To be honest I didn’t know what ‘quilled’ meant until I visited the incredible star exhibition in All Saints, Castle Cary. And even then I may have forgotten if it had not been for the fact that they all ended up in our living room afterwards. But before I enlighten you about Gabriel and the quilled stars let me first share a few shots from the art exhibition, it really was quite extraordinary and beautiful.

Every year the local community come together to create works of art for a Christmas exhibition at the church, and this year the theme was stars. There were more than sixty creations, and some of them, such as the ones created by the GP surgery and care home, had us in giggles. Click on the gallery below and you will soon see why!

A day or so before the exhibition opened the organising committee had the brilliant idea of a silent auction in aid of the roof appeal. More than half of the artists (individuals and groups) agreed to put their stars up for auction. We learnt all of this on arrival, but I had no intention of placing any bids as I assumed the auction itself would take place long after I had returned to Winchester.

Then half way round I noticed the auction was taking place before I would be leaving. How could I resist! My first bids were on two pieces I thought my step daughters would love, and Mum very kindly offered to contribute to my bids.

Then I saw the ‘pièce de résistance’. Actually it wasn’t the only masterpiece but this one – fifty three quilled stars on a very large poplar branch – I thought I could get home whereas the other magnum opus were either too large or not in the auction. I envisaged the winning bid would be at least £50 given the skill, time and creativity that had gone into each piece and could easily go up to £100 or more.

Gabriel

So what would I bid, given I already had bids placed on other pieces and so could end up with a very large bill. In the end I decided to put in a silly bid, after all I probably wouldn’t be successful but it would be daft not to even try. Specially as I had bought Gabriel from the church roof fundraising stall. Made out of raw wool I thought Gabriel rather unusual.

The following day I got the call I had been successful in three out of four bids. The stars were coming home with us as were the Treble Clef and the Star of Wonder. I was delighted. And if you are curious about my failed bid, well that was my lowest bid of all. It was for a very clever nativity scene made out of specimen bottles by Boots the Chemist. Unfortunately I forgot to photograph it, so here are a few shots of the fifty three quilled stars in my living room instead. No need for a Christmas Tree this year!

Just realised I have shown you numerous photographs of these beautiful quilled stars but not explained what they are. Quilling is the rolling, looping, curling, and twisting of narrow strips of paper to create decorative shapes and designs. There is also a little bit of gluing involved! The art form, also known as paper filigree, dates back to the renaissance, but became really popular in the 18th century. You can discover more on this fascinating art here, whilst I disappear to enjoy a fabulous and quilling Christmas!

44 thoughts

  2. Pingback: It is beginning to feel like Christmas! – The life of B

  3. Beautiful….. I also like quilling just have made and posted many.. Earrings, or other 3d miniatures.. Good to find a friend that likes quilling as i

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    1. oh wow you must be very talented. I love to look at it, think it is quite incredible but unfortunately don’t have the skill or patience to make my own.

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      1. Pleasure is mine if u visit my blog…
        I think it’s only in our head that what we can and we can’t do.. And skill is acquired.. By practise… I’m sure one day you’ll make your own..

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  6. Christmas at your house will look so festive. But good luck with storing everything till next year once the Twelve Days are over! What a fun and different experience – happy Christmas!

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    1. hee hee, you are so right. We’ve worked out a system for the stars but not sure the ‘tree’ itself will survive a year in attic!! Think I’ll be branch hunting next year 🙂

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  7. Quilling is so fun…haven’t done it for a while but still have the supplies and you make me want to drag them out again. Wonderful effort of the community to create such meaningful art for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

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      2. hee hee . . . once you are in the habit of daily it is easy, although you may be calling me or squares names by the end of the month!!

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  10. What a fun occupation! I’d be rubbish because I’m no good at origami. Glad you’re looking festive. I guess we’ll be having some starlight squares 🤗🎅🎄💕

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    1. I’d be rubbish too, just hopeless when it comes to creating!

      and maybe . . . . . . hope all is well and festive in Leeds xxx

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    1. Goodness knows how many hours of work, such an amazing creation.

      We had to take them all off to get them back home, still at least then I got to see them in close up!

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  14. Now this is a tree that I would enjoy. Those stars are lovely, and the ones by the surgery amused me. Have a lovely quiet time Becky with Mr B and your family.

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    1. Yay so glad you like :-), and were as amused by the surgery one as I was!

      Have a lovely Christmas too . . .here’s hoping it is not too wet.

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    1. I know!! Still somewhat embarrassed as to how little I paid, if I had not been successful on the other two i think I may have put more in. In fact i may still do because as you say i am going to get years of enjoyment out of this

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