Tuesday 3 May 2011

Maytime, Playtime........

I really must try harder to blog more than once a month..... but April wasn't really a time for sitting at the computer; it was much more suited for walking, cycling, gardening, sunbathing and barbecues :-)
But I did manage to make another Spirit Cloth...a tiny one this time (my wrinkly hand is there to show size :-) ) It's going to be the centre panel for a cushion - when I can get hold of some dark blue velvet.

Last week The Living Threads group of textile artists held an exhibition very close to where I live. I managed two visits! Had a lovely day with Maggi and then went again with my friend Lynne. I used to belong to this group when it first started in 1982 but had to give it up because of my job. Fingers crossed....I'm hoping to join again, so maybe I'll be involved at the next exhibition in two years time.
Unfortunately no photos were allowed at the exhibition -  but I can show you a felting kit I bought there! Hoping to have a go at this tomorrow....

We've been out and about over the last few weeks...went to Calke Abbey to see the wonderful gardens and the fabulous display of auriculas.

Calke has not been over-restored; which is why I like it so much. The orangery still has beautiful peeling paint on the walls (great for textures!). I took this photo in the corner; the damaged wall almost looks like a church window. I haven't altered the image - just added a worn edge.
Lots of people have photos of bluebells on their blogs at the moment...its been a great year for them. We went to Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire and walked amongst them in the sunshine. The smell was as beautiful as the sight of them...what bliss.

The next photo is for Patty...we always have a debate at this time of year about how her American bluebells are different from ours :-)


Another day...another walk; this time to Dale Abbey about 5 miles from where we live. It has one of the smallest churches in the country, a hermits cave in the hillside, the remains of a 13thC abbey and a great pub!


The bit at the end on the left is the church......the rest is a farmhouse!

Peachy News
He's been enjoying the sun, as you can see.......and watching the plants grow ;-)
And....he now has his own door!
He loves it and uses it so much, I just hope he doesn't wear it out.....

It's operated by the microchip in his neck....how clever is that!!!

Right, I'm off to sit here and read my Country Living magazine.
I'll be back soon .....hopefully before June ;-)

31 comments:

Cynthia Schelzig said...

What wonderful colors on your woven piece....lovely fotos and of course a dose of my favorite cyber cat,,,,Peachy my main man...how cute is that door thingy. I think a friend of mine needs one using a microchip...as she gets RACOONS in her kitchen....yikes!! He looks like he is enjoying himself and he has gotten so BIG!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, more than once a month would be great, we like to see what you are up to...lovely spirit cloth, love those colors. Your travels out and about are charming as always, Dale Abbey look like a sweet place. A microchip operated kitty door, well that's technology for you, great idea
unless the chip goes dead for some reason.
Like the pansies in your header. xox Corrine

Crafting Queen said...

Love the photos, especially the one of your lovely cat!!

ju-north said...

Pleased you are out and about in the sun! told my sister to look out for you yesterday at the craft fair but you weren't there!

Terri said...

It sounds like you had a fabulous April! The photos of your travels are fab, and I love the one with the statue.
Your new Spirit cloth is gorgeous! It is going to look amazing in the center of blue velvet. I really would like to try this some day : )
Peachy is just as funny as ever! I am interested to hear about the micro chip door. My two little ones would love a door, I was just concerned about what else might come in.
Great to see you!
Hugs,
Terri

Judy S. said...

Fabulous photos, Linda. I love your new spirit cloth and as always, the updates on Peachy. What's the pretty white flower on the vine in the last photo? A type of clematis? I've been seeing them in bloom here. We have a similar flower called wood hyacinth that sure looks a lot like your bluebells. Ours are just getting started thanks to our weirdly cold spring.

Heather said...

What a lovely post and with such beautiful photos - I love auriculas and old buildings. Your tiny spirit cloth is sweet - they must be so nice to work on. Peachy looks very pleased with his own personal entrance.

lynda Howells said...

beautiful images and l love your workx lynda

Mescrap said...

So glad to read about your updates.
The spirit cloth is gorgeous. Love the colour.

Holly Loves Art said...

Great to "see you!" Happy Spring! Love all the pretty pictures and getting caught up and your lovely orange kitty is precious. Have a lovely month of May.
Cheers,
Holly

Plum Cox said...

Lovely spirit cloth piece - colours just right for spring!

Shashi Nayagam said...

Your playtime sounds like something I kinda like. Love your spirit cloth and I will look forward to seeing those cushions that you are planning to make. Beautiful photos thanks for sharing.

Lorraine said...

love that spirit cloth..the textile group sounds marvellous. The creative stitches show is coming up to liverpool soon so there is always a good textile bit at the back with workshops and talks etc so looking forward to that..often textile exhibitions there too. I like the photos of your walks..I have been out lots too as we have to make the most of this sun before it rains.. I like your white bench and blue cushion

BumbleVee said...

In and out...and in and out.... old Peachy is having a blast with his very own door. Very cute...

What a lovely cushion it will be when finished LInda....

and....if I could just force myself to do something other than hang out on here...I could get a ton of stuff completed. Not that i'm on all day...but, then there is always my exercise routine... laundry, vacuuming..dusting... meals every day.. and I love to bake..so muffins, cookies and breads as well as meals... time just flies....

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos. Now I know which corsage you were talking about. You must have bought that kit on another day as I didn't see you get it. I have some dark blue velvet which would be big enough if you want to bring the piece to try when you come over. Clematis looks gorgeous behind the bench by the way

Jan said...

Good to catch up with you again Linda. I love the blues and greens of your newest Spirit Cloth. It might have been quite large, funny how photos can't show the size when the piece doesn't have a reference point.

I love all the pictures of the flowers. It has been cold and wet here so not many flowers yet. Those masses of blue bells are so gorgeous! Do they smell wonderful too? I'm sure they do.

Peaches has become quite the large cat! It must be fun seeing him relaxing in your garden, sunning himself. Thanks for sharing all this with us.

~*~Patty S said...

Hello Hello Dear Linda ~ smiling about your gorgeous AND fragrant Bluebells...they are different than ours here in Virginia. We call your Bluebells Scillia (I believe)
The VA Bluebells do not have a fragrance...
isn't so much blue a vision to behold...wonderful pics you've shared!
Lovely post...it is always a delight seeing what you're up to!

Trying hard to reaclimate after our Swiss getaway...not easy
Happy May Dear One!
oxo

Heloise said...

Beautiful spirit cloth, love the colours, textures and stitching.

You have visited some interesting places and taken lovely photographs. The farmhouse with the church looks very interesting.

Enjoy the fine weather while it's here. We really do need rain though.

Val said...

Lovely photos Linda and a beautiful mini spirit cloth - love the colours! Great to see what you have been up to this last month - what fantastic weather we had. Thanks too for the link to the Living Threads Group - most interesting.

Dot said...

Glad the weather has been so lovely over there Linda. Sounds like you have been enjoying every minute of it! Your latest woven piece is stunning(yumbo, yumbo colors) and Mr Peachy Poo's pics had me in stitches! (the one of him checking out the seedling is so funny). How clever that his microchip opens his door too.
Much love from me and the kitties.
Dot xx

Dot said...

P.S Where do you get your dark blue velvet from? It looks beautiful in your piece - think I ' need' to get some :)

Emma said...

You're just trying to tease us aren't you?! Or could it be you're busy making your beautiful spirit cloth? It's just lovely.

That exhibition looks wonderful, went to the site - why don't peeps allow photos, I want to SEE! That's one of the points of these fabulous blogs, isn't it? We can all travel vicariously!

Rosie said...

Gorgeous photos, you take such beautiful pictures. Gorgeous cat too!

Bunty said...

Another wonderful post Linda - great spirit cloth, lovely Peachy and fabulous looking Calke Abbey - definitely one for the list!

Thanks for your good wishes.

Barbara x

Julie said...

What a beautiful place to sit and soak up some sun! A thoroughly enjoyable and beautiful post. I have been promising myself to go to Calke for years now but so far haven't got there.

Gini said...

Another beautiful spirit cloth and I'm so glad you've been out and about enjoying this gorgeous spring weather and not sitting at the computer.
Would the maximum congregation at the little church be 3 humans (including the vicar and the organist) plus Peachy pooh and his amazing traveling electronic flap? Although if the congregation were all small enough to fit through the flap then the numbers would perhaps swell to 40!
Gini
xx

Jill said...

Beautiful spirit cloth. But now I've seen Peachy, nothing can compare ('cept Marv of course)

Robin Mac said...

Wonderful post Linda, I visited Calke Abbey about 14 years ago, saw the most amazing dress on display there. Like you, we loved the fact that it is not ever restored. The spirit cloth will make a wonderful centre for your cushion. the cordylines should shoot again during the summer - at least they would in Australia, so I imagine they will there too. Cheers

Lynette (NZ) said...

Hi Linda - I have been admiring your stitching, and especially inspired lately by your sari ribbon works and have shared my love of them in my latest blog post. Happy weekend

Tammy said...

Hi Linda, Saw your post on Jude Hills blog so I popped over .. love your stitching. Love the stories about your cat.. the one where he kept stealing a heart was so cute it gave me a good laugh!! Take care!

Tammy said...

I just realized it wasn't Jude's blog it was Lynnettes blog that was posted on Jude's and also mentioned your blog .. haha .. so many blogs so little time.. Anyway glad to see your lovely stitching!!

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