Sefton Park Palm House

Last weekend the weather was very kind to us for our first (hopefully of many) event with the Artisan Network. We set up my Dotty B stall in the very beautiful Sefton Park Palm House amid a festival atmosphere. The mood was buoyant as the sun shone through the palm leaves.

There were amazing stalls full of beautifully handcrafted, quality products, fabulous food and drink, music and fun activities. We had over 11,000 visitors and Mr Dotty and I really enjoyed talking to everyone who came to see us. We met some lovely people, both visitors and stallholders. We bought a couple of nice things including an item from Jenny Barnett which I can't show you yet as it is a surprise for someone.....

We ate delicious brownies from Treats Bake Shop. I (only just) managed to resist the temptation to succumb to a large G&T from Liverpool Gin, which I can assure you took a huge effort of will as they looked wonderful, clear and refreshing!

Richard of RG Pens was our next door neighbour for the weekend. Mr Dotty was in his element as Richard handcrafts beautiful pens from a range of materials, including exotic hardwoods and wonderfully coloured acrylics. No two pens are ever the same. Mr Dotty purchased one for himself and one for our son (they both have special birthdays later in the year).

We also met Stef and her husband, a really lovely, friendly couple, originally from South Africa. Stef paints beautiful, vibrant watercolours. We share a love of little houses and Stef very kindly purchased some of my pieces!

Anne and her friends from Sew Nautical were great fun. Her stall was full of gorgeous, little driftwood houses and harbours. Anne also makes colourful  paper and stitch collages.

 On Sunday our neighbour was Alexis Valentine and his high quality Walking On Glass pieces. Alexis creates his engravings entirely by hand and specialises in engraving glass for those who enjoy the great outdoors.

We had such a fantastic weekend. When we had packed up and were heading back to the car we both felt a little sad as though had been on a little holiday and were leaving behind new friends.

I'd like to say a big thank you to all the visitors, staff and stallholders, Sefton Palmhouse,the people of Liverpool and further afield and especially to Larry and Mandy who make it all happen.

Hope to see you all again soon. xx

Spring Flowers

The promise of Spring has been in the air, though today is wet, cold and grey!
We need a little colour....

Is this bright enough to bring a little cheer? My beautiful daughter has spent months stitching away in her free time.

She seems to share my love of hexagons, stitched by hand over papers, the traditional way.

She stitched together 14 rows, 161 flowers, 1127 hexagons. I can't imagine how many tiny little stitches were needed to make up this gorgeous lap quilt.

The finished top was tie quilted onto sky blue, polka dot fleece to make it super snuggly, then she stitched all the way around the edge.

It sits on her chair in the window, brightening my days. I will have to make the most of both of them before they both go off to university later in the year.

Wishing you a lovely weekend and a special Mother's Day to all Mums on Sunday. xx

Artisans in The Palm House

I'm very excited to be taking part in Artisans in the Palm House at Sefton Park on 21st and 22nd March.

I'll be bringing similar goodies to those above. It looks like a beautiful venue and will be filled with high quality items and food. The difficult part will be stopping Mr Dotty from spending all my takings on coffee and cake. (Of course I'd never be tempted to do that.....)

If you can make it, I'd be delighted to meet you and I'm sure it will be a great day out.

Up and Running...at last

                                                   Hello Lovelies. 

                         Is it too late to wish you a Happy New Year?

2015 may no longer be brand spanking new, but it is still fairly shiny so I wish you a very happy, healthy and creative year ahead.

Sorry I have been missing-in-action for a while. December ran away from me and January hit the ground running....well almost. In recent years I have found the beginning of the year really difficult, dark and emotionally challenging. Like many people, it takes me a while to shake off the old year and embrace the new.

                                           I'm getting there gradually. 

It's been difficult to balance this weighted-down feeling with the busy-ness and demands that the last few weeks have brought.

Last weekend gave me a big kick up the backside! Mr Dotty and I took up the Couch 2 5k challenge last summer and very gradually began running. We built it up slowly with a  few ups and downs along the way. We were very proud to take part- and finish- a 7 kilometre run at Lyme Park on Saturday as part of a series of National Trust Night Runs. It was challenging, fun and a great experience, running up and down hills, through the woods, splashing through boggy mud with a crowd of around 300 other runners wearing head torches. I loved it!!

                 We were very proud to receive our medals at the end.:)

So when I feel like I'm wading through treacle, I can look back at this and remember that I can achieve lots even if it takes me a little time. What achievements are you proud of?

I have been working hard on a commission and also work for Ten Plus Textiles, but there seem to be so many distractions. Does anyone else dream of having a studio at the bottom of the garden?!

patchwork background with applique

                                           work in progress

                           I'll show you the finished piece soon.

                                   Have a good week

Christmas Shopping

I'm really excited to announce that I'll be taking my "Dotty B" stall to the "Off The High Street" Christmas Market at Castlefield Market on 5th, 6th and 7th December.

My sewing machine has been smoking, my rotary cutter has blunted and I have to keep cleaning fusible web from my iron as I've been busy, busy making lots of goodies to sell.

The Christmas Markets in Manchester are wonderful and the Castlefield events will be a great addition, full of gorgeous food,vintage and quality handmade goods. If you can get over then I'm sure you'll find lots of lovely Christmas presents as well as having a fabulous, festive time. It's indoors and there will be plenty of cake!

The markets will be held at Uppercampfield every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 28th November to 21st December.

Be there or be square!!! :D

The 3 Rs- running, rest and relaxation!

This is so very appealing to me this afternoon.....might even attempt a bit of stitchiness.

 The reason? Mr Dotty and I completed our first 5km Parkrun this morning!!!! Let me put that into context so you can see what an achievement that is for me. I've never liked sport. I was quite an uncoordinated, studious (nerdy) child and I was the one that got picked last for team sports in P.E.lessons. I was on occasion called out to demonstrate athletic activities and then have the teacher tell the class "that's how not to do it"! I spent most of high school PE lessons playing table tennis with my disabled friend (ie waiting till the rest of the class had gone outside, then plaiting each other's hair and gossiping!)

I've tried various physical activities over the years - cycling, aerobics, step aerobics, badminton, golf, bowling- and I've been pretty rubbish at all of them. I just haven't seen myself as sporty. Nowadays, I swim, walk the dog and do Pilates to keep my chronic pain under control. Oh, and I've always said I'd never run- runners never looked very happy to me!

So what happened? Well, during the summer I was feeling a bit better, I kept feeling like I could  jog a little. I expected my physio friend to tell me it was a bad idea, but she was really encouraging. Mr Dotty and I got ourselves some running shoes, embarked on a "Couch to 5k" programme and gradually built up our stamina and strength. I'm so pleased to have finished today and in a reasonable time...WOOHOO!!!

In other news, my Mum is reasonably content, though she has lost a lot of her speech and some understanding. We are gradually coming to terms with what is happening to her and trying to make the most of time together.

Hope you are having a good weekend. My armchair is beckoning.....xx

When Everything Around Us Falls

This last fortnight has been a very painful time for our family. Our beautiful Mum had a stroke which has impaired her speech and to some extent affected her ability to carry out everyday tasks. Thankfully, she has no physical weakness and is still mobile. Mum is home now and is still smiling through it all!

My Mum has a lovely smile and I see it in my own children  - one in particular-when they smile.

                                      Mum and I last Christmas

IWith everything that has been happening, it has been quite poignant to have been working on this piece of work for the next Ten Plus Textiles exhibition which will be at the Platform Gallery in October.

                    "When Everything Around Us Falls"

I was inspired by some of the words of this song called "Shelter" by Ray Lamontagne.