Devon Guild of Craftsman - Bovey Tracey

We have had a wonderful weekend. We found a really interesting Craft show that I just had to tell you about. I saw some of the BEST textile art I've seen in ages. I can't show you pictures...but I can give you the websites so that you can see them for yourselves. I'm trying to make this more on a feature of this blog...not just me going on about what I make...but about what I buy from other indie designers or see. England is full of wonderful artists and because they aren't as organzied in a way on the net like in the States...you don't get to hear about them as much.

The website for the guild is www.crafts.org.uk.

The first is a wonderful team of sisters from Lyme Regis that use recycled wool to make some of the extreme sweaters that could be worn I've seen. They are absolutely gorgeous and funky. Take a look at the website: http://www.kathrens.co.uk/pagesB/kathrens.html They are expensive...but are worth looking out just for the inspiration and awe of them.

The next I'll feature is Yuli Somme. She was born in Norway, but moved to Deven in 1962. She makes wonderful art out of felt. The one that attracted my attention first, was a felt wall hanging of chickens. I'm getting a real thing about chickens for some reason. These were so well done and made me want to get the felt making kit out again! She doesn't have this hanging on her webpage, but she does have some similar so go check out what is has going on. I might have to do one of her workshops sometime....it would be cool to have a go with her! Webpage is ... http://www.yulisomme.co.uk/ She does talk about Cocoon's on her webpage also. These are burial shrouds that she is making with the help of fellow felter Anne Belgrave. This is a extremely eco-friendly way of being buried.

I'll cover a few more as the week progresses. I couldn't believe all the cool stuff from Kumihimu to beading. Stay tuned!

NEC Quilt show & Teaching craft

I got a call from a good friend on Fri...did I want to go to the Quilt show with here....I didn't hesitate....yes my hubby and I had just been talking about money issues.....and yes we had just discussed what cleaning we were going to do....but I couldn't resist! This is the BIG quilt show of the year. They are very international, and though I've never gone before...and don't quilt...I wanted to go badly. So I got up early...ON A WEEKEND...what I sacrifice for my crafT!!!!!...and off we went. It was wonderful. I did buy a few things that I'll show. I told Hubby that I wanted to get some fusible batting (wadding), and Linda and I ended up buying a Queen size and splitting it. I found some fabric to make a bag for my nephew...decided not to knit his like I did the others....with really cool dinosaurs on it. I also found some chicken fabric for me...don't know what is going on with the chickens...I think because it reminds me of my grandmother.... I also picked up some silk hankies so that I can try drop spindling them. Also picked up...you won't guess...two more BOOKS. These are really cool though and I will do a review of them latter in the week. For tonight...I have to finish up my project for my Homemade swap!!!! Must get that sent off!

I also had a real treat this weekend. There is a lovely couple who I go to church with that bring their grandkids. A lovely girl of 8 and a boy of 4. One day I went to help her do the Sunday School and I had my knitting with me. I got it out and the girl was fascinated! She wanted to know how to do it....so we had a go. I also showed her crochet. So yesterday, she was at church and kept asking if I could show her knitting again. We didn't get a chance to do it during church or afterwards...so she asked me if I could come over to her grandmothers house in the afternoon to show her how. I decided to stop and pick up a French knitter for her and some yarn. The French knitter came with a pompom maker and I picked up some thick yarn, thinner yarn and a crochet hook also. I wasn't sure how much time we would have. She was so excited I barely had to ring the bell before the door was thrown open! We started with the French knitter and as soon as we figured out the best way for her to hold it (she is left handed), she was off! She did about 6" while we were sitting there. I had time before I went over, to make her a pink bag out of some fabric I already had. I didn't put a handle on it...I told her that was her job! I made some terrible buttonholes for her to run the rope through when she was done. I need to practice my buttonholes more!!!! Anyway, she was thrilled and me and her brother made a couple pompoms and did some finger knitting. He did quite well...but at that age your attention span was only long enough for 3" of finger knitting! All in all, it was fun and I really enjoyed getting the experience fo teaching! I highly recommend it!

Books purchased

I had a great weekend and purchased all kinds of good stuff. I will try and cover some of it over the next few days. I want to spred things out a bit.....

So first books, I picked up Debbie Stoller's Happy Hooker which I've not had a chance to look through to much. I hmmm'd and haw'd about buying it, but I've heard good things so I thought I would go ahead and get it. I heard her interview on Crafty Sanity and also decided to subscribe to Bust magazine. It sounded like a good alternative to all the fashion mags I usually read. The one thing I've seen in the book I really like, is the cowboy hat she wears on the cover. I'm tempted to make that...but not wear it myself. Surely someone I know would like it.







The second book I bought was another one I heard the gals on Craft Sanity podcast. It is really kitchy. I won't really do to many of the projects....but they have GREAT how-tos. I've seen some really cool things using shrink plastic (I remember it as Shrinky-dink.) I'm going to try and make a button with my weblog address so that I can wear it when I go to craft shows. Ally Pally is in October and I'm so looking forward to going this year. I hope that some of the other weblog crafters will be there so we can meet up. I think I will also try to make some of the pins I've seen some really nice ones.





I also picked up Lucinda Guy's other book. I found a yarn shop in Shrewsbury!!! Yeah!!! So I had buy something...didn't I??? Well, I'll show you the yarn I bought later...but I bought this and it has the cutiest stuff in it for kids. Great toys and sweaters and things. I've got my eye on a few things already.






I also found this in the bookshop I love in Much Wenlock. I didn't think I would get there this weekend, but they are open on Sunday so I couldn't resist running in. This has some very simply knits in it, so it would be good for a beginner. The bonus is it has some lovely things for the mommy-to-be also. Sweaters that could be worn while preggers and after!

Email problem (cross post)

I'm having trouble with my yahoo email account. If you get an email from dlam_1999@yahoo.com DON'T open it. I cannot get Yahoo to help me at all! I can't get into the account and I'm trying to get them to cancel it, but they don't seem to be able to. If you have IM and get a messaging saying that your account has been used for unauthorized purposes and you need to click on an URL to clear up the problem DON'T do it! That is what happen to me.

I am hoping to get a new address soon, maybe gmail...we will see. If you want to write me, please write dlao_1967 at yahoo dot co dot uk.....

Thanks

Wesley's blanket and mouse....

Well here they are finally. I must admit I like the blanket. The colors are so much fun. For some reason I have a lot of that color around at the moment. I wasn't sure about the mouse until I put the ears on! Until then I thought it looked really stupid. I have an idea to make this mouse with canvas and beads. I think the pattern would look really interesting.

I found out that my other sister, Ra'Net, who is pregnant will be having a boy also! One niece out of 6 kids....just doesn't seem fair for a crafter! But that is ok, I will just have to keep my eye out for boy crafts! Better go, got another blanket to buy the yarn for, denim I think this time!

Cat bag....

My mom is home now and called to tell me she received her bag so I can post pictures! First things first though....Wesley is home!!!! He went home on Sat. He isn't breathing as bad as he was, and Ja'Net and Mitch are having to feed him ever 1 hr 1/2, so you can imagine how much sleep they are getting! But he is home and eating great! So I'm very relieved!

The pictures on the bag I cut out of fabric and machine satin stitched on to the denim. I'm really happy how the bag turned out. There are three pockets on the inside. Mom said it fit all her library books, so she was happy! We use bag so much here in the UK, hopefully she will get lots of use out of it!

I found out who my spoilee is for the Homemade Swap will be this weekend, so I've got my brain going on what to make her. I've not been well this weekend so I've been busy making things that I could sit in front of the fan and do. I went to the doctor today and he said it probably was sinustis so he has given me some antibiotic. I'm hopeing that it will make me feel better for this weekend since we are going to the Shrewsbury Flower show and I always enjoy meeting up with Rich's friends.

Anyway, here is the front of the needlecase I'm working on. I've been thinking about this for ages! I'm using the 100% wool felt I bought. I'm not that happy with the colors of the felt, but it is good for a first try!I also decided to use some of the felt scraps I have to make name tags for the stuff I'm making. Mom's bag doesn't have one, but Wesley's blanket will have the bottom one on before I send it off. It says "With Love Aunt Dawn '06". I finished the blanket and knitted the makings for a mouse from the same yarn, but I'll post that after I've made the mouse up. It is from the Lucinda Guy book I have.

Secret Pal 8 questionare....

Saw this on another participants (well my new hostess website) and I thought I would add it for my secret pal...

1) What is your favorite season of the year? Fall....I love the smell and the chill in the air! Leaving in the UK it isn't quite the same, which I miss terribly! Especially, since there aren't any high school/college football games to go to!

2) Where is your favorite vacation spot? Wales, any where there. It is gorgeous and everyone is very friendly! There are hills, sea side, forests...everything that I love!

3) If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? This is a hard one, because there are many places that I would like to go to. I think I'll say Iceland, it is cool to go over it in the plane and think that one day I might just go there.

4) If you could pick any job, and be paid well, what would it be? Head Librarian of a wonderful modern public library, OR a crafter

5) If you were going on vacation for 1 week, and had to take ONLY one project with you, what would it be? I would take a free form crochet project, because then I would never get bored with it!

6) If you won a shopping spree to your favorite Yarn shop, what would you get?? Wow..this is a good one! Firstly books (Erica Knight has another new one I'd love to have. Magazines (I love Interweave knits, but don't get it here). YARN of course, would love to have some Louisa Harding or more recycled sari yarn!!! I would also buy gadgets...I'm fond of gadgets. At the moment I would love to have those spring looking needle holders that keep your needles in pairs and something to put on the end of my dpn's to keep them from fall out of the socks I'm making!

There that was fun, I'm looking forward to my person that is to handmake me something through Swap-bot. I'm so enjoying making things for other people it makes me smile......

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On a serious note, my nephew Wesley was born on Monday the 31st of July. He isn't doing very well. He is breathing too fast and they don't know why. He is eating through a tube in his tummy and his Mom doesn't get to hold him very much at the moment. Could you all send postivie thoughts and/or prayers his way please. My Mom and Dad and Mitch's Dad and Step-mom are there and I feel so out of the loop so far away!!! These are the times I hate living in another country!