Bonjour Le Camping....

We had a lovely half-term in France on the Ile De Noirmoutier.....the days were long, sunny and got warmer as the week went on. We had a treat too, staying in one of these tents rather than having to set up our own. We have learnt to our cost that France is always further away than we plan, often getting stuck in some detour around a town which holds us up.

So this year, we went for one that came fully equipped and didn't need putting up as dusk falls and the rain clouds open.

This was how close we were to the beach and sea.....I had forgotten to take my 'camping fish mobile' so had to make one there, a cross I was willing to bare. They look lovely swinging in the breeze and I like to think they bring some luck - wishful thinking most of the time, but this week worked a treat.

Step out of the tent and this is the view, the boats just bob about, don't really see who owns them. This time of year the area is famous for shell fish and the campers in the 'know' go out every low tide with rakes and a basket collecting their lunch or dinner. They spend the whole summer months on the site and probably get annoyed with the pesky English interrupting their holiday this week.

We spent a couple of hours on the other side of the Island one evening watching the sunset. This was about 10 0'clock and rather lovely...

We also managed our first family frisby session, Smallest bean No.3 is now old enough to catch and throw the frisby and we did manage a whole round a couple of times - a Charles Family First :-)

Oh and did I mention my stitching? Inspired by a recent vintage purchase and my new camping fish, I cut out 9 squares of felt and embroidered them with fish. The colours of fish matched the felt and I just swapped them over to create and balance the design. I often suggest this simple technique to my stitching learners and it works well most of the time.

I used a paper template and an air fading pen to work out the design and then space the stitches by eye, still work in progress as we speak, but I hope to finnish it off soon.

A lovely evening spent

One week ago I set off on a journey to 'the other end of the county, over the border and beyond'! I was on my way to meet a group of quilters/stitchers who meet once a month in a village hall. I have never spoken to such a group before, I think I told them this, but just incase I didn't - don't tell. Sshhh.

I told them of my background, thinking this would give me credentials (ha) and the work I do now in the Children's Centers. I mentioned the Textiles C&G course I am co-tutoring on, I think this went down well.

Handing out patterns, templates and samples of my work, the ladies were soon inspired with my new range of lovely felt and bought a few colours to play with.

We chatted about the samples and I went round a few times to make sure that everyone was happy with their work and new what they were doing. I had some lovely conversations with people and felt very welcome.

It had been a birthday for one of the stitchers the previous week, so tea and cakes were served. I was informed that this was not the norm, perhaps a biscuit was there to keep strength up most months.

There was a great 'show and tell' time, where the ladies held up their finished work and spoke about what they had made and any points of interest that came up.

These are the pics I took, I have now come to the conclusion that I have to take my tripod everywhere I go. To capture natural colours and lovely detailed work, my shaky hand and small 'satsuma' of a camera is not enough. You will now see me with cute little tripod on tow too.

The evening finishes with a traditional 'raffle' I donated a brooch from my box of tricks.

As you can see there were some lovely colour combinations and great variations on the basic design. I had some lovely feedback from the group and they will be happy to have me back in the future. I look forward to it! :-)

New felt, new projects

I have at last got my own supply of felt to sell to all my lovely stitchers, so armed with 35 lush colours in lovely rich felt I have started a new project to inspire :-)

I made a 'penny' quilt/pannel when I first stared the courses I do, but only made it in 4 colours. It looked great, but I was itching to make it in the full blown 9 square/9 colour version.

So here it is:

The recipe calls for 5 rich colours and four pale colours or visa versa of course.

You then cut one square and 3 circles of decreasing size from each of the 9 colours.

Then you arrange the colours, alternating bright with pale as much as you can, until you have a pleasing arrangement.

This is the range of my felt it all it's glory. Grouped into Yellows, Reds, Blues, Purples, Greens, Browns and Neutrals. I am really pleased with the set.

I have put an A5 set in my etsy shop, but have already started selling direct to the stitchers I work with. Thanks ladies!

OOoooo, at last I have started this new blog :-)

I have been wondering for a long time when I would manage to start this blog. I really wanted it to coincide with a little shop somewhere and links to my own work. 'trumpet fanfare' that moment has come - if I can only find the links......wish me luck on my quest!

So, here is my first showcase of work, I have started a (very) tiny shop on etsy, the technology is beyond me at the moment, but they say I will get quicker......mmmmm, I hope so!

They do look good, even if I say so myself.....:-)