A Pepperpot Doll arrived from Julia Jowett

I first met Julia last November at the 

Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate.

Her work made me stop in my tracks.

It made me hold my breath.

It drew me in.

Right in,

 to the this wonderful world she had created.

This week I have been lucky enough to share

a part of that world.

Want to see?

 She arrived beautifully wrapped.

This postcard has gone straight on my wall!

I felt like it was my birthday again.

I took my time and enjoyed the moment.

And here she is...

my beautiful girl...

with her exquisite stitching.

I've found a perfect place for her to live.

She can wave at the Arkletts sitting nearby...

 

And gaze out of the window at the passers by.

To Julia, thank you for creating such a gorgeous girl.

I love her so much and feel very honoured that she is now living with me.

Julia can be found on facebook

and will be based at Unit Twelve from the beginning of August.

Thanks for reading.

Night night

Love Daisy xxx

The Bolingbroke Hospital - a view backwards at the Contemporary Applied Arts

Yesterday I made a special trip to London to

The Contemporary Applied Arts gallery on

Percy Street in London.

The exhibition was about The Bolingbroke Hospital

which closed in 2008.

Each of the artists were given a selection of objects

used in reminiscence work with the elderly patients.

As regulars to my blog will know I am a huge fan of Julie Arkell.

Here are a few of the photos I took.

This piece was called 'un dress'

A found dress was turned into an apron

with a photo of the original piece  displayed in a paper mache frame.

These were the surplus bits of fabric left over.

I found the exhibition very moving especially this

label which reads 

'Please pray for all ill in this hospital.  Many thanks.'

'What's left?'

With her thread and pins.

'Caring for the everyday'

with her 'be a good neighbour' badge.

Boxed hankies with poignant text.

A red hand knitted pixie hood.

A low alcove of  creatures each with their own stories to tell.

Embroidered hospital cards.

One of my favourites

'I keep remembering all the visitors'

An exquisite box of treasures.

A view backwards.

'Resting'

'Help' is now living with me.

Safe with all my other Arkellets.

'I'll stay here' didn't want to come.

Shelly Goldsmiths 'Circle skirt'

A close up on the text.

Two more pieces by Shelly.

Beautiful shiny pins.

A close up of dear 'Help'

She seems so much happier away from the bright lights of the city.

I would like to thank the CAA for letting me take so many photos.

The exhibition finishes on 21st July but is well worth a visit.

Wishing you all a great Tuesday.

Hugs Daisy xxx

Making aprons with Dottie Angel and Ted & Agnes

Some months ago, dear friends, I was lucky enough to get a place on 

the above workshop.

Email bookings opened at 7.30 one Monday morning and

by 7.31 all the places were taken!

I have been a huge fan of both Dottie Angel (Tif) and Ted & Agnes

(Rachelle Blondel) for a long time and I love reading

their blogs and hearing about their granny thrifting ways.

Was I excited?

YES

Was I a little star struck?

DEFINITELY!

Nothing to fear though.

The ladies were lovely.

Lovely lovely lovely.

There were granny suitcases full of

peachy goodness to play with...

and lots of fabby fabric too!

This was my suitcase full!

I was determined to use up some of my

stash of retro fabrics.

In the morning we all made very useful wrap around aprons

with very big pockets.

This is mine...

The middle section.

This is the right hand pocket made from a 70's dolls quilt

wilh a doilie to add a bit of granny bling!

A view of the left hand pocket blinged again

with a pink doilie this time.

After an amazing lunch (thank you Louise and Debs!)

 we made a whatnot garland with vintage fabrics,

lace and embroidered tray cloth bits.  

I sewed mine onto an old tape measure and

it is now hanging in my hall.

A reminder of a fabulous day.

As the afternoon drew to a close we hung the 

whatnot garlands outside ...

put on our pinnys ...

(Debs and Louise modelling their new pressies)

and went outside for some photos.

I love my new apron very much

and the memories it holds are very dear.

Here we all are together.

Happy happy happy.

I must say a huge thank you to Louise for arranging such

a fantastic day.

Thank you for reading.

Love Daisy

xxx