I can hardly believe it’s 2 months since I last posted. Christmas was incredibly busy and, since then, I seem to have been running around like a mad woman! I can’t honestly say, though, that I’ve achieved an awful lot.
On second thoughts, I have achieved one goal. I have actually made a number of Christmas cards - about 200 in fact. I had promised myself that, before I put all the Christmas 'stuff' away, I would make next year's cards - that will mean that I won't have to panic next November - at least that's the theory.
I have been busy with rehearsals for my Operatic Society’s production, which took place last week. I was ‘persuaded’ to take on the job of wardrobe mistress as well as performing in the chorus, so the last couple of weeks have been particularly stressful and hectic. However, despite a few last minute glitches, everything went swimmingly – the costumes were gorgeous. I only had to alter 4 costumes in total - thank goodness I’ve got an overlocker. I could do with a ‘Learn to love your overlocker’ course though – it’s very much a ‘hope for the best’ procedure! According to all the reports I’ve heard so far, the production was ‘outstanding’, ‘the best yet’ and other similar comments.
On the photography front, I’ve done very little – I had to buy a new printer in the end, and it hasn’t been extensively tested yet – but I hope to give it lots of work in the next couple of weeks. Sadly, my pc is slowly dying and, before it freezes up totally and gives up the ghost completely, I’ve followed the good advice of my guru and ordered another one, so I have spent a lot of time backing up all the files – just in case.
On the textile front, I’ve done a little experimenting – I’ve made a ‘faux chenille’ panel; which I’ve used as the front of a bag, and made a picture in strip patchwork and hand embroidery – I promise I’ll have some pictures soon.
I did, as I’d hoped, get some lovely craft books for Christmas so I’ve got lots of ideas to work on. One of the books is about creating felt garments and, full of enthusiasm, I cut out the fabric for a lovely nuno felt jacket using chiffon fabric. Just to be sure, I decided to try out some colours on a small sample of the fabric. After hours of rubbing and rolling, I had to give up and admit that the fabric (which was synthetic chiffon) was not going to allow the wool to penetrate enough, and that the whole project would not work. That will teach me not to cut out a garment before trying a small sample first! Another lesson learned though!
I did manage to make a couple of nuno pieces felted onto muslin – they were very successful – and I have used them to back a couple of sketchbooks. I have also completed a number of brooches in bright colours which I thought might sell well.
Last weekend, we went to our first craft fair of the year – it was a charity event in aid of the MS Society and was held at St. Anne’s Social Centre in Ormskirk. It was only for 2 hours and I believe it was successful in adding to the branch’s funds. I sold a print and a scarf and some odds and ends, so it was worthwhile loading and unloading the car in that terribly cold weather, especially as I have been a member of the Society for about 40 years.
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