Lisa Watson Blog
This Saturday 16 th April 2016, the magnificent historic Paisley Abbey in Scotland will host a Wedding Event like no other and my Quilts& will be there too!
Although this wedding event at Paisley Abbey (a venue quite used to spectacular weddings) will have an air of a wedding fair about it, Simeon Rosset of Rosset Bespoke Butlers, a wedding and event planner, has turned his hand to shaking up the norm. In collaboration with Michael of Zest-Creative, they have devised a new formula for a fun day out for everyone, not just the wedding party.
As the Paisley Abbey Wedding Event on the 16th April 2016 is a collaboration of many, you will also find a designated luxury corner featuring a collective of British businesses featured in Make The Most Of who have come together to showcase their wedding event reception table ideas, wedding gifts and wedding favour inspirations.
The focus will be a decorated, laid up wedding reception table styled around an afternoon tea ‘sweet course’. There will also be a picnic feature for those who may prefer a ‘glamping’ picnic themed wedding reception. The inspiration behind this table comes from British businesses working in unison to showcase how their products work together as part of a wedding event celebration, or as wedding gift ideas.
If you are in Paisley this Saturday, do come along to this free event. It will be truly spectacular.
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Danish hygge (roughly translated as cosiness) is a word that I’m hearing more and more. In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. Grand! The Danish Christmas is THE season for hygge and I can vouch that my Danish friends always have the warmest festive welcome. Hygge though is not just for Christmas and the new Spring is marked by Danes refreshing their homes outside and in. So, once the garden is tidyed up, with new bulbs planted, interior schemes are spring cleaned and refreshed with new cushions and furnishings.
With Spring hygge in mind, here is a sneak peek of my new quilted shirt quilts, in refreshing colour schemes;
These lighter weight reversible quilted shirt quilts are stitched with British shirt fabrics of the finest quality. There are currently two contemporary designs and colourways to choose from; Oxford Blues Concentric design and Fife Brushed Cottons Geometric motif, both of which will fit well in lots of (Spring) interior schemes. These quilts are being stitched for me in Greater Manchester and like all my Quilts& products, even the wadding which is made from recycled materials, is Made in Britain. And as with all my quilts, these quilted shirt quilts are big enough to cover a double bed comfortably at 190 by 145cm, as well as ideal for cosying up in too!
To celebrate Spring having finally sprung, and for the launch of my NEW Quilted Shirt Quilt throughout April they are yours for a special price of £255. (From May, the RRP will be £355)
Incidentally, did you know the majority of my fabulous photos are taken by the talented wedding photographer; Jo Bradbury
Thanks Jo x
Read More“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights,” says world-renowned feminist, journalist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem. International Women’s Day is all about celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action – whatever that looks like globally at a local level. But one thing is for sure, International Women’s Day has been occurring for over a century – and is growing annually from strength to strength.
For this years International Women’s Day celebrations in Manchester, I was pleased to be commissioned to stitch a quilted banner using this years logo and at the Women’s Voices-Changing Manchester conference to collect lots of women’s voices to commemorate within this legacy artwork. Big thank yous to everyone who contributed their voice on a fabric tag and especially Rose, Jill and Mya for their assistance throughout the day. Incidentally the fabric for the banner and the fabric tags are from Ian Mankin cloth, functional yet exquisite fabric, woven here in the NW. Hello to Art With Heart who have been mapping Manchester Women’s stories for #mcriwd16 Lots of Wonder Women 2016 events are going on throughout Manchester this International Women’s Day. The MIWD10 quilt is on display at the People’s History Museum If you have a moment I recommend seeing Charlotte Newson’s beautiful photo mosaic of Emmeline Pankhurst which is currently on display in Manchester Central Library
Best Wishes to you for your International Women’s Day x
Read MoreAs you know I am passionate about quilts, plus Made in Britain.
Last week I attended Meet the Manufacturer, visit organised by Make it British which is THE source of information on British-made brands and UK manufacturing. I had lots of interesting discussions last Wednesday, so I’m looking forward to sharing more exciting quilt developments with you shortly.
In the meantime, here are a few of the Made in Britain websites that Quilts& by Lisa Watson are connected too;
Make the Most Of are currently highlighting my Memory Quilts in their Featured British Businesses and have recently published several Bespoke Memory Blogs
Did you catch the recent blog post by Blue Patch on Why I do What I do…
Folksy is a place to buy and sell hand crafted or designed work
from UK designer-makers.
And, If you wish to have a moment, I thoroughly recommend reading this excellent article by Merchant&Makers on Quilts & Quilts by Lisa Watson x
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One off quilt commissions are always welcome. If you wish to make a quilt from cherished old clothes, or from your own special stash of fabric , Lisa will work with you to design a quilt to the size&style that fits you&your home. Lisa can also stitch a quilt (-floor cushion-tent-laptop cover-you decide) as a special gift to celebrate a significant event, or can make a personalised quilt just for you or for a loved one. Just get in touch with Lisa to discuss your quilt ideas further.
Lia and Anthony were married last month. Their chief bridesmaid and the couples best friend Ally wished me to create a truly personalised wedding gift, so armed with a list of references and a colour swatch I stitched them a wedding quilt linking to their histories (lots of Dutch inspired printed images), interests (running & airplanes) and passions (West Ham United and cats!).
As part of The Shackleton 100 commemorations, I was asked to stitch another special Shackleton ‘Gentleman Explorer’ quilt. These quilts are made in collaboration with The Shackleton Clothing Company. 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!
Shackleton Harris Tweed & Corduroy Gentleman’s Quilt
Debbie wished to use all of her father’s amazing collection of ties to create a comforting quilt for her mother, who has just moved into a new flat closeby to Debbie after selling her martial home. Every single tie has been stitched into this quilt to create an eyecatching design. The quilt has been backed and binded in shirting fabric to link in with this tie quilt.
If you are interested in Lisa stitching you a bespoke quilt, visit my commissions page to see lots more quilt ideas, or click Bespoke quilt info for further details.
Read MoreFor a truly unique gift this 14th Feb, invest in a quilt& on Valentines Day for the special person in your life
Lisa makes Quilts, Cushions & More! from distinctly British fabrics that are stitched to last, in Manchester. Lisa’s love of fabric, colours and textures mean her quilts& are a delight to behold and look great on a bed to cosy up in in winter or equally drapped on a sofa as a eye catching colour pop in the warmer summer months.
Lisa only stitches her unique Quilts (Cushions & More!) in limited numbers so they are truly unique. Lisa’s quilts are an investment and if purchased all your stories will ultimately become woven into the fabric of your quilt& to become cherished heirlooms to pass on.
www.shop.quiltsbylisawatson.co.uk
AND if you wish a bit more background on why 14th February is THE romantic day here is A brief history of Valentine’s Day cards from the BBC History magazine
Read MoreJoyeux Noel & Here’s to 2016!
And, If you wish to take a moment amongst all the festive hiatous, I recommend reading this excellent article by Merchant&Makers on Quilts & Quilts by Lisa Watson x
I hope your 2016 has started well?
Like many people today is my first official day back at work and probably like you I have 101 things to do on my ToDo list. In amongst all the necessary admin, I have great pleasure in congratulating Luise Roberts for winning my festive giveway of one of my Tumbling Block blankets. My 100% Made in Britain knitted blankets are ideal to cosy up in and add cheer throughout the sometimes challenging wintry months post Christmas.
I’m in the midst of finalising my new 2016 quilt designs and booking up forthcoming events&fairs, which is a great way to start my year. More of which to follow shortly.
In the meantime, I still have free P&P until 15th January on all quilts& in my shop, all of which are guaranteed to add some colouful colour pop and warmth to your home.
Read MoreJoyeux Noel & Here’s to 2016!
And, If you wish to take a moment amongst all the festive hiatous, I recommend reading this excellent article by Merchant&Makers on Quilts & Quilts by Lisa Watson x
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It’s beginning to feel alot like Christmas… I have a great Christmas Giveaway…Sign up to my Mailing List and you could receive one of my NEW Tumbling Blocks Blankets (if you are already on my Mailing List you automatically are part of this festive giveaway)
THAT’S NOT ALL…throughout the Christmas Season, I am reducing my NEW blankets to £155 (their RRP is £235) on my on-line shop.
I also have 10% off my cute Dashund Draft Excluders with Make It British.
AND DON’T FORGET I have free P&P on everything in my on-line Shop until 15th January!
Joyeux Noel and Here’s to 2016!
P.S Here are the last Christmas posting dates courtesy of The Royal Mail http://www.postoffice.co.uk/christmas/last-posting-dates
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