Christmas Is Coming

I have just made my first You Tube Video and here it is in all it's Glory.  (Well nearly all!  the end seemed to just disappear!)

Art Canvases ~ Hidden Depths ~ The Sea

Introducing Pet

This is Pet, She is a rag doll that I made for my daughter for her first Christmas 12 years ago.

Wall Art Canvases ~ Hidden Depths

 I have been up to my eyes in glue and paper recently making this series of Canvas wall art.

Based upon the secret history we do not see as we walk through our surroundings is hinted at through the form of the spiralling ammonite.

The pictures are made up with recycled papers and are finished with varnish.
Each picture measures 20cm x 20 cm x 4cm.

 They can be free standing or wall mounted.  

you can read more about them HERE

4 Skirts Recycled into 1.

I have a lovely neighbour who loves clothes shopping.  This is very much to my benefit as when her wardrobe no longer fits her stash, she empties it and brings the clothes over to mine.  It's always lovely to receive the latest bagful.  The latest stash had several skirts in it that were too short for me as I love floor swishers.  I was at a loss with what to do with them as the fabrics were lovely.  Often I will turn the clothes into altered tshirt scarfs or rag rugs, but this time I wanted to do something with them so I could wear them.

I sat one night and cut each skirt into small pieces and then the following morning I began to sew them all together to make a huge patchwork sheet.  I then cut it up and formed it into a skirt.  It's really lovely autumn colours and swishes like you wouldn't believe.

I didn't have a pattern to follow so have had to make it up as I went along.
Now I can't wait for my next sewing project.

An Online Crafting Competition

UK Crafts Forum have just announced details of their Summer Show.
Sponsors have been asked to provide wonderful crafty prizes and the categories have been announced:
Flower Power sponsored by Loody
Recycling Riot sponsored by Bodrighy
O I do like to be beside the seaside sponsored by Catkin Jane
Rule Britannia sponsored by Greannanan Crafts
Animal Magic sponsored by Carolee Crafts
Seasons sponsored by Beads By Design
Golden oldie treasure (creations you made several years ago) sponsored by Ann Noble
Pink to Make the boys wink Sponsored by Snug Crafts
Under 11's Craft items Sponsored by ?


Why not join up and enter your own items.

I was interviewed ~ Handmade Harbour

Recently I was interviewed by Wendy at Handmade Harbour which is a great blog about the crafting world.
It was lovely to see the interview published yesterday.   You can read all about how I got started and see my workroom.  Read about Karen

You're Beautiful ~ Phil Wickham

Beauty In Unexpected Places

Every day when I see the wonderful countryside around South Cave, I think "I am so lucky to live here"  the rolling hills with their crop planted patchworks, the copses and woodland all sit beautifully together, no wonder they inspire artists.

Painting by David Hockney

A few night ago I was talking at a WI over the other side of Hull in the rural location of Roos.  My journey there took me from the beautiful Wolds.

Past the river Humber with the sunlight glistening on the water and the blue sky reflected in it. Past the majestic Humber bridge through the centre of Hull.

Past the marina with the boats bobbing and into a run down dock area, past the prison and then past the sprawling mass of pipes and chimneys that is Salt End Petrochemical company.

Finally I entered winding country roads that led through pretty little villages until I got to my destination. I thought back over the journey and thought how Salt End was a blot on the landscape.
My return journey left me thinking that perhaps I'd got it wrong.  It was dark by the time I left Hedon and turned out on to he A63. As I did, there infront of me was a stunning scene.

this photo is one of a series of amazing photos by Hull Photographer David Laws

 Salt End, lit up by lights all decked in splendour.  It was beautiful.  Had I not been driving I would have been able to take it in a bit more.

A Moving Moment

Last night, along with billions of other people I sat down to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  The question of who would light the Olympic cauldron, who would be given the honour.  The papers have been full of it with speculations running wild.
A beautiful amazing tableaux took place, followed by 204 parties of athletes walking into the stadium, all excited and proud to be there, and then we saw the arrival of the Olympic flag and finally we watched as the Olympic flame arrived courtesy of David Beckham and a young English footballer.  it was welcomed to the stadium by Sir Steve Redgrave and at that point I can't have been the only one thinking, well it's not Steve Redgrave lighting the flame.  He ran into the stadium and lit the torch of  a young lad who started running around the track with six others.   The commentator then told us that each youngster was nominated by a former Olympian and as the names were read out, and the torch passed between them, still the question was who would light the flame?  and then the most amazing thing happened, as the youngsters arrived before the great Olympians, they were all given torches and shared the light between themselves, and then the youngsters "the future" went forward and lit the flame together .   The music fitted so well, the percussive bells and the high and beautiful music rose and then petals of copper lit and lifted coming together to form the most beautiful iconic image of the Olympic cauldron.  so beautiful, so moving and so perfect.

Confetti

 I've been out collecting petals to create confetti by drying them for a wedding tomorrow.

I've taken the petails off the stem making sure that pollen laden stamens are removed

The petals are left on paper on the windowsill to dry

I'll package them in paper cones.

My Wedding Outfit

I'm always described as a bit of a hippy, so my wedding outfit is perfect!

It's a pale blue pure silk Salwar Kameez with crystal and seed bead decoration.

I have made a facinator using the most hideous blue roses that were in my stash.  Although I wouldn't normally use them for me, the colour is perfect and so I decided to go for it.  Thje banding is pale blue seed beads.

My shoes are silver and pale blue

I didn't have anything warm to wear with the outfit, but a kind neighbour gives me her cast off clothing to craft with and I found this cardi wrap so I sewed beads all along the edges to tie in with the outfit.

the finishing Touch is a beautiful drapey long scarf wrap with beading detail I sewed on to tie it into the outfit.

At this moment in time I do not have a handbag to go with the outfit, but I am hoping that my mum or a friend has a silver bag I can borrow.  If not I may well be making one tonight!!

The largest orchestra ever to play Vaughan Williams Concerto Grosso

310 young musicians from the East Riding of Yorkshire descended on Birmingham this weekend to play in the amazing venue of  Symphony Hall.
The musicians were from East Riding Youth Orchestra, East Riding Intermediate strings, East Riding strings training orchestra, Hymers school, Hull Collegiate and Hull music service.  The Collaberation was the idea of conductor Richard Quick and has involved sectional practices, group rehearsals and then heats for the Music for youth festival held in March this year in Hull.  The group, known as 54 Degrees North won rave reviews from the judges and hope to be asked to play in the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in November this year.
The musicians are all strings players and range in age from 8 to 19 and have playing abilities from grade 1 to grade 8+.
The work was originally written by Vaughan Williams for professional musicians and students.

Bible Verse Bracelets ~ Psalm 139 v 13 ~16 Bracelet

 Psalm 139 v 13 -16

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together

in my mothers womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in that secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.  

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be

 This bracelet is one of a series of Bible verse and Bible story bracelets.  Each bracelet is unique and comes in a gift box along with a quality card featuring the verse and a key to understanding the hidden meaning in your bracelet.

 Find out the secrets

These bracelets make wonderful gifts for Baptisms, Christenings, First Communions , Confirmations and other Christian celebrations and occasions.

If you cannot find your favourite verses or story, then please get in touch and I'll design one especially for you.

The Lord's My Shepherd ~ I will trust in you alone