Bookmaking Workshop

Browsing through the Open Studios brochure whilst waiting for E to have her haircut, I came across a bookmaking workshop. Not, as I first thought, about writing a book but about making a cover for a zigzag book  (a bit like a concertina). Open studios are just what they sound like - local artists throw open their studios on certain days, so members of the public can go and see them at work. Some hold workshops too - either free or for a nominal fee to cover the cost of materials.

Sally Haynes was the artist for this particular workshop and very talented she was too. First we had fun designing our cover - easier said than done for non-arty types like me. Eventually,  I chose to do a wax impression of a couple of leaves and wash over it with various inks. 2 covers were necessary - front and back.

This is my first attempt:

....and this my second. I  thought I'd try pressing harder with the wax but, on reflection, I think I prefer the more subtle colours.

Sorry, I forgot to rotate this one before uploading it!

When dry, PVA was used to glue the covers to some thick card and then it was pressed until it had dried flat. Thick paper was then cut and folded (set squares were needed!) to form the inner. Some people drew pictures inside and some stuck in photos. I actually wanted to keep mine plain but, as most of the afternoon had been allocated to the decoration of the inner, it seemed rude not to participate! I decided that it could be used for holding momentos (does this need an 'e', like tomatoes?) of a holiday - admission tickets, boarding cards etc. If I was particularly arty, I could claim that the white line represents the journey. However, the truth is, I just wanted to play with the wax crayon and ink again!

Anyway, here is the finished article:

See the arty white line!

It was a fun day and the other people at the workshop were lovely. There was even a lady from the 'Pictures in Stitch' workshop from a few weeks back. To be honest though, I don't think that bookmaking is one of the fifty things that I will want to do again.

This week also saw the second installment of my quilting course - applique! 

Here is the studio on the farm where the course is held:

And these little sweeties were in a pen close to the farmhouse - they were being bottle fed and baaed loudly every time anyone went near.

They were utterly adorable and E would have loved them.

The heart was a morning's work. After zigzagging my way VERY SLOWLY round the wavy lines, I was ready for a lie down in a darkened room. Naturally, the 'upholsterers' had no trouble! I am very aware in this class that I am by far the worst one, and the slowest, and I am desperate not  to hold anyone up. Consequently, I got rather stressy The pink petals, I did in class and the much better yellow and blue ones, at home as part of this month's homework. At home, I felt less pressure, Genevieve and I took our time and the middles of the petals line up so much better. I think it may take me quite a while to finish the other bits of homework. With that and E's exams starting next week, I feel I should remember to stock up on alcohol when I do the supermarket run! I have to keep reminding myself that it's only fabric - if it all goes wrong, I just have to cut another bit.

Just 2 more photos:

Phyllis, the pekin bantam, is very proud of her eggs. Ssh, don't tell her!

And a rather bleached out photo of Hamish, having a cuddle with E. He's trying to be calming and supportive in the run up to the exams. I should mention that he is rather partial to the smell of rubber and managed to consume an elastic band that he found under the coffee table before I could force his mouth open to retrieve it. I have everything crossed that he doesn't fall ill (or worse!) just as E's exams start.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Toodle Pip. x

Punting

A few days after L returned to Oxford for the Summer term (Trinity?), she realized that she needed some textbooks and folders that she had left at home. Being only 25 minutes away, it was no trouble to pop them in the car and sneak a day out. Carrying a great weight of books from the Park and Ride bus stop was a bit more of a challenge but was more than made up for by the promise of punting. 

I have been punting once before in Cambridge but on that occasion I was a Puntee, rather than a Punter! This time I wanted to add it to my 50 New Things list, so I was going to have to have a go with the pole. J came along for the morning too, which, as well as being lovely to see him again, made it so much easier as he had done it before. Unlike at Cambridge where you stand on the flat bit at the end to punt (which I'm sure has a technical name!), in Oxford you actually stand in the boat. This was fortunate as it made it much less daunting - I'm not good with heights/ wobbly things. After torrential rain the day before, a bit of bailing out was necessary before we could set off but, at 10 am, we were lucky enough to have the Cherwell to ourselves. I took lots of photos but some were a little blurry - I like to think that was owing to the movement of the punt, rather than my poor photography skills!

There were ducklings:

... and goslings:

We saw a huge nesting box. Look at the Canada Goose to get an idea of the scale. Not sure what sort it was - maybe an owl box?

J started us off and then, when we came to an easier bit, L had a go. She is in her college rowing team, so has the arm strength and was a complete natural.

Then it was my turn. I was really proud that (a) I didn't fall in and (b) we didn't just revolve gracefully like 'The Brain of Pooh'. I can't claim that we moved particularly quickly but I can now claim that I have punted!

We moored for a quick snack and discovered that Canada Geese are rather partial to Jaffa Cakes (must be the smashing orangey bit).

It began to get a tad muddy in the punt.

A lovely time was had messing about on the water. Then, we went back to L&J's college to return the key to the boathouse.

I seem to remember that this was the stone table which inspired C.S. Lewis when he wrote 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. Seems a bit on the small side for sacrificing a lion though!

Last, but not least, we went for a yummy lunch at The Vault and Gardens overlooking this:

It was like being  in an episode of Morse. I can't remember when I have enjoyed a morning more and we were so lucky with the weather - it poured down the day before and the day after. Many thanks to my Darling L and J for a glorious day. Now I'm off to have another little practice on Genevieve before next Wednesday!

Toodle Pip. x

Genevieve and a Peg Bag Ta-Dah!

With my next quilt making workshop looming, I decided that I had better get to grips with my sewing machine in an effort not to look even more of a complete idiot in front of 'the upholsterers'. I worked out that the last time it had been used was 5 years ago, when E needed a Romeo costume for her Year 6 play. Blood, sweat, tears and gin were much in evidence at the time and I have a sneaky recollection that it was actually R who ended up doing the trickier bits when it all got a bit much!

Rescued from the loft and 5 years of cobweb removal later, I decided that I needed a bonding session with my machine. Having shocked the ladies at the workshop with my inability to remember the make, I now know that it is in fact a Toyota. Dottie Angel advises giving your machine a name to show how much it is loved, so, after one of my favourite films, SHE is now known as Genevieve. For those who haven't seen the film, it's a 1953 British comedy about the London to Brighton veteran car rally (Genevieve being the car) and I love everything about it, even the cheesy impromptu trumpet playing bit! Anyway, to make amends to Genevieve for her 5 year exile, I bought her a snazzy little blue bag to keep her warm and protect her from marauding rabbits. Another reason being that there was no way I was going to allow 'the upholsterers' to see her sad, stained little nylon cover!

Stupidly, I forgot to take photos of Genevieve and her new coat but I will remedy this at a later date. Hoping that I was somewhat forgiven for my slovenly, sewing machine neglecting ways, I decided to embark on a little project. Nothing too difficult, just something to ease my way back into sewing mode, so at least I can make her go when we tackle the next bit of the quilt. After much thought, I decided on a new peg bag. My old one, a much loved Mothers' Day present made by L many moons ago, has finally given up the ghost and that, together with Bunny Mummy's timely tutorial, made the decision easy. Well, there were tension issues on both sides and I'm sure that Bunny Mummy didn't take 2 entire days to complete her bag but Genevieve and I took our time and even though the result is a little lumpy in places, I'm rather proud of my new bag.

Here are a few photos:

On the bed (both bag and quilt cover looking as though they need a good iron).

Hanging on a wardrobe door, trying to avoid wearing it for a photo:

Deciding that wearing it was necessary to show it in its full glory and, in order to avoid the 'you want me to take a photo of you wearing the peg bag?' conversation, attempting a selfie whilst standing on the bed.

A close up to show off the natty owl ribbon decoration:

A little more bonding with Genevieve is perhaps needed before I can confidently face 'the upholsterers' - apparently, I need to be able to change her foot to a clear one for easier zigzagging and I might treat her to a new needle. Having, obviously, lost the manual, You Tube will be needed before I can attempt either operation but, with another week and a half to go before the workshop, Genevieve and I are confident we can do it. Many thanks to Bunny Mummy for her easy to follow tutorial - if I can follow it, anyone can.

Toodle Pip for now.  x

Easter Food Festival

Easter Sunday was a slightly dismal affair around here. Following on from a rather glorious week weather wise, we awoke to grey skies and threatening rain. Actually, R was being a bit smug - he'd spent Good Friday spreading weed/ moss remover on the lawn and you are supposed to leave it for a couple of days and then pray that it rains, otherwise it kills all the grass too. 

Breakfast was quickly consumed and then the girls, accompanied by a carried rabbit (Hamish wasn't allowed to run about owing to said horrible lawn stuff), ventured outside to do the annual Easter egg hunt. Most of the eggs were found - a few are normally discovered and consumed by the local wildlife, so it's a rare year when we have the full complement. E had braces fitted a few weeks ago and chocolate is supposed to be a RARE treat, so I was secretly hoping that the ducks would gobble a few more!

 Then we came inside to cuddle our very own Easter bunny.

Our timing was impeccable; the Lawn God smiled, the heavens opened and we had our first thunder storm of the year. I love storms - my Mum was always terrified and hid, Harry Potter like, in the cupboard under the stairs. She said they reminded her of her childhood in the Blitz. To prevent me inheriting her fear, my Dad would make me a hot drink and we would watch the lightening together out of my bedroom window. Perhaps that's why I like them so much - that sense of cosy. Anyway, back to Easter Sunday, I settled down for a bit of this:

A bit more work was done on the 'Manly Blankie' ...

.... and L finished off her 'Pictures in Stitch' project of The Little Prince. I love it - especially his fabulous hair:

My 'new thing' for this week was to attend our local food festival. We have one every year but things always seem to conspire to stop me going. The same was almost true this year - the posters advertized it as being 'this weekend', so I walked into town on Saturday only to be told it was taking place on Easter Sun/Mon. Fortunately, E had a haircut booked for the Monday, so I dropped her off and then went for a little wander.

If I'm honest, I was a tad disappointed. Lots of the stalls were the sort of thing that we have on a normal market day and the rest were selling quite pricey food or 'can't live without' kitchen gadgets. I decided that I could live without, collected my newly coiffured E and we went home to pick some of this for crumble (rhumble?).

I took lots of photos of various plants springing into life in the garden but I really want to learn how to put together one of those spiffy mosaic shots that I see a lot of in Blogland. Maybe learning to do that will be my new thing for next week. Until then.....

Toodle Pip. x