» Listings for 2010

1. Shiny things...

   Posted on 10:37am Wednesday 10th Nov 2010

   I try to stay focused but I can't help but be enticed by new things to have a play with. Recent items have including french knitting spools, shrink plastic and miniature pegs! Today was one of those days and on a trip to my second home (Hobbycraft) for supplies, I found Mirror Mosaics:

   I'm always partial to shiny sparkly things and these caught my eye as a cross between shisha mirrors and mosaic tiles. They are only diddy at 5mm square and all I have to do now is find something to stick them on...

   I was good though, I put back the V&A Quilt Exhibition printing blocks and the Gliterrati faceted gems! Until next time anyway...

2. A clothes kit

   Posted on 2:07am Sunday 7th Nov 2010

   Had a fabulous birthday present from my sister this week, I asked for a clothkits skirt but when she realised there was a 3 week lead time on the order she decided to make one herself! Here is the kit in its box:

   

   She made hen, chicks and egg shell printing blocks herself, hand printed the fabric herself, adapted a skirt pattern to one I liked, made up the kit and wrote making up instructions! What an amazing and personal present. It's almost too nice to make up but she will be cross if I don't!

   I'll post a picture of the finished skirt when it's done...

3. Window dressing....

   Posted on 4:13am Friday 5th Nov 2010

   Ever wondered what happens to all of the old sewing machines that no one wants anymore? I'm guessing this clothes shop in Brighton bought them all for their window display:

   

   Cool or what?  And they are in all the upstairs windows too!

   

4. 'Good day at work dear?'

   Posted on 3:21am Friday 29th Oct 2010

   I have done my fair share off going to work in an office and I have to say I'm happy to not be doing that anymore! I have worked in some awful places then again I have also worked in some of the best. You do get used to an environment though and occasionally something happens to remind you exactly what you've got.

   Yesterday was one of those days. I teach for the Royal School of Needlework every Thursday at Hampton Court Palace. Yesterday when I arrived, all the car parks, lanes and tea rooms were filled with film crew. Not unusual, a lot of films shoot scenes there but I have never seen this many. It then turned out that it was for Pirates of the Carribean IV! And yes Johnny Depp was there much to the excitment of my class, and embroidery took second place for the day! Here are some naval officers taking a rest in Clock Court while filming went on behind:

   

   There were also lots of cavalry outside the main entrance and the horses looked rather fine, but the picture didn't come out very well.

   Lunchtime was no less interesting with a botanical exhibition on in the Clore Centre. The work was exceptional and makes me want to get my watercolour paints out and get painting.

   I grumble about the long drive to work but it's not a bad place to spend the day really..

5. Hom(e)age to Mondrian!

   Posted on 4:12am Wednesday 27th Oct 2010

   I was walking along the beach in San Francisco and passed this house:

   

   Apparently they have a matching car! Elsewhere at the time of photo unfortunately...

   That's a pretty bold way of personalising your house. Not that they are the only ones. Walk in the other direction from the ocean and you might come across the house with the bubbles...