The Eternal Maker and the 12 year old Patchwork

Every once in a while a day comes along that blesses beyond the norm and today was one of those days. 

There is an emporium of delights near Chichester called The Eternal Maker.  One could be forgiven for driving past and completely missing this warehouse of delights, as it is tucked away on an industrial estate.  On my first visit a year ago, my lovely friend Karen just about hyperventilated as we walked through the door, as there before our eyes, were row upon row of beautiful fabrics, ribbons, and buckets of buttons of all different shapes and colours.

Karen and I decided it was time for a return visit. This ramshakle emporium inspires and brings out the creative spirit from within.  All manner of 'projects' and 'ideas for projects' come to mind when you peruse the fabrics and haberdashery.  Who could fail to be inspired by a bucket of purple buttons?

Or even cream buttons that invite the hand to dive in and fondle and feel, while the mind is racing; deciding just exactly what it is you could do with them, justifying your buying just one bag of the beautiful pearl jewels.

As is often the case with those of us who get excited about getting a new project under way, tempted by the pretty things; ric rac, ribbon, or glittery beads, it is often in the knowledge that there are plenty of unfinished projects that lay waiting at home needing completion. 

Remembering some patchwork I started some 12 years or so ago, I decided that today would be the day of it's completion.  I had always intended to back the patchwork and make a small quilt to use when camping.

Spurred on with fresh intent, Karen and I returned home, put the kettle on and settled in to an afternoon of sewing.  Karen made heart 'rosettes' and I quilted and backed my patchwork.

With the quilt complete, it was time to add some buttons which I could not resist buying earlier in the day.

Karen, once mastering the '16 step guide to making rosette hearts', made a couple of hearts for me to adorn my quilt. Of course, I had to have hearts!!

And voila! the finished project, which I began some 12 years ago, and which took an hour or maybe two to complete.....

One quilt to keep my legs warm on a summers evening camping, whilst drinking my hot chocolate..

And don't worry, I was inspired with a new project...... lace and buttons were purchased to decorate a new lampshade for my hallway.  This will be done tomorrow, or even may be the day after, or maybe next week!!