When I visited Callendar House two weeks ago, it wasn't just to take photos of the beautiful building.
Back in 1996/97, the quilting group that I was a member of at the time, Greenpark Quilters, made a wallhanging for the house, to celebrate the life and times of William Forbes, one of the owners. Unfortunately, I didn't see the wallhanging when it was first hung in the house, as I had moved to Indonesia! Some years ago, we eventually got round to going to see it, taking Malcolm's Dad with us. When I said that I had made the central panel of the wallhanging, he kept saying 'you never did that'! I had to show him my photos to convince him that I had. So today I looked out the photos (yes, real photos) so that I can share them with you. I'm sorry the quality of some of the photos isn't very good, but the originals were very glossy prints and it was difficult to take clear photos of them (one day I'll master my scanner!)
I started with this drawing
I used it to make this working drawing
Of course, way back then, I didn't know that one day I would have a blog, so I didn't take lots of photos, which means we have to skip a few stages. This is the basic block that I produced
I added some shrubs at the sides and an outer border
And this is how the final block looked
This (not very clear) detail shows you the stitching on the windows ........ and Malcolm's contribution - he painted in the shadows on either side of the tower with fabric paint
Once the quilt was assembled, it was hand quilted, with all the group members taking turns - this is Grace working on it
We were all delighted with how the quilt turned out, and others obviously agreed with us, as we won an award at the Scottish Quilt Championships
So, to return to my visit to the house ....... did I get to see the wallhanging again and take more photos - NO!! It has been taken down and is in storage, as they have revamped the museum amd it didn't fit in with the new exhibits. However I did take lots of photos - including two of scenes in the grounds of the house that featured in the wallhanging. First is the old bridge
and second, the entrance to the icehouse
Inside the house, there is a portrait of William Forbes
To end, in contrast to the very old house, here is something very new ...... a tiny rabbit which Malcolm spotted hiding under the hedge in the front garden this afternoon
However it wasn't long until it hopped out and started eating my oriental poppy!
However, the little thing was just so cute, I didn't grudge it a little nibble (as long as it doesn't come back with a horde of brothers and sisters!)