Derby is having a Peace and Justice Festival on Saturday September 14th. There are several venues around the city centre where things will be happening. There is plenty going on at The Guildhall from 10.00am-10.00pm, details can be found HERE.
There will also be activities in The Quaker Meeting House, St Helen’s Street, Derby DE1 3GY.
Last Wednesday I spent a couple of hours sitting in Pachacuti , a Fair Trade shop in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. I had not gone there to buy anything although I was very tempted. On a previous visit I had left with three hats, two tops and a pair of shoes! Here is a photo of the shop and you can see my little suitcase outside!
William Morris said “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” I think this is something worth considering in these times of excessive hoarding and shopping. Today it is so easy to spend money, that there is great danger of buying, without considering if we need an item, or if it is something that will make our homes more beautiful.
When I had my first home in the 1980s William Morris designs were popular and I can remember having curtains and cushions in his fabric. I was therefore really interested in visiting the National Trust property Standen House in West Sussex. The house itself was designed and built for James and Margaret Beale as a weekend retreat. James was a solicitor who was involved in the opening of the great rail terminal at St Pancras.
Yesterday I took two of my Grandchildren to join in with a group called the Young Embroiderers. It is the part of the Embroiderers Guild which is for young people aged 5 and above.
The Guild itself is a charity that welcomes all those who like to embroider or who would like to learn. Its aim is to build awareness of stitch and textile art. Their website says, ‘They educate, encourage, inspire, and promote the achievement of excellence.’ Everyone is welcome and there are groups all over the country, details can be found here www.embroiderersguild.com
This post is an update on my progress with learning how to crochet. I have been writing recently about places I visit and there are plenty more of these to blog about, however I also want to write about the things I make, create and learn.
I learnt to knit at about 11 years old and have knitted ever since! My knitting would come with me into school and I can remember friends saying, ‘ we can see you as a Grandmother still knitting’. I am a grandmother now and still knitting. Today I put my work out in public places for others to appreciate. This is called Yarn Bombing or Yarn Storming, it is a type of graffiti that doesn’t harm the environment.
