Welcome to my blog.
A place to record and share my musings and my work.
'Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?'

Monday 17 August 2015

An Eclectic Mixture!

It's a glorious morning here in our corner of North Yorkshire.


Spotted this small flock of sheep on my early morning 'Daisy' walk.
This weekend Pateley Bridge, hosted a 1940's event.
It was amazing all the visitors and there were hundreds, got into
the spirit of things and dressed for the occasion.


 The shops were issued sandbags and their windows taped.


Our gallery was no exception.


Great fun was had by all!
On a personal note, I  finished the little hat for my 
granddaughter.


It's very cute,..... can't wait to see what it looks like on.
Also found this little raincoat, to add to the parcel.



Before I go, I must share with you my find of the week.
An old sewing box was by the bin outside the Charity shop.
On enquiring I was told that I could have it, as it was too scratched
to sell. When I got home and opened it ......


this is what I found! An absolute cornucopia.
The cottons alone, were exquisite. 
I'm still investigating all the bits an pieces.
Obviously some old lady's treasured possession.
I am glad it didn't go out with the rubbish.
Have a great week everyone!


Tuesday 4 August 2015

My Week in Pictures!

Thought I'd try something different in this post.
Mostly photos, with very little text.


Weeping Buddlea looking magnificent in the garden.


Newly emerged butterfly, snapped on a walk with Daisy.


Finished the Fingerless Mittens.


Made this Dorset Button Brooch


On Saturday I sold one of Justin's paintings.
Yippee!

Yesterday, on one of my days off, 
I .....

purchased a pattern to knit my granddaughter this hat.


Hasn't she grown!


Today the wool arrived. Excellent service from
'Love Knitting' I only ordered it yesterday and
 being a first order with them,
 I got a 10% discount and  free delvery.
Very impressed!


This morning, I upcycled a velour scarf,
which I purchased in the Charity Shop, last week.
I embellished it with colourful silk fibres.
Very pleased with the result.
Phew!
When I look back I seem to have had a very busy time.
Enjoy your week everyone!







Tuesday 14 July 2015

Transformation!

My posts seem to be very erratic of late!
I have so many calls on my time that I seem to
go online less and less. Working in the
gallery, five days a week doesn't leave much time
for anything else and on my days off I am busy making.
Anyway today I was determined to set aside a little time 
for writing this.
The sun is shining and I spotted these Harebells on my 
morning Daisy walk.


They are one of my favourite wild flowers.
I love their delicacy and I was reminded of the illustration
in, 'The Flower Fairies' book.


I had a great time at the Blissfields music festival.
The van we hired turned out to be much larger than we anticipated.


It was the size of the Starship Enterprise inside and Mr C.
said it was like driving a shed on wheels!
Daisy behaved impeccably .... it being her first foray into the 
camping experience.


We were camped in this field and you can glimpse the festival site in the
background. The weather was amazing and James enjoyed his 60th immensely!
We came home feeling re-energised for having a break.
This week I wanted to share a couple of projects I have been working on.
One of my strengths is that I have a good eye for articles, such as
scarves and bags, that I think I can add something to, to make
them my own.
 A silk scarf that I sewed crochet flowers to, in matching colours.


I found this linen mix two-toned pink Benneton scarf in the Charity Shop.
I made lots and lots of crochet flowers


and am in the process of attaching them.


Pleased with it so far!
Then there is this grey felt bag.


I have sewn on some Mother of Pearl buttons to suggest a flower.


Linda do you recognise the little buttons!
A small piece of green felt helps complete the illusion.


Before I go.... I decided to replace the lining for the bag
I posted about last time, with something far more 'zingy'


Very happy that I did!
Back to work tomorrow ....
Have a good week everyone!



Tuesday 30 June 2015

An Unlikely Combination!

I am very excited! This weekend we are off to our friend's 60th
birthday party, which happens to be at this Music Festival!


Despite the fact that I thought it was the following weekend
and that our van is terminally ill (but that's another story
for another day), we are actually going .....
We have been having so many trials this year, what with one thing 
and another, we thought this might be our only chance to get away
so we are going for it !!
I have managed to find someone to look after the gallery,
 hired a van and on Thursday we will be 
heading South!
It's years since I have been to a festival, so I will literally and 
metaphorically, be letting my hair down.
 'Now for something completely different' .....
For the last week I have been making a bag.
I have been using crochet and have adapted a pattern
by Lucy, from Attic 24


I have finished the main body.
It's in three colours, rust, cream and a grey brown.


One of my adaptations, is to make a small flap, with a buttonhole,
to keep the bag secure


This is one of the handles, which I have made to look like
the centre pattern of the main body.


I have chosen the button


and the lining material.
It only remains for me to make the second handle
and to finish it off.
Won't have the time this week though .....
I've got a party to go to.
Heh! heh!
Have a good week everyone!

Monday 22 June 2015

It's Been a While!

It's been a while since I last wrote a post!
I somehow exceeded my download limit last month,
so I was stymied.
The countryside is looking particularly beautiful at the
moment, even though the weather is not up to much!


The May blossom is blooming.


The buttercups are thriving in the fields
and


the Clemetis growing up the barn is looking particularly 
spectacular!
Have had a visit from my granddaughter, Maud, now 5 months old.


Our gallery has been open for a few weeks
and is taking up most of my time.


Mr C. has painted this beautiful sign to entice
people up the street.
Inside, there are new paintings to see.



 I have been sourcing little bits and pieces,



as well as finishing off my knitted items


and filling our glass cabinet.


Very posh ...... heh! heh!
Have a  good week everyone!

Monday 18 May 2015

Almost There!

Just like it says in the Andy Williams lyrics,
"Close your eyes for we're almost there".
The gallery is due to open on Friday, despite
all the problems.
Mr C's had a setback in his recovery, so I have had to
 step up to the plate and get it ready to open.
Alongside this, we have had a house guest for the last week.


Meet Holly! She has come to stay for a fortnight,
while her lucky owners have gone on holiday.
She is a real live wire and takes a lot of looking after.
The walks have fallen to me, as I am the only one fit for purpose.


Spotted these bluebells


and the  Lady's Smock, whilst out with them at the weekend.
Today was the day I started hanging the work in the gallery.


Didn't realise how crooked they were until I looked at the photos!


What a time I have been having .....


A real 'baptism of fire'!


Just giving you a taster !


I enjoyed it so much, I'm going back again tomorrow, to tackle the front room,


(glimpsed through the doorway).
I apologise for the photos, they're not the best but give a flavour
of the interior. When I had finished, I have to admit to feeling a
little pleased with my effort.
Feeling very excited now that we are near to opening.
Keep your fingers crossed that it will be a success.
Won't be for want of trying .......
Have a great week everyone!