Summer Fair

I was back at the windmill again for their Summer Fair and the launch of their Fundraiser Appeal to replace the sails and expand the site and the science centre. Three of the  spinners and myself offered to go and demonstrate and as one of the spinners is himself a trustee of the mill we were very well looked after.

We found ourselves a space under one of the marquees to set out the wheels and an inkle loom along with the display table.

Sue and Zoe made themselves comfortable with their matching wheels... It is beginning to look like Kromski are taking over in this part of the world, mainly because of their portability and the fact that there is a dealer within 60 mile of here.

Denny did manage to fit in some spinning in spite of having other duties to perform on the day

 

The Windmill was decked out with the bunting and the strong wind made it an amazing sight as the sails whished by.

 

The display of handspun and assorted braiding caught peoples eyes as it fluttered in the wind and we all held our breaths as each dark cloud appeared but the rain came late on the day and didn't last long.

As this was the launch of the fund raising appeal, the Sheriff of Nottingham came along to add his support and have a go at the game called.............now here's the problem, I can't remember what they called it but it involved the apprentice miller John

having wet sponges

and flour

thrown at him by most of the people attending including the Sheriff!!

These events always make the Windmill buzz and once the funds are raised and the site developed more it play even more of an important part in the local community.

 

Whilst all this was happening, Zoe simply borrowed my new mitts and carried on spinning.

Pagan Pride 2013

Just a few photos, the afternoon was eventually rained off, I sheltered under a tree for maybe half an hour then decamped to the pub with friends. Still I had time to watch the Morris dancing and listen to a lovely long story about dragons.

 There were lots of people wearing cloaks and long flowing gowns, I did see a pair of pixie ears as well.

 The Way of the Wyrd Border Morris

 Tribal/belly dancers taking time out in the pouring rain, Hi Jane, love the umbrella x

Viking story teller, didn't get his name but he was excellent!!

It was a fun follow up to the Riverside where I had spent the whole day spinning whilst listened to folk music and watching Appalachian dancing, no photos as the big top tent cast a very strange colour across everything.

See what I mean about funny colours !!

Have a great week everyone !!

Still playing

I'm starting to collect a list of simple craft ideas for young people to have fun with. At the moment I'm concentrating on handmade felt but would welcome any other suggestions.

Yesterday I experimented with felt purses and made some more beads which are now drying out...just thought, maybe  phone cases may be an option. I'm really looking for anything that involves fabric/fibre etc and hopefully exercising my embroidery skills which are getting very rusty these days.

Nottingham Pride

Saturday was spent with friends, listening to music, sitting in the sun and catching up with the gossip, the perfect afternoon.

Hey Sue, do you know how to make felt?

This question was asked as we watched the lancaster taxi up the runway a couple of weeks or so ago. Of course I answered, wet, needle or knitted which totally confused her. So this week I introduced a ukulele player to the joys of wet felting with a bit of dyeing thrown in.

We made flat felt.

we made felted bowls using the balloon method

We made felt beads

and we dyed some handspun romney

we eventually ran out of time so a second session will be held on needle felting soon :-)

I also grabbed a few mins this week to unwrap a fleece gifted to me last month....its HUGE!!

I am going to be so busy!

Leamington Spa Uke Festival

Last weekend we travelled down to Leamington Spa as The Nottingham Ukulele Orchestra were playing as part of Leamington Spa's first Ukulele Festival. My man took his ukes and I took my toys, this time it was an inkle loom and a drop spindle :-)

Fortunately the weather was good and somewhat cooler than it has been recently and the whole event was well organised, My only comment would be that many of the Uke groups there were playing the same selection of tunes and when we reached the fourth rendition of you are my sunshine etc my patience began to get a little stretched. Fortunately the Nottingham Uke guys have a different set list and attracted quite a bit of attention

Photos of this event by myself are a bit limited as I was busy trying to weave some wrist bands for next weekend but here we go...

However this made us all smile.....

We stayed over night locally and took some time out the next morning to have a wander round the town before heading home.

 Bell/flower hanging over the river Leam

 The Spa water which the town is famous for

 The Gardens

 Garden wildlife

 Window featuring self portraits by local school children

 An enjoyable short break for both of us :-)

TDF week 2 update

Hi I seemed to have found myself very busy doing everything except spin!! so my small bossie has been in my bag with the polworth that I have had on the go for a while.



and the last bobbin of Romney spun today means that I can start plying tomorrow night depending on what time I get back from the pub :-)

Spinning round the windmill

Today's spinning destination was Greens Windmill with the Woolly Outlaws spinning group, the day started out misty and cool compared with the last week or so.





The windmill is one of Nottinghams greatest secrets in spite of the fact that you can see it from several areas round the city centre.

They kindly put the bunting out, well I suspect they would have put it out anyway but it is  on a slightly larger scale than that belonging to the spinning group.





 

We climbed up the inside of the wheel



and looked out the window as the sails went past





we eventually settled down to spin, chat, eat cake etc





and a good day was had by all inspite of playing hunt the shade on a very hot day!!