Feeling Good

I don't usually 'do' big gigs - preferring smaller venues.  But last night I made an exception and found myself at Wembley.  

I can't begin to tell you how spectacular Muse were last night - first time I've seen them but it won't be the last.  Worth every penny of the ticket price, and I didn't even care that I went on my own.  A fabulous night.

The light show was pretty impressive too.

I've got a lot on at the moment - work and family stuff, so I've decided to have a  short break from blogging for a month or so.  To ensure that you come back when I start again, I promise to have my first ever giveaway - so watch this space!

Feeling Good - Muse (or Nina Simone, if that's more you're thing)

Second Hand Rose

I saw this blouse in a charity shop - I loved the fabric which  was a well-washed  cotton and  is consequently soft, rather than crisp, and having tried it on, it fitted well, but I hated the puffed sleeves.  Inspired by regularly reading New Dress a Day who takes some unbelieveably hideous garments and transforms them into something wearable, I decided to give it a go. 

So, I cut out the sleeves and stitched a little turning, and now I love it.  All for £2.99.

I had quite a productive day, doing some stitching on my rust dyed fabric, using metallic thread (as per my homework) and taking ideas from my sketchbook as inspiration. 

The ones above are ATC sized - and I've decided I'm not very good at doing edges, especially the corners - so any advice would be welcome! 

I think that the black stitching on the last one is a bit heavy looking for the background, but I like the rust markings.

I'm probably too slapdash - but I guess if I keep practising they will improve.  At least I've had more success with the metallic thread - I used a different machine, and put the spool in a jam jar behind it, rather than on the spool holder.  (Blimey - this is interesting stuff isn't it)

Anyway, I'm going now before you doze off.  I'm going to see Muse at Wembley later - all by myself - so I do hope it doesn't rain.

(Second Hand Rose - Fanny Brice) Who knew she was a real person?!?

Pictures In An Exhibition

I popped into Art Van Go yesterday, partly to see the Made at Art Van Go exhibition, which looked brilliant - really varied with some great work, including a couple of paintings by my friend Jill,

some fabulous books 

 this huge piece, which I loved ....

and even a couple of bits you may have seen on here before .....

I have posted more photos on the Art Van Go blog if you'd like to see more.

My other reason for going today, was that Pauline Verrinder was in the studio, demonstrating machine embroidery, and she had produced some lovely stitched textile jewellery

It just so happens that she has recently been working on seed pods - which is what I'm supposed to be working on in my sketchbook.  Fortuitous or what??

(Pictures In An Exhibition - Death Cab for Cutie)
You didn't think I was going to go for Emerson Lake and Palmer, did you?

Rust

On Wednesday we had the first meeting of our "Embroidery Group That Dare Not Speak It's Name"  - but only because it hasn't got one yet.  We are made up of members from our  previous City and Guilds Group, plus one welcome addition, and with Gina, aka Fan My Flame as our mentor. This term we are focusing on metals, so to that end I spent the best part of a day trying to stitch with metallic thread.  At a conservative estimate, I would say that my thread broke about 8,256 times, and that I completely re-threaded the machine approximately 3,008 times.  And all without a single swear word.  Next class I will be mostly stitching in quilting thread.

The other activity was considerably more successful (how could it not be?) with Gina showing us how to do rust dyeing.  We soaked fabric in salt water, and wrapped up various rusty objects - I'm SO glad I come from a long line of hoarders - although what my Grandad would have made of me sorting out the rustiest nails and bolts from his collection, and then wrapping them in wet fabric is anybody's guess.

We had to leave them for at least 24 hours, and I managed nearly 48.

 (I did think it might be another unmitigated disaster like the metallic stitching, so I was just delaying things I suppose.  I took my parcel outside 

I started unwrapping, and it was clear that at least something had happened

 And it had - although I think my neighbours may be a bit concerned about my washing

I'm going to use it for my homework, and then for a piece for our first exhibition (cos "The Mentorist" says so)

You may notice my usual heart shape - in the middle of the right hand piece.

I didn't get where I am today without a battered and rusty old heart.

(Rust - Echo and The Bunnymen)

The Last Time

Well, I'd love to be able to report that that Tewin Car Show was an unmitigated success, and that we sold loads of stuff.  I'd love to, but it would be a complete fabrication.

First, the pluses - despite a slightly damp start to the day, the sun came out and it was a lovely day.  Val's gazebo was really easy to put together, so no hitches there.  We didn't even mangle any tent pegs.  (I have to say, that as everyone was setting up on the cricket field, and the 1950's music was playing  over a crackly loud speaker, the day began to feel like the start of an episode of Midsommer Murders, so to ensure that we weren't inadvertently responsible for any nasty 'incidents', we made sure that we securely locked Val's claw hammer in the van - you can't be too careful)
We set our stall out (as they say) and we were pleased with how it looked, with Jill's pictures -

My cake stands and jewellery -

and a small selection of Val's knitted stuff -

We had a few visitors , and about a dozen people said how lovely my cake stands were, but then they turned over the ticket, saw the price and walked away.  I'd priced them at £25.  Now, leaving aside my time, for a moment,  they actually cost me £15 per stand to make, just for the plates and fittings.  Then there's the time involved in hunting down suitable plates, driving to the suppliers to buy the fittings, and the special drill bit you need to make the holes.  It took quite a time to make them, and to choose which plates went together, then package them, and pay for the cost of the craft stall.  So, I don't think £25 is unreasonable, do you?

Never mind, I guess that's some of my Christmas presents sorted out. 

All in all, I sold 5 cards, for the princely sum of £4.50.  Well, it would have been £4.50 but one of my customers was busy chatting and forgot to pay me, so I actually took £3 all day.  I think it's unlikely I'll be nominated for "Business Woman of the Year"  

The only time I took any cash, was when I was doing my one hour stint in the refreshment tent - when we served cakes and drinks non-stop- including serving Lewis Hamilton's dad with a cup of tea!

On the positive side, I got to spend the day in the sunshine with two great friends, and we did have a laugh, and from where our pitch was, we were fortunate enough to be in prime position to watch the Morris dancers

I'd love to say more about the Morris dancers, but I really can't afford to offend any potential customers.  I remember watching a programme about them once, and the interviewer asked why they did it.  One of the dancers said that there was always a lot of alcohol involved.  I guess there would have to be.

The lack of customers meant that I had a chance to look around at the Classic cars - and this one was the most unusual - it's hand built and the bodywork is highly polished wood.

If I could have had my pick of the cars I saw - and there were lots of Porsches and Lamborghinis - I'd have picked the White Thunderbird.  I love those big American cars with 'fins'.  Knowing my luck though,  I  BET it belongs to one of the Morris Men.

So, I know I've said it before - and I'll quite possibly say it again - that's the last time I do a craft fair.  From now on I just make stuff for me.  Probably.

(The Last Time - Rolling Stones)

Crumbs From Your Table

Been busy making for the Tewin Car Show tomorrow.  I've made some 'rock' corsages, using imitation leather.  Not sure what I think of them, the design definitely needs more work, but being me, everything is left until the last minute as usual.   Oh well, another work in progress.

And I've made some necklaces - 

The pictures aren't brilliant, but I'm quite pleased with how they've turned out, and they look good against the black velvet background - which is actually my wooden chopping board shoved down the leg of my Mum's velvet trousers.  It's ok, she took them off first.

I have a stall at the show with two friends, and we have to start the day by erecting a gazebo, in case of pouring rain, or (ever the optimist) scorching sunshine.  None of us has ever put up a gazebo before.  What can possibly go wrong?  

Talking of which, you know in recipes where it says 'allow to completely cool before removing from the tin'.  I now know why it says that.  I made another courgette cake yesterday, and it looked beautiful.  I waited quite a long time for it to cool.  Oh ok, about 10 minutes then.  I carefully lifted it out in it's paper case and it promptly collapsed and dropped on the floor.  Mashed up courgette cake crumbs, anybody?

(Crumbs From Your Table - U2)

Lost and Found

Guess what - I found them!  I had a flash of inspiration - it still happens occasionally.  I looked in my studio and I went straight to my sparkles.  They were in a little plastic box, that fits (with lots of others) into a bigger plastic box.  I'm telling you, just in case I forget again.  Anyway,  as promised, here they are adorning the tshirt.  Ok, so it's not much to get excited about, but I was pleased.

I think what I'd better do is make a list of everything I have in the world, and write where I've put it.  At least then I'd only have to read through a long list, and I wouldn't have to turn everything out, and put it away again.

So, having got the day off to a good start, I thought I'd make some cake stands for an upcoming craft event.  I'd already got some plates drilled, I drilled some more, and I've come up with these.

They are for the Classic Car Show at Tewin on Sunday.  I'm having a stall with some friends, and I'm also doing teas for an hour or so,  (I'm only warning you in case you're coming, and you may decide you'd prefer  to bring a flask!). Hopefully I'll have made some jewellery before Sunday too.  WHY do I always leave everything to the last minute???

(Lost And Found - Echo & The Bunnymen)