Skip to main content

Shiny Happy Days

Portmeirion
Bit erratic on the blog front recently but with good reason, last weekend my little brother made his inaugural trip to Wales. After 5 years of excuses (including living in New Zealand for the 1st 2 years, I gracefully accepted this one), he arrived at last! Was most exciting to be able to show him lots of lovely things with the sunshine gods beaming down benevolently on us for once. Accompanying him in the trip was our best friend, a good natured soul who will happily potter round Caernarfon Castle, Portmeirion etc etc once again (not really a hardship and there were plenty of ice creams to help fuel these escapades). I've been to a number of lovely places around the world (such as waterfalls in Brazil, arriving by camel to the Pyramids at Giza, hilltop temples in Japan) but few places can top the loveliness of Portmeirion on a sunny summer day. I've visited quite a few times now (including in winter) and it never fails to delight and inspire (and use up a lot of memory on my camera). Little bro was duly impressed especially since he'd been force fed episodes of The Prisoner before setting off which always heightens the experience (albeit in a surreal, confused manner).

Taking full advantage of the every-view's-a-photo-opportunity landscaping, there was a wedding on. I was tickled by the signs put up by a humorous member of the bridal party. Next to the Town Hall (as No.6 would recognise it) was a sweet 'Happy Ever After Starts Here' sign, this was counterbalanced by the less sugary one found near the public balcony (suitable for aspiring Evita types) which pointed to 'Owen's Escape Route'. Thankfully, Owen didn't seem to have abandoned his bride and good luck to him & Sioned, whoever they are.


Doily Bombing?
Since little bro & scone-loving friend have returned to Scotland, life has featured considerably less ice cream and more going to work than I'd have liked. However, today saw two definite highlights, the first was getting my little paws on this year's Helfa Gelf booklet. It's a little thrill seeing my name and pic of my felty bees in print (No. 18!) and I love the cover image of  wooden birds being made by John & Marilyn Davies  http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/

 The other enjoyable thing today was inadvertently inventing (well, possibly, I think an English group have eye catchingly suspended huge doilies from bridges recently) 'Doily Bombing'. While washing some bits of cut-up doilies today at work (the job I enjoy, not the soul sapping one) I needed to find something suitable to dry them on & viola! Sadly I was very pleased with my creation, although undoubtedly it's an affront to the anti-macassar brigade (if any still exist).
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joyfully Geeky Crochet- Creating a TARDIS

Creating a TARDIS (correctly using capitals now after previous admonishments by my pedantic husband) has, I can confidently declare, been my second favourite present make ever (only bested by a crocheted honeycomb frame made for my bee-keeping mother). It may indeed have a wibbly-wobbly roof (angle of the above picture is flattering!), cheerfully wandering letters on the 'police box' signs and a tendency towards a leaning base, but I am sadly very proud of my little blue box. Part of the pleasure definitely comes from anticipating the look on my brilliant Dr Who-loving friend's face as he opens the box it's travelled north in. Concerned about any misunderstanding, I've taped an 'it's not shoes!' note to the top so as to avoid even momentarily confusion when presented with a peppermint green Clarkes box. Once he fights his way through the swathes of bubble wrap (it was a big box), he'll be the wondrous owner of this mini delight. I'm thrille...
Post a Comment
Read more

(Anatomical) Love Is In the Air!

Crochet Anatomical Hearts by Lost In The Wood February has been set aside for a much needed catch up with the paperwork (dull but essential), a move into my new cute little studio (exciting), finishing commissions (overdue) and an exhibition piece (satisfying). However, I was a very busy little bee in January, working on some new anatomical designs (which will be a key focus for my work this year). I've started with hearts, the most appropriate bodily organ for this time of year and one of the most interesting to crochet with all it's ventricles, veins and arteries. I'm not claiming these are anatomically correct (no student of biology/ physiology should look to these as learning aids or we're all done for) but they make a reasonable attempt. Intended as large wall pieces, hang them as statement art works or nestle a smaller one under a bell jar and let them be brazen about their well crafted weirdness! They have been hanging splendidly in the Lotti & W...
Post a Comment
Read more

Good Riddance February, Welcome Cheery March!

'Meet the Maker' 01/03/14 Aside from a lovely weekend at the beginning of the month celebrating our Wedding Anniversary & friends birthdays, February was essentially a grim fest of illness, misery and much weirdness. So, it was with relief that the 1st of March ushered in much improved health & mental outlook. Happily, I had recovered enough to participate in and enjoy being part of Lotti & Wren's 10th Birthday Celebrations! As one of my most favourite shops, the continued existence of this adorable boutique packed with well chosen contemporary homely & gift things, is truly worth celebrating. As a little 'Meet the Maker' event, a few lovely local makers had stalls in the cute garden shared with next door Palas Prints (a fine independent bookshop stocking a wide range of Welsh & English language books and who also helpfully cater for more niche tastes by ordering in Victorian taxidermy books for their odder customers like me). As usual wh...
Post a Comment
Read more