Kaffe Fassett exhibition-opening night

Kaffe Fassett exhibition at the Fashion and Textile museum in London .....I was in heaven, child in a sweet shop stuff. Opened by Kirsty Allsopp, it was a real feast for the eyes.....I do happen to be a long time admirer of his work (have I mentioned that before?) but you really don't need to be a fan to enjoy this show. It was a mixture of quilts, tapestry and knitting, with a smattering of original paintings for the fabric and mosaic. 

I managed a sneak peek before the opening night when the exhibition was being put together. A mountain of tapestry (do I exaggerate?) were on the floor waiting to be displayed....many I have made from kits. I was soooo tempted to stuff a few in my bag, but these were all from the home of Mr Fassett and I couldn't do that.( his house must be a little on the bare side now)

I met eldest for a meal first as she works round the corner now and then she came with me. Two treats in one night.

I know the pictures aren't great....but this is a treat, so if you can.... go.

I've been rumbled

My own fault. Perhaps in the back of my mind it was a bit of a test.   Never mind. Eldest daughter owned up that she has been reading my blog and I think I have spoilt the surprise putting the picture up. But nothing has been said only implied. My fault.... lesson learnt. Too late to start afresh now !

Morning peeps!

Another week in the small town.....at least the mornings are getting lighter, in a week or so I wont be getting up in the dark...hurrah.

Seriously if my job was around the corner instead of 40 miles away in London, I'm sure I could carry on for ages.....but the journey gets to me more and more. I even found myself calculating my severance package on Monday after a particularly horrible M11 journey......that's if I could persuade them to let me go....ITS NOT MUCH even after 23 years. Still have to get youngest through uni and out into the big wide world yet.

Talking of youngest she told us she was off to the lakes last weekend with a whole bunch of girls to celebrate 21st birthdays. When she got back I asked her what she thought of the lakes....magnificent eh? no lakes said she, it was the peak district! oh said I that's not far from the uni.....yes it was said she....had to change at Leeds.....sure it was the peak district?....oh mother she said. We looked it up, it was the Yorkshire Dales!....isn't it worrying that she knew not where she was going north south east or west....how did I let her travel to the other side of the world?

We had friends over for supper last week and she brought this pressie for me. I love hyacinths. such a thoughtful thing to do.....I should be more thoughtful with the little touches. I know how much pleasure they give me. I made food courtesy of Yotam Ottolenghi's recipes, after watching his series on middle eastern cooking. It was surprisingly easy and impressive in equal measures.....mezze of salads Kofta and dips (baba ganoush -aubergine easy and delicious) and lamb tagine. It went down a treat. He writes a column in the Guardian as well and if you haven't come across him and like that kind of food, look him up

Another new quilt start this week. its my sisters 50th birthday in April and I wanted to make her a quilt. She doesn't read this so i know the surprise won't be spoilt. When I mentioned 18 months ago that I would like to make her a quilt, she wanted something in beige/cream and showed me something from dunhelm mill! I promptly told her I don't do beige and that she should buy one instead.....that's how we talk to each other!

So I'm making her something I like.....selfish I know, it is her birthday after all but hey, I think it will go down well.

the pattern is courthouse steps and the plain is actually off white not pink as it appears.......bit worried about the washing and really hope the colours don't bleed.....

 

Am very excited about the Kaffe Fassett exhibition coming to the fashion and textile museum in Bermondsey in March.....I think it will be really special and if you are an admirer try and get there.  I'm going to the  opening so will report back. 

this was the first tapestry kit i did donkeys years ago....(loads more of his since) and now i am a massive fan of his fabrics. Love or hate his work i think it will be something worth seeing. x

We made it......

we can all breathe a sigh of relief because youngest has been reunited with her heels and  bobby brown paraphernalia, hair products and a shedload of clothes......is this really university I hear you say?.  A place to suck up all that knowledge, wear baggy jumpers, go bare faced  and drink pints in the student bar....is it heck.

We battled through the snow up the A1 to Sheffield and boy was there a lot of it there, albeit turning to slush in the midday sun....ruined my new suede boots...what a chuff for wearing them.

Unpacked, had a delicious brunch in a great restaurant called relish  and then back in the car for 3 hours. (animal farm dramatised on radio 4 provided the entertainment...excellent.)

Today finished this top and messed about with fabric and machine....perfect Sunday.

On Friday I went to the V & A in London to see the Hollywood costume exhibition.Boy was it packed and that was with timed tickets....I wasn't impressed with the layout of the exhibition....the first room was a bottleneck so it wasn't really possible to read all the blurb about the costumes without feeling you were holding everyone else up...I did witness one very unseemly argument and shove.....whats wrong with people!

The Monroe dress was there ..several Elizabeth I dresses, my favourite being the Bette Davis...as I am a huge fan. Audrey  Hepburn's black number (seeing that made a woman cry!).... Kate Winslets opening striped number from Titanic.... Marlene Dietrich's falling in love outfit and a ton  more.

 the 'curtain dress from gone with the wind....love that bit

 

 and my fave was the waitress outfit from Mildred Pierce....the  Joan Crawford version.

I adore that film.(the Winslett  mini series doesnt  touch it) ....anyhow I cant suggest you go cos it finishes today. Would have been fabulous with a handful of people there though. 

Have a great week everyone.....and hey....no snow yeah!

Damn the white stuff.....

Stopped us taking youngest back up north to uni. Instead we've just dropped her at the station with just enough stuff to get her through the week until hopefully we can drive up with the rest next weekend.
It's snowed solidly now for 12 hours and it's more than a bit slippy on the lanes to the station, goodness knows how icy it might be tomorrow. Work dilemma again.
Gave some poor guy a lift from the station to town because the taxis wouldn't turn out. It's a three mile walk with a case! How mean! . He wanted to give us the cab fare but we said to pass the favour on sometime. Good deed done for the day. Glass of wine for me!
Ps not sure about the white round the blocks

First week back...........

at work......I struggled really to focus on the world of accounting again when all I really want to do is play with fabric and thread, read blogs and the paper, the odd book, go for walks.....you get the picture. Nearly three weeks off work did me no favours in that respect but it was lovely.

 Apart from two maternity leaves I have been working for nearly 37 years.....not full time I grant you but hey isn't that enough? 

We have recently discovered a new word in this house.....kvetch.....means whine in Yiddish.....so enough with the kvetch!

Saw the Hobbit on Wednesday with youngest (yes she is still here- uni time seems to get shorter as the fees get higher, but don't get me started)...brilliant film, long but wasn't bored for a second. 

Drs on Friday .....I rarely go because whatever's wrong with me....this time its a very painful shoulder..I get the same diagnosis....advancing age and weight. I could have saved the petrol but Herb insisted.

So that's it.......promised myself a finish before I start something new so pulled out the liberty log cabin..........and as the forecast tomorrow here is HEAVY SNOW....that will mean no work for me! when can I retire please?

Happy Sunday all x

Where did that year go?

Hope you all had a wonderful relaxing Christmas. We had our very own prescribed day........bucks fizz and bacon sarnies with the present opening. Roast beef dinner and all the trimmings..salted caramel torte for pud...dress optional. 

Rowdy competitive game round the table (with eldests boyfriend with us this year, Herb didn't feel so outnumbered  and didn't it show when it was girls versus boys.)

Family film......men in black 3, completely daft ..........and that was it. 

Done and dusted for another year. 

Picture above is us today......residue of gifts still under the tree and Herb will trip over something and then it will be taken away....happens every year!

I had a bumper crop of gifts this year....everything I like.

Now that eldest is in employment she bought very extravagant gifts and the liberty bag held a wonderful selection of that gorgeous fabric. She said she spent ages picking it (so agreed said boyfriend). 

I chose the quilting books and wasn't disappointed. the Brigitte Giblin book has been on my list for ages and its gorgeous and very inspiring.

Failing to find cards in the shops here, very last minute I made these for Herb and the girls. Badly embroidered on the back but well received.

so here we are....new years eve.....once again just the two of us....girls have just taken the train to London to celebrate in covent garden. 

we are having cold meats and pickles with some saved special wine and the latest mad men box set (from Santa)  happy new year all!