Freddie & Montserrat

 Morning my lovelies. The weekend is almost here. I've found something to get your pulses racing and your hairs tingling. Have a good one.

Discoveries - The Museum of Making

 The Mr and I are still making discoveries in our adopted county and it's wonderful surroundings. Largely due to the fact we were renovating our house for several years and almost as we finished we were in lockdown. So on the plus side we have oodles of places to visit now. I'm particularly drawn to Yorkshire and hope to visit often. Hebden Bridge is on the top of my wish list.

We love the fact there is so much to explore and enjoy, it almost feels like being on a permanent holiday. 

Just the other week we discovered The Museum of Making, housed in an early 18th century Derby silk mill, which opened in it's present format in May 2021 after a huge refit. We went to take a look at a pop up craft fair, which in all honesty was a bit underwhelming, the museum itself though was a happy surprise. There are several floors with an enormous breadth of artifacts, from train bits and bobs, glassware, telephones, clocks, textiles and everything really that can be made. And it is FREE to get in.

This large embroidery looked to be thoroughly modern, but no. I found it quite extraordinary.

I also really loved all the interesting details surrounding The Potteries, as I'm fast becoming a collector of Staffordshire figures and also Studio Pottery, when my purse allows.

Apologies for the shonky images, taken on the hoof. I hope you can see it's a fascinating place to visit.

For an added bit of joy, here is a photo of two local donkeys, called Norris and Norman, they particularly like to eat bananas with the skins on.

Learning To Be Something Special

 I first heard about the Garden Museum last year and have wanted to visit ever since. It is housed in the Medieval and Victorian church of St Mary-at-Lambeth, in Lambeth Palace Road, London. The museum explores and celebrates British gardens and gardening. So far, so fabulous.

They have the most extraordinary exhibitions, including one I am determined to get to see, Constance Spry and The Fashion For Flowers, 17th May to 26th September. 

Spry was an absolute class act. I can recommend reading, The Surprising Life of Constance Spry by Sue Shephard, if you want to find out all the gossip about her. 

I recieved my Garden Museum newsletter today, which includes several sensational small films about Spry. I have tried to load them onto my post but sadly can't manage to do it. If you have the time pop over to their website by clicking my link above, click on the black and white picture of Spry by a lake and it should take you to all the fun films. They will give you a flavour of her amazingly radical and avante-garde way with blooms.

Fun Day - Eco Printing

 My lovely neighbour Karin who is a bit of a craft Goddess invited me down to her mid century modern house the other day for some sensational crafty work and lunch. 

This is the view from her studio, which she had built over the lockdown. It's a wonderful space and so colourful. She even has an enormous shocking pink Smeg fridge. 

Over the last year she has dabbled in many new crafts and invited me to have a go at eco printing, after I admired some of her earlier efforts.

Eco printing, what's that? I hear you ask. Well let me tell you all about it's wonders. It is a direct contact method of printing flowers, leaves and even tea leaves onto cloth. It's very organic and a tiny bit magical because it is impossible to tell what colours will emerge from the process. Using mordants, (don't you just love that word?), moisture, heat and ph modifiers, in this case vinegar, the shapes and colours are imparted onto your choice of material. 

I started with a blank silk scarf that had been soaked in a vinegar preparation over night. Laid flat I added my leaves, flower heads and buds in a most attractive artistic way, even if I say so myself. Added just a sprinkling of Darjeeling leaves alone the bottom edges, covered it with some cotton cloth, then rolled it up, bound it in string, then popped it into a huge steamer, for a couple of hours. Leaving plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and huge gossip, perfect!

This is my silk scarf drying in the sun. I left it for a few days then gave it a gentle wash and pressed it whilst still a little damp. I'm super pleased with it and the added bonus is that the cotton cloth it was rolled up with also has the most wonderful shapes on it. I'm thinking I might create some napkins to gift to a friend. 

Creative days are just the best and Karin was very generous with her time and expertise. A joyful day.

Richer, Thinner & Younger

When folk ask me how I am, I sometimes say, "well, I could be richer, thinner and younger, but I'm still on the planet, so there's hope yet". Coming out of lengthy lockdown, I'm planning to set and achieve some goals but also to live in the moment more too. In the past I have tended not to focus on the here and now, so in effect I'm planning not to be planning. 
 

Taking Stock Ctd

 Just been for a wee walk and a lovely lunch with one of my chums. We were talking about how recently we have both felt uncharacteristically fragile and not on top form. Now we both know why this is, the long haul of covid restrictions and resulting losses have been very upsetting and damaging. and have taken their toll.

We are both doing our utmost to stay positive and do the right things, to keep going through this maelstrom. She has been going on long walks nearly every day and has increased her fitness no end. Today she was helping me select some comfy, sturdy walking boots so I can get out and about a bit more too. I would love to feel more energised and healthier, walking would be a good start for me.

In taking stock I have also resigned from my job. I used to love my work but increasingly the joy has been sucked out of it, leaving only discomfort. Instead I have successfully negotiated a volunteer position working with important antique textiles. It's only one day a week but I'm hopeful it will create some opportunities for me and bring me some joy. 

My biggest decision in 'taking stock' is to look for the joy in life. I don't want to be involved with anything  that does not bring me happiness and joy. It's a tall order, but let's see how I get on. I have always made an effort in life but I shall be doubling my efforts going forward.

I'm aiming to share as many snippets of joy and happiness I can, here on my blog. I don't think they have to be momentous, but hopefully they might spread some light and cheer.

Joy

 

To that list I would add, my special people.

Time To Take Stock

 I've been busy in a kinda non-busy way, if that makes sense and have been absent from my post. I have been taking stock of my life and myself. As a result I've decided I would really like to blog more, hurrah I hear you cry, " you couldn't blog much less, without slipping off the world"

My inspiration for this very important shift is largely due to the lovely Pip Lincolne who blogs here  She's a pretty fab person and I have been following her ups and downs for years.

Ups and downs is what we do in Blogworld, sharing life's experiences. I'd like to share more and see where it leads us.

Today I picked the first fruit from our ramshakle garden, goosegogs and a few big blackcurrants. They have been washed, the gooseberries have been topped and tailed as well and they are freezing their little fruity bodies in the chest freezer, even as we 'speak'. They have been added to my little black freezer ledger where I will find them when needed.