Crown of Knots, Gargoyles & Scarecrows

Just taken a trip to Cirencester and came across this amazing crown 

in Cirencester Parish Church!  It was made by Stuart Grainger, who was president of the Intenational Guild of Knot Tyers  (I think you'll admit he was pretty good at knots and did you even know there was a Guild of Knot Tyers?).  Made of hemp rope, it's about 5 feet in diameter and height.  It was created in 1997 both as a tribute to the Queen for her Silver Jubilee  and to Oliver Hill's rope structure "Lion & Unicorn Fighting for the Crown", which had been made for the 1953 Coronation.  The current crown now belongs to Cirencester.  If you're in the vicinity - go take a look, it's fab.

We also took a trip up the church Tower (only 204 steps to the top - very narrow so save the big lunch for afterwards!).  And were treated to a demo by the bellringers on the way up - thanks, ladies.  They even let us have a go.  I tried to ring the biggest and, guess what - it's much harder than it looks! We liked the modern touch in the renovation work at the top.  Check out the punk gargoyle!

On the same adventure we called in at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire (National Trust).  Lovely grounds & great scarecrows!












http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey/

Colourful Craft Ideas No. 1

Pom Poms in a wire chicken

Thought I'd start a little series of colourful craft ideas and here's the first!  These are just simple things to make and do to make life a bit more creative and colourful.  Get together with friends, children and have a go!

For this one you need - a see through container, some yarn of your choice and a pompom maker. The pom pom maker can be a comercial one (Pony & Clover both make them) or a homemade one which involves a couple of pieces of circular cardboard with a hole in the middle.  The cardboard ones will only last for a few pom poms (or maybe even one!) but they are easy and cheap to make and if you have an old cereal packet or tissue box lying around you're ready to go. 

Pom poms in a glass bowl

Next, make some pom poms (see the "How to make" page) - enough to fill your container - try different colours, sizes and textures.  Pop them in and admire.  You could do this with school kids, put the finished pom poms in a large container and fundraise with "Guess the number of pom poms".  Or put them in a vase and have them as table decorations instead of flowers, even display them in a bowl on a table or shelf for a bit of colour.  Use them individually when wrapping presents instead of a bow - whatever you like. Have a go and see what you think - you could find it addictive!

Berylune Purchase

Thought you might like to see what I did with a recent Berylune purchase (milk bottle with Twix advert).  It just seemed perfect for the purpose!  

Now whenever I'm in my studio and get that "I need a twix now!" feeling - I know where to go.  (It also appeals to my love of order.)

Take a look at their website ....

www.berylune.co.uk

Feel It, Sketch It Workshop & the 62 Group of Textile Artists

Our Limbering Up Sketches

Sketch without looking!

On my recent trip to Manchester I went to the Feel it, Sketch it workshop with Rachel Howard (http://www.62group.org.uk/artist/rachael-howard/) at the Holden Gallery at Manchester Met University.  Rachel is a member of the 62 Group of Textile Artists and the workshop concided with their 50th Anniversary Exhibition - 62@50.  We had a really fun time sketching and mark making and got close up to the 62 Group handling collection which was also the basis for some of the work we did.  It was a hoot!  

Inspired by Michelle House

Both the workshop and the exhibition were great.  Here's the link for the exhibition: http://www.holdengallery.mmu.ac.uk/62at50.php

And here's the link for the 62 Group:

http://www.62group.org.uk/

If you can grab a copy of the July/August Embroidery magazine you can read more about Caren Garfen and Hazel Bruce both of whom are exhibiting.

Get to this exhibition if you can.  Be inspired!  (Also there's a really good veggie cafe over the road to take away those hunger pangs ...)

Cool Wall Art in Manchester

Had a day in Manchester recently and came across this fab piece of wall art - you don't often see blue tits this size!  Was on my way to Fred Aldous to stock up on a few items. It's a shop for arty crafty types - on three floors going down rather than up.  If you can't get to Manchester you can always check out their website.   My first ever visit ... interesting!

http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/

Mermaid at Sea

Mermaid at Sea

Managed to finally complete something from the "To do" list which was to finish this picture - hooray!  Have been indulging in experimental activity - which has been quite productive - hence the fishes and the seagull.  

This is my smallest knitted wire bird yet - 3.5cm from beak to tail - may see if I can get any smaller!

Bring on the Bling & Sport the Spotty

Bling Button Brooches

For those of you who like to add a bit of sparkle when you cut a dash (& yes, that does mean you, Tina!), here are some glitzy button brooches hot off the needle!

Spotty Button Brooches

 




... but for those of you who prefer to see spots before your eyes, take a look at these ...