- I recently discovered Rat Bags, a company making items out of sail canvas while on holiday on the Scilly Islands. I love to visit countries like Italy where you still find small shops with the artist or maker working at the back, producing their handmade goods. It is rare however to find this in the UK so on this recent holiday to the Isles of Scilly I was really pleased to discover a shop called The Canvas Shop in Hugh Town, St Marys, where you can see the handmade items being made. The company is called Rat Bags and they make practical, colourful, bags, hats and clothes out of traditional canvas.
Handmade Books
I love handmade books especially those that are a bit different in their construction where the book itself is a work of art as well as having interesting content. Last June I went on a holiday to the Island of Santorini and was fascinated by the small bookshop in OER. I regretted not buying some very small books made like matchbooks housed in a handmade matchbox. so once I got home I ordered some from HERE.
Derby, Peace and Justice Festival.
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.
An afternoon in Pachacuti, Ashbourne.
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!
- Pachacuti Shop in Ashbourne Derbyshire.
William Morris Designs and Standen House
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.
Young Embroiderers make a Bird House
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
Foremark Reservoir, a Good day Out
I have recently visited Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire for the first time. The day we went was rather dull, windy and cloudy but we still had a good time. Foremark Reservoir is in the area of the National Forest. The forest covers 200 squares miles in the middle of the country and aims to eventually link the two ancient forests of Charnwood and Needwood.
Learning to Crochet
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.
Eyam Hall in Eyam Village, Derbyshire
Yesterday afternoon I decided to visit Eyam Hall in Eyam, Derbyshire. Eyam Village is known as the Plague Village. This is not because there is anything wrong with it now but it goes back to 1065-6. This is when the villagers cut themselves off from the outside world so as not to spread the plague throughout the county and the north of England. About half of the inhabitants living there at that time died but they did manage to contain the disease and stop the spread. You could think it would be a sad place to visit with harrowing stories but the emphasis is more on their heroic stand, that saved many others.
Buying Rope
Today I went to Mercia Marina and ended up buying rope! The original reason for my visit was to pick up some knitting that I had done for an exhibition at the Willington Art Festival. Little did I know I would end up buying rope.
My exhibit was a hoop covered in knitting to illustrate the water cycle. I don’t know why I chose to make this but the idea just popped into my head.