Postal Treats

Lovely needle felted quiltie from Liz at Unlimited Textiles, this months theme is landscape ( I still have to start mine but the idea is there)

Crochet on the BBC

Check out this link for a review of the crochet Barrier Reef on BBc Radio4 Front line programme, I think you can listen for the next 7 days. Fast forward to 22 mins for crochet but if you are a cricket fan, drop in at 7 mins.

Post Note

Amount of stitching this weekend? NONE

Last Drop Rally 2008

As I mentioned previously, Ian travelled to Lincoln and scrounged a spare part for the bike, fitted and fettled it eventually worked. Hooray!! we loaded up and dashed to the Last Drop Rally hosted by Saddlesore Rally club and as you can see, it stopped raining at long last. So here are a few photos of various bikes and riders!! showing how to have a good time.






NB. The bike broke down on the way back outside Trent Bridge cricket ground just as the Test Match had finished, found ourselves surrounded by men wearing dresses and men wearing grass skirts. Makes us bikers look quite tame!!

Gate to Southwell 2008

Well, this was not quite how we had our weekend planned. The idea had been to rush home home from work on Friday, get changed, hit the motorway and join our friends at a bike rally near Droitwich. The only problem is that no one mentioned this to the bike. She would not start, tried all the normal things, checked spark plus, fuel etc then tried sneaking up and surprising her, talking to her, stroking the tank etc. Alas, she was having none of this.
Friday evening was spent shopping in our local supermarket... aaaahhh

Saturday saw Ian riding over to lincoln on one of the other bikes to beg a spare part from the bike shop. I n the meantime, I headed into town to look at this....

any ideas what this is?

Firstly a quick history lesson

In 1109 the Archbishop of York wrote to each parish in Nottinghamshire asking them to contribute to the building of a new 'Mother Church' the Southwell Minster. The proposal was agreed and each year at Whitsuntide the Mayor of Nottingham and Representatives of every parish would carry their contribution know as the Southwell Pence to the Minster. The procession would travel on foot and horseback with much singing and dancing from the old Market Square in Nottingham.
Records show that Morris men have been associated with this custom since at least 1530 although it died out sometime possibly in the 18th century.
But, it was reinstated in 1981 by the local Morris men, and continues today.

Want to know more? click here for more info on the Gate to Southwell and here for more info on our local Morris side 'Dolphin Morris'.

TAST revisited, week one

OK, I'm a glutton for punishment, joined Stitchin Fingers and signed up for the Take a Stitch Tuesday replay as I missed it last year. Week one is Herringbone stitch so this is my take on it.

Size- ATC

Work in progress (update)

Lace bookmark finished, still working on postcard.

Tagged for the first time

I've been tagged by Fannie of Imagine, Create, Inspire to post unimportant things about myself.

Here are the rules:

1. Link back to me for tagging you


2. Post these rules on your blog


3. Share six unimportant things about yourself


4. Tag 6 blogging friends
   

SIX UNIMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT ME

This has been really difficult to work out but I finally came up with these.

When I was about 11, I won 1st, 2nd and third prize in a photography competition because I was the only contestant.

We have not had a TV for nearly 20 years although the purchase of a computer 8 years ago means we do watch DVDs.

I loathed Domestic Science at school ( needlework and cookery) and gave it up as soon as possible

I have never made anything that I can wear other than the occasional piece of fabric jewellery.

We used to have an arcade pinball machine in our 17th floor flat.

First rode pillion ( on a scooter) at around 6 years old.

I have tagged the following blogs ( all people I read regularly and enjoy)

Clevelandgirlie
Cold Feet Quilter
Fabulous Threads
Lise's Blog
Serendipity
zquilts


Playing is entirely voluntary, I won't be offended if you don't.

Since I feel the need to add a photo, this is pretty much the only piece of crazy quilting/patchwork I have ever done. It was a runner up entry in a sewing magazine contest last year.

simple things please the mind

Yesterday I received a gift catalogue and I am allowed to choose gifts up to a certain value, after looking through at the selection of cookers tents camera etc I realised that the envelope was made of Tyvek. This is more interesting, its something I can play with!! Catalogue is discarded downstairs, envelope is in the workroom ready to be painted.

Work in progress

I seem to have busy doing anything but stitch (except TIF) over the last couple of weeks so here are two pieces that I am slowly working on.

more lace

before

This is a sample of felt made in a washing machine. Originally this was a C&G sample but I have decided to add some hand embroidery and turn it into a postcard/atcs. Hope to post finished work in the next few days.
By the way, the fleece was purchased from a farm in Yorkshire in the early 90s for the price of a pint of beer! It was really coarse wool but made an interesting stiff felt. It caused some strange looks from the other bikers when we returned to the rally site with it and had to scrounge a bigger bag so we could strap it to the bike.

Nearly forgot

I've been so busy that I nearly forgot to post these pictures of my favourite present from Pamela who blogs on Stitched Up. I am the one who often turns up at stitched up meetings without scissors etc so this will be well used over the next few months.

Dalai Lama

On Sunday we went to a talk by the Dalai Lama entitled caring for our world, presented by Jonathan Dimbleby. School children gave an opening presentation in dance and word about the history of our planet and its possible destruction unless we choose an alternative future.There was a talk, q&a discussion and poems from children of all ages



Over the 5 days of the visit, a sand mandala is being created by the Tashi Lhumpo monks which will be destroyed at noon on Wednesday.


You can also buy just about anything from the Tibetan market in the big top but due the generator problems, you will probably not be able to see what you have brought until you get outside.

Take it further challenge (May)

The question was 'what do you call yourself?'.well, I have a collection of labels, many of which come under the fibre artist umbrella but they are just part of what makes me who I am. I have decided to leave others to make up their minds about what I do.

Artist? maybe.....

Nottingham City Pulse

Music is filling the streets of Nottingham as the City Pulse is in full swing. Yesterday saw performers at 5 locations round the city, a large stage in front of the council house in the Old Market Square and the Samba band playing as they wandered round the city. The music contines until Monday and I am sure that we will be heading back down today or tomorrow.

Railway Bill

Kick n Rush

Bombay Bajas

The Displacements

Nottingham Samba

Now, if you look carefully at the samba picture, you will see a very unusual mix of cultures. The Dalai Lama is in town and some of the monks wandered down to the city centre to see what was happening. It was wonderful to watch two young teenage girls spontaneous hug two of the older monks and I hope they enjoy their stay. We have so much bad press about this city that I feel it is important to remember the mood of events like these where people join in and enjoy themselves.
In the meantime, we are going to hear the Dalai Lama speak this afternoon.

Bobbin Lace

finished and ready to mount