Monday, Monday

At last we are having some sunshine between the showers.  On Saturday I took the opportunity to visit Hitchin, a pleasant market town only about 8 miles away, I enjoyed myself mooching round the market and charity shops - so much more interesting than our local ones.

Apart from some supplies this was the only thing I bought.  As it says Washable and Dry Cleanable, I'm not sure if this will remove the marks of if they are permanent - a bit of an experiment needed.

I was attracted by this crowd hanging around the church gate.

But a peek through the gates soon explained their interest. I was really glad I'd popped my point and shoot into my shopper.

Only a swift glimpse of the bride and broom with their littlest bridesmaids I'm afraid, and all too fast to snap. 

Overheard "Mum! Dad! I've just SEEN the queen"

What a lovely day, it was bright and very breezy, really cheering after all the dullness.

Meanwhile I've been working on my C&G tasks.  This time spattering fabric paint.  What a mess I got myself into, which I was why I was pleased to buy a box of disposable gloves on Hitchin market.

I masked the fabric with freezer paper and used a toothbrush to splatter the paint.

Now I'm adding some stitches.

I was looking round the garden for some inspiration when I spotted the lichens on this cement planter.

I think I can feel some more paint splattering coming on.

Have a good week

Jill

Craving for sunshine

This little orchid has been blooming in my kitchen since Christmas. At certain times of the day it fills the air with a beautiful scent - I can only describe it as vanilla and roses - and sometimes it doesn't seem to smell at all.

I love the combination of yellow, orange and shocking pink and decided to use this as a starting point for a colour project.

I really feel the need to work with these bright colours during this dismal weather!

The next job is to play about with proportion. Design Matters TV has been very useful on this subject.  It is a different matter when using collage or fabric than painting which is my usual media as you have to  plan before you start working, rather than when painting you can work more spontaneously and instinctively. I'm not finding this as easy as I thought  I would so it is a good learning opportunity for me. I am usually most happiest working from life when painting, or when sewing, just playing with the materials at hand, when I have tried to create what is in my head I usually fall short of my expectations so I hoping working on these activities will help me be more conscious of colour and more in control. 

Meanwhile I have been working through my tasks for my C&G Creative Quilt Making with some work on texture.

These look rather dull after my other pages, I must get back to my sunshine.

Fingers crossed for a brighter week ahead,

Jill

Nice day for a wedding

I may have mentioned I had been asked to photograph my friend's wedding on Saturday.  They wanted me to capture the atmosphere of the day, rather than making a formal record. I was quite nervous about doing it  although I knew other people would be taking pictures too. However I am pleased with the results.  The sun even shone when we came out of the church.

Here is a small selection, I'll let the pictures tell the story

Congratulations John and Trish, and here's to your future happiness.

love, Jill

June, so soon

I'm sure I don't have to give any explanations for my theme for June, although I have no plans for joining in any of the local celebrations. We are off to a wedding on Saturday and then I shall have lots of photo editing to do.

May has been an eventful month for us, but I have managed to keep my diary going. 

Hopefully I shall have some arty/crafty things to share with you soon.

Have a jubilicious weekend - and don't forget to take your brolly!!

Jill

Reasons to be cheerful - Part Two

We celebrated our third big birthday this month, this time my husband, Tod's 60th. We had a great evening and the weather was very kind.  We had the celebrations at a near-by hostelry where we were entertained by The Cheats, an excellent cover band who happen to contain two of our close friends. I have to thank John and Trish who organised the food and decorations as well as John playing in the band,  how lucky we are to have such fab friends.  Quite a few of these were Tod's school mates from  Dr Challoner's in Amersham, and others were friends from Bedford College of Education in the early 70's as well as newer pals made at work and play.

Mr T enjoying a pint 

We were very grateful to be able to sit outside as it was so warm

So nice to see Alexandra, the next generation.

Old School pals.

Very old friends, Dave and Elaine....(forgive me - friends of many years)

... not quite as old, but 'still getting on a bit' friends....

Heather, Jim, Keith and Lynne who also very dear,

a good selections of real ales was really appreciated

The Cheats kept us entertained with a great selection of songs we knew and loved as well as some of their own numbers.

Guest bassist - Keith

John reminding everyone he's know Tod for 40 years plus...

and we all sang Happy Birthday, and he blew out the candles on his cake!

We kept on rockin' but not till the early hours ... we all like to enjoy Sunday morning these days.

Not a lot to show on the creative front I'm afraid, and another busy week coming up.  I'm not grumbling about fine weather, but I'm not much good in heat so taking things very easy.

Hope you have a good week,

Jill

Suspended animation

I have been busy doing this and that this week - however more that than this, but to show that I am still functioning here are my last  contributions for my C&G Creative Quilts, Module 3.  Module 4 looks very exciting with a lot more stitching and some more traditional quilt skills - all new to me.

I have to present my work, so here are my samples written up and recorded.

After Dad's 90th we are now on the count down to Mr T's 60th birthday bash next Saturday and a busy week ahead, so not much time for sewing or blogging ... I have been trying to get together a little surprise scrap book for him, but don't let on.

Have a good week,

Jill

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

I'm just back from the Isle of Wight where we have been celebrating my Dad's 90th birthday.  We are a very small family but luckily at the retirement flats where he lives there is a very active social life and many friends and neighbours turned out to help him celebrate.  A wonderful buffet was provided and we brought a cake made by a dear friend's friend who managed to fit on all the references we provided.

Here's Dad with Mr T and me

and here's the birthday boy with my sister, Janet - I'm really pleased with this shot.

He is a very young 90 and it was interesting to see that his 'gang' seem to be made up of the youngest and liveliest of his friends.

Joan and Elise, Mick and Mike have been wonderful friends, looking out for Dad and taking him out.

Dad was asked if he minded if Patsy provided some entertainment as 'she' had had to cancel an evening at Christmas, Dad was a little unsure if he wanted a drag artiste at his birthday do, but being the chap he is, didn't want to say no, but Patsy provided excellent entertainment with plenty of songs which ranged from WW2 to the sixties - with a couple of changes of costume - which gave the opportunity for everyone to have a bit of a sing song

The buffet was spread on the billiard table 

and every one tucked in

Dad cut his cake...

...toasts were drunk...

...and Patsy came back for a 60's session.

We all have to declare it a thorough success, and wish Dad continuing good health and many more birthdays to come.

Here are a few of his cards ...

... and I made him something to keep as we knew the cake would soon be eaten.

So what about those references - he was brought up in Wimbledon and moved to Upminster at the other end of the District Line (We know Wimbledon isn't on the underground, but Raynes Park just doesn't sound the same), when I was three.  He was in the RAF ground crew in the war and served in North Africa, hence the pyramid and the scorpion which stung him, which he claimed to be his only war wound - something my sister and I loved to hear about.  He worked as a printer for the Bank of England turning out bank notes and was a talented draftsman although I do not remember him doing much drawing. He loved making models including kites, model aeroplanes - the sort that flew, and beautiful scale model farm carts, and even a scratch build HMSVictory which he gave away for charity.  He always loved fishing and still enjoys a chat to the fishermen on the sea front at Cowes where he lives. He also likes a little flutter on the horses and is a keen subscriber to Private Eye.  He also uses his lap-top to surf the web occasionally so hopefully he will see this tribute. So Dad your birthday may be over but I think can keep celebrating for the whole year!!

Jill