Sunday, 27 March 2011

Newts and workshops

This morning Christopher spotted a tiny newt on the paving slabs in the courtyard garden, presumably making its way to the pond as it's the breeding season. So tiny, and so perfect.

I've not been able to do any sewing this week, since my sewing machine was being serviced. I was getting such withdrawal symptoms that I was tempted to dig out my old Singer Featherweight, but I've been pretty busy so never got around to that. I collected the machine on Friday and hope to do a little sewing this afternoon. But then, we're off in our camper van for a week, so more hand sewing only, if I have time. We're going to a campsite where we can get a train easily enough into London, and have three shows booked, and plan to visit a couple of museums or art galleries as well. And I have definite plans for a visit to Liberty.

I've been to two workshops this week. The first was to make a Surprise Box; I made a box with trays last year so this wasn't too difficult to get made.



I think I'm going to keep it in the van to use when we go away.

Yesterday I was at the last of a series of 6 workshops, one a month, where we've been designing and making our own machine embroidered masterpiece. Yesterday we made the frame for it; fiddly and time consuming, but worth it as it makes the finished picture look quite professional.



I really wasn't too sure whether I'd like it as I was working through the process, but now that it's finished and framed I'm quite pleased with it. 

The clocks went forward an hour this morning, for BST, and I find it quite disorientating to have lost an hour. I don't seem to have been up for long and it's already nearly 12 o'clock. 

See you in a week or so,

9 comments:

Amelia said...

Such lovely work!

Have fun on your vacation...enjoy the change of pace.

jabblog said...

Enjoy your week!

I feel as though I've lost an hour, too. It will be lovely to have lighter evenings, though.

Karen said...

I had a pattern about 20 years ago for a similar box. But you had to purchase a cardboard form for it. I did not know that when I purchased the pattern and had no idea where to find one. That was pre-internet days. Did you make your own form?

Amy said...

(in reverse order)
Yeah, we had our time change a couple of weeks ago already. Disorienting is a great description.

And that BOX! How cool!!! Would LOVE to try something like that, but it looks way too hard!

And ...ewwwwwwwwwwwww (the response from lil' Candace next to me when looking at the Newt).

I'll be looking forward to pictures from the trip! :0)

Candace said...

Beautiful projects and wonderful work.

Kay said...

I like it too. It's such a beautiful piece to display. Your surprise box looks very handy. Have a wonderful time in London. Perhaps you can stay there for THE wedding. :-)
Love the newt, too. We don't have any over here.

StuffandThings said...

Oh my gosh. I love it. Lots of texture and movement in the design. And I sympathize with the sewing machine withdrawal. Mine is gone for repair and I had to borrow my daughter's sewing machine (It used to be mine.)

Unknown said...

Beautiful embroidery. Sounds like a great workshop.

Simone de Klerk said...

I surely like it and it must have been a great process!