craftiness abounds

 In-between the knitting and spinning , I have been busy playing with different things. We had a cross stitch session in the local cafe to make mothers day cards.

Followed by a lace making day with the demo pillows out for people to try, so busy that I forgot to take a photo but here is the progress on my own lace.

then I took my inkle loom down to the cafe to show how I make ukulele straps.

and even made it to a local guild meeting.

My cross stitch progress has been slow but I'm working on the big black thing whenever I get chance.

That about it craft wise, I'm trying to avoid the temptation of buying more fleece at the moment ! 

Jacob and other fluff

 Hi

A quick update on the Jacob project, one of my original skeins is now a hat :-) although it is a little rustic but warm.

More has been spun and the collection so far looks like this

The two cakes and the dark skein will be my van knit for our next trip, hopefully hats and mitts.

I have still to separate the shades in the other two bags and will probably blend on my drum carder ready for spinning.

I also had chance to pop some yarn in the dye pot over the last few days, 

Now banded up ready to be sent away.

Thats about it for now, I'm taking a few days to stitch and make lace then its back to the spinning wheel.

Forgot to add, finished the projects on the Louet spinning wheel, i small skein jacob and one skein dorset x shetland.

The trip that was cancelled.

 Back in March we had a weekend away planned, all packed ready to fetch the van but watching the weather forcast carefully then we noticed this.

At our planned campsite this was translating into around a foot of snow and on the Thursday the site called and said that they were not going to open due to the forecast. Unfortunately, the reason for going was to visit the Buxton Wool Gathering Festival which was cancelled on the the Friday.

Stuck at home with a lot less snow I thought maybe I could get to the lace meeting about 3 mile away, roads clear etc then that was cancelled as they feared that the care park would be frozen and prove to be a hazard. I fully agreed with this especially since many of the ladies are enjoying lacemaking in their retirement years.

It proved to be a quiet weekend at home but we rebooked the campsite for the next weekend to give the van an airing.

Most of the snow had gone but a little remained on the higher land, we had planned to call into a large bookshop that is on the route but it seemed like everyone else had had the same idea as the carpark was pretty full and we couldn't see any space large enough for us. We plan to go there on a future day out once Ian has finished working although we really don't need anymore books !

The setting for Buxton Caravan and Motorhome Club site is quite dramatic as it is in an old quarry, looks a little bleak in winter but I suspect its quite different when all the trees are in leaf.

We spent the next day exploring the town of Buxton which is a spa town with its own very well known Buxton mineral water from St Anns Spring which is located in the town.

We headed on into the town and found the old Baths now known as Cavendish Shopping Arcade housing several small independent stores.

 

Remnants of its former glory can be seen inside, tiled walls and bowed glass roof.

 This old chemist shop also caught our eye with its full frontage and original shelving. More like something in a museum these days.

A trip up to the Pavillion was planned and well timed as it had started to rain. First spot was a old post box and then the beautiful glass on the Opera House.

The Pavilion Conservatory was quiet and we followed the signs to an excellent independent craft fair.

All in all an excellent weekend break, ready for the next one now :-) 

Speak soon x