Still things I like

Still on the theme of things, or places I like, and it has to be the Northumbrian coast, whatever the weather (but sun is best!). This is Dunstanburgh Castle a couple of miles from Craster, home of the famous Craster kipper, and the beach at Embleton. Someone once described the ruins of the castle as jagged teeth and it has stuck in my mind every time I see them. We went for a walk here today with the eldest GC who had stayed the night. Good job we normally get up early! But we love having him!

Things I like number 2

The second thing ("obsession"!) which I really like also has to do with colour, this time a certain colour combination - orange/red and purple (even better if they come in stripes!). I am assuming that everyone has a certain colour combination which makes them suck their cheeks in and have a sharp intake of breath, or am I imagining this? Anyway, this is my fave combo. What's yours?!

A giveaway!

I've been a customer of The Stamp Man and can recommend them! I wish they were there when we used to live in Skipton! Follow this link

The Stamp Man's Summer Blog Candy Giveaway

Testing, testing

This post is just to try out my links which haven't worked for me up to now! Here is the link I tried the other day to Jackie - I hope this works!

WIP

PS

OK - I tried a link to Jackie but it didn't work for some reason which I am trying to put right, so here is the link which you should have had - http://dogdaisychains.blogspot.com. Pop over to her blog - you won't be disappointed!

Consider the lilies ....

First time jitters

For the first time I have been tagged! Help! Here goes! Jackie has tagged me to mention 5 current obsessions (re textile-y things). Now I have to confess that I don't think the word obsession is right, for me at least; it's rather things that I am interested in, drawn to and take pleasure in. So the first thing that I'm going to mention is the colour purple, which I mentioned in a previous post. I love this colour, but don't wear a lot of it. Here are few photos. The first four are brooches, two with old (aka vintage!) buttons, then a wallhanging and finally a fishing net at the harbour and a book cover.

A couple of piccies of the embellisher. This make has 5 barbed needles which mesh the fleece/fabrics together; some makes have more needles. It certainly makes felting a lot easier - I found that making felt on the C and G course was always hard work, although some people enjoy the process. I'll be adding some stitching today using my sewing machine. Where has the sun gone?

The colour purple

Looking through these images the main colour seems to be purple, one of my favourite colours. It's hard getting away from colours which appeal to you, so I've given in this time. The heather is covering a lot of the hills in Northumberland now, making the landscape look completely different. Makes you think of autumn though, when we feel it should still be summer!

Another "purple" picture, this time taken in the icehouse at Kedleston Hall, a NT house in Derbyshire. I hadn't expected it to be so colourful.




And some WIP, inspired by some of the scenery and colours we've seen these past few weeks. Done on the embellisher and not yet finished- may add more stitching. Have a happy Sunday!

More holiday delights!

These were taken in a yarn shop in Ullapool - another yummy shop. (I did ask permission for photos here and in the tweed shop!) I'll have to think of another excuse for a visit - not that we need one!

More evening sun

Sweetpea shadows



A little bit more from the beach! - grasses from Blyth beach in Nottingham.

Evening sun

While in Nottingham I just happened to be sitting one evening when the sun caught some sweetpeas on the table in front of me. Thought I would experiment with some shots - I may transfer some onto fabric later.





The problem these days seems to be getting enough time apart from a few minutes here and there to be able to have a good run at something - or maybe I am just making excuses. So many interesting things to do! Ever since doing C and G 1 and 2 the possibilities are endless (as seen by the clutter in my "workroom" which used to be a small bedroom). One day I will get round to using all the things I've bought to try out, if I haven't forgotten why I bought them in the first place!

A trip to the beach ....

..... in Nottingham! We went to visit my sister and hubby who live in Nottingham and they took us to the beach! Half of the square had been given over to sand (couldn't take photos) but every square inch was taken over with deckchairs and picnic blankets. The water features were full of children playing and the swings and roundabouts were in, well, full swing! Great to see people enjoying themselves. It didn't look like this when I was a student at the uni there!



This was taken at the lace shop, one of the oldest buildings but not open (or maybe they have moved?)

Many thanks M and L for showing us around the stately homes and an interesting visit to DHL's birthplace. Hope you have recovered from the evening stroll M!

One of the things I love about going to new places is the unexpected treasures you come across, like this Tweed shop which we came across in the village of Lairg. If you are "an estate owner, stalker, ghillie, angler, hunter or (I'm glad they added this) tweed enthusiast" then this is the shop for you - if you can afford it! Great colours and textures - I could have spent ages here but then they might have thought I was a customer!


Ladies hats ....scarves ....

men's (!) trousers ...



socks ...men's jackets .. A lovely drooly time was had!

Holiday!

We're back from a journey to the far north of Scotland to collect ingredients for one of my favourite perfumes! -



The scenery is spectacular and the roads practically empty. Most of the time we were on single track roads, a new view opening up at every turn -

The colours and the sights and sounds (usually silence) made the long journey worthwhile. We were there last year but it never ceases to amaze. We live near the Scottish border (some parts of Scotland are south of us) and often have little jaunts to the border towns. A holiday in Scotland is to be recommended! Even better if you live there!