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A bit of a sneak peek for you today!
Later this month, the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes is again hosting a stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate.
I have been helping to organise our stand and managed to talk myself into designing and making a kit to sell to visitors.
This is what I came up with ...
A blackwork sampler bookmark on aida band.
I hope people buy it and can understand my instructions and charts!
Just becoming even more rubbish at updating my blog! Yikes!
It's been over a week, so what has been happening?
Well, I have been doing a lot of work for starters! It's now more than a year since I became self-employed and *touch-wood, fingers-crossed etc* all is well.
I have also been busy with the WI, as ever. Buns & Roses needed a new venue, so I'm pleased to say we found a fab new home, and I have put together my first issue of the West Yorkshire News monthly newsletter as Editor.
There has been crafting time too, and even a day trip to York! Myself, Hayley and Helen had a day out to visit the Quilt Museum and York Minster, both of which were amazing and full of inspiration.
I even had a go at a little bit of quilting myself. I got into my head an idea to do a series of pieces, entitled "I'm OK". It came from an exhibiton I saw a long time ago, where the artist had written home to friends and family during his travels, simply saying "I am still alive". My goal is to do these little bits regularly, in whatever craft form I feel inspired by at the time, as a reminder to myself that I'm OK.
So this is the first, using some fabrics I bought at the Quilt Museum. It's a rather rough-and-ready attempt at quilting (I did it all by hand, in bed, while watching nature programmes on iPlayer!).
Oh, I have also bought myself a Filofax, as my little WI diary just did not have enough room for everything that's going on!
A couple of weeks ago I attended the Jaboean embroidery workshop run by the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes at their office in Rodley.
I love these day classes - you get to learn new things alongside fellow crafters and we have lots of fun too.
Well, with all the chatting and faffing about with the wool (I didn't really like working with it!) I didn't get much done, but I finished my piece off over the weekend.
Most of the stitches I had done before, but I learnt some new ones called coral stitch, spiderwebs and pinwheels, which are fab, and practiced my blanket stitch, which I've never been very good at.
The coral stitch is the ling thin stems. It's kind of knotted over itself every cm or so. The little blue flowers are the web and wheel stitches. Very impressed with these two so must remember to use them again in future.
I think the laid trellis work is a lovely effect too, although I did get a bit muddle with the couching down so the pattern went a bit wrong in places!
Lots of French knots for the middle of the flower and the yellow things at the outside that look like caterpillars are called bullion knots.
Don't think I'll be working in wool again anytime soon, but I'm very pleased with the finished piece.
Here goes then with the latest tales from the WI.
As you know I've been getting more and more involved with this wonderful organisation for a few months now and really couldn't wish to be part of a more open, friendly and accepting group of women. And I mean that about Buns & Roses, our West Yorkshire Federation and the National Federation of Women's Institutes.
Remember the early days of Facebook when people would boast about having 100 "friends", hardly any of whom they had ever spoken to, let alone met?! Well, I can safely say that I have 207,000 very good friends in my fellow WI members and although I may not have spoken to or met them either, I know they would be there for me if I needed them and that I would happily return the favour anytime.
This is precisely why I have been getting more involved and am proud to already be the Denman College Rep for West Yorkshire, the Editor of our monthly newsletter (I have my own office and I get to decorate it!) and a member of the Home Economics & Handicrafts Committee.
As of this week, I now also sit on the Executive Committee at West Yorkshire and am so excited to also be President of Buns & Roses WI, as of our meeting last night.
Georgiana felt the time had come for her to step down, and with the approval of the rest of the committee, I have now officially taken on the role.
I don't expect it to be easy, but I know it will be fun and I'm looking forward to it.
Buns & Roses have had another bit of excitement this week as well - we are featured in the current issue of Woman magazine! Please do go out and get a copy (or at least flip through it in the shop - you'll see us on page 19!).
That's all the WI gossip for now! I am sure there will be more very soon and I will return over the weekend with crafty pics!
Firstly, an apology to my big bro, Matthew. It turns out he does read my blog and his wedding anniversary is not until the end of July, so I have spoiled the surprise of the card he will be getting from our mum! Sorry bro! Maybe she will send a different one instead ...
And further apologies for being a bit lax with the blogging recently. I have been super busy with one thing or another, mostly the WI! Having taken on the role of Editor of West Yorkshire News I have been chasing copy, designing layouts and battling with budgets so far this week! There is fun WI stuff happening too - today I am doing a Jacobean embroidery workshop for the day and later this week I will let you in on some super exciting Buns & Roses news!
For now though, male cards.
I was so glad to see the Plane and Simple set in the Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue. It is ideal for my dad, as he is the treasurer of his local model flying club and loves to build, fly and crash model airplanes! It's also a good alternative to golf and beer!
Now, I'm fairly sure my dad doesn't read my blog, so here goes with the card he'll be receiving for Father's Day! If you see this dad - sorry!
I went with neutral tones and some embossing and distressing to add interest without having to go for the traditional embellishments such as buttons and ribbon. I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder for the background piece of cardstock.
The splodges were made using the Sprizer Tool and the edges of the card were roughed up with the Cutter Kit. The label (this is one for my stash to sell hence why it says happy birthday and not happy father's day) was attached with a brad for a bit of movement.
Right, time to get busy with a needle and thread!
Yet another wedding card I'm afraid, this time an anniversary one for my brother and his missus. I made this for my mum to give to them.
Shamefully, I have no idea when their anniversary is, so I doubt they'll be getting a card from me! I might even have missed it!
Ah well, they get one of my creations via my mum anyway!
I used the Always Elegant here and created the background by repeatedly stamping the big swirly pattern on to Whisper White cardstock in Crum Cake ink. A subtle, beautiful pattern. It was mounted on to a square Crumb Cake card blank.
For the focal element, I used the sentiment from that set in Cherry Cobbler ink. I used te Word Window and Scallop Oval punches for the frame. Then, lots of flowers using the flower stamps from the Punch Potpourri hostess set, punched out with the matching Boho Blossoms Punch.
I made some tiny rose buds from Whisper White 3mm Taffeta Ribbon
and decorated with lots of Pearls.
A very pretty card, and the Cherry Cobbler just gives it that wow factor and brings it to life.
Today I'm off to our Buns & Roses WI 1940s/50s day and I have a very pretty dress to wear and dance around in! I will be back with tales and pics soon.
In the meantime, why not head over to our B&R blog to read all about the national AGM this week.
Yesterday I was at the Liverpool Echo Arena for the WI AGM.
I had been asked to attend in case the press wanted to talk to someone about being in the WI. As it happened, it was pretty quiet, but I had a great time anyway.
Being sat up in the VIP boxes was spectacular - I could see the whole arena and all 4,500 fellow members. When we all stood up to sing Jerusalem it was absolutely incredible.
I won't bore you with all the details here, as I'll be putting something up on our WI blog soon, but I will share some pics of my finished goldwork that I took along.
The Picture Framer in Burley did a wonderful job framing it.
And here are each of the four sections close up ...
Now I just have to decide where to hang it!
Last night was our fascintaor making workshop at Buns & Roses WI. Hayley very cleverly gave it the title (Sina) Major Tom, sinamay being the scratchy material used to make fascinator bases!
Anyway, seeing as I have made several fascinators now I was there mostly to run the bar and help other members, but I did find time to make a little brooch in the same method.
I used some of the waste sinamay in a rectangle shape. It is also curved at the opposite corners so is quite funky.
I covered it in brown silky material and edged it with orange gingham ribbon.
To decorate I scrunched up some bright orange fabric and orange lace and fastened on with some buttons.
In the opposite top corner I folded a bit of the same gingham ribbon round the edge and added another button.
And here it is in-situ!
You can see some more pics of what we got up to and the creations of our lovely members at the Buns & Roses WI blog.
I had a very busy day Wednesday with lots of WI things - my favourite kind of things.
I spent most of it at the West Yorkshire Federation office sorting out things for my role as Denman College rep and also learning about running our monthly newsletter. I'll be getting involved in that too; I'm a woman of many talents. And not enough hours!
It's always fun being at the office with some of the other members and having a good gossip!
Here's me and Hayley being daft!
The evening was spent with Hayley and Helen as usual.
Here's Helen knitting me a hat!
I spent my time doing some tiny blackwork pieces as practice pieces towards my NFWI Embroidery Certificate.
I'm testing out different fabris and threads and getting used to how the patterns work - it makes my eyes go funny after a while!
Finally I helped Hayley set up her blog to showcase her artwork. It's still new but do head over and become a follower and you'll get to see some of her wonderful artwork in the coming weeks. Hayley's blog.
Today I'm catching up on all the WI happenings from the last week or so, and there have been a lot!
Firstly, up at the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes I'm on the Home Economics and Handicrafts Committee. We sort all the crafty goodness out. The latest news is that I'll be running a card and gift bag workshop there next year and also that we're doing the WI stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate again. I'll be manning the stand at some point and hopefully teaching a workshop too. Exciting!
The next piece of gossip is that I'm now the Denman Rep for West Yorkshire! You know I loved my week there doing Elizabethan goldwork, so it just seemed like a good plan! I'll be helping spread the word about Denman to WIs around the county and will hopefully be able to get back down there very soon.
And finally, and most excitingly, I have been asked by the National Federation of Women's Institutes to attend the AGM in Liverpool next month! They needed a few members to act as reps for members of the press to speak to about what the WI is really like and what we get up to. I'm mega looking forward to it - 5,000 people attend and we have speakers, including Sir Steve Redgrave, and sing Jerusalem of course! Because I'll be with the press office it should be a good way to get a bit of a behind the scenes look at the WI as well!
There are other bits of WI-based fun, but they won't mean much to most people so let's just say that being a member is keeping me very busy and creative!
Finally, a pic of myself and the Buns & Roses committee at our meeting this week.
Last night was our monthly workshop at Buns & Roses and we were learning how to draw.
We had a lovely illustrator called Steve Beaumont come to teach us and he was very good.
By starting off with shapes we all managed to draw a pretty realistic lady!
Here's my effort! Have to admit I'm not that keen on it. I liked it better before I did the face and hair!
Anyway, it was fun and I will definitely be a bit more confident giving drawing a go in future.
We have just started a Buns & Roses blog so please come and see us there for more pics and stories!
I also went to see the Asda WI yesterday - they are called the Trolly Dollies! And also had a quick visit to Leeds Kirkgate Market to organise selling some of my goodies there!
So it was a very busy and exciting day.
Just a quickie today to share a couple of pics from last year!
The West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes had a stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate last November, and myself and some fellow Buns & Roses members went along to help out.
I was manning the demonstration table for a few hours, making a few bits and chatting to lots of lovely people - men and women, members and non-members (but hopefully future members!).
Here I am stitchign away! I was doing some patchwork pin cushions, decorated eggs as Christmas ornaments and Suffolk puffs.
This is me and Hayley together.
It was such a lovely few hours and I got to chat to a lot of amazing people. Everyone was so enthusiastic and keen to learn about Tthe WI and what we were doing, both on the stand and in the wider context.
I know I say it a lot (especially if you have me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter) but The WI is properly brilliant. Since joining 18 months ago I have learnt a lot of new skills, made many new friends and had a LOT of laughs.
I am very glad to say I have been able to get involved with The WI on many levels and plan to do so much more over the years.
I'm now back in Leeds after a fantastic week at Denman College. I was really sad to leave and say goodbye to everyone but as I was the last to go I could wave them all off!
I had another amazing night's sleep and a good brekkie then a final walk around the grounds.
Here are a few more pics - there wasn't a cloud in the sky!
There are lots of pretty flowers and the odd mushroom!
Big trees!
Christmas Cottage looks beautiful as always!
I sat down to do a few more stitches - this is the view from the Drawing Room.
Neil and Rob from WI Life called in to say hello and get a couple more pics of me and my work and then I was off to get the train.
It has been a wonderful week and I really hope I can go back soon. The college is open to everyone and there are loads of courses as well as day schools. You can even stay there as a B&B. Go take a look at the Denman College web page for details!
I still have busy times ahead - Stampin' Up! training tomorrow, West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes AGM on Tuesday (I will be doing a presentation on Denman and helping to run a Buns & Roses craft school), Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue workshop on Thursday (let me know if you can come!), craft fair on Saturday ... the list goes on! Also got planned a drink or two with Sam, the Formula 1 is on, need to do some work. Oh, and finish my goldwork!
First of all, I would like to say a big hello to the lovely ladies in the goldwork class and our wonderful tutor Hazel. I hope at least some of you are reading this (if only to check that I haven't said anything bad about you!).
Today was the last full day at Denman College and I will be very sad to leave tomorrow. It has been an amazing week. I have learnt a lot and had loads of laughs with my new friends. It really is a proper treat to be able to get away for a few days and dedicate some time solely to being crafty and having fun.
I have got a lot done today in between the giggles. Here are a few pics ...
Everyone working hard! It was a warm and sunny day again which made working in the Ferris Theatre such a pleasure.
Here I am concentrating!
This made us giggle like naughty schoolgirls! Hazel was showing us how to do scales for on a dragon, but when she had just done two it looked like boobies! Hehehe.
And this is what my piece now looks like. Not much left to do! I have achieved so much more than I thought I would. Can't wait to finish it off and get it framed!
Oh, also today the snapper from WI Life came to take my photo, and Margaret showed us the DVD of a sky dive she did aged 81 to raise money for the conservation project in Antarctica!
Final sleep in this lovely comfy bed in the toasty Westmorland room, then back to Leeds tomorrow.
It's been another busy fun day at Denman College.
The sun has been shining brightly and the temperature must have got into the 20s, so I have made the most of that and walked around the grounds on breaks. It is so good to get some proper fresh air, as well as peace and quiet, and really take time out to relax.
I have been working hard on my embroidery as well though! We have around six hours of stitching time each day, which is broken up by meals and breaks. We don't just sit and work constantly though - tutor Hazel does some demos and there is lots of talking of course!
So, with myfive or six hours today, this is where I'm up to ...
One flower is finished! Hurrah! The second is underway and two are complete unknowns!
I've learnt some really fab techniques today and am feeling much more confident with the metallic threads and what you can do with them.
The girls were on realy good form again tonight. It'll be like the last day of term tomorrow!
But now, I must get some sleep - the WI Life snapper is taking photos of me tomorrow!
I was told to expect hard work and lots of fun and I'm delighted to say today has been both.
Up at 7am for breakfast just before 8am - full English! Aces!
Then on to the first session. Having chosen my design and drawn it on to my silk the first task of the day was selecting some coloured embroidery threads for the flowers. For some unknown reason I found this near-on impossible! I do this all the time when cross stitching or doing random embroidery, but this morning my head just would not colour co-ordinate!
Anyway, tutor Hazel got me in gear and then she started by demoing our first type of stitches. Which didn't even need the dratted coloured threads!
This is the very first bit! I stitched down the pearl then did a ring around it with a metallic thread. And I used a different type of metallic thread to do some other curly bits.
As you can guess, I have given up trying to remember all the technical names! It's enough just to figure the stitches and decide how to put them all together!
The jist of it is, it was a long and awesome day. We get TWO tea breaks - morning and afternoon - as well as lunch and dinner. There are several teaching sessions throughout the day and one in the evening after we have eaten, so it is non-stop.
I did have time for a short tour of the college as well today. The house is incredible and as each bedroom is decorated by a different WI federation they are all unique.
All the ladies are great fun - very welcoming and quite mad! We have had a right giggle tonight over one stitch - the bullion knot. You have to go "windy, windy, windy" and then "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" to do it!
And here is what I have done today.
Rather impressive I think, particularly as this morning I couldn't even choose a few colours! I have done a lot of work on this flower in different threads and techniques, and the border is half done all the way round (if you know what I mean).
And now I have to sleep!
Wow, Denman College is absolutely amazing!
I have already made some lovely new friends and had lots of fun!
Arrived here around 4pm and checked in. Each room is decorated by one of the WI federations and are named after their county. I am in Westmorland (Cumbria) so there are some sheep ornaments in my room, pretty pictures, a map of the area and an awesome handmade sewing thing!
The first entry in the guest book for my room is from April 1970!
We had tea and cake (obviously) and I chatted with some more new people then took a little walk around. The grounds are so beautiful. It is incredibly relaxing.
The house (from the back).
The herb garden.
This is the classroom we are working in.
The lake!
Christmas Cottage.
Jane, the head of the college, welcomed us and told us in no uncertain terms that we were to support the college by drinking as much as we could in the bar! Fair enough!
After that we had dinner (food was amazing) and talked some more! I met a lovely group of women who have been here more than 40 times EACH! I certainly hope this will be my first of many visits.
We then had our first class. There are 12 in my group and everyone apart from me has studied goldwork before! Eeek! But I soon got into the swing of it and chose my design. I drew it on to a lovely natural silk and got it in the frame ready to start tomorrow. I can't wait to pick out lots of colours and sparkly threads!
Oh, and a photographer from the WI member magazine WI Life is coming down to see me (and my work) for a future article. Let's hope I'm good at it!
Sorry this is all a bit disjointed but I just wanted to do a running blog as I go. I'm tweeting along the way as well - search my name or #DenmanCollege. When I get back I will be writing up a proper article.
Now I have to sleep and dream about embroidery and a cooked breakfast!
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