Lisa Watson Blog
Monday 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
Read MoreTo celebrate the Great British Bank holiday weather and May Day, I have extended the introductory offer of £255 on my NEW delectable Quilted Shirt Quilt
And my Summery Cotton Quilts with their distinctive strip design are ALL now at the special price of £185.
These lighter weight quilts are 100% British made and are ideal for cuddling up in throughout the great British summer. Here’s to the rest of May…whatever the weather x
Read MoreYay for Spring and the wedding season beginning.
My lovely neighbours got married at the weekend (congratulations guys) and by the weeks end I will have stitched my first wedding quilt commission of the year (Click to find out more about my bespoke commissions) . A couple of Saturdays ago, my quilts& were represented at
And, did I mention most of my gorgeous quilts& pixs are taken by talented wedding photographer Jo Bradbury
Finally, if an uplift were ever needed, here is a link to
Have a lovely lovin’ week x
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Quilts By Lisa Watson are thrilled to be featured in the official commemorative album for The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration at Windsor Castle in May 2016. More details of which will follow shortly. In the meantime, let’s eat cake and drink tea (or something stronger) for Queen Elizabeth II 90th birthday celebrations x
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