Personality Crisis.

I've had a great (and quite productive) week.  I think it must be because it seems as if Spring is on it's way.

Wednesday was the meeting of our embroidery group, and Gina showed us how to make handmade books, and I finished two - the colours are a bit naff, but it was just a practice.  

The bigger of the two is a hardback cover, and the small one has lots of little folded pockets.  As I say, the choice of colours leaves a bit to be desired, and the folded cover of the little book should really be in card rather than paper, but you get the general idea.

Then on Thursday, it was beading - at the moment I'm beading around sparkly rivolis with a view to connecting them together with other round elements and making them up into a necklace.  

On Friday I met my sister at Textiles in Focus where we had a lovely day.  We did a workshop called Mini Textile Masterpieces run by Bonnie Osbourne.  I came home and finished mine.

On Saturday it was another workshop - this time with the Embroiderers' Guild, tutored by Jill Flower.  It was brilliant - I've wanted to do a workshop with Jill since I first saw her work at the Knitting and Stitching Show a couple of years ago.  And, believe it or not, I finished one brooch while I was there -

and another was well on it's way and I finished it when I got home.  

There are lots more pictures of the brooches that everyone else made on Gina's blog.

The only slight problem, is that whenever I go on a workshop and make something new or learn a new technique, I want to spend the rest of my life devoted to doing whatever we learnt that day.  So, I've had a bit of a crisis of personality this week - one minute I'm a bookbinder, then I'm a jewellery maker, then I'm a minature artist.

Just so long as I don't become a cook.

Personality Crisis - New York Dolls

Viva Las Vegas!

Sorry I've been away so long - I love to say I've been busy stitching/painting/sketching - or even practising the guitar, but sadly, I've not done nearly enough of any of those.

I have made half a pair of socks though -

I've never made a sock before, and I turned the heel without too much trouble, and even grafted the toes.  How wonderful - a garment with no sewing up!  I'll try and remember to let you know when I've knitted the matching one.

As for sketching - I did draw a biscuit.  In the past, I think I've been rather scathing of custard creams, I  tend to think of them as 'old-lady' biscuits.  (as if  knitting socks somehow isn't an 'old lady' occupation!)  Anyway, if you look at them, they are really quite pretty.  Such a lot of trouble to go to when it's just going to get eaten in one or two bites.  So I drew one,

And when did I find time to draw this?  Whilst waiting for yesterday's game to start!  Yes, I know I'm not the slightest bit interested in football, but I was working at Leyton Orient yesterday, and I'm afraid the excitement did start to rub off.  After all, this is a sight not often seen at Leyton's ground -

The whole place was really buzzing.  Just for once, there were as many bums as there were seats, even if quite a lot of those were Arsenal bums  (if you'll pardon the expression) and the atmosphere was brilliant.  I never thought I'd see Arsene Wenger walk around the pitch at Orient.  Although, I have to admit,  I've never really given the idea much thought previously.  There were even cheer leaders, and a release of red and white ballons.  As for the supporters, they were the loudest I've ever heard them, it sounded like a proper football ground!  Obviously, Arsenal had to play in yellow, because we'd already bagsied the red.

Leyton had done really well to get to this stage of the FA Cup, but, not wishing to appear disloyal you understand, I fully expected them to get well and truly beaten by Arsenal. But it just goes to show how wrong you can be.  For, not only did they NOT get thrashed, but thanks to an Orient equaliser in the last few minutes of the game, they managed a splendid 1-1.  

This footballing lark is beginning to grow on me.   I'm going to try and get a ticket to see the re-match at the Emirates.  

I could always take my knitting.

Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley

And in case you're wondering about the significance of this post's song title - Barry Hearn  promised to take the team to Las Vegas if they got to play at the Emirates.  Sadly, I don't think the offer is extended to Control Room staff.