My morning walk!

These are photos I took whilst walking my dogs one morning. It must be a few weeks ago because the crops in this field are as tall as me now!

 

It really is so pretty and I love it when I am out there but the effort it takes to make me get off my backside is unbelievable!

 

It is just such an inspirational walk - especially when the weather is decent and I get to do a lot of thinking, sorting out things in my head. Once I am out and about I could go on for miles.

 

Distant view of the Malvern Hills.

And then back to collapse with the cat!

 



Name in Lights! - well almost!

I had a lovely surprise the other week when my friend Valleri phoned me from a Stitching Show at the NEC to say that I was in the April/May issue of Stitch magazine!

It's all about my Fairy Wings and how they came about.  It has been two years since I wrote the article and I had completely forgotten about it but perhaps it has been published at just the right time for me now.  It is two years since my husband and I split and my daughters and I are now settled into our cute little house (little being the operative word!), so perhaps my mind can finally get back to creating! I have missed it so much but when you go through any sort of trauma, the creativity space is the first thing to get pushed aside.
If you would like more information on my Fairy Wings you can find it here

 

Just dreaming ....

Paris has always had a special place in my heart for some reason.  I have been once, many moons ago, with my ex but now that I am on my own I thought that Paris might be a good place to re-visit.  It's not too expensive or difficult to get there and, having been before it might be less onerous for my first solo break. It's just a case of plucking up the courage to follow my dreams I suppose ...

I'm back!!

 

Is anyone still out there?  I am returning to the blogosphere after a couple of years which have turned my world upside down. However, I am now itching to get back to being creative and to rejoining all you lovely people out there - if you are still out there!?

 

So, let me introduce you to Joey - our new addition. He is 5 months old and full of fun. We got him in the middle of December - It was Ruby's idea - and although I put up all sorts of reasons why we shouldn't get one it didn't actually take much to twist my arm!  So he arrived mid December and within days was the boss of both dogs! Archie, our other cat is holding his own for the time being!!

Although Joey doesn't take No for an answer.

 

After much deliberating, I have decided to get back into my sewing slowly - so I am starting a log cabin quilt for my bed. I am hoping that by engaging my creative brain it will fire into action with enthusiasm and lots of new ideas - well that's the theory anyway!

Catching my Breath

My stand at BCTF

So the "Big Weekend" started on 2nd April at British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. My dear friend Valleri kindly agreed to come with me and help.  We left Worcester at around 8.30 a.m. on Saturday and arrived at the Great Yorkshire Showground at around 11.30 ish.  We decided not to stop for lunch but to pop into Betty's in Harrogate for afternoon tea as a treat after we had set up - just to be sociable obviously!

We found my stand really easily - N33 (it will be always etched on my heart!) - and proceeded to set up.  I was in the Newcomer's Gallery and everyone was very busy setting up wonderful displays but I was quite pleased with my stand.  I had wanted to be completely creative but in the end I was limited to what furniture I could fit into Chris's Maestro Estate so I just concentrated on practicality!

Betty's was fabulous by the way - although we had to queue and service was, well let's call it "leisurely" - which meant that by the time we had finished we had half an hour to shop! I am still wondering if my dear hubby called ahead and asked them to stall us!  Anyway, it may have been a good thing because I still managed to spend rather a lot in such a short space of time - mostly presents for the kids from Jack Wills! We did pop into Paperchase too which was fabulous. I do love Paperchase.

The Show was fantastic and we met lots of really lovely people amongst whom are Della Clark, a jeweller from Lancashire, specialising in silver jewellery, who was so funny; Kelly McRobie, a textiles designer from Leicester, whose scarves were to die for and Stephanie Earl, a ceramicist and generally lovely girl whose work is so gorgeous you must take a look. It was also great to meet so many lovely visitors who made such lovely comments about my work. 

Anyway I should be working on some more stuff for the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury on Saturday but I thought I would just update you on things.  Must dash!

Maude, Virginia and Hyacinth

I have been so busy getting ready for the British Craft Trade Fair at Harrogate that I realise I have neglected my blog.  So I may be writing this to myself as you will all have left me (and I have no-one but myself to blame!)

Anyway for anyone who is out there I thought I would introduce you to three of my new fairies. Meet (from left to right) Maude, Virginia and Hyacinth. Here they sit on gorgeous vintage tins.  I am really pleased with them. They will travel with me up to Harrogate and then be available to purchase at the Spring Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury on 9th April.  

I am just working on some lovely silk brooches which I hope will be ready to bring along to V&H and more framed fairies are getting their passports in order so that they won't be left out!

So BCTF is in TWO WEEKS! And I am getting really nervous - excited but scared.  Once I have set up I am sure I will be fine. It's just remembering everything!! My brain is well and truly scrambled! My dear friend Valleri has agreed to come along and help which is brilliant. (Thanks Valleri)

Another dear friend, Gilly Mound, has a gorgeous exhibition on at Blue-Ginger Gallery, Nr Cradley, Herefordshire. Check out her website www.gillymound.co.uk.  They also have a small selection of my clocks there too.

Anyway, nice to be back! Will try not to leave it as long next time!

Crafts Magazine March/April 2011

Look out for my advertisement in the March/April issue of Crafts Magazine which should be out at the end of this month.