Giveaway winner......

Drum roll................. and the winner is JuJu and Bubba. 

Thank you all so much for taking the time to leave a comment on my blog, and for your kind words, I really appreciate each and every one.

Jayne

A litttle giveaway....

As a thank you to all the people who have liked, commented and shared my facebook posts, I decided to hold a little giveaway.  I realised that a lot of my blogging friends who have also been very supportive do not use facebook.  I am posting a picture of the giveaway gift and if you wish to be entered I will add my pals to the list when I pick a winner.  Jayne x

Embellished Vintage kilt pin

Ups and Downs

I couldn't resist this little book when I saw it at Tynemouth Station flea market. I loved the colour and design of the cover. To be honest I had forgotten all about it until I was looking for a prop to use as a backdrop.  It made me think of how life is full of ups and downs.

 

The Story of a Newspaper Boy

 

Recently I have been feeling rather lost creatively. I feel as if I need a new direction but not sure which way to go.  I have lots of family photographs and letters and would like to create a sketchbook using some of them as a starting point.  My work is always created organically so I will have no final outcome in mind.  

 

As I walked to my Zumba class this morning I was thinking about how nice it would be to do some simple stitching.  I was running a little bit late but passed the RSPCA charity shop in Whitley Bay.  I did not really have time but something drew me in...  A very serendipitous visit it turned out to be....

 



 

As I was examining this a volunteer came over and went into great detail about how old it was, what it was used for, and gave me a demonstration of how it worked. 

 

 

 

 

I was given India Flint's Eco Colour book as a Christmas gift, I have looked through it a few times but haven't read it properly. One or two of my facebook friends, have been producing some amazing work using eco dyeing and printing.  My friend Marilyn Stephens is one and has been absorbed in it  for a while and has sent me a beautiful piece of her work.   I have been meaning to try eco dyeing but you do have to have a steamer - and there it was at a cost of £4 waiting for me in the RSPCA!  I do think most things happen for a reason, so here we are, a lovely old steamer with two valves to alter the amount of steam and a spout to top it up when the water runs dry.  Mr T thinks we should keep it as our steamer and relegate our modern version for bundling.  So it appears that the decision has been made for me by the purchase of the lovely old steamer.

 

I have been meaning to work with natural fabrics and stitch for a while so the two may marry together. Whilst searching for some linen I came across a little collection of natural dyeing that I had sampled whilst in the Highlands.  These were created using blackberries, I do love the shade it created. 





 

 

 

So, I have definitely have some new techniques to try over the next few weeks.  Watch this space...... until next time, hope you are all well and looking forward to warmer sunnier days. Jaynex

Yorkshire Tales

 

A few days relaxing in the Yorkshire Dales last weekend was just the ticket.  We stayed in a tiny cottage in the village of Bainbridge.  The weather forecast was not favourable but the rain stayed away and the sun came out on Saturday.  We pottered around all the little villages in the area, stopping for a cuppa here and there and buying some gorgeous treats from the lovely Askrigg Village Kitchen (Mr T loves the caramel shortcake). We were very surprised when the bakery was featured on Countryfile on Sunday evening.  One of our outings took us to Bedale where I spotted this amazing clematis standing outside a florist's shop.

 

I took a small selection of making bits and bobs and enjoyed sitting in the cottage sewing.  Show and tell coming up! 

 

 Pale blue and chocolate linen & lace brooch

 

 

 natural linen with a smoke mother of pearl button

 

 

 Shades of Ochre kilt pin - lace and linen embellished with hand embroidery

 

 

 Tiny hexi brooch

 

 

Broderie anglaise, lace and linen kilt pin - pale blue with an accent of chocolate

 

We always visit Farfield Mill near Sedbergh when we are in the Dales.  Four floors of inspiration await you in this vibrant arts and heritage centre.  Housed in a restored Victorian woollen mill on the edge of Cumbria and Yorkshire - now the leading venue for textile arts in the North West. An exhibition by the British Tapestry Group entitled Metamorphosis was fascinating, as was a lace making demonstration.  The lady had over 135 pairs of lace bobbins on her knee to create a piece four inches in diameter.  I was fascinated to watch her create such an intricate piece of lace, the skill required simply to keep track of the pattern and bobbins is unbelievable.  It will take her over six weeks to complete the work.  The thread was Egyptian cotton and so fine it was hard to see it.  There were some exquisite example of antique hand made lace.  A meander around Sedbergh's many bookshops was the perfect end to our short break.

 

 

Until next time.....  hope you are all well. Jayne