Visit to York

On Saturday David and I went to York, first of all visiting the small village of Elvington, not far from the Yorkshire Air Museum to Priory Patchworkers exhibition in the church.  Unfortunately we couldn't take photos, but I did take part in a tombola and won this lovely stained glass style wallhanging.  The funds from the tombola were going to a cancer charity supported by the lady who made this and several other wallhangings. I'd also bought some fat quarters but haven't taken piccies, very remiss of me.

After this we then went onto York itself, where we had lunch and then I went off to the Quilt Museum.  I've been there before on a few occasions and now that I've bought an annual pass I'll be able to go several more times.  Again I couldn't take photos inside the museum, but the gardens outside have now been finished and its a very pleasant area to be in.  There's been a deli/coffee shop opposite St Anthony's Hall for some time, but now there is an art gallery called The New School House Gallery, so somewhere else to visit when in the area.

The Museum itself held 2 exhibitions - Inspired by the Past and Breakthrough by the Contemporary Quilt Group.

Here are the gardens looking towards the Quilt Museum.

This is the outside of the School House, just right of the Quilt Museum.

This is looking to the end of the gardens with seats to enjoy the lovely weather.  See the arches at the end? That's part of the city walls and people do walk along the top of the wall - you can just spot someone between the trees.

After leaving the museum I went into the city to meet David, who visited the National Railway Museum and we met up opposite the Minster.  On the way I went into a home and garden shop and spotted these lovely meerkats...

One lounging in the deckchair and the little one making a sandcastle, how could I resist - they had to be bought!

Finally, today my set of yellow cards was completed to go with the other four I received (see my last post).  A lovely lemony postcard from Michelle.

Shopping and Yellow Postcards

As promised from my last post here is a photo of my purchase of fabric from our visit to Derbyshire Dales and visiting Quiltessential.  Still haven't started on this yet as I've just finished a batch of postcards on the theme of "Something Yellow".

So below are the yellow themed cards, the flowers being buttercups, inspired by the rather weed infested lawn in our back garden.

Then there are the cards that I've received so far, brilliant aren't they.

 Although it doesn't show too well in the photo the top right one is of a Brownie polo shirt with a prairie point collar.  The yellow submarine at the bottom was just brilliant.

Now the shopping bit.  Last week I bought some cleanser,  toner and spritzer that come from Liz Earle, which has just the most heavenly fragrances I know.  Arrived in the post on Saturday it was lovely to unwrap from its box, which was carefully packed from the Isle of Wight. Lovely stuff.

 

While out last Saturday in Doncaster as well as going to the markets for fruit and veg there were some European sellers and a Dutch plant seller had these lovely Sempervivums and Sedums in this lovely, what I could describe as "bun tin" container. I've got to plant them up into a couple of proper pots, but I could not resist the lovely reds and greens and all for a fiver, bargain.

Another purchase which I had to get was a new camera to replace the one that I'd broken recently.  We were following another similar to the broken one on e-bay until late on Saturday but was beaten in the bidding in literally the last few seconds.  As it cost only another £30 more to buy a new one as opposed to a used one in good condition I decided to go for new instead and here it is - in red this time instead of purple.

 This pic was taken with my phone and there is a slight reflection as there is a clear cover to protect the front.  I've yet to delve through the manual which came on CD which has been uploaded, but had a bit of a play around with it and some of the above pics have been taken already with this.

Last of all on Father's Day David received a card from our son Jamie which included a thank you letter from grandson Leo (I suspect with some help from his Mum).  Leo is coming up to 3 years old and getting very artistic as the card below proves. I love the smiley face in the middle.

Day in Derbyshire Dales

David and I went out for the day and it seems that we're always out and about.  On Saturday we went towards Matlock, Derbyshire.  We been through a few times and have never stopped to take the Heights of Abraham cable car that is just outside the town.  Before that though we travelled on to Cromford Mill where there is a quilt shop (quelle surprise!) called Quiltessential, where we saw a quite striking wall hanging.  Couldn't resist so we bought the pattern and some of the fabrics to make it and I'll put a photo of the purchases in my next post. It's a lovely shop and there is a craft shop next door too, so a couple of things to explore here.

We then went to Matlock Bath and the cable car ridge over the Derwent Valley.  Spectacular views on the way up with a viewpoint at the top of the valley below with the town of Matlock in the distance.  We stayed and took a tour of the caves (lead was mined here) and had lunch before taking the cable car down hill.

Just to show I was there!

 Above is the view towards Matlock from the top of the valley.  Below that is the station building at Matlock Bath, near the bottom end of the cable car terminus.  This building doesn't look to be used any more.  It's very unusual as it looks like a Swiss chalet and the brickwork was quite interesting, such a shame the building is neglected.
 
After this we went to Crich, just a few miles away to the Tramway Village, which houses the National Tram Museum.  It was some years ago when we last visited and there have been a lot of changes with new buildings and creating a more village like scene.  Being a lovely sunny day it was ideal for an open top ride on a tram and later for sitting outside to enjoy a nice cup of tea.  Below is a photo of a Leeds tram, below that is an old Blackpool single deck tram.

I could not resist taking photos of the tram shelters with their decorative art deco stained glass, managed to take the bottom photo when a tram had just left, that's why there's no passengers waiting.

So here it is...

As promised in my last post (was that back in May - wow, how the time goes!) some sewing.  In case it was thought I was going out and about and not sweating it out at the sewing machine.

When I returned to Yorkshire a few weeks back I stopped at The Bramble Patch to have a look around and could not resist the Union Jack cushion kit.  I've found the instructions really clear and in no time at all there it was made.  All that had to be bought was the rectangular cushion and found that Dunelm Mill had just the size, which they called a Boudoir cushion.  Really pleased it turned out well.

Yesterday I took part in a bag making workshop with held by one of the Barnsley Embroiderers, Sheila.  I panicked a bit when I hadn't got all the bits cut out ready and hadn't found a 10 inch zip, but I was early enough to go into Barnsley town centre to get the zip and bias tape that I wanted before the workshop.  I really enjoyed making this bag and even tackling the zips  - they're not the easiest of things to sew in.  I got as far as putting the straps onto each side but not joining the sides together.  With this afternoon's weather being very wet, I kept on sewing until I got it finished. Below is the front of the bag and further down is the back.  I decided to use fancy stitches on my machine to quilt and decorate the bag.

And finally, if you've been reading my blog you will know that my son, Alex, was taking part in the BUPA 10k run in London on Bank Holiday Monday.  He was raising funds with his work colleagues for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Well he did it in less that an hour.  His legs were aching and he had blisters, (because it's the furthest he's run) but he did it.  He did really well.

Castles and Halls

Last Saturday David and I were out and about again, trolling off down the M1 to Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfied, Derbyshire.  This was once the home of Bess of Hardwick, quite a character in Elizabethan times.  She was married 4 times, had 8 children, though 6 survived and amassed quite a wealth.  She had one Hall built but it was too small, then had another built near the first one just 3 years later.  Over the years the old hall was dismantled so only the remains are standing, but it does make the building more interesting.  We then went and explored the new hall and there was quite a bit to see.

We think that she saw herself a bit like royalty as the Great Hall has two throne like chairs at the end so she could receive visitors!  There are numerous woven tapestries that are in need of renovation, some of which were a collection which she purchased from the son of a gentleman that died to pay his debts.  When she found it had his coat of arms, she bargained for a discount.  So here are a few pics of Hardwick Hall, most of them will be on my facebook page.

Top is an actress depicting Bess of Hardwick, telling her story.  Second is the old Hall.  Third is the new Hall looking from ruins of the old.  The bottom photo there are 3 ladies dressed in Elizabethan dress which they made themselves from authentic patterns.

And castles?
When I was in Christchurch, the nearby village of Highcliffe has a castle which I went to visit one afternoon.  Having been built by the 3rd Earl of Bute it had a chequered history and once was resided by Gordon Selfridge, founder to Selfridges department store.  There was fire damage in the 80s and this was in a sorry state, but in recent years it has and continues to be restored.  I went there to see a textile exhibition, a few pics of which are on Maggie Grey's blog, as she is one of the exhibitors but unfortunately it didn't allow photography.  However I can share some photos of the Castle itself and it's view to the Isle of Wight.

Top is the stained glass window in the great hall. Next is a view out of the window ( I loved the design of that window and couldn't resist taking a photo. Thirdly the main entrance to the castle.  Bottom shows a very misty view between the trees out to the Isle of Wight, you can just see the Needles.

Just about catching up with my blog posts and I am sewing.  Will have something to show soon, promise.

Still catching up....

Since I returned from Christchurch, I've made one postcard which I should have done before I went down there but just plain run out of time.  It is sometimes difficult to fit things in when I work full time, but do my best.  So here is a photo of a birthday postcard for another Sue in the BQL Postcard Group. I hope that she received this ok as I haven't heard anything from her.

My Mum is doing very well after her operation and just less than four weeks she has now progressed to a walking stick from a zimmer frame so good progress indeed.  So well and truly on the mend.

On my way back to Hemsworth about halfway into my journey is The Bramble Patch, in Weedon, near Northampton, where I just had to buy some fabric (well you can't go to a quilt shop and not buy!).  I could not resist their Union Jack cushion kit, and Union Jack cushions are all the rage at present.


On my first day back in Yorkshire David and I went to the RHS garden in Harlow Carr, near Harrogate. Just a lovely place to wander.  It had a lovely display of tulips and a wonderful Alpine plant house, which I had to go and see twice.  I think I may go back again during the summer to see how the gardens are doing as the year progresses.  There are more photos on my facebook page, so go over and have a look, but here are just a few of the photos that I took.

The delightful show of tulips in one of the gardens.

 Some of the alpine plants, varieties of Sempervivum in the Alpine House.

This lovely angel sculpture was one of a number of metal sculptures around the garden.

There were some lovely potted displays around the Gardens Through the Ages display.

 

And this was also in the 1970's garden in the Gardens Through the Ages.


Today we went out again to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire which was where Bess of Hardwick lived.  Fascinating history and will show pictures of that soon.

It's been a while...

...since I last posted anything on my blog.  On 24 April I had news from my sister that our Mum had a fall and was taken to hospital in Poole.  My sister whizzed down south from Slough and stayed down in Christchurch with our dad whilst Mum had an emergency hip operation and recovered in hospital.  She was bought home on 1st May.  Wendy stayed that first week, then I took 2 weeks off work and went down to stay with them.  Now this week I'm back up North and back to work whilst Wendy sees to things in Christchurch for a fourth week.   Fortunately Mum is recovering very well and at this point can do a lot for herself now and we're pleased with how things are going.

So here are some pics of what I've been up to before going down south.  When I got the call about Mum, David and I went to Sheffield for the day forgetting about the World Snooker tournament that was taking place at the Crucible Theatre.  When getting to the square where the Crucible is there were loads of people standing and staring at the match taking place on the giant screen outside the theatre.  I was the match with Steve Davis versus John Higgins.  I was more fascinated by the topiaries either side of the entrance of snooker player and table!

Opposite the theatre, in the Winter Gardens where there were snooker related events taking place, I saw a couple of small sculptures amongst the greenery there.  This colourful rhinoceros  and also a small waterfall created by the steel flower with petals that drooped when full of water.

I did managed some postcards before I went away and posted them off to the Teenage Cancer Trust (see my last post) in all I've sent 10 postcards to them and they'll be sold before the end of the month.

Visiting and a Visitor

Perhaps should be the other way around, but doesn't sound quite right.  Weekend before last we had a visit from my daughter Sarah, who was taking a break from her studies (she took an exam yesterday) to stay with us.  We went on a shopping trip to Leeds.  Not much shopping done, but nice to have time to browse around the shops and a lovely sunny day too.  On Sunday David, Sarah and I visited the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield and had the chance to have a tour in the mine itself which was really brilliant.  On the surface there was a lot more to see and think we may go there again sometime soon to see the bits we missed.  Anyway before going underground we had our photo taken just to prove we've been there, taken by museum's photographer.

As for the visiting, we went to stay at my brother-in-law's in Surrey last weekend as David, Peter, my son Alex and a few friends went to Farnham for Beerex on the Friday.  David and I also visited my sister, other brother-in-law and nephew on Saturday in Burnham, near Slough.  The skies were very quiet due to planes being grounded, really unusual.  We enjoyed a barbeque in the warm late afternoon sun, which was lovely.

Before heading back up north again on Sunday we all got together for Sunday lunch in Chandlers Ford to have a late celebration of my son Jamie's birthday (which was on the 16th).  Here's a pic of Jamie with his wife Carly, not liking having her photo taken as she's usually the other side of her camera. 

It was a lovely weekend but work beckoned (shame :o(( ) so had to go back. 

As for sewing, there hasn't been none of late, so must get back into practice.

A day of sewing

It's great to have a decent slice of time to sew and today, weatherwise was not supposed to be a nice day, but although cloudy it stayed dry (I was hoping for rain!).  I set to with a quilt for Freddie as the other 3 grandchildren have got quilts and I saw February's Popular Patchwork which had a quilt called "Woof", named after the Makower fabrics that the quilt was made of and here's a photo of the magazine article.

Having mislaid the magazine a while I then phoned the supplier who made up the kits and it was no surprise that they had sold out.  To buy the quantities of fabrics to make it cost so much more - so I bought the panel fabric from Hobbycraft when I went to the branch in Leeds and chose fabrics from mine and my Mum's fabric stashes that would go.  To my surprise I managed to get 12 blocks done and are now arranged on the bed before choosing the final arrangement. I'm quite pleased how they turned out so the magazine was the starting point for making my own version of this than following the actual kit.

I also made some postcards for a charity that is raising funds for a Teenage Cancer Unit in Norfolk.  Another BQL Postcard group member asked for some postcards a little while ago so here are some more to go, mostly made from the scrap bag pieces. (Not that it's made a dent in it!).

Yesterday being a better of these past two days, David and I ventured to a steam railway in Leeds, Middleton Railway in Hunslet.  There was a short line with a small terminus, just a platform, in Middleton Park a large wooded parkland.  So really it was a case it just went there and back again.  There was quite a good little museum with locally made engines, including one made in the year we were born, nice to know we're old enough to be museum pieces, even at our age!!

We then went on to Temple Newsam in Leeds, a large hall with vast grounds and a farm.  We visited the house but not allowed to take photos so here's a link to find out about it.  The house itself took over an hour and half to get round and that wasn't all of it and we didn't get to see the farm either, but that can wait for another time.

So that was it for our Easter weekend, back to the grind tomorrow.

This and that

Last weekend we went down to Dorset to stay with my parents while we caught up with friends and family.  It was great to go down south and after so long (since Christmas!).  David and I visited our sons and their families and went to a soft play centre near Chandlers Ford and 3 of the little ones enjoyed it and the youngest, Freddie slept through most of it!  We gave Isobel (who recently celebrated her 1st birthday her present which included a little rabbit with a quilt and pillow.

Above is a photo of the birthday girl with her Dad, Alex.

Carly gave me a photo frame with a collection of photos for Mothers Day.

Back home again things have been busy back at work and now that it's Easter Weekend I ought to get busy on some stuff, including a quilt for Freddie.  Got fabric now must start to get it sewn.  It seems that half this long weekend has been taken up with working :o((.  But never mind, the weather is set to be windy and rainy so I could get down to some sewing.

The past couple of weeks I've received postcards from the other four swappers in the quick mosaic theme.  A lovely colourful selection of postcards and here's a photo of them here.  I won't be taking part in another swap until June.

And finally, the chicken pincushion that I made a the recent Regional Day, but hadn't photographed until now.  Doesn't it look sweet?