Double Treble Bobble

Wow, what a great time I am having. The culmination of several months has come to fruition. So much has happened since I read an article last year about an arts event in Cumbria called 'Workshops in People's Homes' and decided to contact them (ANDfestivals).

I have been on an amazing journey and have met some new friends.

The mentor; the amazing artist Joshua Soafer, who has a thing about noses.

The facilitators; Tricia and the rest of the Abandon Normal Devices team.

The participants; Barbara, Celia, Colin, Di, Hugh, Jean & Maud, Kat, Nicholas, and Sue.

By volunteering to assist with the Peer Assessment of the workshops. I have :-

Made felt, whilst swapping stories of home, with Jean and Maud, my felt to be incorporated into a giant nest which will be displayed at Woolfest.

After being interviewed over the phone about by memories of home, I have received an original watercolour painting by Celia.

Put up a tent and walked round a playing field with Hugh, whilst chatting about home.

Drunk barley and rye shots, and looked at all things grass with Sue in her home and the field.

Been welcomed into a temporary summer home, made temporary art and practiced mindfulness with Di.

For myself I have finally put into some sort of order my collection of crochet artefacts, patterns and books. I have researched into the social history of textiles and put together a light hearted lecture with a museum type display in my living room. I have welcomed members of the public into my home and hope I have promoted the craft/art of crochet.

I am not an historian, or a crochet professional, I'm just passionate about crocheting. And this is just a little look into of what I have put together. Please excuse the shaky video, I took with my iPad and there is no commentary.

The journey has been fascinating and enjoyable, and may yet be continuing. Who knows where this will take me.

Gardening, an upcycle, and Tunisian Crochet

It's so lovely to see the sun again, it lifts ones spirits and enhances creativity. 

My garden has received some love.

Beds dug, seeds planted and anti cat protection put in place. I don't mind sharing my garden with the neighbours' cats, but I do object to them digging holes where I want flowers.

I edged one bed with scallop shells I collected on a holiday to Skye.

Bulbs in pots are also beginning to poke through the compost. I use crushed egg shells to deter snails.

A couple of tulips have peeped through from the garden next door to add a bit of colour.

I've also tried my hand at a bit of recycling! An unwanted pallet, blue paint, an old shower curtain, and ta-da, a vertical herb garden. I saw the idea a couple of weeks ago and I'm quite pleased with my results. Seeds for coriander, basil, parsley and rocket planted and a mint from Aldi this morning planted.

On with my museum displays, one for Tunisian Crochet, 

and was so inspired to make some so crocheted this bag. Just need to find a button and make some straps.

Not sure what this stitch pattern is called, it's a mix of TSS (Simple stitch) and TPS (purl stitch).

Think I have earned a little sit in the sun now. Hope the sun is shining where you are.

Sandra xx

Tool of unknown purpose and more museum preparation

I'm glad my parents are organised hoarders. Many items have been saved even if they don't know what they are. One such item was rediscovered last week and I have been trying to find out what it is.

It's about 7inches in length with a blunt point on one end 

and a flattened one on the other.

The middle is wood and it has what appears to be dried glue stuck to it, so I know it has been used at some point. It also has a label stuck on it with my grandparents surname on it so I'm assuming it may have been used out of the home.

My grandmother was a great needle woman so may have used it for some type of craft.

My grandfather worked in K-Shoes in Kendal, but I'm sure he would have been provided with tools at work.

So far it's been suggested:-

An awl

A sail making tool

Something for making marks in clay

Hand loom tool

Shoemaking tool

But perhaps you know better?

Do you have any items of unknown purpose which you would like to share? Somebody, somewhere will know what it is.

The preparations for the museum are ongoing. This lovely sunny weather has been an ideal opportunity to launder my linens. All have crochet borders. Some were made by my grandmother, others I have picked up over the years, collected just because I like them. 

Some are quite intricate.

Some are showing their age. Well some will be over 100 years old.

All ironed now, they smell so fresh and feel so crisp.

Off now to sort out more items for my museum. It's 'Stitch-n-Bitch at mine tonight so I also need to tidy up and make cake.

Edinburgh Knitting & Stitching Show haul

Fantastic day yesterday at the first Knitting & Stitching Show held in Edinburgh. Plenty of people there without being in a crush.

Really pleased with my purchases.

Advent Calendar print, always wanted to make one of these.

Fat quarters in ditsy prints, not sure what I am going to make with these.

Silk cocoon stripings - got a plan for these😉

Angelina fibres, to add bling to my works

Bias binder folder

Friction pen

There were some great exhibits there too. Would have loved to buy an original but settled on two cards showing felt/blanket, hand and machine embroidery by Michala Gyetvai. 

Also had time to attend one of the 1hr workshops on offer. I selected block printing on fabric with Pat Archibold. It was great fun experimenting with bondaweb, glue granules, sequins and ink. I added the beads this morning. She has full day workshops in her studio which she said is near the Waverley train station, so will be accessible from Cumbria.

Not sure which side I should present as the front as it works from both sides.

Now to get back to planning for the crochet museum.

Crochet Workshop Event

I'm ever so excited to announce that my Crochet Workshop event is open for bookings.

This is a one off event for me. I recently retired from 22 years working for the same company and took an opportunity to do something different.

The Workshops in People's Homes is an art project run by AND (Abandon Normal Devices). There are 10 workshops being held throughout Cumbria during May/June and I am one of them.

I have turned my living room into a crochet museum where I will deliver a lecture on the social history of the craft of crochet, followed by tea and a slice of traditional Westmorland baking and an opportunity to try crochet techniques.

To see about my workshop, click here.

To see the full programme, click here.

Preparations are underway. First job is to sort out what I have got

then wash the blankets to freshen up. Not often you see such a colourful washing line.

What am I made from?

Fabric scraps wound round washing line then machined into bowls with zig zag stitches. Makes a sturdy bowl. Thank you Janet from The Threshing Barn for the workshop. www.threshingbarn.com

Glorious Patterns

I always take a quick look at the knitting patterns in charity/junk shops and occasionally I find a crochet pattern or two, but look what I got yesterday, FIVE, yes FIVE patterns. Liking the Wendy Miami, though it is a bit chunky. Also, is that Joanna Lumley in a fetching jacket?