BeadBag

Beads Unlimited

2012-01-18T11:43:00.000Z

The Brighton Beadshop has tons of great beads and is a wonderful resource for Beaders. The shop is fairly near Brighton Station, so if you're in the area - go visit.

Colour Charts

2012-01-16T11:08:00.000Z

I love colour charts - maybe they remind me of paint palettes.

Going into a yarn or art shop is like an Aladdin's cave!

Free Beaded Bracelet Chart

2012-01-14T11:52:00.004Z

Origami

2012-01-06T13:12:00.000Z

The Origami Bride is probably a little too tricky for most people!

but for lots of lovely instructions - try this website

!Seasons Greetings!

2011-12-27T11:49:00.003Z

Knitting - oddments

2011-12-22T14:05:00.000Z

I love to do something while watching the telly, so I keep some yarn and needles nearby and made these odd bits and pieces as a bit of R&R.

If you want any of the patterns do let me know.

The Purl Bee

2011-12-12T10:32:00.001Z

This is a lovely (New York) website with lots of projects, sewing, knitting, crochet, etc. There are also some super things to buy such as yarns, threads, the children's felt slippers - gorgeous colours and beautifully made, and lots of other interesting items for craftspeople.

Website: Purl Soho

Blog: The Purl Bee

Free Beadcharts (or Crossstitch) - Christmas Motifs

2011-12-11T12:09:00.005Z

These little motifs can be made up in either Peyote or Brick Stitch

or used as Cross stitch charts .......... enjoy making them :)

Leonardo da Vinci

2011-11-27T12:20:00.008Z

The Mona Lisa is not in the exhibition at The National Galley, as The Louvre never loans it out. When I saw the Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda or La Joconde), for the first time, I was a little disappointed as it is a small and dark painting, but - somehow it has a reverence and magnetism about it.

detail of a larger painting

Cecelia Gallerani was 15 when this was painted by Leonardo in 1485. He was 33.

She was the mistress of Ludovico Sforza and his emblem was the ermine, which she holds.

At the moment, there is, of course, an exhibition at The National Gallery in London
of Leonardo da Vinci - until beginning of February 2012.

Leonardo self-portraits as a young and old man.
http://www.nkfu.com/leonardo-da-vincinin-cizimleri-foto-galeri/

Doodles

2011-11-17T13:35:00.006Z

........ just doodling while watching tv ............ I then Photoshopped the original (top) by inverting the colours.

(If there are any psychoanalysts out there ......... ? :) )
click here for ?interesting interpretation?

Knitted Beanie and Thingy

2011-11-08T11:11:00.002Z

These two things dont really go together, as such, ...... (except maybe by colour). I'd seen a super animated film called Despicable Me and the idea for the little knitted toy came out of this. I'd been practising the toe-up method of casting on for sock making and ended up with a toy .... ah well :) ........ The beenie - was a bit of theraputic knitting while watching the telly.
(If you'd like the patterns - do let me know)

Free Beadwork Pattern - Abstract Bracelet/Cuff - (Peyote,Brickstitch,Cross stitch chart)

2011-10-24T16:53:00.005+01:00

Mexico in London

2011-10-16T11:47:00.002+01:00

These gorgeous, colourful ceramic, and paper, pieces are from a shop called Milagros in the East End of London. They specialise in Mexican products.

Study with Mushrooms

2011-10-06T11:06:00.004+01:00

Original sketches and Photoshopped pics.

Gerhard Richter

2011-10-04T17:55:00.000+01:00

The Tate Mod is having an exhibition of Gerhard Richter's work from 6th October (2011)

Chinese Art

2011-09-26T10:25:00.002+01:00

This beautiful 18th century ivory Buddha head is coming up for auction at Chiswick Auctions -
the estimated price is £20,000 - £30,000.

Frida Kahlo

2011-09-20T10:47:00.000+01:00

I've always found Frida Kahlo totally enigmatic. When you first see her paintings, you think they are very decorative ----- that is, until you begin looking at them in detail. They are very disturbing.

Monty Don

2011-09-13T10:47:00.003+01:00

Although we know Monty Don as a great gardener on BBC's Gardeners' World - in the 1980s he and his wife designed and made beautiful costume jewellery - these are just a few of their gorgeous pieces.

Monty Don's "The Jewel Garden"

Vintage Knitting

2011-08-25T12:00:00.002+01:00

Three lovely vintage patterns

Free Vintage Pattern website

Peyote - Abstract Beadwork

2011-08-17T10:34:00.007+01:00

I'm working on this piece of abstract beadwork and have just been enjoying 'winging it'! It will probably turn into a Cuff as I have some lovely red Chinese beads which I'm dying to use!

Peyote (click for instructions) - this was probably the first beadweaving stitch I learned and I think is still my favourite.

Free Peyote Beading Patterns

2011-07-21T17:21:00.004+01:00

To make a bracelet or cuff - you could use these motifs mirrored

Garden Colour

2011-07-15T16:20:00.005+01:00

These wonderful colours are in my garden -

sitting with a cup of coffee,

sun streaming - what a gorgeous picture!

Amelia Caruso - textile designer

2011-07-14T10:27:00.000+01:00

These fabrics are available from Robert Kaufman

Printmaking

2011-07-10T13:26:00.001+01:00

Direct Print from inked plate on to paper

Lino Cut printed twice

... from my original drawing

Burghley House

2011-07-08T21:12:00.002+01:00

Burghley House is in Stamford, Lincolnshire (borders) and is a beautiful Elizabethan House, which has been added to and changed through the years. It was originally built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I.
The House and Gardens (and cafe) are well worth a visit - the House has a huge collection of wonderful paintings, sculptures and treasures.

Stack - Tony Cragg

2011-06-28T13:10:00.002+01:00

I love this piece by Tony Cragg

Briish Museum

2011-06-26T11:38:00.003+01:00

lovely pottery from the British Museum

The Apprentice

2011-06-23T12:01:00.004+01:00

The Apprentice

This really has nothing at all to do with my blog ........ but I'm hooked!

I dislike almost all of the contestants and cant believe just how dim they've been. This week's episode had a wonderful product - the baby's (1) back-pack-booster-seat (2) ------- fantastic idea. There must be an enormous market for this, and having taken a poll (4 people by Melody!) and no other proper research, she decided, off her own bat, that the product wouldn't sell! I couldn't believe this stupidity! She probably will do very well in business as she goes straight for the jugular! (but she is a bully.) ................. I felt completely knocked out by their sheer dumbness.
The 'teapot' lamp was the typical sort of quirky thing that the French would go for, but personally I wouldn't give it tea room!
Anyone have a suspicion who's going to win?

PS: I love the judges - they definitely know what's what.http://www.amazon.co.uk/SitSac-Backpack-Booster-Seat-Combo/dp/B002RTM014

Bead-Patterns the Magazine

2011-06-21T11:15:00.001+01:00

My Rainbow Bracelet project on the cover! :)

Picasso

2011-06-18T12:15:00.002+01:00

This beautiful portrait will be raising millions of pounds for research into obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It's a portrait of Marie-Therese Walter, entitled "Jeune fille endormie". It's almost the first time that this has been seen in public and apparently may fetch as much as £12 million at Christie's on Tuesday. In my very small opinion, it's beautiful and shows a lot of tenderness. I love it.
(photo & article taken from The Times).

I've always been a fan - here are just a few more of his beautiful works ............

Working Garden - June 2011

2011-06-16T12:12:00.001+01:00

filling out nicely

working table!

Tomatoes & sweetpeas not doing too badly ... Palmatum taking over!

garden furniture!

clematis

achillea

David Milne

2011-06-12T13:19:00.000+01:00

David Milne was born in Scotland in 1946 - these are just a very few of his pieces

Clangers!

2011-06-07T18:09:00.005+01:00

Yay Clangers! My kids loved the Clangers - and this pattern comes from a group of terrific patterns from Patons, including Wallace & Gromit, Feathers McGraw, Shaun and of course the Clangers .......... I did tweak the finishing a little.

............. must get on and knit Feathers McGraw!

PS: Dont tell Patons but I used Spud & Chloe yarn ...... (shhhhh)

These are another couple of knitted toys - lovely way to use up odd balls of leftover wool.

Study in Blue and White - with a splash of red! (and a little green thing) ........

2011-06-01T11:15:00.015+01:00

(little green dinosaur made by No.1 daughter!)

Photoshop play ............

click picture for a better view

Little Vacation .............

2011-05-30T18:19:00.007+01:00

We've just been away on a short trip .................... guess where?

.... a great idea for kids!
(No-one seems to wear helmets there!)

This is a good cheesey clue!

Delicious Herring!

One of the many houseboats in ......................... Amsterdam!

Victoria and Albert Museum

2011-05-24T10:25:00.005+01:00

Some time ago, when the V&A were doing renovations in the roof - I managed to get some photos (below) and the above pieces came out of them. It's the original Victorian roofing structure, and was just superb.

Islamic Art and Architecture

2011-05-18T11:00:00.011+01:00

Drawings/watercolours of the Alhambra

George Aitchison (Architect) 1825-1910
Design for Leighton House owned by Frederick Lord Leighton
Leighton House is located on the edge of Holland Park in Kensington. The house is open to the public and is one of the most remarkable buildings of the 19th century.

Silly Mid Off! *

2011-05-14T15:26:00.003+01:00

Have photoshopped this cricket piece (just above) by inverting the colours (first pic) - think I prefer it too!

*Fielding (cricket)

the ball, must avoid running on the pitch so usually ends up fielding near

silly mid on or silly mid off, but somewhat closer to the pitch.

Linda Miller - embroideries

2011-05-10T10:26:00.004+01:00

I've always loved embroideries by Linda Miller
Linda's Blog

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T14:17:00.011+01:00

The Dress

Alan Davie

2011-04-28T12:04:00.004+01:00

Alan Davie

I recently saw an exhibition of Alan Davie's work at Kings Place and fell in love with this style. Kings Place is in York Way, nr. Kings Cross Station and is in the beautiful Guardian building. The art spaces are wonderful and well worth visiting - (they hold concerts too.) They have a super silver exhibition at the moment, although unfortunately the Alan Davie exhibition has finished today.

Portable Paint Palettes

2011-04-20T10:57:00.010+01:00

I found this wonderful little travelling palette in the National Portrait Gallery shop - it's made by Koh-i-Noor - I thought the design was super. You would have to take your own brush & water, but it has it's own little mixing palette in the lid and one small water reservoir on each layer. Super compact design .... fits very nicely in my handbag!

This is the giant escalator at the National Portrait Gallery -
the Gallery is definitely worth a visit - wonderful stuff!
Not only modern portraits but rooms full of historic ones too, including my favourite Tudor/Elizabethan period.

Colour!

2011-04-15T12:02:00.019+01:00

Paul Klee

Alexander Henry Fabric

Summer Hues

postcards

some lovely colour images

Cave Art - Chauvet, France.

2011-04-08T11:27:00.004+01:00

These extraordinary cave paintings were discovered in 1994 in caves at Chauvet in the Ardeche region of France. The drawings are thought to be over 32,000 years old - the oldest ever found.

Artwork

2011-04-04T18:53:00.005+01:00

some of my recent pieces in water colour and oil pastel
- the skyscapes do look a little bare - but I rather liked that!

Julian Opie

2011-03-30T12:17:00.010+01:00

"Blur" Album Cover

Click here to see Julian Opie's wonderful website

(Click on various objects in the painting and see what they do!)

click here

Barbara Rae

2011-03-24T17:43:00.001Z

Recycling

2011-03-20T10:41:00.000Z

This is a lovely idea from today's YOU mag. Recycle plastic bottles as herb containers if you have limited space and can hang them. They are painted with outdoor gloss paint.

John Douglas

2011-03-17T10:15:00.010Z

John Douglas - lovely design and colours

Judith Johnston Beads

2011-03-16T15:02:00.005Z

I have just bought these beads from Judith Johnston on e-bay - they arrived beautifully packaged and are just gorgeous. I cant wait to do something with them!
(Judith's Blog)

Caged Pic.

2011-03-12T15:02:00.006Z

I spotted this picture on our recent browse around Paris (near the Bastille area) - unfortunately the shop was closed. I enlarged the name of the artist who is "A.Vahramian" - but couldn't find anything out about him/her at all. However, I loved the picture and just took a snap of it.

If you want to see some lovely foody pics from the local market - click here.

Chris Ofili

2011-03-02T13:40:00.005Z

Chris Ofili had an exhibition at Tate Britain in January - May 2010. I visited this at the time, and still love the exuberance of his colours and subjects. He has used animal dung in his work, or rested some of his paintings on lumps of the dung. (The dung has been 'treated' so it doesn't smell - and stays in one lump!) - but I cant say (for me) that it adds any quality to his work.

In my opinion, there are many artists who need to do something contraversial to either get a kick-start to their careers, or just like being contraversial for the sake of it. I think the work always comes through in the end - with or without the controversy!

Kristin Knits - colourful sox

2011-02-25T11:57:00.005Z

Kristin Knits is a fantastically inspirational knitting book - especially if you love colour. I knitted these from one of her many super patterns.
....... definitely worth buying.

Spring!

2011-02-19T12:03:00.003Z

Using Gouache

2011-02-16T11:56:00.016Z

The top pic. is my original - gouache - using it well diluted with a sponge on a stick (!) and then underneath pics. are a couple that have been Photoshopped.

This is a small collograph using scrunched-up tissue and small bits of card, glued on to card, then painted and printed on to the paper. It's a really simple way to make a print, and you can manage to get a few prints out of it, even if you dont PVA it first. (Still need to do a bit more work on it though).

Heinrich Campendonk (1889-1957)

2011-02-16T11:44:00.007Z

Through my lovely art class, I have just found the artist Heinrich Campendonk -
here is a super link

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-11T13:47:00.004Z

Amy Trescott

2011-01-29T13:25:00.005Z

In my art class recently we were asked us to bring some flour to our next lesson! We were all just a bit curious about this, but ended up making dough figures and shapes and had to take photos and then draw from them. The following week we had to embellish the printouts we'd taken! All very interesting!

The pic. below is my original figure .......... (in the loosest sense of the word!!)

Happy New Year

2010-12-30T10:42:00.002Z

Wishing you all a very Happy New 2011

Knitting "Log Cabin"

2010-12-18T15:38:00.004Z

I knitted this as a bit of occupational therapy while watching tv. I originally made it thinking I would wad and line it with a pretty fabric, and use it as a lap quilt. However, it turned out a bit small, but fits perfectly over a beanbag cushion I'd made.

I knitted 4 mitred squares, then using the patchwork 'log cabin' technique, knitted in rounds until I reached the size I wanted, then joined them together with knitted borders and a bit of sewing where needed, - - (and crocheted a flower in the centre.)

I used the super Spud & Chloe yarn which, even though a bit expensive, is just a pleasure to knit with. I'm still not sure whether I'll knit a 'backside' or use some matching fabric ........ dont hold your breath though, as busy time of year is on its way!

London - Tate Mod .......

2010-12-04T11:13:00.009Z

View from the Tate Mod on a very grey day - but lovely view just the same!

(Click on pic to see larger version)

Paris on Saturday Morning ......

2010-12-01T14:23:00.013Z

How can you resist Cafe au Lait and a little cake!

This really reminds me of childhood visits
Marche D'Aligre - super market, and loads of entertainment

Bastille Metro Station by the Canal

Have no idea how the shoe got up there!
Behind the buildings, that you dont usually see

Paper Boats

2010-11-17T14:23:00.004Z

Making some paper boats, sketching and scanning them,

collaging, then digitally doing some 'colouring in'.

Highgate Cemetary

2010-11-14T21:02:00.009Z

I took these photos today at Highgate Cemetary (the old part) - it was grey and drizzling all day, but this seemed to add to the atmosphere ...... never mind about seeing Karl Marx (in the newer part) - take a guided tour around the original Victorian Cemetary - it's fascinating.

Playing with colour and texture (and abstract!)

David Christensen Beads

2010-10-19T10:07:00.012+01:00

my new David Christensen Beads - gorgeous!
- I haven't decided what to do with these yet - I just love looking at them!
(for a more gorgeous larger view - click on the picture)

I made these pieces several months ago, but haven't managed to put them together into a necklace either - I dont know where the time disappears to!

Potteries in North London

2010-10-09T12:08:00.013+01:00

I have recently been browsing the history of a section of North London, and came across some fascinating information about some of the many Potteries that had been established to provide bricks from London clay. Wood had been banned as a building material, in 1666, since the Great Fire.

The above poster is from one of the many Potteries, and - if you can manage to read the other poster - (click on it to get a better view) it just gives a little insight into working rules at the time.

Incidentally, to any "Tottenham" supporter, this particular Pottery was built in White Hart Lane - very close to the Spurs ground.

Taste of Bordeaux

2010-10-06T11:11:00.006+01:00

I took this lovely pic in Bordeaux - on the windowledge of an old converted mill, where we were staying .... it was in the middle of just maize fields and vineyards ........ wonderful!

Autumn Colour

2010-10-06T11:06:00.005+01:00

The Natural Dye Studio

2010-10-01T11:19:00.003+01:00

Lovely dyed yarn from The Natural Dye Studio

Allotment Photos

2010-08-31T11:19:00.006+01:00

Lovely pics taken by No.1 son,
at a local allotment.

Ysolda Teague - knitting designer

2010-08-20T13:17:00.007+01:00

Thanks to a friend on Ravelry - I bought these lovely patterns from Ysolde Teague - and downloaded them almost immediately. Super service! Check out their other patterns - they have garments and accessories too.

Piranha Pedicure!

2010-08-08T11:34:00.003+01:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with anything in my blog! - but we actually saw somewhere giving this treatment at Camden Lock! it looked amazing .......... but slightly yucky!!

Jewellery

2010-07-23T11:21:00.008+01:00

The 'Tutti Frutti' Necklace & Bracelet were made for Glora Swanson

Having read, this morning, about Wallis Simpson (The Duchess of Windsor) - a collection of her jewellery is coming up for sale at Sothebys - (expected to make over £4 million!) - I did a reccie on the internet, and found these lovely pieces - not all of them belonged to the Duchess but they were mostly made by Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels.

Doodling ..........

2010-07-16T17:39:00.009+01:00

I thought these doodles might make nice textile pieces.

This was done as a monoprint from a magazine cutting(of Carol Klein) - hope she doesn't mind!
I've also played about with them in Photoshop ad PSP.

2010-06-30T19:54:00.007+01:00

This was more or less my original test-piece - - inspiration taken from Tiffany stained glass. The composition is not that exciting, but I was interested to see how it would look if I began to tweak it. I scanned and inverted the colours in Photoshop - and in fact preferred the 'new' colours. I then tried to take it back to a more stained-glass look, and drawing with the computer, is quite difficult to do without a steady hand! I now have a couple of ideas to take it further - will post these (if they're worth posting!) I also tried a 'twirl' and a mosaic look.

Summer Colours!

2010-06-27T13:55:00.007+01:00

Gorgeous Summer Colours

lovely website

nice ad from Max Factor

What makes you think I like Green?!

2010-06-25T14:07:00.015+01:00

These were all knitted while watching some boring tv (!) - theraputic knitting! I used some chunky plain green yarn (from stash) and some lovely Regia sock yarn that I couldn't wait to use.I had intended to make a baby cardi with it - (watch this space :) )

- rough free pattern instructions .........

Green Bag -
this could be knitted in the round,
but I made it as a flat piece and stitched up the seams.

Cast on approx. 96 stitches.
Knitting in Moss Stitch (1 plain, 1 purl - then reverse the next row) for approx. 5 rows.
Then rib (2 plain and 2 purl) for 3 rows.
Make eyelets evenly around next row (yarn forward and K2tog.)
Next row - continue in pattern - Continue in rib for another 7 rows.
Knit straight in Stocking Stitch for approx. 12 ins.Then repeat the ribbing and moss stitch.
Fold in half and stitch up the seams.
Make an i-cord long enough to thread through eyelets and tie into a bow.

Spectacles Case

Yarn: Regia 4-fadig Square Color (50g) (Col: 01132 : Partie: 47799)
Firstly, I made a flat i-cord using 8 stitches, measuring approx. 5.1/2 ins. in length.
I then cast on approx. 46 stitch onto the edge of the i-cord.
Knit in 2 plain, 2 purl rib for approx 12 rows, then continue in stocking stitch for about 5".
Stitch up seams, (making the seam centre back), and make a very small i-cord as a loop and find an appropriate matching button to yarn. (sheer luck! I had one just the right colour!!)
I also lined the inside of the specs case with a fine cotton, otherwise your specs will keep poking through the knitting!

PS: Please accept apology in advance if there's the odd inaccuracy - it's always difficult to remember exactly what you've done when you wing it! Please let me know if you have any probs.

(PPS: The beadwork was made a while ago.)
2nd link

Love this pic!

2010-06-21T19:56:00.003+01:00

Little Miss Gorgeous!
(I'm sure she's thinking "Herumph!" )

Picasso Fridge Magnet!

2010-06-17T10:38:00.003+01:00

(I think he'd be turning in his grave!)

Photoplay

2010-05-19T17:23:00.005+01:00

walking around our area, I took some photos and played about with them...

tweaked photos using Photoshop

original photo

original photo
'tweaked' .........

Monet's Garden and House - Giverny

2010-05-03T10:58:00.005+01:00

Monet's Garden today

Monet (to the left of pic.) in his garden

View of house

Some years ago, we visited Monet's house in Giverny,
which is not too far outside of Paris.
This is Monet's kitchen - wouldn't you just love to cook in there?!

Apple and Cherry Blossom

2010-04-30T10:27:00.007+01:00

How pretty - - Apple Blossom

Cherry Blossom too

and a double daff!

what a super time of year in the garden

Strand on The Green, Chiswick.

2010-04-29T18:44:00.010+01:00

Strand on the Green is a very picturesque walkway
on the Thames,
running east from Kew Bridge.
Lots of pubs with beautiful views of the river.

only - do take care if the tide comes in!

Sewing Cafe in Paris

2010-04-13T09:47:00.007+01:00

A new cafe has opened in Paris called the Sweat Shop (!) where you can have a cup of coffee, a piece of cake and a 'spin' on a sewing machine (at 6 euros an hr). It's near the Saint Martin Canal in the north-eastern corner of Paris - if you wanted to visit. It seems at the moment that mostly fashion students are using this cafe, and ordinary citizens have been a little reluctant to try it out.

I think it's basically a great idea and hope it takes off and maybe takes on over here in the UK.
(note les knitty cupcakes.)

(Article in The Times, 13.4.10)

Vincent - (1853-1890)

2010-04-09T11:21:00.010+01:00

"must have a warm heart for his fellow men"

Great exhibition at the RA on Van Gogh (only on until the 18th April) and the letters he had written to his brother Theo. The exhibition was very very crowded, and it wasn't easy to read any of the translations of the letters, but his paintings are wonderful. He was extremely passionate about his work as a painter, and always seemed to be learning about his art. He was greatly influenced by Japanese art.

It is so sad that he didn't manage to sell much of his work during his lifetime, but his life and works today still attract millions of people. It seems he may have suffered from epilepsy, and at that time it wasn't known how to treat this condition, and he became increasingly mentally unstable. He was constantly subsidised by his brother, Theo, during his lifetime, and seemed to feel this as a great weight. He was 37 when he died.

Some of Vincent's words:

"To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace."

"There is no blue without yellow and without orange."

"It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to.... The feeling for the things themselves, for reality, is more important than the feeling for pictures."

Classic Design

2010-04-03T12:25:00.007+01:00

These are from The Lollipop Shoppe

Who doesn't love Muji bits and pieces?

These lovely baskets are from Green Tulip

Playing with Photoshop

2010-03-27T14:21:00.007Z

Original Pic.

Photoshopped

Original pic.

Photoshop efforts -

I usually photoshop pics. with the idea of using them as another composition for either painting or embroidery/textile, stitching, maybe beadwork, etc. More often than not, I just end up liking the Photoshopped pictures, and dont do much with them ...... but it is fun making them, as you dont always know quite what the result is going to be.

Some doodles ..............

Spud & Chloe

2010-03-23T09:34:00.004Z

Have bought this gorgeous new sock yarn - which I'm really looking forward to knitting up - (unfortunately I haven't had much spare time lately!) The colour range is super and the yarn feels wonderfully soft. It should also be great for knitting babe's or children's stuff. Spud & Chloe have a super blog and website with some lovely free patterns ........ including a reversible Duck/Bunny!

There are also other very cute patterns - do have a browse.

my version of knitty turtle (!)(must get out more!)

Beaded Bracelet/Cuff

2010-03-03T11:38:00.008Z

... this is work in progress - - - (not quite finished writing the instructions yet, or getting rid of the odd bits of thread!).
My current patterns, for sale, are here.

Chipping Campden & Pitt Rivers

2010-03-01T18:41:00.008Z

The Wonderful Pitt-Rivers Museum in Oxford.
(Click on the photo to see a super large version.)

Some pics from short trip to Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire.

This was outside The Old School House - the figures has its finger up its nose and is making a "V" sign!

Trees

2010-03-01T18:34:00.004Z

I thought these trees, near the Tate Britain, just looked unusual and knobbly - and couldn't resist taking a pic. Be interesting to see what they look like later in the year.

Eadgyth and Otto

2010-01-20T09:55:00.004Z

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!

2010-01-02T17:35:00.003Z

Wishing Everyone A Very Happy New Year!

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

Temari Balls

2009-12-03T11:44:00.005Z

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

2009-11-18T17:24:00.006Z

These wonderful abstract collage quilts
are by Bethan Ash.
"Quilt Art" Members

Shibori - Michelle Griffiths

2009-11-12T13:17:00.005Z

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.

2009-11-10T15:48:00.003Z

Babe Cardis

2009-11-10T15:45:00.003Z

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

Diabolos!

2009-10-29T11:02:00.005Z

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

2009-10-27T10:51:00.006Z

"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!