Lindisfarne and Friends

As promised this post is mostly about our visit to Lindisfarne, a precious and magical island off the coast of Northumberland which is cut off by the tide twice a day.  We were really lucky in that the tides were right for our visit and we were able to get a bus from Berwick which left us on the island just before 11 in the morning and came back for us shortly before 7 in the evening.  We have been to Lindisfarne twice in the past including a week spent in a cottage 9 years ago.  If you click on the link above you will find a wealth of information about this beautiful place which has an ancient history that is almost tangible.

First things first, as we got off our bus we were met by Julia and her husband who we know through blogging.  Julia loves working in mixed media but she is also a very talented digital artist and I would love to live near enough to have some lessons from her ;o)  Speaking of mixed media, Julia spoiled me totally with some beautiful gifts that overwhelmed me with her generosity and also her skill.

This beautiful cutwork is called 'Lovers' Knot'.  It is a Celtic knot, which is very appropriate for a visit to Lindisfarne, and Julie has skilfully cut out the negative shapes to leave this intricate shape.  It has beautiful beading too and rests on an interesting piece of organza with a thread running through it.  It is in fact framed but I had difficulty photographing it in its entirety due to reflected light.

Not content with giving me the Lovers Knot Julia also gave me this pretty bag, distressed sheers and felt brooch and another beautiful knot that I am going to use in the sketchbook I am making with Carole.  Thank you so much Julia for your beautiful gifts. 

So what's the first thing you do when you meet up with friends?  Go for a cuppa of course!  These sparrows were amazingly tame and came to Keith's hand for crumbs of cake.  I'm afraid we ate the cakes before I thought to take any photos.  Suitably refreshed we headed out to Lindisfarne Castle which is a National Trust property.

The castle was originally an Elizabethan fort but was converted to an Edwardian home by Sir Edwin Lutyens.  I had not been familiar with Lutyens' designs before but I liked the simple lines of his furniture and architectural motifs.  There was lots of inspiration in surface patterns and textures.

Standing apart form the castle and protected by a stone wall is the Castle garden which was designed by Gertrude Jekyll, who worked in conjunction with Lutyens on many gardens.

Considering its proximity to the sea and its relatively exposed position the garden had a beautiful array of plants in flower.

I think this plant above is fennel and I was struck by the delicate fronds and the movement made by the lines of the stems.  I'm sure this could be interpreted in stitch.  There were lots of beautiful poppy seedheads too. (I've lost the photos I took of the patterns on the seedheads). :o(

These delicate harebells were growing out of the parapet around the castle terrace.   You can see it was a bit of a showery day but that just added to the atmosphere.

The sheds in the photograph above are made from upturned boats that have been cut down and doors fitted to the 'front'.  There are more down on the foreshore that are used by local fishermen for their fishing tackle.

Once the causeway reopened Julie and Keith headed off for home and DH and I took a walk down to the beach for a quick beachcomb.  The tide was well on its way out and the clouds were quite low down on the mainland.

As I wandered about the beach I could hear seals 'singing' in the distance.  It was a most haunting sound.  I have been trying to find a sound clip on You Tube but I can't find anything that approaches what we heard.  We could see the seals just the other side of the small island you can see in the photograph above. 

The shingle beaches gave me several sources for potential future design work.

Having spent a day on Lindisfarne again we are now thinking that we really should go back again for a proper visit.  Maybe we'll see you there?

Weekend Break

DH and I have just come back from a few days away in Berwick on Tweed, a very old, walled town in the North East of England.  In fact, it is the most northern town in England and has often been the subject of violent border disputes between the Scots and English in previous centuries, so much so that at various times the border has been moved to put it into either Scotland or England.  These days it is firmly in England even though many Scottish towns are situated South of it.  Such are borders!  

Berwick is a very beautiful town, we found, and it has some beautiful buildings, many of them Georgian.  You can walk around the fortifications that date to various periods of history and you can feel the power of the history all around you.  You almost expect to see a Napoleonic soldier marching down the main street.

 You may gather from this photograph that much of the town lies within and below the walls.  Parts of the walls are huge constructions with passageways cut through them to allow access and to allow the soldiers to burst out and fend off attacks.  

This huge door in the walls gives access to the quayside.  It must stand at least 15 - 20 feet tall!

Berwick's other claim to fame is its three bridges

The further bridge carries the railway and the middle concrete bridge carries the modern road.  The beautiful stone bridge in the foreground now carries traffic in one direction only and at one time carried all the traffic from London to Edinburgh!  Imagine it filled with horses and coaches, it must have been chaos as traffic increased and the motor car began to become popular.

This fortified wall is just past the railway bridge.  Imagine running up that flight of stairs when an attack starts!  The mere thought makes me dizzy!

These allotments must be a bit tricky to work on the slopes behind the stone wall.  At least they are sheltered from the strong winds that were blowing during our visit.

Needless to say I found plenty of textures and patterns to inspire me as we walked about.  These flowers formed part of the decoration on the outside of a building.  They may just find their way into some artwork, suitably altered of course.

This shape is part of what used to be a gun emplacement. 

I have to confess I brought a little of this rusted chain home with me, well, it was just laying in the gutter!

I had forgotten till I got to Berwick that the artist, LS Lowry, loved Berwick and visited often, in fact he nearly bought a house there.  This lighthouse appeared in one of his paintings and in pencil sketches.  There is a Lowry trail around Berwick highlighting the locations that he painted from and, having been to The Lowry gallery in Salford and seen some of his sea paintings I felt they were brought to life by standing where he had stood.  Although he is known for his paintings of "matchstalk men" Lowry also painted very atmospheric paintings of the sea and emotive portraits.

If you ever have the chance to stay in Berwick we can recommend the Bed and Breakfast we stayed in.  (No affiliation).  

This is us chilling out after a very long but very pleasant day on Lindisfarne meeting up with blogging friends.  But you're going to have to wait for that cos I'm off to bed!  Night night!

PS Excuse the pink jammies! ;o) I like my comfort, so much for style! lol

Works in Progress

I have been making good progress on the quilt for our friend's baby who was born a week ago today.  I was hoping to get it finished for today as we should have been visiting baby but unfortunately Mum and baby have had to have a few more days in hospital so I have been given a reprieve for a few days.  Just as well really as my machine is not behaving itself and I keep getting broken threads.  I've adjusted the tension and I am already using a new needle so I think I may have to change the thread I am using and see if that helps.  Anyway here's a pic of the progress so far:

I've settled on a random swirly quilt stitch and I'm quilting it a quarter at a time so that I don't have to keep heaving acres through the throat of the machine.  

After what seems like a long wait my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project arrived yesterday.

I've had a great time today colourwashing some pages and I've also decorated/strengthened the front cover.  The sketchbook is fairly small at only 8.5 inches by 5 but what surprised me was the weight of the paper which just about takes a wash.  I quite like the effect on the reverse of the pages where the paint has soaked through to give a light texture. 

My working title for the sketchbook is 'This is not a Sketchbook'.  I thought that would be less daunting than a set theme and in my mind it means I can do pretty much anything I want in any medium.  I'm thinking there will be a fair bit of collage work and some printing but I will try and get round to doing some sketches here and there.  The sketchbook will eventually be returned to America and will go into the permanent collection at Brooklyn Art Library where people will be able to take it out to read just like any library book.  The sketchbooks will also be available to view online from the end of this year and will be going on tour.  If you fancy joining in there's still plenty of time.

A few days ago I received an email inviting me to participate in a project that will benefit a village in the Central Africa Republic.  I checked out the projects credentials and found that several people I know in blogland are already taking part so I decided I would join in too.  I reproduce here Amy's initial invitation.

"I would like to ask if you would consider becoming part of this project that will benefit a village in the Central Africa Republic. A few ladies have been taught quilting and they are really enjoying it. These ladies have sent our organization 2 beautiful squares and we are hoping to put these squares together with other squares from around the world to make a beautiful quilt that will be auctioned off and 100% of the proceeds will go to a new well for a village in Central African Republic and a latrine for a school in CAR. We are asking quilters to donate a 12 x 12 or 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 block for our Global Quilt that will be auctioned. We will build 2 latrines (one for the boys and one for the girls) at a school and a nearby clean water well for the community's use. These latrines will provide the privacy maturing girls need to stay in school and the well will help prevent water related diseases. "

Hopefully these crazy squares will fit the bill.  There is still a little time if you want to join in.  The squares have to be in Florida by 31 August so if you can spare a little time click here for details. 

My sketchbook is going to be christened tomorrow.  We are travelling up to Berwick by train and I am going to do some 'travel lines' a la Margaret Cooter.  There is also going to be a meeting with another blogging friend see you soon Julia!

Oh yes, I nearly forgot, I've been adding a bit more to the sketchbook I am making with Carole Brungar.

I've still got lots to do before I can get to the binding but I'm really enjoying the change after making my festival quilt.  

Have a good rest of week :o)

Peterborough Open Studios Weekend

This weekend and next artists in Peterborough are opening their doors to share their work and their creative spaces with the public.  There are 26 venues taking part and, in many cases, several artists are sharing each venue.  Today Wendy took me and another friend Roz for a tour round some of the studios.  We had a short list of 4 that we hoped to visit but ended up adding in another that we saw advertised and which turned out to be a real prize.

First port of call was Art & Stitch (venue 16) where I have been for workshops and which as ever was buzzing with people chatting and learning.  The artists displaying their work were Angela Watson, Sarah Payne and Pam Pardoe.  I was pleased to be able to see Angela's poppy wall hanging which she featured on her blog recently and which she is justifiably proud of.  Angela, it's so much more lovely in real life!

Sarah was busy teaching a beading class when we arrived but she had plenty of her work on display and also, even more delightful, her sketchbooks were available to browse through.  Don't you just love looking through other people's sketchbooks?  It's fascinating to see how artists work through some of the potential problems before they start working or explore an idea to see where it will take them.  (Note to self, make better use of your own sketchbooks, like, use one!!!)

This is a very small sample of the work Sarah had on display.  You may be able to see that Sarah has been inspired by the glorious colours and patterns of the artist Hundertwasser. Sarah is a vibrant and enthusiastic artist and her work encompasses textiles, quilting and beading.  One of these days I am going to get round to doing a beading class with her at Art & Stitch!

Pam Pardoe is a skilled quilter and many of her quilts were on display both inside and outside Art & Stitch but, for my sins, I didn't take any photos of them.  Apologies Pam!

Tearing ourselves away from the lively atmosphere at Art and Stitch we got sidetracked into Pondskippercrafts  which is on the same industrial estate.  They specialise in items for the paper crafter and card maker but they carry things that can equally be used in mixed media and sketchbook-making and their prices were very competitive.

Next stop on our tour was venue 4 which featured the work of Sue Shields, a painter and printer who doesn't seem to have an internet presence, Carol Burnett who makes beautiful beaded jewellery inspired by the coast.  Her pieces were beautifully displayed on pebbles and beach finds and added to the atmosphere of the rooms which displayed Sue's beautiful paintings and linocuts, no photos I'm afraid :o( Also on display was pottery by Lindsey Wisniewski, also no internet presence.

While we were at venue 4 we picked up a flyer for another venue that we had missed and which offered cream teas in the garden! What a fantastic venue this was!  The work on display was beautiful restful paintings by Julie Reid who had also designed the beautiful garden, Kathryn Moore who was showing her woven wall hangings, shawls and bags and Ann Bellamy who makes wonderful jewellery including brooches from glass fragments and beads.  I was very tempted!  Julie Reid is also a garden designer and her garden was a very special place, so much so that we sat a spell and had a cream tea!!

Suitable refreshed, and spurred on by sat-nav we moved on to venue 8 in the home of Kay Hall, a lovely textile and mosaic artist.  Also here was Nadine Gereson who works in silver jewellery.

This wonderfully sculpted shrub greeted us at the door.  We thought maybe it was a laurel.

Do go and take a look at Kay's website, she has some beautiful work displayed there and you can see that her textiles and mosaics inform each other.  

Kay also had a delightful garden that she allowed us to wander in.  Both hers and Julie's showed the flair of an artist at work , and had lots of quirky bits and pieces to keep you interested and inspired, small strings of mirrors spinning in the wind, rusty bits, small stone figures hiding in the borders, wooden toadstools, windchimes with different tones, mosaic tables and pots.  

 This gorgeous bark was on a pine tree (cupressus?) in Kay's garden.  If you click on the photo to enlarge it you will see the depth of colour and the textures.  I don't think I would have expected to see this colour bark on a cypress tree. 

Our last port of call was Venue 13, The Cavell Centre, which had a wide selection of work from local artists across Cambridgeshire. (Unfortunately they did not have the bowls on display that feature in the publicity for PAOS). Needless to say by the time we had walked round the centre we were tiring and ready for home.  You still have time to visit the Peterborough Open Studios either this weekend or next weekend and judging by the work we saw today it is well worth a visit if you live near enough.

Beauty

I was very remiss yesterday in forgetting to post about the most beautiful postcard I have received in a one to one swap with Lorna who blogs as Artymess. 

This lovely card has so much in it that speaks to me and Lorna is a girl after my own heart.  I don't think the photograph shows up all the details but the card is  beautifully layered with organza over various yarns and angelina and a gold ribbon.  I love the Buddha as I have a  Thai Buddha in my conservatory that has a similarly serene face.  The little green heart reminds me of my stepdaughter as green is her favourite colour so I will always think of her when I look at this card.  The card has been finished off with gold free machining and hand stitching which is Lorna's forte.  Thank you Lorna for a beautiful card.  My card for you will be on its way soon.  Promise! I'll just go and do the satin stitch and it'll be ready to go!

Miscellany and a Birthday

My Mum is 85 years young today and, while we couldn't get down South to celebrate with her she has had a lovely day with special friends who surprised her with lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Thames and a birthday cake from my lovely cousins with her name on it!   We will be celebrating with Mum in a few weeks time so Interflora had to take our messages for us until then.  Happy Birthday Mum!

Just one or two more photos of the beautiful gardens at Crook Hall but this time it's more inspiration based.

The gardens are populated with figures, little and not so little, some tucked into corners, which are sure to delight some of its younger visitors, or maybe scare them.  They add to the magical atmosphere of the gardens and also give opportunities for some digital manipulation for future projects.

I'm quite pleased with this photo of the paperweight from the table in the tea garden.  You may just be able to see the writing on the menu underneath it.  I'm looking forward to having a play with this in Photoshop.

Talking of playing, I've made a start on the sketchbook workshop that Carole Brungar in New Zealand is running.  You can click on the link in my sidebar if you are interested in joining in.  There is still time to join the class as it is running until September and you can soon catch up.

So far I have painted watercolour papers with a solution of Redbush tea (it was well past its best before date), torn it into pages to fit the book cover I found in a charity shop (which is now minus its own pages), printed out a selection of words onto cotton and silk printable fabric and sorted out some greeting cards that I have received over the years to make more pages.  I am a bit behind the rest of the group as I joined up a bit late but I am looking forward to working on this book.

These are some of Carole's images of her own finished book,

We will be covering several techniques including image transfer and stitching on paper and Carole has a lovely relaxed style in her teaching videos of which there are plenty on the blog that she is teaching from.  I thought if I did this workshop it would motivate me to try out some things I have been wanting to try for a while but never seem to find time for.  So far it's working and I'm having a great time.  So much so that I already have plans for a second book.  At least it's giving me something to do while this terrible heat lasts in our part of the UK.  Unfortunately it's affecting my gut which is debilitating so I am drinking loads but I am staying close to home for the time being. 

Beautiful Durham and Crook Hall

It was DH's birthday last week and instead of a present we decided to have a short break to Durham in the north of England.  We were lucky with the weather which was warm and pleasant and not glaring sunshine so ideal for photographs. 

We went to Durham with the thought of visiting the Cathedral but our priorities changed when we read Julia's post about Crook Hall.  We decided we couldn't miss this gem of a house and garden so we went there on Thursday.   

This beautiful house sits in equally beautiful gardens that are quite magical and caused my DH and I to slow down, relax and smell the flowers. 

The gardens are set out as a series of rooms and the walled garden, hidden behind its wooden gate, gave the feeling of entering a secret place. 

Sit awhile, enjoy the peace.

The gardens are full of glorious roses.

In another part of the garden the herbaceous borders are overflowing with soft textures and colours.

The houses you can see in the photo above are all part of Crook Hall.  The more recent Georgian part is on the left and the Jacobean house is to the right.  You may also just be able to see the 13th century mediaeval hall which is reputedly haunted as is the Jacobean building by 'The White Lady' whose presence has been documented and attested to over centuries.  The owners of the Hall are most generous with their home allowing people to relax in front of the wood fire (yes, even in Thursday's temperatures) on gorgeously comfortable settees and even to take down a book from the bookcase to browse for a while.

I don't think I've ever seen so many Enid Blyton books in one place and this is less than half of the collection!

As you might expect browsing such beautiful gardens calls for refreshments and Crook Hall has a lovely courtyard for just such a requirement.

We took our morning tea and ginger cake under the trees in the shade in an adjacent part of the garden.

Strolling on there is more to enjoy and savour.

Inspiration for a quilt?

Or maybe this?

Another chance for a rest by the moat pool which was alive with mayflies.

Echoes of the Cathedral in the distance.

You'll have gathered by this photo heavy post that I am in love with this garden!  Despite the number of people visiting it was never crowded and always peaceful.  I shall save some images for another post.  Enjoy your Sunday wherever you are in the world.