WOYWW 444

SHE'S A ...BAD INFLUENCE...

Well, dear WOYWWers, there's been no desk action again this week but there is something new in the craft room!

Aha, yes it is she who must be obeyed! Julia's been staying for a couple of days, needless to say, there hasn't been many awkward silences, we're making up for lost time :-D

A recently picked up flyer had mentioned Art in the Hall, which was in a very small village not far from Llandeilo. We didn't know what to expect really, would it be the sort of crochet toilet roll cover sort of fair? Oh no, it was really high end and in the most magnificent building. The Aberglasney Estate is nearby, where there have been recently restored gardens, so I guess it was all part of it. There were lots of beautiful crafts to admire:

I loved that chunk of elm which had been coloured - it wasn't lacquered as such but glowed in the sunshine.

There was any amount of glorious ceramics....

And a few hares never go amiss :-D  There was gorgeous (and expensive) furniture and textiles. What an unexpected pleasure and it had all been started off by two friends, one of whom attended the same grammar school as me, so there was quite a bit of reminiscing!

And then we carried on to Llandeilo. Gin tasting had to be done.

Mine (on the right) was rhubarb gin and Julia's was an Eccentric - I rest my case, M'Lud.

*Grin*

We had a seat at a bench overlooking the open kitchen and learned a lot from the very calm lady chef. I don't think she got fed up with our questions :-)

Then we went to Deb's Wool Shop and I remembered to take a pic of all of us this time! There had been a party held by the Knit and Natter Group who were still there, chatting away. Any shop that has crisps and chocolate cake on the counter has to be good right?! Deb and Chrissie are lovely people and so helpful too. I strongly recommend you visit this amazing shop - I know a good B&B in Burry Port!!

And finally, I forgot to put this pic up last week - Erna, the Dutch friend who cleaned my Janome, is a quilter par excellence. This is the last quilt she made. I am in awe......

It is gobsmacking! I wouldn't even know where to begin - or even have the patience to complete such a project. Absolutely wonderful!!

The Carolling has started big time with band, so the only crafting I'll be doing is yarn related. Hope you're having more success than me, lol!

Have a great week xxxxxxx

34 comments:

Helen said...

What a beauty that quilt is for sure! love the look of the hall where the craft fair was. Glad you sacrificed some Gin tasting for the cause.... they look gorgeous. Helen #1

Annie said...

What a lovely post....I just knew you two would be having lots of fun....and gin drinking 😂😂😂
That quilt is amazing as was the wonderful crafts you’ve been looking at.
Hugs,
Annie x #7

misteejay said...

Sounds like you and Julia had a wonderful time.
That quilt is amazing Jan, your friend is certainly a very clever lady.
Have a great week.
Toni xx
Toni xx

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Jan, looks like a great time was had by all. Your friend is so talented, the quilt is amazing. Hope all the Christmas music making goes well. Sarah #9

Anne said...

Looks like such fun and your post has cheered me up :-) The work in that quilt is amazing - far beyond my capabilities for sure. Gin tassting - mmmm now that I could do :-) both sound yummy. Have a fun week, I'm sure you will! Anne x 8

Unknown said...

Thank you for visiting again. x That is the most beautiful and amazing quilt. See you soon. xx

Sue said...

Hi Jan, So glad you and Julia had such a fab time. The Art in the Hall looks great. Shame things were expensive. I have a thing for Hares, particularly if they are looking up at the moon.

Looks like the Gin was going down very well:)

Bet you took a while in the wool shop.

Your friends quilt if fantastic.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #14 (or I was 5 minutes ago:))



Christine said...

Lovely happy post! Just knew you would have a great time with Julia visiting!
What an amazing quilt! A real work of art, she must be so proud!
Have a good week with lots of puffing and huffing and singing inbetween.
Christine #15

glitterandglue said...

Morning Jan. Well, what can we say? of COURSE you never stopped catching up, visiting such wonderful places, having such fun... that's exactly what friends are for:-) Glad you have had such a brilliant time. Must find the address of that wonderful B&B.... The quilt is simply incredible! However did your friend have the patience for something like that? Where do you start? It's all a mystery to li'l old me!
Take care girl. Enjoy the carolling with the band. Playing at anymore matches? Some of my family were down for the Wales match last Saturday - but didn't say anything about a band!!
God bless.
Margaret #4

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya Jan, I see you've been leading Julia firmly astray in the Gin direction, lol. Isn't that quilt amazing? What a work of art. Love those Hare tiles, how cool. I reckon Eccentric pretty much fits all of us, lol. Love and hugs to you all, Shaz XxX#2

Jan said...

You have a very productive work space TFS. xx Jan (20)

Ellie said...

That quilt is incredible! That must have taken months and months. Oooh the gin tasting looked like lots of fun hehe. Have a good week.
Ellie #17

SusanLotus said...

I think you ladies are having a good time!
I´d love to taste the drinks... LOL

Happy week and WOYWW.
Hugs
SusanLotus nr 5

Kim said...

It looks like you two had a great time! I don't think I've ever had gin in any other flavor but...gin. Hmmmm. And that quilt is amazing! Gobsmacking is a good word. Even being thread challenged, I can appreciate the work that went into that one! Have a great week.
-K #23

Cheetarah said...

Just LOVE the visual impression of the great time you both are having :) Happy WOYWW xo Cheetarah #26

StampinCarol said...

How fun to spend time with friends!!! You both look wonderful! And what an art show! Great stuff! And gobsmacking is quite the term but it definitely fits that quilt! Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Carol N #21

Elizabeth said...

this looks good...and as we say in the Netherlands; GEZELLIG

BJ said...

Oh you two look like you had a fab time together. Harp lesson was good, am learning Chaconne by Jeremiah Clarke. I'd only attempted the first half and jolly slow with both hands. My teacher played the 2nd half for me and ran through the fingering with me. Think it might be achievable as I love Pacabel's Canon and it is based on that, despite it being grade 3! Shock horror!! Thanks for the visit BJ #28

Anonymous said...

you look like you are all having a great time! Such beautiful crafts,, I have joined as a follower to keep up with your next adventure lol,,

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Oh my now that is a great place! just as well it's far away from here, the art work looks gorgeous. Pleased to see you both enjoying your time together. Happy creative woyww, Angela x12x

May said...

You both look as a great time was had together, the gin looks good and that wee wool shop I would have to move in... Gorgeous happy post... Have a happy fun week ahead...May #3

Julia Dunnit said...

A good time was had by all, and how great is Gordon to put up with us and be with us. Love you both. Xxx

Felicia said...

Jan....where to start??? First off, I would have LOVED to go to that Art in the Hall showing with you guys! Lovely digs!!! And then, it goes without saying that you guys totally make me jealous with the gin tastings! Wowzer! What a treat that you can spend time together! That quilt is A-MAZING! I don't quilt, but my dream is to have one from the very well known Amish communities here in the states! Just gorgeous! Blessings for the rest of your week! Felicia, #35

Sharon Madson said...

You and Julia look like you are having fun! And great things you got to do while she was there, but strange it did not include crafting! :)
My favorite was the photo with the ceramics and rabbits. I used to collect anything rabbit. Now,I am downsizing and will have to let go of some of them, as well as many, many teapots teacups I have collected! Thanks for sharing! #36

Heather M said...

Hi Jan. What a lovely time you both look to be having. Glad you managed to fit in a little gin tasting! That quilt is incredible. Can't imagine how long that took to make. Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely week, Heather #22

Stacy Sheldon said...

Hi Jan, it looks like its been a super visit so far. :) that fair looks so spectacular and holy WOW on the quilt! I cannot even imagine. ~Stacy #27

Victoria said...

Hi Jan, what a fabulous post, looks like a wonderful outing, lots of fun and beautiful things to explore. Your craft room is super lovely, love all of those gorgeous baskets on the shelves, beautiful.
Happy WOYWW
Victoria #32

Cara said...

I love that you and Julia had a fabulous time together and that the miles between you are full of smiles. Thank you for sharing those wonderful photos. As for that quilt, my jaw hit the floor at how amazing it is x

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ah Jan, truly grand to see two great pals having a good chin wag and fun time together, so great pictures indeed and totally agree re the quilt ...gobsmakingly good indeed!!!!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
Shaz in Oz.x #18

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Dorlene Durham said...

Wow! I always enjoy your photos. What great items at the Art Hall and that wool shop sounds wonderful. Dorlene #29

Lindart said...

Looks like you had a fantastic time! I think the hare tiles are my favorite of the pics, but of course, gin tasting comes a close second! The quilt truly is a work of art too! Glad you had a great time! Thank you for your lovely comment earlier! Lindart #34

Annie Claxton said...

HI Jan, I'm just catchign up on WOYWW, hope you've had a lovely week. Looks like you had a wonderful time with Julia, you must miss each other a lot but then it's always fun to catch up and thank goodness for the internet :o) oh and WOW! your friend's quilt really is phenomenal isn't it?! Annie C #30

Twiglet said...

Better late than never! I don't know where time goes! At least I have managed a bit of crafty fabric work for my cards this week. Lovely post Jan - I can see you struggled to entertain our buddy down there!!!! That art fair looked amazing. xxx Jo

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I missed this last week, but it was lovely to catch up on your escapades! You two are definitely two peas in a pod! :)

WOYWW 769

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