Nuvo Felt

What are you doing on July 10th?

2010-06-14T09:30:00.001+01:00

Hope to see you there. More information can be found here.

Festering Filth

2010-06-12T15:23:00.002+01:00

I'm not very well. In truth I have been poorly for several months, but of course, I just kept going. On several occasions I almost passed out. Fortunately I was always near a chair and I was able to sit down for a few moments, not for long, though, fainting is for whimps! And so I pressed on. Working hours that were too long, enjoying every moment, but just not feeling on really top form.

This week everything has 'come to a head'. Results from blood tests show that I need a little bit of TLC, so today I did something that is so unusual I am having to blog about it!

I had a lie in!

Yes, I've had 'lies in' before - but never beyond 07.30. The alarm regularly goes at 06.30 and I am always up before it sounds. I'm not one for going to bed early, either. Our family routine is such that I'm on duty until 11pm or later, so you can see that I don't usually take time out. Well, yesterday I just had to throw myself onto the bed in the afternoon, and I slept for 2 hours. I was in bed by 10 last night, and asleep almost before my head hit the pillow. Undaunted I slept until just before 09.30 this morning! AND THEN I DOZED UNTIL NEARLY THREE O'CLOCK!

Yes, I must have needed it, and I do feel more rested, but what on earth does the title have to do with all this twaddle? Well..... You know what it's like when you are neither awake nor asleep. Sometimes you just drift with eyes open, seeing, but not really looking. This happened today. I meandered backwards and forwards from sleep to not sleep, and every now and then my eyes alighted on what looked like a book title - 'Festering Filth'. I didn't think anything of it at first, after all, I wasn't really awake, and the title meant nothing to me. Finally, however, as 'awake' took over I looked harder. The title was out of focus... meaning it was time to pop on my specs.

Wish I hadn't! The title, one of DH's, was in fact 'Ffestiniog Fifty'. I was quite disappointed.

At least 'Festering Filth' might have had some 'meat' to it!

Dyeing today!

2010-04-21T11:52:00.000+01:00

Sold out of these at the weekend, so off to dye more. Watch this space!

Where is the month going?

2010-04-19T14:20:00.001+01:00

I refuse to believe that it is because I am getting older, but this month is just speeding by! I have just returned from another weekend's teaching - this time at Missenden Abbey - and already final preparation is well underway for Brockenhurst Needlework Fiesta next weekend......

Landscapes on the Embellisher was the subject, and I had such a lovely group of students. Some of them had been on previous courses, but several were there for the first time, and one student had never used a machine before (in fact another had only bought hers on Wednesday!). They gelled really quickly, and I am really cross with myself because I now find that I came home with no photographs of them working! And work they did..... I have photographs of the beautiful work that they did, but none of them are very good as I didn't get time to really set up the camera. I have tried to post the pictures now, but Blogger is having a hiccup, so I'll try again tomorrow.

In the meantime - if you are in the area of the New Forest this Saturday and Sunday why not make a trip to Brockenhurst to the Needlework Fiesta. It will be worth it - and you can always pop over to the Winifred Cottage stand and say 'hello' too. Hope to see you there.

Happy Birthday

2010-04-14T10:32:00.000+01:00

April is the month when we celebrate three family birthdays. In fact, all three people feature in this photograph that you have seen before

Fortuitously it is the three in the middle! One was last week, another next week, but the one in the middle celebrates today and I would like to tell you a little story that also includes the one to her left!

It seems a long time ago that I was pregnant with my first child. We could all move a little faster in those days, as will become apparent! It was in the days when babies were expected to arrive when the doctor said they would arrive, and if they didn't arrive on time the medical staff would do everything in their power to induce them to do so. This was the situation in which I was! Due today - but nothing happening and a hospital appointment to check that all was well. Then came the threat. 'If nothing happens by 7pm this evening you must come into hospital and we will induce you tomorrow'. Of course, nothing happened, and later that day I was in a hospital bed.

Sometime after midnight I began to have the first pangs of labour. They aren't easy to recognise when it's the first baby, so I walked the floor for a couple of hours before being found by a nurse. 'Telephone your husband' was the command, so I did - knowing that the chance of him waking from a deep sleep was virtually nil. The phone rang and rang, then, to my surprise he did answer and promised to get there as soon as possible. The hospital was about 5 miles away from where we were living, and the roads were winding and dangerous, so I made him promise to take care. I was popped into a wheelchair and taken to the lift. Down we went, one floor, and along a corridor. It was fairly long, but not that long. We turned a corner and into another corridor, finally reaching the delivery ward. It had only taken a few minutes. Guess what! The new Dad to be was already there!! It still amazes me when I think about it. I was also curious as to how he had heard the telephone. Worried that he would miss something he had hit upon an ingenious 'device'. He had placed the telephone on top of an empty tin box so that it made much more noise than usual!

Happy Birthday S

Belated Happy Birthday R

And as for J - I'll wish you a Happy Birthday when it comes!

Here and There

2010-04-13T09:34:00.000+01:00

Well, maybe the title should be There and Here, because we are home now! However, I have to report that we had a really lovely weekend in Lancashire at Sticky Fingers. The workshop was great fun, although I made them work hard

I forgot to take photographs of the samples, mainly because the camera was mostly out enjoying itself in the countryside while I worked hard at teaching!

It was a lovely part of the country, but I was only able to get a quick glimpse of it as we drove through it on the way there and back. The journey on Friday was awful, with several accidents on the M6. We were glad to arrive in one piece.

Yesterday saw the start of the Little Bookies online course. You can sign up for this until the end of the week. I've seen evidence of activity by the students already! Here's a glimpse of just one thing they will be doing.

There are some days when it's all worthwhile!

2010-04-08T17:01:00.001+01:00

It has been a difficult few weeks, and I must confess that I feel shattered! We've been out selling today, and although it was a good day, it was hard work. Tomorrow we leave early as I'm teaching over the weekend and we have to travel up to Lancashire, then we hurry back on Monday for the start of the online Little Bookies course.

We arrived home from our selling to a mountain of post. No, not all bills, but quite a lot of paperwork that needs seeing to - and a couple of packages. The first was a lovely surprise, it was one of my hand-carved printing blocks that went astray when I was making the second DVD - and today it arrived home. I have to admit that it's one of my favourites (it makes a repeat pattern in a number of different ways), and I have been hunting for it - well, I'll hunt no more, it's now home and safely stored with my others.

The second package was a bit of a mystery. DH grumbled (he's tired too) - had I been shopping again? No, I hadn't! It was squidgy, and yet hard in places, I really had no idea what it could be, but the surprise when I opened it was even greater than finding my printing block. It was wrapped in blue tissue, and tied with a burgundy cord. What was it?

I'm cheating here because I've copied and pasted the photograph from this site, where it all becomes clear! The post is worth reading, but you'll have to wait until you get to the end before you find out about this lovely item and see more pictures. I can only say that it is even better in person than in the photographs, and is not only beautiful, but also very useful. In fact, it will be packed and on it's journey with me tomorrow - I have just the perfect use for it.

Thank you Jan. I can see that I'm going to have to watch out - you are progressing at an enormous rate. I love the way you have combined materials and colours - and the further embellishment is just perfect.

Easter Day with the Family

2010-04-04T18:03:00.001+01:00

It was a bit cloudy, but we went for a picnic anyway!

Following an invigorating walk we stopped to look at the view

This is one of my favourite places, and somewhere I have visited since childhood.

It was remarkably warm, and a really lovely day.

Would you believe it!

2010-03-29T14:35:00.000+01:00

We often visit groups and classes. And so we did the other day. It was a large group get-together which involved lunch and a speaker. The group sat at tables which were set ready for lunch and shopped during the morning, listening to the speaker in the afternoon. There were about 150 attendees, and we know most of them fairly well having visited this meeting for the last several years. Some of their purchasing is predictible, so we had stocked up on several items, including hand sewing needles, and all stock was checked before being added to that for display......

Imagine our surpise, therefore, when we arrived home and checked our stock in readiness for the next venue.

This pack of needles looks fine from the back - seal unbroken and albeit ready for sale

However, the other side shows a different story!

Closer inspection showed that the clear packaging had been prised away from the backing on each side.

Just far enough to insert a knife

And presumably, that's how the needles were removed.

And all for just over £1.00.......

I hope they enjoy using them.

It never rains......

2010-03-23T18:03:00.001Z

Today we took delivery of the new DVD. Level 2 Inspired embellishing is now available.

You can find it on my personal website. The first orders have already been despatched. I have to say that the arrival was the highspot in a rather worrying week.

Last Wednesday the situation at my mother's care home became totally untenable, and with the help of social services we had to find new accommodation at very little notice. I won't go into details, but the situation there has been a problem for a while and we have been looking for a suitable place, but of course, no vacancies. Fortunately one arose on Friday less than ten miles from where we live, and we were able to move her yesterday. It was traumatic, both for us and for her, and it is not a process I would like to repeat. However, I visited her today after another sleepless night, and saw that she has settled better than I could have imagined. I know now that she is safe and cared for in a sympathetic environment. Amazingly they have already diagnosed her immediate problem and it is being treated - it will be a quick and painless solution for her. The irony is that it is something I have mentioned time and time again at her previous residence - and it was apparently 'being sorted'

You may remember that just a few short weeks ago at the beginning of March we had a new little grand-daughter who was born five weeks early. Unfortunately she is not at all well and is back in hospital on oxygen. Her condition is still under observation and no diagnosis has yet been made, so our worries have concerned both ends of the age scale.

Little ones bounce back very quickly, so I'm sure it will be a positive outcome.

By the way, the repeat of Talking Threads is on Sky Channel 171 tomorrow night at 6pm.

An Announcement, and An Announcement!

2010-03-01T11:09:00.001Z

Remember these? Well, time and tide wait for no man, and it was time that held up the announcement of the One World One Heart winners. Apologies for that, but here they are.

Donna

and

Hazel

They will be in the post later this week after I have heard from you.

I also would like to point you all towards a new online course that is starting next month. We'll be making a series of little books, some will be similar to those illustrated here. You can find out more by following this link.

Whether the Weather....

2010-02-22T22:46:00.001Z

I'm sure you all know the verse:

Whether the weather be cold

Whether the weather be hot

We'll weather the weather

Whatever the weather

Whether we like it or not!

Well, that just sums up the time we had at Textiles in Focus! Snow, Sun, Rain, Hail! We had them all.

This photograph was taken just as the snow began to fall again! We had snow every day, at the most unexpected moment. One evening it began to fall just as we were getting ready to go out to eat. The whole area was white - but by the time we left all evidence had gone - and it was a lovely evening.

The show was a great success. We were so busy that I didn't get a proper look at the exhibitions, which was a great shame. Here we all are, just ready to open on the first day. You can see that some of the stewards have crept in early to have a look before the hoards arrived.....

Both the workshops went well, although there wasn't much time to recover from the last one before we had to load the car and travel home. We chose a new and somewhat circuitous route as there were problems (again) on the M25 and were rewarded with the most amazing sunset. Unfortunately (as it had been raining when we left) the camera was hidden in the back, so no shots of that, even through the windscreen!

I only made one purchase!

More about this another day. I have plans..... All I need now is the time.......

Things can only get better!

2010-02-16T12:19:00.002Z

This is a really trivial post. However, it's been a frustrating morning so far.

I had a list of things I wanted to achieve by 10am!

Fabrics partly rinsed then into the machine for the final rinses
Threads rinsed and ready to dry
12 more pots dyed and left standing
Oh, yes, and breakfast was being fitted in there somewhere too!!

So, what's happened so far......

Up early so that I could fulfil my timetable
Made breakfast - oatmeal - somehow managed to add the water twice, so it was more like gruel, except I also, as I got carried away with rinsing, managed to burn it....
Made coffee - left it to get cold
Made more coffee - forgot to add more grounds so when I finally drank it found it was so weak I could have given it to a newborn!
Began to rinse the fabrics in the machine, got halfway through before I realised I hadn't added any powder
Realised I was running out of time so became far too enthusiastic with my thread rinsing - half of the water ended up in my shoe
Interrupted by telephone order - no complaints there, but that was interrupted by demanding knocks on the door by the meter reader! I was still nursing a wet shoe, AND I had to lead him through puddles to the meter
Back to the order - fortunately a very understanding customer
That finished, another door knock
This time it was a neighbour with a cat emergency. Now it turned out to not be an emergency, but I'm sure it was a scare... New kitten, out all night for the first time, came back rather bloody..... I won't go into more details, but lets just say that it was a 'natural occurrence'.
Back home to the phone ringing. I'd forgotten that I was expecting a 'delivery' of mountboard all cut into lovely sqaures for Textiles in Focus. WooHoo! Were they ready? No, cutter was taking an unexpected advantage of a trip to warmth and sunshine, so very sorry, can't do it! AAARGH Now that's something else to add to my list of 'to do's'
I needed another coffee - so I typed this while I drank it (never drink coffee or anything else around made up dyes.....)

So.... I'm now just about to start the next lot of dyeing! And the time is.......? 12.21

Have a great day - and as for mine, yes, I know it can only get better...

Textiles in Focus

2010-02-15T22:46:00.000Z

We will be missing in action for a few days at the end of the week as we will be visiting Textiles in Focus. I have mentioned this several times before, and I know this show will be as good as the others. If you are near Cambridge (or fancy a long drive if you aren't) the show runs from Friday until Sunday 19 - 21 February. The venue is Cottenham Community College, CB4 8UA.

Don't forget to say 'Hi', and maybe I'll see you on a workshop.

Results of One World One Heart will be published tomorrow.

Friday Food

2010-02-12T08:10:00.001Z

Well, this post begins with food, but may well degenerate into something else!

It begins with fried bananas. Now, I can hear some of you salivating at the very thought. Me? Well it took some courage to even type the phrase! I have to admit that I HATE cooking bananas. The very thought of having to cook one fills me with nausea, and as for looking at a bowl of bananas and custard - the memory of woolly banana in warm sauce does exactly the same, and please don't offer me any sort of trifle that includes them, and as for whole bananas on someone's barbecue ... The strange thing is - I LOVE bananas. But I love them straight from the fruit bowl and just freshly peeled.

So, what is it about bananas that's so bad? It's the smell.....

As I get older I find that smells are more and more important. There are other smells that I really don't like, one of them is the kitchen cleaner CIF. The smell doesn't speak to me of cleanliness but of cheap talcum powder, and I won't even start on that line of thought! Combination of smells can be a problem too. Imagine the delicious aroma of your favourite meal cooking only to be completely destroyed by the over indulgent use of spray bleach. My lovely DH has a passion for bleach and constantly sprays our white sink with the stuff! The only problem is that he chooses the most inappropriate times to do it (but I shouldn't complain, at least he does it!)

Smells are very evocative too. If I smell lime-washed walls I am transported back to my childhood and my paternal grandparents cottage in Wales. The smell of nutmeg will take me to my memories of cooking with my maternal grandmother, and fresh wood chippings to the garden shed where my maternal grandfather would encourage me to experiment with different textures and effects. Freshly baked bread (and who doesn't like that smell?) will take me straight back to our kitchen at home when I was a child - helping my mother to knead the bread and following the process through, ancitipating the taste of the special small roll that would be the 'taster'- fresh from the oven. Do you like roses? Part of our garden was crammed with them, and childhood summers were filled with the heavy perfume. The smell of solder reminds me of my father as he experimented and built numerous radio and tv gadgets using valves and wires of all descriptions; and there are more......

However, to return to bananas, I have to admit that my DH LOVES cooked bananas! There are occasions when I know he will ask for one, and I tactfully steer the conversation towards another food combination! The problem with that, of course, is that he will cook one for himself, especially when I'm not around - when I'm away teaching, for instance - and that is just what happened recently. Unfortunately, though, it was cooked with such enthusiasm that this one completely bonded itself to the surface of the pan and normal washing would not remove it. Several strong soakings, first with a variety of strengths of bicarbonate of soda and then with proprietory brands of cleaner have also failed in their promise of success, so too have vigourous rubbings with various scrubbers, so the pan was declared dead.......

This morning, early and unexpectedly promptly, a new pan was delivered. I'm off to 'season' it now, but first, I must hide the bananas.......

Ready to view

2010-02-10T02:42:00.001Z

Just to say that the first Journal post is now up and ready to view.

Do you Journal?

2010-02-09T13:52:00.002Z

If anyone is interested I'm planning on posting a few journalling exercises over the next while. You will be able to find them here. They won't be complete journal pages, but hopefully they will get the creative juices flowing.

If they inspire you I'd like to know.

The first one is now up and ready to view

The best way to relax .....

2010-02-08T09:14:00.002Z

It has been a very busy weekend. Firstly, on Saturday, we had a trip to Busy Bees Patchwork in South Wales for an embellisher workshop. We left before first light, and had a really good trip down. Travelling west with the sunrise behind us I watched it in the wing mirror, the sun becoming more prominent and the moon gradually fading away only to reappear on the way home! This was the only daylight I saw as it was already dark when we left for the return journey along the M4. This too was uneventful, but I have to admit that I was tired when we arrived home.

The hall, in which I was teaching, was enormous.. This picture shows part of the class! The others are out of sight on the right of the picture. There was enough room between to hold a tea dance, however, they all decided that they would rather play on their machines than go out and find some partners! We moved the tables near to the walls to be close to the electrical sockets. Trailing leads would have been a health and safety hazzard.

And so it was Sunday. Yes, I was tired, and for once we had a day at home. I spent the morning sorting out my plan for the week and then visited my dear mother with son and grandson

She is a mere shadow of her former self, but still smiling and delighted to see everyone.

Of course, she is delighted with her relationship with her youngest great-grandchild, and he is very fond of her too. This was a completely natural response from him.

Next, we were on a mission

The ducks, geese and swans were calling, and it was time to feed them.

And when the food has all gone it's important to make sure there isn't any left, just in case.

But, I have to admit that even after all that I still wasn't fully relaxed, so what could I do now?

Why, indulge in a 'wobble walk' of course.....

Just what I needed!

(PS if you want One World One Heart the giveaway is HERE and there is time to enter until 14th February)

One World, One Heart Too

2010-02-01T09:20:00.005Z

You may already have joined in the fun on my previous post. I have to say that I didn't expect such a lovely response, so I've decided to add to the fun and present another offering.
Please don't leave any more comments here - put them on the new post, you can find it here

Friday Food

2010-01-29T10:39:00.000Z

If you have come to find One World One Heart, don't despair. You'll find it here and there is time to enter until 14th February 2010

So, Friday Food! I began to think about this subject at breakfast time this morning, (but it was a while later before I realised that it is actually Friday - and therefore I could turn it into a blog post)!

What is it about toasters? I'm sure you've heard it before, and no doubt you will hear it again, but ours doesn't work very well. It wasn't cheap, we deliberately bought a more expensive one because we had similar problems with the last one, but the colour of the toast is dependent more on the state of the universe than on the mechanics of the machine. Ours is labelled with settings for one to seven minutes, and hopefully the toast will brown nicely within three to four......... OR NOT! And yes, it usually is 'or not', although suddenly there will be that wonderful day when the toast IS a glorious shade of golden brown and all will be forgiven. The answer would seem simple - just increase the time to four to five minutes! Yes, we've tried that , but then we have the singeing smell and charcoal toast followed by the dash to the smoke alarm to 'stop that infernal racket!' So the answer is to leave it set on three minutes - retrieve uncooked toast - turn it around and replace - and set it for a further one minute. It doesn't work the other way around, so if further toast is required a setting of one minute first followed by three minutes will still result in white toast - another single minute is still needed. I'm talking about white bread today - the same applies to any colour - but the significance of white bread is actually important to this little story.

When I was a child I had a friend called Susan. She had two sisters, the youngest of these was called Margaret, but was always referred to as 'Margie Jane'. Margie Jane always got what she wanted, and if she didn't she would scream. We lived across the road and down a little, and we always knew when Margie Jane wasn't getting her own way because we would hear the S C R E A M ! There was one thing that made her S C R E A M louder than anything, and that was colour of any sort on her toast. She not only LIKED it that way - she was seriously SCARED to have it any other way. Needless to say, we always refer to uncooked toast as 'Margie Jane Toast', but the significance is that poor Margie Jane was actually really frightened of this strange coloured thing that most people would prefer.

I was then reminded of another friend. Claire also had a food fear. She was terrified (yes, truthfully, terrified is the word) of brown sugar. Brown sugar in a bag was to be respected, but put it in a bowl and she would 'freak out'. Why? Because it moves. Next time you are using some, just try this little experiment if you don't know what I'm talking about. Put a reasonable quantity into a bowl, insert a spoon and take it out again. After the spoon is removed the sugar will continue to move - and it was this that frightened her. I have seen her run out of a cafe when the man at the next table used the sugar from the bowl, her fear was that bad.

Another friend, Caroline had a fear of rice pudding. She could eat boiled rice, risotto - rice in any shape or form, but she could not eat rice pudding - BECAUSE IT HAD A SKIN. Some of you may have seen this picture on another blog, for those of you that wondered I am reposting here - it's rice pudding - showing the skin.

Of course this also shows a completely unexpected arrangement of rice grains that appeared after cooking - I hate to think how that would be interpreted by Caroline.

So, do you have a food fear? Do you know anyone with a food fear? From where do they come? I'm not talking about dislikes - I'm talking about real deep-seated fears. Now I'm just off to convert another piece of Margie Jane toast.......

One World One Heart

2010-01-25T14:05:00.002Z

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW FINISHED

Oh what fun! It's time for One World One Heart. It's time for a ride on the Magic Carpet as you surf from one blog to the next to see what's on offer. As I mentioned in the previous post I had intended to take part last year, but missed the deadline. This giveaway runs until midnight 14th February UK time when I will choose the winner using a random number selector. The whole event finishes on 15th Feb, but I'm out on that day, so you may not hear until 16th if we are late back.

So, what's the giveaway here? Well, there are two. Each winner will receive a little handmade book, both are illustrated here and the above link shows one of them in the process of construction.

I would not have thought it would be so difficult to upload these pictures, but my computer problems continue and I have had to resize them online. I have to admit that I've given up for the time being as it was so slow (more about that shortly). One of them is a rich burgundy colour with pink and grey pages .....

And the other is shades of kingfisher and green with hand coloured pages. Both have flashes of foil and glittery bits on the covers and are wrapped with hand dyed cords.

The books could be used for a variety of purposes, you can decide, and you can mention which one you would prefer, but I can't guarantee that you will receive that one!. Each will come with a selection of threads and fibres too, but I have had to give up trying to prepare those for the blog, so forgive me if they come as a surprise (I may be able to add them here at a later date).

Here are the rules:

Leave a comment below, making sure that you include contact details - if you win I'd like to be able to let you know and feel free to leave a link to your blog too! It's as simple as that. If you would like more information or would like to take part you can find out more here. There are lots of bloggers taking part and they are all listed in the sidebar here.

Have fun riding the magic carpet everyone. It doesn't matter where you live you are eligible to enter - but be prepared to pay any taxes that may be applicable in your part of the world. And you could also pop over to my second giveaway which you will find here.

Lots going on.....

2010-01-23T10:12:00.001Z

This has been a particularly stressful week. There has been a lot going on, and in the midst of it all my computer problems have continued. Only part of the software has arrived - and that was missing one of the disks! What fun! I'm hoping I can sort it this week, but don't hold your breath!

So, what have I been doing? Well apart from the general business stuff that goes on each day (made more stressful by the closure of our local post office nearly a year ago now) I spent the day teaching on Wednesday. No, the teaching wasn't stressful in the least. It was a lovely group of embellishing students, and I enjoyed the day. The weather, however, was awful, rainy and dark, and I needed my headlights. Guess what. The light switch decided to play up and wouldn't keep the dipped headlights on! At one point I sat in a car park and tried to fiddle with them. The lights flashed on, then off, then on again - and so on. I was completely oblivious of my surroundings until two large and beefy men got out of the car on the opposite side of the lane in which I was parked and started to walk over towards me. They didn't look very pleased, and I realised that they thought I was flashing at them! At that point I decided to drive home on my sidelights and foglamps, smiling sweetly at them as I departed and trying to explain that it was a faulty switch. I don't think they believed me! Of course, DH managed to do it with no problems the next day, which made me very cross.....

Thursday was a busy day. It began with a journey that should have been along the M3 and M25, but both were at a standstill so we had to drive across country. Part of the journey was through the centre of Slough, we were dreading it, but amazingly we sped through there faster than we could have imagined. We were on our way to record my second DVD in the 'Inspired' series. 'Inspired Embellishing Level 2' is now 'in the bag' and should be out before Easter.

It was hard work, but a fun day.

I have to say that the director and crew made it a very pleasant day, and I think we managed it without too many retakes. You can find out about the 'Inspired' series here, there are lots more to come as far as I know. Inspired Embellishing Level One is going well and has had lots of kind remarks. Hopefully it is establishing good machine practice and encouraging experimentation which is what it is all about.....

Here's hoping it's a quiet weekend so that I can sort all my samples and bits and pieces! They need to go back into the right boxes........

Embellisher Workshop

2010-01-16T10:22:00.000Z

As long as there is no snow the workshop in Aldershot this next Wednesday will definitely be running. There is one place left, so if you had an Embellisher for Christmas this would be ideal to really get you going. All materials are provided, so you only need to bring your machine and you will be off to a good start. The workshop is also suitable for anyone that doesn't have a machine but would like to learn about them. I have loan machines, enough for each individual.

If you would like more information, or to get in touch you can do so here.

If you can't get to the workshop but would still like a good start - there is a lot of information and tips on my DVD

You can buy it directly from my website and read about it here and here.

Friday Food - or 'How to unintentionally offend'

2010-01-15T15:18:00.002Z

I have a feeling that someone somewhere will take offence at this post. I usually talk about a food that I enjoy in a post like this, but today I was reminded of two of my least favourite foods.

Think about pastry. There are various types, and well made they are delicious whether used for sweet or savoury dishes. However, when it is badly made it is more than offence to the taste buds! We don't eat pastry very often but when we do it is usually shortcrust, and I make it - well, by the way, however, I have memories of very bad pastry, and I want to tell you about those now.

My earliest recollection of bad pastry was when I was at school. I usually went home for lunch, but for reasons I don't need to go into now I always had to have lunch at school on a Friday. This may not seem a problem at first, but now let me tell you that I went to a convent school - and no meat was served on Friday. In fact, there was only one dish that was ever served on Friday and that was cheese and potato pie.... We were all convinved that is it was really potato, flour and water pie because there was never any evidence of cheese (it may well have lived on the shelf next to the flour, in retrospect) and the pastry was the hardest most disgusting flour and water crust you have ever seen. We weren't allowed to leave anything on our plates, so we took it in turns to secrete a bag into the dining room so that we could dispose of the offending 'pie'. We would leave the dining room with the 'bag holder' suitably surrounded by the rest of the class, and we didn't get caught once!

I have the same feeling about cornish pasties. I have never tasted a good one. One of the problems is the onion. Onion that is not previously cooked but steamed within a casing is really unpleasant, however the pastry adds nothing to the combination as it is always so thick and hard. There is a well known brand that is advertised regularly on television and once, a very very long time ago, I was given one to eat. Memories of that one bite is enough to make me heave, and seeing a well known chef prepare one on TV in a recent re-run brought back all the old horror, even the picture of the finished dish did nothing to alleviate my distress.

So, if I am coming to dinner - please don't serve me cheese and potato pie, even if it is well made - and definitely don't offer me a cornish pasty, well made or not.

;0)

When all goes quiet.....

2010-01-14T10:23:00.000Z

I'm sure you have all heard enough about the snow! Suffice it to say that we have had some. There are no photographs to show you, the reason will become clear shortly, but I have taken lots. Our road is still only passable with difficulty. We have had no post since the first flutter and frankly, that first flutter was more than I wanted to see anyway! So, it came, and it looks as though it will never go away. We had rain during the night but that just turned to ice, so I'm not looking forward to venturing outside shortly, but we will see.

There is a particular sort of quiet with snow, and that has been apparent in abundance, but it has been particularly quite here as we were also smitten with that disease of communication commonly called computer failure! Regrettably our failure was fatal, and totally unexpected. The machine was working at lunchtime but by the time I had eaten my poached egg it was dead. Apparently the hard drive and mother board aren't functioning and all is lost. Putting it into perspective - it is a nuisance, however in view of the recent earthquake in Haiti it really is a very small thing, and so we press on. I have managed to contact a few people - but if you were in touch with me before I would be grateful if you would email me (you will have my address) and send me yours again.

So here I am sitting in front of a bright (well, dark really, it's black) spanking new computer - with nothing much to do. Somehow this has managed to find its way through the drifts and blizzards, but all software is hiding deep within igloos or the like. No post - no software! I can connect to the internet (this post is proof of that) but apart from that I'm sitting here with nothing to do. I can't carry on with my book (oops, didn't mean to tell you that), can't download my photograps and can't do any admin. I've masses of dyeing to do, though, so I'll just have to get on with that - and, of course, prepare for next week when I'm filming Level 2 of Inspired Embellishing.

Have a great day, and Happy Computing!

Monday Memory

2010-01-04T10:08:00.000Z

I cannot emphasise enough just how blessed I was to have such lovely parents. They were kind, considerate and extremely loving. As I get older I appreciate them more and more and know that I could not have achieved so much if they hadn't given me such a wonderful start. My father worked long shifts. He would leave early in the morning and on a normal day wouldn't return until after midnight. I'm sure the unions wouldn't let that happen now, but in those days it was regular. He worked a shift pattern that ran over two weeks, and mostly included a day off after the long shift - except at weekends, when one weekend in two was worked.

I thought about this again last night. We all loved his weekends at home, not least because he would do surprising things. I remember one Saturday. My grandfather had been very ill and my mother had been helping my grandmother to nurse him. They only lived around the corner at this time, but it was hard work. When it was time for her to come home he bundled my brother and I into the car and we drove all of 250 yards to collect her. This was unusual, but we had no idea why. Surprised, my mother asked what was happening. 'We're going out for afternoon tea'.

This was very unusual and quite exciting. However, when we got to our destination there was no obvious tearoom in sight and we couldn't understand why we were there. Dad explained that it was just along there - at the end of a path, so off we skipped with Mum to find it. To find what? There was nothing there. No tearoom, in fact, it was a dead end and we just had to turn around and go back. What a disappointment! Or was it?

When we got back to the car we had such a lovely surprise. A blanket was spread out on the ground and it was laid with a tasty spread, just ready for afternoon tea! Dad had not only packed a picnic he had also spent the morning baking so that Mum didn't need to. We had such fun, and afterwards there was plenty of space for my brother and I to run atound and play.

Thank you Dad and Mum for teaching me that spending time with the family brings its own rewards, and for encouraging me in all that I did. Sadly my Dad is no longer here, but my Mother continues to encourage in her own sweet way.

Enjoy your family as much as possible. It makes for very sweet memories.

One World, One Heart

2010-01-02T14:09:00.001Z

Are you taking part this year? I was too late last year, so I'm prepared now that 2010 is here. If you click the link below (or in the sidebar) you can find out more details. In the meantime here are some of the ingredients of my proposed giveaway. You will have to come back to find out what it is, though, around about 25th January!

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T17:42:00.000Z

Russia, Eire, Lithuania, Scotland, Wales, England, Norway and India

All came together to bring in the New Year

As you can see, we celebrated in style and the drinks flowed freely. I raised a glass to all my internet friends too.

Happy New Year

Onward and Upward

2009-12-31T14:23:00.000Z

The last day of 2009 seems as good a place as any to look back on the last year. I'm adding to it slowly throughout the day, it would be a shame to miss something that was important.

We began the year with a visit to the theatre and a promise that we would do it again soon. Of course, the latter didn't happen, but I'm sure we'll do something like it this year. Frankly there was nothing that took the eye, and time sped by too fast to even take the train to town apart from a quick pass through on my way to visit my lovely friend..

February was a busy month, and I have to say that looking at next year's diary (it's the last time I can say that!) the month will be busy again. As usual we went to Textiles in Focus and had a thoroughly good time. Don't forget to make your plans asap if you want to go in 2010. February was also the month that we had the first inklings of something that happened later in the year, but frankly we didn't believe it!

March was a month of teaching and frustration. However out of frustration came a lot of learning and new colours, so there was certainly a silver lining to that cloud. I even managed to do some stitching

April was a month of birthdays, and, of course, Easter.! We saw family, and I continued to teach and dye. No time to rest, but that came in May when we visited our little hideyhole. June was also busy but we all got together for a very special birthday

We were so grateful that Mum was still with us to celebrate her birthday as only the week before she was close to death's door. We have had more scares since then (and we enter 2010 with great uncertainty) but we will hold that day in our memories for a long time.

July arrived as the culmination of what was promised in February! At the beginning of the year we had no inkling, but now we were filming an episode of 'Talking Threads'. I have to say that when it was first mooted I honestly didn't think that it would happen!

August passed with more teaching, dyeing, Summer School and the Festival of Quilts, and we were very relieved to get to September and a lovely visit to France followed by the filming of a Christmas DVD.

And so into autumn. October saw the first epidode of Talking Threads and more selling, dyeing and teaching. November continued to be busy and included my episode about dyeing and then the filming of a new DVD. Autumn, of course is followed by winter, and this year the winter seems to have been especially suited to comfort food. December was exciting with a course at Missenden Abbey, preparation for Christmas

and then the release of the new Embellisher DVD which has been selling well.

Christmas came and went

and although the days before had been spent suffering from an unpleasant virus we were able to enjoy it with family and friends.

And so to New Year. Tonight we plan to celebrate with friends and neighbours and look forward to stepping into the unknown of a new decade. Regrettably Mum is heading towards a new crisis, but we will weather whatever storm that brings. January will see us recording Level 2 of Inspired Embellishing, and that is something we certainly could not have foreseen in January 2009

Thank you for following the blog over the last year. I wish each and every one of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve

2009-12-23T09:41:00.002Z

Not a very original title to the post, I have to admit, but it's the best I can do in the time available. It is indeed Christmas Eve tomorrow, and how ready are you? I'm almost there, and I'm not about to admit, in public, to what I have forgotten in case the person in mind reads this post, so you will just have let your imaginations wander! However, it is a time of year when memories begin to filter back through the years, and today is no exception.

As a child we often spent Christmas in Wales. My Welsh grandparents lived in Brecon, a delightful town which still retains all its old charm and well worth a visit. They had a small house, and at the time in question even had outside 'facilities'! We would travel down from Surrey via the A4 and the A40, through Abergavenny and Crickhowell and the journey would take hours. Literally a whole day. Speeds would rarely be above 30mph, and it was very tiring for small children. We would be so excited to see Tretower Castle as it would mean that we were nearly there, although there were still several miles to travel. And so, finally, we would arrive to a hot meal and a house warmed by a coal fire and range in which the meal had been cooked. The kettle would hang over the fire and was always on the boil, ready for tea. Grandparents delighted to see us, and us, although pleased to be there, really ready for bed and needing to sleep.

And so it was the particular Christmas that I have in mind. We arrived and there was the tree in the corner, bedecked as usual with the traditional family baubles and of course some tinsel. No fairy lights, but there were candles and little gifts hanging and scattered beneath. Before long my brother and I were tucked up in bed, all cosy under a beautiful Welsh quilt that unfortunately is now long gone. The journey had made us very tired, so we slept soundly, completely missing the sound of Rudolph's hooves as he landed on the roof, and how Santa got down that chimney with the fire still burning in the grate I really don't know, but he managed it, and before long it was Christmas morning.

It was very quiet. There were sounds downstairs, but the coutryside had a different feel about it, and the light was so bright. We both crept down the twisted staircase to find the adults up and busying themselves. What a shock! There had been a snowfall overnight. The snow was at least halfway up the door and it was impossible to get out either at the front or the back. As already mentioned the 'facilities' were not inside, so it was essential to dig a way out as soon as possible. My father and mother did this, and fortunately it wasn't far. I don't remember if the water was frozen, but it wouldn't surprise me. We huddled around the range for breakfast, and then we were allowed to open some of our gifts. The funny thing is that I don't remember what mine were. I do remember, however, that my brother had a set of lorries, all in green and red. He lay on the floor and played with them for hours. At some point during the day I was allowed to use my grandmother's treddle sewing machine. This was an especial treat, and I'm sure that in this lie the seeds of my love of machine embroidery.

It was a happy time. One of the few Christmas Day memories that I have of us all being together. Shortly after this my father was promoted and from then on always had to work on Christmas Day. Although our celebrations were always happy they were disjointed, him leaving home at 6am and often not back until 9pm at night. We would have presents, but our real celebration would be a couple of days later when he was home all day and everyone would gather. Our trips to Wales for Christmas ceased too. Grandparents had to travel to us. They came by coach and we always collected them at Reading bus station. I used to wonder what happened to the range when they were away. Did it look after itself? Did Rudolph still call with Santa and find no-one at home? Who knows.

Happy Christmas, friends, whether you celebrate or not. However, somewhere in the midst of all your hustle and bustle please try to remember at some point that Jesus is the reason for the season.

New DVD

2009-12-17T15:54:00.000Z

This has been an exciting but busy week. On Monday we took delivery of our first supply of the new DVD on embellishing.

The first ones have already been sent, and more are going out today. If you would like a copy you can find it here and here.

Textile in Focus - Don't miss out

2009-12-16T06:25:00.000Z

February is the month for Textiles in Focus. Held each year at Cottenham just outside Cambridge in the UK it is the highlight of the textile year for a number of people. It has a good mixed selection of traders, interesting exhibitions and 2 hour workshops to give you a taster of a number of crafts etc. The next show will be as much fun as the last, if not more, and today is the day that information is released.

The dates for your diary are 19th - 21st February 2010, but if you want to take part in a workshop etc you need to get the details NOW or all the places will be gone.....

Full information can be found here. Don't miss out, and come and say 'Hi' to us at Winifred Cottage as always we'll have far more with us that we have online including all sorts of Sassa Lynne bits and pieces. (I'll be teaching a workshop too)

Little Bookies Part 2

2009-12-14T05:47:00.002Z

I've been going to blog about this all week since I came back from Missenden Abbey, but somehow other things got in the way. I needed to download the pictures first, that's done now, so here are a few glimpses at what we got up to.

It was a fun weekend, but I made them work hard!

We made a mess at times, so those cat litter trays were useful.

We coloured lots of papers using several techniques

Of course they had to keep their heads down and just get on with it!

We created fun surfaces

And made a variety of covers. Some bright

And others not so bright.

Some had pockets for fun but others didn't

We'll be makng little bookies at Textiles in Focus next February, how about joining us?

Christmas is coming.

2009-12-13T11:08:00.002Z

I am spending the weekend finishing my Christmas cards. I have 250 to make this year, some for family, friends and aquaintances, but also on behalf of my mother, who also used to make all her cards until her sight became too poor. I've nearly finished, and if I hadn't stopped to write this I could have made at least another one! DH is helping too. He's addressing all the envelopes and will take them to the PO too. We no longer share the stamp licking! Thanks to Royal Mail they are all now self-adhesive.

Then what?

Well, the gift wrapping of course, and this is a chore. Many moons ago I would design individual wraps for family recipients - for example one year I wrapped a TV to look like - a TV ! Not this year though, it will be wrapping paper for most but for some it will be a little different.

Now in theory there should be a video for you to watch next showing you a brilliant and reusable idea, but as I've not added one before I'm not sure what will happen. Let's see.

Furoshiki gift wrapping from RecycleNow on Vimeo

What will you be doing with yours?

Friday Food

2009-12-11T10:52:00.001Z

When I woke this morning it was cold, damp and grey. It was foggy, and it looked as though it was going to last all day. It looked as though it was just the sort of day for comfort food to chase away the blues, so I thought I'd make a nice warming pan of soup. It's one of our family favourites, and is really filling. It can be served with chunks of crusty bread, but frankly it doesn't need it. We call it 'Orange Soup', but that refers to the colour and I promise that there isn't an orange in sight.

This version is a sort of 'throw it in the pan and see' type of recipe.

First, prepare your lentils! I use red lentils (they add to the colour) but you can use any lentils you like or happen to have. I use about half a cup for 4 servings. Let them simmer or partially cook if this is needed while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

You will need -
peeled sweet potatoes cut up into chunks,
peeled squash cut to the same size,
an eating apple well washed and cut into chunky slices (I leave the skin on - but that's up to you
a piece of fresh ginger about the size of your thumb up to your knuckle which I peel and slice fairly thinly

When the lentils are ready for the 'long' cooking I transfer them to my slow cooker and add the rest of the ingredients along with some hot stock. If you haven't got any stock it works just as well with water.

So, pop the lid on and wait for it to cook. This recipe works well on the top of the stove too, but remember to turn it down to a simmer after it has all come back to the boil.

Now, how do you like your soup? If you like it 'with bits in' you can crush it with a potato masher. If you want it a little finer push it through a seive - the apple skin won't go through, though, and the ginger will struggle as well. I usually whizz it with the blender, until it is smooth, with jus the odd fleck of apple skin to give it some texture. Don't forget to taste and season at this point.

To serve I grate a little hard cheese (preferably a good cheddar) into the bottom of the serving bowl. This melts as the hot soup is poured in and creates creamy whirls within the colour. You can also add a little chopped parsley if you have some.

So, mine is happily simmered away - and guess what? The fog has cleared the sun has come out! Told you it would chase away the blues!

Yum. There's enough for you too.

Enjoy.

Little Bookies

2009-12-03T09:21:00.003Z

This weekend I'm off to Missenden Abbey. I intend to have a lovely time making little books, and hopefully the students will enjoy it too! I know they will make several, so, with their permission, I'll be able to post some pictures of theirs too, next week, but by way of a taster here are a couple.

Can you tell that I'm trying not to give too much away?

Well, just for good measure, here's another - in the process of construction.

Half the fun is colouring the pages.....

PS, don't forget that you can find the thread of the month here.

From this.....

2009-12-02T12:51:00.000Z

It's hard to believe, but ....

From this

To this...

Sorry they aren't better photos - but HAPPY BIRTHDAY anyway.

Fancy a Cup-Cake?

2009-11-22T11:03:00.002Z

Earlier this year we visited France, and one of the places we discovered was a delightful little English teashop called 'CupCakes'. I wanted to tell you all about it when I blogged earlier, but for some reason the pictures I took weren't really up to standard. However, by a rather circuitous route I have just been sent this link, and lo and behold - this is the very place that I wanted to tell you about.

We didn't succumb to a cupcake when we visited.... but rather a slice of delicious almond and fig tart.

After all, you already know that I LOVE figs!

So, if you are ever in that part of France you know where to go for a little piece of England, but what if you are too far away to indulge? How about a delicious cupcake that you can enjoy just about anywhere and at any time - and that is totally fat free?

Aren't these a delight? They are all available from an Etsy shop called britishcreamtea. There are other goodies there too, including a Cornish Pasty, and frankly it looks far tastier than any I've seen in a real food shop!

Now, a little of what you fancy never did anyone any harm ;0)

personal website

Violent Annie

2009-11-17T20:35:00.000Z

I need to point out at the beginning of this post that Annie was not violent. In fact, Annie isn't really her name, the title is actually an affectionate corruption of her real name. Violent Annie was born 105 years ago, and lived to be well over ninety. I was reminded of her today when I made a tomato sandwich.

The first 40 years of her life were filled with plenty. Even the war years were spent in an area that lacked for nothing. Rationing apparently hardly touched her village as it was almost totally self sufficient. From a wealthy family the next few years came as a shock to her system when she was divorced and left almost penniless with a child to support.

So why did a tomato sandwich remind me of Violent Annie? We knew her well and visited her often in the years before she died. She loved entertaining, but still with no money she resorted to a number of tricks to stretch the odd penny. I thought of her as I sliced the tomatoes and piled the pieces between two slices of bread. I almost felt guilty at using so much of the fruit, after all, Violent Annie could have made at least six rounds of sandwiches with the same quantity. Did I say six ROUNDS? Yes, enough for six people - and here is her 'recipe'

Ingredients
12 Extremely thin slices of bread
1 bottle salad cream
1 tomato

Method
Blanche then peel the tomato
Finely chop the tomato. When it is very finely chopped - chop it again. Continue chopping until it becomes a paste.
Spread the merest covering of salad cream over two surfaces of bread, repeat with the tomato paste then form into a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining slices until all the tomato has been used (remember - this must make AT LEAST six rounds....

Carefully remove the crusts from the sandwiches and leave to one side. Cut the sandwiches into triangles and serve.

So what do you do with the crusts? They will make tomorrow's lunch by carefully layering in an ovenproof dish. Cover with a beaten egg and small amount of milk and set aside for a while. Sprinkle with a small amount of grated cheese and bake in a hot oven until golden for a savoury bread pudding.

What did you have for lunch today?

Weekend Whirl

2009-11-14T14:13:00.000Z

It's been over a week since I had time to blog, so what have I been up to? It's been a busy time, but we've had great fun.

Last weekend saw us travelling 200+ miles north to visit the York branch of the Embroiderers' Guild. What a lovely group of ladies. We were greeted with a lovely lunch, just perfect after our long journey, and then we got ready to give a talk about the embellisher and various techniques. It was well received with some very interesting and observant questions, and a good prelude to the workshop the next day. We had very comfortable accommodation courtesy of one of the members, and we owe a very big thank you to Sandra for her care and consideration.

On Sunday 16 members gathered at the university for a workshop. They were such an enthusiastic bunch! What lovely samples they produced, and they all seemed to enjoy it. Of course, in one day we were only able to scratch the surface of the wonderful variety of techniques that can be used, but hopefully they are well on their way to experiment further now. Here we are at the end of a very busy day, can you see that I wore them all out! (That's lovely Sandra, our hostess, on the left)

Of course, Sunday was Rememberance Day, and we observed our two minutes silence. There was a parade in the city of York, and DH was able to go off and take part in some of the ceremonies.

These occasions are always very moving, but more so this year with so many lives lost in the service of our country.

The weather was beautiful while we were away, but the journey home brought us back to earth with a bump. Our journey was in the dark, finally arriving home in the early hours, and we hit a number of very dense fog patches. They heralded a change in temperature and of course the rest of the week has been damp and somewhat windy at times (it's supposed to get worse later.....) However, we returned home to lots of preparatory work....

On Thursday I recorded a DVD! It's the first of a series, and there will be two featuring the Emebllisher. You will be able to see more details both on my website and on that of the production company in the very near future. I would love to show you some pictures of the experience, which was great fun and not in the least bit scary, but unfortunately the camera hasn't obliged. Hopefully I will be able to borrow a picture from someone else, or point you towards one in the near future. Keep your eyes peeled! The DVD will be out before Christmas, and will be full of hints and tips.

Today we are taking it easy. Off to visit family later, and then another DVD to plan - taking number one a bit further. I'll be recording that in less than a month, so I need to keep on my toes.

Have a good weekend, and watch this space...

I've got my eye on you

2009-11-05T12:34:00.000Z

You may remember that earlier this year we went on holiday to France and while we were there we stayed with Sally and Neil, who introduced us, amongst other things, to the delights of the coffeemaker! Now, each morning is filled with the delicious aroma of freshly made coffee, so much better than the quick whiff as the lid of instant is removed. Of course, then I had to search for the perfect coffee blend, and that was difficult as the one that we loved in France isn't available locally. So.. the search took me both north and south, and HOORAY! I FOUND THE MOST DELICIOUS COFFEE. I'd like to keep it a secret, but it really is one of the best I've tasted, so here is the link to find it. . The picture above is my morning's cup freshly made. Don't you dare pinch it! I've got my eye on you....

Eavesdropping

2009-10-15T20:44:00.000+01:00

Today I had to make a short journey by train. The carriage was sparsely populated, but the seats behind me were occupied by two young girls with very loud voices. I didn't want to hear their conversation, but I had no option. Here is a snippet..

'I hate sleeping with a new man. He might see my feet'

You don't need to hear the rest of the coversation....

Would you believe it..........?

2009-10-13T17:13:00.029+01:00

I've mentioned Talking Threads a few times on this blog. Well, tomorrow is the start of the series. At 7pm you will be able to tune in to either Sky Channel 171 or pop over and view it on the internet at The Country Channel. I have visions of stitchers all around the country huddled around the TV or computer enjoying a half hour of inspiration.

Well, guess what....

I won't be able to join you! We have a long standing invitation to sell in Salisbury, and that's where we'll be! Inspire Stitchers, here we come.

However, (and I'm sure it must be just for my benefit) the stream on the internet will be live when we get home, so that means that I can watch it, even at midnight if I want to!

Tomorrow's programme is about Jill Kennedy. She is a silk painter par excellence, so enjoy the episode. If you can't wait you can see a short taster here.

By the way, I was surprised to find a selection of other interesting textile related programmes at the Country Channel, so have a good look around. You may have to change channels, but that's easy when you find the buttons at the bottom of the screen.

Rust Dyeing Workshop

2009-10-12T09:25:00.002+01:00

There are two places left on the workshop taking place next week, so I thought I'd give you a gentle reminder.

Wednesday 21st October in Aldershot, Hampshire. It will be a fun day, and a delicious lunch is included.

I would like to have inserted a picture here, but Blogger is playing funny games today so here is a link instead

You can read more about rust and workshops here, and here,

Hope to see you there

National Poetry Day

2009-10-08T10:27:00.008+01:00

Today is National Poetry Day in the UK. Here's one of my favourites. It never fails to bring a tear to my eye, and although I don't know exactly when it was written I do know the author, and believe me, she fits into the theme of heroes and heroines. Please feel able to leave a comment, I'd love to pass those on.

Well, Lord,
It's now four years since I first knew the sweetness of Your Presence.
You rescued me from a life that was not worth living.
A life shared with another, but full of emptiness.
No real sharing with him,,
No pleasing him,
No love from him,
No meaning to any relationship.

Then suddenly,
When desperation came,
When there was no way out except the wrong way -
There You were.
Your arms were open, and You were walking towards me.
I didn't need to hunt for You -
You found me.

"Follow Me."
Just two words. That's all you said.
You showed me how.
You opened doors.
You led me every step of the way,
And You are still leading me.

It's still hard to share with him.
I hardly ever please him.
He still doesn't show his love very often,
But You have shown me that there is meaning in all relationships.
You have given me the grace to take all hurts,
Knowing that now You suffer with me.

The grief that I feel now is not all mine.
I know that You grieve too.
My circumstances may not have changed,
Outward appearances may say that they have worsened,
But inside I am slowly being made whole.

The day that I knew You had forgiven me I was able to forgive him.
Not just for the hurts that he inflicted deliberately,
But for those of which he is unaware.
The ones that are part of his background,
The ones from which he needs that deep healing.

You are so gentle' Lord.
You alone know how fast we can go.
Our human side often makes mistakes as we try to hurry Your work along.
You have shown me that You can perform many miracles,
But the biggest of all must be to turn a life around
Without changing the circumstances.

Others condemn,
But You never do.
Others cast sideways glances and mutter under their breath,
But You just keep on loving.
Although the flesh may be weak the heart is willing;
That You alone know, and that is all that matters.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me a glimpse of heaven on earth.
Thank you, Lord, for being so close nothing else matters.
Thank you, Lord, that though I may not see You footprints
They are surely there,
And You are guiding my feet along a path
That You have especially mapped out for me.
Thank you, Lord, for making me special.

What do you keep in yours?

2009-10-04T13:14:00.002+01:00

We take so much of everyday life for granted. Fancy a cold drink? Open the refrigerator. Keep your vegetables fresh? Open the refrigerator. You get the message. Where would we be without this wonderful invention? However, it hasn't always been this easy. I can remember a time when we stored food without a 'fridge. I remember cheese wrapped in greaseproof paper that became soggy during a warm spell, and butter that never set during summer time, soft and almost oily even though it was stored in the larder. I was only a child, so didn't really understand the problems that this caused but I'm sure that some of you will have similar memories.

The area in which we currently live is full of history and rich in artefacts. Food storage has been a problem for 'ever', and one answer is illustrated very well in this area. Ice Houses were apparently 'invented' many many years ago. This article talks about the history etc, however, it is much more graphic to actually see one. Only the very wealthy would be able to have one of their own, and of course it would be contructed and maintained by 'staff' for the benefit of impressing visitors and rivals. Imagine having to cut chunks of ice from the pond during the winter months then pack them quickly into an especially contructed underground chamber, padding it with straw etc. All this for a landowner who probably didn't even know of your existence!

This wonderful photograph illustrates the roof of one such construction. You can find the original here with more information. Aren't the colours amazing? I think it could well inspire a piece of stitching at some point. There are also other examples around, some of them restored and converted into exhibition spaces. One day I would love to do a tour of the UK and view as many as possible. Maybe when I retire? In the meantime - anyone fancy a gin and tonic?

Revealed!

2009-09-29T16:58:00.001+01:00

Oh what fun! Christmas in September! It's over now though. Today was the recording of a Christmas Special for Talking Threads

So, just for good measure, here are the cast and crew.

Do you recognise anyone?

(Oh, and lunch was delicious too. Thanks Ted, who also kindly took this photograph for me.)

Christmas is coming.....

2009-09-28T11:32:00.001+01:00

I couldn't resist the title. My dearest DH absolutely refuses to even think about Christmas until 1st December. This has its drawbacks, but I've learnt over the years to turn those into positives. Before Christmas actually comes, though, we have a busy time ahead, and in fact the last week has been busy.

On Friday we were at Wey Valley Workshop, I was speaking and also running a short workshop. Friday saw us at the AGM of the SE Region of the Embroiderers' Guild and yesterday was a return trip to Urchfont Manor. As I have mentioned before Urchfont is a regular trip, but yesterday meant a somewhat longer journey as a key bridge was closed due to rebuilding. Although we know Wiltshire well it meant a journey along a road we haven't actually travelled before. Wow! We were amazed at the vista that was suddenly before us, and although it was misty we stopped to take a quick snap. (Yes, snap is the word, we'll take a proper photograph another time)

Sorry, it's difficult to see from this image, but I'll improve on it next time we go that way.and you may get a better idea by clicking on it. There's too much in the foreground, but we didn't have time to walk into the field.

The afternoon was spent with our son and family. Our little grandson is taking his watering tasks very seriously

Even though it means a long walk to refill the can!

And who better with whom to share a titbit than DAD!

Now, time to get back to work, I've still a lot to do for Christmas..... Christmas? Find out more here....

Are you a creature of habit?

2009-09-24T14:05:00.002+01:00

Maybe you could say that I am a creature of habit. I wake, I rise, I make a drink and start the day. I work. At night I go to bed and I sleep. Outside the times that I am sleeping I perform many and varied tasks, and visit many and varied places. So do I qualify as a creature of habit? I'll let you decide. How does this compare to your way of life? Sometimes other peoples' habits make themselves obvious in spite of trying to ignore them. The absence of these habits often hilights the fact that they were there in the first place, and this was the case a short while ago.

We have nearby neighbours. We don't know them well, but we speak, and it is comforting to know that they are there. However part of their routine is quite specific.

10.00 am Granny arrives
10.15 am Cousin arrives
10.25am Coffee and cigarettes enjoyed in the garden (come rain or shine)
10.55 Cousin departs
11.00 Granny and Mrs Neighbour depart.

Silence

2.00 pm Granny and Mrs Neighbour arrive home
2.05 pm Granny departs

2.10 pm Mr Neighbour arrives home.

This routine happens every day from Monday to Friday.

What do they get up to? Where do they go?

Who knnows?

Do I want to know?

Speculations please (in a sealed brown envelope)

;0)

Experiments

2009-09-23T17:22:00.001+01:00

It's fun to have time to play, and I don't find that time very often. However when a workshop looms 'playing' is a necessity!

This is made with Szerkezet. Can you see how it has shrunk? I'm doing more experiments tomorrow. No, that isn't gold paint! It's a secret at the moment.....

Inspiration

2009-09-21T14:17:00.002+01:00

You know, the zany thing about this stitching lark is that inspiration can come from the most unexpected sources. Maybe it was a glimpse of something as it flashed by during a journey. A turn of a book page can sometimes result in an interesting idea. Architecture, nature, sources are all around us and can be interpreted in so many ways.

However, this morning, for some totally unknown reason, these colours popped into my head.

I've had fun putting them together, now all I need is to find the time to stitch them. Better do the design first, though! I'll post the result eventually - but don't hold your breath. I have quite a lot to do over the next while.

I don’t believe in air

2009-09-19T22:17:00.001+01:00

I DON’T BELIEVE IN AIR

I don’t believe in air.
no one has ever seen it;
no one has ever felt it
between finger and thumb.
converts talk about
tasting the air
and something in the air
but there’s always another explanation;
the nearby sea, a factory’s pipes',
a pile of fresh manure.
it’s not the so-called air that smells

scientists have complete faith in this air.
they say that it upholds
and sustains our world.
take away the air, they argue,
and we’d go too.
meteorologists attribute
signs and wonders to the air;
people thrown to the ground,
trees uprooted, the landscape rearranged.

it sounds like superstition to me.
if there is air
who made it?
where does it all go?

why doesn’t it show itself
just one time for proof?

friends ask me why windows rattle
and hair goes awry
but I don’t believe in air.

I don’t believe in air
air is just another word
for something that’s not there.

Anon

En France

2009-09-18T09:57:00.002+01:00

This is going to be a long post, so it may be a good idea to make a cup of tea or coffee before reading on!

We have just returned from a wonderful time in France. It was partly a working holiday, but we also enjoyed a few days of rest. Our place of abode is lovely. Set amongst farmland in deepest Charante it is peaceful, and the weather was warm and sunny throughout our stay, encouraging us to take the rest that we really needed.

This picture shows part of the outside. You can see the Pigeonnier and the Grand Salon. More of that later.

The surrounding countryside is beautiful. Fields of Maize, Sunflowers and Corn surround tiny hamlets and ancient villages

The maize was a wonderful golden colour. Lots of texture too, to stimulate ideas for future work.

Sunflowers in different stages of development create atmospheres of their own too,

whether still showing a little bit of yellow or almost ready for harvesting.

There wasn’t much time to settle in, though. First we had to convert the Grand Salon into a shopping area. Not quite ready, but this gives you an idea of what was in store.

The picture was taken from the mezzanine. If I tell you that the dining table seats at least 10 you will get an idea of what a wonderful space this is, and why it is called the Grand Salon! Through the doors at the end you can see the Veranda with a glimpse of the swimming pool beyond.

Such a beautiful blue. The sun glinting invitingly.

The selling day was followed by a workshop.

Everyone had great fun, me included. We created texture using a new technique, first to make a brooch and then a piece that will eventually become the panel for a book cover. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of the finished pieces. It was hard to choose which one to include here, but finally I ‘plumped’ for this one.

Of course, some of us were able to relax while others were working hard!

Several dips in the swimming pool were the order of the day too!

Our free days were too precious to spend much time travelling, so we visited the local area. A trip to the River Charente at Fleurac was a delight. It is a beautiful spot, calm, quiet, and peaceful.

There are several islands in this locality, and they are all connected by a series of wooden bridges. There is also a working paper mill processing hand made paper. Unfortunately it wasn’t open on the day we visited. The banks of the river were full of autumn fruits.

Hips

Hops

and blackberries in abundance.

Each morning was greeted with the chattering of sparrows in the poplars and evening was heralded with the arrival of flocks of swallows that dipped and dived over the fields, feasting on the insects that they could find. Every night we were treated to another beautiful sunset. This is the start of just one.

One of the most interesting towns in the area is Aubeterre sur Dronne. Only a small town, a walk around won’t take very long, but each corner heralds another view. A cavernous church hewn out of rock is just one of the delights. We have visited there before, so this time we wandered the streets looking for lunch and other sights.

This is a general view over the town, while this next one shows just a little of the beautiful stone carving on the church.

And I just love the higgeldy piggeldy arrangement of these buildings.

We always return to this view, though.

Aren’t the colours lovely.

Let’s face it. Half the fun of a holiday is the food! And when it is locally grown, or picked straight from the tree it tastes even better.

What better way to start the day than with fresh figs and strawberries?

And freshly cooked bread with local ham, melon and grapes for lunch! Yum!

And who could resist figs with local almonds?

We indulged in the odd coffee too, but at one cafe I was more interested in the shadow play of the glasses!

So much to see around the old farmhouses too. Always worth a second look.

Thanks Moo

2009-09-04T16:30:00.002+01:00

Time for a new website! If you would like to take a look, that is. More pages to come, but not for a while.

I ordered some Moo cards on Monday, and to my amazement they arrived this morning. I've lots planned for this little collection. Watch this space.

A little bit of Maine

2009-09-02T15:52:00.000+01:00

Have you ever been to Maine? I haven't - well, not yet. However, I now have a little piece, just about ready to hang on my wall.

It was a surprise in the post this morning from my friend from overseas Carol. Isn't it lovely. She has a shop on Etsy too, you can see some of her other creations here.

Thread of the month and a surprise

2009-09-01T11:09:00.000+01:00

The new thread collection of the month is now posted here and you can purchase it directly from the sidebar there. . There is also a link alongside here.

I also thought I'd tell you about a surprise mail that came this morning. A while ago I made a comment on a blogpost, and, as you do, promptly forgot all about it. Amazingly I won myself a prize. I'll post a picture when it arrives, but in the meantime I thought I'd point you to the artist's work. It was actually really difficult to decide which one to show you because they are all really beautiful but finally I decided this was the one to go for.

However, don't take my word for it. You must take a look at her shop to see the rest of her amazing work.

Talking Threads

2009-08-31T15:51:00.001+01:00

I hinted, in a previous post, about a new TV programme. I'm pleased to say that there is more information available now, and you can keep up to date with the details by registering your interest here. Those of you that were at the Festival of Quilts on the Friday would have seen some filming going on. The first series is 10 programmes, and I've just heard that there is something special planned for Christmas.

All in all it's really exciting for textiles....

Time to reflect....

2009-08-26T11:17:00.000+01:00

As always the Festival of Quilts was a busy show. Here I am, part way through 'set up' wondering if we will have any customers!

Fortunately they came thick and fast once the show had opened, but of course there was no opportunity to photograph that! I hardly saw any of the exhibits, but I did find time to go and see my friend Liz who had a very impressive display

This is just a tantalising glimpse as I think the Exhibition is touring, and it is so good I don't want to give anything away. Well done, Liz

We met up with lots of good friends, customers and sellers alike. Not on our stand, but here is proof that there were some customers around, even in the 'quiet' times!

We were suprised at how many men came with their wives this year. Interestingly enough, most of them were encouraging their spouses to spend money.....

See you next year?

Mmmm Fruity!

2009-08-16T09:34:00.002+01:00

I must be mad. Here I am, furiously trying to get ready for the Festival of Quilts this coming week, and also doing some preparation for a workshop the week after. Fortunately the two can be combined.

Let's just say that the kitchen smells wonderfully fruity.....!

Is anyone coming to the NEC this week? If you are at the Festival of Quilts pop along to Winifred Cottage on Stand H22 and say 'Hi'! I dare say we can find some tempting things for you to look at too.....

Happy Birthday to you ....

2009-08-14T19:02:00.000+01:00

Birthday's aren't just about cake.....

They are also about the secret things

And about sharing them with others.....

What's the secret?

Why, water and bubbles of course.

What a lovely way to spend a birthday!

A quick catch up

2009-08-12T11:20:00.001+01:00

Where is the week going? It's already Wednesday and I can feel it slipping away! I came back from teaching Summer School at Missenden Abbey on Sunday, and this is the first time I've been able to think about posting some pictures.

Ten students, and they got through a lot in one week. Here is some of what they tackled!

We began by colouring paper

It looked much more interesting after it was dried and ironed.

Next, the fabric needed colouring

We had to leave it where we could to dry! Thankfully it didn't rain all the time.

We began with small pieces in paper, then paper and fabric

After learning how to make lovely areas of texture larger pieces were produced.

I didn't make them cut them up, but most of the did as you can see. I showed them how to avoid making this a disaster.....

This is just some of the work which we presented in a mini exhibition at the end of the week. Working in a school classroom is not easy! Well done everyone.

Felt but not as you know it!

2009-07-31T05:48:00.001+01:00

Another small sample. Felted fibres. Not felted in the conventional way, and no embellisher was used either. This is another taster. The technique is simple, and I'm thinking of running a workshop. What do you think?

More landscapes

2009-07-30T05:55:00.005+01:00

Well, the plural is wrong! In fact there is only one. But here it is. Another sample just to whet your appetite.

Another Taster

2009-07-29T10:59:00.000+01:00

Here's another collection of rust dyed fabrics that have been combined. Not yet finished, the hand stitching comes next, it shows some of the texture created by the technique I've used.

Inspired by a bracken and heather landscape the colours are much more subtle in real life than it would appear in this picture. I'll post the finished piece after Summer School!

Rust Dye - What Now?

2009-07-27T18:59:00.000+01:00

Three posts in three days! Don't worry, I've peaked and time won't allow me to carry on for the rest of the week.

I told you that the silk that was dyed with rust would appear in a different form. Here is some of it.

Firstly, a colour study:

Next some preliminary stitching

And finally

It still needs stretching and mounting, but that won't happen tonight. I'm moving on to something else now, there's a lot to do this week.

Nearly finished!

2009-07-26T12:23:00.002+01:00

Well, as promised here are the finished results from yesterday. Washed, but not yet ironed.

This and the next photograph show some of them 'fluttering' on the line!

And here are more detailed pictures of some of the others

As I said, these still need ironing, but the marks are quite effective. You too could do this! Why not book a workshop?

There are some silk bits too, but they will appear in a different form soon. Watch this space.....

If you missed part one either scroll down or click here.

A Hard Day at Work

2009-07-25T21:56:00.003+01:00

Sometimes it's really hard to go to work! Fancy having to meet people you like and do things that you love doing. It's such a chore, and yes, we had a day like that today.......

Up early and a trip along the M25 came first. We travelled the north section on our way to Chelmsford, to the branch of the Embroiderers' Guild where they were waiting for a lesson in Dyeing with Rust. Oh what fun!

We used things like these

But first I made them clean them up!

Some of them really got down to it!

And then we coloured the fabric..... They are going to try to keep it for a while longer before revealing the marks made. Do you think they will succeed?

I'll post some pictures of my samples tomorrow, in the meantime you can catch up with some previous ones here.
(And the return journey was along the south section of the M25 - not much fun today!)

The second post is here

Dayschools etc.

2009-07-24T10:48:00.000+01:00

Several new workshops have been listed here. Direct links are on this blog, in the sidebar. If you follow the first link you will need to scroll down to read them all.

These are just some of the workshops that I am currently teaching, if you are interested in arranging or attending one get in touch via the email link.

Happy Families

2009-06-29T16:32:00.001+01:00

Happy Birthday Mum.

Exhibition Time and more

2009-06-21T22:57:00.000+01:00

Yes, it's that time of year again. All around the country stitchers are furiously finishing pieces ready to hang in their end of course/term exhibitions. Other committments have meant that we aren't able to attend some that we have previously supported, however there are two that I would like to recommend if it is at all possible for you to attend.

The first is that of Eastleigh College at the Cranbury Annexe. It runs from Thursday to Saturday 2nd - 4th July.
Thursday 6pm - 9pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm
Cranbury Centre, Cranbury Road, Eastleigh, SO50 5HG and there is a map here It is within easy walking distance of the rail station. Telephone 023 8032 2140
We have visited this exhibition for many years. The standard is always high and it is well worth a visit. Please note that there will not be a shop there on the Saturday.

The next event not to be missed is on Sunday 5th July. Urchfont Manor are holding their annual Open Day. Be warned, it will be well attended, and rightly so.
This year Urchfont Manor is proudly hosting an Embroidery and Textile Open Day to showcase the work in a range of disciplines and to celebrate the City & Guilds Student Graduations. Meet the Tutors and current Students and discover why studying at Urchfont Manor is so special.

All this and traders too..... Open for 10am - 3pm, lunch is available if you would like it, and so too are other refreshments throughout the day. Urchfont is just outside Devizes in Wiltshire and there is a map here

Did you know that historical Urchfont Manor now has it's own Wikipedia page?

On Monday 6th July the Embroiderers' Guild branch at Marlborough, also in Wiltshire, is hosting an Open Meeting at which Richard Box is the speaker. This too comes highly recommended, especially as Richard is such a good speaker. It will be well attended, so make sure you have a seat by arriving in good time. The meeting starts at 2pm and more information about the venue can be found here.

If you visit any of these events on a day that we are there don't forget to come along and introduce yourself. You will find us on the Winifred Cottage stand, and you will see that we sell far more than is listed online. If you can't manage to make a visit email for a price list to see how much more we sell.....

Rust Play Day

2009-06-19T17:05:00.000+01:00

It isn't often that I get the chance to play

But playing with rust always results in surprises.

Sometimes they are subtle

Sometimes REALLY subtle

But sometimes........

They are really dramatic.

Local workshops coming in the autumn. If you are interested - get in touch..

Are you a Twit?

2009-06-10T10:12:00.000+01:00

Perhaps I should rephrase that! Do you Twitter? Yes, I have to confess that I do from time to time, and I have found it a very useful and interesting tool. However, that is what it is - a tool, and it can also be a waste of time. However, just how influential and rapid is it? How long does it take for a tweet to get around the world, and does it matter if it does or doesn't?

Be part of a little experiment today. If you are a twitterer already you will know what to do otherwise you will have to sign up and get started. Today is gobbledytwitter day! Go on, send some gobbledygook. After all, isn't that what twitter is all about.......? Don't forget to mark you post #gobbledytwitter

A Weekend Away, and some Exciting News.

2009-06-01T17:25:00.003+01:00

I always enjoy a weekend at Missenden Abbey, and this weekend was no exception. I was teaching an Embellisher workshop, from Friday to Sunday, entitled 'Buttons, Bags and Boxes, Textile Adventures on the Embellisher. We really did have fun.

Missenden Abbey is situated in Buckinghamshire. It is only about 40 miles from where I live, and our usual route is across country, avoiding, for the most part, motorways. In fact I only travel about six miles along a motorway before leaving it and heading towards Windsor. On Friday the traffic was dreadful. Far worse that I had seen it for some time. I presumed that it was due to it being the end of half term, but I was astounded to find that when I got to my exit junction I was literally the last car to turn off. It was at a standstill, and there really was just room for me to leave safely. The rest of the journey was so slow. Until within 3 miles of my destination my top speed was 15 miles per hour, I couldn't understand why. However, just as I arrived (over 2 hours later than I had expected) the traffic update on the radio announced a very nasty accident on the M25 with closures for the Air Ambulance. There were several other accidents too, along the same crowded stretch. I discovered that my journey had been much easier than that of some of the other tutors, a couple of whom took 5 hours longer than anticipated. As you can imagine, students were late too...

Missenden Abbey is very popular, and there were 11 students on the course. Four of them had never used an Embellisher before, and the others were of differing experiene, they were, of course ALL lovely people and the group gelled immediately.

The surroundings are beautiful, and it is so easy to work within the peace and quiet. Our room was very well appointed, and it wasn't long before the students had begun to engross themselves in the task in hand! It was lovely to see the individual styles and colourschemes as they worked with fabrics and fibres to create new surfaces. We worked late into the evening on Friday, and even later on the Saturday, even those who were not residents were loath to leave their machines and head for bed! Everything worked really well, and they completed all tasks on schedule.

You can see from this picture that some of them did slope off to eat! However they were soon back at their stations to carry on with their work.

It wasn't long before the first fabrics were created and ready for their transformation. Everyone used different materials, so there was great variety.

By Saturday evening most bags were completed, and we moved on to buttons. They were fun, some were used to 'garnish' the bags, but others were made for different uses.

During the weekend we were able to hear some exciting news. Very shortly the filming of a pilot series of programmes about creative textiles is about to start. We were told by one of the students who is also the co-presenter.

She is in this photograph, but I won't point her out yet..... (No, that isn't me standing at the back, it's one of many visitors that we had over the weekend. ) The programme will be called 'Talking Threads', and will feature 10 artists. It will be broadcast to the UK, and other countries too, but will also be available on the internet. You will be able to learn about people like Gilda Baron, Fay Maxwell and Angie Hughes, each programme will concentrate on one artist, and there will be demonstrations and a 'workshop' too. More details will become apparent as the time approaches for transmission, and I am sure that there will shortly be a website for the show. It is really exciting, with enough viewers it will become mainstream and a regular series.

So.....

Watch out for more information. Make sure you watch it, and if you like the idea let the producers know, it's about time our interests had a proper place in the media. I gather that the first programme will be shown in the autumn - so not long to wait.

Oh, and just as an aside...... they have asked me to participate too.....

How important is YOUR customer service?

2009-05-28T11:15:00.001+01:00

I'm not sure how it happened, but I suddenly realised today that it is well over 37 years since I last bought anything with the Heinz label, and it will be at least another 37 years before I think about buying anything again. This thought suddenly brought home to me again how important a response to a complaint can be, and how important customers are to a business.

Now you may think that my response is petty, but I will tell you the tale. My daughter was still tiny and only eating a little solid food. At that time it was mostly pureed fruit and vegetables - apples, pears, carrots etc. Very rarely I would buy a readymade jar of Cow and Gate, but mostly it was freshly prepared. One day we visited a friend, and her also tiny daughter, and stayed longer than expected, so I had to 'make do' with a can of Heinz apple puree that was in her cupboard. We opened it and were shocked to find a not so small and perfectly formed spider nestling in the puree. A second can produced the required lunch, but we still had the evidence from the first. After lunch it was decided that we would write a letter to Heinz telling them about it, this we did, not sending the spider but preserving it carefully. The letter was sent on our way home.

It was a month before Heinz replied. They were sorry, but unable to do anything as we had not sent the said creature. The whole tone of the letter, quite frankly, said 'we don't believe you'. Together we wrote another letter, this time including the spider - it was still perfectly formed. Another month went by and we received another letter. It was a preprinted form containing all sorts of facts about how careful Heinz were to ensure that their products were safe etc, and finally at the bottom was a typed PS telling us that there was no need to worry, the object we had returned was only plant matter. For our trouble they enclosed a voucher for 5p, which, by the way, was less than the cost of a tin of their babyfood.

That was the day we both decided that we would never again purchase Heinz. I had a phone call from Sue today, and out of the blue this memory surfaced. We both laughed - and both admitted that we still don't buy anthing with a Heinz label. Sometimes you have to read the really small print to discover that Heinz are involved - but if it is there I will find it. My first son in law was a very fussy eater, everything was smothered in Ketchup, but as mine wasn't Heinz he wouldn't eat it. He would only eat Heinz soup - and beans (in fact, this was just about the total of his diet when he first came into our lives) I'm glad to say that he wasn't quite so fussy by the time he disappeared into another life.

So, I ask you - How important is YOUR customer service? Do customers count or do you just want their money. OK, Heinz may still be a big company, but they may have been bigger with our money too.....

Checking in!

2009-05-25T11:55:00.000+01:00

Once again we have been through the most exhausting and busy time. I'm glad to say, however, that we were able to take a few days off last week, and we went to our little Welsh hideaway. Each morning I check the view from the back window, and this is rougly what I see.

Deep conversation is available only from the sheep! It is absolute bliss. We'll be back next year, in the meantime we are preparing for another busy time. It starts later this week with a teaching session at Missenden Abbey. Should be fun.....

Another surprise - but not for me.....

2009-04-08T11:07:00.000+01:00

I love buying from Etsy. Look what arrived this morning.....

Oh, too much flash. Is it just the bubblewrap?

Oh, isn't it pretty! Let's look closer

Hang on, there's something else....

Yes, TWO packages

Aren't those hearts pretty?

They are so beautifully wrapped I almost don't want to open them...... but

Here's the first one

Lovely colours

Yay!

Egg cosies! (No, they aren't lying on their side, Blogger won't stand them up at the moment....)

What's in the next one?

Just a hint...

A beautiful nest, complete with eggs.

And none of them are for me - they are all for grandchildren..

Happy Easter, Chrissie, and thankyou.

You must check out her shop. It's full of felty goodness.

Make your presents felt.

No point in getting depressed!

2009-04-03T13:13:00.000+01:00

Updating price lists is enormous fun! Each item has to be scrutinised for spelling errors and prices checked meticulously. We usually update in December and that has carried us through for the following year, with only a few minor changes. Not so this year......

We did our usual update in December of last year. There were far more alterations needed than previously. As much of our stock comes from the EU or USA there were changes according to the fluctations in the dollar and euro. Some items had increased by 10% and a few by 15%! January passed without much problem but then February arrived and we were notified of still more changes, (still as a result of the dollar and euro) so in readiness for March we redid the price list and another load were sent out.

So........ it is now April. Where are we now?

Today we ordered our next supply of Embellisher Needles.......

..... at the best of times these are expensive, but now we have the Yen to contend with.........

The increase this time is 35% - and that is before carriage......! We have always offered these as a service to students rather than as a means of making profit so this increase must be passed on to customers. If you need embellisher needles I suggest you buy NOW! We have two packets left.........I think I may need to start another price list soon.

If I have to pass any blame I'm afraid I'd pass it straight to Tony Blair. He chose Gordon Brown as Chancellor! Tony Blair may have been a good barrister, but as far as I can see they are only qualified for one thing - to manipulate the truth. No wonder he was such a 'good' prime minister.

I love surprises

2009-04-01T13:32:00.001+01:00

Did you enter the giveaway? I've just announced the result, so go and have a look. However, little did I know that I too was about to be surprised......

One of my Etsy friends sent me a note to say that I had won one of her items in a giveaway. It was such a surprise because it came at a time when I was very busy, and I had forgotten that I had even entered! I then forgot that I had won, so when a package arrived this morning it took me a moment or two to realise what it was..... Needless to say, once I remembered I couldn't wait to open it.

Such sophisticated packaging....

...and on removing the lid I found it just got even better!

All sorts inside!

It was so beautifully packaged I almost didn't want to open it.

But I'm so glad I did. Thank you Sharon of Night Sky Jewelry.

The photograph doesn't do it justice.

Do check out her shop, There are some beautiful things there.

And the little green card? It's a little Sweet William Seed Card. I'll plant it when the weather is right and let you know how it progresses.

Work in Progress!

2009-03-30T08:35:00.001+01:00

It's bliss to stitch on the sewing machine, and I love using my Embellisher, but....

The problem with both of the above is that they need space and electrcity and that's fine when working at home. However, over the last few weeks I have hardly been at home long enough to think about stitching, let alone actually do any. Sometimes I get withdrawal symptoms! My main creative outlet is dyeing, and I love this too, but it is such a luxury to hold a needle in my fingers and create. For this reason, when I know that there are going to be gaps in our selling, I carry around a piece of hand stitching. This is usually something that can be quickly folded away, so I do something that doesn't need to be hooped. I thought I'd show you my current piece.

It's a representation of a piece of coastline I know well, but there's a fair way to go yet. I don't expect it to be recognised as it is on a little visited part of the Welsh coast. If you look closely I think you can see the needle! The background is Silk Scrimble and the yarn is, of course, Sassa Lynne.

There won't be much stitching this week, it's time for stock-taking! Oh joy!

The Embellisher, Let's Get Started

2009-03-24T11:44:00.003Z

This is just a quick post to announce a new day workshop to be held at Studio Fay and Kay in Aldershot Hampshire. It will be a fun day, full of tips and techniques to start you on an exciting adventure with your Embellisher.

Don't forget that loan machines are always available, so this is also a chance to 'try' before you 'buy'.

Tuesday 12th May 10am - 4pm

You can find more information by clicking here or by emailing

Day workshop

2009-03-22T20:06:00.000Z

I love stitching on scrim. It is such a versatile surface, and can be used to create many effects. Whether stitching by hand or machine it is amenable and easily manipulated. One of my favourite techniques also involves the use of water-soluble paper. This is an interesting surface, quite unlike other water-soluble fabrics, which can be incorporated into the design and used as added texture. Last Thursday I taught a workshop using both these materials. Here are some quick pictures of parts of the workshop.

The scrim is in evidence here, but not much water-soluble paper in visible yet.

Beginning to add colour.

We used Kohinoor for speed as there was a lot to get through

Almost there. A little more detail needed.

We also looked at landscapes

These two samples show the technique part way through. Those ugly white lines will disappear by the time these works are finished.

But maybe I'll show you those another day........

Red and Yellow make Orange. Right?

2009-03-13T21:12:00.002Z

As a dyer I play with colour every day. On many days this is the only 'textile expression' that I get, and it is a very satisfying occupation. Dyeing our Serendipity range is fun and often unexpected results can lead to exciting further adventures. Our named range, however, is slightly different, these have to be dyed with precision and mistakes mean that the process has to start all over again. I use a number of dyes to produce the ranges. The cotton fibres are dyed using Fibre Reactive dyes, of which Procion is only one type. What would be the worst piece of news that a dyer could receive? How bad would it be if a particular dye was no longer made?

The safest way to mix a colour is to use a pure dye, that is a dye in the form in which it was manufactured. Many of the dyes on the market, named colours, are in fact mixes of one or more of these pure dyes and, although they produce beautiful colours in their own right, can be a bit of a minefield if you don't know what colours are actually in them. I buy my dyes from a number of sources, and some come in from abroad. Many of them are manufactured overseas, some of them in Japan, and unfortunately one of these was recently discontinued. One of my suppliers, trying to be helpful, attempted to recreate the colour by mixing various dyes, so when it arrived I knew that I had to 'tread carefully' and do a series of experiments.

The first thing I did was to mix a batch and dye a few sample threads using decreasing quantities of colour. I was expecting a deep orange-red which changed by degrees through coral to a peachy-pink, maybe heading towards peach. The results weren't what I expected, but the biggest surprise came when I went on to begin the next series of experiments.

This is a spot sample of the neat red dye. This sample is shown on paper, but it is similar to that on fabric
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You can see that it is quite a strong orange-red, adding yellow should reinforce this combination. So what happened when I added the first yellow - a pure yellow, no other colours added.

The effect was amazing, and totally unexpected. The yellow was consumed in the first three stages leaving a light blue which continued through several more samples (I've only shown four of those here). This told me that the new red dye is a combination containing blue. The 'red' and yellow have combined in the early samples, pushing the small amount of blue further down the scale. More experiments are needed to see how it will work with other colours, but I can see that I will have to spend some considerable time experimenting in order to be able to create at least one of my named range colours. Time consuming it may be - but it will be worth it, and who knows what interesting combinations I may find in the process.

Waiting for the postman......

2009-03-08T10:49:00.003Z

It's always good to get something in the mail, even when Royal Mail has taken a little longer than it should to deliver it! What's inside the envelope?

Hmm. That doesn't tell us much, does it? Let's get rid of the bubblewrap.

Ooh, pretty, Is that a Moo card? What's inside?

Beautifully presented. Hand written letter too. What's that coiled up?

It's a bracelet! From tastykaeru. It's beautiful! It's Kumihimo! It's very comfortable to wear!

Who would have thought that one of these could end up like that?

(Different colour, obviously!.

If you would like one too there are more! Here's one

Listed here,

and another

which is here , but there are many more and the best place to look is in her shop.

As for the yarn selection - well you can find that here. I'll be listing more, but first I'll have to dye them!

Thank you tastykaeru!

Thursday Theme

2009-03-05T10:11:00.002Z

Click here if you want to find the Thursday Theme

Woof Woof

2009-03-04T07:11:00.001Z

Is this a true story?

It was late. Almost midnight. The couple (we'll call them Freda and George) retired to bed to rest and sleep.
No sooner had they done this than their thoughtless neighbour (Bob) opened his back door and let the dog into the garden. It ran around, excited by the sounds and smells of the night, barking and snapping at moths and mice and the like. It happened every night and Freda had had enough.

"George! It's no good, you'll have to go and sort this out once and for all!"

Reluctantly George got dressed and trudged downstairs and into the night.

It was some three quarters of an hour later before he returned to the bedroom, cold and dishevelled.

"Well, George, have you sorted it?"

"Yes dear. The dog's now in our garden. Let's see how Bob likes having a thoughtless neighbour."

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-04T06:59:00.000Z

If you are looking for Wordless Wednesday you will find it HeRE

Spam, Spam, Wonderful Spam

2009-03-03T09:48:00.002Z

If I had £1.00 for every Spam email I received I would be a very wealthy woman. I receive so many that I suspect I would be able to solve the current world economic problems by donating those ££££'s to the appropriate authority. Unfortunately, though, I haven't received any ££'s, so I have started to look at them in another way. Instead of finding them a nuisance, I actually find them a great source of mirth.

Fortunately my firewall program will direct most spam messages directly to the spam folder, however occasionally one creeps into my main mail box and I have to physically move it. This is when I get my giggles. Like most people I have been offered all sorts of implements to help my sexual prowess, I have won millions on various lotteries and have been enlisted as help in removing millions from a variety of frozen bank accounts. I have discovered all this without even having to open the mails - who knows what else I would have discovered if I had actually read them - so what do I find so amusing?

The names...... Yes, the names of the people who have sent these emails. Has it not occurred to these people that the names and titles that they choose are a 'dead giveaway'?

Here are a few that have arrived recently

Rodgron Nobbligod
Blewittly Jebewit
Tahirami Walkelwi
Gochnouri Lemonskoweriski (I think this one sounds like a kitchen cleaner, maybe I'd buy it if it was on the supermarket shelf!)

Then there are the ones that want me to verify my bank details. The best giveaway here is that they are all from banks with whom I have no dealings, and, frankly, won't have in the present economic climate.

Yet more just greet me with a simple 'Hi'. In very recent days I've been especially not tempted by those from

Jafari Shameerio
Keeshandr Hilcocker and
Pauline Landrockervich

I would go on, but now I'm off to not read the one that has just arrived from Jos""Ram%nid^^oi>mer who is apparently my new best friend.......

Thursday Theme

2009-02-26T05:07:00.002Z

If you are looking for today's Thursday Theme you will find it Here

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-25T09:54:00.002Z

If you are looking for Wordless Wednesday you will find it HERE

Our mini adventure.....

2009-02-24T10:53:00.007Z

Well, we returned from Textiles in Focus on Sunday evening. We were tired, but it was, as usual, a lovely show. I do enjoy returning to places and meeting old friends and customers. I was even able to steal a while away from the stand to enjoy a meeting with Margaret and Debs, lunch with Gina and a quick tour of the Exhibitions with Marion. Such a treat.

Our accommodation was in a different place this year. I won't go into details, but we had to find somewhere else. We stayed on the south side of the A14, in an area where eating choices were very limited. This didn't actually matter as the first couple of evenings were to be spent with friends and colleagues. However, on the third night we were on our own and, frankly, couldn't face driving very far. The receptionist came to our rescue - 'Why not walk to the pub, there's a path at the back'.

And so began our mini adventure!

Firstly we had to find the path at the back. It transpired that this actually was nothing more than a hole through the hedge. Obviously well used, the 'path' was nothing more than a sticky mess of mud, however, someone had thoughtfully placed an old fence panel on top of this so we were able to make our way across without collecting too much mud on our shoes. A few steps on the other side revealed that we were now in the depths of an industrial estate, but fortunately, as it was a cul de sac, there was only one way to go. It was well lit, but a little spooky, with deep dark shadows on either side. Bravely we set off, not knowing exactly what we would find. A little further on we could see a car parking area. It was empty, of course, and immediately in front of it the road took a sharp turn to the right. We followed this course and could see a small roundabout ahead. This would mean a choice of ways, and we didn't know which one would be the correct one! However, we needn't have worried......

''Ello, 'ello,'ello! What's goin' on 'ere?"

A voice from the gloom accosted us. It was the security guard. Strange people walking through darkened streets in the early evening had obviously been spotted on the camera. From where had we come? (This was actually phrased rather differently and so too was the enquiry about our destination). On hearing that we were looking for the pub his manner changed and he actually gave us quite specific instructions. (I told you that the path looked well used!)

So we set off into the gloom again, confident now that our steps were bringing us ever closer to our destination. A glance over our shoulder at one point, just to look for an aide memoire for the return journey, informed us that we were being shadowed by the security guard, obviously intent on seeing us off the site.....! It was at this point that we realised that he was probably MI5 trained (failed). His powers of camouflage were decidedly nil (it isn't easy to hide a dayglo yellow jacket by hiding behind a lampost). A few more twists and turns brought us to the end of the factories, and we were now on a main road - with no footpath! The mud at the roadside was again sticky, but no fence panels to help us now. It wasn't far, but I almost lost my shoe on a couple of occasions. Finally we could see 'The Pub' and thankfully we squelched across the road and through the car park. At last we could have a glass of wine and order some food.

I have to say that the wine was surprisingly good. It was Chilean, and very tasty. The menu was quite long and varied, however left a little to be desired. The choice included fried fish, curry of various types, steak, lasagne, spaghetti with prawns, scampi, and various other dishes, all served with chips and peas...... We chose the least calorie filled and left the chips. I wonder how many other guests at the hotel had been as disappointed as we were - and we still had to tackle the journey back!

So, off we went on our return journey. Back we oozed through the muddy verge (far too much traffic to risk walking on the road) and into the murky industrial estate. It was easy to find our way back, and we expected the security guard to be there lurking in the shadows at every step. Sure enough, there he was! No longer hiding behind a lampost but in the shadows and still highly obvious in his jacket. Let's face it, he was only doing his job. He did speak to us, asked if we had had a good meal (apparently he often eats there, so we were cautious in our replies as we had no desire to have to treck along the A14). He shadowed us all the way back, and I have to say that we were very pleased to once more see the hole in the hedge.

If you would like more precise directions for this themed evening and gourmet dinner I can tell you exactly where to go.....

What are You doing this weekend?

2009-02-18T20:51:00.000Z

Tomorrow morning we are off to Textiles in Focus. I'm hoping to catch up with lots of friends and customers, so if you are visiting please pop along to the Winifred Cottage stand and say 'Hello'.

Another event that is happening this weekend in Unravel. The Maltings at Farnham is hosting the first even on Saturday. You can read more about both of these events here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-18T14:52:00.000Z

If you are looking for Wordless Wednesday you will find it HERE

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-11T10:23:00.002Z

If you are looking for Wordless Wednesday you can find it here

Cyber Fibre

2009-02-06T20:27:00.024Z

This is the postcard made for the Cyber Fyber Exhibition. The background is made using Vegetarian Silk. It is a lovely soft fabric which has been hand dyed then embellished (using the Embellisher) onto a firmer surface. The applied stitching is made from scraps of precious fabrics that had great sentimental value. It was hard to see them go! You can see the original here.

There is a similar one for sale in my Etsy shop. The background is slightly different, it is our special hand dyed fine viscose felt.

You can find more details and a view of the whole here. Some of the fabric scraps are vintage pieces that were given to me by my Welsh grandmother. They were saved from evening gowns and wedding dresses that she had made over the years. My earliest stitching memories are making tiny purses by hand, using the then reasonably large pieces in a similar way, but stitching by hand. The remaining scraps will remain in my box of special memories.

A little insight

2009-02-06T11:25:00.033Z

At the end of last month I noted the demise of my favourite record book. If you didn't see it, it's here. But today I thought I'd show you part of the other records that I keep.

These are just some of the samples that I have. They amount to well over a thousand and that doesn't include dyelot samples.

Reference details are on the hang tags, sometimes just a number, at other times I write a name.

They hang on bookrings, in collections.

As I said - these are just some of them! I'm running out of space.......

Thursday Theme

2009-02-05T09:15:00.003Z

If you are looking for the Thursday Theme you will find it HERE

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T09:29:00.002Z

Wordless Wednesday can now be found HERE

Watch this space.

2009-02-03T12:04:00.029Z

A couple of days ago I posted some photographs that were taken at Missenden Abbey. This morning I was searching through a box to find something I want to photograph. I knew it was in there (and it was) but I had forgotten exactly what else was there. To my surprise I came across some experimental photographs that my father had taken.

He worked for the BBC, and at times was asked to take photographs for them. I have very early pictures of several celebrities, some of whom are now in their 80's if not 90's, including Judith Chalmers and, a real name from the past, Polly Elwes (does anyone actually remember her?) I'm not so sure about the other names, although I'm sure a google search will enlighten me when I have more time. However, hidden in the box was a small album of the results of experiments, and although I don't remember the photographs I certainly remember them being taken.

The photographs are of flowers, but the significance is not in their subject but rather in the preparation for the photographic session. Instead of using filters (he had several of these) to alter the appearance these photographs were taken using crumpled sweetie cellophane. The result is a very strange rendering of a flower, but one that I just love now that I have seen it again. Of course, if you want to take photographs like this you first have to acquire your sweetie papers. That's the part that I remember......

Isn't it true that you never have the most important item that you need? Such was the case in this instance. But Dad was at work, so it fell to my Grandfather and I to go shopping for sweets. Wow, what fun! This was a very rare treat, however it wasn't quite what I had expected. We didn't just want sweets, we wanted cellophane wrapped sweets. But..... we didn't just want cellophane wrapped sweets we wanted cellophane wrapped sweets with NO WRITING! They were surprisingly difficult to find, and we had to visit many shops before we found them. I can still remember the look on the shopkeepers faces when their offering was spurned with 'Sorry, they're no good they've got writing on!'

So, why watch this space? Well, after my dabbling with coloured glass I can assure you I HAVE to have a go at this.

But first, I need some sweetie wrappers.........

After the dark

2009-02-02T10:22:00.054Z

The worst part of winter is the dark evenings!

Here in the northern hemisphere we do get quite short days, although not as short as those farther north. Even Scotland, just 400 miles away, has days that are shorter than here. It isn't pleasant driving home from work in the dark, especially as most street lighting is abysmal but after a few journeys it seems to become the order of the day and everyone just gets on with it. However, just one month after the shortest day it is apparent that the days are lengthening. Daylight stays for a little longer each day and the mornings start with more than a glimpse of light. January passes quickly and everyone's thoughts turn to spring, to bulbs pushing through the cold ground and giving us glimpses of colour to come. The snowdrops, often the first to appear, remind us, though, that maybe the cold is not yet gone.

And so we move into February. Are we safe? Is winter over?

My family will vouch for the fact that I have always said that February is the most dangerous and cruel month. March comes so soon after a short month, that we can be forgiven for thinking it has almost arrived! However in my experience the weather of February has so often taken us by surprise,

When I think of February I always think of snow......

We live in the south of England. The north downs end just a short distance from where I am now sitting. It is a very sheltered area thanks to the proximity of the downs. We can often drive across into Farnham to find that the weather is completely different, it is often raining there when quite dry here, and it doesn't often happen in reverse. Consequently, when snow was forecast for today we didn't really expect much at all. In all fairness we haven't had much, but we have had enough to ensure that I won't go out. It's too cold and, frankly, I hate snow.......

This photograph was taken this morning. It is our front gate, and I used the zoom to get this close! You see we haven't had much snow, but the way it is sticking to the wrought ironwork is rather pretty, isn't it. So how can this amount fill me with such dread and a determination not to leave the house? Northerners will presume it is because I am a namby pamby southerner, but that is not so!

I have been stuck in snow. I know what it is like to be caught for longer than I wish to remember in snow. I have been snowed into a house with no way of escape unless by way of shovel (a spade would have been useless). I have driven through snow drifts that reached half way up the car sides. I have even been driven, in a bus, through snow that reached above its height, and, frankly, I hated every moment. I have even been snowed into a town with no way of escape for 10 days.

So when I say 'I hate snow' I'm probably not making myself quite clear. Maybe now you will have a better indication of what's behind the statement.

Oh, yes, and I forgot to mention - all these 'escapades' happened in February................

Brrrr!

No filters, but.....

2009-01-31T17:07:00.038Z

A visit to Missenden Abbey offers many photographic opportunities. Today was no exception, but today I thought I would try something new.

Those that follow this blog regularly may remember this photograph of a stained glass door showing the coloured shadows on the floor. When I took it I was concentrating on the floor, not really noticing the door, although I have seen it many times before. Today the sun was again shining through the glass, but the length of the shadow stretched too far to capture with the camera. Instead I was drawn to the colours of the glass, and decided to see what it would be like to use a couple of them as filters. These are the results.

The first was taken through a golden yellow pane. It is quite naturistic, but funnily enough shows several aspects that I didn't notice when I took it! I was too busy concentrating on the 'technique'.

This second shot shows the world through a red pane. This is how the view would look through rose coloured spectacles! The aspect is slightly different as I had to reach up quite high to take the photograph.

Lastly I took this shot through natural glass to show how it actually looked. I'm sure you will agree that it is a lovely spot. It was a beautiful day. Dry, but cold.