Take it Further

I have just discovered that I haven't even mentioned the Take it Further Challenge this month although I have had it floating round in my mind all month. Sharon said at the beginning of the month "This reminded me once again of just how lucky we are to have a ’stash’. Most fiber folks have them. We draw on our stashes to make items or add to projects. They are either purchased or scavenged materials that have accumulated over time and as such they often have a story to tell. Or it is possibly more correct to say that stashes are full of stories. The interesting thing for textile practitoners is that these materials can take on another story. They can be made into something new and take on other meanings in someones life.

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Stashes also act as signifiers of wealth. Not only is the obvious wealth of what the stash actually costs to have and house but there is the psychological wealth of a stash because a stash is full of possibilities. While material is uncut it is rich with possible uses. Once you have committed to using it the material moves from being something that is full of potential to a project. So this month the idea to think about is stories that are and stories that are possible."

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I have at least two stashes. One is my painting stash which mostly resides in my shed/studio and gets a bit lonely at the moment. The other is my rapidly growing fabric/fibre stash which has somehow managed to install itself in our bedroom!

I have pulled a few fabrics artfully out of the drawers to hint at the treasures within. This collection of excitements has gradually grown over the last few years. Some of it bought excitedly at Shows, some bought from new found friends across the other side of the world through the magic of the internet, some gifted by other new friends met in the great cyber world that we seem to have been drawn into and which has enriched my life over the last year, some shared with my good friend Anne who I share my local art adventures with and some bought from charity (thrift) shops or the local Scrapstore which recycles all manner of donated goods.

You may remember some time ago that I bought these fabrics from the Scrapstore at Newark. Recently I had another visit and was tempted by some more of these fabric sample books.

When my Mum came to stay last week she had treated herself to a new camera which unfortunately does not fit her old camera case. Soooooo, I've made her a camera case from a fabric sample and lined it with some lovely satiny material from a dress I picked up for £2 in a sale. The cord came from my stash from a birthday gift bag and I think the button is new. I'm hoping my Mum will enjoy using the pouch and remember me when she takes her camera out.

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Everything I have made and shown here on my blog has come from my stash and has its own story to tell, sometimes of joy over a technique learned and sometimes of the struggle of trying to solve a problem. I love that I have started on this wonderful journey and I know that my stash has many more stories to lead me on and reveal to me.

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You will notice after tonight that I am conspicuous by my absence. I am going on what is known as a blogging break so I'll miss you all and see you at the end of next week. Take care of yourselves. Xxx

Birthday boy and lovely girl

You must excuse me if I start snoring but we have had a very hectic few days. As you will see from the photo below DH was well into the party spirit on Saturday! This photo was taken at the start of the evening before our guests arrived. The pint was replaced by a few more throughout the evening!

We had a lovely evening on Friday and several friends travelled to be there. My mum was busy with her camera so I have her to thank for the photo of my DH above and the pic of me below, which I actually don't object to - she's managed to catch me not looking 90!

After going to a friend's wedding on Saturday afternoon (and making an early exit as we were fading fast) we geared ourselves up for a special event on Sunday evening. It involved making a picnic, queueing in a field where we were entertained by some lovely friends,

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(These sweet calves were very interested in our car and for some reason decided it was a good idea to lick it!)

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a walk across a ploughed field carrying chairs and dragging the new trolley, and another pint of beer! (Oh! And another comical hat!)

You may be able to spot the same hat in the background of this crowd scene. It was a very windy evening and we were glad of all the coats, hats and rugs we had taken. Why were we sitting in the middle of a field in the shade of Belvoir Castle in a (virtually) howling gale? It had something to do with this lady

and these gorgeous gentlemen!

I'm sure you can recognise Katherine Jenkins and the lovely guys are Blake! I booked the concert for my Mum as it's her birthday next weekend. We kept it a surprise till the last minute and Mum was delighted.

Because we went early we were able to get a good spot in front of the stage.

Katherine had 4 changes of costume and if she didn't have some thermals on she should have as it was decidedly chilly!

The triangular fabrics at the back of the stage were a constantly changing lightshow and very effective.

You can see how the wind was blowing the feathers of this fabulous gown.

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The concert was superb and even my DH enjoyed the music (he hadn't been sure he would before we went). After the main part of the concert we were treated to a quick burst of the Last Night of the Proms lead by Katherine. She was just as you see her on the telly, wonderfully natural and very friendly, waving to people in the crowd. Her giggle was much in evidence and she enjoyed telling a few little jokes, especially about English/Welsh rugby rivalry! lol

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The whole evening was rounded off with the inevitable firework display.

Regrettably the wind blew the fireworks away quickly but they were still impressive. We finally wended our way home on a total high after a fantastic evening. My Mum said she would be reliving the evening for a long time to come. She'll certainly be telling her friends all about it!

PS Thanks to my DH for the photos of the concert itself.

Parties, Atcs and trollies

It's a bit quiet chez nous this morning! Last night was DH's party and we're feeling our age this morning. We had a great night and had a respectable number of guests to make the party swing. We even got to meet some friends from DH's blogland, so thank you to Gail'sman, Gail and Zakscloset for coming across from Nottingham to join us (and for the gorgeous chocolate cake!). My DH had a whale of a time and was slightly(?) giggly/tipsy by the end of the evening. He's very funny when he's had a few, very good natured, repetitive and giggly.

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Today we're off to a wedding near Newark just north of here and my Mum has taken herself off toLincoln to enjoy the shops in the rain.

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I've really just popped in to show you the ATCs I've received in the herringbone swap I mentioned on Thursday. They are all lovely and make my effort look very feeble.
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My photo doesn't do this card justice. The background fabric has been painted in beautiful turquoisy metallic paint and it shines beautifully. Thank you Liz!
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Pat has used metallic threads for this gorgeous purple celebration and included painted washers.

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This lovely card using a variety of weights of thread has been made by Susan.

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Thank you, girls!

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And finally:

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Oh my god! I've joined the ranks of the trolley dollies! lol! With rising prices and a thickening waistline (more of that in a minute) I decided I had to invest in a shopper and walk to town a bit more often. You'll be able to see me coming, won't you? I know I shall feel self-conscious the first few times I use it, and I'll probably wrap it round a few ankles and lampposts, but I will have to get used to it.

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And definitely finally, I have been putting on weight! Now, that may not sound much to most of you but I am a skinny thing and have struggled my way up over the years from 6st 12lbs in my teens to 7st 12lbs in my 40's. When I got my summer clothes out recently I found the trousers and shorts and skirts no longer fitted! Shock, horror! It was only when I got on some scales that I found I have gone up to 8 and a half stone!!!!!! Flippin Eck! How did that happen? (Ssh, don't tell her, it's that 'm' word that gives you pause) It's unheard of for me and I hadn't even been trying to put on weight. I feel as though I've finally arrived in the world of real women and I've got some meat on me! Yay! (Also it's a good excuse for some new clothes!)

Dotees, bits and bobs

This has been a very busy week for me as I have my Mum staying in preparation for my DH's birthday bash tomorrow night. As a result I have been totally un-creative, apart from a short sewing workshop on Tuesday for which I have nothing to show.

Emma was asking about Dotee dolls so I thought I'd put a few up here to give you an idea of what they look like, if you aren't familiar with them. The originator of the pattern was the lovely Dot in Australia. You can make them any shape you wish, they don't have to be the same as mine. If you Google Dotee for images or search Flickr for them you will get lots of ideas. Spread a little Dotee love around the world!

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As you will see from my sidebar I have recently joined StitchinFingers Ning. One of the groups within StitchinFingers has been set up so that we can all participate in a re-run of Sharon Boggon's TAST, or Take a Stitch Tuesday. The idea is to learn or revisit an embroidery stitch each week. I missed the first week but, by coincidence I had been working on herringbone stitch for a swap.

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This is one of three ATCs I made for a swap at MixedMediaATCs_UK - a bit ragged but mine own! ( You may recognise the fabric as Kate's). I will have to revisit this stitch to explore its possibilities.

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Week 2 was Buttonhole or blanket stitch which I really enjoy doing (one of the few stitches I know already). I cribbed a few ideas from other people in the group, for which thank you.

The third stitch is detached chain stitch but I have not started this yet. Thank goodness every fourth week is a catch up week.....I'm going to need it!

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This final ATC is for the June Lottery at MixedMediaATCS_UK on the subject of.............? Wimbledon!! (Excuse the little damage which happened in the making). The dashing little figure is Great Uncle Bulgaria who is, of course, a Womble!

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I probably won't get chance to blog again before next week so I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We have got a party, a wedding, a concert (open air and rain is forecast, no I mean really, heavy, rain!) and friends round for a chinese meal not to mention shopping and seeing Mum off back home so my feet are not going to touch the floor from tomorrow morning until Monday! Wish me luck!

Lovely Rust

A few days ago my friend Grace gave me some tools which had unfortunately become rusty. She found it very amusing that I should want to take these things home rather than throw them away!

There are some lovely shapes amongst these old tools, triangular rasps, hacksaw blades, hinges, screwdrivers, bolts, jubilee clips.

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On a sunny day last week I wrapped various fabrics around selections of the tools and soaked them in a 50/50 ish solution of water and white vinegar and put them into plastic bags to 'cook'. It didn't take too long for the rust to appear on the fabric but I left it until the following morning to rinse the vinegar water away. You can see the results below,

I think this is a type of polyester material, it is very soft and has taken the rust beautifully.

You can see the marks of the pliers on this cotton.

This is my favourite piece, actually it is the reverse side and the marks are lovely.

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The next question is what to make with it! Some dottee dolls maybe?

Alnwick Garden 3

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Alnwick Garden was to see the famous tree house which has been built around the existing trees. This is a massive construction with rope walkways which the children obviously loved running round! I really liked all the colours and textures of the different woods used in its construction. The surface which looks like paint in the bottom-left photo in the collage is actually peeling bark. It looked amazing!

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I should have said previously, my friend is now out of hospital and is much more comfortable but she is going to need more treatment.

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I haven't forgotten the June Take it Further Challenge (well, I nearly had!). I've a feeling I might slip behind this month as my mum is coming to stay tomorrow so time will be short for crafty things and blogging. Whatever you are doing this weekend have a great time!

Catching up 3-Alnwick Garden

As promised I have some photos to show you of Alnwick Garden which is adjacent to Alnwick Castle but not part of it. We had the most amazing day in this wonderful garden. The garden has been designed particularly to appeal to children but there is so much more to this fascinating place.

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When you enter the garden you are greeted by an expansive view of the Cascade (which my photo does no justice to unfortunately). The cascade springs into life twice an hour with a varied display of fountains and jets of water and the unwary stand to get a soaking!

You can see from the toy trucks that children are encouraged to play with the water at the bottom of the cascade

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This hornbeam tunnel runs the full length of both sides of the cascade.

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A series of jets of water catch the unwary and children who love playing 'dare'.

When the main cascade has finished this curtain of water strikes up.
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On the right hand side of the cascade is a serpentine garden of water features which explore the interactions of water and metal and explore some elements of physics. Each feature is described in a mirror finished plaque which are all the more interesting for their reflections.

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This curtain of water falls beneath the Coanda feature above.

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The photo above and those following are of the fascinating vortex which I could have watched all day! The patterns in the water were amazing, especially with the added bonus of the sky's reflection. The basin slowly empties through the middle and then refills through the jets either side.

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Do enlarge these images to see all the patterns and movement.

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Just one more......

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The sun provided a very delicate rainbow and just out of range are two children who were running in and out of the curtains of water having a fantastic time despite shivering!