Lisa Watson Blog
It was my first visit to Burghley Horse Trials last week and it didn’t disappoint. The Country Living Makers Marquee and my stand within it were ideally situated for excellent viewing of the eventing on Saturday. As it was just me manning my stall throughout, I didn’t have any opportunity to investigate the site, but I was kept up to date with competitor developments as thankfully a fellow exhibitor Claire knows what’s what and who’s who in eventing.
And in between the highly enjoyable activity of people and dog watching throughout the four days, I had some excellent chats with exhibitors & visitors, and made some sales. Thank you to all my Burghley customers.
Read MoreThis summer I have been taking my distinctly British, Handmade and unique Quilts, Cushions & More! to local Manchester Makers Markets. My next local fair is at The Manchester Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair 2016 on Sunday 11th Sep. I am also booked in for BluePatch Fair on 1st Oct in Dulwich Village and HandMade Edinburgh 28-30 Oct.
See you there x
Read MoreA cornucopia of quilts were to be found at The Festival of Quilts 2016 last week. Quilters from around the world descend on the NEC in Birmingham this time every year to display their awesome quilts, network and celebrate all things quilts. I visited on the opening day and it is just the tonic of colour, pattern and textures to inspire and motivate. I was particularly impressed to see my friend Maria Thomas deservedly showcased in The Fine Art Quilts exhibition. Here are some of my quilt highlights;
The Festival of Quilts is similar to the Olympics for quilters, or maybe the world athletics championships, as it’s a yearly event! I am so proud of TeamGBs achievements in Rio. It’s addictive watching all the competitors in all these live events! Go TeamGB
Read MoreMonday Motivation! Always lots to do, but where to start? It’s a mixed smorgasbord this week and that’s how I like it…I’m finishing another Harris Tweed patchwork cushion order to send out to the Harris Tweed shop at Rhegad in Penrith.
I’m working on a new Folklore Sampler Quilt with a weaving company in Darwen, Lancashire and re-ordering more of my delicious Made in Britain woollen blankets. Thankfully for Wimbledon and for us the sun is shining today, but a cosy quilt or blanket are ideal to have at hand, to combat any chills, just in case…during the Great British summer.
As ever, I am filling my calendar with lots of select fairs to showcase my Quilts, Cushions & More! This summer I am attending lots of local Manchester Makers Markets. I have been posting times and dates of these as they happen. I am also booked in for Burghley Horse Trails 1-4 Sep, BluePatch Fair on 1st Oct at Dulwich Village and Handmade Edinburgh 28-30 Oct. More details to follow shortly via my What’s On page.
And if you wish to try your hand at stitching, I have a Patchwork and Quilting course running in beautiful Ambleside in The Lake District on Sunday 23rd October. Bookings are now being taken; www.georgiagravellestudio.com
Now I’m off to take some photos of my current cushion stock for my website shop. All my cushions, as with my quilts, blankets & more are Distinctly British, Handmade and One of a Kind.
Enjoy your day whatever it entails x
Read MoreYesterday was an eventful day. First thing we were off to the MMU degree shows, which always delight and inspire. Back in the Day I studied embroidery here. Now there is an architecturally inspiring building that houses Manchester School of Art and all the talented and creative students. I hope all the graduates take their hard work, excitement and energy from their degrees and continue to soar and succeed.
We then headed into town for the Manchester Day Parade. It’s shocking to admit, but this was our first time! The theme this year was EUREKA! an adventure of wonder, invention and curiosity. We were bowled over by the fun atmosphere and the brilliantly bonkers scientific themed parade. Manchester Day is created by local people who work with Walk the Plank’s team of skilled artists to bring their ideas to life, inspired by all things marvelously Mancunian.
Via a delicious late lunch stop in Chinatown we headed off to HOME arts complex to see the latest Studio Ghibli anime, the sweet When Marnie Was Here
An exceptional and fun day out in Manchester, even though we headed home in a downpour (so Mancunian!) which is just one of many reasons why #ILove MCR
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If an excuse was needed to treat your super dad, this Sunday’s Father’s Day is it. And what better than The Shackleton, a Gentleman Explorer Quilt
To recap Simon Middleton from the Shackleton Company (previously The Great British Banjo company) asked me to create a Shackleton quilt inspired by the great man.
https://www.quiltsbylisawatson.co.uk/manly-shackleton-quilt-being-stitched-now/
The top of the quilt is Harris Tweed made from 100% wool. This is hardwearing fabric woven in Harris on the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, so the flecks of colour and weaves of the tweed fit in perfectly with the rugged landscape of Antartica where Shackleton and his men survived their epic adventure. The back of the Shackleton includes durable corduroy in just the right gents trousers shade encircled with utilitarian fabrics from Ian Mankin.
The Shackleton is 100% British made with fabrics carefully chosen to reflect the age and times that Shackleton encountered and inspired.
To buy your very own individual Gentleman Explorer Quilt (all the Harris Tweed tops are unique) click the link to the Shackleton Quilt
Read MoreI enjoy a frisson of excitement when receiving new images of my Quilts, Cushions and More!
These delightfully rustic images don’t disappoint. They are taken by the photographer Yeshen Venema from yesh&tash as part of a recent Folksy photo shoot, to have my Quilts, Cushions & More! professionally styled & photographed. Keep an eye on the Folksy twitter&instagram for more delicious images.
Both the lovely stylist Hilary and the cottage owner Dorian liked both these blankets so much they brought them! I think once you have an opportunity to see, handle (and smell!) my Yorkshire wool, comfortable weighty British made blankets they begin to work their magic. Which of course is why excellent photographs of all my products are essential for my on-line shop.
Thanks Yeshen and Folksy for this opportunity x
Read MoreDid you see Kenneth Brannagh as Sir Ernest Shackleton last Saturday night re-telling of the epic and heroic tale of how Shackleton journeyed with his men back to civilisation after their ship Endurance become literally stuck in the ice on the way to Antartica? If you missed it, catch up here
At the end of last week I enjoyed a relaxed Friday hand finishing a new Shackleton ‘Gentleman Explorer’ quilt, which I posted to the new owner this morning, which timely fits in with all the current Shackleton 100 commemorations.
The first two decades of the 20th century saw a number of pioneering expeditions to the last unexplored continent on Earth – Antarctica.
8th August 2014 marks the start of the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, also known as the Endurance Expedition. On this day 100 hundred years ago, Endurance set sail from Plymouth.
The Shackleton 100 site brings together in one place information on events taking place across the world to commemorate the 1914-17 Antarctic expeditions.
The Shackleton Quilt was first stitched in Autumn 2014. Here’s the recap;
The top of the quilt features sumptuous but rugged panels of genuine Harris Tweed, the world-renowned and amazingly hardwearing fabric, woven in Harris on the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The flecks of colour and weaves of the tweed fit in perfectly with the rugged landscape of Elephant Island and the skies and waters of the Southern Ocean, where Shackleton and his men survived their epic adventure.
The back of the quilt includes durable corduroy in just the right gents’ trouser shade, encircled with handsome utilitarian fabrics from Ian Mankin.
The Shackleton is a perfect quilt for the gentleman explorer’s study, bedroom, living room or tent! Ideal for an autumn evening of outdoor banjo playing too!
http://shackletoncompany.com/products/shackleton-gentleman-explorer-quilt-in-harris-tweed
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Following the excitement of over 900 horses, plus assorted humans performing in a truly impressive celebratory pageant at Windsor Castle last weekend, my copy of The Queen at 90, an accompanying commemorative publication has arrived!
This book is bursting with lots of amazing images of The Queen throughout her 90 year reign, as well as highlighting British and Commonwealth businesses, including (drum roll please) Quilts by Lisa Watson. Quilty Pleasures can be found on p167.
I’m rather taken by the quote at the end of the write up as it really encapsulates my business; People buy my quilts because they want something that is unique, as well as something that is really well made, British and bursting at the seams with quality.
Click to view my full collection of quilts, cushions and more x
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Quilts By Lisa Watson are pleased to be featured in the June The World Of Interiors Material World feature. See p253 for further details x
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