12th December 2012

I thought I’d mark this special day – 12/12/2012,  by catching up with my blog.    It won’t happen again until 1/1/3001!   It’s been a very busy time since I last posted – we seem to have been either at craft fairs or making stuff to take to fairs.   The Mansion House at St. Helens was successful – everyone was in festive mood and we even had a choir to sing to us.

The 30th November and the 1^st of December were spent at the Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk, a two day event which coincided with the switching on of the Christmas lights.   It’s always a pleasant event – the staff are very helpful and efficient and join in the fun with some spectacular costumes.   There were lots of people about on the Friday but not so many on the Saturday but, all In all, we were happy – especially to meet some old friends who, like us, seem to be permanent features there -Jackie and Clare who make lovely scarves and their friend Kiki who makes exquisite bags and other accessories and who is always so enthusiastic and encouraging – she always raises my spirits. You can see some of her creations on folksy – Aliki bags.

The following day, feeling more than a little jaded, we went to Scorton, another venue we always enjoy, not least because we’re made so welcome and provided with endless cups of coffee!  

On 5^th December, Liz was away on holiday so I enlisted the help of my long-suffering husband to help me with a fair at Edge Hill University – a new venue for us.   The building we were in is very impressive and there were a good many stalls spread over 3 rooms.   Unfortunately, the room that we were in seemed a little bit out on a limb and there was not a lot of footfall.   The sales I made were mostly to staff.

The piece de resistance of the whole ‘crafting’ year was last weekend at Open Culture’s 2 day Winter Arts Market at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool.   What a beautiful, impressive building both inside and out.   The organisation is always excellent  - Christina and Charlotte work like Trojans to make everything run like clockwork and their happy band of helpers and St. George’s Hall staff were on hand to assist.   When we were setting up  our stall on Friday evening, we met a newcomer to the craft market scene who was more than a little apprehensive and we tried to reassure her she would enjoy the experience.    

We arrived early on Saturday in time to greet the dozen or so friends who also had stalls – it’s a bit like a reunion.    There wasn’t much time for socialising though – there were literally thousands of customers.  It was really hard work but so enjoyable, people were interesting and interested and the time flew by.  I sold lots of photo cards as well as felt and knitted items and a few bits of jewellery. We did just have time to see our lovely young friend from the previous evening – her name is Natalie Louise Smith and she is an illustrator.   I was totally captivated by her animal portraits, they are well worth a look  www.natalielouisesmith.co.uk.     By the end of Saturday, we were thoroughly exhausted but exhilarated and it was nice not to have to pack up but to leave the remaining stock there ready to start again the following morning.    Both Liz and I spent a good part of Saturday evening reprinting, sewing, etc. to get some more bits and pieces ready for the following day.   Sunday was again, busy and among my sales was the bag I had knitted from wool I had spun and dyed myself.   Towards the end of the afternoon we were each able to get away for a few minutes to catch up with some of our friends and to see how they’d fared.    Everyone we spoke to had enjoyed the event and most had been very successful.   A weekend well spent.

The first few days this week have been spent trying to tidy up, do some washing, etc. Now it’s time to make some preparation for Christmas which has been sadly neglected – I’m beginning to panic – no cards written, few presents bought and no food planned or shopped for – the rest of this  week and next week are going to be manic.   I can’t wait until it’s all over and I can get making stuff again – probably using some ideas from the new books I’m hoping to get for presents – I’ve already got my big Christmas present which is a drum carder which will help enormously with my felt making.     

 

Busy Bee

Hand dyed felt book cover

The yarn I had ordered arrived quite quickly so I’ve been knitting furiously, a couple of cowls and four scarves.    I also attended a class on knitted/felted jewellery in which I produced a ring and a necklace.   The lady who took the class had made some woven some absolutely gorgeous, elegant wraps/shrugs in beautiful colours and, I’m afraid, I succumbed to temptation and bought one.   I’ve worn it 3 times already and it has been much admired – money well spent, I say.

 Last Saturday’s Fair at Ullett Road was very successful - it was in a beautiful building, and there were plenty of people about, especially in the morning.    I sold a warm, wool and taffeta scarf which I was quite fond of and Liz sold a sparkly knitted scarf as well.   

On Sunday, I had intended to go walking, but opted, in the end to go to see a wind band masterclass in the afternoon and a concert by a local symphony orchestra in the evening.   The Master Class was held at Hope University- what a lovely building set in a little oasis of peace so close to the bustling city.    I always find masterclasses fascinating and this was no exception – the final performance of the piece that the massed bands had worked on was great.    In  the evening, our eldest grandson was one of the percussionists in his first ever classical concert and we were really proud to see him there amongst all the seasoned (and much older) players.   He very much looked the part too!

cobweb scarf

 

I’ve been working hard to produce items to sell at the 8 craft fairs we’re going to between now and 10^th December.   The felt I dyed last week has already been turned into two diary covers – I sold one before I could photograph it but there is a picture of the other one.   I’ve done a bit more experimenting with nuno this week as well – the first experiment didn’t go too well but I salvaged a cobwebby scarf from that effort.  

red nuno scarf, hand dyed

 

 

gold nuno scarf

The experiment continued, this time, I used a white silk chiffon scarf and undyed wool and some silk fibres.   The scarf felted very well, but the result was not quite as I’d  wanted  - a bit thicker than I anticipated and not as textured.  I decided, because the silk didn’t show up very well, to dye it red which made quite a difference and, with the spare dye I dyed some wool tops a lovely baby pink.  The third try produced a much better result .  Again I used a silk chiffon scarf, but this time a much finer layer of gold wool and silk fibres – the scarf is much lighter and has something nearer the texture I was hoping for.  I’m still going to have another go at getting the result I envisaged.   Watch this space!

Today, we’ve been at the Adult College at Lancaster where we always enjoy ourselves, the staff  are always so helpful and welcoming – I think they were disappointed by the turnout but, as far as we’re concerned, it was fine, in fact, I’ll need to make some more felt for book covers before next week! 

 Tomorrow, we’re off to the Mansion House, a lovely building in St. Helens, for their Christmas Fair,  so the busy weekend continues.

Ups and downs

First, some photos of the items I wrote about in my last blog.

 

felt bag

detail of flower

 

spectacle case

pumpkin bowl
 

On the last weekend of October, we had two Craft Fairs – Saturday at Lark Lane, our usual happy hunting ground – was good for me as I sold several items including a patchwork bag which has not had any interest before. On Sunday, 28^th, we were at the Isla Gladstone Pavilion in Stanley Park which is an absolutely beautiful venue.   Unfortunately, it rained in torrents all day and so very few people were about, and those who were around were probably going to the derby match between Everton and Liverpool.   Not one of our finest hours – most disappointing for everyone, including the helpful, friendly, organisers who I really felt very sorry for.    Despite use wearing our witches hats and false noses, not even the pumpkin bowl was sold.

The following weekend we went to Holland to visit our daughter and her family, so not much got done then except a lot of eating and drinking!   Before we went, I had a little time to experiment dyeing wool with the food dyes I mentioned last time.   I was pleasantly surprised, the first time I used a strawberry dye on a piece white felt and that was a great success.    In fact, I’ve used it to make a diary cover embellished with some gold and red scraps of silk, satin, tulle and organza and machine embroidery. 

The next experiment was with two further pieces of white felt and some white wool tops.  I used one lemon and lime (green) and a raspberry ice (turquoise blue) dye and syringed the dye onto the pieces of felt to produce a green blending to blue.   Both pieces are destined to be notebook covers.  I mixed the remainder of the solutions and used that on the merino wool tops to produce a lovely delicate turquoise – so again a good result (pictures in the next post) .   This week, I needlefelted some white and green prefelt to a piece of white fabric and then decorated it with silk ribbon and beads and that made another diary cover. 

 On Friday, Liz and I and 2 friends from the Camera Club attended a day’s workshop on Creative Photography with Dianne Owen.    The day was really relaxed and  enjoyable, very informative and most inspiring – I came back fired up with enthusiasm and hoping to spend some time trying to put the knowledge gained into practise.   

We had some great news on Thursday.    Because of a cancellation, we now have a table on both Saturday 8^th and Sunday, 9^th at the Winter Arts Market at St. George’s Hall – we’d been really disappointed not to have got in originally.   It’s given us quite a boost and also spurred us on to produce some more items for sale. 

Yesterday, we went to a Charity Bag Sale, organised by the Lions,  at the T. A. Barracks in Allerton.   They had acquired hundreds of bags of all shapes and sizes, wallets and purses, handbags, shopping bags - through to suitcases, for sale at very low prices.    I hope they made lots of money, they certainly put in a lot of hard work.    It was an interesting and successful day for us, we met people we hadn’t seen before and saw a few ‘old friends’.

spectacle case
 

Yesterday, I also heard from the Best of Northern Art Exhibition that they’d sold one of my felt scarves and some other items so, today, I’ve ordered some wool and started making some felt – only a spectacle case so far but the colours are great together.    I hope to be more productive in the coming week.

 

Autumn

It’s a while since I posted because I’ve been away  on holiday to Paphos in Cyprus – the temperature was 32 degrees on a couple of days, so it was quite a culture shock to arrive back to distinctly autumnal weather.  Still, I’m not complaining, a week in the sun has, I hope, set me up for the winter.

Since I’ve been back, I seem to have been busy catching up.  Last Friday, I went to the felting group in Frodsham and made a felt handbag from purple and jade green merino - the colour combination works really well.   I haven’t quite finished it yet, I just need to put some beads on the flap and then I can photograph it.    

Liz has been away too so, on Sunday, I dragged my long-suffering husband to Burscough to the Fibre Fest which I think was part of Wool Week.   There were some interesting stalls there, dyeing, spinning, knitting etc.   I resisted the temptation to buy anything but a very kind lady gave me advice on dyeing wool with a particular brand of soft drink powder!   I think it comes from USA but there is a company on the net which supplies it and I have ordered some sachets so that I can experiment.

We have been accepted to display some of our items at the Best of Northern Art Exhibition at a Gallery in Times Square, Warrington (opposite Games Workshop) so, on Wedneday, Liz and I went to set up in time for the opening this Saturday.   It’s a lovely space, light and bright and the staff were so friendly and helpful – they deserve every success.   We’ve put lots of prints, scarves, bags, brooches and books there that I hope we haven’t left ourselves short for the 2 fairs we have this weekend.  I mean to get busy this afternoon and finish off the felt bag and the glasses case and pumpkin bowl I made yesterday afternoon.  I’m even going to try to make a couple of book covers as well.

Catching up

This week, because of all that terrible rain, we haven’t been able to get out much so I resolved to use the time when I would normally have been out walking, catching up with all the things I keep putting off!   It worked up to a point, I contacted all those people who I have been meaning to catch up with for ages, I tidied up a bit and I even made progress with the mountain of photographs which I have been attempting to put in  chronological order.   I’ve actually got as far as the 1990’s- they are in albums but not stuck in – I’ll get round to that eventually. 

 I also did some felting – I’ve been wanting to make a longish, winter scarf for ages and I decided, in all that gloomy weather, that a bright red one would be just the job – and it is.   I used 3 shades of red  and added small accents of green merino and decorated it with silk fibres and fabric, tulle, and yarn  and I’m really pleased with it.  It’s bright and warm looking and I'm sure it will make a lovely present for someone for Christmas. 

 

detail of red scarf
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, Liz and I have been to a craft fair in Southport – what a lovely day, and it seemed to bring people out to browse. 

Now I’m going to get on with downloading some of the photographs I took weeks ago when we were in Northumberland.

Here are some photos of the makeup pouches I made a couple of weeks ago

Disappointment

I can’t believe that it’s the end of September already, where did that month go and what have I got to show for it?  

 

I’ve got the picture of the mask I made a few weeks ago, it peeled off the mould quite easily once it had dried – that took quite a few days – the picture of it shows it off quite well.

 

During the last couple of weeks I have been quite busy, a craft fair at Lark Lane where we did some fund raising for the  Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning,  went to see our daughter and grandson playing in a concert by Maghull Wind Orchestra at the Palm House in Sefton Park, and  a little bit of felt making and sewing.

 

I’ve been experimenting with nuno felting on different fabrics from my stash – I’m not even sure what fibres they’re made of.Some work better than others and some don’t really work at all which is disappointing.However, my first real attempt was using some printed synthetic floaty fabric which I’d picked up somewhere or other!It is cream with a random pattern in blues and gold so I decided to make a felt edged scarf from it.

detail of the nuno felt scarf
 

 

  I mixed white with three different shades of blue merino for the border and then made a few random circles in gold and turquoise and wisps of dark blue and turquoise all over. Once it was dry, I machine embroidered just inside the edge with a variegated blue thread. The texture of the scarf is wonderful and I’m delighted with it. I also made a felt book cover in red and oranges which I embroidered with freehand machine stitch in a leaf design.  

 

 

 

 

I’ve been trying to use up some of my scraps  of fabric and, so far, I’ve made 4 zipped make up bags and 3 iphone pouches and a covered 2013 diary  - I hope it's not too early for such things but   I am determined to free up some space somehow!

Last Friday, we heard that we have not been accepted for the Winter Arts Market at St. George’s Hall in the centre of Liverpool, this year.   We enjoyed last year’s event so much and were really looking forward to it again this year, however, apparently, there were so many applicants that the organisers couldn’t accommodate everyone so we’re hoping that they may get some cancellations and that we are near the top of the waiting list – we’re keeping our fingers crossed.     

The good news is that Liz and I went to an excellent workshop on creative photography by Dianne Owen, this weekend, and we’ve just heard that we’ve both been accepted to join like-minded photographers  who have formed a  group specifically to further their creative photography.   So it’s not all doom and gloom.

Indian Summer

 Well, weren’t we lucky?   We went away to Northumbria for 4 days with some friends – who’d have thought that we’d have such good weather, it was wonderful.   On the day we arrived we had a lovely walk at Alnmouth and the next day we visited Howick Gardens on the coast, near Craster.   On our last day, we did a whistlestop tour of all the places we love on that coast – Budle Bay, Bamburgh, Seahouses, Beadnell and Dunstanborough.   The other day, we went to Newcastle itself to look at the Tyne Bridge and the Millennium Bridge.   We also went to a really interesting gallery, The Biscuit Factory, a contemporary art gallery in a Victorian warehouse -  plenty to see, paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass and some textiles; it  was a real treat.    On our way home we detoured to Gateshead to see the Angel of the North ,  Antony Gormley’s  sculpture.   Although I expected it to be big, it was larger than I had imagined and most impressive, although I  have to say it doesn’t beat Another Place which is, for me, far more moving.

Before we went away I did some felting – a book cover inspired by birch trees in an autumn landscape – which I’ve now completed only to have my granddaughter fall in love with it, so I’ve had to make another one.   Since we came home I’ve made another bookcover depicting yachts in a seascape –that was much admired today in Borrowdale.

 I have made great strides with downloading photos – I’ve even caught up enough to start working on those I took at the Motorfest – not great so far, but it was difficult to get clear shots with all those people milling about

Last Sunday,  I went on a nostalgia trip to see the church which I had attended until the mid 1950’s – it had been superseded by a modern building in 70’s and was open just for the  afternoon.  What a lot of memories it brought back, but sad to see how much it had deteriorated and how small it seemed to me 50 odd years on.   Still, there is a move afoot to attempt some restoration,  I hope it is successful.

On Friday I attended a workshop on making masks – it was very messy and great fun, my effort is presently sitting on top of the washing machine drying, very slowly.   I’m hopeful that, when it is fully dry, and I peal it off the mould, it will be quite effective.   Watch this space!

I do remember saying in a post in August, that  I was never going to do an outside event ever, ever again.  However, I had already booked and paid for today’s event in the Lake District.  The idea was to take our long-suffering husbands to Keswick for a night in a hote, l with a good meal thrown in, and then to attend the Borrowdale Show and Shepherds Meet the next day.   So, on Saturday, we left with high hopes of a pleasant walk around Derwentwater before our evening meal.   Because of a very long delay on the M6, we didn’t get to Keswick until  4.30 p.m. so a walk  was out of the question but we had a little walk around Keswick before our meal.     This morning, it only started to drizzle as we arrived at the show ground so unpacking wasn’t too awful.   Then it started, heavier and heavier, and it didn’t stop all day.    The showground got soggier and soggier, the cars had to be towed off the field which was being used as a car park and, all in all, it was pretty awful.   How sad for the organisers.   Despite the fact that we did sell a few things and, again, met some fascinating people  that is positively the last time outdoors in the English Summer..

Last Bank Holiday until Christmas

True to form, the Bank Holiday weekend was another damp squib!   Lark Lane on Saturday wasn’t too bad weatherwise but it wasn’t very busy – I think everyone had gone to the Matthew Street Festival.  

On Sunday, we braved the threatening sky and, with our husbands, we went into Ormskirk to see the Motorfest.   In the event, the weather stayed fine and was actually quite warm so we stayed quite a while, looking at all the veteran, vintage and classic cars.     Liz and I took numerous photos but it was difficult to get clear shots of the cars because there were such  crowds of people there.   I’m, hoping that I might have some half decent shots of the cars when they actually drove round the one-way system – but I haven’t downloaded them yet.   However, I have downloaded some shots from the flower show and the camera club’s outing to Southport  and there are some promising shots there.  

On Bank Holiday Monday, the four of us were going to go to Matthew Street Festival but it absolutely poured down all day, so I spent my time putting some new products onto my website.   It took forever – Liz is the expert , she seems to whiz through but I thought it was time I got into it a bit more – I suppose I’ll get quicker in time.    I still need Liz to check for any howlers though!

I can’t believe that, next week, the children go back to school – I’ll miss Adam, my grandson, who has spent quite a lot of time with us this holiday, but it will make me get back into some sort of routine again and down to a bit of serious work – that’s if I don’t get distracted by the Paralympics!

Felt brooch

Lazy bones

I have been a real lazy bones for the last ten days.   The Olympics were partly to blame – I’ve run every race, jumped every jump, thrown every missile, swum, paddled , sailed and cycled, to name but a few disciplines – I’m exhausted!    I compounded my laziness by going to Old Trafford to watch a day’s cricket at the weekend and I shall be skiving off to the Flower Show at Southport towards the end of the week as well, so not a lot achieved this week either.

A few weeks ago,  I helped one of my grandsons to make a couple of pieces of felt which I promised to make into a pencil case for him for when he starts secondary school – this week, finally, I put it together and put a zip in it – it looks super - I should have taken a photograph of it before he took it home.

I also did some nuno felt samples – I was checking which of my stash of fabrics might be suitable for the technique before I embark on any larger scale projects.    One of the samples, made using purple and  black merino on mauve chiffon, I have used to make a pretty anemone brooch with a  beaded centre.

As well as having a mammoth sort out of a drawer full of old photographs, I intend to try to make some sense of lots of clutter in my ‘workroom’ this coming week.   Wish me luck – I’ll need it.

Rain, rain, go away!

This week, like many other people in this country, I’ve been glued to television watching the Olympics so I haven’t been very productive at all.   I make the excuse that it’s only once every 4 years and won’t happen again in this country in my lifetime, so it seems a shame not to make the most of it.  

I did have one day when I made lots of jewellery using some of the beads I bought on holiday.   I think the total was 2 dozen pairs of earrings ,1 dozen necklaces/pendants and 6 handbag/phone charms.

On Saturday, we went to Bickerstock – a music festival in Bickerstaffe.   Luckily we were located in a marquee so, despite the teeming rain showers we were at least dry.    It wasn’t particularly busy for us but, among other things, I sold a felt covered sketch book which I was rather fond of and my favourite purple and pink felt scarf.   Liz sold a couple of bags and a pretty scarf.  However, I don’t think we’re music festival material, the noise levels increased as the day wore on and we were reduced to plugging our ears with paper tissues at one point!    We made our escape at about 5 o’clock with our ears ringing and our heads buzzing.

Today, we were again in a marquee at Knowsley Flower Show.    It all started very well, a lovely morning and the staff were very pleasant and even helped us unload.    The ground was quite wet when we arrived and, by the time we’d set up and  despite wearing strong walking shoes, we had wet feet.    I don’t know what time the rain really started to come down in bucketfulls but it was deafening on the canvas of the marquee.    Then the thunder and lightning started and the rain became even heavier – think Noah’s flood.    It seemed to go on forever, but the best was yet to come.   Suddenly, we realised that big pools were forming under our feet and  little rivulets were forming.   Then we noticed that, just above our heads, the canvas was beginning to sag ominously where a large volume of water had collected instead of running off.   Just as we were trying to decide on our best course of action, a member of staff arrived and ordered everyone to ‘abandon ship’ as the site was about to be closed due to flooding.    Forget women and children first, it was every man for himself.   I don’t think we’ve ever packed up as quickly (or as untidily).   We dashed for the car (that’s if you can actually dash and paddle at the same time) and crammed everything in as quickly as we could.   Getting off the site took ages, everyone, exhibitors, traders and visitors all trying to leave at the same time, some getting bogged down in the mud, but at least we were not getting any wetter.

Since coming home, I have unpacked, dried out and repacked.   If I am ever tempted to do an open air/marquee event again, I hope someone will remind me of just how risky it can be in terms of ruining all those lovely photographic prints and textiles and how very lucky we were to get back with everything intact.   And, if all else fails, remind me that were fortunate to not come home with trench foot!

Southport Flower Show Competition

This week, I have been spending some time with my grandson so, although I’ve been doing ‘crafty’ things with him, I haven’t made an awful lot of textiles.   One thing I have done, however, is to make some textile brooches depicting beach huts  - I’ve made 3 so far and actually sold 2 already – I’ll be making some more of them!

Lark Lane yesterday was very quiet, I think everyone was on holiday.   Nevertheless,  it was, as usual a pleasant day, old acquaintances renewed and lots of laughing as well as exchanging ideas.   It was lovely that Tina Leahy,  who has been having a ’sabbatical’, popped in to see us.  

Today, we went to Scorton – what a lovely village.  It’s always enjoyable there, plenty of people – although, again, probably because it’s the summer holidays, not as many as usual.   Strangely, apart from photo cards which always sell, and a couple of other bits and pieces,  I sold 6 hand-painted silk bookmarks – I usually sell only one or two per event.

I got a lovely surprise this week – I’ve been awarded 2^nd prize in Southport Flower Show’s the Stefan Buczacski Open Photography Competition.   I have to attend on the first day of the Flower Show to be presented with my certificate and cheque – I haven’t a clue how much the prize is worth and I don’t much care – I’m just so delighted!  The photograph is a portrait of an iris from my garden.  

St. Davids

Since I last posted, I’ve been away on a long holiday – 12 days in all.   We went to  St. David’s in Pembrokeshire – a place we’ve been to many times and which we never tire of.   Despite the rain, we managed to get out on 8 of the days and actually managed the beach on some part of those 8 days – for this Summer I think that’s not at all bad.

Needless to say, I took knitting and embroidery with me so that I could be productive.   I did not do a thing!   I was seduced into playing silly card games such as Free Cell and Spider on the computer – what a timewaster and so addictive!    I have promised myself that I will only ever play when we’re away on holiday – otherwise nothing creative will ever happen again.  

I always come back from St. David’s fired up with all sorts of inspiration and ideas and, having looked in various galleries, this time was no exception.   In fact, one rainy afternoon, I tried my hand at watercolour painting – I used to paint quite a lot – but the results were crude in the extreme and I put the paints away again in disgust!   I think, when I’m fed up with textiles and photography, I’ll have another go.  It just goes to show that you’ve got to keep practising or lose your skill.

As for photography,  the light was generally pretty poor. so I took very few photographs and I haven’t downloaded them yet .  |I don’t think there’ll be anything spectacular – just some ‘snaps’.

Since we came home, apart from lots of washing, I haven’t done much at all.   I did go to a super concert by Maghull Wind Orchestra  on Saturday at the Metropolitan Cathedral  - both my daughter and grandson were playing.

 I am intending to make up for my laziness in the coming week, so perhaps I’ll have something to show in my next post.   We’ll be at Lark Lane on Saturday, catching up with everyone and hoping to sell some wares.

Outdoor Events

Well, the worst did happen.  On Friday we went to Ormskirk Market again – this time it was a complete washout.  Although we were much more expert at setting up the cover over the stall, but to no avail – the rain came down in torrents and the cover was of no use at all.  After less than an hour and a half, during which the weather  continued to deteriorate,  we were in danger of getting all the ‘stuff’ soaked, so we decided to call it a day – we were both soaked through to our underwear.   It was really disappointing for the Chapel Gallery staff who had worked so hard under such difficult circumstances and we were so sorry for them.   

Today we have been to a Craft Fair in Ainsdale; it coincided with Ainsdale Horticultural Show, and we though that might add to the footfall.   Unfortunately,  because the weather was so good, most people went to the outdoor event and didn’t come indoors at all!    We can’t win   However, we enjoyed our day and I sold 3 prints, more than I usually sell in one go.  It was nice to meet up again with Margaret from the Soap Corner and Nicola from Good Girl Designs who had some lovely new brooches and some really unusual mats.

 During the week I’ve been quite productive – half a dozen lavender bags, the promised felted iPod case, a couple of scarves and some more heart-shaped brooches.    No bad eh? 

The great outdoors

 





Since I last posted, a fortnight ago, I have been, as usual, very busy.   I finished the black velvet bag and sent off its photo to the lady who commissioned it.  




 

The prototype iPhone case which I finished did fit Liz's phone so I completed a few more as well as two or three kindle cases.  All these went to Lark Lane with us on Saturday 23rd.    One lady, who bought a felt covered sketchbook, would like an iPhone cover making in felt too, so I'll make that and take it with me in July. 

On Friday, 22nd, I went with two friends to Cockermouth to visit the 'Woolfest'  - an annual event which I've wanted to visit for some time.   It was a long journey and the road conditions were awful due to the torrential rain which never let up all day.   A nightmare for Annette who was driving - it must have been extremely stressful and tiring.    We all really enjoyed seeing the exhibits and trade stands, never have I seen such an array of sik and wool in such beautiful colours.   There were sheep, alpacca, goats and rabbits together with spinners, dyers, weavers, knitters and feltmakers by the dozen.   I came home with some wool and silk fibres and can't wait to get felting.

Last Friday, Liz and I went to the Craft Fair and Vintage Market in Ormskirk.   We were outside where the usual market is on Thursdays and Saturdays.   The weather could have been kinder and, I suppose, could have been worse.  As we were setting up, and in the early part of the day, it rained.   When it rains the water collects on the top of the covers in great pools and eventually has to come down - it came down in great quantity on top of Liz - three times!   By the afternoon, it had dried up,  but then we got a very strong, swirling wind and our time was spent chasing articles being blown away.   By the time we left, we were exhausted - we didn't know we had to take our own chairs so spent nearly 8 hours on our feet.   We'll know better next week when we're there again - I hope the weather's better.

Kindle case

My intention, during next week, is to make some more lavender bags, glasses cases and a couple of scarves - we'll see! 



Kindle case

Kindle casen

Fathers' Day

Today, I went to see the Liverpool Embroiderers Guild exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral.   I'd dragged my poor, long-suffering husband there, even though it was Fathers' Day, so I bribed him with a Chinese take-away when we got home.   Unfortunately, by the time we got there, the exhibition was being taken down.   Apparently, the Cathedral authorities had asked for it to be cleared today rather than tomorrow.  Despite the fact that some of the exhibits had been removed, there were enough to make our journey worthwhile and the patient helpers did not object to us wandering around whilst they worked.   There was some really interesting work and techniques on show, not just embroidery,  felt, patchwork and weaving etc.

My main focus in the last few weeks has been making the commissioned bag.   It is made from black velvet and has an appliqued white flower on the front.   Velvet, whilst being wonderful to look at and gorgeous to touch, is a devil to sew.   Before I use it again for anything other than decoration, I must find out the best way of working with it - it cannot be pressed or ironed in any way (that I know of), so it has been something of a challenge.

I've also made a prototype iphone cover which, if  it fits (I'll have to borrow an iphone to check), will spur me on to make some more to take to Lark Lane on Saturday and probably to Lancaster on 30th.

On Friday, I went to a felting group which was good -  lots of ideas and encouragement shared, and I had a 'play' with a drum carder - it's used to prepare wool for felting.   I also made a small piece of inlaid felt using a technique I'd not used before, and I was pleased with the results.  The piece will probably end up as another book cover - I'm going to embellish it a bit first.   I hope to join the group when they resume in September so that I can move my felting on a bit more.   

Jubilee Weekend



blue silk bag

'treasure bag' for a bride

After the excitement of seeing the Olympic Torch (twice) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent at Craft Fairs.    Saturday’s was at the Equestrian Centre at Aintree Racecourse so it was almost local.   There weren’t a lot of people about and those who came along were generally more interested in the horses than the crafts!   



On Sunday, we went to Alston Hall College near Longridge.    We were meant to have a table in the Craft Marquee but, when we arrived it had blown away during the  night and we were re-located inside the Hall.   What a shame that the weather was so dreadful, so much work had been put into the event and the setting was so lovely.   However,  some people did brave the rain and there was a steady flow of people during the day.    As well as selling some cards, a print and a scarf, I got a commission for a bag – so that’s next week's project.

Trains and boats and planes part 2

Today, finally, the missing suitcase arrived.   What a relief!   As well as all the dirty laundry, it contained essentials such as my address book, phone charger, makeup, curling tongs, costume jewellery and battery charger for the camera.   The washing's done and I can get back to concentrating on some crafts.     

On our holiday, we flew to Calgary and then a coach took us to Banff where, after an overnight stay, we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer train for a 2 day journey through the Rockies.       Spectacular scenery and, on the first morning, we saw elk and, quite close to the tracks, a brown bear.   We stayed overnight in Kamloops and then boarded the train again the next morning and said goodbye to Doug English, a travel writer, who we'd met at Calgary airport.  That day we saw osprey and lots of bald eagles, and the scenery was magnificent again.

We left the train in Vancouver (a lovely city) and, after an overnight stay and a very quick look round , we boarded our cruise ship bound for Alaska.   Our first stop was Ketchican where, apparently, it rains almost every day.   The scenery as we sailed up the Inside Passage was beautiful, snow-capped mountains dipping into the sea.  

At Icy Strait Point, we went on a guided wildlife walk.   We saw a deer and then we saw a lone bear.  A little while later another family of bears was spotted, a female with 3 cubs, we watched them through our binoculars for quite a while.   After we returned to the port we went whalewatching.    Although it was raining and quite cold we stood on deck looking out for the tellltale water spouts and, sure enough, we came upon a female humpback and her calf.   It was so exciting.   After watching them for a little while we went further afield and there were any number, the sound of their breathing was quite loud and when they breeched and slapped those great tails down everyone cheered.  

Our next port of call was Juneau, for a capital city it was tiny.   While we were there we visited the most amazing patchwork shop, Changing Tides.   I have never seen such a selection of fabrics, some of the batik fabrics were gorgeous.  Although very tempted, I didn't buy anything because, literally, I could not have chosen a few, I would have bought the whole shop.    While we were there, we also looked in at a gallery and saw some wonderful paper collage landscapes by Sherri McDonald who lives in Juneau - they were really beautiful and very delicate.  

Our last stop was in Skagway where we had booked a trip on the White Pass and Yukon Railway to the 3000 ft summit.   As on the Rocky Mountaineer, Pete and I spent most of our time on the little observation platform at the rear of the carriage.  The railway is an amazing feat of engineering as it climbs through steep snow covered passes and over dizzyingly high trestle bridges.   In some places there were 12 ft walls of snow and, when we got to the to, it snowed on us.   

Our last day on the ship included a couple of hours watching the Hubbard Glacier.   The glacier is huge and, with the sun on it, such wonderful shades of deep blue through to palest turquoise.   We could hear it rumbling and creaking as it 'calved' great pieces of ice into the sea.  

Finally, we reached Seward, said goodbye to our lovely Assistant Waitress, Vidaylin,  and embarked another spectacular train journey to reach Anchorage airport to fly to Seattle for an overnight stay before leaving for Manchester via Washington DC. 

Reaching Manchester, we said goodbye to John and Mo with whom we had spent most evenings and met Liz who had come to take us home.

After a week's rest it's back to business - turquoise bag finished, a couple of felt bowls made and the prospect of two Craft Fairs this weekend.   I really will post some pictures next time. 

Trains and Boats and Planes

Just a quick update.    Since 8th May, I have been on holiday.  We went to Canada and then Alaska.   The scenery and wildlife were spectacular and the weather was very kind to us.    I'll certainly be writing a lot more about it when I'm less jet lag (actually it's not too bad!).   I've got lots to catch up on (including the washing when the suitcase containing it finally arrives - I think it's still in Alaska) so, apart from trying to get my photos downloaded, I haven't achieved much in the craft department since I last posted.   The beautiful jade, blue and turquoise bag is still unfinished but it is going to be really stunning.

Will post again soon - hopefully with some photos.