Sunday 31 July 2011

Experimental felt

Despite all the good intentions, very little has actually been done - the garden is still in the same state as it was last week.   I have spent a lot of time trying to archive photos from last year - I need to make some room on my hard drive.   It takes ages to keyword them all, burn them to dvd and then put them in the database.    I am making slow progress though and I'll try to continue the good work next week.   It's one of those jobs which gets put off because it's not as exciting making a new print.

I did continue with the felt for the book/diary covers.  I first made 4 pieces of pre-felt and then cut out identical shapes from each piece.   Then I fitted the pieces from one piece into another piece - a bit like a jigsaw, added some strips of fabric or yarn and a little more merino and felted them together.   I think it's called inlay - and it was very successful.   I now have four interesting pieces of felt, two of which I've actually made into book covers  - and, of the other two,  one has had beads added.   I'm hoping to finish them all off, this week.

Today, we went for a walk in the lake district - just low level around Grasmere and Rydal, it was very pleasant and I took a few photographs although the light wasn't great.

Next weekend is  going to be very busy - as well being in the craft marquee at Knowsley Flower Show, Court Hey, on Sunday, we are going to be selling our wares on  Saturday at Bickerstock Music Festival.   It will be the first time I've been to a music festival and, although not exactly Glastonbury, it will, I'm sure be quite an experience - I hope we won't need our wellies.  


Sunday 24 July 2011

Back again

Another holiday!  I've been away for a whole ten days in Pembrokeshire.   What a beautiful part of the country - the views from the coastal  path are spectacular - there a wildflowers in abundance and all manner of birds and insects to photograph.    The weather was a bit mixed,  but we didn't do too badly at all and I came back full of enthusiasm and ideas for things to make and do.   One one of the days that it poured down we went into Haverfordwest and I bough some fabrics to augment my stock of whites and creams for the quilt which is still ongoing.

On the other really awful day, I bought a drop spindle and a bag of fleece and set myself the task of learning to spin.   When it's pouring down there's not much else to do other than stay indoors, so it was a way of using the time profitably.   The first attempts were accompanied by a lot of grimacing, sighing and the occasional swear word but, by the end of the afternoon, I had about 20 metres of yarn - nowhere near perfect, but usable.   A couple of days later, when we came home from a walk early because of bad weather, I spun another 10 or so metres and that is much better, more even.   All I have to do now is to practise and then I have to teach myself to dye it.  

On the way home from Pembrokeshire we called in at a quilt exhibition at Llanidloes.   We have been there before and, as usual, the standard was amazing.   There were some beautiful quilts, both traditional and contemporary and several A4 sized, miniature quilts, which were very interesting.   I'm always inspired by the variety, the colours and the originality of the exhibition.   It really is worth seeing.  Perhaps I'll include some photos in my next blog.

Since I came home, I've been to the usual monthly Craft Fair at Lark Lane where I sold some cards and a bag among other things.   Today, we went look around at the Green Fair at Beacon Park (near Ashurst Beacon) where there were all sorts of things happening, as well as a craft tent.  I bought some beautiful rosewood buttons from a wood turner - I'll have to make something wonderful to use them on.    We also bought a beautiful plank of yew with rough edges - its drying slowly in the garage for the next 12 months or so and then, I think, we might make a little table from it.    We also met Margaret from the Soap Corner again, as well as Julie and Louise who generally have the table next to us at Fir Tree Farm, so it was a bit of a reunion!

The weather was really kind to us and we took lots of photos of the birds of prey, the viking reenactment and of the many dogs who were there.  We'll have to see what they're like when I eventually get round to downloading them - I haven't downloaded the hundred I took in Pembrokeshire yet!

I think next week is going to be very busy, we've got to blitz the garden, look after our grandchildren for a day, and generally catch up with ourselves as well as finishing off the felt for the diaries and starting on the new ideas.    Can't wait!
 

Sunday 10 July 2011

Not much progress

Oh dear, again,  not much to show for this week - although I did do a few bits and pieces like downloading the remaining Norway photos.  I have actually deleted a lot of them because they were blurred,  as I expected owing to the problems with my lens.    Actually, I did, eventually, bite the bullet and buy a new lens - a 15 - 135mm one.     It was only when it arrived that I realised that it has a larger diameter than the one it replaced and so I had to buy a new lens hood, filter holder, uv filter and a circular polarising filter - I should have thought of that!    However, it should be a bit more robust than the last one and I'm expecting great things of it!    I'm going to spend some time trying it out in the next few weeks.   Watch this space.

I did manage to go to my textile group this week and made a few pieces of pre felt which I'm intending to use to make some book/diary covers - it won't be long before 2012 diaries are out - what a depressing thought.

On Saturday, Liz and I went to Halsall School Carnival.  It was not a very promising day to start with but it turned out quite pleasant - the threatened rain didn't materialise.   There was a small craft marquee and we spent a pleasant day there - the organisers were so friendly and helpful and we met up again with Margaret from the Soap Corner in Halsall.   I sold a lovely trellis scarf  - one which took so long to make, I vowed I would never make another one!   Apart from that, I sold some cards, brooches and some little felt badges which children like.     

I'm trying out a new pattern for a knitted necklace at the moment - it's not been a great success so far but I'll persevere and see what happens.

Sunday 3 July 2011

July already

Well, at least July seems to have started well – lovely weather for the last few days.   As predicted, it has not been a very productive week – I only managed to make some felt poppies and a few notelets and I haven’t even looked at my photos of Norway – I’m hoping to download the remainder this evening and then I’ll have a closer look at them all.

Had a really good day on Saturday though, we went to the Adult Education College in Lancaster.   The staff are  really friendly and helpful and the venue itself is light and airy.   In fact,  the whole experience is a very pleasant one,  we love going there.  I think, because of the really good weather, there weren’t as many people as usual but we had lots of  interest in what we were selling and some lovely compliments.   The scarves sold well, as usual, as did the brooches and cards.  I also sold a print of the Mersey Ferry with the Ark Royal in the background – that is, I believe, now on its way to America.   Liz got an order for a scarf which she actually started on Saturday evening.    We’ve had to order more wool again.

In the coming week, I’m hoping to make up for lost time and get sewing some more organza brooches, felt brooches and who knows what else.