A trip down memory lane

Recently I decided that I needed another book case

as the pile of books was getting out of hand! I found an old ex-library bookshelf on ebay which was perfect but was in Birkenhead. However, having wanted for some time to return to the Wirral where I did my first year of teaching, I bought the bookcase and started planning a nostalgic trip to West Kirby. As well as collecting the bookcase we went to Crosby to see Anthony Gormley's Another Place. What an exciting installation! We spent all morning walking along the beach and it's difficult to sum up how I felt - the sun was shining, there was a gentle, warm breeze and I just loved the wonderful sculptures. How clever, how inspiring and how wonderful they remain there rather than be moved as originally planned. Here are a few of my photos. 

 

Great textures and patterns in the sand.

Later on we collected the bookcase and went to West Kirby, booked into a lovely B and B and then walked to where I had my first flat in 1969. It was the top floor of a Victorian house, 4 rooms and a kitchen, use of a bathroom shared with various old ladies, coal extra; all for £2 10s!!

In that little top room there were lots of important times. I started my first teaching job, got engaged, planned my wedding, house hunted but then plans changed and we went to live in Brussels 2 weeks after our wedding in August. That was the start of a new adventure!

The view from the end of the road, across to Wales. 

Goodbye Victoria Drive, fond memories. 

On the way home we stopped at Gayton County Primary where I first taught. Much the same but with a smart new front!

A great trip and it's so easy to find the book I want! 



Bank Holiday Monday and odds and ends

I wondered if it was a good idea to have a stand at Ashwell Show, I was feeling tired following hosting a family lunch party on Sunday, having returned from a holiday on Saturday; however it was a sunny day, I had an assistant all day (what joy not having to load/ unload my car myself!!) and I like supporting local events.

No pictures as I forgot my camera but I was demonstrating lino printing and during the day had plenty of interest. For me this isn't a big selling opportunity, after all, it is basically a horse show but I was fortunate to sell 3 unframed prints as well as a lot of cards, so was pleasantly surprised. Another bonus was how easy it was packing my car -  last December I changed cars. Reluctantly I parted with my much loved very sporty Audi TT and became the owner of a sensible Audi A4 estate. Back to a family car now there are 2 grandchildren and the extra space is great for going to art fairs.

The sun certainly brought large numbers of people to the show, the proceeds all go to village organisations. I saw lots of people I knew, met new people, booked someone to come on one of my lino classes and advertised my open studio days, open with Herts in September.



A few photos from my garden....

  

Mr. Tibbs playing ball.... 

and Barney made a hat for William from an envelope.... 

he didn't seem to mind!

I was given some greengages yesterday, so made my favourite jam, so yummy sucking the jam off the stones, memories of my childhood when my mother would sit us round the table with a plate of sticky, jammy greengage stones; a great treat. 

Festival of quilts

I went with friends for 2 days to the festival this year, as 1 day never seemed enough. We stayed overnight and I really loved having 2 whole days to enjoy all the fabulous quilts, browse the trade stands and book stalls. There were many beautiful quilts on show, here are some of my favourites.

This was Night and Day by Mike Wallace made with self dyed fabrics, pieced and quilted.

Below is Green Copse by Helen Howes; stitch, piecing, print and dye used. 

People by Ineke Berlyn; machine pieced, applique, dyed, printed and drawn.

I loved the work by Karin Ostergaard; Inspired by nature.

This was called Birds sing, some scream; it had a lovely textured look.

Above is Full Circle, a vibrant piece by Marianne Mohandes which held great meaning for her and all of us who have someone in our family with cancer.

I really enjoyed the Wiolan exhibition by 3 Dutch textile artists, particularly those by Willy Doreleijers; no photos allowed.

Red Stones 2 by Dianne Firth was maybe my very favourite - so difficult to choose amid an array of beautiful work. 

Another beauty, A Slight Murmur of Starlings by Janie Harvey-Douglas. 

It was fun staying overnight! 



Cambridge Open Studios

I've just about recovered from my open studio weekends, I was open for 3 weekends and apart from the 1st (Wimbledon!) I had lots of lovely visitors who were keen to know more about printmaking: so you do lots of talking! It was the 3rd and best year I've had, with a lot of new people visiting. I had kind people letting visitors in and serving drinks which was great. So well worth all the preparation and good fun.

The following week I was on a week long fabric screen printing course, the same one I went on last year. Although I do it at home it's always fun with like minded people and there's a lot more room at Cottenham Village College! I had fun playing and experimenting. This was a screen I had made up from a photo of willow bark. 

I then randomly over printed a small wood design in a lovely dark blue.

Some other pieces I printed will be used in a variety of ways, one or two will be tablecloths, some will be cut up - cushions, napkins and who knows what! The piece above will maybe be a dress or top, I feel like a bit of dressmaking! 

 

This is on a very fine cotton and will be a scarf.

A retro feel for this piece of fabric that I was given by someone in my village; I think I'll use it as a throw on a bed or sofa. I now have lots of ironing to do to fix the colours!

At home, Pepper continues to relax from studio duties, either on the sofa or on hot days he's found a favourite shady spot.

Outside, everything is rosy.



Preparing for Cambridge Open Studio

No time for blogging recently, life has been extra busy with family and lots of preparations for this yearly event. I am open this weekend (and the next 2) and had some lovely visitors yesterday but know that this afternoon most people will be watching the tennis; so I expect it will be quiet.

Maybe Barney will take up the sport!! I think my raquet is a bit big!

Back to printing, some screen printing in progress, I produce a range of cushions, tea towels and aprons.

 I've done some exciting printing on paper this year after a non-creative phase, I'm proud of the hare print, lino on screen printed backgrounds. When I stay with a friend in Leicestershire we see hares close up in the field at the back of the house and that was the inspiration for this print. The landscape is beautiful, I've shown some favourite trees and the little empty cottage on the horizon. This is the inked up block, a stage I always love as you can see begin to see how it will work out.

It's a variable edition of 35 and I'm using different backgrounds and colours, I think this is my favourite,

but I also like this one.

I always enjoy open studios, it's fun meeting people, gives me a very good reason to dust and make my studio presentable! and it's as if you run a little gallery for a few weekends!

There's a quiet place to sit by the side of the house, just right in this hot sun.