Autumn at last

After what seems like the longest summer ever, Autumn has finally arrived ... a bit late, but better late than never, so I'm busy every day raking up leaves.  What seems like a chore to me is an absolute joy to my grandson.  I couldn't help but laugh and wish that I too, was young enough to be able to sit in a pile of leaves and play about in them without the neighbours thinking I was a complete prat.

Today I feel a bit lost, not going to Needle Ny-dle Noo to teach.  The workshop finished last week, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and miss the ladies and the patter and enjoyment you get in a group class.

They all diligently did their homework and weren't too cross with me for giving them so much to do.  Although they didn't get to completely finish their project in class, they came close to it, and I'm looking forward to catching up with them again in a few weeks time to see the finished results.  Here they are, with their progress - they should all be very proud of their work as they did a wonderful job and created lots of cheeky badgers.

A good week

I had an inspirational week last week.  My Monday class at Needle Ny-dle Noo in North Perth flew by.  I love teaching and the time went so fast.

They are a nice group of ladies and after a shaky start in week one they all settled into their embroidery with renewed confidence.  The first week was daunting as they were stitching the badgers body and basically, it just looks a bit of a blob until the head goes on.

This week they started on the face and once an eye and his nose was stitched on ... voila! - he got personalilty and they all relaxed and started to like their wee badgers.

Next week is the final week where we put on the stumpwork leaves and berries.  Poor ladies will be cursing me this week, as I gave them a lot of homework to do. 

Wednesday was the Craft Show.  My friend zoomed around 7 aisles in 2 hours whereas it took me 2 hours to do 2 aisles.  I vowed I wouldn't spend much as there wasn't really much I needed, but of course, I came home with arms like an orangutan dragging bags laden with things I just might need one day.

One of the highlights of the show was the exhibitioin by WAFTA.  An amazing canopy of shibori dyed silk pieces, all stitched together.

The colours and designs of the dyeing were inspiring, and it was just beautiful to stand underneath it and see the light shining through it.

I've included a photo of the explanation of the piece, hope you can read it okay.

In summary it is 26 metres long, by 2.25 metres wide, contains 143 French seams, and 84 metres of seams in total, and 144 silk pieces in all.

Well done to the ladies in WAFTA. 

Play Days

In the past few days I decided to have a bit of play time with my embellisher.  I used a square embroidery frame to do some weaving with a ball of multicoloured wool I found in my cupboard.

Then I hammered it with the embellisher.  It blended together well - blurring the back, but not the front, and left me with a really strong fabric.  It needs something else though ... I think I might have a go at machine stitching over it.

Then I haven't got a clue what I'm going to do with it, but its getting me into the mood for experimental ideas.  In the meantime I've been sitting back tonight watching Sam Attwater in Dancing on Ice - he moves so beautifully.  Not sure if my hot flush was due to menopause or Sam in those sleek trousers.

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mums, step-mums, grandmums, and mums-to-be ... I hope you all had a wonderful day today.  I'm lucky to be able to say that my own mum is also my best friend, which is something that is becoming rare in todays fractured society.

 My own family gave me a lovely day ... all visiting and spending time with me, wonderful cards with heartfelt words, chocolate roses, and dinner cooked by number 2 son .... I could get used to this!!!  Why is mothers day only one day a year??!! 

After such a relaxing day, tomorrow will be a challenge ... up early, now thats a challenge in itself. I'm off on the train to teach my badger stumpwork design to a group of ladies at Needle Nydle Noo in North Perth, for the next three Mondays.  I love teaching, and I'm excited about meeting new ladies and sharing what I love to do.  As for the experimental pulled thread work ... well I'm still thinking about that. 

I'm hoping that meeting new stitchers will kick start some inspiration into me.  Hope you all had a great weekend.



Creativity has vanished

Such a lot has been happening lately, but not creatively.  I can't seem to get my mojo back to do my experimental pieces, its something that needs time to play and think about, but I seem to have something to do every day lately and only a few hours to fit in my C&G work, and I can't seem to relax and get any ideas.

Last week we welcomed our 5th grandchild, a little boy.  So beautiful.  The creation of life never ceases to amaze me.

Easter Friday we celebrated hubby's milestone birthday (we won't mention which milestone!!!) with a family party.  For someone who always declares he hates being fussed over, he lapped it all up and thoroughly enjoyed himself.  He said it was the best birthday he'd ever had, despite the decade it represents.

Then of course, there's been the Royal Wedding.  What a wonderful occassion and didn't Kate look beautiful and her sister Pippa quite stunning in that simple white dress.  The whole affair gave me goosebumps.  For a day it makes us forget all the woes of the world and rejoice in our heritage.  Like everything, it will always have its critics, but for us, we enjoyed every minute of it, and hope William and Kate have a long and happy life together.

We decided to have an English tea party whilst watching the celebrations, with crustless sandwiches, scones and jam, strawberries and champagne, and tea in china cups ... pretending to be posh.

Cucumber sandwich, anyone!?

A few days later was my own birthday celebrations, not quite a milestone, but the family put a lovely lunch on for me and everyone spoilt me rotten, as they always do.  So now its time to come back down to earth and get on with some serious stitching work.