Bank Holiday Weekend

Well, once again, it's only a week since my last blog - it won't last!  Another week flown by - where did that go?   I did some baby sitting on Wednesday and spent some of my time looking at textile websites on the internet - I've got lots more inspiration but not lots more time.  

A little, slow progress with the cot quilt - another 4 squares completed - that's 44 with 80 to go!   With the cream lawn I bought at Aintree,  I've made a top to send to my granddaughter in Holland, so the offcuts of that have gone into the quilt stash.  

On Friday, I made a couple more felt poppies which didn't turn out quite as expected but I'm sure that I can 'rescue' them.   This slight disappointment was compensated for by the felt maple leaf shapes which I made intending to make them into brooches.   I have experimented with stiffening the felt in various ways and by varying degrees and I am now trying to work out which is the most successful method.  I have yet to stitch into them,  and that might help me decide which method I like best.  Being able to stiffen the felt without altering the texture raises all sorts of other possibilities - hats, 3d objects etc.   Interesting!!!

Yesterday, I went to the Craft Fair at  Lark Lane.  I had to press my long-suffering husband into service (as Liz was away for a few days) - it is far easier when there are two of us who know what we're doing (well Liz does anyway) and I missed her.   A few 'old' faces turned up - two with new babies - and it was nice to see them again.   I sold a red, crocheted poppy made by Liz - her first foray into crochet - so that pleased her no end.    I sold a few bits and pieces and a couple of prints of local scenes so I will be reprinting them this week.  

Last week, I had an order for some large prints of the Iron Men by Antony Gormley and,  yesterday, I was asked by someone else to do three more large prints so I will have to get busy with them as well.

Today,  I went with my family to see one of my grandsons playing with Sefton Youth Jazz Band in Southport's Jazz Festival.   Thankfully, as they played in the Town Hall Gardens, the weather was kind to us - it was wonderful to see so many young, enthusiastic musicians - what a lovely way to spend a Bank Holiday Sunday.

My project, this week, as well as knitting some more scarves in preparation for our visit to West Derby at the weekend, is to make a fabric corsage out of soluble film, organza and machine embroidery.   Who knows I might even have some pictures of  it next week.

Aintree and Firtree Farm

It's only a week since my last post - aren't I getting good?   I can't promise this new me will last but I'm trying.   What's been going on this week?   First the cot quilt is making slow progress - only another four squares completed this week - I really do need some more fabric and I only managed to buy a piece of cream, cotton lawn at Aintree Craft and Hobby Show.   Still, the day was not wasted, I enjoyed meeting up with old friends and seeing some of the demonstrations that were on offer.   I saw part of a presentation by Wendy Dolan who does some wonderful textile pictures using cream/white natural fabrics as the basis and then painting and adding texture and, finally, machine embroidery.   Another Wendy (Cotterill) was kind enough to demonstrate how she prints on fabric using her inkjet printer.   She does some beautiful textile work and you can see some examples on http://www.lutrador.co.uk/.  

I also tried my hand at spinning with a drop spindle while I was at Aintree and I have to say I wasn't half bad - I was truly dreadful.  It's a bit like learning to drive you have to remember to do all sorts of different things at the same time - I was a source of great merriment to the expert and the other participants, not to mention the spectators who had the foresight not to volunteer!   I will master it though, I'm looking at a drop spindle on e-bay and I intend to learn to do it or die in the attempt.   Watch this space.    Having said all that, I have almost a metre of hand spun wool ( a bit slubby I'll grant) thanks to the patience and expertise of the demonstrator (whose name I forgot to note).

There was some great work on display by various textile and quilting groups but there wasn't a lot on offer for textile artists, plenty of cardmaking and jewellery suppliers but not nearly enough fabrics and fibres.    So, although I spent quite a lot of money, it was mostly on bits and pieces like vilene, machine needles, thread and other mundane items. 

Last Monday, at my photography club, we had a lecture from John Wells on 'Creative Photography' - it was brilliant - as well as being a very entertaining lecturer his prints (and there were many) were stunning.   He seems to take photos of anything and everything and although there are plenty of unmanipulated shots, he uses manipulation in a very creative way and produces some wonderful pictures.  I was inspired to get down to doing some more creative work this Summer.

On Saturday, we went to Firtree Farm, near Billinge, where there was also a Farmers' Market taking place.   We've been there before and, as usual, it was a very enjoyable experience - the other stallholders are a friendly bunch and varied crafts on offer.    It was quite busy and we sold a necklace,some prints, cards, a couple of brooches and several scarves so we were well pleased.    People were very appreciative of the mounted prints and I'm hoping to get a few orders through the website - we'll see.   Liz actually got a commission for a photo - I think she's still smiling....

Mixed fortunes

Well, we went to Walton Vale - not a howling success - I was not feeling very well - a tummy bug,  and the weather was awful which kept most people indoors.  It's such a shame, the other stallholders are really pleasant, there's plenty of variety,  but the weather always beats us there despite the best efforts of the organisers who even go out in the pouring rain giving out fliers. 

Because I was under the weather, not much got done until about Thursday - I had a look at my photos from the Lakes and Scotland and found there weren't many I really liked.   I did, however, make inroads into making blocks for the cot quilt, I've made about 36 squares - I only need another 84!   I'm beginning to run out of white/cream pure cotton fabrics so I'm going to have to buy some, which defeats the whole purpose which was to use up some scraps!  It was ever thus!  

On Friday, I felted some poppy flowers to make a corsage to wear on a black lace jacket - I had to be careful not to make them too heavy and bulky.   They have turned out really well - fine, bright red,  merino wool with black silk centres and shading.  I've beaded them with black beads to represent stamens and they look great - all I've got to do now is back them and attach a brooch pin.  When that's done, I'll post a photo of  the resulting corsage.

I also finished a couple of scarves and they went with us to the Village Hotel in Widnes today.   Oh dear, another dreadfully wet day - nobody in their right mind would have gone out in it -  so again, few people about.   Made some new friends and met up with some old ones - several of us will meet up again at the Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk in a few weeks.

The best news though, is that,  this week,  I made my first real sale through the website - great rejoicing.   I sold a felt brooch - let's hope it's the first of many sales.  

Can't wait for next Friday's day out at Aintree, not just to spend some money,  but I'll be meeting up with frends I made when doing my City and Guilds course - it should be quite a reunion.

Back to work

Once again, I've been off on holiday - aren't I lucky.   We went to Scotland for a long weekend and managed to combine it with a visit to a textile artist whose workshop I attended a couple of years ago.    Her name is Maggie Ayres and she does some really wonderful mixed media canvases - I love the textures she creates with felt, silk, scrim and gesso.   Have a look at her website www.maggieayres.co.uk.   She now has a studio in Kirkcudbright along with several other artists.    There are lots of little studios in Kirkcudbright and we saw some very interesting and inspiring work.    The weather was very kind to us - lots of sun but quite windy and cool.   We visited the Dumfries and Galloway coast and a few houses and gardens.   We even saw the Ospreys at Threave Castle - that was exciting.

Tomorrow, we're off to Walton Vale for a Craft Fair at Longmoor Lane Methodist Church so I've been knitting scarves and I'll be taking them with me, together with the felt bookcovers I have at last photographed.

I still haven't worked on the photos from our trip to the Lakes on Easter Sunday .  I've been working on some earrings for a lady who bought a pendant from me at Lark Lane on Easter Saturday - they're all but finished now so, hopefully, this week, I'll have some time to go through them.

The resolution to finish things off before starting a new project bit the dust quite quickly!   I have embarked on making a cot quilt - I was inspired by a book called 'Quilting to Dye for' which advocates making the quilt first and then dying it - the results can be very interesting  - at least they are in the book!   I'm using different weight fabrics  in white and cream cotton, broderie anglaise, and other odds and ends - it is quite time consuming but I'm really enjoying it.  I'll have to buy some wadding and some fabric for the backing when I visit the craft show at Aintree Racecourse in a few weeks.   I've got quite a shopping list - if I buy everything on it I'll need a mortgage. 



Easter Weekend

Happy Easter!   I've been very good this week - did the garden as promised - it still needs more time spent on it so perhaps a bit more this week.  I've made two different prototype tunic tops for my granddaughter and they're awaiting the sign of approval - let's hope they fit.   I made some colourful book covers from some felt which was an experimental piece which I then hand embroidered - I do like them, perhaps I'll have photos of them next time.    I've also been getting some photos ready for a competition - the standard is high so I've been agonising over which to submit - only time will tell if I've made the right decisions.

On Saturday, we went to Lark Lane (without the St. George's Day rose - a long story!) and, although it was quiet, we still enjoyed it.  Once again, we met some new and interesting people and, among other things, sold some of the scarves I spoke about in my last blog.  Liz, my sister and partner in crime, is ordering some more wool for us tomorrow, so the knitting needles will be red hot getting some more ready for the Craft Fair at Longmoor Lane Methodist Church on 7th May.

Today, we've been walking in the Lake District - hoping to get some good photographs of bluebells.   The weather was glorious, the birdsong was wonderful (particularly the goldcrest we saw)  but the bluebells are just a bit later up there than here so, although they were plentiful, they were not quite at their best.   Took many, many photos anyway and I'm going to get them onto the computer this evening, along with the birds from last week.  

I'm not sure what the plans are for the rest of this week, I need to finish off quite a few bits and pieces before I start on something new  - a bit of self-discipline required.  We'll see.

I'm back again

Oh dear, the new me didn't last long - I haven't written anything new for weeks!   No real excuses - I have been busy and I have been out of the country for a few days visiting family - but I really should have posted something. I have been knitting furiously - scarves made from either Rico Can Can or Katia Ondas and Triana yarns - they are really different, and they feel absolutely gorgeous, soft and silky - they remind me of a feather boa!

I've also been printing some photos of the winter sunset at Crosby,  Merseyside, which I took ages ago, they make lovely cards.

On 2nd April, we went to Neston again, we enjoyed it very much - once again meeting interesting people.   I was even able to help one of the ladies manning the cafe with a knitting pattern which had got the better of her - I hope she's getting on with it o.k. now.

This week I've been taking advantage of the Spring weather and have been out taking photos of birds, flowers etc.   I should really have been doing the garden, but I've promised myself to get out there this week instead.   In a spare moment I'm making a summer tunic top for one of my granddaughters - I've cut a pattern off one she already has and its cut out and ready to sew.  I hope its a success - only time will tell!

On Saturday, we're going to the Old Police Station at Lark Lane, a favourite haunt of ours, it's Easter Saturday so I hope there'll be plenty of people in holiday mood - perhaps looking for the odd last minute Easter Present!   It's also St. Georges Day so I'll have to try to get myself a red rose (not a poppy!).

Spring

Isn't it wonderful?   The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are getting lighter, the temperature's rising and, best of all, there's blossom and buds on the trees and daffodils everywhere.   Yesterday, we went to a Craft Fair at the Old Police Station, Lark Lane.  It was their first fair of the season and it was great to catch up with some of our old friends.    Although it was quite quiet the people who came were really interested and interesting to talk to.  I sold a few prints and several scarves and other bits and pieces.     We will be there again on St. George's Day (Easter Saturday) so, as it's a holiday weekend we hope people will be browsing and, perhaps, even looking for last minute Easter presents.

I've made some shoulder  bags this week.   I  hate waste and have collected a 'stash' of various fabrics over a number of years.  It is my ambition to make good use of all the pieces of fabric I've acquired and turn them into something useful.   The bags, this week, have been made out of furnishing fabric, they all  have a longish strap and two are decorated with tabs fastened with glass beads and the other one has a 'cuff' decorated with a large button.  Each one has a snap fastener to close.

On the same note, I made two handbags from a piece of beautiful, soft, felt which I stupidly allowed to get into the washing machine!   It is still beautiful, but not soft!  I generally wash felt in the washing machine on a gentle, wool, cycle but in a distracted moment, of which I have more and more lately, I put it in a normal wash at 40 degrees - ow!   Rather than let it go to waste, I have used it to make two, similar handbags using bought handles.   One is trimmed with a glass bead and loop to close it, while the other has a flower decoration on the flap.

On Friday, I  also made a couple of felt bowls.  My niece commissioned one in pinks/purples as a present,  so I actually made two and she can choose which one she likes best.    I'll photograph the 'rejected' one to show you after she's chosen.

I think that's my limit for now - I hope you're impresses that I've, at last, managed to keep to my resolution to 'blog' weekly - it can't last.