Yvonne Bodicott of Morceau in Penrith, followed the next day by an class introducing us to the techniques.  Yvonne's students had an exhibition at the 06 Loch Lomond Quilt Show.  It was one of those exhibitions where you can hear people take a breath as they come into the church - and let it out with a WOW!

Yvonne is an exceptionally inpsiring teacher, anyone who has been teaching Baltimore techniques for 15 years and has had numerous students finish full sized Baltimores, and in some cases more than one, must be doing a whole lot of things right.  We were not dissapointed - we went home tired but happy at the end of a day where we had learnt how to make stems, leaves and flowers, where we had discussed colours, fabrics, threads and needles.

Many of her students travel huge distances to attend her classes, the classes are twice a month, but Yvonne is relaxed about those who cannot get to every class.  Some of us are so keen we are organising either trips down to Penrith or trip up here for Yvonne - watch this space and I'll keep you up to date on what is arranged.

Lots to do for this years show - so off to work now, actually that means clicking on to another screen, so e-mails here I come.

Ruth

Now all you opsimaths out there are busy with your  latest project, class, new skill......Ah, but what is an "opsimath" I hear you ask...well although I hate to admit it - its me and probably you as well.  Its an older person who goes on learning, or learns something new.  I love learning - not quite so keen on the old bit.  I think the learning of new skills is what keeps our brains going, and generally makes quilters such an engaging and enlivening group to be amongst.

Isabel, Patricia and I were all down at the Quilters Guild AGM in Cambridge a couple of weekends ago.  The AGM is not the dull affair the names suggests but a weekend full of meeting of old (that word again) friends, hearing wonderful talks, going to great classes, seeing quilts, shopping a little and the odd glass of wine.  We enjoyed our annual treat of a midnight feast in our pjs at the hotel.  No sticky buns and coco for us - wine, olives and dips were the order of the night.

We managed to book our first exhibition for the 2010 show!!!!!!!!!!  Since then we're booked some more special things for LLQS2010, both exhibitors and classes.  I seem to have started saying "twenty ten" not "two thousand and ten" I really don't know which is correct. 

New exhibitions, classes and themes for LLQS09 will be unvieled on the new website after the 08 show.  Look out for a very special launch on May 26 2008. 

See you all very soon

Ruth

What a treat to hear Jen Jones being interviewed on Woman's Hour..what an amazing project - having Welsh quilts made in Ethiopia!  I'll going to look out the link for you all....might take me more time than I have tonight so Monday or Tuesday probably before I get to it.

"Why can't you did it before then Ruth?"  Yes I can hear you all the way from.....because I'm off at 6.15 am tomorrow with my very good friends Isabel, Patricia and Mary to Cambridge to the Quilters Guild AGM.  I know, I know - isn't that just too much fun for one woman have in a weekend? I'll let you know that as well next week

Have a good weekend = Ruth

Now if you get the title it probably means you've been reading the latest Popular Patchwork.  Thanks Davina and Jane for another great article on the show.  Popular Patchwork - I'm glad to say - caught the Loch Lomond Quilt Show bug the very first year.  They have supported us ever since - and there have also been articles on many of the exhibitors and teachers that have been at the show. 

Isabel, Patricia (who isn't really a luddite at all) and I are really looking forward to seeing you all very soon.  Each year we worry in case we can't put as good a show as last year, but I really think that this years show is going to be great!  I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibitions - I have seen photos of most of the quilts (apart from the competition quilts because I'm judging) but there is nothing like seeing them right in front of you - up close and personal.  In "30 of the Best" - we've overdone it this year with nearly 40 quilts, 38 at the time of writing.  So please don't be too suprised, we just didn't want to disappoint all those who had submitted their work.

Hope to hear from some of you very soon - if you can read this but not work out how to join in - feel free to send me your comments and I'll put them up for you or contact me for more "how to" info.

ruth@lochlomondquiltshow.com

For once the West of Scotland had the best of weather - no snow (well the odd flake) no rain (a miracle) and plenty of sunshine.  I almost envy those of you who had the excuse of snow - surely an ideal time to stay inside and quilt?  Chez Higham - ivy was cleared,  a fallen tree was chopped and shredded and the garden does look better. 

Patricia is visiting her sister Yvonne who works in Thailand - I'm sure there will be stories to tell when she gets back.  Isabel has her daughter Sharon back from three years in New Zealand and Australia.  Two of my daughters are visiting their other sister, Ellie, in China.  So Richard and I went to visit Mr and Mrs O Higham for Easter lunch - and a wonderful Moldovan feast it was.  The table was laden with stuffed chicken, fish salad, stuffed eggs, cold meats, cheeses not to mention three different kinds of Easter bread.  The wonders of modern technology meant that Aliona's mother Lidia, had been able to help her with the baking - watching via webcam + Skype from Sucheni in Moldova.

We can all see so much on the internet, gain so much information on quilts and quilt making, buy so much fabric and look up quilting friends but we can't do what our fingers itch to do - reach out and touch!  So gather with Patricia, Isabel and me to see the best of quilts in May - and with the help of white cotton gloves you can even do a bit o reaching out and touching as well.

A sunny day - what a difference it makes to my spirits.  I actually love rain but....you can have too much of a good thing.  Mind you it does mean that I can see how filthy my windows are now! 

I've been tidying my workroom today - how does it get in such a state?  I really do understand the principle of tidying up at the end of each day its just the doing it that seems to be a problem.  I was sewing away yersterday, and didn't realise how late it had got and nearly missed the Helensburgh and District Quilters monthly committee meeting.  The committee meetings are run so well that they only last for 45 mins or so,  I bet some you out there who are on various committees are feeling very envious now.  Next week, so that's Thursday  14 Feb, we have Toni Hanley (Hope thats spelt right) as our speaker, 7.30 at the Victoria Halls Helensburgh.  Toni is an embroiderer but she always has so many new ideas which apply to quilt making as well as embroidery.  If you would like to come but haven't been before - let me know and I'll introduce you to everyone.

I've been typing this while eating my lunch time soup - chicken and leek, if you must know,  And I haven't spilt any on me or the computer so no tidying up to do here - better go back to my workroom.

Happy quilting!

It's been a while since I've posted but to let you know that I will posting on a regular basis from now on.

Six words only - did anyone hear this Hemmingway story?  Hemmingway clained he could write his life story using on six words - Radio 4 picked up on a website that has 850 six word life stories and asked for listeners to send theirs in,  Mine is "Stitched together with love and joy" - I'm sure you can all do better - do let me know!

Quilt show stuff coming along well, it's going to be a good 2008 show.  We do have about half the exhibitions for the 2009 show in outline - so please let us know if you see any exceptional work that you would like to see in Scotland next year.  We will do our best - although some exhibitions may be beyond our means = the three of us can only get to so many shows and exhibitions ourselves so your help will be invaluable.

Local - Glasgow and surrounding areas - quilting groups are needed for a number of new and/or keen quilters who want to learn, so do contact me if you know of classes and beginners groups starting up.

Guild members - the deadline for the journal quilts has been exteneded to the 14 Feb - so if like me you missed the first deadline - no excuses this time.  Not sure what a journal quilt is, well here goes.  A journal quilt is an A4 sized quilt - (that fits into a plastic file pocket) that is a snap shot of a feeling, technique, thought or style expressed using quilt making/embroidery/textile art methods.  Some competitions do have specific rules - such as must have three layers so do check before you enter.  I think of them as a way to get something finished!  No - seriously -as a way of sampling something different or getting something out of my system that doesn't involved months of work and huge amounts of materials.  A sort of sketch rather than the complete oil painting.  Do look up journal quilts on the internet - Frieda Oxenham's webiste is a good place to start!

Hi everyone

Just some general out and about news - I had the great pleasure of visiting the quilters of Aberdeen.  The granite city itself was grey, wet and windy.  The quilters are anything but (I do apologise for the windy reference) - they are welcoming, warm and their quilts are stunning.  Greetings to all of them. 

I was in Aberdeen to do a talk on LLQS and a workshop the following day.  For those who don't know - we are happy to do a talk about LLQS for your group (wherever),  The talk is free, help toward travelling expenses is much appreciated.  We come with a slide show, lots of info and usually some quilts as well.  So far this Autumn we've spoken in Aberdeen, Ayr, Inverness and Peebles.  Sometimes you get all three of us and other times maybe just one or two. 

There was a question re the "Q in the Park", outdoor exhibition, anyone can enter there is no size requirements just remember that your work will be exposed to all the elements and as sadly happened last year, to the night time wanderers through the woods.  It is an exhibition that is enjoyed by so many different groups and individuals who visit the National Park - why not give it a go?

As a member of Helensburgh and District Quilters (I'm the in "and District"), Glasgow Gathering of Quilters and Paisley Patchers I'm looking forward to non stop Christmas parties for the next couple of weeks.  Each of them has different ways of  celebrating Christmas - do let us know of any interesting ideas your group has for Christmas.

Anyone visiting Helensburgh between the 11 and 22 December might like to know that the United Reform Church is holding a Tree Festival - local groups each take a tree (should be about 20) and decorate it inside the church.  H & D quilters have a tree this year and I've been collecting the decorations for them - the decorations are stunning and I hope we get a big tree as there are about 60 decorations so far to go on!

Must get on with some LLQS paperwork today or Isabel will be chasing me!  Chat again soon.

Ruth

Dear All,

Have been out and about on this not very inspiring day - a quiet, damp autumn stillness in the woods (only distrubed a little by three large dogs crashing around) and I found my self wondering what exactly I'm going to make for this year's "Q in the Park - Geological Jaunts" exhibition. 

I've been looking through my photos of rocks, mountains and landscapes - mmm what to do.....?  Perhaps I should be looking at materials: fabrics, threads and the like?  How do you work through sources of inspiration to find a starting point?  Is it words, images, materials or something less tangible?  Any one out there who would like to share their startign point?

Happy stitching

Ruth

Hi, y'all, this is Ruth here

Back from several trips over the summer and autumn - really changed my veiw of borders...so I was thinking of what i would do for "Bordering on the Extravagant", but ofcourse I'm not allowed to enter!

Richard and I drove across Europe from West to East (and back again) which gave me ideas of making a quilt of borders each one showing a little something of the characters of the countries we drove through. 

Outward bound: Scotland, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia,  Hungary, Romania and finally out of Europe into the Republic of Moldova.

Homeward bound: Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, England and SCOTLAND! 

Now don't tell me that wouldn't make an interesting quilt, please don't hold your breath though it might be a while in the making.

Happy quilting and looking forward to seeing 2008 entries - do ask if there is anything you need to know.

Ruth