Feeling Much Better

Well I thought it was time that I blogged. I am feeling sooooo much better. I am really enjoying this weather. Yesterday we went out for a drive round the North Devon coast. It was not quite as warm and sunny there but it didn't rain. Today was shopping day so it is all catching up with me now.
Last weekend we went out for the day to try and find somewhere to go mackerel fishing. We ended up in Ilfracombe. As we drove to the car park on the quey i noticed several people were dressed up. I new immediately that it must have been Victorian week. As we parked the car I wondered why the harbour wall was edged with people looking out to sea. They were waiting for the Waverley(a paddle steamer) to come in. It was already two hours late. I thought I would join the on lookers. When it got into the harbour I was surprised at how big she was. It was lovely to see all the elegantly clad passengers board the Waverly while the buskers played old time music.

The Waverley




This morning before 7, I heard a bang on the window. I thought that sounds like a bird. About 15 minutes later my husband got up and opened the kitchen blind and saw the woodpecker at the bottom of the tree trying to climb up. When I got up it was still on the tree trunk. I kept an eye on it in case there were any cats around. I managed to take a picture which proved there must have been something not quite right. usually the slightest hint of a camera it is gone. It stayed there for about 45 minutes and then flew away I did see it high up in a willow tree a bit later so it seamed fully recovered.

I have been tidying the garden and re potting the plants, sweeping the steps. Soon I hope to do some sewing.

GETTING THERE

Well now we are well into June. Hasn't the weather been kind to us. Thankyou firstly for all your kind comments and thoughts. I hope I am on the mend now. The plaster is due to be removed on Monday which will be nice as it is like wearing glove. I did have to go to the physio yesterday as I had twisted my knee and couldn't walk at the weekend but that is much better and she has given me a stick (which I can't really use because of my plaster)
Last night I went to the Contemporary Craft Fair. It was a lovely evening. At the last minute. I contacted Genie and arranged to meet her in the park. We had never met in person, but spend quite a lot of time blogging, flickering and facebooking. We both went into the fair and spent the next couple of hours looking around for inspiration. We find a nice stand selling sketch books and artist materials at a very good price so had to stock up bit. We then both enjoyed a sit down with a very refreshing freshly squeezed orange juice. While chatting we discovered that our husbands might actually already know each other too as they both belong to the same fishing clubs. It is such a small world. We had taken the dog back to Genie's house and while there I was able to view some of the catalogue killing results. We also swapped ATC's.
I was quite nervous about going out in case I damaged anything else. Well although I was tired I am still in one piece.
Hopefully before too long I will be able to make something at the moment I can just about manage to make a sandwich!

UPDATE

After being ill again for a few weeks, I felt well enough to go out on Friday. I found it very tiring but glad to be out in the fresh air. That evening I thought I would be helpful and put the rubbish out for the dustmen which I did but unfortunately I did it head first out of the front door. I now have a broken wrist and the other is a bit sore. So once again I wont be doing much blogging. I had so many plans.

One Little Gem

Inca Inspiration
Well so much for my new beginnings. Almost as soon as I said it I was struck down. I was ill for a week! I had just started this piece but have only managed to finnish it today. I have made it for the Little Gem tombola.
It was inspired by Inca art originally but has wandered of a bit. The copper mushrooms represent the blades of sacrificial knives. I hope it gives the feeling of the Incas. I must now put away the sewing machine and get out the wax. Craft fair season is rapidly approaching and with sickness etc. I am getting behind.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to you all. It makes such a change for us to have sunny weather. Usually the mere mention of a bank holiday is enough to make those rain clouds move in.
I have felt like I have been living in limbo for most of this year, with the illness and death of my father. I now hope I am ready to move forward. New beginnings, renewed energy and I hope more productivity.
Here is a picture of some encaustic eggs I made a couple of years ago. With all the house moving of the last two years I have not had them out on display. Thank you all for continuing to visit my blog. I do hope soon I will have something more interesting to post.

Goodbye Dad

18/8/1925 - 27/3/2009

Rest in peace

Region 4 Banner

Coast



Each region of The Quilters' Guild of the British Isle was asked to make a banner to hang in St Anthony's Hall, York. Upcott valley Quilters volunteered and today it was handed over to the regional coordinator. The brief was to make a two sided banner that reflected our region. Region 4 includes Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We went round in circles to start with because we had so much choice. We decided that the one thing they had in common was they all have sea/coast and also the land/countryside was important. To simplify it further we split into two groups This worked well I worked on the coastal side. We started by thinking of the elements. Surfing is very popular in our region especially Cornwall. The ammonite represents the Jurassic coastline which stretches from Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset to near Exmouth in Devon. Bishops Rock Lighthouse which is of the Isles of Scilly was chosen to represent the many lighthouses that protect our rugged coastline. Finally the Mayflower sailing into the distant flying the flags of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

Country


This side was worked by the other half of the group. The cow is a Devon Red or Ruby and the sheep is a local breed. Eden was an easy choice it is also built in a disused quarry. Quarries can be found all over the region Portland Stone and Bere caves are two examples. Derelict tin mines are a common site in Cornwall. Finally we could not leave out the Cerne Abbas Giant, a very well known feature of Dorset.
I apologise for the quality of the pictures( and the spelling) please feel free to ask me anything about them.