antiques

It was pouring with rain on Saturday and pretty cold too, but me and my OH decided to drive out to Buxton in the Peak District. Having spent much of our last two week holiday up hills and down dales, we were drawn again to this fab place, which combines Victorian elegance with a nice smattering of Charity shops and even a Waitrose (the supermarket with the yummy apple and cinnamon yoghurt).

Anyway, there was an antique fair. he went off to have a cup of tea and I had a good browse. Amazed at the prices. I think perhaps I should simply go and buy up all the old embroidered linen tray cloths from out local charity shops for a quid a time and flog them here for £6. Amazing what a good ironing can achieve. Still, I bought a sweet little hankie for 20 p and some tiny mother of pearl buttons for 50p - last of the big spenders. These have now been incorporated into a couple of new cards.

When I was in Yorkshire (visitng the wonderful Wensleydale Cheese Factory) I found a fantastic little wool place and bought a spindle. Okay so I have spent all week trying to work with this, and typically as soon as I had spun something resembling thread, I knitted it up. I have decided that I need to go back to the drawing board with this as it's decidedly ropey. So much for my plan to make hand knitted scarves with home spun wool. But I will continue to practice.

So I am a schizophrenic crafter - one minute tiny stitches, next grappling with chunks of wool and felting, and then of course the textile cards. One day I will find something and stick too it, but now, I will continue to explore. Hearts are a massive motif in shops, stuffed, tin, fabric, knitted, painted, stitched....

lovely new day

The cherry blossom is looking a bit faded so summer is on the way, but it's freezing! Yesterday I worked hard completing a stack of cards for this gallery

I have been working with hearts made out of recycled cans, sea shells and I found some fab lace handkerchiefs in a charity shop and have used these too. I think my cards may be a bit cheap since a little bit of market research showed hand made textile cards for just under a fiver!

The downside is that my daughter Amy hasn't been well. She is having to see a blood specialist next week as a blood test came back which concerned her doctor. I am hoping she hasn't got aplastic anaemia again which she had ten years ago, but we will just have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, I feel optimistic about the new government which was all compulsive viewing on the telly. New Moon in Taurus today - good for nature, good food and and getting back to basics.

They are selling!

Word back from the Gallery and the cards are going really well! they have been on sale since Wednesday and over 12 have gone, which is good since it's only open to the public in the afternoons 4 days a week! Apparently the little bird one was very popular although I wasn't so enamoured with this.

I have found a fantastic supplier of card, direct from the paper mill and you can fill up a box with card/paper etc for 2.99 for the small one.

On Monday I am going to a vintage craft fair in Didsbury with Rosie (eldest daughter) which I am so looking forward too!

Was out with OH yesterday - he ogles cars and I ogle people's scarves. What is this? Scarf lust? A woman walking in front of me was wearing the most gorgeous silk scarf with oranges, pinks and clashing colours. I nearly nicked it off but thought I would probably get an ASBO.

Here is a picture of Rosie and I when we went to visit the new addition to the family last July.