Vintagelizzie - paints, stitches, travels.

HOME AGAIN

2012-02-16T17:19:00.000Z

Home again after our few days in France. We were greeted wtih lots and lots of snow and freezing temperatures. -10 . Quite chilly to say the least but the air was still. A wind would have made it unbearable. Our road trip from the Ferry port at Caen to our friends passed without incident and we were glad to get there unscathed and be by the fireside in the warm.It was difficult to know if we would be able to get out and about to do the shopping we had come for, but the French farmers do a stirling job and they had cleared the roads of the first fall of snow so driving was not a problem on the main roads.

We went out looking on Saturday and managed to find a few things at a Vide Grenier a few miles away, and struck really lucky at the Emmaus which was having an all day sale which included their linen. Sometimes they don't put it all out but save it for special linen days.

Sunday we went to work at the Puces de Couturiers and here we found some more lovel things. Fabric boxes, pristine tickings from a lady whose father had been a mattress maker and an exquisite white lace bedspread which was from the vendor's own family. It had been used as a tablecloth so some careful laundering is required.

Monday was bonanza day when we went to see a Furniture dealer we have made our own. He is such a lovely person and he is now collecting things up for us and he had struck gold. We came away with a car stuffed with fabulous sheets and rolls of hemp and metis. We had a huge roll of metis before and this was eagerly taken for curtains and re-upholstery. We thought the last one was big but this one is larger. Impossible for Linda and I to lift in and out of a car so it will have to stay put at Linda's until we have sold some to make it more manageable.

Here is Pepita waiting for a carrot. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a baby. Both the horses went to a stallion last year. Rosie is definitely pregnant but Pepita is not showing yet as she is such a big horse. Lets hope she is. The babies are due at the end of April which is when Linda are due to go again so we will keep our fingers crossed. We are working again at another Puces de Couturiers, this time near St. Lo. We were approached by a lady about doing another one in Brittany at Morbihan but we are quite busy in May and I have Dorset Arts Weeks to think about so probably won't be able to participate in this one. It is good fun and the french ladies seem to like our stuff. But before then we have to set our sights on Ardingly which is looming on the horizon at the beginning of March. It is great to know that we have lot of lovely new stock to take.

FRANCE HERE WE COME!

2012-02-04T13:26:00.000Z

Linda and I are off to France on the overnight ferry on Thursday evening. We will be making our way to stay with our friend Ticky and Nick at Les Pannards. While we are there we will be working at Le Puces des Couturiers at Tellieul on Sunday. We were there last year and will be taking all our English linen, lace, haberdashery, quilting fabrics, buttons and anything else we think they might like. We were well received last time, lets hope they will be pleased to see us again. As foreigners we are allowed to work in France on two occasions per year. All our details and our passport numbers have to be registered with the French authorities before we go. The law is strictly adhered to by the people running the market as they as well as us would be in trouble if it were not. Pity it is not the same here for itinerant workers, but that's another matter.

The weather forecast is not too clever but as long as the white stuff stays away and we manage to get to where we are going without mishap we will be quite happy. No rear ends in ditches as it was when we were caught in a snowstorm just after disembarking at Caen a couple of years ago. Still the French police were very efficient at rescuing us and quite nice to look at as well!!!!

I am quite looking forward to getting away as here at home we are in the throes of refurbishing the kitchen, which is proving to be quite stressful. It is only small and by hook or by crook I want a dishwasher! We have bought and installed another garden shed to house everything while the work is underway. In the meantime I am trying to focus on producing new work for Dorset Arts Weeks in May/June. To say I am up to my eyes in it is an understatement.

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL ARDINGLY

2012-01-12T20:08:00.001Z

Just back from Ardingly where we have been working since Monday. As always it was full of weird and wonderful things. The ' male model' shown above, just one of them. We were lucky with the weather this time and had two windless and one sunny day. It does make such a difference. Our claim to fame this time was that we sold some fabrics to a couple of girls working on a new 'Bridget Jones' film. Can't wait. I love those films and watch them over and over.

The chap on this stand which was next to us also sold to the film girls. From here they bought a huge metal butterfly which is destined for Bridget Jones' flat.

The following four photographs are of the wonderful sunrise on Wednesday morning. The sun came out to play and stayed all day. It was such a treat.

That's it on the work travel front for the moment. Next away trip is on February 9th when we go to France to take part in a Dressmaker's Fleamarket. In the meantime it is sorting and pricing in easily recognisable numbers for the French mesdames. Our French textiles continue to sell well here in England and we sold a lot at Ardingly so we will be searching out new goodies to bring back. For myself I bought a couple of cream linen Mangle clothes from a Belgian lady. I have to start thinking about what I am going to produce for Dorset Arts Weeks in June, and these will be great for some screen printing projects I have in mind.

On Sunday I am taking my husband down to Cornwall to Cowslip Workshops where there is an Exhibition I am anxious to see and also a meeting with members of the Exe Valley Contemporary Quilt Group. I have never managed to get to one of the meetings yet as the dates have always clashed with my work schedule, but as I have a free week-end I am taking advantage of that and going to meet them and find out more about the Exhibition they are planning there in August. As it is my favourite place of all I just can not miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting project.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

2012-01-07T10:46:00.000Z

Well it's all over now and back in the old routine though I did take time out to go to Portland Bill with my husband to look at the sea during the recent gale force winds. It was spectacular and very difficult to stand upright to take photos. My spectacles got covered with sea spray and I was afraid they would be blown away.

The batteries in my camera ran out and I was only able to take these three photos though I did manage to capture some more on my phone. I love my Blackberry but the camera is not up to much and that is my only complaint. I can pick up my emails wherever I am at no extra cost. I am not tempted by the iPhone as I don't like the touch screen. Just as well as I am not likely to get one!!!

We had a pleasant Christmas Day with our daughter and her children. I always cook too much food, but as my grandsons are now grown up men I thought they would polish it off, not so. Christmas Eve celebrations had quenched their appetites!!

It's time to pick up the threads where I left off before my great Christmas tidy up. The trouble is I can never remember where I have put everything. This year, however, I bought two new big plastic boxes and put all my current projects and work in those and left them in the living room covered with an old paisley shawl and lo and behold I have created another parking and sleeping place for one or other of my three cats. One of them always seems to be asleep there when I am looking for something.

Monday sees Linda and I driving to Ardingly for the first Antiques and Collectors Fair at the Showground. I do hope it stays dry and the wind isn't too bad. It's bound to be cold, this I can bear, but the wind and rain is something else.

WELL DONE PORTLAND

2011-12-13T10:08:00.001Z

Beautiful video shot by local Historian Stuart Morris. Portland were runners up to Orkney in this competition and well deserved. Wild, wonderful, full of inspiration and history.

PANTONE Tangerine Tango: the 2012 Color of the Year - blog.pantone.com

2011-12-13T08:56:00.002Z

PANTONE Tangerine Tango: the 2012 Color of the Year - blog.pantone.com

Still locked in to the 70's it seems. Must admit it is softer than orange and I do love CORAL JEWELLERY. Can't see me painting my house this colour, but it does remind me of the colour the Devon soil used to stain my clothes, much to my Mother's chagrin. Of course there were no biological washing powders then. It is a lovely colour but I think a little goes a long way.

Musée de la Mode « Le b1og Prunch

2011-12-11T11:16:00.001Z

Musée de la Mode « Le b1og Prunch

This link has been sent to me by a friend who is opening a Costume Museum in Albi, France, next year.
I think it will be worth a visit.

BUSY, BUSY

2011-10-22T12:01:00.000Z

The days and weeks seem to have flown by recently. The lovely weather has been an unexpected bonus enabling me to work outside sorting my boxes for Fairs. Recent Fairs have had mixed results mostly negative. Ilminster was very good as usual and last week-end I was at a Specialist Vintage Wedding Fair which turned out to be a flop for me. After weeks of work gatherinhg everything together I was disappointed with the day. The venue was magnificent - Chettle House, nr. Blandford - the weather was great and the organisers had done a very efficient job - but the punters were a little lack lustre. All the work wasn't entirely wasted as I now have all my wedding stuff together in one place instead of scattered around the house. Now I must decide what to do with it. The dresses are difficult to store and take up a lot of room so I think they must go to on-line Auction.

This beautiful wax head-dress is a new acquisition and I shall hang on to this for a bit.

We are off to Ardingly Antiques and Collectors Fair on 31st October so some things will go there. I am having a massive clear out this Autumn as we are about to start much needed renovations on the House so I need to clear the decks a bit. I have recently taken space in Dorchester Curiosity Centre and have been busy re-ticketing everything with codes and prices. This will, I hope, be a good clearing house for a lot of things. The Centre is a very interesting place with lots of lovely furniture and vintage clothes and decorative bits and pieces. It has a good atmosphere and everyone is very friendly. Let's hope the business will be good as well. But for the immediate future it is back to sorting and pricing things to go to Ardingly on Monday week.

Hello Again

2011-09-13T17:30:00.001Z

It's been a very long time since I last posted here. I seemed to run out of steam and even though I have been quite busy it was the same old 'same old' thing and not that interesting. It has been such a long time that I can't remember everything that has passed. In August I went to Festival of Quilts for a four day visual feast. I always enjoy going even though I come back exhausted. There were many, many beautiful quilts and exhibitions and my head was buzzing with all the new and innovative things that were there. The arrival of September saw a return to work and the first of the month was the Textile Fair at the American Museum, Bath. This was very well attended and we were busy with new as well as regular customers. Then of course there was Ardingly - enough said - the weather was appalling. Sideways rain and 70 mph winds. It was not a good place to be and we saw hardly any of our regulars.
While I have been resting and gaining strength to cope with the 4.30 a.m. mornings I have been reading.
Books are a weakness of mine. I have shelves and shelves of Art and Textile books but not all that many reading books. I find it hard sometimes to get into a book and I know within the first couple of pages whether I will finish it or not. On a recent shopping trip to WH Smiths I saw an area designated to the Jean M. Auel books of the 'Earths Children' series and bought a couple. They are not new by any stretch of the imagination but what caught my attention was the fact that she had written a new one - the last in the series - which had been published this year called 'The Land of the Painted Caves'. This immediately reminded me of the famous painted caves in France at Lascaux. I started at the beginning with 'The Clan of the Cave Bear' and am now halfway through the final one. This last one has been intriguing and almost familiar to me. The author's powers of description are powerful and take you to that place.
During the long road trip Linda and I did this year at Easter to the South of France we drove across the Auvergne and down the Ardeche valley. All around us the rock formations were incredible and lots of little caves were visible. On our way back North we were in the Dordogne and Perigord regions where this book is set. We drove past the turning that would have taken us to Lascaux but it was not on our route. As we left the turning behind I felt desolated. To have been that close ............... A treat in store for next time though I fear I won't be able to manage the walking or climbing it may involve.

IT'S A HARD LIFE!!!!!!!

2011-07-27T20:15:00.000Z

DRESSING THE STARS

2011-07-13T14:50:00.000Z

I spent
last evening in the Assembly Rooms at the opening of the most fabulous exhibition - 'Dressing the Stars' - British Costume Design and the Academy Awards. This exhibition is dedicated to award winning costume from some of the most iconic films. It was opened by Sir Christopher Frayling - Rector of the Royal College of Art - who gave a great opening speech, as one would expect. Here was a man who really gets it about costume and the designers and makers. People who are very often overlooked and are often at the bottom of the credits list at the end of a film. He stressed the importance of these talented people whose job it is to put clothes on the back of the actor and create a believable character. Of course he was preaching to the converted as far as I am concerned! Historical Fashion is my all consuming passion and there was plenty there last night. The photograph shows the dress worn by Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola de Lesseps in Shakespear in Love - a film I watch over and over . The work in this dress is amazing. On very close inspection you can see that for the stomacher and tassets of the bodice the designer has used fragments of antique Indian embroidery. This embroidery is of metal wires and threads and is still mounted on the original background fabric. The cleverness here comes from the choice of colour for the fabric of the dress which is almost identical to the background fabric of the embroidery, and this has just been trimmed very carefully and then mounted on to the dress fabric. I spent a long time looking at this dress and thinking about the process involved. The first being to find the correct type of embroidery to turn something into a plausible Elizabethan bodice. Which came first I wondered, was it the embroidery and then the whole thing built around that or was it the dress fabric. Or was it all already in the costume department in various boxes just waiting for the right project? I know as part of my experiences at the big Textile Fairs that Film and Theatre designers spend endless hours trawling through boxes and boxes of trims, fabrics and buttons, beads, ribbons to find just the right finishing touch. The reward for this is visible in the end result. Using period trimmings and textiles make such a difference to creating a plausible costume . Sandy Powell was the Designer for Shakespear in Love and she was well rewarded with an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best Costume Design in 1998.

Sir Christopher was right - its about time due credit was given to the thousands of costume designers and makers for their vision and skill.

GLASTONBURY

2011-05-26T19:41:00.001Z

The beautiful Abbey Barn at Glastonbury was transformed into a Textile Wonderland on Friday, 20th May when the 'Talent for Textiles' Fair was held there. The light was a challenge! but it was met and overcome magnificently by organiser Elizabeth Baer. The strings of electric lights transformed the inside into a wonderland. Well done Buffy and thank you. The very next morning Linda and I were on the first Ferry out of Portsmouth with a car loaded to sell at a Puce Couturieres to be held at St. Lo on Sunday 21st. Phew!!!!! Unfortunately my brain went into premature retirement and I didn't take any photographs on Sunday but the photographs below are of the charming village of Clecy, the capital of Suisse Normande, where we stopped for Coffee and the most wicked Almond Croissant on the way back to the Ferry on Wednesday morning.

It was another successful trip and we spent all our takings on lovely new stock to bring home for our future Fairs and our websites. Linda's car was so stuffed we were stopped and questioned and searched on both sides of the channel.

This coming Sunday, 29th May we will be selling at Bridport Vintage Market. Let's hope it keeps dry.!! Before then I must catch up with my stitching...............................

WHAT'S NEXT!!!!!!

2011-05-11T16:07:00.000Z

After a very happy and successful day at Pamphill Village Hall on Monday (thank you Ted and Bunny for your hard work in organising such a successful event) it is on to the next event in my life!! Tomorrow I am taking my collection of period costume out of wraps to visit a local W.I meeting to show them and to talk about it all. I do enjoy seeing it all together and only wish I have a suitable premises where it could be permanently displayed. It is my all consuming passion and I never tire of it. I will be taking these lovelies below with me. The have had a treat and been polished today, probably the first time in 100 years!!!!!!!!!!!

Then on Friday Linda and I leave for the Stroud International Textile Fair. We are looking forward to this very much. We are going to be at Bisley Village Hall along with Elizabeth Baer, Polly Lyster, Barbie Campbell-Cole,Lucy Farmer, Tigermoth, Martin Conlan and last and not by any means least John Gillow.

This Fair is being run in conjunction with the famous Stroud Textile Fair and we are very flattered to have been invited to be there with our Textiles. I am sure it will be a great weekend.

PART 3/HOMEWARD BOUND

2011-05-05T20:57:00.001Z

On Easter Sunday we left Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and headed north-west to St. Gauderic to stay a couple on nights with my friend Caroline at her lovely home 'Marmiflet'.

Caroline breeds budgies. I love budgies. They are always so happy.

This is Mirepoix on Easter Monday. I love this place. The atmosphere is fantastic.

Tuesday morning we said goodbye to Caroline and Philip her son and headed north to Bergerac.

We bought lots of lovely things in this shop. Bergerac is very beautiful. We stayed here a couple of nights at a friend's Gite. Thursday we left and headed north to Angers. On the way we came across this beauty.

Most of the chateau is in ruins but there are still some parts in tact that it is possible to visit. It wasn't really open for visitors yet.

This is near Saumur in the Loire Valley. The houses are built into the rocks and there are many caves there as well. There was an abundance of red clover growing on the verges.

We stayed one night in Angers and then on Friday headed north again to get back to Ticky's house near Mayenne. We arrived just in time to see the Royal Wedding. I was so pleased as I thought I would miss seeing it. The next day we went to a party at one of Ticky and Nick's friends house. A beautiful old former Mill. Parts of the house date back to 1548 or thereabouts.

Sunday morning we left and headed north for Caen and the Ferry home. Exhausted but full of wonderful memories of quite a trip.

PART 2/FINAL DESTINATION

2011-05-04T19:12:00.000Z

Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Provence..

ADVENTURES IN FRANCE/PART 1

2011-05-04T18:19:00.000Z

On Monday 18th April Linda and I left on the early Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen at the start of our long journey by road to the South of France. This is the first stage of our journey. The cathedral at Bourges.

Rhiom in the Auvergne. The cathedral is dark and sombre looking. Built with volcanic rock.

Le Puy en Velay. This was the view from our bedroom balcony.

Ardeche. Everywhere there are hilltop communities and ruined castles and fortresses. This part of France has a surprise around every corner. Very beautiful and peace, perfect peace.

BEAMINSTER RAG MARKET

2011-04-02T20:15:00.001Z

This was the sky this morning when I left for Beaminster at 6.30a.m. I can never resits getting out my camera for a sunrise or sunset. This was my first day back in the old routine since Ardingly and my bad back episode. I was not looking forward to all the heavy lifting but I was able to park right outside the Hall and there was plenty of help. The morning started briskly with lots of customers and some new faces. Through the morning I had lots of interesting conversations with like minded

people. I was overjoyed to find theses beauties in the following two photographs.

These lovely kid leather Edwardian boots will go into my collection of Antique Costume. I also bought the printed paisley shawl they are standing on. These shawls are a weakness of mine. This is a printed one, it is damaged in the centre but I will find something to do with it. I have a lot of damaged paisley shawls that I have bought over the years with the intention of doing something with them, but even though some of them are in shreds, I do not seem able to put my scissors to them. I am going to try incorporating them into very fine wool with my Embellishing machine and then use the strong fabric created to make jackets or bags.

Next week we are off to Cowslip Workshops again for three days . Mixing business with pleasure, it will be a chance to relax before we take off on our long journey by car to the South of France, but there is much to do before that, not least the preparation for the two days teaching at Petworth House at the beginning of May.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

2011-03-27T20:48:00.003Z

Sandra Meech Workshop

Its been quite a while since my last entry on this Blog. After Ardingly I was rendered motionless with a bad back! I had forgotten how painful it can be and was laid up for quite a while. I had to miss Ilminster Textile Fair because I was too bad to go!! So being confined to Barracks as it were, I used the time, once I was able to sit down, to catch up on my sewing and quilting. I was able to finish my quilt for the Quilters Guild AGM being held at Exeter next month. The theme we had to work to was 'Wild West' as in West Country. No pictures yet, but I will add them once the AGM is over. The photographs I have posted now are of a two day workshop I have just attended with Sandra Meech as the Tutor. I am a great fan of Sandra's work and have been on a course with her before at Contemporary Quilt Summer School some years ago. The title of this class was 'Connecting Art to Stitch' and involved a lot of painting on photocopies, bondaweb and fabric. The results of all this were then cut and collated into eight page signatures and then bound together. I love making these little books. They are very much works in progress and can be worked on and added to as and when. We were asked to have a theme and come prepared with photographs and photocopies, coloured and black and white images, relating to that theme. We all worked very hard over the two days in order that we could get as much of our books done with Sandra's guidance as possible, leaving not too much to be done as far as the construction was concerned at home on our own.

This photograph shows a selection of books made by members of the class. The next two photographs are of my pages.

Pages showing painted photocopies, painted bondaweb transferred to fabric, coloured tracings, wax crayon on cartridge paper painted with black paint. I just need to get these stitched together now to make a whole and then my book is ready . It is a good size to carry around in my bag so that I can add to it when I feel like it and it will certainly be coming with me on my next trip to France in a couple of weeks' time.
It was a wonderfully inspiring two days, exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable and just what I needed.

BOOTY!!!!!!!!

2011-02-15T22:12:00.002Z

I couldn't
resist showing you these two fabrics. Part of our booty from our latest trip to France. The first one is a fabulous printed linen circa 1920. Arts and Crafts we think. We have four large pieces of this. Enough to make a loose cover for an armchair. The second photograph below shows another treasure. A hand block printed Indienne in a soft linen. Dates I reckon from the beginning of the 19th century. We have a lot of this.!! Enough to make sumptious curtains . Both these fabrics will be going with Linda and I to Ardingly Antiques and Collectors Fair in a couple of weeks' time.

We can't wait and have planned how our displays will look already. These two fabrics came from a Normandy chateau clearance. We have many more lovely things from this place including beautiful napkins embroidered with red coronets!!

BACK TO OUR ROOTS

2011-02-15T16:34:00.000Z

I am just back from a working trip to France, literally. We docked at Portsmouth last evening at about 9.30p.m and drove to Dorset. I spent the night at Linda's in Dorchester and this morning we went through our purchases listing and pricing things for Ardingly in a couple of weeks' time. We have found some fabulous things this trip and I will post pictures when I have had time to sort things out. I got home to my house this afternoon and set straight to my Blog!!! I did speak to my DH first!!We stayed with our friends Ticky and Nick. These are their chickens. They kept us supplied with our breakfast each morning.!

This is the lake on their land which is stocked with carp etc. for fishermen. They plan to extend it this summer to twice its size to enable them to let out the fishing rights. The lake is fed with a natural spring all year round.

On Sunday
we were working at the Dressmakers' Fleamarket. This was our stall. It was busy all day long from 9.30 a.m. till 6 p.m. Everyone was very friendly and made us feel very welcome. There are a lot of English people living in the area and there is a large Quilting group which meets every week. Of course we had to buy as well as sell and I managed to find some lovely Japanese quilting fabrics and some beautiful mother of pearl buttons that were being sold by the scoop full!!!! During the day we were approached by three ladies from nearby St. Lo who asked us if we would like to have a stall at a similar fleamarket they are running in May. We are already very busy in May but if we can manage to fit it in we will. Everything depends of the Ferry sailings!!

On the way back to catch the Ferry at Caen on Monday we stopped at Falaise. Stronghold of William the Conquerer. We only stopped briefly to have some lunch and didn't really have time to explore the Castle. This is on our list for next time as the town has been built around the Castle. The famous statue of William stands in the main square opposite the most fabulous Church. Both Linda and I know that our ancestors were French Knights. I have documentary evidence that shows both sides of my Fathers family were French Knights. This all dates back to long before records were kept of births, marriages and deaths, but one is mentioned in a Vellum Roll that states he fought at the Great Tournament at Stepney in 1154 - Sir Godfrey de Mons. I should so like to be able to find out more about these ancient people but have no idea where to start. France feels like home to me, right from my first visit when I was on a School exchange. It draws me back more strongly each time. I can't afford to buy a house there but can content myself with being able to visit often in the name of 'work'!!!!!!!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY LIZZIE

2011-01-31T19:51:00.000Z

I have just added another two dates and venues to my Diary page for May. So much for saying I wasn't going to do as much this year!! I am very excited about these two latest bookings. One is for the World Textile Weekend Spring Fair at Bisley Village Hall www.stroudinternationaltextiles.org.uk. The second is to be held at Glastonbury Rural Museum. The dates at 14th and 15th May at Bisley and 20th May at Glastonbury. May is going to be a very busy month. On 3rd May I am at Honiton Textile Fair held at the Markarness Hall and then it is all change as Linda and I are going to National Trust property PETWORTH HOUSE for 6th and 7th May where we will be holding two workshops using vintage textiles. If anyone reading this is interested in joining the workshops please contact Iain Pearce at Petworth House. Places are limited. Linda and I love going to Petworth as we get to stay at the Horse Guards Inn at Tillington. The coming months are going to be very busy but very exciting. Next week we are off to France to buy and to sell this time at a 'Puces des Coutouriers' . Lets hope we don't get snow bound as we did this time last year. The most exciting trip to come is in April when we take off for the South of France to spend Easter week-end 'Brocanting' at Isles sur la Sourge and nearby Montpellier and Avignon. I think we are going to be away for nearly two weeks as we will be driving leisurely and stopping off to stay with friends in various departments. The Hotel is booked at our destination so we are all set. Lets hope we find some fabulous things to bring back for all our eager customers!! At least we should have some good new stock for Glastonbury and Stroud. In the meantime its nose to the grindstone to earn the pennies to spend!!

ARDINGLY ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS FAIR

2011-01-15T22:09:00.001Z

Ardingly was successful again for selling. The weather was foul, very wet under foot. I was worried our brand new hired van would get stuck in the mud! but managed to keep it on the concrete pathway. Our little shopping arcade was snug and we managed to keep most things dry and clean until the second day when things deteriorated a bit. I am now on a washing marathon to get things fresh and clean again. We have Shepton Mallett 3 day Antiques and Collectors Fair next weekend. Indoors this time so hopefully there won't be too much washing to do afterwards!!.

Since we got back I have been busy listing things on Ebay and trying to get a little more organised! I have so much stuff laying around the house in various corners and cupboards that I am determined to make this year my clear out year. Inevitably some things will be put back to where I found them but there are lots of things that must go. One of my philosophies is that no matter how long things are kept they will eventually find their correct home!! I keep things that I think are special for years and eventually their time comes. One example of this has happened this weekend. Last summer I sold a lot of Victorian costume on Ebay that I had bought in an Auction about 4 years ago. Because there was something the matter with all of it, it was put in black bin liners and forgotten about until the summer of last year. One of the things was a Victorian Bodice with its skirt, but the skirt had been taken to pieces, for what reason I know not. It was bought by a lady in France and I received an excited email the day she received it. She was going to restore it to its former glory. This weekend I received via email photographs of the finished project. All I could say was 'WOW' when I saw what she had accomplished . She has the most fabulous website http://lepaondesoie.free.fr . Do have a look if you like Antique costume. It is written in French and the photographs are fabulous. To see what someone has done with a bag of bits makes all the hard work worthwhile and it makes sense of the the times I hear someone (usually my husband) say 'what are you keeping all that stuff for??'. The trouble is I wish I had kept it!!!

BACK IN THE OLD ROUTINE

2011-01-03T10:41:00.000Z

Well it is just three days into a New Year and this is the state of my Dining Table again. It was cleared for about 3 days when my family were here for Boxing Day lunch. Christmas Day we ate at my daughters house. It seemed the ideal opportunity with the table cleared for once to start planning several projects that are in my mind.

As these projects progress things will gradually work their way down to the other end of the room, where at the moment there is a virtually clear coffee table, except for a cutting board, ruler and rotary cutter. You would have thought by now after living with me for nearly 50 years the man of the house would have taken the hint and built me a workroom. !!!!!!! In my dreams ............

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-01T18:21:00.000Z

My first Blog of 2011 is to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I don't believe in New Year resolutions as inevitably they will be broken however this year I intend to try to address all the little and large things that have been niggling away inside me for I don't know how long. There is nothing like the news of a dear friend's serious illness and the death of someone who has played a part, no matter how small, in your life to put things into perspective. I know 2011 is not going to be an easy year, but I shall pour myself into my creative work as this gives me infinite pleasure and is such good therapy!!!!!!!!!!! TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE this will be my motto for the New Year. I intend to spend more time with friends I haven't seen for a long time and what remains of my family. I still have my Godmother, who at 93 is as bright as a button, she doesn't live a million miles away, but I haven't been seeing enough of her and I need to go back to Lyme Regis more often for my own peace of mind. I have a quilt to design and make for the Quilter's Guild Annual General Meeting in April. Lyme Regis is going to be my starting point so a photography expedition is on the cards. I am looking forward to a more positive and constructive year and maybe a bit of inner peace. That is what I wish for everyone a Happy, Positive and Inner Peaceful New Year!! Now back to work!!!!!!

END OF ANOTHER YEAR

2010-12-31T21:31:00.000Z

These are the last four Journal Quilts for 2010. I have been making these now for four years . I like working in this small format as it gives the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and materials. I am usually playing catch up but I get there in the end. I always tend to use my own hand dyed fabrics and more often than not I get out the paints. I wonder what the format will be for next year? I have been thinking of ways to store all these little quilts and I have decided that I will turn each year into book form. I love making books and sketchbooks and have already decided that I will get my extensive Family History research into book form. This is going to be my number one project for 2011. I have been thinking about it for a long time now and as I have decided to cut back on my 'day job' I shall hopefully have more time.

This last year has been a very busy year and there have been times when I have been totally exhausted to the point of being im-mobile with all the travelling and packing and unpacking of cars and vans. This has led me to take stock of my life and to decide that \I need to spend more time doing the things I have previously not had time for!! I won't be giving up my Antique Textile life entirely, next year's Diary is almost half full already.! I plan to spend more time on my website and to try to make that work more efficiently. My plan is to build up a resource for other dealers, designers, textile artists. The 'vintage' look is still big on the high street and one of the things I enjoy most is touring the fashion stores to see the end results. One of the areas that fascinates me most is the colour prediction. Over the last few years I have built up a customer base consisting of designers from all over the world. I love watching them select articles from my stock and watch the colour palette grow. Sometimes it amazes me that they have found such a wealth amongst my stock. When these things are spread around in various different boxes and containers they are lost but along comes someone with the right 'eye' who quite quickly gathers them all together and makes splendid concoction. This has prompted me to start colour co-ordinated boxes to make things a little easier for my designer customers and also make a pleasing display for my table.Yesterday I went into Debenhams to have a look at the sales, unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, but I spotted one of these concoctions in the exact colour palette that I have been selling for most of the year.! Seeing these colours turned into perfectly co-ordinated T-shirts, knitwear, skirts, scarves is to say the least very satisfying and I think one of the perks of the job.!!

On the family front this has been a challenging year for all of us with illnesses, redundancies, divorce, and two trips to Afghanistan for my eldest Grandson. However, through it all we have remained a united front and managed to get through it stronger and a little wiser. My daughter faces major surgery on her injured back next year as this is the only option now, hopefully this will be a new start for her once she has recovered.

Yesterday we said Goodbye to an old friend and local character. I had known him since I was a child growing up in the Town Centre where his parents ran a notorious public house! He was older than I so we were not playmates or anything like that. In 1959 he took over the tenancy of a public house of his own and was to stay there for 40 years. He became the youngest Landlord in the area. His pub soon became very popular and very busy, he had previously been a merchant seaman and had worked on the local cross channel ferries. As it was situated quite near to where we live it became our 'local' in the 1970's. It was at this pub that the craze for New Year's Eve Fancy Dress began, although I never actually saw him dressed up at all!!, maybe a moustache pencilled on his top lip!!!!!

He had a wicked sense of humour and infectious laugh and will be remembered with much fondness by a lot of people. He planned his funeral about 3 years ago, with his favourite 'pop' music interspersed with hymns with a sea theme. The final musical rendition at the Crematorium being 'Smoke gets in your Eyes' by the Platters. !!

RIP Mickey - Once met never Forgotten .

SNOW DYEING RESULTS

2010-12-02T23:28:00.000Z

Orange with chocolate brown.

Chocolate brown with aquamarine

Orange with aquamarine

Mmmm Yummy!!!!!!!!

SNOW AND DYEING = SNOW DYEING!

2010-12-02T21:36:00.000Z

This was the view from my window this morning. We had had snow fall overnight. Being by the sea the rest of the country seems to get it before us. As picturesque as it is I hate it. Everything grinds to a halt and as we live at the top of a very steep hill we are virtually marooned until it decides to thaw.

There has been a lot of talk recently on the CQ yahoo site about snow dyeing and this seemed like an ideal opportunity to have a go. Below are photographs of the fabrics squashed into colanders, covered with snow and dye poured on top. These are then left until the snow has melted through the fabric and taken the dye with it.

If the colanders are placed in a container to collect the snow melt dye it can be used again by adding a little salt solution and soda ash solution. Tomorrow I will take pictures of the fabric results. If I say it myself they are looking good.

VINTAGE AT THE VILLAGE HALL - PICTURES AT LAST

2010-12-02T21:18:00.000Z

Found my camera at last and these are the pics I took on Monday when I had time. The day was so busy there was little time to be away from my stand to take pictures.

VINTAGE AT THE VILLAGE HALL

2010-12-02T10:30:00.000Z

The Vintage at the Village Hall at Pamphill on Monday was fabulous. In spite of the cold weather the hall was packed all day with eager and interested customers. All due to the hard work done by Elaine and her husband in the organisation and promotion of what was a very successful day. Thank you both very much and we look forward to the next one!!!! I am sorry there are no photographs but my camera has gone missing. It may be in the depths of my car but I have searched everywhere to no avail. I have been poorly for a couple of days with some weird sickness bug so have only just missed it. I felt too bad when I reached home on Monday night to think about a blog post. The journey was a nightmare, weather being the problem, no snow but dark and frosty. When I joined the Puddletown By-Pass I found the Police has closed it and we were directed through Puddletown Forest. This is a lovely drive in the daylight and in Spring time but not in the dark in icy conditions. They had closed the road all the way to Dorchester because of a four car pile-up. No-one was badly hurt thank goodness.
To add insult to injury I have killed my pay-as you-go phone. After dropping my Blackberry in the Dog's water I have been using this spare one. A lot of people still have that particular number. Because of my sickness fuddled brain I had forgotten it was in my dressing gown pocket and this morning I found it when I emptied the washing machine!!!!!! Hopefully the sim card will be OK. Having lost all the information and numbers stored on the Blackberry this spare one still had all the information on the sim card. Looks like an expensive week ahead - new phone and camera - just had a thought - can I claim on my house insurance????????

DYEING UPDATE

2010-11-27T20:18:00.000Z

These are the fabrics that resulted from the first dye run using Royal Blue Procion MX dye. Thirty fat quarters ranging from very pale blue to full strength royal blue. Five buckets of dye in the second colour (golden yellow) were prepared and the blue pieces were placed into them in the correct order.

The change happened immediately and then the work began, keeping the fabric moving in the five buckets for twenty minutes. After all the stirring was over the fabrics were removed, rinsed and washed. The result - 36 fat quarters in a perfectly co-ordinated pallete. Each one interchangeable with the other.

PLAYDAY

2010-11-02T22:37:00.000Z

This combination of equipment can mean only one thing in my experience!!

DYEING. Today I have been to the first workshop in a series of two for Sequence Overdyeing. The morning was spent cutting 6 metres of white cotton in to 36 fat quarters and preparing five buckets of salt water to add the dye to. We also played with paper, paintbrushes and mixed dyes to experiment with colour combinations. There were eleven of us altogether and we split off into 5 pairs and 1 solo which made a total of 30 buckets of salt water. The buckets were numbered from 1 to 5.

After lunch we added the dye concentrate to each bucket. 5ml in the first bucket; 15ml in the second; 45 ml in the third; 135 ml in the fourth and 405 ml in the fifth. Before the fabrics were added to the dye each piece was numbered. This was a little complicated but necessary for the second stage.

We took our dyed fabrics home in plastic bags still full of dye to be rinsed and washed ready for the next stage next week. Next week we will prepare the dye baths in the same way with another colour and overdye the fabrics we have dye this week. I chose to use Royal Blue and Golden Yellow. Hopefully I will get some lovely sludgy bluey greens to use for sea in the next two projects that are roaming around in my brain,! I am looking forward to seeing the results of all our dyeing next week. Another post and pictures then.

ARDINGLY UPDATE and The Calm before the Storm!!

2010-10-28T18:45:00.001Z

When we arrived on site Tuesday morning it was still dark - 6 a.m. and we quickly set to work to prepare the shopping booth for the next couple of days trading by laying ground sheets on the grass and adding a few rugs and door mats as the weather forecast for the next couple of days was not good. When the sun started to rise the sky was an unbelievable mass of fire. A lot of shepherds must have been filled with fear and trepidation but I rushed for my camera!!

Just a few hours later the sky became dark and ominous and it started to rain and continued so for most of the day. The temperature dropped and the wind got up, but we were as snug as bugs in a rug.

In spite of the weather we had lots of lovely customers who had lots of nice things to say about our cosy little encampment .

We met lots of lovely new customers

and re-acquainted ourselves with valued old ones.

We had a great

time and have booked our space for January next year. Our next trip away is to Cowslip Workshops for the Christmas Craft Market on 19th and 20th November.

OFF TO THE FAIR!!

2010-10-22T20:12:00.000Z

On Monday Linda and I will be loading up the Van ready to travel to Sussex for the Ardingly Antiques and Collectors Fair on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th October. We will be in Shopping Arcade no. 58. If you are in the area come and say hello. We have looked out the thermals and woolly jumpers for standing around in a field for 2 days. It is not supposed to rain, lets hope they've got it right.

Food for Thought!

2010-10-05T21:07:00.001Z

Words have always had a profound effect on me even though I am not a great reader. I was as a child but that changed when I was at Grammar School. I found the books we were set to read in English Lit. difficult to get into and boring most of the time and therefore didn't do my homework !!! I used to fly by the seat of my pants and read a few paragraphs before class. I found it impossible to make myself spend time reading something that did not interest me. This has stayed with me to this very day. I know almost immediately I start reading a book whether or not I am going to finish it. If it doesn't get me in the first chapter then I can put it down and not pick it up again. On the other hand if it does get me then I will become totally anti-social and read until it is finished. This week while reading my local paper and checking out the Birth, Marriages and Deaths colums I was captured by an anonymous entry in the Memoriums column. Without meaning to be morbid I am writing it here as I am curious to know about the Author. Was it written by a published author or was it written by just someone with a way with words ........ does anyone know??

"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; sunward I've climbed and joined in the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds -

and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of ........."

Simple words that convey so much feeling.

AUCTION TREASURES

2010-10-01T10:49:00.017Z

Early hand made Bodice

Here are a few things that Natalie and I bought in Auction the other day. These beautiful things emerged from a box full of tangled textiles. Too tangled to fully explore for fear of doing some damage. We knew it held four or five treasures but when it was tipped out and gently sorted my mouth started to open wider and wider. It did not come cheaply, but was worth every penny. Some things are on their way to Italy to collectors and the others will be sold the usual way. The two bodices shown in the pictures are hand made from cotton lawn with a date of 1820/1830. Every stitch in their construction and embellishment has been done by hand.

Hand printed chintz panel

This panel is a very early hand printed chintz. I have seen panels like this placed at the centre of a Frame Quilt - now known as a Medallion Quilt. The panels are placed in the centre and the quilt is built frame by frame by adding a series of squares and triangles along either side with a defining block usually in the same fabric at each corner. These are my favourite type of quilts. They are a grand showcase of all the fabulous hand printed fabrics that were available in the early 19th century. These fabrics were brought here by the East India Shipping Company and were known as 'Indiennes'. As well as this panel there were also a lot of other pieces of hand printed chintz. Highly glazed and with a papery feel. The previous owner had been an accomplished stitcher as many had had small motifs cut from them to be used in Broderie Perse. Some examples of her work were also in the box. All of these things are for sale and if anyone reading this is interested in purchasing something then please get in touch with me. There are more photographs on my Flickr site. To access these just click on the Flickr badge in the sidebar. In the meantime there is a lot of work to be done with research and processing these things. Some things have been sold already but there is a lot left and I shall be adding some to my website www.oldfashionedstuff.co.uk.

Journal Quilts

2010-09-01T08:45:00.000Z

These are the Journal Quilts I have made for May, June, July and August. The deadline for this stage was 31st August and I just made it. They are not showing up in chronological order as I can never get the hang of loading photographs in the right order. In fact they are in reverse order - making the first one August. I have been doing these little quilts for four years now and sometimes I get stuck for ideas. When this happens I have a look in my sample boxes for things that I have done when I have had the time to play. All the materials for these, except for the Lighthouse whoich was made for July, came from these boxes. August was made with bits and pieces that all had an Indian theme. I have a lot of wooden Indian printing blocks and when I have the time I go to my shed and play around with things. I have to say that this is usually when I am thinking about a bigger project and can't seem to manage to come to a decision. On these occasions I take myself off to the shed and get out the paints and dyes and just paint papers, print scraps of fabric, in fact anything that bears no relation to whatever I should be doing. I find this is a kind of release and I usually come to my conclusions in this roundabout fashion.
The lighthouse for July was made from a computer printed picture on paper. The paper was scrunched around until it had broken down and then Bondaweb was ironed on the back and the whole thing ironed on to the backing. I just did some outline stitching on the lighthouse and house and quilted the sea, which was created by painting Bondaweb with watered down acrylic paint and ironed on to the backing fabric.
For June I used pieces that were left over from a previous quilt and for May I used the remnants of a lot of painted, dyed and printed tea bag paper that I had left over from my Sketchbook cover projects that I made for Dorset Arts Weeks in May.
My stash of samples and remnants is getting low so before it starts getting cold and the nights draw in I must take myself off to my shed again to play.

FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 3/GARDENS OF EDEN OF MESOPOTAMIA.

2010-08-25T23:31:00.000Z

This exhibition of Embroidered Wedding Blankets from Southern Iraq completely blew my mind. Each one a work of art. These embroidered wedding blankets were made by Marsh Arabs up until a few decades ago. They are completely different from any other textiles from the Middle East and information about these works of art is extremely scarce. Flowers, animals, human figures, symbols and geometric motifs are embroidered by hand in wool on a hand-woven stitching ground, Each blanket is unique. Coming from the land of the legendary Gardens of Eden they are truly awe inspiring and made my heart leap with joy at their beauty.

FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2. MORE PICTURES.

2010-08-24T10:04:00.000Z

Annette Morgan

Best in Show and Miniature Winner

Pauline C Barnes

Stephanie Redfern

Cherry Vernon-Harcourt Winner 'Summer in the City'.

FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 1

2010-08-24T09:33:00.000Z

Well here I am, home again after spending three exhausting but exhilarating days at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham. There were so many beautiful quilts there it was difficult to decide which ones to photograph. In this post I am showing photographs of quilts made by people I know personally, including myself! I know I have probably missed some people off the list and I apologise for this. It was very busy all the time around the quilt displays and taking photographs was not easy most of the time. However I managed to take quite a few and some more than once!!

This first photograph shows my 'Breakthough' Challenge quilt 'Chesil' ( middle bottom) hung with others made for the same challenge by members of Contemporary Quilt which is a group within the Quilters Guild of the British Isles.

The second photograph shows a quilt made by Mai-Britt Axelsen who lives in the Channel Islands on Guernsey. Mai-Britt is Danish and has been working on collage.

The third photograph is of a quilt made by Kate Dowty for the Quilters Guild challenge ' Summer in the City'. Kate received a 'Highly Commended' award for this quilt. In her statement she said that she had thought about the song Summer in the City and imagined dancers on the roof tops against a hot summer sky. She had drawn the dancers onto the fabric and each one was in a slightly different pose. We are lucky here in Weymouth to have her as a member of our local quilting group 'The Hardy Quilters'.
The fourth photograph shows another of Kate's quilts. This one is made with an entirely different technique and shows what a versatile artist she is.

Finally, the last photograph is of 'Graffitti' the quilt made by Hilary Gooding for the Summer in the City challenge. The background is pieced to look like a brick wall and the 'graffitti' is stencilled with paint and stitched. I know that making this quilt threw a lot of challenges at Hilary which she managed to overcome and I think she has been very successful in conveying her message.
As always it was a very inspirational weekend and I came home with many resolutions, none of which I have started.!! I will post more pictures in a second Festival of Quilts post.

CATCHING UP

2010-08-02T09:23:00.001Z

I can't believe it is over one month since I added to this Blog. So much seems to have happened in all areas of my life. My second Grandson had his 18th birthday at the beginning of July and from then on the month just disappeared. There were two Textile Fairs, one at Bradford on Avon and then the big Fair at Ardingly after that on the work front was the Vintage Market at Bridport on the last Sunday of July.

I had been looking forward all month to going to Cowslip Workshops for the Charlotte Yde 'Series' workshop. This happened to coincide with my birthday on the 30th July. This was the first time I had been away from my home and family for my birthday but at my age now birthdays are just another day in my life and I was looking forward to being in different surroundings doing something I love doing so this was my treat to myself.!! I wasn't disappointed. My birthday was on the first day of the three day course and when our afternoon tea arrived so did a Birthday cake cooked that day by lovely Vicky who cooks with Andrew in the restaurant. In the evening I had supper in the Restaurant with Jo and Stephen the hosts at Cowslip and Charlotte and her husband. I am not sure how to spell his name so will add it later!!!! They, like me , love Cowslip Workshops and everything about it and combine pleasure with work when they are there. Jo is such a wonderful hostess and looks after everyone so well. The workshop was great fun and I met some more lovely people, all from different walks of life but with one common denominator, quilting and textiles. I managed to get three pieces for my series started but not finished! I just have the stitching to do which will completely change the way they look but enhance it and bring it all together. I find this bit quite scary and am loathe to start. As I have no deadline for these pieces I am going to take my time to work out just the right quilting designs for these contemporary pieces. I have used some of my own hand dyed fabrics and some of Polly Lyster's naturally dyed fabrics. I have been collecting up Polly's bags of scraps for a while now and have a huge colour palette selection as well as lots of lovely different textures of linens and hemps. I had just the right colours for my sand, rocks and dunes that are in all three of my pieces. It may be a while before I get the time to finish what I have started as Linda and I are off to Cornwall for HOMESPUN on 8th August, then its Honiton Textile Fair on the 10th, a buying trip to France the following week-end and then, wonder of wonders!!!!!!!!! - FESTIVAL OF QUILTS ........at the NEC.

Just a final word on Cowslip, when we left on Sunday an Exhibition of Charlotte's work was being hung in the Barn. Jo has after a long period of negotiations!!!! been given permission to use one of the old Barns for things like exhibitions and when Charlotte saw it she fell in love with it and asked to have her quilts hung in there. We had a sneak preview and they do look wonderful against the ancient stone walls. The building isn't entirely finished yet but it is wonderful, built in 1844 it is a delight - so if you feel like treating yourself to a fantastic day out go to Cowslip Workshops, St. Stephens, Launceston, Cornwall. Charlotte's Exhibition opens today and there is also an Exhibition of Jo's students' work running at the same time in the Workshop. Full details can be found on the website. The links are in my sidebar. Scroll down to 'Interesting and Useful Links' and you will find both Charlotte and Cowslip.

INDIGO AND ALL THAT MAGIC

2010-06-30T19:10:00.002Z

I have spent the last three days experimenting with Indigo. The recent hot, sunny weather has created just the right environment for dyeing in the garden, one of my favourite occupations! To be honest with you I have always found all the different published methods and recipes for dyeing with Indigo confusing and this was exacerbated when I was unable to find my stock of Indigo grains and Hydros. Unwilling to waste precious dyeing time looking for something that will turn up one day when I am not looking for it, I went in search of more. My local Arts and Craft shop sells natural dyes and I hoped to find some synthetic there as well. They had both. I bought a Natural Indigo Kit put together by the 'Mulberry Dyer' and some synthetic powder and some Spectralite. The first day I used the Natural Indigo Kit. I had never used natural indigo before and was not prepared for the results. The depth of colour is quite different. The first photograph shows the fabric created with the natural indigo and you will see how different the results are. I do like the pale blue, but found this a very time consuming exercise as the fabric had many dips to increase the depth of colour and it took me all day to produce 6 fat quarters.!!The rest of the photographs show the fabrics created on the second and third day with the synthetic indigo vat made using a recipe I found on the 'KEMTEX' website. I have only good things to say about Kemtex and Stuart the owner. He knows everything there is to know about dyeing and will spend a lot of time listening and providing explanations for unexpected happenings and making suggestions about what to do next time. I am waiting now for more supplies and hope that the good weather continues. I have another recipe to try with a bigger vat as I would like to have a go at dyeing some yardage to turn into a garment of some sort! Apart from a couple of the fabrics - one just scrunched into a ball and bound round and round with thread and the other one with screws tied into it all the others had been folded and pole wrapped. I am really pleased with them and now of course as everyone who has dyed their own fabric knows - 'what to do with them'?? Can I bear to cut it up?? What if I don't like what I've done with it?? Shall I just fold it up and put it in my stash.?? The idea was to produce a range of indigo dyed fabrics that I would eventually make up into a quilt - perhaps this is what I shall do eventually, in the meantime I am going to go on experimenting with different recipes and chemicals. This time I used Spectralite instead of Hydros. Tomorrow the recipe includes mixing the grains with meths, to make a stock solution. I have used this method before but when someone else had made the vat. This time I will do my own. I need a bigger bucket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEPLOYMENT NUMBER TWO

2010-06-24T20:07:00.000Z

We have had to say goodbye again to our lovely boy. William has gone with his Squadron from Yeovilton Naval Air Base to Afghanistan for the second time. To say we have had the wind taken out of our sails is an understatment. We will be counting the days until he is home again in October. Will is 21 this year and his birthday is in September while he is still away. We have been reliably informed that the facilities at Khandahar are very good so there will be suitable celebrations!!!!!! We will make sure there are celebrations too when he gets home. In the meantime, we must go about our daily routines knowing that one of our loved ones is in daily danger. God Bless you Will and all the brave boys and girls who find themselves in harms way a long way from home.

MILAN

2010-06-18T20:22:00.002Z

Oh my word!! I am just back from 3 days in Milan. I went out to see an Exhibition of Napoleonic Costume that a friend has been working on for a very long time. This was my first trip to Italy and I had got very excited at the thought. It was everything and more than I expected. The only negative thing was that I speak no Italian and I felt very much at a disadvantage. Fortunately the hotel I was staying in is also a big convention centre so the staff spoke good English. It is situated in the City and that meant everything was within walking distance. In fact the Basilica - Santa Maria delle Grazie - where Leonardo da Vinci's ' Last Supper' is housed was just opposite so that was my first port of call. I spent a lot of time in here mesmerised by the Art and decoration. I took lots of photographs which will give me an endless supply of ideas for my Textile work. I wasn't able to see the Masterpiece as visits have to be booked in advance and although I had planned to go at some stage I was not sure when.

The Exhibition I had gone to see is at La Triennale a large Exhibition complex in the heart of Milan. It has been in the making for many months and my young friend Natalie has been commuting backwards and forwards to Milan helping with all the preparations of the clothes and making the correct underpinnings so that they all sit properly on the mannequins. The photograph shows the earliest dress on display. This one is mine and I have lent it to Martin and Christina for the duration of the Exhibition. I have had this dress for a very long time. I bought it at an Antique Fair I was working at in Plymouth in 1986. It was on the stall adjacent to mine in amongst a lot of other old clothes, Every time someone looked at the things on the rail and they were pushed backwards and forwards the sleeve would keep waving at me!!! I eventually got up and went to have a look and couldn't believe what I was looking at. It had been trimmed with the wrong lace, but I recognised the fabric as an early hand block print and bought it. It was fairly grubby and had a couple of small tears but I was so happy to have it and even happier when I discovered on the inside the stamp mark of the United East India Shipping Company which dated it to 1786. It remained folded up and in a box for years as I never intended to sell it on. Now it has been professionally cleaned and restored and is entering a new stage in its life. Natalie has made lovely undergarments and she has been christened 'Florine', and she stands proud and beautiful with all the other fabulous dresses that keep her company in the display case.

There is a fabulous book/catalogue printed both in English and Italian that Martin and Christina have produced to accompany the Exhibition . I believe it is available to buy at the moment on Amazon. I will post links to the official photograph album for anyone to look at. I ha ve lots of my own but the professional ones are so much better and it is the courteous thing to do. A lot of time, money and very hard work has gone into making this Exhibition and credit is due where credit is due. I met a lot of lovely people while I was in Milan and was thrilled to find that Natalie and some of the team were staying at my Hotel - sheer coincidence - so we got to spend some time together at Breakfast and in the evenings. Hilarious conversations in 'Eurobabble'!!!

Link for photographs.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=179246&id=277298391895&ref=mf

CATCHING UP

2010-06-12T22:30:00.000Z

Quite a lot has happened since my last post about Petworth House Antique Textile Fair. We had the Poundbury Textile Fair here on our own doorstep on 2nd June and then on Thursday 3rd June Linda and I went on a coach trip to the Quilt Exhibition at the V & A Museum in London. It was a fabulous exhibition and we had a lovely day. The weather was fabulous so after we had finished in the Museum we went outside and sat in the sun and had a cup of tea in the Museum garden while we were waiting for the coach home.

At the beginning of the month I set all my things up in 'The Full Gamut Gallery' in Weymouth for Dorset Art Weeks. It is a delightful little place, light and airy and serves the most wicked coffee and cakes. Kimberley the owner is an Artist and was also showing some of her work. The other exhibitor with us was Gill Smeulders who makes the most fabulous jewellery from buttons and bead, vintage, hand made ceramic and fair trade. I managed to get the second of my 'Chesil' Quilt/Wallhangings finished in time for the opening. This second one is sister to the one that is currently on show at the Contemporary Quilt Group Exhibition at the Quilt Museum in York. The photographs are not in the correct order again. I just don't seem to be able to get the hang of it.!! Last Wednesday I spent the day with some friends dyeing fabric. Again it was a beautiful day and the setting was more than fabulous. We were at Dell's farm house. The farm - East Fleet Farm - is situated according to its name right on the Fleet Lagoon. Winter or Summer, all kinds of weather, it is a truly inspirational place and it must be so amazing to wake up every day and look out of the window and see endless sky and shimmering sea. These lovely black and white boys were very interested in what we were doing. You can see the Fleet Lagoon and the Chesil Bank behind them. Of all the places to spend time growing up before ending up on someone's plate this must be the best one. Small consolation perhaps but far better than being in a barn or some crowded yard. It is the quality of life that is important and theirs is A1.

We produced many, many different fabrics. These were in preparation for the Alicia Merrett workshop at Hardy Quilters on 21st June. The last two photographs are some of the things I had displayed at the Gallery for Art Weeks. The first one being the second 'Chesil' Quilt/Wallhanging. So now I have caught up with what I have done for the last three weeks I am getting ready to go to Milan on Monday for the Exhibition I have been waiting for ages. I am so excited. I have never been to Italy before and I know I am going to love it. The exhibition is of authentic Napoleonic fashion. All from a private collection. I can't wait to see it all. Goose bump time again. I will take loads of photographs and share them with you.

PETWORTH

2010-05-27T18:34:00.002Z

I took these lovely English Smocks with me to Petworth where they caused quite a stir!!!!!!!!! I bought the three adult ones about 5 or 6 years ago at Auction here in Dorset and have had them secreted away ever since! the child's I found recently. I simply adore rustic rural garments and Smocks are the icing on the cake. I thought that Petworth House was a fitting place to take them to be sold. I sold two and brought two home to go back into hiding!!!

We had a great week-end, the weather was fabulous, if not perhaps a little too hot at times in the Marquee but it was glorious. Linda and I were staying at the HorseGuards Inn at Tillington again. Sam and Mischa were as ever very welcoming and our three nights spent with them was heaven. The chef excelled himselft during what was a very busy week-end. The food is faultless and Sam cooks a mean breakfast.

All in all it was a fabulous week-end and hope to be back again next year. This year I managed to look inside the house. There was a Costume exhibition on for the duration of the Textile Fair this was lovely but I was blown away by all the Art. Up close and personal with Turner and Van Dyke . It was wonderful.

Back to reality now and preparing for Dorset Arts Weeks which starts on Saturday. I am exhibiting at the 'Full Gamut Gallery' on Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Venue 258 and tomorrow sees me out putting up signs. I expect the Council will come along as they do every time and take them down again!!!! Then of course is the Textile and Brocante Fair at Brownsword Hall, Poundbury, Dorchester on 2nd June. Must get down to making some more things for that as I sold most of them at Petworth. If you are in the area there is plenty to see and do for the next two weeks!!

COWSLIP WORKSHOPS AND JULIE ARKELL

2010-05-09T17:02:00.000Z

Linda and I have been at Cowslip Workshops again for the last three days. We were there with our usual travelling shop plus a lot of different things. Jo had told us that Julie Arkell was going to be there at the same time teaching. What a treat this turned out to be. I knew all about her work but had never met her and we were looking forward to being at Cowslip at the same time. The photographs show some of Julie's work and the type of thing she was going to be teaching.
She uses childrens vintage knitted clothes as her display medium and her whimsical jewellery and adornments looked fabulous. The little boy's green trouser suit she bought from me. I had had it for a long time, waiting for the right home and I was thrilled Julie had it as it goes so well with everything else she has.

We had a lovely time all together with her and her students for supper on Saturday evening and the the ladies were good customers too.! Thank you ladies, very much and hope to see you all again some time.

About Julie

Julie Arkell, is one of the UK's best recognized contemporary folk artists working in papier-maché and mixed media. She combines stitch, knit, ephemera, vintage fabric and papier maché in her own distinctly personal and sophisticated way. Everything is produced by hand using knitted adornments, curious accessories, ribbons and found objects. The results are magically appealing and unique.

Her work has been exhibited at the Crafts Council of Great Britain and the Contemporary Applied Arts, and is collected both in the UK and the USA. She has had a bestselling book published by the Ruthin Craft Centre, simply called "Julie Arkell", featuring her work and studio.

My favourite Picture

2010-05-02T11:13:00.000Z

This is my favourite picture of the evening. I love the shape of this silhouette. When these beautiful old clothes are worn properly they are divine. This model carries herself so well, everything she wears looks stunning.

CRINOLINES AND CORSETS

2010-05-02T10:45:00.001Z

Thank you to everyone who came to the show and gave their support to such a worthy cause. And especially thank you to all Terri's team of models and dressers, it is quite a job getting everyone ready and out on time, I know well, as I used to help with this many years ago. My heartfelt thanks goes to my friend Theresa for offering to put on this Show for Help for Heroes. She works very hard for many Charities and loves every minute. She like myself is a Costume Devotee and never gets bored with these beautiful things and their stories.

CRINOLINES 'n' CORSETS

2010-04-29T19:11:00.000Z

This is a very late post for which I apologise but have been so busy it slipped my mind and now the day is almost here.

If you are in the Bridport area on Saturday 1st May evening and are interested in Victorian Fashion, this Fashion Show is a must. The clothes will be modelled live. The show starts at 7.30 p.m. but I advise to get there before that to make sure you get a good seat. We have a Raffle and Refreshments. All proceeds of this Show are going to HELP FOR HEROES. This wonderful Charity provides help and support for our Wounded Armed Forces in current Conflicts. As I have mentioned before my eldest Grandson, William, is a Helicopter Engineer in the Royal Navy. He has come safely through one visit to Afghanistan and is due to go back at the end of next Month. He will spend his 21st birthday in Afghanistan.

If you are unable to come to the Show in person perhaps you would still be willing to donate directly to the Charity using the link to their website. There is a link in this post and also in my sidebar of useful links. Any contribution no matter how small is always gratefully received.

I will post photographs after the event.

Breakthrough at Quilt Museum

2010-04-06T07:53:00.001Z

I think I made a post a while back about my Quilt 'Chesil' being accepted for the Contemporary Quilt Challenge 'Breakthrough'. The exhibition of the quilts has now opened at the Quilt Museum in York and I can now show you photographs of what it looks like. I was extremely excited when it was accepted and would love to go to York to see the quilts in situ, the trouble is it is a long way away and fitting a visit in with work commitments is a bit of a headache. I took the Chesil Bank here in Dorset as my subject where it breaks through the land to form an inner lagoon at Fleet. The photograph I used I took one evening at sunset last August. Not a fiery sunset but one of those lovely watery ones. This lovely coastline of ours here in the West Country is a continual source of inspiration to me and I never tire of it.

I made this quilt by first painting up a board in acrylic paints, layin g the colour down to create an impression of the photograph of the Fleet. I then made a monoprint on to the background fabric. When this was dry I added strips of torn fabrics, both sheer and hand dyed. I had previously painted up a piece of 'Bondaweb' in the same way as the monoprint and when I had finished adding all my strips to the monoprint and the Bondaweb was dry I ironed it all over the surface therefore transferring the paint and securing all the strips. This was the first time I had used this technique and I loved the result. The next step was to make the quilt sandwich and do the machine quilting.

I haven't managed to get the photographs in the right order but I think you can get the idea of the process.

Having the freedom to work like this and still come within the bounds of quilting is one of the reasons I so much enjoy bing a part of the Contemporary Quilt Group. I am always pushed for time when I decide to produce something to a deadline and beat myself up all the time about not giving myself enough time to plan things properly incase thins go wrong and I have to start again.!! However, if I do too much thinking before starting to do things, I go off the idea and think of something else so I usually start to do and think along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easter in Cornwall

2010-04-04T15:15:00.000Z

I have been in Cornwall for the last few days. Linda and I travelled down on Maundy Thursday to our B&B in preparation for the two day Antique and Collectors Fair at the County Showground, Wadebridge. The weather was abysmal. Lots of rain and wind and very cold. Friday was quite busy and our spirits were lifted when we had a customer for our French linen and tickings. He was very discerning and knew his textiles, renovating a 17th century Inn, he was buying tickings and linen for cushions etc. He made our day. Thank you Robert!!!! The second day, Saturday was another story. Freezing cold and lashing with rain intermittently all day we hardly saw anyone. A few brave souls ventured out but not enough to raise our takings by very much. When we packed up on Saturday we drove on to Truro where we are staying at the moment. We have been out and about today, the weather has been glorious and we spent a few hours in Falmouth. It is about 25 years since I have been to Falmouth and there has been a lot of re-generation since then. The harbour area has a very smart precinct with shops and 'Rick Stein's Fish and Chip Shop and Restaurant'. I was happy to see that 'Trago Mills Shop' is still there but we wern't able to go inside as it was one of the shops that was closed today.

Falmouth is quite a large town and is very pretty with lovely Georgian houses that look out to sea. There are lots of little alleys with steps which run down to the sea from the main street. The way that the sea comes right in to the back of the houses reminds me of Roscoff in Brittany.

Tomorrow we head off early in the morning to Portscatho to work at the Homespun Fair. We are hoping for a good day. It has been a lovely week-end here in Cornwall even though we have been working hard and both Linda and I look forward to coming back to Cornwall in May when we are at Cowslip Workshops on 7th and 8th May.

Day out to Cowslip Workshops

2010-03-30T08:42:00.001Z

Yesterday I drove three friends down to Cornwall. They were booked on a day workshop with Katerine Guerrier. As I love visiting Cowslip workshops I offered to drive them. The weather was foul but I am used to driving in all weathers. They had a very industrious day and I 'chilled'. I had a good look around the shop and bought two more books!!!!!!! then went to the Restaurant for tea and cake - I had breakfasted at 6 a.m. and was getting hungry again by 10.30. I spent the morning sat in the warmth reading my new books. One of them is dedicated to using photographs in quilts and there are many, many fabulous pictures of quilts made by the Author. When lunch time came I was invited by Jo to sit with all the others at the large table that had been prepared for them. One of the highlights of visiting Cowslip is their Restaurant and if you are participating in one of their Workshops you have the option to bring your own lunch or for a nominal sum have what they call a 'simple workshop lunch'!!! It was far from simple - we had soup and home baked bread to start and the table was laid up with a fabulous array of salads. Once lunch was over the girls all shot off to the shop before the aftenoon session started again. As did I. I managed to come home without any fabric this time! While I was there I signed up for a course that I have been wanting to do for ages, but life has always interfered!! It is with Charlotte Yde - I have put a link to her website in the sidebar and also Katherine Guerrier. The workshop I am going to do is 'Series' and it is over my birthday weekend which means I will be away from home for my birthday but it is not a problem for me. It is just another day at my time of life and I shall be doing something I enjoy.
Towards the end of the afternoon I went and sat in the Workshop with the girls. They had all produced some lovely things - they had spent the day cutting and piecing House blocks and wonky pinwheels. I don't need to go to a workshop to produce wonky pinwheels - my stuff is always wonky! I have an aversion to straight lines. No matter how often I measure, check, re-check usually no two blocks end up the same size!!! Just as well I prefer doing more random, arty stuff. Which reminds me Dorset Arts Weeks is looming on the horizon and I should get down to producing something soon. Oh well, after Easter. Linda and I are off to Cornwall to work over Easter. Good Friday and Easter Saturday at Wadebridge County Showground and Easter Monday at Portscatho Village Hall. Perhaps I will have time to think about it!!!!!

ILMINSTER TEXTILE FAIR

2010-03-25T09:23:00.002Z

It has been quite a while since my last post. I have been in a 'backwater', 'up the creek without a paddle' 'lost my muse' or some such other excuse, but I am relieved to say it seems to have passed and my brain and imagination are working again. So far the thinking hasn 't connected itself to my hands and the 'creating' is still being avoided. Deadlines are looming and there is nothing like a deadline to spur me into action.!

Yesterday we were at Ilminster Arts Centre at the regular Talent for Textiles Fair. This is always a very enjoyable day, truly mixing business with pleasure. Meeting up with old friends and making new ones. Always lots of interesting things to look at and sometimes a treasure to buy! I found one yesterday and was a very happy bunny. I bought a very pretty Regency dress! It is not in perfect condition, but in the right hands could be restored and made strong enough to display. This one is for me. I have a small collection - about 25 - of early dresses ranging from 1760 to 1920. Some I have had for many years but some things get sold to make way for something else I have fallen in love with. This latest addition will fill a gap in the collection.

It has been a busy week work-wise. Last week-end Linda and I were standing at Shepton Mallett Antique and Collector's Fair for three days. Two days later we were at Ilminster and next week we are off to Cornwall. We are going to be at the Cornwall County Showground at Wadebridge standing at the Antique, Collectors Fair on Good Friday and Easter Saturday inside the Pavilion and then we travel down a bit to Truro for a 2 night stopover and a bit of a rest before we take part in the HOMESPUN Fair at Portscatho. Click on the Homespun image in the side bar to go to their website. We are really looking forward to being back in Cornwall again.

HOW MANY FRENCHMEN DOES IT TAKE TO GET A VOLVO OUT OF A DITCH????????

2010-02-16T14:56:00.001Z

It has been some time since I wrote something on this blog. I have had the Winter Blues. It was so cold in January all I could think about was keeping warm and I was sure no-one wanted to read my disgruntled ramblings. I then fell victim to the influenza bug that thousands of people have had this year and was completely floored by it. So it was with some hesitation that I greeted the news from Linda that we were to set forth for France to go to see a friend and do some textile shopping before the Fairs start in earnest. We sailed out of Poole last wednesday evening - the weather was cold and looked as if it was trying to snow. We had a cabin and after a cup of tea and one of Britanny Ferries wonderful tarts went to bed to get a good sleep in readiness for the early start Thursday morning. We disembarked at about 6.30 a.m. - it was still very dark and was trying to snow. By the time we had been on the road about half an hour it started to snow heavily and we started to get a bit anxious. We were making our way South towards Mayenne by way of St. Lo and Carentan where we knew good shopping places. As we were going down the hill towards St. Lo Frieda the Volvo started to skate from side to side, did a half turn and put herself bum first in the ditch. Before we had fully adjusted to the situation, we were hit by two cars coming down the hill towards us. There was already another car in the ditch in front of us and eventually several more behind.

Enter the fabulous French Gendarmerie. Within 15 minutes everything was organised - Breakdown Trucks, Farmers with Tractors.
The breakdown truck couldn't manage to get Frieda out because the snow was too slippy and she is a big girl so the local farmer came to the rescue!!
All the time this was going on Linda and I were sat in the Gendarmerie Truck in the warm with the other canualties. Luckily none of us were hurt. We were taken to the nearest Garage to wait for Frieda where the staff were more than helpful. Next door to the Garage was a Hotel and Restaurant so we went to get something to eat while we were waiting for our friends to drive up to get us. We hadn't eaten or drunk anything since 6 a.m. and were quite hungry and thirsty. After we had eaten and Ticky and Nick had arrived we went back to the Garage for the news on Frieda. All that was wrong was that the front lights were smashed - but they still worked!! - so we were able to carry on with the journey. Nick drove the Volvo and Linda and I went with Ticky. As we made our way South again we passed all the lorries that had been on the Ferry with us. The Police had stopped them all from going on to the Motorway which was closed for a while. We spent the next four days having a lovely time and did some excellent shopping.

The moral of this story is if you ever go in the ditch in the snow make sure you are in a Volvo and preferably do it in France.!!!! Linda is thinking of writing to President Szarkosy to tell him how wonderful his traffic police are in Calvados and suggest he gives them a bonus!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T11:33:00.002Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. I'd like a five pound note for every time I have said or written that in the last 24 hours!!!!! Well that was 2009 sent on its way. I think I agree with the Queen when she said 2009 was best forgotten. It has not been the easiest of years for us as a family but lets hope this one will be better.

I spent New Years Eve catching up with my Journal Quilts. 31st December was the deadline and I just made it. I loaded the photographs on to the group website with seconds to spare!!! I am going to try to be kinder to myself this year and not leave things to the last minute!! Famous last words - I say it all the time - but I don't seem to be able to get motivated until time is running out. Seems like I will always be 'Last Minute Lizzie'.

I am quite pleased with what I have produced. Two abstracts and two photo transfers. All but one - the one on the far right of the picture as you look at it - were inspired by photographs I had taken around this coastline. The other one is a photo I found in the copyright free image archive on the Yellowstone National Park website. It is of icicles on trees. As I have spent most of December frozen to the marrowbone I thought it quite fitting!!. These last four Journal Quilts are going to hang together on the Contemporary Quilt stand at various Quilt and Stitchcraft Shows this year so the extra pressure was to have four that complimented each other. I seem to favour a restricted and muted palette of colours and have to make myself introduce something brighter, sometimes I don't bother but stick with what I like. This was one of the criticisms I had when I handed in my work at the end of my C&G Sketchbook course. I personally think that it is important to work with what you are comfortable with and stretch yourself when necessary. I think that this is why I leave everything to the last minute! Weeks of planning have in the past gone down the drain once I have started something. The idea is the same but the result is always much different. The longer I have to plan the more complicated things get whereas if time is running out instinct takes over.

Linda came down from Dorchester to see me when I was in the throes of it all and posted photos on her blog of work in progress!!!! The picture above is the result. Four small Journal Quilts for September, October, November and December. I wonder what the challenge will be this year?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

2009-12-24T00:39:00.003Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Have a wonderful time and see you in the New Year!

Day Out in Devon

2009-12-01T19:55:00.003Z

Today Linda and I drove down to Devon to Tavistock. Neither of us had ever been there before and we were interested to go to see the layout of the Pannier Market. The journey took us about 2 hours and was well worth the time spent as when we arrived in the Town Centre we were both entranced. What a beautiful place it is. Very ancient and with gorgeous architecture all around and the wonderful ruins of the Abbey. The Market is very impressive as well. We were going to see if it would be possible to have a pitch there with our French Textiles. We were delighted to see several fellow dealers that we have known for a long time working there. They thought we were a long way from home but not so. We are so used to getting in our cars and driving for miles to go to work that it is no hardship at all - especially when we are going West. Unfortunately the Market is full at the moment but we have put ourselves on the waiting list. It may seem a long way to go from where we are in Dorset but since we have been going to Cowslip Workshops at Launceston, Cornwall, we have made many contacts in Cornwall who are always asking us when we will be going there again so it seemed the right thing to do. We will be keeping our fingers crossed very firmly.
We are due to go to Cowslip Workshops again in May 2010. This seems such a long time away but once Christmas is over the months will fly by especially when we start going to France again shopping!!

Bridport Christmas Craft Market

2009-12-01T19:47:00.003Z

We had a lovely day at Bridport Christmas Craft Market on Saturday and in spite of the foul weather we had plenty of enthusiastic customers. The Hall looked lovely with plenty of festive goods on sale.

Time Wasters

2009-11-12T16:40:00.004Z

I am always bemoaning the fact that I seem to run out of time. The jobs stack up, the dealines get closer and closer and I seem to run around in ever increasing circles. I have a load of sewing to do before Linda and I take off for Cowslip Workshops next week-end. It is the annual Christmas Craft Fair and I like to take some things that I have made using vintage textiles as well as bits and pieces of the raw materials. Every time I think 'Oh I need to get in that cupboard' or 'I will use the embellisher to do that job' I am cut short in my tracks as I can't bear to disturb my sleeping felines. They always manage to perch themselves just where I want to be. Sometimes I do have to be a bit hard hearted but most times things are put off for another time, but with three of them around the house it gets hard to find somewhere to work. Never mind I wouldn't be without them. Oops I have to go I am being prodded in the back by Archie who wants to get on my lap!!!!!!!!!!!

Ilminster Textile Fair

2009-11-04T21:00:00.004Z

Today I was at Ilminster for the Talent for Textiles Fair. As usual it was a lovely day with visits from many familiar faces. Ilminister is always a very social occasion where we mix business with pleasure.
We will be returning to Ilminster on March 24th 2010 meanwhile in the not too distant future, Friday in fact, Linda and I travel to Bisley, nr. Stroud for the Rag Market which is run to raise funds for the Stroudwater Textile Trust This is another interesting quality Rag Market and this time we will be joined by John Gillow, of 'World Textiles' fame.

Favourite Things

2009-11-04T20:51:00.002Z

These are my favourite things at the moment. Most of the garden has been decimated by the latest rain and wind but these miniature cyclamen soldier bravely on in their Turquoise pot on the pond wall. I see them every time I stand at my sink and they make my day!

The Hardy Quilters

2009-10-25T08:45:00.006Z

The Hardy Quilters is my local Patchwork and Quilting Group. We meet on the third Monday of each month, except summer holidays. We are anxious to recruit new members as we are a comparatively small group. We meet at Osmington Village Hall which is a lovely large, light room, with all essential facilities i.e. toilets and kitchen for making a cup of tea!! We hold various workshops throughout the year and have visiting Speakers. Some of these Speakers are nationally known and travel quite a distance to talk to us. With spiralling costs it is essential that we recruit more members to enable the Group to keep going and still enjoy the benefit of visiting Teachers and Speakers. Anyone wishing to join the Group will be welcomed with open arms regardless of skill. There is great opportunity for Beginners to learn the Basics and then go on to form their own style of working. Many members have been with the Group since its birth and are traditional patchwork and quilters but there are also members who approach things in a different way and use innovative techniques.

If you would like to join our Group please contact me. Have a look at the Blog I have just created - or our email address is thehardyquilters@googlemail.com. There is a link in the sidebar to the Hardy Quilters Blog.

The photograph shows the Group quilt made for the Quilters Guild Challenge - Button Up Quilt - in 2008. This one together will all the other submissions were buttoned up and displayed all around the walls of an area at the Festival of Quilts.

HELP FOR HEROES

2009-10-23T09:03:00.003Z

I have added a link to this fabulous charity website. You will need to scroll down to the links section. Please, please have a look at it. They are doing such wonderful work for our troops. We are busy getting a parcel ready to send out to Will. His wish list is very basic - digital clock, boiled sweets, thick socks (they are only issued with 4 pairs!!) camping pillow. He is fine, although not enjoying working nights!!! It is amazing how matter of fact he is about it all. I suppose they just concentrate on every day matters and don't explore the wider picture too much. He is into his second week now -only seven more to go!!

First Tour

2009-10-12T07:00:00.004Z

This is my eldest Grandson with his Grandad all ready to go back to Base and make ready for Afghanistan. Everyone put on a brave face for him except myself. I wasn't there as I was working and that was a blessing in disguise. If I had been there I would probably have started his mother off as well!! She did very well to keep control of her emotions and not blub all over him. He hates it!!!! We are now all counting the days until he is home again. Hopefully in time for his Christmas dinner! His is only a short trip this time but he will be there again next year. He is an adventurer and we as a family have to get used to the fact that he will always put himself up for front line. It is what he has been trained for and what he wants to do - it is hard for those who love him to see him off. I passed them on the road on my way back from Shepton Mallet which is an other story.

The day started early and was dry. Weather forecast was promising. Linda and I had an outside stand so took the Gazebo and tarpaulin. We set up in the dry, feeling pleased with ourselves that we had gone prepared. We had breakfast, did some business and then it started. A fine misty drizzle that gets everywhere. Then the wind got up and that did it. The Gazebo took off but was saved by being tied down to Frieda the Volvo. It was resting upside down on the roof of the car!!!!! We managed to get it down to ground level again for a little while but it went again and this time was done for. We decided to pack up and go home. First we had to collapse the Gazebo which was not easy as it had become twisted so we had to enlist the help of the Security staff at the site!! All the time this was going on everything was uncovered and was getting wet. All our lovely textiles, vintage clothes, lace, buttons, haberdashery got soaked. The men took away the remains of the Gazebo to the dump and then to add insult to injury the wind took the clothes rail and everything went down in to what was by now mud!!!!!!!!! All the beautiful laundered white baby gowns and victorian underwear all wet and muddy as well as a gorgeous 1960's designer suit and 1920's black velvet jackets. Oh my word, what a test for the sense of humour!! Now the work starts; it is three weeks until our next Fair and everything must be ready to go out again. My worst job will be to salvage all my beautiful buttons and resew them on to new cards. Not what I had anticipated having to do at all as I still have curtains to make for the living room, and some new stock items for the Christmas Fairs. Oh well, no peace for the wicked - I don't think I shall ever attone for my sins, or is it all the mirrors I have broken????????????????

Napoleonics at Kingston Maurward.

2009-10-03T18:57:00.005Z

There are times when getting up at 5 a.m. to get in the car and drive for miles to work is a chore but not today. I was up at 5 a.m. but only had to drive 8 miles to Dorchester and today was one of the days I loved my job as I was heading to the Internation Napoleonic Living History Fair at Kingston Maurward House in Dorchester. When I arrived the camps were still sleeping in readiness for a busy day of drills and battles or from over-indulgence in the Beer Tent the previous evening!!
I was the first Trader to arrive in my Hall and I quietly and leisurely set up my stall as I had three and a half hours to do so. I was more or less finished by 8.30 a.m. so made my way to the Restaurant and had a full English breakfast!!! Well it was going to be a long day and as I was on my own I was not sure I would be able to get away from my stall for Lunch.!!
I was pleased with the way it looked and was looking forward to an interesting day. I wasn't to be disappointed.
Soon people from differentt walks of life began drifting in to have a look around before the activities started. A few of my readers may know that I am a sucker for a uniform and there were plenty of those about today. No Sean Bean but you can't have everything.!!
The photograph above shows my favourites of the day. The lady was my first customer and was lovely and I admired her Revolution type costume (it must be the stripes). Then her husband arrived before I knew he was her husband, if you know what I mean! It was the blue ticking patches on his knees that made me think they were a couple. The other gentleman was a friend of theirs . Last but not least the photograph below shows my lovely little friend Natalie.
I have known Natalie since she had just left School. She came to work in my shop and got hooked on Antique Textiles and Costume and went on to take a Degree in Costume for the Stage and Screen at Bournemouth Arts Institute. After she graduated she went to London to work at the Rose Bruford College of Performing Arts and was there for quite a few years. She is a member of the Napoleonic Association and now is in business for herself making historical uniform and costume for Re-enactors, the National Trust and private individuals. She makes the most exquisite things for herself and others and works very hard. I am very fond of her. Take a look at her Blog www.fichuhistoricalclothinganduniforms.blogspot.com

Blogger's Block

2009-09-29T19:16:00.003Z

It has been a while since I added a new Blog. I have been very busy doing one thing and another, mostly working, and I just haven't had the time or inclination. Its been hard enough trying to remember where I am supposed to be going next so writing anything amusing or interesting has been well down on the list. After the Textile Fair at the American Museum I was at Shepton Mallett 3 day Fair, which turned out to be very successful in spite of my misgivings. I think the weather helped a lot, it was a wonderful sunny week-end and as we were outside I think that was more than fortunate.

This last week-end I was in France on our annual pilgirmage to La Foire de St. Michel at Brest. The weather was gorgeous again which always makes life easier as we walk miles during the day up and down the hilly streets of Brest looking for goodies to bring home. This year we didn't find as much as we have done in the past but we were pleased with what we did find. The washing machine has been working overtime today getting things ready for this week-end. I am at the International Napoleonic Fair at Kingston Maurward House, Dorchester on Saturday and Sunday. I am really looking forward to it as I love Living History Ren-enactment. I shall be taking lots of gorgeous French linen/hemp shifts and sheets as well as a selection of gorgeous 19th century buttons, lace and clothing. I have been ironing gauzy white muslin skirts and blouses as well as frothy white petticoats. I love to see all these lovely white things hanging around together.

Unfortunately my digital camera has died and so has the spare one. I was unable to take any photographs and am quite bereft. I hadn't budgetted for a new camera this month but will have to get one from somewhere. Mine gave up the ghost at Shepton Mallet which was a pity as I had a lovely shot of Linda stood on top of her car removing tarpaulins from the top of the Gazebo!!!!!!!!! Oh well, perhaps the Council Tax can wait for a couple of days!!!!!! I can't go to Kingston Maurward without one. As well as spending the day washing I have been slaving over a hot sewing maching making myself something to wear. Empire line is not my preferred choice of waistline as I am a bit too voluptuous up top but at least it will hide my expanding waistline. I really must go on some sort of diet!! As soon as I haved acquired a new camera I will post some photos!!

American Museum at Bath

2009-09-06T18:32:00.002Z

The recent Talent for Textiles Fair at the American Museum near Bath was a great success. We all had a very busy day and Linda and I were especially pleased to have lots of customers for our fabulous French linens and goodies. So thank you to all of you who came to make the day such a success.
These lovely Bears were brought all the way from France and are entirely made by hand with vintage french fabrics. Nathalie their maker takes the greatest care with them and makes their clothes as well from vintage fabrics and lace that she hand dyes herself to make them truly unique.
I am sure you will agree that they make a lovely display. I wonder what they made of their first visit to England!!

FOQ Purchases

2009-08-31T09:24:00.007Z

These are some of my purchases at the Festival of Quilts. Plenty of messy stuff for me to play with. I am really anxious to get on with some rust dyeing - now I have no excuse. Stitching patterns for shibori and some strong thread. I need this for my impending dyeing day with the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers dyeing day.
I was delighted to find the 'Roses from the Heart' stand and came home with three kits for the bonnets I have signed up to make. On the list of convicts I managed to find three with the same names as friends. More about this project in an other blog.
And this is the fabric that I wasn't going to buy!! Lovely Japanese fabric fat quarters from 'Seven Islands' who come from Los Angeles every year with the most irresistable fabrics.
Last but not least the reproduction mid 19th century prints for the two quilts I am contemplating. Doesn't seem a lot but it made a serious dent in my wallet!!!!!!!!

Adventures in Cornwall

2009-08-30T20:09:00.006Z

Linda and I have just returned from 3 days in Cornwall. We have been at Cowslip Workshops again with our vintage French textiles. We had decided that we would leave earlier than usual and give ourselves some extra time to have a look around instead of going straight to Launceston. We set off about 10 a.m. Thursday morning in beautiful sunny weather and decided to go to Port Isaac as neither of us had been there before. We arrived there about 1 p.m. and were looking forward to a good lunch. We drove into Port Isaac and saw lots of people on foot ascending and decending steep hills but thought nothing of it. I saw a sign that said 'Beach Car Park' so said we might as well go and park there!!! Alarm bells started ringing as we slowly inched our way down the steep narrow road swarming with visitors. At the bottom there wasn't room to swing a cat and the car park was the beach and it looked as if the tide was coming in!!!!!!!! My poor car was groaning with the weight of its load of textiles and would definately have sunk into the sand if there had been room!!! Oh dear, what to do now?? No room to turn around so the only way out was up the virtually perpendicular road on the other side of the port!!! The sign said 6' wide. I had no idea how wide my car was but the chap in the car behind said we could get up there, so up we went - in 1st gear!!!!!!!!!!! Poor old Renee - the old girl did good and made it.
We decided to follow the coast and went on to the next village, Gaverne, I think it was. We hung around waiting for someone to move off so we could park and watched a Boat being towed into shore by a Tractor. After parking we went to the Pub only to be told we were 10 minutes too late to order any food. The joys of England!!!!!!!!! So that was it - feeling absolutely starving we decided to high-tail it back to Launceston where we knew we could get something to eat if we got there before 4.30 p.m. We were not disappointed, we tucked in to the most delicious quiche and salad, all made with their own produce grown in their organic garden. Then it was time to get to work and unload everything and set up for the morning customers.
We had a busy couple of days and it was lovely to be in such peaceful surroundings. The nights are so still and quiet. Jo gave us a lovely home cooked meal Thursday evening and Friday evening we ate in the Restaurant. It is always a treat to be at Cowslip where we can truly mix business with pleasure.
This is Jo our lovely hostess with her two boys! 'Winston' the Golden Retriever and 'Mr. T' the Flat coat Retriever. They absolutely adore her and she them. Mr. T takes 'Ducky' everywhere with him and when they went on holiday to Exmoor recently Ducky went too.

Festival of Quilts and More

2009-08-30T19:31:00.003Z

Well I am back from Birmingham and four exhausting days enjoying myself!! I had a foul cough and sore throat for most of the time but still managed to enjoy myself. Some of the quilts were more than amazing and the individual exhibitions were just fantastic. I spent quite a time at my favourite place 'The Virtual Studio' watching Leslie Morgan and Claire Benn produce amazing surface design fabric. The fabrics produced in their workshops are an art form and just need to be hung. Cutting it up doesn't come into the equation.

Chunghi Lee, the Korean Artist had a wonderful exhibition of Pojagi and her fabric installations screen printed with 'the ordinary worman' were amazing. I went to her lecture Friday afternoon but the dreaded cough meant I missed some of it. Needless to say I made quite a few purchases but didn't get the books I wanted as they had sold out on the first morning before we arrived!! I must confess that I did buy some fabric - more American Civil War reproductions - I have a couple of quilts in mind to make and need a big stash of these.

I helped on the Little Gems Tombola stand, this was very busy every day and a huge sum of £9,700 was raised for the Guild Museum at York. A very satisfying reward for everyone's hard work.

Saturday evening we went to the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Cabaret evening. This was great fun and after our meal we all had a chance to test our dancing skills!!!!!!!!!

We drove home on Sunday morning without any hold-ups feeling tired and exhilarated with everything we had seen.

Sheds and Stuff

2009-08-16T18:33:00.006Z

Linda has been talking about sheds on her Blog recently and asking for photographs of others sheds. Well here is the inside of mine, nothing fancy, frilly, or girly twirly in here (lady in the corset excepted!). This is where I go to work and to escape the infernal television.
As usual I have too much stuff. Everything but the kitchen sink is in here. Not a lot of working space but on sunny days like today I work outside. I have been working in my shed all day today on my Journal Quilts. Trying to catch up before the end of the month.
This is what has taken me most of the day! I cut strips from some of my hand printed papers and fabrics and wove them together. The Air was fairly Blue during this process! Then I printed over the whole thing with Indian printing blocks in acrylic paint and gold paint. It is another of my 'Earth from the Air ' series and the original photograph is of Indian hand dyed cloths laid out on the ground to dry. I have the stitching to do yet but I think it will be OK.
Of course once I had got out the paints and printing blocks I had to go on. This is a gold acrylic paint print on some fabric I put in my Indigo vat a little while ago. Now - what to do with it???
This smaller piece I could use as a Journal Quilt. The printing block is the same one as I had used to make a paper cast which I used in a previous Journal. I need to be speedy as the end of August will soon be here and that is the deadline for this phase.

I am off to the Festival of Quilts next Thursday - whoopeee!!!!!!!! I can't wait. Three days staying at the Hilton, swimming in their lovely pool. Not to mention the Quilt Show. Note to myself - DO NOT BUY ANYMORE FABRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the Wars

2009-08-04T10:55:00.003Z

This is my Ginger Tom 'Gerry' asleep on a half made corset! recovering from a battering this morning. He had to be rescued by my husband!!!!!!!! Locked in mortal combat the two cats had rolled over and over down next door's garden steps. Now Gerry has a poorly leg (not too bad I hope, can't afford a Vet bill at the moment) and a cauliflower ear.

Journal Quilts for Festival

2009-08-04T10:35:00.002Z

These are the four 2008 Journal Quilts that I have chosen to be exhibited at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham as part of the display of 2008 Journal Quilts on the Contemporary Quilt Group Stand. I stuck to a theme last year which was the Jurassic Coast. As I live and breathe it every day it was very much a personal experience. I already had a huge sketchbook on the subject made for the Creative Sketchbooks City and Guilds course that I did a couple of years ago and I was able to draw a lot on that. It was a very enjoyable experience and now I have twelve little quilts which illustrate the wonderful coastline and all my favourite places.

This year it is a different format which is also great but I am having to be strict with myself to stick to my subject. Hopefully some of these will go on display at Exeter Stitchcraft Show in September.

The Supremes at Bath Fashion Museum

2009-07-25T22:11:00.004Z

I had a wonderful day today at Bath with Linda. We travelled up to Bath where we met Yvonne at the Assembly Rooms for the opening day of the Exhibition that she has been organising - 'The Story of THE SUPREMES from the Mary Wilson collection'. It was fantastic - very cleverly arranged so that on entrance the whole of the exhibition is not in view and to see everything you must follow the layout of tall false walls which are covered with images and information about the Supremes from their foundation in 1959. Running alongside the glamour of show business are displays of black and white photographs and written information about what it was like to be a black person in the USA in the 1960's dominated by images of Dr. Martin Luther King. There are also plasma screens showing video footage of the Supremes in Concert and Martin Luther King speaking at various rallyes. The sound from both these things is running at the same time so that you can hear Supremes hit songs and Martin Luther Kings voice delivering some of his famous and unforgettable addresses. This is not intrusive, the volume is set at just the right level, so that you are aware of it and one does not overpower the other. I think it is a triumph. It creates a powerful and dramatic atmosphere. I have to confess it moved me to tears. What is it about Martin Luther King that is still so strong and potent after all these years?? His voice never fails to affect me.

The dresses are glorious in all their sixties and seventies splendour. Lots of glam and glitz. It is a beautifully put together Exhibition and I think Yvonne should feel very proud of herself for masterminding the design. There is much more to it than a room full of 'old frocks'. That's blasphemy from a Vintage Fashion Dealer!!!!!!!!

Mary Wilson was there too this morning. So beautiful in the 'flesh'. More beautiful than the photographs and a very gracious and charming lady. She signed our books and posters for us. For me it was an unforgettable experience. The exhibition runs until the 31st August. It is well worth the trip.

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photographs - this was understandable as most of the dresses are featured in a V&A book 'The Story of the Supremes' which is all photographs with a Foreward written by Mary Wilson. This is the book that I bought and Mary signed for me. I apologise for the quality of the photograph at the top of this post but I forgot to turn off the flash!!!!!!!!!

Last but definitely not least.

2009-07-18T14:45:00.002Z

We stopped and had a long chat to the Dyer. One hundred per cent natural dyes. The dyes used to produce some of the lovely colours in her basket were - walnut, weld, woad, madder and cochineal.
Some of the paler reds and pinks were obtained by using exhausted dye baths. Clever stuff and something I intend to have a go at soon. I have been collecting onion skins for ages and have a good stash now. So watch this space for Natural Dyed Fabrics.

Field Kitchen Fare.

2009-07-18T14:31:00.002Z

Hand milling stones for oats and wheat.

Doesn't it all look delicious. REAL food. The smells coming from the food cooking was making us feel hungry, but alas we couldn't buy any of these tempting things. Thanks to Health and Safety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they weren't allowed to sell it. I particularly fancied some of the Brie Tart but had to make do with a Hog Roast and a cup of tea. It was quite delicious but ordinary compared to the rest of the things we saw. We did however manage to find an authentic trader with a licence to sell food and tried some of his apple cakes!!!!!!!! What can I say? Basically a sweet scone mix with cinnamon and apple in the middle and cooked on an open fire griddle. Those were the days!!!!!!!!!!!

Dorchester Medieval Festival

2009-07-18T14:20:00.004Z

Ferrets in a basket. Sound asleep among the sheepskins.

Uniforms and arms and armour and some of my favourite things.
This one is either 'dead' or waiting to be despatched.

Times Past

2009-07-18T14:02:00.003Z

Today we have been to a Medieval Festival being held at Came Park, Dorchester. As usual I felt the familiar 'quickening' when I started to walk among the Living History encampments. The weather was kind with just the occasional spot of rain. My camera, however, was not and was acting up. I managed to get a few pictures but not as many as I had hoped for.
We walked around for a couple of hours and had a look at the artisans and the traders. As usual I managed to find someone selling fabrics and came home with three lots of 'just in case's'. It would have been rude to leave it there - 100% silk for £2 a metre as well as some gorgeous pale greeney/blue linen for £2 a metre. I might have to go back tomorrow for another look!!!!!!!!!!

Another Little Gem

2009-07-16T12:39:00.006Z

I have just finished another 'Little Gem' for Festival of Quilts Tombola. This one is made in the same way, using the same techniques and methods. The difference is the colour. This time I chose to use red. It is a good contrast with the green background and portrays a hot summer garden border.
I will get my two finished 'Little Gems' posted to York this week-end in good time for the Festival of Quilts in August. I have not got to go away to work anywhere this month so I am trying to use my time constructively!!

Little Gems

2009-07-09T21:32:00.002Z

This is what I have been doing most of the day today. I should have been getting ready to go to Bradford on Avon tomorrow to keep Linda company on her stand at the Talent for Textile Fair there. The photograph shows my contribution to the Little Gem project. I started a large version of this at a workshop with Kate Dowty earlier in the year. I decided to cut the original into four pieces and this is one of the pieces finished. I hope to get the other three done for the Festival of Quilts. I will post this one off this week and take the others with me when I go to Birmingham in August.
When I started this workshop I was not sure if I was going to get it finished because it is very different from the things I usually do but it came to me in a 'eureka' moment that I should cut it up and perhaps I would cope with it better. If I don't get the others finished in time I will donate them to the Alzheimer project that we are doing in November. I will blog about that a bit closer to the time.
Well its off to bed for an earlier than normal night as I have to get up and find my way to Bradford on Avon tomorrow.

France Again!!

2009-07-08T21:07:00.004Z

Linda and I were in France again last week-end. We travelled on the Fast Cat from Poole to Cherbourg first sailing on Friday. We arrived at Cherbourg at about 11.45 a.m. just in time for everything to shut for the two hour lunch break!! We drove south to Coutances to have lunch at our favourite restaurant in the Cathedral square but were too late for the lunch menu so had a delicious Croque Monsieur instead. We had stopped at one place on the way down to Coutances and had found some lovely sheets so we were not in a panic to find anything, but headed back after lunch to another of our regular Depot Vente stops.
It was a beautiful sunny day and by this time we were getting tired. We had been up since 4.30 a.m. and were starting to flag. We found a few things including a lovely old picture frame to use to frame some early woodblock fabric, and a cute little drying rack.
We didn't think we would be able to get the canoe in the car so decided to leave it beached on the gravel!!! We both loved it but it was the same old story -'nowhere to put it'.
We were happy to see the friendly pink building of the Hotel Ibis where we were staying for the night and after a glass of Kir, a bath, half of Andy Murray's match, we headed to the dining room to eat another great meal. We were supposed to be going to a Brocante sale the next morning but the beds were too comfortable to leave at 6 a.m. so we stayed there until 8.30 a.m. It's a hard life!!!!!!!!

Little Gems

2009-06-19T20:35:00.004Z

I know I have blogged about this before but the time is going on and this is just a reminder that the Quilter's Guild are asking people to make and donate a 'Little Gem' for the Tombola project at Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham in August. Full details can be found on the Little Gem Quilts website "http://www.littlegemquilts.wordpress.com">

This project is for a very good cause as it is to raise funds for St. Anthony's Museum at Guild Headquarters in York. Please if you have time, make one for us. The project is open to anyone, not just Guild members. Full details are on the website.

Fair Update

2009-06-16T14:04:00.005Z

On Saturday we drove to Bath to set up our stand for the Vintage Fashion Fair at the Assembly Rooms on Sunday. Sunday was a very warm day and we did not see an awful lot of people so things were quite quiet. Just before it was time to pack up we were made to feel a little better with the arrival of a late customer who went round the room like a whirlwind buying things from almost everyone. I think she saved the day for some of us.
We were sitting underneath the chandeleir all day!! Thank goodness it was securely in place.

I have had a busy few days. We were at Calne in Wiltshire Thursday and Friday for a Talent for Textiles Fair.

We travelled to Calne on Thursday and spent the night in B&B in Calne town centre. Not a very big Town and not very much to see but what there is is interesting and the redevelopments have been done very tastefully.
We had a successful day selling our goodies and travelled back home Friday evening.

Sewing for Days

2009-06-08T15:08:00.003Z

I have been sewing for days, getting ready for a Talent for Textiles Fair at Calstone House, Calne, Wiltshire on Friday 12th June. I have so much fabric hanging around my house I am having a blitz and am making up as much as I can.
These bags are made from an assortment of vintage fabrics and are just basic shopper size but made with lovely fabrics. My favourite is the flowery one with the duck egg blue background.
I have used vintage french linen and metis for extra strength.
I am selling these bags for £18. If anyone would like to buy one please let me know before Thursday as I shall be taking them with me to Calne.
Now that I am in stitching mode again I have lots of ideas for things to do as well as a commission to make some corsets.
I have put more detailed photographs of the bags in to my photostream on flickr. Just click on the badge at the side.

RACE FOR LIFE, KINGSTON MAURWARD

2009-05-31T13:00:00.005Z

Have just got back from Kingston Maurward, Dorchester where the RACE FOR LIFE has been taking place. My daughter, grand-daughter and a friend were taking part.
It seemed a daunting task to cover 5 kilometers on such a hot day. Fortunately there has been a breeze blowing and this made it a little easier.
They all managed it past the finishing line. Martin Clunes was there to start the race and was there at the finishing line to cheer them all on. He's a nice chap. He lives in Dorset not far from Dorchester.
I think they did very well, as did all the participants. As usual I didn't get through the 2 or 3 hours without shedding a few tears. Everyone was racing for someone and all the runners had a label on their back with the names of loved ones. It was a lump in the throat moment for me and as much as I tried I couldn't stop myself reading every lable that went past me.
They should all be very proud of themselves and I know I am proud of my lot. Perhaps I will have a go myself next year. Better start training now!!!!!!!

Petworth continued

2009-05-27T17:53:00.005Z

On the way back to the Horseguards Inn on Saturday evening we turned a corner and came upon these lovelies. I was allowed to stroke the pony owned by the little girl in the trap. His name was Alfie.!!! What an end to a lovely day.

Petworth House

2009-05-27T16:48:00.004Z

Last Saturday I was at my local regional Quilters Guild Day at Sturminster Marshall where I had been invited to take my personal collection of Antique Costume to show them. It was a great day with lots of trade stands to browse and purchase yet more fabric from! The speaker in the morning session was Susan Chapman whose work I have always admired as well as her no-nonsense approach to things. She had brought plenty of her things for us to see and gave a very interesting and informative talk about her work and methods. My slot was in the afternoon and I think I managed to keep everyone interested and entertained. We packed up at about 4 p.m. and I then loaded my car and set off for Petworth in Sussex. I was going to join Linda there where she had a stand at the Costume and Textile Fair being held there in Marquees in the grounds. It was quite a long drive made longer by a few of my detours!!!!!! but I arrived about 6.30 p.m. just in time for a large glass of red wine and an excellent meal.
We were staying at the Horseguards Inn at Tillington. Such a lovely place, run by young people who were the most charming hosts. The room was beautiful and spotlessly clean and the food and service excellent. It deserves 5*****. If you are ever in the vicinity it is well worth going to have a look. They are very green and have their own chickens for eggs, make their own marmalade, grow their own herbs and veg. Quite something.
Petworth House is a delight and the grounds are beautifully kept. We had our own little tented village with a Deli Bar and a Jazz Band. The weather was scorching and it got so hot in our Marquee that I had to shed some layers and ended up wearing one of our dyed linen shifts!
The business was good and we sold a lot of our French linen which is excellent news as it means we have to go back and get some more!!
Horseguards Inn, Tillington.

Textiles at Poundbury

2009-05-21T21:41:00.004Z

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338396600167100514" /> We had a grea day at Poundbury on Wednesday. The weather was dry and sunny but quite windy which was a little troublesome for the people with stalls outside. However, it didn't rain which was a big plus.
I was indoors with all my costume and pretty bits. It was busy and the atmosphere was friendly and jolly with lots of regular customers and quite a few new faces turning up.

On Saturday I am one of the Speakers at the Quilters Guild Region 4 Area Day held at Sturminster Marshall. I shall be taking along my collection of Antique Costume to show them. I shall also have some of my own work with me for the 'Show and Tell'. When I first started Patchwork and Quilting I was influenced a lot by my interest in Antique Textiles and used a lot of reproduction printed fabrics. Now, my work has changed and I only use fabrics that I have dyed myself. When I have finished at Sturminster Marshall I shall be driving straight to Petworth, in Sussex to join Linda who has a stand at the Textile and Costume Fair at Petworth House. It will be a long day but it will be a nice break of sorts as we don't come back to Dorset until Monday evening.

Happy Bank Holiday week-end everyone.

More Motoring Adventures

2009-05-14T16:43:00.003Z

Tomorrow I am going to be driving to RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall to bring my No. 1 Grandson home. He has been there this week completing an intensive driving course. He had his test today and failed!! He has the opportunity to take it again tomorrow at 1.15 p.m. However this means that he will miss his lift back home. SOS Mum and Granny!!!!! Public transport back from this area of Cornwall to Dorset is ridiculously complicated. Taxi costing £30 from Culdrose to Redruth and then train from Redruth to Castle Cary which is miles from home and would involve going there to pick him up costing probably in the region of £70. So it is far easier to go straight to Cornwall to fetch him. I used to drive past Culdrose on my way to stay with a friend when I used to work at the Fleamarket in Truro in the 1980's. Of course then it was a one-way journey - tomorrow I have to drive there and back. According to the AA it takes 3 hours and 28 minutes. They haven't of course allowed for any 'Lizzie Detours'. When I looked at the map to re-acquaint myself with the route I realised that when I volunteered for the job I had forgotten about half of the journey.!!!!!!!!! Never mind, nothing is too much trouble for this boy. We have just learnt that he is going to Afghanistan in October so we must make the most of our time with him until then.

Bluebell Woods

2009-05-12T21:19:00.002Z

I had a break from decorating the living room today and went to Netherbury, near Bridport to visit a client. I had fairly complicated instructions on how to find the house and set off fully prepared to encounter a few problems.
It was a beautiful sunny day and I know Netherbury is set in the most beautiful countryside so I was looking forward to the journey. I am famous for my lack of sense of direction! I'm inclined to get in the car and drive until I see the signposts to where I want to go.
Today was no exception and I went on an extended journey which took me around in a huge circle!! At one point I was heading back the way I had come. In hindsight I could have gone by a more direct and shorter route but if I had done that then I would have missed this stunning bluebell wood.
As I was travelling down the hill towards Beaminster it was there on my left and the sight took my breath away. I even had a conversation with myself about it!!!!!!!!
I eventually found where I was supposed to be going. My client lives at the top of a hill, high over Netherbury and the view from her windows is amazing. Nothing in front of the house except miles and miles of rolling hills. I came back home the same way, and stopped to take the photographs then. A sight to gladden the heart and something money can't buy. I don't know why I don't go out more often.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRENCH RUST IS DIFFERENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-04T11:47:00.000Z

More Wanderings in France

2009-05-04T08:05:00.005Z

Linda and I have been to France again. Another great trip where we found lots of goodies at various places. Linda has written a full version on her blog Lindiblog so I won't go into great detail on this one. We went to some new places which turned out to be very productive one of which left a lasting impression. Madame was deaf and we were shouted at for about an hour!! Bad enough in English but quite unnerving in French. She was very sweet inspite of this and not allowing us to look in her cupboards. We will need all our courage to go back there again on our own as Ticky, our friend, was with us and she speaks fluent French and did the translation bit when we became stuck. I must say that being shouted at does not help the command of a foreign language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took lots of pictures of my favourite thing - RUST - at the shouty lady's place. Her husband was very sweet and he managed to get into one of the photos while I was lusting after his little stone barn!!!!

Coming back it was a beautiful day and the Captain brought us home the scenic route all the way up the coast of France.

Back to reality now and lots of washing and ironing for Honiton on Tuesday.

Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-25T22:50:00.006Z

I have managed to get my 2009 Journal Quilts finished for the first deadline. I have been very behind with them this year. I was ages deciding what to do and then one day during a massive pre-decorating sort out I found an old diary that I had bought just for the photographs. 'Earth from the Air' is the subject . The first one for January is a volcanic landscape. I used a piece of felt I had made with many different fibres, stitched into it and then painted on the detail.
This one is a piece of painted and heated Tyvek. I had painted the Tyvek in peacock colours and then heated it to shrink and distort it. I then layered up some cotton and sheer fabrics and laid the Tyvek on top and stitched into it.
For this one I wove strips of cotton fabric together, printed over the entire area, layered sheer fabric on top and then stitched heavily into it. The out came the heat gun and I burnt away some of the sheer fabrics to expose the printed background. I then hand stitched a paper cast I had made using a wooden Indian printing block on top with big stitches.
This one is made using a piece of old Durham quilt. I spread molding paste over a small area of the quilt and embedded a piece of antique lace into it. When this was dry I painted the lace with acrylic paint and the rest of the quilt was painted with diluted acrylic paint. When this was dry I hand stitched big stitches over the blue (sea) area. I call this one 'Reef''.

This is the first stage over. I can relax a bit now and think of what to do for the next four in Stage 2.

Canary Bird is Singing Again

2009-04-24T22:21:00.004Z

I have been waiting patiently for weeks now for this moment and it has been well worth it. My absolute favourite thing in the garden is this rose tree. I have been a bit worried about it as it was cut back quite severely. I am never sure of the right time to prune roses so it gets done when I think about it and have the time. I was afraid that myCanary Bird' would not flower this year but it is better than ever. It is the view from my kitchen window and stands like a yellow umbrella over the fish pond.
The same goes for this clematis. I cut it down as it had rambled everywhere and thought I had 'done for it' but it is beautiful again. I am always afraid to cut things back drastically in case I kill them and so the garden reverts back to nature after a while and becomes quite a jungle, but this year it has all been given a tidy up. I always get terribly excited when I see the new shoots pushing their way out of what looks like dead wood.
These primroses are offspring from ones that were brought from Lyme Regis by my Mum when my parents first moved into this house in the late 1950's. I love this time of year when the garden starts to fill with colour. As we haved removed an old rose and clematis laden arch that was buckling under the weight, there are areas now that are bathed in light again and I am looking forward to seeing what decides to pop its head up from under the gloom.

I have missed a lot of the sunshine this week as I have been catching up on some sewing jobs. I have finished the shirts for the Magician and have been finishing off my Journal Quilts for the end of the month deadline. There's nothing like a deadline to kickstart me into action. With less than two weeks to go I just have my notes to write up and I am finished. Just as well as Linda and I are off on the Ferry to France on Wednesday evening for another of our 'trolley dashes' around Brittany.

Bath Vintage Fashion Salon

2009-04-19T20:15:00.004Z

Early morning in Bath city before the traffic and shopping starts. This was a marathon week-end for me. I arrived in Bath city at 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon . I had a lot to do and I wanted to get my bearings as it is a long time since I was in Bath centre on a week day. I needed to find my B&B and also the most important thing was finding somewhere to park the car all day and evening. I managed all this quite quickly and was able to get unloaded at the venue and put the car away by 2 p.m. Then I went to find my B&B, which turned out to be only a stone's throw away from the venue at Milsom Place. When I was shown my room it was all I could do from getting into bed!!!!!!!!!!!!! but it was back to work for another 4 hours. We had a jolly evening, fueled by a couple of glasses of wine. There were a few customers and everyone seemed set for an enjoyable week-end. When we closed at about 9.30 p.m. I went out for a meal (my first since breakfast at 7 a.m.) with Jane and Joan to a nearby Indian restuarant just up the road. The meal was fantastic and then I staggered back to B&B for bed.
I had taken my wedding dresses with me hoping that there may be a few budding brides about.
The Octagon soon filled up and the atmosphere was set.
These are the fabulous combs I had taken with me. I used an 18th century style wig to display them.
Shoes, flowers and ribbons. I tried hard to make the stall look as pretty and interesting as I could.

Technology Problems Again

2009-04-16T09:41:00.005Z

I am having trouble with my laptop again. So soon after having had a new hard drive. I think it is software problems this time. Internet Explorer refuses to work and I keep getting messages about being corrupt. I will carry on with the trusty Firefox until I can afford to get it looked at again, but although Firefox is a good browser my Website building tools don't support it and all my good intentions of getting the website up to date will have to go on hold.
The photographs are of an outfit I made in 2001 for a Department Store centenary. It is historically accurate to 1901 and I drafted the pattern from Janet Arnold's book 'Patterns of Fashion'. I have listed it on Ebay today. This is the last of my historically accurate stuff now. I have a couple more historical fancy dress outfits made for my shop, including a glorious black and red satin Lady Cavalier outfit complete with Tricorn hat bedecked with massive feathers. I did enjoy making all the historical stuff and there were lots of times when very raucous laughter would be echoing through the corridors of Brewer's Quay, where my shop was situated, when people had put things on the wrong way around.
I have it in mind to start making up costume again and selling it on Ebay. I have a cupboard full of fabric that was bought for the purpose including some luscious regency stripe brocades for waistcoats and jackets, and these things do sell well. At the moment I am making a couple of shirts for a Magician to wear on stage. One is finished and the other half done. The finished one is made of a silver holographic type fabric that turned me stir crazy when the sun was shining through the window on to it. Fortunately my beloved Bernina sewing machine was behaving itself and made the most beautiful set of buttonholes I have seen for a long time. I have after sewing for about 40 years started using the correct feet for the job.!!!!!!!!!!!It does make a difference. I have never been one to read instruction leaflets properly - just scan through and get on with the job and sort out the mistakes later. Always in too much of a hurry, though it wastes time in the long run. When I was a teenager I used to make a skirt to be worn out that night and when I was in my shop I used to work all day and sew all night. Those were the days. I can't do it now. I need my sleep and my eyes go on strike after midnight. I have already cut out my next project-a Regency ballgown in crushed raspberries and cream coloured silk. Once I have finished the Magician I will get going.

2009-04-16T09:03:00.000Z

2009-04-14T22:05:00.002Z

Back to Reality

2009-04-14T21:14:00.005Z

Home again from Cornwall after a lovely few days at Cowslip Workshops. Linda and I were there with our Vintage French Textiles and other lovely goodies.
The weather was lovely and the sun shone for the three days we were there. The farm looked marvellous with daffodils and cowslips in flower all around and lots of lovely lambs frolicking in the fields with their Mums.
We had a great time with Jo and Stephen, who are so generous with their hospitality. We had lots of lovely customers, many of whom have become friends now that we go so regularly. There was an exhibition of quilts in the Workshop made by Sue Spooner and Helen Keenan which were very interesting and a delight to look at.
Friday evening we all had a meal together in the Restaurant which was looking gorgeous with all Jo's lovely textiles. The food as always was excellent and we all had a great time. It is difficult sometimes to remember that we are working here, but we do work very hard with all the packing and heavy lifting so we need to take care of ourselves and enjoy what we are doing. Going to Cornwall to work at Cowslip is one of nicest things we do and we are already looking forward to being back there at August Bank Holiday week-end. However, its back to work as usual and I am now busy getting things ready for the Vintage Fashion Salon at the Octagon, Milsom Place, Bath this week-end. Friday 18th to Sunday 20th.
This promises to be an exciting Fair and I shall be taking lots of lovely costume. Certainly hope it lives up to expectations.

LITLE GEM PROJECT

2009-04-13T10:23:00.007Z

'Little Gems' are A4 size quilts. These little quilts will be at the Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, 20-23 August. They are being collected by the Contemporary Quilt Group for a Tombola to help raise funds for the Quilters Guild Museum at York. Anyone and everyone is invited to take part either by making and donating a 'Little Gem' or by simply buying a ticket. Full details of the project together with photographs of some of the little gems already donated are on the website www.littlegemquilts.wordpress.com .
If you don't want to make a quilt then perhaps you could help spread the word by printing off a poster and asking your local sewing shop to display it in their window.
Any help will be gratefully received as we are quite a way off from the target.