Fun Friday....

I know, I know it's been yet another week since I last posted anything... It's been a busy week though! On Monday I left home at some unearthly hour to arrive at the NEC ... praying all the way that PEAS wouldn't decide to have an off day (she didn't) ... for a trade craft fair. Talk about inspiration and creative ideas in abundance. It was well worth all the effort of getting up early... I'm definitely not a morning person.... and trekking all the way there. I came away with lots of new ideas and very itchy fingers!

Tuesday we all had to make ourselves visit our number one most hated place... the dentist... fortunately we were all ok... this time... and the girls, despite being far too old for them, came away with 'I've been good at the dentist' stickers!

Wednesday was spent catching up with the family. Coffee with my sister in law and lunch with my parents and some old friends.

Thursday.....

I had some orders from my Open House event to fulfill and so it was down to work... here's a sneek peek....

I made 2 bags and 3 journal covers... more pictures to come.

AND Friday was the best day of the week... A friend of mine who brought her ceramic work to my Open Day came for the day bringing with her some clay and lots of ideas... so we all had a play....

Harriet in action with a wooden spoon... not what I was expecting! Bet you can't guess what she's making?....

... and here's Claire showing Harriet how to do it... any ideas yet?

Sitting on a 'nest' of paper... what do you think is being added here....??

This is a BIG clue.....!!!

I'm all ears....

Welcome to MR and MRS P. IG!!! Aren't they great?

After lunch and homemade soup (yum) it was our turn to show Claire how we play with paint!! Lots of blank canvases waiting, paints out and brushes at the ready.....

After painting the background colours it was time to change into old clothes, and brave the very cold wind outside so that we could 'splat'!!!!...

S.P.L.A.T...... look at that action shot....

Claire's never had so much fun.....

Look at the mess we made...

... but aren't the colours gorgeous???

The finished, splatted paintings drying in the sun...

All far too soon, it was time for Claire to pack up and head home. Mr and Mrs P.ig were packed carefully in a box for their ride home to be fired... not too much crackling I hope! And, Claire finished off her paintings with spots and glitter.....

... don't they look great?

I can't wait for your next creative session together... so many more ideas to explore!

A lovely surprise was awaiting me when I arrived home yesterday..... but more of that tomorrow.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend... what have you been up to?

xxxxxxxx

You were missed.....

Another gorgeous day dawned, the sun was beginning to peek through the clouds, snow was attempting to fall and I set off to teach at The Bead Lagoon in Sidmouth. The journey there was just beautiful..... and as I dropped into Sidmouth the sun was glinting off the sea, calling me to walk and enjoy, but first I had a lesson to teach.

But... by 1.30 I was off.... straight to the beach....

..... and a walk along the prom.....

to Jacob's Ladder..

I have spent many a happy hour here in the past and the memories came flooding back... It was good to remember!

Phew!!! I made it to the top!

Looking back towards the town.... more pondering!....

What a shame you couldn't join me for a cuppa here... you were missed!

A quick stroll back through the gardens...

One last look at the beach...

Before heading off to Pebbles to catch up with some special people... my parents. xxx

Speaking of Pebbles, I will be running a jewellery making workshop there, morning and evening, on March 23rd. If you would like to come and have a play with beads and wire I would love to see you.... why not treat yourself to a stay there as well???? Email me for details.

I hope you've had as lovely a day as I've had.

Wishing you and yours a very happy weekend.

xxxxx

Pitter patter...

I woke up yesterday to the sound of pitter patter raindrops.. well, actually, it was more like torrential down pour!! Hmmmmmm.... What to do???

Walking was definitely out of the question.... going soft in my old age!

So... what does one do on a drippy droppy day?

Ooooooh yes.... I had an order for one of my beaded wire cross necklaces, so it was out with these scrumptious beads......

.... and my silver wire....

... and ... Ta Dah..... look what I made....

Now, being inspired to finish off a few other pending jobs, it was out with the tape measure...

... scissors and pins... a snip here and a rip of stitches there..... gently does it....

... and a stunning dress is altered to fit a beautiful bride......

What feels like another life time ago I used to have a business designing and making Wedding dresses.... I absolutely loved it. At times it was stressful... staying up all night to finish embroidery, meeting deadlines, most of which fell in the 6 months between March and August, but most of all, the job satisfaction was worth all the heartache and late nights! Watching the bride put her finished dress on, seeing the look on her face as the dream became a reality was a brilliant moment. I haven't made a wedding dress for many years now, but strangely enough, I have been asked to alter this one and to make a dress for another wedding in August this year. To say I feel a little rusty is an understatement, but I am confident that it will be ok and that the brides will be happy with my efforts! I have really enjoyed getting back into the swing of making these 'once in a life time' dresses... watch this space for more updates as they progress!

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Today has been a very different day altogether. I had an early appointment in town this morning and the drive in was beautiful... I wish I could have taken some photos to show you. As I dropped down the hill into town the view across towards the hills was stunning. There had been snow overnight but now the sun was shining brilliantly and the sky was the most perfect blue. As I looked up into the distance I could see dartmoor covered in snow, gleaming in the early morning sun... words cannot really describe how awesome it looked.

On arriving home, as I stepped out of the car, the bird song was brilliant... I wish I could have captured it for you. It was as if the birds were so happy to see some sun and feel the warmth of it on their backs... signaling hope.... spring, new growth, warmth... that they just couldn't help sing and shout about it!!!

I spent a happy afternoon catching up with friends and walking the grounds of Dartington Hall... I love to come and wander here... every season is so different, and the whole place is just soooo peaceful

Come on in......

Just inside these doors on the left is an old barn that has been converted into a cinema/theatre... it's such a brilliant place to watch a movie... it feels so homely. Well today, it was Rosie and her friends turn to watch a movie whilst us adults headed straight for the 'Round house' cafe for coffee.... oh, and a tincey wincey piece of yummy cake,,,, weeeeellllll... it's not every day you know!!!

A walk around the grounds of the Great Hall revealed lawns and banks smothered in crocuses and snowdrops....

... and stunning Hellebores in the most amazing colours.

I hope that you too have had a bright sunny day and that you have managed to spend some time in the sunshine.......

Well.... I'd better pop off now... I have another early start in the morning. I'm off to teach in Sidmouth again. I am really hoping that the weather stays sunny and gorgeous as I would like to spend some time walking along the sea front to Jacob's Ladder... where I might just treat myself to a cup of tea overlooking the beach... fancy joining me?

Happy weekend.

Love Yvonne xxxx

Happy day....

Sharing a birthday with a friend.....

.. knowing that Spring is just around the corner......

... heady scents filling the kitchen....

... walking by the sea.....

... waves crashing..

.. sheep bleating...

So many things to be thankful for.

How has your day been?

Open Day

Coffee and cake and plenty of chat all added to a lovely day last Friday. As you can imagine, the week prior to the event was extremely manic, not just with preparations for the open day, but also because I was teaching at The Flavel in Dartmouth on the Wednesday evening and again at The Bead Lagoon in Sidmouth on Thursday, and Saturday! I am relived that it is now half term, and apart from meeting a friend to finalise plans for the wedding dress that I shall be making for her, I can spend some time with the girls without feeling guilty or worrying that I really should be working... sewing, baking, making jewellery, making business cards and signs etc....

For those of you who couldn't come on Friday I thought I would show you a little of what you missed.....

...... piles of scrumptious cushions and plumpy hearts...

...... yummy colours....

... covered journals and bags...

..oooooodles of jewellery.... Guess what was the most popular????

... delicate little button hearts....

... and bunches of button flowers...

I really enjoyed catching up with friends old and new over the course of the day, however, I have been feeling very low and emotional since the event. I know that part of that is because I am just very tired, partly because I was disappointed with the turn out, despite sending out at least 70 personal invites and many other texts, emails and advertisements, and also because it is a very vulnerable thing to do... to show off your handmade work... hoping that others will like it and appreciate it.. and buy it. I'm sure that once I have had some time to sit back and assess it all I won't feel so bad and I will pick myself up, yet again, and carry on... or look for a 'proper' job!

Sorry about the moan... sometimes it's hard working on your own.. you are a harsh critic and always think you can do better! Don't worry, I will be fine and firing on all cylinders again before you know it!

I think a walk by the sea is in order... it always feeds my soul and brings restoration.. so 'Ta ta' for now. I hope you have had a lovely weekend and that for those of you who are finding it tough at the moment, that you too can go to that place where your soul is restored and take some time out for you today.

xxx