Mkt Rasen class Xmas tree

I provided natural coloured 'almost evenweave' fabric for ladies to make into stuffed humbug sacks for decorations for the tree. All sorts of lovely ideas & designs appeared. Absolutely complemented by a super faith lunch as always. Thank you ladies! Merry Christmas!

Christmas for Market Rasen class. Dec 2015. 'Shepherdesses'

  Finished my canvaswork from a Christmas card sent to us 2 years ago. It just seemed to lend itself to the interpretation, I really liked the design. Worked on natural canvas with free canvaswork stitches & diagonal darning background. Threads a mixture of stranded cottons, perle, wool & gold. Shepherdesses crooks are wrapped wire. Sheep are french knots & cross stitch.

Assisi work

Another project for Embroiderers Guild. To be attached to a world map I understand. 

Interesting to research the topic too. 

Willow weaving workshop with Alison Walling

Had a lovely day at Grasby Village Hall 28th Feb making woven birds. 

In consequences for Embroiderers Guild

Made a map out of our Inconsequences for Guild. 

Some work for Helen now to join everyone's together into an 'atlas'. 

Scissor keeper

Finished off a little project!

From an Alison Larkin pattern years ago. 

Grasby WI 80th Anniversary

Had a lovely evening yesterday at the 80th anniversary celebration of Grasby WI. Past members were invited to a super flower demonstration by Caroline Jackson & then treated to sandwiches & cake, tea, anniversary cake & toasting drink. A lovely evening enjoyed by a large number of people. I was lucky to win a raffle prize, but not one of the flower arrangements. Very good.

Group is L to R
Jane Barber, Caroline Jackson, Ann Donaldson, Laura Turner, Barbara Knapton, Gill Johnson, Ann Brown, Hilary Marris, Gail Kewley, ?,?,?, Elaine Chance.

Need a new jacket

Have some lovely silk mix fabric & would like to make a light drapey jacket.
Found this free pattern which looks as if it will fit the bill

http://rhondabuss.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/fabulous-free-pattern-friday.html

So I will give it a go soon while I am able to play!

Links for last post

general info & links
http://shishigirl.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/yubinuki-japanese-thimbles.html


how to do the stitches
http://mamercerie.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/stitches-this-is-how-i-do.html


how to make the base
http://mamercerie.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/thimble-base-this-is-how-i-do.html

Japanese thimble

Would like to make a Japanese thimble. First saw these at Scunthorpe Embroiderers Guild a few months ago when a lady from Hull showed us those she had made & was wearing as a necklace. Intriguing.

Spent some time checking out info on the web. Useful links here
http://shishigirl.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/yubinuki-japanese-thimbles.html (general & links to this)
http://mamercerie.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/thimble-base-this-is-how-i-do.html (making the base)
http://mamercerie.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/stitches-this-is-how-i-do.html (stitches used & first design)

Used a marker pen as initial mould. Worked out a little on the tight side so shall try lip balm tube next time.
Think the subdued colours didn't help. Needs to be brighter & a much more even finish. Perhaps a thicker card for the base too. Also needs more silk wadding. Room for improvement!

Paper string!

Just took a fancy to making paper string to link in with my Bothies work. 

Showed the Grasby girls too & we all had  a bit of fun. 

Shepherds or Shepherdesses?

A piece in preparation for Market Rasen class. Exploring gold & colour on canvas. Inspiration from the accompanying Christmas card. 

Interesting to work small & use stitches to scale. 

Change of season

Jo's Nan's Hellebore flowering here about a week later than Jo's further south. 

Then on today's walk the first catkins are extending. 

Perching birds

Here's a little family ready to go to class tomorrow. 

Classy Castle dining room!

Glentruim Castle dining room all dressed up for the gala dinner for Kim's 50th.

Tartan

So to help with the tartan theme Fiona & I produced quite a lot of metres of tartan bunting to decorate the castle dining room in style. It also came in handy for Sandy's recent 65th birthday party!

Scotty dog

Now I can show you the Scotty dog I made for Kim. A friendly doorstop sort who is very easy to look after!

Post Glentruim

Well we've been to Glentruim castle staying for a week to help Kim celebrate her 50th birthday. What a wonderful time we all had. Certainly a birthday to remember. All sorts of activities all week from Mr & Mrs and murder mystery nights to our grand gala dinner with tartan everywhere. The weather was kind & autumn colours perfect. Walking, clay pigeon shooting & quad biking as well as shopping sightseeing & Nessie spotting boat trips - a great time was had by all. Oh & a pamper day and evenings in the cinema room with popcorn & chick flicks too! 

Thanks

Lying awake thinking how lucky we are to be alive tonight & not laid in a hospital bed or worse. On our way home from Grimsby shopping this afternoon Sandy was pulling out into the path of another carat Keelby corner until I yelled at him. He said he was blinded by the sun. Just by chance I was also checking the traffic & hadn't rested my eyes on the journey. 

Came back to lovely tea & cake at Syd & Bridget's for her birthday yesterday. Jim & Fiona also there but guess I was even quieter than usual. Got another reminder to sort the South American holiday photos. Nobody realises how I am kept occupied all the time. Some chance to see & do things just for me would be lovely but we always have to be doing jobs or walking or cycling. Rant over for now! 

South America!

Well been in Uruguay for a couple of weeks. Now 2 nights in Buenos Aires. Quite a contrast. Much more prosperous place altogether.
Walled off our feet today exploring the city. Very interesting. Cathedral & church of St. Francis fabulously ornamented. . Loads of photos.