brr, definitely Autumn

 Sorry for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks or so, I managed to catch a bad cold which kept me in bed and seems to have sapped my energy a bit along with some of my crafting mojo.

I did make it to the Bakewell Wool gathering with my friends, my only purchase being more bobbins for my e-spinner so I can have more than one project on the go. We travelled by bus, taking advantage of the cheap bus fare currently available across the country.

On the way to the festival from the centre of Bakewell, we had to cross a 'lock bridge' covered in thousands of padlocks inscribed with names of loved ones, pets etc.

Once inside I was intoxicated by the wool fumes and forgot to take phots , haha. I was really too busy looking at what was for sale and chatting to people who I rarely see these days.

Nancys Graceful fibres had some lovely reconditioned wheels for sale.

and Diane from Murmuring wheel was captivating people with her spinning on a great wheel.

Other than that, I've attempted some bobbin lace only to find that my brain is not functioning enough to work it out and playing around with a couple of pin looms.

again, brain fog caused a few problems but I may have another go ( I borrowed the looms)

I rounded off the last couple of weeks with a visit to our local museum with my wheel for a couple of hours or so chatting to the visitors.

I'll leave you with Nottingham on a quiet Sunday morning last week.

Makes a change from the usual guitar busking.

Speak soon xx

Holiday knitting and charity shop bargains

 As you may know, I planned to knit mainly from my Jacob stash whilst away but I did throw in a skein of light grey ryeland and a ball of wensleydale/zwartble that I had already used to knit a beanie and I reckoned that I might just get another hat from it.

I now have a pile of ends to sew in on my next cafe visit.

Not bad for four weeks travel ? I also managed to spin 300gm of yarn before the weather closed in and it became too windy ( and wet) to sit outside and spin.

The shop finds were interesting, firstly I raided the second hand section at the Lace museum in Honiton for threads and bobbin holders.

and then, in Bude, I found more threads ( pack of five for £3 ) some small balls of dmc that I will probably use as gimps and two pairs of bobbins.

A couple of interesting books were spotted and added to the collection along with some cross stitch chart books.

Also a tapestry kit, some aida and another chart which uses a variety of stitches which is just as well as its some time since I actually did any hand embroidery other than cross stitch.

The surprise find was something that I'm not usually attracted to at all. This plate is from Holland and I love how it shows the whole process from sheep to yarn.

Once I bagged this one, Ian found me three more so the craft plate collection has started, the only proviso is that they must depict crafts that I actually do.

Once I have these on my work room walls, does that qualify me as an old lady ? I suspect ( and hope)  not 😀

Speak soon x

lost gardens of Heligan , picture heavy, word free

 

Delightful Devon,

As you may have guessed from the previous post, we have been in the road again, first port of call was Devon for a week or so split between a couple of campsites which gave us the opportunity to vicit Honiton, Sidmouth, Brixham and Dartmouth. Fortunately for us, after a wet drive down the weather turned warm and dry for the next two weeks.

Then on to Cornwall ( separate post for Lost gardens of Heligan to come )

Just a really small selection of pictures although I didn't take as many as usual except at the gardens.

We did hit the charity shops and I even did some knitting and spinning so that's a whole different post coming soon.

speak soon x