I am writing this just
before flying home from Birmingham
England, after attending the Festival of Quilts here. Bonnie and I filmed
several videos and I took tons of photos. I scoured the show looking for the
most unique European art quilts, the British
and Celtic themed quilts, and the amazing 3-D fiber arts seen at this show
yearly.
Yesterday I fulfilled a dream by visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon:
visiting some of the " Shakespeare
Properties" including his
birthplace, going on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Shakespeare
Company, and then seeing the Bollywood version of Much Ado About
Nothing. What a day!
Today I took a tour through the Cotswolds countryside, with
the charming cottages made out of the distinctive honey-color limestone. Many
have thatched roofs, and the old wisteria vines or hollyhocks next to the carved
or painted wooden doors, adding to the visual charm of the villages.
Then
I stood on a hilltop with rows of
lavender all around, listening to the huge yellow and black bumblebees
buzzing among the purple sprigs, and breathing in the head-clearing aromatherapy
of lavender acreage.
My visit to Sudely Castle included a tour of the
historic textile exhibition, handmade lacemaking demonstration, and
reproductions of the gowns and jewelry worn by Henry VIII's six wives. (taken
from their portrait paintings) Henry's last wife (and the only one who survived
him) was Katherine Parr, and she lived on this estate. It is the 500th
anniversary of her birth, so there are special exhibits about her life at the
castle.
Above you see the knot garden, made from 1200 boxwood plants,
grown in a formal celtic knot design. This was originally planted here for Queen
Elizabeth's royal visit to Sudely
Castle. Now this crisp knot garden grows in the shadow of the Banquet Hall
ruins, and the original plans for the knot garden design are displayed in the
castle museum. Clematis, honeysuckle and climbing roses engulf the ruins.
Massive yew hedges have small openings that lead to the formal rose garden and
fountain.
My last stop of the day was in Chipping Campden, where I stopped
in the Court Barn Museum to see the
Arts and Crafts local history, and then St James Church to see the oldest
medieval alter hangings… with silver and gold metallic embroidery thread on
ivory silk damask… from the late 1400's.
We tried to visit William
Morris' house, but it is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays!
Rats!
I'll be sharing more photos as soon as possible. I fly home in a
few hours, and this Sunday Sophie and I fly to Ohio for Quilting Arts TV. It may
take me a week or two to catch up!
