Knitting and stitching show again

So off to Harrogate to the K&S show yesterday with my apple, my bottle of water and my creaky back. The main purpose of the trip was to see the exhibitions but somehow I ended up spending lots of money!

The exhibitions were very well laid out and were excellent. Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn's show was simply stunning and I spent most of my time browsing it. Jan spent some time with me explaining the techniques she used and it was so nice to see that someone so well known was prepared to take the trouble to share their expertise and look as if she enjoyed doing so. Diane Bates' show was also very good and Diane dressed for the part as usual, was in good form and very chatty. Ruth Isset's show was wonderful. Her use of colour and range of techniques is awe inspiring. Carole Naylor's machine embroideries were also very good.

All the exhibitors were very happy to talk about their work and answer questions. Quite a contrast with Sarah Lawrence of Crafty Notions who was evidently suffering from too much contact with "the public". Quite happy to demonstrate, but not happy to talk in depth or answer questions about the techniques. Why ask me, when you should be buying my book seems to be the attitude. A momentary glich on an otherwise good day.

So apart from the lack of chairs and a few blocked aisles, I thought it was a very good show. Lots or yarn and knitting suppliers, some new bead shops and some nice fabric plus all the usual equipment stalls. The graduate showcase was very good, if a little cramped. I wonder if they will all manage to earn a living in the current financial climate? It would be nice to think so.

So having stocked up on pelmet vilene, liquid sculpey and the like, it's back to the mixed media on line classes. I've realised that I haven't used enough Gesso, and my tyvek motifs looked "plonked" on rather than integrated. So I think I'll have a go at stitching them, but if that doesn't work I'll start again.

Every so often I remember that I can always do it tomorrow as I don't have to go to work! Yippeee"

at the sea side

This may or may not work, but if it does you will be able to see the sea!!!

Well it does seem to work. I wish I had set the scene more carefully and hadn't looked into the sun but at least it does give the flavour of a beautiful day by the sea!

So now it's back to playing with my new toys!

On the beach

So another trip to the far west with the sun in our eyes all the way, followed by three days of solid rain. But then on the fourth day came this . Hemmick beach at it's very best and we were the only people on it! The Ravens joined us for a while and we watched a buzzard circling overhead. Bliss! The blue sky and mild weather lasted all day and in the afternoon we went to see the birds come into roost at Spit Beach. Not one for the scenery really, but you can keep the view of the clay dries at bay by turning your back on them! Lots of Curlews and Oyster Catchers huddled on the harbour wall and probably some Turnstones, but too many to count and as the tide was in we could not get very close.