Faces

Blimey - it's been weeks again - how did that happen?

I've been busy though, I did a one day drawing class where we tried various mark making techniques, including wax resists, stencils and collage to create a portrait,  (thankfully, it didn't have to be too realistic).  

Although I find like-like portraits are very difficult to achieve, when I got home I had a go at copying someone from the front of the Radio Times. I don't think I'll have too many issues with copyright.  It's not brilliant, but then I've never drawn a particle Physicist before.  And at least a few people women have recognised who it's meant to be.

We did more drawing of faces at Spectrum today.  Gina made it slightly more tricky as we weren't supposed to look down at the paper, only at the face of the person we were drawing.  Which explains this monstrosity.

Fortunately, Janet isn't easily offended.  In case you're wondering, in real life, her face is more or less symmetrical, with eyes, nose and mouth in the usual places. 

Anyway, of all the drawings I did, this was my favourite (which gives you some indication of how my others turned out) so this was the one I chose to stitch.

I really enjoyed the day.  I've also been doing some other stitching, but it's too dark to take photographs now, so they'll have to keep for another time.

FACES - YEAH YEAH YEAHS

YOU CAN'T HURRY (g) LOVE (s)

A few months ago, my Mum was clearing out one of her cupboards, and found some half-knitted gloves.  She doesn't knit anymore, so she handed them to me saying "You might as well finish these".

Not a problem - except that she no longer had the pattern.  Still, shouldn't be beyond me, I thought.  Yesterday, in the spirit of completing my half-finished projects, I dug out the gloves, and the remaining wool.  I gauged  guessed the size of needles, and sat down to knit, but then I realised that they weren't knitted in a simple rib, as I'd first thought, and that the inside looked like this, although the outside did just look like a normal K1P1 rib.  

Mmm.  Not to be outdone,  I then got all my knitting books out and looked for something similar, and I eventually decided that it looked like reverse seed stitch.  I did a test square to check and luckily it seemed to match, so I managed to get them finished over the course of the evening.  Not really my colour, but at least that's another project finished.

This morning I rang Mum to tell her, and explained that it had been trickier than I expected, not having the pattern, and all.  She said she definitely DID have a pattern at one time, and she could clearly picture it (pity she couldn't picture the instructions, then) 

Apparently, she was making them for my nephew, to keep his hands warm while he was doing his paper round.  As he is now in his late twenties and works in an insurance office, I can't really see him needing them now.

Anyway, there's enough wool left to make a hat, should I so choose.

Looks like I might need one ...............

You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes

Hollywood (again!)

I know I intended to blog more regularly, but, to be honest, but I've been spending SO much time at the gym, and cooking healthy meals, not to mention practising the guitar until my fingers bled, etc, that I just haven't had a minute.

My friend Debs came down from Birmingham for the day on Saturday, and we met at the V&A, just before they took their magnificent tree down from the entrance hall.

We visited the Hollywood Costumes exhibition - (my  second visit, and I'm planning to go again in a couple of weeks) followed by my third visit to see the Ballgowns (this has closed now)  Then we went for lunch - Debs had never seen the cafe at the V&A before and was very impressed with the decor

 (

and I opened my beautifully wrapped present

With this pretty rubber stamp set  inside ..

A lovely thoughtful present, thank you Debs.

I'm afraid to say that in spite of my best intentions, the chocolate coins and the little packet of Lovehearts included in the parcel were inadvertently consumed on the way home.

I have managed a bit better with some of my other 'good intentions' - I've done Pilates and Yoga classes, with more sessions already booked, and I've walked to Ware and back on two separate occasions, and  I've cooked delicious, warming homemade soups, (from real veg!).

As for completing ongoing projects, I've now crocheted all the squares I need for a cushion, and I've joined them together.  

So, not quite finished, but on the way.  

I have, however, finished a jumper I was knitting.  I'd bought 13 balls of Patons Husky yarn from a charity shop a couple of years ago.  I searched everywhere for a suitable pattern, then believe it or not, I found that I still had a pattern for the same yarn that I'd knitted when I was about 17. 

See, maybe it does pay to be less than ruthless when decluttering. 

Although it says Beehive, the Husky was a pure wool alternative on the pattern. I wanted to change it a bit to a funnel neck, and I had to make it an inch shorter in the body due to having barely enough yarn, but it turned out fine - and as I was meeting the girls for knitting today, I took it with me and put it on for a photo opportunity. 

Fairly sensible pose ....

and a less sensible one

And in case you were thinking "Blimey, that healthy eating regime hasn't come a moment too soon!", can I say that what appears to be excess flab around the middle, is definitely, at least partially, loose jumper.

In fact, I have knitted exactly the same size that I knitted when I was 17!  Although I am prepared to accept that this one isn't quite so baggy on me now.

Hollywood - Marina and the Diamonds

Happy New Year

Nothing like starting the Year as you mean to go on.  I'm not saying that any of these are resolutions, more  good intentions.

1) Get more exercise.

I haven't actually been to the gym, (it's closed today) but I've booked two sessions for later in the week.  

2) Eat more healthily 

 I've got homemade vegetable soup for tea, and so far I've not had any cake or sweets.   But then it's not bedtime yet.

3) Update the blog more regularly.

Well, so far so good.

4) Stop buying so much 'stuff' - and use up what 'stuff' you've got.

I haven't spent any money, not even online. Plus, I've actually used some 'stuff' today ...... making a case for my ipad.  I've had a 'practical' case for some time, but I fancied making a pretty one.

I used (or mostly re-used) fabric I'd already got, dismantling a cushion cover, and cutting up an old and tatty embroidered tray cloth that I bought in a charity shop a while ago.  I was a bit stuck as the 'recipe' called for pretty bias binding, and I didn't have any.  I was all set to wait until I could get to the shops to buy some, but then I remembered that many years ago I bought a little gadget for making bias binding.  Surprise surprise, it only took a few minutes to find - it was in the second place I looked!  

The price ticket said it was £3.55 from C&H fabrics in Ilford, (long since closed down) so I know I must have bought it at least twenty years ago - and the packet was still sealed.  Obviously, it's the first time in 20 years that I've had an urgent bias binding emergency.

I followed the instructiuons and cut the bias strips, and joined them together, 

then it was simple to pull the fabric strip through the bias maker and press the edges in place

I don't know why I've waited all this time to use it, it was a brilliant little gadget.

Which meant I was able to completely finish the project..........

Right, if you'll excuse me, I'm just off to practice the guitar and that's Good Intention number 5 covered.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR - ABBA

Merry Christmas Everybody

In the post-shopping and present-wrapping frenzy I've had a few productive interludes.  One of my friends asked me if I'd help her with her new hobby - crochet.  I agreed to help, despite the fact that I've only had one lesson myself and haven't picked up a hook for over a year.  Anyway, I had a quick practice, and in that time, and the four hours we spent together drinking tea, chatting; - oh and eating our way through a packet of chocolate biscuits - I managed these,

Enough for a cushion when I get round to stitching them together.

 

The following day I met the girls for our last coffee and knitting session of the year.  We met on Friday morning, and on Thursday at 9pm one of our number suggested we do a Secret Santa.  Nothing like being prepared, is there.  Of course, being the clever, resourceful women that we are, we all turned up with appropriate gifts and everyone seemed pleased.  I for one was delighted with my pressie - handmade festive lavender bags -

much too beautiful to only been seen at Christmas!

 

This afternoon I've been reading my friend Gina's blog with my Mum, who asked the question that all of Gina's readers want the answer to "Where does that girl get all her time from?"

 

So, not to be outdone, we decided it wasn't too late to make mince pies of our own.  Obviously we crafted our beautiful pies from pastry, made from scratch, and homemade mincemeat

And despite much rummaging in Mum's kitchen drawers, we couldn't find a star cutter so had to improvise.

(excuse the state of the baking tray, it was clean when we started)

Anyway, they turned out ok, and for asthetics, I decided to sprinkle them with a little icing sugar.  Except I was a bit heavy handed and a flurry of snow turned into a minor avalanche.

They tasted ok though, and after visitors this evening, half of them have gone already.

I'm afraid I can never aspire to be a domestic goddess like Gina, but that won't stop me having the occasional dabble.

Anyway, sorry I've been a bit of an irregular blogger recently, and even worse at replying to comments, but I really am delighted when I get them, so thank you, and I like to say ....

Have a very Happy Christmas xx

New Shoes

In my last 'catch up' post I didn't mention what we did at Spectrum last week, apart from eating and chatting.  Gina demonstrated how to make little 'petal bags' - based on a design in this lovely book by Jenny Rolfe. 

We used black and white fabric that we had previously printed ourselves, which were then machine embroidered.  I finished mine last night

I think they may be going into our 2014 exhibition, so for once I haven't left it until the last minute to finish them.  However, the odds of me remembering where I've put them in a year's time are negligible.

I've been out shopping with my friend Jill today - and she was under very strict instructions not to let me buy any more boots.  And she didn't.  However, while her back was turned and she was busy elsewhere in the shop, I saw these. 

Jill arrived back just as I was trying them on, and I justified them by claiming that they would make good "posh Christmas slippers".  Says me, who has otherwise turned a bit Bah Humbug recently.  In case you wondered what particularly drew me to them, here's a close up.

As you can see, very practical, and highly appropriate for a woman of my years. Not.

Still Here

I'm never really sure if anyone reads this, except my Mum, but it seems they do, as I have had a number of enquiries from friends, checking that I'm okay as I've not been on here for weeks.  So I thought I'd better write a quick post to say I am still here, I've just been a bit busy. 

So, a quick summary (with pictures) of what I've been doing and making since we last met ........

Two trips to visit my parents in Norfolk, with a lovely walk along the front at Hunstanton with my Dad, just as the sun was going down.  I think it's the first time I've EVER walked along there when it hasn't been blowing a gale, you can see how flat the sea was.

Then, a weekend in Whitstable with the girls, for a bit of shopping and pottering.  We went there last year, and it was so pleasant, we booked the same cottage again.
We visited the Turner Contemporary gallery at Margate and saw these by Maria Nepomuceno

and a visit to the little Museum in Whitstable.  I really liked these pieces made with wire, they look like 3d line drawings, if that's not a contradiction in terms.

Apart from that, I've been beading.  

Good job I took a photograph of my little beaded flower, because I've lost it.  I remember where it was for ages, then I put it somewhere safe, and now I can't remember where it is.  I guess it will turn up sometime.

I made a cover for a photograph album, for my Mum's birthday, using vintage fabrics and buttons

I made this dress ....

I made the version with the full length sleeves, but they are VERY full and although I really like the dress, it's a bit too, er, 'sleeve-ish' so I think I am going to chop them off and make short sleeves instead.  

It's not my usual style at all, but I tried on a Ted Baker dress in a similar style and fabric (as a dare from a friend while we were out shopping) and although I really liked it, I wasn't prepared to pay that amount of money for a frock, so decided to make my own.  THAT way, if it languishes unworn in my wardrobe, it'll only have cost me 20 quid instead of 200.

Next, I made a skirt from a pattern in the Sew Serendipity book .  I like the style, and loved doing the frills, but not quite sure about my fabric choice.  If all else fails I can always cut it up the back, add ties and it's an apron!

We had a meeting of Spectrum on Wednesday - it was touch and go whether we got there due to the weather, but as we had all made things for our shared Christmas lunch, and as you know, I don't cook lightly, I braved the journey.  I'm glad I did, because by the afternoon it looked like this

We are planning our second exhibition for early 2014, and we needed to be 'on the way' with our first piece.  Which means more than just an idea in our head.  So, as I am working on wearable art, using fabric that I've printed myself, I thought I would get the first pattern sorted.  I drafted the pattern for an eight gored skirt, that flared out quite a bit at the bottom.  I thought I would try the pattern out for size, using some odd bits of  of curtain and upholstery samples that I'd been given years ago.  But, when I tried it on I decided I liked it, so I put a zip in it and tacked the hem. The girls at Spectrum seemed to like it, but when I tried it on again at home in front of the mirror, I decided that the combination of the upholstery fabric, and the flared out shape of the pattern, meant that I looked just a little bit like a standard lamp.

Not to be daunted, I tapered the pieces, and rehemmed it, and now, not only do I like it, but I've already worn it.  My first 'wearable muslin'!

I know why I was thinking 'lampshade' - it's because a week or two ago I had made this

using vintage linens again. Quite pleased with it, but if I made another one I think I'd line it in white cotton, to diffuse the light a bit more.

Oh and in case anyone thinks it's a bit wicked to cut up pretty tablecloths, I only do it with the stained or ripped ones; the perfect ones stay intact, honest.

I'll try not to leave it so long next time ....

STILL HERE - New Model Army