Morning frost

I woke up to the most beautiful frost this morning and I could not resist taking a photo . I nearly forgot that the frost would be under my feet too so I nearly took a nasty tumble...........

Sunrise

It was just a beautiful sunrise this morning out of my window  that I felt like sharing . It really cheered me up after some really  bad news. The walnut tree looks even better in real life against the sky . I have to say the camera has lost some of the colouring in translation . A NEW DAY ! BRINGING ALL GOOD THINGS 

Thank you

A big thank you on behalf of the family who attended Ann.s funeral today , and also all of you who are too far away but found the time to send a donation to St  Michaels hospice. I think everyone did her proud today , thank you x 

Sad news

Sadly, Ann Holden a fellow stitcher and tutor of mine passed away last week. Her funeral will take place this Tuesday at Harrogate crematorium at 10. 20am . Please feel free to share this information with anyone who knew her.

Ghana

Flights booked and paid for , off to Ghana with Gillian Travis in February for another textile adventure . Yippee! Watch this space ! 

Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate

Just setting up the stand at the Knitting and Stitching show at the conference centre in Harrogate. Waiting for a couple of students to arrive with their things and we will be ready and waiting to go . Find us on stand E35

Autumn

Autumn is nearly over and winter is approaching fast. I could not resist taking a photo of this puddle with its fallen leaves and the reflection of the tree in the background it really cheered me up 

Brantwood house - Ruskin Lace

Sadly I have not managed to do anything else to the little birds but I hope to get them out this afternoon to play with their shape.

I went with I S to the Lake District where we visited Bantwood house the home of John Ruskin . Sadly no photos were allowed but they did have a display of Ruskin Lace to look at . Ruskin was inspired by Cypriot lace to develop the Ruskin Lace as we know it. This created a cottage industry for the Coniston ladies which in turn helped the local flax industry. It is a beautiful house with magnificent views over the lake .

Bluetit 2

I have got the legs to balance at last! And they are good and firm. Now to make them bluetit like and not so stiff looking with delicate claws. Will be a challenge !

Blue tit

I have been looking at the birds in the garden and thought that I would try and make a bluet it . I Have already done a stump work one before so I thought I would try a 3 D one this time. I am quite pleased with the prototype I just have to fathom out how to fix the legs securely. There are a number of ways on line that show how but they are a bit clumsy for such a little bird, I will just have to keep trying !!!! 

French village of Gassin

Fancy living in this beautiful quaint village in the South of France with a view like this . We stumbled on just by chance . 

Yarndale

Guess where I have been today? 

Start of the new year at Castle Textile Centre City and Guilds Patchwork & Quilting and Embroidery

It is always sad to have said goodbye to the students who have spent the last four years with us but it is fantastic to receive the new students full of promise and exciting things to come . Here are some of this years students but I think some are skiving in the kitchen !!! They will start with the 2 year certificate course with Diane and then come to me for the 2 year Diploma course if they wish. Can you spot my teaching colleague Diane? Does she know she is in her 'Where's Wally '   outfit ? I admit it is feint but it's a red and white striped t-shirt 

Boutis

At the boutis museum I met these two lovely ladies. I could not speak French and they could not speak any English but we spent a lovely hour and a half together.
Then we finished a perfect afternoon with a perfect cake that just had to be done .

Boutis museum

I have just spent a lovely week in the south of France. While I was there I visited the Boutis museum. Unfortunately I was unable to take photos of the Bouitis which was disappointing .i just loved the old building whith it's big door handle.

Where are the butterflies?

Has anyone else noticed the absence of butterflies this year ?

Field full of dreams

Tonight I was out with my sister going to see a show at the local Comunity Centre when I stumbled across this beautiful field of yellow Daisy's and couldn't resist taking a photo or 2,,

Yorkshire lavender

I visited the Yorkshire lavender nursery/visitor centre, I was amazed at how many types of lavender there were. Some for cooking ,some for the oil, ornamental, French lavender etc etc ! It is refreshing to see a sign that actually says please touch ! The scent was amazing ...............so relaxing . 

It also amused me when I read the sign for pruning back the lavender, giving the date 15th Septembember between the hours of 10 am and 11 am , why those times I don,t know ! Does anyone else know ! 

Poppy fields

I went up into the Yorkshire countryside yesterday and came across this beautiful poppy field. If it hadn't been a farmers cornfield I would have been tempted to run right through it.......lovely ! 

Travelling journal

It's not a great picture but I have been adding to my next journal. It just had to be on the Tour de France again as I was stitching blindly in the car travelling the cycle route . Of course I was not driving at the time !!! It is titled Tour de France through the Yorkshire countryside.basically  I took some ivy leaves and buttonholed around them and placed yellow bike spokes in the centre and added a few more detailed stitches . It is now posted off to the next person and I cannot wait for the next one ! 

Tour de France

Yesterday we decideded to go along the route that the cyclist are going to take. In 4 wheels I hasten to add! There seems to be a great party atmosphere already whith many yellow bikes ,knitted bunting, and loads of flags . I have been stitching away inspired by the route which I shall add to the travelling journals . 

Summer end of year exhibition

Here are a few of the students work , I got distracted half way through taking the photos and I missed taking the the rest of the stands before they were taken down so I apologise to the rest of the students . The show was excellent and Diane and myself were very very proud of the students this year. 

Raining still!

Still raining ! ..........there is only one thing to do and that is snuggle in and sew ! 

After the rain!

I just loved all the dewdrops in the garden after all the rain we had this morning.

Tour de France in stitch the gentle way

Busy on my TJ ! 

It has to be done the 'Tour de France ' but the gentle way ! 

 especially that Harrogate in on lock down that day ! 

Watch this space Jo it is your TJ ! There will be stitches and something in the baskets just not sure what yet.

Thanks to Alice Fox I have rusted bike chain to the fabric to give a textured look

Now back to work on the bigger pieces !

Iris in the garden

All the irises have suddenly come out today because of the beautiful weather that we are having, I could not resist popping out and taking some photos of these lovely flowers and feeling lazy I took my I pad instead of my camera , I was amazed at how close I could get in with the camera to get a perfect picture.