Eadgyth and Otto

This wonderful image is of Eadgyth and her husband the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I. Her remains are believed to be the oldest of the English royal family to have recently been discovered in Germany. She was an Anglo-Saxon princess, King Alfred's granddaughter and was given to Otto in marriage. She was also the sister of king Athelstan who became the first official King of all England in AD937. She died aged 36.

I just loved this image - and if you want some more details try this link.

Happy New Year!

Wishing Everyone A Very Happy New Year!

(The Victorian meaning of the Azalea is 'Abundance'.)

Temari Balls

Link 1.
Link 2.
Link 3.
Link 4.

Japanese Temari balls are a symbol of perfection.
Click on the above links if you want to find out more about the history,
some instructions and more patterns.

Bethan Ash - Quilt Artist

These wonderful abstract collage quilts
are by Bethan Ash.

Shibori - Michelle Griffiths

These beautiful Shibori technique pieces are by
Michelle Griffiths.
Checkout her Facebook Album.

Couple of links re. Shibori technique and history.
Michael Silks.com
Wikipedia

Christmas Shopping in Oxford Street, London.

Babe Cardis

Two little baby cardis - one from Debbie Bliss book and
the little wrap from Erika Knight.

Diabolos!

I remember having one of these as a kid - (I'm sure mine was wooden!) - apparently they are the latest 'school' craze here -
I love the colours.
some more ............

This is the 'super-dooper' version and costs just under £40! (approx $65!)

first4yarns

"first4yarns"

This knitting shop in Powys, Wales, has a terrific variety of yarns, as well as everything else the knitter might need - you can buy online (or phone in your order) - and they're in the UK!

Michael Kors

I'm sure Michael Kors doesn't need my bit of advertising, but I thought both these products are beautifully designed. I have no idea what the perfume actually smells like - but I think the packaging is beautiful .............. I'll have to go and do a bit of retail therapy!

Netted Cuff and Little Necklaces .....

I suddenly had a 'pash' on using these colours, and have just been having a play - there's nothing groundbreaking here, but they are all things that I'll be wearing - they'll go nicely with a couple of new things I've bought! (Click on pic to see much larger view!)

London Park in Autumn

click on photo to see fab larger view.

3-dimensional beadwork & Socks!

I'm working on some small 3-dimensional beadwork 'pillows' - I've a few more ideas to come .........


and am also making socks with some lovely yarn from
The Natural Dye Studio ........
I'm having withdrawal symptoms as I haven't been to the Knitting & Stitching Show this year - I've come down with a 'orrible bug! Keeping my fingers crossed that it will go by tomorrow as it's the K&S last day.

Portugal

We just came back from a lovely week in Portugal. The weather and temp. was perfect. The local beach was so peaceful - and food was lovely too!
One of the dishes we had was a starter of octopus - just delicious - will put the recipe up in my Foodee blog.

Paris

On our recent trip to Paris - some personal views ..............

French-style lunch in the park - (nr. The Marais district)

Park view - Place des Voges

Architectural views

Musee de Quai Branly - wonderful museum (7th arr.)

Vertical green wall at the Musee de Quai Branly

(no need for description!)

Having a leisurely cafe creme - view from cafe.

French sense of humour!

Advertising in street - very French....

Wonderful specialist shops

Someone has a sense of humour!

I took these yesterday in the West End (London) !

Omega Workshops

- some of the artists from the Omega Workshops (late 1800s onwards) and the Bloomsbury Group - These designs are so modern - they could easily be used today.

Rug Design - Rogery Fry

Vanessa Bell

Duncan Grant

Winifred Gill
(linocut)

Cressida Bell - Vanessa Bell's granddaughter runs a design company - textiles/design/interiors and has obviously been influenced by the Omega Workshops.

Rug design

Rodolphe Theophile Bosshard (contemporary to the period - artist 1889-1960) - probably not related, although from the same period - - but love this painting).

current Courtauld Exhibition of the
Omega Workshops/Bloomsbury Group
at Somerset House, London.

editing photos

This first pic was my original photo

Having a play - I cant say I'm exactly sure what I did ! but the effects are interesting. I use Photoshop and Illustrator. (I should keep notes shouldn't I?!)

Ornamentation

I was taking some photos yesterday at the Royal Courts of Justice in London - looking at the ornamentation - and have edited three of the pics - just a little ...... it's interesting how just adding 'black' and removing some colour, completely changes the image.

3-Dimensional Beadwork

I've just been to a super 'beady' summer school for the week and have been experimenting with 3-D beaded shapes. The original source was Jean Power's patterns (which you can buy online) and once I worked out the 'recipe' I did a little experimenting. They were great fun to do and have got lots of ideas for future beading projects.

Unfortunately I had to scan the pieces on my flatbed scanner - so it's difficult to see them 3-dimensionally, but they are all worked from the 'outside - in' so they have a different pattern on the backs and fronts, and they can be made as deep or shallow as you want to bead them. My favourite ones are the little 'pillows'.

(Click on the pics for a large image.)