Wowed by Welsh Quilts

Last Friday Mum and I spent a very enjoyable time learning more about Welsh Quilts.  We went to the Town Hall in Lampeter where Jen Jones has based her collection.  This year's exhibition is all about comparing Welsh and Amish quilts.  There are some really beautiful examples of both traditions in the display and its fascinating to see the similarities.  Many of the quilts on display are more than 120 years old and the detail in the handiwork is really inspiring.

After lunch we took ourselves to Cae Hir Gardens, only a few miles away.  These gardens have been fashioned from a steep 6 acre hillside site and they are really pretty.

While Dad enjoyed the planting and design, Mum and I enjoyed the outdoor exhibition of modern quilts.  There were about 40 quilts displayed around the different sections of the garden. 

This is a detail of one quilt that particularly caught my eye..  the fabric has a musical theme then a treble clef design has been stitched all over the quilt.  I hope that you can make it out from my picture.  I understand that it's this 'secondary design' which is typical of Welsh quilts...

This was the view from the top of the garden. 

We chatted to the owners for a while when we made our way back down to the coffee shop at the bottom. They explained that this was the first quilt exhibition that they'd ever tried but they had definite plans to do other one next year.  I think it was a lovely idea that worked really well.

Since I got home I've tackled some of my projects with renewed vigour.  There's nothing quite like seeing some-one else's beautiful finished work to 'get the crafting juices flowing' again!

Thanks to Mrs Thrify for the 'One Lovely Blog' award.  I will try to respond properly to it this time!