Yes - I'm still here

Hello,

I've just come back from:

It was warm on holiday and then we came back to:

Bit of a contrast.

I have been busy whilst I haven't been posting and I promise I'll do my best to post regularly.  I've had fun a quite a few classes so have lots to share.

Keep warm.

Hello

Hi.  Yes - I'm still here.  Where did November go?  I can't believe it's December already.  And crikey it's cold.

So - what have I been up to?  Lots.

 Well - the German Market in Birmingham was fun.  Lots to eat and drink - well worth a visit.  At the same time you could also visit the museum where some of the Staffordshire Hoard is on display.

 I took this photo from the platform at my local station whilst I was waiting for my train.

Now - this isn't a great photo, but it's from my weekend in Knaresborough with a very good friend.  We decided we'd go and listen to Harrogate Brass Band in the Old Swan.  So in we went to listen to the band, which was great, the cream tea was an experience.  To say it was badly organised would be an understatement.  We were in fits of laughter.  The best bit was when we had 3 scones for a table of 4 and the waitress couldn't see what the issue was!

Anyway I had a lovely day weekend.

I've also had a class with Janet Bolton, it really was a lovely day.

I love the naive style she uses and its simplicity.  That makes it look very easy - I can assure you it's not!  It took me all day to make the background.  But it was all hand sewing and although at first this seemed to take ages, then when you got into the pace of it, it was very relaxing.  If you get the chance to listen to her talk or attend a class - grab it.  I had a lovely day.

I also met a friend for lunch at Compton Verney and we also looked at the Dovecot Studios exhibition.

I had expected to see rather traditional tapestries - so was happy to see very modern work.  Have a look if you get the opportunity.

Oh - and I went to the cinema with DH to see Skyfall.  Oh, it's good.  I won't say any more. 

So, I think that's about it.  I promise to try to blog more frequently - I must go and wrap some pressies.

Take care all.

Crocheted Lions

No really - crocheted lions.  I'm sure some of you will have already seen them.  I've seen them on TV but they are HUGE. So we went to Twycross Zoo car park to have a look at them in the flesh - well the wool.

 

And here are some close ups

Apologies about the poor quality of the photos - but there was a lot of reflection.

I had a great time on Thursday at Lutterworth Embroiderers Guild.  We had a facinating talk by a delightful lady called Kumi Middleton. She made the most exquisite bags by upcycling kimonos.  She descibed her joureny from when she first took up art when she came to the UK, via St Martin's College of Art and then upcycling the kimonos.

Here are some photos of the bags she bought along.

 

 

 

And here is Kumi showing us how to put on a kimono.

It was a very interesting and engaging talk - if you get the chance to see her do go along.

Take care, keep dry and I hope you didn't get caught out by the clocks going back.

Hello

Hi,  Apologies for the lack of recent posts.  I can assure you I have been busy.

I've been practising my free machine quilting - using different tensions.

 

And I made a pressie for a friends birthday pressie.

And, I've been to a class with the Embroiderers Guild at the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.  We were given a very interesting talk and tour by one of the archivists. And then we went across the road to have our class with Alison Samain.  When I saw her work I was sure I wouldn't be able to produce anything like it.  But with some very good tuition, I did produce something that resembles her work.

I've also bought a few bits too.

Great buttons from Hobbycraft

And some ribbon from Wilkinsons - yes Wilkinsons.

So - I'm off to start pondering my piece for the Kickstart exhibition.

Hello It's Autumn

 Yes - it's autumn. 

And this morning started a big misty - which meant I could see lots of cobwebs.

 Lots of leaves are turning red too.

  I had a class with Angie Hughes last week.  A class with Angie is always good.  

We started off by free machining basic patterns and shapes.  I used a different colour top and bottom.  I really liked the effect it gave. 

 Angie showed us her sample book.  they look really good against black paper.  But again - it shows that you need to make a sample book... 

 Angie made a landscape - which she was going to cut up and use on cards - a great way to make samples and make good use of them.

Here's Angie's picture.  It's a landscape.

Mine looks less like a landscape - much more abstract.  Still lots to do on it.

Have a great weekend (what's left of it).

Rocheberie Schoolhouse Quilters & Baking Bread

Hello all.

I had a lovely day yesterday, I went with a friend to Rocheberie Schoolhouse Quilters. It was so nice to sit and chat and sew and drink tea and eat cake (which was really good).  I always bump into such lovely ladies. Helen Spice gave a very interesting talk and showed lots of quilts too. And we even got a bundle of fabric. If you get the chance to go - do. It's well worth it.

 And this is my recent 8" square piece I'm working on. I'll show you it when it's finished.

 And for those of you who listen to The Archers you'll know there has been much talk about a bread baking competition.  So I decided I'd give it a go.  And here is my first attempt at baking bread.

 Hmmmm.  It was very nice.  Even DH said it was good.

 Take care all and I hope to hear from you soon.

Ryton Organic Gardens

Hello All.

I had a morning out today to Ryton Organic Gardens.

I was lucky as it was a bright sunny morning. Here are some photos of my visit.

And I also wanted to let you know about an exhibition by the Living Threads Group next year called 'Visual Delights'. It's on from 3 - 12 April 2013 at Trent College in Long Eaton.  This group exhibits every other year and I really enjoyed their last exhibition.  Do make a note of the dates and try to go.  I can assure you it's worth the effort.