Saturday, October 07, 2006

Went into the city centre this morning for the first time in weeks and look what I found in the market. Aren't they spangly? Haven't a clue what I will do with them but I just couldn't resist them. Leicester market is one of the oldest in England and sells just about everything - half of it is fruit and veg and the other half is a variety of stalls both outside and under cover. You might be surprised that many of the stalls sell 'exotic' vegetables. The reason for this is that well over half of Leicester's population is of Asian origin from when Asians were forced to leave East Africa under the regime of Idi Amin. In Leicester there was available housing and people had relatives here so they came and started a new life. Shelina recently wrote about this in her blog too. This picture of a corner of the market was taken a few weeks ago when there was a 'mini-mela' in the town centre on a Sunday and the market was opened up (usually it is closed on a Sunday) for stalls selling Asian food, clothing, jewellery etc. One of the streets in Leicester is known as the 'Golden Mile' and is famous for Asian Restaurants, Sari and jewellery shops. At the end of October Hindus celebrate Diwali, the festival of light, and the whole road is decorated with lights. I believe it is the biggest Diwali celebration outside of India.

On a more quilty theme, I also picked up a parcel containing this, from the post office - no stash depression for me!

9 comments:

Joyce said...

I would love to get into one of those sari shops.That has to be the most beautiful fabric. Not much good for quilting I suppose but who could resist it? Maybe it's a good thing that there are no shops like that around here.

Angie said...

Gorgeous fabric you got, Fiona!

Finn said...

Hi Fiona, so good to be here reading about all your wonderful projects again...*VBS* You'd think I could have sat at the computer and read, but unfortunately that just wasn't part of this particular 'illness'
Mostly I just slept and slept. Up occasionally in my recliner, but trust me....absolutely nothing got done.

The new treasure from the market look wonderful.Can't wait to see what you do with them. And I love what you've done with the Christmas stocking and now Christmas Chickens??? Oh JOY!!!! They are adorable..*S*
Talk to you soon, Hugs, Finn

Linda C said...

Looks a bit like those shiska (is that the right name) mirrors---pretty cool!!

Libby said...

Love those 'spanglies' Will be keeping an eye out to see where they show up. *s*

Clare said...

My Alex would have grabbed those flowers for her card making!

Can you use them for applique?

Ali Honey said...

Great finds there. They might look good used with your felt for needle cases or ATCs.I'm sure you'll find a good use for them. The markets sound interesting,lucky you...enjoy!

Tazzie said...

Wow, those flowers look really neat, I'm sure you'll find some amazing use for them. What are they made from? I'm thinking something like felt, but I can't really tell. Love the stash enhancement ... just wonderful!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Katie said...

Love that fabric and the trim too. Oh what fun you will have playing with it. The background of places is so interesting. We are all part of one world. Thanks for sharing.