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