John Ives Shoe Shop - Woodbridge

John Ives,  a lovely chap and his family run the John Ives shoe shop in Thoroughfare in Woodbridge - and a lovely place it is - lots of yummy shoes and boots!!

Well John and his daughter Fay have seen my bags and are willing to take some for the shop!!

I took three in on Friday

Thus will be the sole retail outlet for my bags - so please go and see them there .................. more bags are in the planning stage and of course customers can order bags in any colour they wish

So wish us luck and that it all turns out well for all!!

Again many thanks to John and his family for allowing me this opportunity

Plus the staff I the shop are also wonderful - you could not have more helpful assistants in helping you choose just the right footwear - and everyone always has smile for you :-)

Arlington's Braserie - Makers Market this Sunday

I will be back there tomorrow - this time with a selection of my Dragon Tail Scarves and some fingerless gloves ..................possibly some bags

I will not be brining my whole range as am very tired after the craft and quilting groups trip to the Quilt show at Duxford ......................... had a very nasty turn - I suddenly felt dizzy and was going to collapse but fellow quilters rallied round and helped me keep from falling and someone got me a chair and they stayed with me till I felt better - I have no idea who these lovely women were - but my grateful thanks for their support and help in my time of need!
That's quilters for you - lovely people!!

Anyway dear hubbie will set me up and put it all back in the car for me - so all I will need to do is sit and hope some of the people having Sunday lunch venture upstairs and browse round the Makers Market in the gallery
No idea who else will be there but will try and take a few pics while there

Tonight blustering winds are howling around the house .................................. lets hope no more trees get blown down ................

I have also been trying to make some more of my wrist warmers, Dragon Tail scarves and cowls .............. ready for people for Christmas ......................

Peninsula Crafts SocietyExhibition - this weekend

Well its all set up

Entrance to Sale Hall -which was busy all day Saturday 

Part of the Exhibition Room

Things here were much admired 

Lovey stools and soft toys in Exhibition Hall 

Unusual stools handcrafted by Chris Jarvis 

Soft Toys by Joan Lumkin

Lets hope we get a good attendance and of course sales for all

More tomorrow ................... am exhausted and in a lot of pain



Also
some of my small quilts and cushion covers will be
 at
Kirton Craft show in the
Village Hall
down by the Parish Church

Small quilts

Something for little girls 

Pink quilt with crochet flowers

Has a cosy pink fleece backing

All the flowers are different - to pick up the colours in the quilt 

and 

Something for little boys ....

A fun whole cloth quilt with bears, with elephants and giraffes in arks all in fun blues and yellows with a hint of green

With warm fleece backing 

With fun fringe at the top 

I quite often back my children's quilts with fleece - as it makes them nice a warm but not heavy and nice and cuddly 

Plus they don't slip off  -  So baby/toddler stays warm! !

These quilts were gifted to my Son's girlfriends children - who recently had babies

Would have been nice if I had a thanks from the recipients! Or even returned saying "We don't like them ... but thanks for the thought " .... ah well win some lose some ................ 

Exhibition this weekend ................ previews

Well guests are lining up ready - emails with lists and what can they exhibit or not space etc etc

I know various member's are putting the peddle to the metal trying to finish things off - those final touches! 

I can smell if not hear all that midnight oil being burnt .................... sizzle sizzle 

As I get to see some of peoples inventories I can see just from the titles the fun and exciting things coming
http://peninsulacrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

The catalogues are done and away to be printed ................ just the exhibition cards to do - devil is in the detail here! 

Plus I have yet to do the THEME notices - Ladies gifts; Mens Gifts; Childrens; Christmas ..... etc you get the idea ...............

We have lots of new guest exhibitors as well as our popular regulars - so should be an exciting show with lots new and different things for people to see.

Well I must start burning my midnight oil - as I must finish off my bags and get them lined and finished off ............ plus some felted hats need embellishing 

A customer came at the weekend to pick up her lovely cowls she ordered (one in hand painted in greens and blues ina linen cotton blend from Peru and the other in a gorgeous viscose and cotton in steel grey with a lovely sheen). She had a sneak preview of the bags and she ordered a smaller version of the Camellia's Bag - I am so pleased :-) ......... makes it all worthwhile! Just love a happy customer!! 

Well sewing beckons and had better put my foot to the sewing machine pedal.......................... linings made but yet to hand sewn into the bags ..then to take pics! 

Peninsula Crafts Exhibition - Oct 26-27th - WOLVERSTONE ... preview

Exhibition Preview 

Midnight Flowers 

Hand crocheted in pure wool and felted bag 

Embellished with roses and spirals - these are made with pure Aran wool and Jaeger vintage silk-mohair in a gorgeous combination of the teal with a bronze colour that shimmers in the  light 

Now lined in matching moire taffeta - plus lots of pockets, with machine embroidery and magnetic snap closure  

Camellias Bag 

Hand crocheted and felted in charcoal grey Aran pure wool 

Embellished with pure wool flowers in various shades of red with soft green leaves. 

Now lined in Burberry pink taffeta - lots of pockets and divider for a tablet/small laptop - edges finished with machine embroidery 

Mitered Squares 

Hand crocheted and felted pure wool  

Chunky bag! 

Lined in matching brown lining - lots of pockets and finished with machine embroidery 

More pics to come ........................ 

Arlington's Sunday Makers Market

Some of my things on display - see my lovely new stand! 

My aprons along the gallery and my new dummy with 'Scarlet' zig-zag coat on in poppy red! 

Zoe Rubens with her stunning metal art work - being admired! 

There were lots of other stalls and will upload pics asap!

ARLINGTONS RESTAURANT 

in

 IPSWICH 

Will be having a MAKERS MARKET on the first and third SUNDAYS until Christmas 

I hope I can be there most of those Sundays! 

Needless to say I couldn't do any of this without poor Les helping get all my stuff up and then down the stairs! The list only goes so far up.................. 

Craft Show this Saturday - WOODBRIDGE COMMUNITY HALL

  

WOODBRIDGE
COMMUNITY HALL

Station Road, Woodbridge, IP12 4AU

Saturday 5 October 2013, 10am - 4pm
Admission £3

ABF SOLDIERS CHARITY

Early Christmas shopping - and give vital support
to all soldiers and their families who are in real need

'For Soldiers for Life'

I will be there as will lots of other crafters - do pop by and say hello!

Somewhat crammed table - and my old stand sort of collapsed - if I had known I would have taken my new stand but I was not sure what space I would have 

Spinning being demonstrated - needless to say I bought some of Jayne's wool!  

We are now working together to do a workshop! 

So watch this space! 

Craft Show in Woodbridge this SATURDAY

 

 

Radio Suffolk with Lesley Dolphin ......sofa guest

I am absolutely amazed - have been asked to be 'the sofa guest' on BBC Radio Suffolk on Lesley Dolphin's show tomorrow Tuesday at 3pm .................. 

I am not sure quite what I shall have to chat about ............... suspect a bit about my career in Archaeology and my crochet /art work etc .......... 

 

So here's hoping I don't make a fool of myself!!!

Fingers crossed!!

ART ON THE PROM - WHAT YOU MISSED

ART ON THE PROM 

Last Sunday - was a lovely day - sunny breezy

and 

LOTS of people 

The prom was packed with young and old

 

 

My stand - NO 56 

Just after Les had set me up 

The first few early birds taking a look whats on offer 

Friends came by and said hello and returning customers came back and bought a few things as well! 

Feedback being that the items they bought as gifts last year were much appreicated and so they came back for more gifts! 

 

 Estelle Westlake 

Setting up her part of the stall (we shared our pitch) with her latest ceramic pieces 

Behind you can see some of her ceramics on the fencing and some of my aprons and my toddler coin quilt in sunny yellows

 

I managed before things started to get busy to have a quick look at a few neighbouring stalls 

 

Jim Nind with his art installation - Bottles in the Sand 

Hundreds of bottles each with a message streaming down the beach towards the sea 

He also had lots of wonderful prints of his colourful work for sale 

 

Another view of them with some of the beach huts behind 

 

 

Tom Moye a Blacksmith with a  sampling of his work

The horse was stunning likewise the copy of the Sutton Hoo Anglo Saxon helmet

He had boot-scrapers and other works for sale

 

Children's Boleros

Boleros for Twins 

Neat boleros one in shaded greens and other in shaded blues 

So the same design but in different colours 

 

Commissioned for a a pair of toddler twins 

The flower closures are adjustable - and move to fit as they grow 

So they should get plenty of wear from them 

 

The green bolero on a small model stand 

 

The blue bolero

 

Made in Drops Delight wool blend yarn doubled

my own design

Art on The Prom - Felixstowe

Friday 30th at 1.10pm

Radio Suffolk will be doing an interview about Art on The Prom

Steve Wyatt and myself  are being interviewed 

so tune in and get the latest about Art on The Prom 

Last event on The Triangle the Saturday for a  preview of three artists before the 

Main Event 

on 

SUNDAY 

 

Just a  reminder folks 

Art on The Prom 

Felixstowe Promenade 

10-4pm 

SINGULARONE  

STAND 56 

I will be there with Estelle and her pottery 

That's Estelle in the pic wearing one of my jackets she had bought the previous year 

All my crafts behind her 

Please come and say hello and see my latest designs 

or commission something special 

I will have on display 

Crochet Clothing 

Bags

Children's aprons with crayons in pockets 

Adult's Aprons in various sizes 

Cushions - hand painted quilted 

Crochet Blankets 

If you see something you like but want in a different colour or size - just ASK!

Teal Missoni Zig-Zag Coat

Front View 

Designed for a customer whom has a narrow back but large bust - lucky girl! 

To be three-quarter in length with cape-sleeves to elbow - which leaves ample room for arm movement and able to wear deep cut sleeves underneath 

Made in pure cotton in a  bright deep teal colour 

Back View

Slim fitting so it flows down the back into the waist and over the hips 

Delivered today and she is delighted :-) 

As am I :-) :-) 

I am so pleased with this design of mine - which is becoming very  popular over the years 

I must remake my stone coloured one which is now over three years old! 

With subtle adjustments in how I make it - it can fit all sizes and shapes and still be flattering

Everyone seems to love how it flows down the back and skims over the hips 

I am now making an alternative version in a bamboo tape yarn - and its looking good - so far! 

Lets hope so! 

Art on the Prom - at The Triangle Felixstowe each Saturday in August

ART ON THE PROM COMES TO TOWN

Hi Everyone - just to let you know I will be at the 

TRIANGLE in FELIXSTOWE

next Saturday 17th August
10am - 4pm 

along with 

Jim Nind doing sculpture 

and 

Beryl Scott doing print making 

As I have no idea what the weather will be doing ....

so I shall be showing some crochet work in progress and various items for sale and be sitting there with my trusty set of vintage crochet hooks 

But do come along and see all the various artists doing their work each Saturday  - a brilliant preview for the big event on September 1st 

Our stall last year which we shared with Estelle Westlake - potter 

She is wearing one of my circular waistcoats which she bought the previous year

This year we are at STAND 56

 Art on the Prom celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2013.   

ART ON THE PROM COMES TO TOWN 

on the last three Saturdays in August when artists  will be demonstrating their techniques 

from 10am – 4pm 

under the Canopy at the Triangle in Hamilton Road.

FELIXSTOWE

17^th  August                 Lynn Dyson-Bruce, textiles;

                                        Beryl Scott, printmaking;

                                        Jim Nind, 3D sculpture.

 

24^th  August                 Anglian Potters:-

                                       Liz Chipchase, slab construction;

                                        Susan Holmes, tile workshop and have-a go with potter’s wheel; 

                                        Mary Wyatt, sculptural ceramics.

31^st August                  Naomi Brangwyn, stained glass;

                                        Cherrie Stevens, weaving;

                                        Sharon Taylor, spinning and designing.

The one day art fair on Felixstowe prom will take place on Sunday September 1^st  10am to 4pm.  

This event is entirely free and the public can browse the original art work of over 100 artists including painting, ceramics, glass, textiles and photography.   

As usual there will be six free have-a-go art workshops in the Spa Gardens where there will also be a display of the art work from Felixstowe and Ipswich school children.   

Bands, entertainers and food outlets complete this family friendly community day.

Don’t miss these opportunities to be part of one of Felixstowe’s most popular events.    

More information  and photographs of artists’ work are on our website   www.artontheprom.org

 Art on the Prom is organised by volunteers and is made possible by the financial support of Town and District Council, Jackamans Solicitors, East of England Co-op and many others.

Oriental Lilac Cat Bag

Needle felted and machine embroidered onto a felted dark brown wool melton 

Fully lined in pale green glazed cotton 

Made into a medium sized bag 

The bag front with the full face of the 

Oriental Lilac cat

A close up of the cat 

The eyes have been felted with green wool and then surface machine embroidered in a shiny green cotton - so the eyes glow.

This has been a special commission by a friend who breeds these cats 

The cat portrait is based on one of her breeding cats 

These bags are available by special order - email me if you want one 

I can do a bag with either your cat or dog on the front in coordinating colours and lining 

I will need a couple of photographs 

Exhibition at Shotley - a bit extra

Crochet and felted bag - with mohair flowers 

Lined in matching cotton - with pockets 

Altered the bag - added yellow in the flowers for customer so it would match things she had 

So hope a Happy Customer! 

White mohair bolero jacket 

in vintage lovely Jaeger mohair - just a dream to work with 

Has long sleeves and body wraps around you in a  soft cloud of warmth 

Perfect for Summer or winter a truly seasonal piece 

Pillowcase-style dress

Pillow-case style dress in strips of lightweight cotton fabric 

Pinks, blues, lavenders 

One side 

Other side- blues, and lavenders - LOL :-) 

Made this as  sample for my Grand-daughter - as she over 400 miles away I cant exactly try it on for size - so ran this up quickly to see if it will fit here then can make more dresses to fit 

Lets hope it is liked !!

Exhibition - last day tomorrow!

My Exhibition Pieces 

 

Neon - Cotton Tunic and some matching bags

Chocolate Mint Ripple - Cotton Tunic 

Sunshine and Shadows - Cotton Tunic 

Forest - Cotton Shawl - hand dyed cotton from Peru

Cobweb Shawl - in lambswool and Shetland wool 

Winter White - mohair bolero jacket 

These are my exhibition pieces but I have a wider selection in the Sale Room 

Do please come along and try on and see what you like and if nothing strikes your fancy then I am happy to something you commission .................

Exhibition Sneak Preview ....................

Tunic Top 

In a cotton blend - brown, yellow and putty with white tweeded throughout 

An easy to wear tunic for over leggings or trousers/jeans or even over a swimsuit and for those with the legs a dress

A simple design T-shape with deep kimono sleeves - can be worn straight or belted in 

This is one of my 6 exhibition pieces ................... as I take photos more will be posted! 

Tiptoe through the Tulips - Bags and cushion cover

Tulip Bags and cushion cover - all cotton 

Calico lining with pockets 

A friend of mine loves Tulips - the same one I made the Artists Bag for (also in tulip material) -which by the way is well used an much admired apparently by those in her art class! 

For her birthday I asked what she would like (mentioning that I had some other tulip fabric that I bought with her in mind .....a bag for my knitting/crochet!

So with some artful measuring n pondering I made these - no measurements 

I did my usual sewing by the seat of my pants method! LOL!! 

I just cut and sewed by the size of the pieces. I had 3 odd sized remnants so cut two pieces and squeezed out the two bags and a cushion cover (that will match her sitting room). 

So she will have a comfy cushion to sit with and knit/crochet or read a book and two matching bags - with different handles and the pattern arranged in different directions - so she knows which is which 

Both bags lined in cream unbleached calico - with pockets 

TUTORIAL - no measurements bag  (well almost  lol)

Materials: 

Some pieces fabric (outer) some calico or other lining material (same amount)

either enough of those scarps for handles or some scraps of something else - easier if there is a selvedge running along the length

the usual cotton/needles/pins etc 

To do this just see what remnants you have that are sort of bag sized  2 pieces that are c16x18" or cut a piece of fabric in half to roughly these measurements

Cut two pieces of calico for lining the same size 

Cut two lengths of fabric for straps - roughly 12-18" long and 3" wide 

OUTER - place the two rectangles right sides together - decide which is the top (dont sew this bit!) 

Then sew down the two sides and the bottom - do it again to reinforce the seam and zigzag edges if you wish 

For sugar bag bottom fold out corners and sew roughly 2-3" in - depending how deep you want the bag 

Just make sure each side matches! 

Turn right side out and press 

LINING  - repeat the same procedure as outer - just make sure its the same size 

Leave inside out! 

Put the lining into the outer and fold down the edge to fit inside the outer bag - and have the edge slightly below the outside fabric 

HANDLES 

Press the lengths - fold one third in , fold again so one edge left leaving the selvedge edge on the outside 

Sew down the length securing the edge and again up the other side and again in the middle if needed. 

Press 

Cut in half or to required lengths - just make sure each handle is the same length

ASSEMBLING THE BAG 

Take the two handles - measure in 3-4" from the side and pin the handles in place 

Just make sure they match from each side and front and back - just fold teh top of teh bag to double check and check handle lengths are the same 

Pin the bag outer and lining together around the top and sew along the top edge ensuring to catch the lining 

Repeat and sew again just below and a third time if wished - this reinforces the top edge of your bag and catches the handles and reinforces those as well 

Shake out - cut off all threads press and enjoy! 

Not a scrap of fabric left - a real stashbuster 

Lets hope she likes them! 

Peninsula Crafts Society Exhibition at the Shipwreck, SHOTLEY May 25-27th 2013

Peninsula Crafts 25^th Exhibition

25^th-27^th May at the Shipwreck, Shotley Marina IP9 1QJ

Open 10am-4pm

Entrance 50p  Children free

Free Parking

Original Art and Craft items on show and for sale

A small sample of things on show from last years Shipwreck Exhibition April 2012

The Peninsula Craft Society will be holding its 25^th Exhibition this spring – quite an achievement for a small local society! This success is surely a testimony to the quality and diverse range of crafts available from the group.

To celebrate this achievement we have invited past and present members and guest artists to exhibit their latest creations.

This will be a very special exhibition and sale room showcasing the very best the region has to offer.

Help us celebrate our 25th Exhibition - we will be showcasing past and present members crafts in the exhibition and sale room, so it promises to be an even better exhibition than usual with an even wider range of crafts for sale than usual. 

Please see the groups new blog - which will publish all latest information http://peninsulacrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Make it a day out - enjoy not only the exhibition but the views from the Marina across the waters to Harwich and Felixstowe. The Shipwreck, which kindly hosts our exhibitions upstairs, also offers a fine range of  food and beverages, to eat inside or outside on the lawns and patio. 

Coral & Turquoise crochet bags - Navaho Style

Two Tote Bags 

Hand crocheted in cotton blend - both with circular bases but different designs and handles 

Bands of colours and different designs in tapestry crochet - loosely based on a design but as usual I change the patterns! 

Hand crocheted in a  cotton blend yarn in turquoise, coral, indigo, lavender, and a putty white

Has a loop closure - yet to finish it off - deciding if to add tassels and beads 

A close up of the stripes 

Ziggy Zaggy  tote bag 

Hand crocheted in turquoise and coral cotton blend with shorter handles 

Has a spiral pattern on the base and the same colours used on the body in a drop stitch with a single stripe on the handle 

Bright cheerful colours to brighten your day!

Perfect for those projects or on the beach or shopping