What Katie Did

The morning after the Wool Event of the Week (Decade?)

Exhausted! Such a full on day of making with nearly 100 people. This drop-in workshop attracted people who were just passing by on their way to the library or the cafe, or people who had booked a day off work and travelled for miles to take part and everyone in-between. 

We said we would be demonstrating and involving people with carding, weaving, spinning, felting, knitting, crocheting, needle felting, sewing, and luceting and we did, including threading-buttons which a granddad did with his 2 year old grandson.

 

twins working well together

two friends really got the hang of peg loom weaving!

rolling that wet felt

we knit with this yarn as soon as it was made!

 
This was the 'before' picture as we were setting up in the gallery of the Queen's Hall. I haven't got an 'after' picture. We were too tired - seven hours of full on workshop. We will be doing this, or something like it again in the Winter, Spring and Summer. And we will show you what everyone made when we have collated it all in a week or two!

Thank you to everyone who gave up time to take part, but mostly thank you to Ellie who was a joy to work with!

One Day Only

the Wool Workshop is TODAY

try to get along if you can - it is going to be fun!

Culture

I am deeply gratified - someone has nominated me for a 'little blog award' on Dorset Cereals in the category 'Culture' - I have one vote (I am not fishing here) (honestly) (there is someone there with 96 votes and I don't know 95 people) (please don't) (thank you) (what's with the brackets?)

Anyway - I looked at my stats and spotted a hit from the aforementioned cereal people and wondered why they were visiting - lo and behold - a nomination - in 'culture'. I am astounded actually. They offer 'a really nice prize'. Do you think it is cereal? it must be mustn't it?

I don't think I have ever typed 'mustn't' it looks very strange.

Thank you to my mystery nominator - you have made me reflect on the way people see me and I'll relate this little musing of mine. I walked into my favourite cafe the other day and there was a nice person who I only know a little bit and she said 'Oh - hello Katie, how are you? ('fine' I said - blah blah, weather, autumn, pretty colours etc) 'Oh' she said again 'you always look so unique' 

And I got my coffee and sat upstairs and thought about it for a while and decided that I didn't mind being described thus. Unique. Cultured. They are only words - but how they end up being attached to me is a mystery. Not getting all philosophical here - just musing out loud - feeling in a musing sort of mood. As I write a good friend is in labour with her first child and my thoughts are there, but also further afield as the cycle of life keeps turning and bringing new challenges.

I can't remember when I last wrote so much here. A picture is called for I think - for those of you who are still reading to ponder on. Enjoy your day to the full - absolutely and completely. Today, I get to drive to Cumbria with Geoff and hold the other end of a tape measure while he works. But I get to be with him today and drive through some sensational countryside and chat. It will be just wonderful.

 

Wonderful Wool Workshop

The cogs have been turning and the plans have been hatching and now I can reveal that the greatest idea since Darwin (not really, but it's quite good) will be taking place in Hexham, on 30th October, in the Queen's Hall Art Centre with a lot of WOOL. Ellie is a felt maker and I just have a lot of stuff. We are going to collaborate to make something rather lovely. These nice people are funding us and it will be amazing. You are invited of course. Ellie and I will be playing with fleece all day long! I can't imagine anything nicer!

 

And this Sunday we'll be at the Auction Mart in Hexham from mid-day running two smaller drop in workshops - Ellie with wool, me with papper! I may even do it with a French accent.

Have you any idea what I'm talking about? check out the Youtube thingy on the next post!

Make a Papper Bag with this Frenchman

A Sociable Time

Well - I have eaten a lot treat food lately! It started on Thursday with a girls night in - Jan, Jayne and I watched Enchanted and ate lovely food with two sorts of Ben and Jerry's - this counts as a perfect evening in my book.

Then on Friday evening with apple cake and a marathon session sewing curtains for Lara. Lovely. Not finished yet, photos when we have.

Then it moved on to preparations for the Bed and Breakfast guests we were looking forward to welcoming to the treehouse! 

They had bid for this night at the charity auction to raise funds for this project. I went to the auction last year and had a lot of fun. It was this couple's 12th wedding anniversary, so effort had to be put forth. I had to test out the chocolate truffles didn't I?

And today, Lindsay and her friends Amanda and Fiona came from North of the Border for a jaunt and afternoon tea.

 

I went a bit over the top. There are left overs if anyone is nearabouts. 

I have eaten too much cake. A week of vegetables and fruit for me I think.

Woe, woe and thrice woe

First the electricity, then Geoff's electricity and then..... my dear computer. I am relieved to get it back this afternoon with all the glitches ironed out and new virus software on board. Thank you Computer Shop. In the intervening time I have been here

Norfolk (this is the Fruit Farm we got 48 kilos of apples and pears from) to help John move from one RSPB reserve to another and then to here

the view from the cafe in the Tate Modern where I rested my weary feet and sipped a vastly overpriced drink. We were in London to help Martha and Matt streamline their backyard into an efficient growing space - even more efficient than it already was.

Poppy came. What is she doing here?

buyring her Bonio of course!

All sorts of new and wonderful things now live in M&M's yard and the growing opportunites are mega. Many thanks to Nana and Grandad

 

both inside and outside - take a look at this that Nana made

hours and hours of work and love in this. Beautiful.

Back to Autumn now, yellow, brown, misty, cold, bright sunny days, early dusks. And my computer restored to health

Just look at the amount of cake!

HOORAY!