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.

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.

Take it further challenge

Typical, just as I thought I'd avoided the cold thats going round, I get a chest infection!! if I speak, I cough, if I move I cough so I'm barricaded into my work room waiting for the antibiotics to kick in so I can get back to work ( hopefully tomorrow)
Anyway, the latest from Take it further challenge, the piece is more or less finished, just needs backing and edging next weekend when I will hopefully feel more like doing it.

Forgot to say that it is around 10 inch squareish

Take it further challenge

Starting to hand stitch at last.

Take it further challenge

Slowly coaxing my machine into working, it's still not happy but we are reaching an agreement, I don't shout at it and it won't sulk too much.

Take it further challenge

Decided to go with design concept rather than colour scheme. these are some fabrics under consideration at present. Check out Sharon B blog for details.

Take it further challenge

Well, I sat and thought about it, finally decided to go with the first name to come into my mind, although this was probably influenced by sitting staring at the prayer flags at the bottom of the garden!!. Anyway, I chose the Dalai Lama as a starting point and went on to scribble words and ideas whilst surrounding myself with books about Tibet. I now have a starting point a rough idea of where I am heading but I have still to decide size, maybe A4 as sometimes postcard is a bit small.


Anyway, whilst we are on such an eastern subject, can anyone guess this location? Answer in a few days