Climate Change

Is Climate change something we need to worry about?  If so is there anything we can do about it? We live in a beautiful world and I’m sure we would all like to keep it this way.Climate change has been mentioned a lot in the news recently because of COP21 (the 21st Conference of the Parties). This is the annual meeting of world leaders for the UN talks on climate change and sustainable development. This year it is to take place in Paris. The conference is crucial because it is hoped that the outcome will be a new international agreement on how to tackle global warming. It has been agreed for some time that it is important to keep global warming below 2% and we are already half way to this figure at 1%. Here is a good article in The Independent.  Continue reading Climate Change

Mini Beast Hunt

I recently installed a mini beast hunt at Ripley Market Place in Derbyshire. I have organised and been involved with a number of Yarn Bombing installations since 2012. My most recent request was to do something for an event called AmberFest for Amber Valley Borough Council. The council were planning a new Community Showcase to be held in Ripley Market Place on Saturday 18th July 2015. Continue reading Mini Beast Hunt

Abbey Gardens

On a recent visit to the Isles of Scilly I visited the amazing Abbey Gardens on the Island of Tresco. The last time I went there was about thirty years ago. I have been to Tresco more recently but not back to the Abbey Gardens and so I was filled with wonder once again at all the fantastic plants. It is a bit like the tropical gardens at Kew without needing to be in a greenhouse.Abbey Gardens TrescoThe gardens were created by Augustus Smith who came to live on Tresco in 1834 as the new Lord Protector of all the Isles of Scilly. The history of the Abbey Gardens can be found HERE. Four succeeding generations of the Smith family continued to improve the gardens, to make them a sub-tropical paradise which is well worth a visit. The Abbey Gardens section on the Tresco website will give you all the information required for an enjoyable day out. Continue reading Abbey Gardens

Belper Parks Wood

It doesn’t seem possible that it is already a week since we had to take down all the lovely woolly things in Belper Parks Wood. They had been in the woods for the Woollen Woods 2015. When you are busy time passes quickly!

The Woollen Woods in Belper Parks wood was part of Corridor Arts, ‘Here and There’ Art Walk. It was also part of Belper’s Art Festival in May 2015. There were so many amazing things going on in the town suitable for all sorts of tastes and age groups. Continue reading Belper Parks Wood

Pom Pom Ladybirds

I have written the instructions for pom pom ladybirds. At the moment life is really busy with getting everything ready for the woollen woods and ‘Here and There’.  My grandchildren wanted to join in. We decided to make as many pom pom ladybirds as we could, so that we can make a ladybird tree. Continue reading Pom Pom Ladybirds

Woollen Woods

Woollen Woods in Belper starts on Saturday May 23rd at 3.00pm and continues until the evening of Monday may 25th.  Come down to the Belper Parks Woods to discover so many animals ad other things hidden among the trees. Things are displayed in the woods in the area called Great Park Wood. The ‘Woollen Woods’ is an event happening all over the country. Woollen woods was started by Eden Arts in 2013 when they asked people to make items from wool to be displayed in the woods of Acorn Bank NT House. I visited this house in June 2013 and loved all the things I saw. Continue reading Woollen Woods

Here and There

The ‘Here and There’ art walk is to take place in the Belper Parks wood during the weekend of May 23rd to May 25th. Artists who would like to take part can find out how to apply on the Corridor Arts website. I am writing this blog to encourage knitters, crocheters and textile artists to make pieces of work inspired by nature. These will be exhibited as part of the ‘Here and There’ art walk.

May 15-24th 2015 is Voluntary Arts week. During this week woods all over the country will be decorated with woollen creatures and vegetation as part of the Woollen Woods.  The part of the art walk weekend that I am involved with is ‘Here and There’, inspired by the Woollen Woods. The plan is to get as many people as possible to make items to decorate the woods.

Continue reading Here and There

Visit to Hathersage, Derbyshire

Saturday  was a lovely sunny but cold day, the perfect time for a relaxing day out and a visit to the Peak District. The plan was to visit Hathersage for coffee and then visit David Mellor Cutlery for lunch. However things did change along the way. Driving through Chatsworth Park we decided to stop at the farm shop and have our coffee in their restaurant. The farm shop is being extended and it was very busy.  You can see why an extension is needed. There is so much amazing food to buy its difficult to choose. I bought some English apples and a loaf of Pumpernickel bread. The bread felt heavy but I have just eaten some for tea and it was delicious spread with honey.

Continue reading Visit to Hathersage, Derbyshire

Highdown Gardens West Sussex

Highdown Gardens near Worthing in West Sussex, are stunningly beautiful. They are situated on downland countryside with views of the sea beyond. The gardens  offer a unique collection of rare plants and trees and have been deemed a National Collection. Entry to the gardens are free but donations are very welcome.

Post Box in Highdown gardens

Continue reading Highdown Gardens West Sussex

WaterAid, Knitted Raindrops.

I love knitting and wanted to make something to raise money for WaterAid. WaterAid is an international charity that transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. In this country we can take water for granted, especially this year and many of us must feel we have seen enough rain for a life time. However it is not the same everywhere and thousands of children die each year because they do not have clean water to drink. Lots of information on what your donation can provide and the projects that are going on can be found on the WaterAid website.

Continue reading WaterAid, Knitted Raindrops.