The Big Knit

I'm a bit late on the uptake with Innocent's annual knitting challenge, but with one week left I decided it was better to contribute something than nothing so very slowly (!) I have produced three tiny hats that are now winging their way to London to hopefully be in time for Friday's deadline.

One Year On...

Blogiversary!!

A whole year? Surely not, ok so I'm not the best at regular posting but I've really enjoyed having my blog as a creative thing to think about, to plan and have a reason to do things/take photos/be creative, I highly recommend it to anyone, just do it!

Although being a personal thing I haven't really plugged it out there in cyberspace which is my yr 2 challenge!

I should be having a giveaway, but with no regular readers that may have to wait!!

It is also one year since the annual Witney Feast!!!

Hurrah, the fair came to town and once again I loved the lights, colours, noise and enjoying seeing it all through my kids eyes.

We also had a great time at Blenheim on Saturday watching the cross-country, so I'll try and get some pics up of that tomorrow.

Heading Back to School

Kissing Hands

Last year as my eldest was due to start school I stumbled upon a sweet idea that would remind her that we loved her and were thinking of her on her special day, I think I followed a link from Tip Junkie to 'back to school traditions' from Shauna-na-na for these kissing hands biscuits, which will once again be in her school lunch box tomorrow, to hopefully give her a smile at lunch!

I just used a basic biscuit recipe:

4 1/2 oz plain flour

2oz brown sugar

3oz butter

I halved the quantities as I didn't want to make loads! Rubbed it all in together to make a dough, (I needed a bit of extra flour as it was still quite soft) and rolled it out.

I then drew round the hands on paper and cut out to make a template, then used this to trace round on the dough and cut out, which is a bit fiddly and it pays not to drag the knife but to make small cuts as you run the risk of amputating a finger (a dough one that is!).

The girls then added a chocolate button (snaffling a few out of the packet when they thought I wasn't looking!), I put them onto baking parchment (I love this stuff, I can't cook without it, soo much better than greaseproof paper) and into the oven for about 8-10mins on 160c.

Now I've just got to hope that it survives in one piece until lunchtime! Back to the last minute name labelling now!

The Quilt Show

What a fab day, there was so much to see, there were nearly 1,000 quilts on display, each different with lots of fabulous techniques and fabrics, my eyes were struggling to take it all in I had to leave the halls and have a cup of tea on two occasions so I could sit down and process what I'd seen! It truly was a visual feast for the eyes (and heart). I can't write how excited and inspired I am, I want to be able to create textile art, to use colour, technique and imagination to make a traditional quilt but then also to have an original wall hanging, with handstitching, machine stitching, layers of fabric and thread to create texture, the list is endless!

The only sticking point is that I came away not sure where to start! Not having these skills do I need a book, a pattern to start with or just try free-styling it?! I wish I had booked (that there has been space!) one of the classes to get me in there, give me a place to start, do I try piecing something traditional or see if I can do machine stitching on my machine?

What about fabric! One of the things I need to try/learn is putting colours/fabrics together and cheaply!!

I was naughty a little I did buy a few items, I'll take some piccies tomorrow but treated myself to two fat quarters of Amy Butler, which I intended to display on the the wall first before using! I also got some purple felt and brooch backs for the knitted corsage in progress...and some buttons!!! The stall's there were fabulous, a real wide range and was great to see fabric's in the flesh rather than over a computer screen. The Eternal Maker had some fabulous prints, I had to be very stern with myself! I will of course be filing away the web-sites of new shops for future use!!

So glad I went and I would definitely go again, I'd even buy a ticket next time! The one thing that I did notice is that the majority of people were well ladies and also a lot older than me! Is there an age-restriction on quilting that I'm not aware of?! Although looking at the time/detail you can put into creating, I'm guessing that it works better if you've packed the kids off and you're retired?!!

Festival of Quilts

International Festival of Quilts

I'm off tomorrow to the NEC, as I have won tickets to see the quilt show, which I'm very excited about! I shall have to be careful not to take any money with me though!

After seeing the local quilt group (The Buttercross Quilters) display their large collection of quilts in Bampton a couple of weeks ago, I have wondered about starting a project of my own,but haven't really known where to start,so will be looking with interest tomorrow for inspiration and know-how!

Full report to follow...

SecondHand Goodness

Have enjoyed a day of secondhand rummaging today, to appease my stash-gathering/retail therapy mood!

Had a trip out to Orinoco where I got some fabulous red upholstery material which I hope to cover two tins that I also got, the idea was in the latest issue of Sew Hip and I thought I could store knitting needles in one and pencils in the other..

Got some thin foam for future paint stamping, with some tester tubes of blue fabric paint. Some acetate sheets for stencilling and finally a tin of 'moon shadow' emulsion for one wall of the lounge. Although after slapping a bit on to test, it's a bit bluer than I wanted so may have to mix with some white so it's a bit more muted, but not bad for 50p!

Then it was into Town for a trawl through the charity shops, I was buggyless today (youngest at nursery!) so it meant I could do a big trip and go to the ones with stairs and narrow aisles!

Sobell House was jammed packed with great stuff today, had to rein myself in!

First off, three hoops which I wanted to display nice fabric in and hang on the walls, ala Soulemama,hope to get either some Amy Butler or new Ikea fabric for those.

Then found this half used Softie Kit in the Kids section, has the pattern pieces and instructions for making some fabulous softies, including Treelings from Forest Prints and a fabulous ice cream sandwich from Heidi Kenny at My Paper Crane who's softie donuts I love and I may try my hand at, as for our new craft group at work we are supposed to be doing a 'tea-time' themed item.
Some more wool, all for only £1.50 so I couldn't resist...I'm working on a knitted flower corsage at the moment, so needed some scraps to test on!

And then also, when the sun shone in brief interludes today, I finally managed to cajole my eldest into modelling the Oliver + S 'Lazy Days Skirt' I finally finished last weekend, it's a bright pink print from Ikea. This is the first time she's really worn it, so I may have to make another one in fabric that she chooses next. I just know it'll be something sparkly and spangly! Still it was really easy once I got going and I can definitely see me making more. Thanks to Manda at Treefall for giving my the push to get on as her version is lovely.

Art in Action 2009

Had my first visit (finally) to Art in Action at Waterperry House on Saturday and really enjoyed seeing so much creativity. Lot's of different mediums/disciplines, all very talented people, I enjoyed seeing the wide variety on display. We were lucky with the weather, but glad I'd worn wellies! Will be making a mental note that mud, straw and buggy wheels do not go together though, unless you have an expensive off-road version!

Took lots of photos, ignored the 'please do not take photos' signs as I thought that was a little unfair, I've posted them onto Flickr for perusing, you should be able to click on the above image to see...

My favourite stand of the day was in the market section from Louise Gardiner who does embroidery/illustration, I was blown away haven't seen her work before and it resonated with them completely, would love to be able to do stuff like that, sadly all I could afford was a badge but never mind!!

Had lovely gardens too which were perfect for the kids to run around in and for picnicking - had some v. fab chocolate pancakes!!

I found the textiles tent a bit sparse, bit too arty - definite definition between textiles craft and textiles art me thinks! - lots of batik and not much going on unlike the others which was a bit disappointing. I think I like the market place and the 'Best of the Best' tent the most.

So, recommended, hope to go next year and would like to sign up to some classes next time!