Long Time No See!

Hello!
I daren't look at the date that I last blogged- no excuse really, just life plodding on! I'd forgive you if you have given up on me. I just haven't been very good at taking photos to show you or getting my head together to write something interesting.

Life here has changed a little. My daughter has gone away to Uni and I really miss her and find myself in an all male household! She is here this weekend, which is lovely. My middle son is at Uni doing art foundation and thankfully still at home this year. I'm enjoying watching the progress of his various projects. My youngest is in year 10 so is gearing up towards GCSEs (well, when he is not out skateboarding!)

The dog is as naughty (and mucky) as usual, but as the house is often empty now I wouldn't want to be without his company.

Work-wise it has been a bit of an up and down year. I've had a couple of exhibitions and some slow times, but I have been stitching recently as I have a stall at Spinningfields in Manchester with Makers Market this Saturday (14th November). I'll also be at Sefton Park Palm House in Liverpool for a Christmas extravaganza packed with beautiful handmade goods, delicious food and festive fun, on 28th and 29th November. (Details here : /www.facebook.com/Artisansinthepalmhouse/ )

I think I'll need tp wrap up warm, but I love doing these events, chatting to people about my work and hopefully supporting other makers by buying some Christmas gifts. There may also be a little cake consumed- just to help me keep warm :)

Hope you have a good weekend xx

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

Rings and Things

There is a definite chill in the air, time is ticking by and I'm navigating a path through good moments and sad ones. I'm taking comfort (and warmth) from simple things like French knitting- not too much thinking, just doing!

(Blurry photo, but I wanted to show you I'm back to my favourite hair colour)

Finished simply with a cluster of 8 metal washers from a well-known DIY store, ( I have since reduced it to 3 washers as the weight kept pulling the scarf around so it didn't hang straight and I can't stand clothes that have to be fiddled with!)

Ideas are swirling around my mind and gradually I'm becoming productive, relishing the timeless motions of pinning, tacking and stitching into fabric and paper, taking shape between my fingers. I love English patchwork, making hexagons, the simple repetitive rhythm unchanged for centuries.

I have a plan, to tack together the old and the new. Vintage technology revisited, allowing me to print my Nan's letter onto fabric, words from the past whispering inspiration for the days to come.

Some of our good moments were spent at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Spinningfields in Manchester at the weekend- so many talented crafts people. Mr Dotty and I had a wonderful time and spent thousands of pounds in our heads! Actual pound were spent too! I bought this beautiful ring from Helen Shere.

Natural

Simple

Beautiful

Hope your week has lots of good moments too.xx

Victoria Baths Again

More from Victoria Baths

Always Drinking Marching Band

We enjoyed a weekend of live performance, street theatre and dance in Manchester Piccadily Gardens. The event was organised by http://www.xtrax.org.uk/showcase_platform_4_2011_welcome.php
and was lively and full of energy.

We watched some fantastic young dancers, got a soaking from Avanti Display (http://www.avantidisplay.co.uk/), and enjoyed the buzz and bustle of the crowds.

Always Drinking Marching Band from Barcelona

                                                   Finale!

We Love You Ray

Tomorrow evening, we are going to see Ray Lamontagne playing at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and I am SO excited! I have seen him twice before and he is amazing. Each performance is full of raw energy and his songs connect so strongly with me. Last time he even made me cry!

Ray isn't big on "chatting" to the audience and is quite reserved. Last time I saw him, he remained almost deadpan when a male member of the audience bellowed "We love you Ray" and "Marry me Ray" in a strong Mancunian accent!

He doesn't like to tell the history of a song as he believes that the song should retain mystery and be meaningful to the each person who listens to it. Along with his band, he seems to give every performance his all!

I'm also looking forward to seeing the support acts as there has been some great talent amongst them, in particular Priscilla Ahn who has the voice of an angel.