That is what it was - in fact, all my 4 days in the UK were perfect ones.
Getting ready, full of excitement, packing up some unusual things this time.
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| Son's birthday card and symbolic surprise |
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| red gift box |
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| containing this apron |
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| EG found the text should have ended with 'drunk' |
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| inside the hat box |
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| my heart always beats quicker once I see this coastline |
Thursday seems to be a better day for traveling , the M25 was clear, so was the M4. Arrived in Bristol without any delay and waited for son to have finished work - even found straight away the place in the city center. I always have a giggle when I see Cabot Circus. Insiders know why ;-)
After a pre-birthday dinner, (there were 2 to follow), next day was - big joy - going to see lovely Niki in Shepton Mallet (http://nostalgiaatthestonehouse.blogspot.be/) - thank you again, Niki for all those nice things you kept for me. Here is a selection of what I bought but I shall not show all of it ;-)
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| a stunning hat box |
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| all covered by Niki in vintage fabric (quick! put the lid on to preserve this great smell of lavender) |
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| today I discovered that calendar she had added to my pack :-) |
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| pity the smell does not come across on the picture |
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| all true treasures |
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| Shopping in Wells: have already tried out the first Annie Sloan paint from Poppy Green |
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| this fabric was also found in Wells, at 'Sew Vintage' |
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| strawberry fabrics from Millie Moon |
Saturday morning, we (Marion and I) set out early to have our great day in Shrewsbury.
The directions which were given by Jo before (link: https://www.facebook.com/Rusticandwhite), with the advise which Park & Ride to take and how to find the place of Rustic and White, were just fine. We arrived just in time to attend our first ever workshop.
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| The room was prepared in such a great way |
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| Everybody had its tag ready made by Christine - all differently crafted |
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| Explanations were given by Christine how she does her artwork |
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| hand-quilted items decorated the room |
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| one nicer than the other |
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| intricate pieces of her art everywhere |
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| he sat there quietly enjoying all that excited bunch of ladies |
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| Christine's one of a kind papier maché dolls |
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| Jo had hung a chain on the wall, very clever! |
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| more of the unique quilt work |
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| and the pieces of fabric art all 'speak' |
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| this was breath taking: a bandage from former army use |
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| rolled up like a parchemin (script roll) |
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| truly awesome! |
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| this also is so unique, a day book entry |
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| more quilt detail |
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| my very preferred detail of the parchemin |
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| the window with the curtains and flowers in the vase |
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| the needle on top of the left |
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| every detail additionally embellished |
Finally, our finished works:
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| Margaret sat next to me - she is a professional! In no time she had made up this brilliant piece |
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| Melanie's |
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| Gwen's second brooch (sorry, not sharp picture) |
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| Deirdre's |
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| inside Amanda's |
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| Rebecca's (her daughter's name is Grace) |
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Margaret's second item
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What a wonderful place to have visited....and what lovely articles you all made.
RépondreSupprimerI read and re-read this - what a wonderful time you must have had. I can imagine you there - in your element - creating and sharing ideas and coming home full of new inspiration. It must have been lovely to have been surrounded by all those beautiful bits and pieces of gorgeous fabric and embroidery. The whole trip sounds like a dream - lovely!
RépondreSupprimerHi A! Thank you for coming to visit me in my little shop...always a pleasure to see you :) Thank you for your purchases and the mention too.
RépondreSupprimerSo pleased you enjoyed your action-packed trip...you always manage to fit so much in on your visits to the UK. The course looked wonderful - and such a long way for you to travel! ;-)) ;-))
You have a beautiful souvenir of your day...But did you show your finished piece?
Will email you shortly,
Niki x
Bayou, what a pleasure I have had looking at this post. You've had just the sort of adventure that I love. Every bit of it looks like inspiring fun. The workshop photographs really show exceptionally fine stitching and so much imagination. (As you know, I am usually drawn to bright colorways, but I really enjoyed seeing these exquisitely subtle close harmonies. Beautiful!)
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What a lovely blog post! So glad you enjoyed your day, you've captured it perfectly x
RépondreSupprimerAnke - you have captured the beautiful sewing day so well. It was such a lovely gesellige day (as we say in Afrikaans) with such talented ladies & beautiful things. You certainly had a busy time on your visit. I love your covered hat box - I have some very boring ones that I store my many hats in & always do the Bridport Hat Festival in Dorset in September (with my camera naturally) ... I will be visiting your blog often as it is so lovely to look in to lives in other places, especially of people I have met. Stay well ..... xx
RépondreSupprimerWhat fun you must have had! The post shows so many lovely items and worked with “des mains de fée” non? I really like these pieces with the embroidery and lace – so utterly feminine.
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