Monday 9 September 2013

On catch up again.

This year is certainly flying by at the speed of light, it feels like I blink twice and yet another week disappears and because it's sooo chilly here in the UK today, it made me think that winter is actually not too far away. I'm really not a winter girl at all so I might have to go a shopping spree soon for a few new wooly pullies (that's sweaters for my American friends) to see me through the chilly days ahead.

So what have I been up to recently??? I've been absent from blogland and Twitter for a while, not for any particular reason other than the stuff that life in general brings.

I've been on Nanna duty a little bit. The older two grand children love playing in my studio.


Had a trip to Gullivers Land with all four grandchildren and my daughter Kelly. Here she is with the two smallest ones, Seb and Isla.


I went to The Festival of Quilts at the NEC....that was a fabulous day out.....spent quite a lot of pennies. Met a lovely textile artist Hilary Beattie. Had to buy her book and I've since booked one of her class at The Bramble Patch next year. I did have a little dabble with some of her techniques though and here are a couple of pieces of fabric that I made using the techniques from Hilary's book.




I've also signed up for an online sketchbook course with Linda & Laura Kemshall. I have admired the work of these two very talented textile artists for a long time and their sketchbooks are just amazing. It's a mother and daughter team who are two of the nicest people who just ooze with enthusiasm and talent. Here's my first page, it's all about things that are special to me at home, so my page is about my studio, one of my favourite projects, my house number, the colour of my kitchen (lime green) and a giant clock that hangs in my kitchen! I can't wait to start the next page, it gets a bit more technical after this. It's not fair on the Kemshalls to spill the beans but I can highly recommend their course.



I re-organised part of my studio. My unmounted stamps were out of control and I needed a better way to store them which gave me easy access.


I had another lovely day out this weekend with Karen. We paid a visit to Sharon and Jamie at Artist Trading Post in Derbyshire, they will probably kill me for posting this picture but it is sweet revenge for posting a picture of me on their Facebook page a while back. By the way, that's Karen's shopping that Sharon is packing into that box!!!!


And they have my stamps in stock...including the new plate, plus all the dies and chipboard shapes!!!


And of course, it would have been rude not to purchase anything!!


I've spent the last couple of days pulling together a class sample for a class that I am teaching at It's Crafting Time on the 3rd November. I understand there are a few spaces available and if you would like to join me, click here to book your place. This is my sample.


While I am on the subject of classes, those of you who were disappointed not to get a place on my "How Does Your Garden Grow" class, I have good news. I am now teaching this class at Coleman's Craft Warehouse on 10th November, you can book online here or call them on 01933 355530.


This is going to be a week of mixed emotions, on Thursday,  my oldest daughter Kelly flies to Tanzania as the first part of her quest to climb Kilamanjaro in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. Both she and her friend Sarah have young families so it will be a difficult day on Thursday when they say goodbye to the little ones but I can't tell you how proud I am, they have raised so much money for this amazing charity, here's the link if you would like to read their story.

Today has been full of excitement too, another textile artist that I have admired for many years is Beryl Taylor and I just found out that she is teaching here next year....guess who managed to get a place? Oh my word, I am really giddy with excitement about taking her class. The lovely Karen and another friend Mary also have places and as it's a three day class, can you imagine what fun it's going to be?? OK, I need to calm down now, it's Mark's birthday today and we're off out for dinner tonight, don't think he'll appreciate me squealing about Beryl Taylor all evening do you.

Lin






13 comments:

massofhair said...

Great news you have snagged a place on the courses you wanted to and something to look forward to!

Grandma duty looked lots of fun :-)

Hazel Agnew said...

The sketchbook course looks very interesting. Have had a look and considering enrolling. Need pushing that extra mile to look properly and order thoughts. First time on any of your blogs. Thanks from one gran to another.

Daniele said...

phew it looks like you have been busy recently, no wonder you didn't get chance to blog, love the sample for the class lovely colour combo
hugs

finnella03 said...

Lovely pictures and to hear you so happy, love the picture of Jamie! Artist Trading Post are so good.
Rachel

sam21ski said...

Fab pickies Lin. Love your class sample, wish I lived closer!!

Yay well done you getting on a Beryl Taylor class, the closest I've come is owning a book!!

Happy birthday Mark, hope you both enjoy a lovely meal.

Sam xxx

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've been busy! But at least you've been having a lovely time & have lots of fab things to look forward to. Huge good luck to Kelly & Sarah.

Diane Kelsey said...

I have been playing with some of the techniques from Hiliary's book too. Beryl is one of my favourite artists, where is she teaching in the UK?

Lin said...

What a great post Lin nice to have a catch up!! Great piccie of the kids in your studio.
Great storage for you stamps and boy is there a lot of them!!! loving your little shopping trip..Helen and I were all round the internet on Sunday looking for a good deal on those inks!!
with all these classes you have booked I imagine that your shoulder is on the mend??
Good luck to Kelly and her friend Sarah..what a lovely thing to do but mixed emotions from you I would think..
see you soon
Linxx

yoursartfully said...

Hi Diane,

Beryl will be at Colouricous next year teaching two classes.

Lin

Diane Kelsey said...

I've been on their website, but cannot find her mentioned. Do you know the name or dates of her workshops?

Helen said...

What a great post, lots of great courses and classes and shopping (always love shopping!) and how proud you must be of Kelly.
Hope to see you soon (!)

Cocofolies said...

Thank you for sharing with us a bit of your life and fab projects Lin, very nice to you! You're already a nanny oh?... I can't believe it, you look so young!! You seem to be an overjoyed lady at all your grandchildren and generous daughter, you're lucky! :-o) Thank you for the photo of your stamps and dies lined up like that, that gives me an idea whoop! Enjoy your week, Coco xx

yoursartfully said...

Diane, I did email you directly about Beryl's classes. Not sure if you got a place or not but Beryl herself posted on her own blog today that she has agreed more dates with Colouricious as the first dates are sold out.

LIn