Warwickshire Open Studios and Lynda Monk

Yes. It's that time of year again. Warwickshire Open Studios

If you're able to visit any of the artists please do, I'm sure you'll have as great a time as I did today.

My first visit was to Sew Arty. A great shop, with lots of classes and lots of things to buy too. I managed to limit myself to 4 reels of thread.

And then off to see Jo Roberts.

I know when I go to visit I will see something 'mappy and lifey', but I'm never sure quite how she'll bring the elements together.

This project was Jo's record of 70 days.  It's really interesting and funny. 

The next photo is her current project with David Southwell.  Do look at her blog to see how each of them interpret a word. Another beautiful project.

Jo was very welcoming and made a great cup of tea in a beautiful china cup and saucer.

I then popped over to Charkha Yarns.

And here are my purchases - rather restrained I thought.

 I should also let you all know I attended a talk by Lynda Monk last week at the Lutterworth Embroiderers Guild. 

She produces some amazing work - and I could hardly keep up with her description of techniques.  Here are a few photos.

Back to work...

Well, after a lovely week off, work was a real shock to the system.  It was lovely to see the team again, I'm so lucky to work with such lovely people.  But the getting up early was a killer.  It's also meant my run of creativity came to a bit of a halt.  But having met Bee Designs (see a photos of her work below) again today on her stall at the Market Bosworth Festival I realised if I want to do it I need to make time if I want to do it, so this coming week I'm going to see what and how I can fit creativity into the week.

So, hopefully I will be able to show you some progress next week.

A week off...

Well, I treated myself to week off last week. 

 I had a lovely time and thought I would share a few photos with you all.

One afternoon we went to open gardens at Weston under Wetherly. Twelve very different size gardens, but all worth looking at.  The weather was perfect, slightly cool so great for walking around.  

part of the fundraising for this went to the local church, St Michael's, which was a really beautiful old building.  As you know I enjoy looking at buildings that show deterioration, and this church was great.

I also treated myself to a day out in London.

I started off with an exhibition at the V & A, Treasure of the Royal Courts.  As you would expect a well curated exhibition. It was a shame you couldn't sketch, but I can understand they don't want the area clogged up or blocking the view of others for long periods of time.

As you would expect, you couldn't take photos, but there were very similar items in other areas of the museum that you could take photo's of, here are a few:

 I love the idea of looking in a pattern book to select your armour.

I also met up with some friends who I attended classes with at Bramble Patch.  It was great to see them all again.

Make sure you make the most of the good weather today.