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