Green Crown with Pansies

Here in Hastings there is always loads to do on the first May Day Bank Holiday.  This year it falls on 7th May.  The two biggest events are Jack in the Green, and the annual Motorbike Rally.  Both depend upon the weather in some extent, and it doesn’t look like it will be especially bright on Monday.

May Day Bank Holiday Monday Fun for Bikers

You start hearing the bikes arrive quite early on the May Day Bank Holiday  morning.  They travel from all over the UK, and Europe too.  It’s a great sight seeing the motorbikes ride in 3 abreast and sometimes 6 deep.  Lots of people line the roads into Hastings to cheer them on.  The motorbikes fill all of the promenade car parks in the Old Town, then they start parking up along the promenade itself, chevron style, 2 deep when there is room.  It truly is an amazing sight – 40,000 bikers in one place.

Jack in the Green May Day Bank Holiday Monday

Green Crown with Purple Daisies

The other event is the Jack in the Green procession starting in the Old Town which wends its way through, with the Morris dancers popping into the the local pubs to revive themselves.  Brilliant fun for all of the family.  Everyone is advised to wear green.  Hats, jackets and painted faces!  Even dogs get roped in!  To help people along the way I have been making green moustache and masks, as well as fairy queen crowns (how I wish I was 10 again).  Anyway, I hope the sun shines on everyone, that there is a warm breeze, rather than bitterly cold winds, and that everyone enjoys themselves.

Why not come along and enjoy the fun!

Last week I started decorating wool berets, put them in the shop window and promptly sold a green one, with Ladybirds on it, before I had even photographed it.  Silly me!  Hopefully it will be worn for the Green Man Festival, coming up at the beginning of May on May Day Bank Holiday Monday 7th May.  Hastings is really into this, and it is definitely something worth coming to Hastings for the day for.  Especially as it co-insides withe the annual major Motorbike Rally which has been going for 20 years now.  Last year 46,000 bikes filled the car park and seafront.  They look amazing parked up.  Below is one of the berets I did photograph.

Red Wool Beret with Scotties & Westies

The Jubilee

The Jubilee will be here before you know it, so this weekend I have been busy cutting out patterns.  Some of them are for children – felt crowns and tiaras, as well as superhero masks, while some of them are for dogs.  I do a range of cotton bandanas for dogs, which we sell through the Dawg’s Biscuits.  I have recently purchased some Union Jack fabric, and will be busing sewing bandanas for dogs ready for the Jubilee, the Olympics and the Olympic torch which will be coming through Hastings to St Leonards along the seafront on the afternoon of Tuesday July 17th.

Jenna, our Bouvier

A few weeks ago I spoke about Jenna, our Bouvier, who had had to have an operation to rid her of her fatty lumps.  Well … this weekend she disappeared during her exciting squirrel stalking mission.  One minute she was with us, then next nowhere to be seen.  She’s a big dog, so doesn’t actually run that fast.  We finally found her is a stream which was hidden by a deep ditch.  She must have leapt after a squirrel, who nimbly jumped across, leaving Jenna stranded out of sight.  We found an easy exit point for her, and as it was a sunny day, she dried up quite quickly.

Commissioned hand made felt

Hand Felted Red Flower Necklace

I have been busy fulfilling a few commissions over the past few weeks which have included wet felting a hand made felt red flower necklace and sewing a black and turquoise felt bag to match a spring outfit. 
I am also trying to replenish my stock of hand made felt pincushions and needle cases, as well as making a couple of scarves a week so that I have enough for next Christmas!

Red Flower hand made felt Necklace

This was the first time I have made one of these flower necklaces in red, and I was really pleased with the result.  People love the look of them, but are not often brave enough to wear something so bold.  A flower necklace like this, is really and truly a statement necklace and will add flamboyance and colour to summer and winter outfits.  Having to wet felt the leaves, tendrils and felt wool beads as well as the flowers, makes this time consuming but very rewarding job.

Hand Sewn Felt Bag

Hand Sewn Felt Bag

This turquoise and black bag was made to match a beautiful blouse of lilac and mauve, with white turquoise and black.  It really does stand out and matched the top perfectly. 
The cluster of lilac and purple flowers really stand out on the black background and are brightened by the addition of four turquoise flowers and three green leaves.  The turquoise lining lifts the whole thing making this a perfect spring and summer bag.
Maybe I will try my hand at a smaller version for little girls.  Time will tell.

Baskets of "eco" felt

Over the past couple of years I have been creatively making nuno felt scarves, cobweb scarves and the softest merino wool scarves that I could. I am now being pulled, very slightly into the direction of using pre-made felt, both in pure wool (which is extravagantly expensive) and, as I like to call it, “eco” felt.  “Eco” felt is now being made from the plastic bottles that everyone is re-cycling.  The are cleaned, colour separated and then shredded, dyed and re-made into other things – felt, fleece and even road filling.  I have recently bought a batch of felt in a whole bunch of colours.  This felt is bright, clear and vibrant, and is surprising thin and robust.  It has sent me off into a whole new realm, which is really exciting and giving me a chance to experiment for a change.

Squirrel Stalking

Over Easter I had so many plans in my head, but really didn’t get down to much.  I spent Friday packing and organising myself for the Artists Fair on Saturday, came home very tired and woke on Sunday to rain, which put paid to the boot fair planned.  Once the rain had cleared we took our dog Jenna squirrel stalking.  One of our local parks is teeming with squirrels, and Jenna couldn’t believe her luck – stalking them until she was within a couple of feet, at which point they would be up the tree and she would be jumping 3 foot into the air.  Not bad for a 38 kilo 9 year old dog.  She has recently had 3 fatty lumps removed, which wasn’t very nice for her, and the stitches were taken out on Monday.  So aside from having 3 bald patches, she is now on the road to a full and healthy recovery.

Saturday 7th April, Battle

Easter is next weekend!  The first 3 months has absolutely flown by, and with this glorious sunshine, you could almost believe that summer is around the corner.  This coming Saturday 7th April I am taking part in another of Alice Mason’s beautifully organised Artists and Makers Fair.  This one will be held in the Battle Memorial Hall, 81 Battle High Street in Battle.  The Hall is across Battle Green (which in fact isn’t green) opposite Battle Abbey.  This is a lovely setting in at one of the most famous places in England – the Battle of Hastings taking place here in 1066.  Do come along and see what is happening.  There are other events taking place in Battle too.  You might even see a giant steam roller.

Made my day!

Last weekend I was on the Stade taking part in an Easter Fair.  Sadly the weather was not as good as it has been and the sun did NOT shine.  Typical English weather for you.  But it was great to catch up with old friends and meet new people.  I was really really chuffed when a couple of very very nice people came over and said that my felting was the best they had ever seen.  It made my day.

Felt Bucket Bags

I have been getting some brilliant responses to my new bags – even a commission.  I have been asked to make a bag to compliment a turquoise, purple, lilac and black top.  I will show you the finished thing next week.

Spring seems well and truly here now.  The clocks have gone back, and it is now officially British Summer Time.  The sun is shining and daffodils are everywhere.  To celebrate this wonderful time of year, I have started making Summer Bunting.  I hope you like it.  I began with a bright, almost fluorescent, pink and acid green felt for the background and added Cerise pink roses.    The second strip of bunting reflects the seaside, with yellow on one side and a soft sky blue on the other, with 5 dusky pink roses.   There are 11 flags on each strip, 5 with roses, 6 without, strung onto a 3 metre long green ribbon.  Each flag measures approximately 15cm wide, by 15cm deep.  I will probably experiment with another couple of colour ways before thinking of a different design.

St Michael’s Hospice Easter Market on the Stade, 31st March

On Saturday 31st March I will have a stall at the St Michael’s Hospice Easter Market from 10.30am until 3.30pm on The Stade, in Hastings.  Do pop along.  The Fair runs in conjunction with the Easter Fun Run and Easter Egg Hunt which starts at 11am.  While you are there you can also check out the newly opened Jerwood Gallery. 

Blue & Yellow Bunting

Summer Bunting

Pink & Green Bunting

It’s true …

A bottle of Elbow Grease!

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned seeing “Elbow Grease” in our local supermarket.

Elbow Grease does exist …

Well …. my husband kindly bought me a bottle.

Here is the proof.

So ….  here is an actual bottle of Elbow Grease!

Ladybird Pincushions and Needle cases

I have been making small colourful pincushions with matching needle cases, for a couple of years now.  If anything they are becoming more popular as times go by.  Very often people of my age (wouldn’t you like to know!) usually have one which they made school, or in my case (sorry about the pun), one my mother made me. 

These pincushions and needle cases are now beginning to show their age and need replacing; or else their daughter of niece, or son or nephew, are taking an interest in needle craft and these useful little items make a welcome gift.  My stock fell rather low over Christmas, and as I have a fair for St Michael’s Hospice on the Stade in Hastings on the Saturday 31st March (see last weeks blog), I thought I had better get cracking.

Ladybird Pincushions

So first off the track are pincushions.  I finished off 3 little ladybirds this weekend, and will start on toadstools next.  I have no crowns either, but they take a little longer as I need to sew on quite a lot more beads as jewels.  Hopefully they will all be ready in time.

Hastings Half Marathon

Hastings is hosting a half marathon next Sunday, let’s hope the weather holds out for all of the runners.  Good Luck to everyone taking part.

Purple Pansy Hand Felted Scarf

Mothering Sunday is very soon, but you may still have time to buy your mum a wonderful scarf, or beautiful corsage.  It is a day to honour your mother or grandmother, treat her for a change.  Let her know how much you love her!

Elbow Grease

While shopping at the weekend, I was surprised to see a bottle amongst the cleaning products called “Elbow Grease”.  I was slightly worried as I had always thought that elbow grease was an idiom for working hard at something by using a bit more effort than usual, rather than a special oil to make the job easier.  A joke really.   Elbow grease is one of the necessary items on my Kit instructions.  Just in case someone gets the wrong end of the stick, I will have to clarify this.  So, just so you know – “Elbow Grease” is an all purpose degreaser, and would utterly ruin any felting you are doing, but you will need a wee bit of elbow grease when you are wet felting.

St Michael’s Hospice Spring Market

St Michael’s Hospice is holding it’s Spring Market on Saturday 31st March at The Stade Open Space in Hastings from 10.30am-4pm.  Lots of stalls will be in a marquee, just in case the weather isn’t too good, and having a great time.  Do come along and join us.  The Jerwood will also be open, so another reason to come to Hastings and St Leonards.

Purple Felt Bag with Red Roses

Yes, it’s March already!  My birthday was the best day so far, not only was it the 1st of March and St David’s Day, but it was also the sunniest of days.  Matthew gave me two wonderful books, one about felting, and the second on making fabric and felt postcards.  A double whammy felting and postcards.  But time does March on.  This month I have much to prepare, as the St Michael’s Hospice is holding a Spring market on The Stade in Hastings on Saturday 31st March from 10.30am-4pm.  Do come along.

New Felt Bag

I have been tinkering with pre-made felt recently, and finally finished a prototype bag.  This is a bucket shape bag in purple and lined in emerald green felt, with 5 rich red flowers on one side, and one flatter rose on the other.  It’s approximately 38cm tall, 21cm at the base, widening to 38cm across.  Bold and bright and a great shape.  Having found out how to make the rose shaped flowers, I want to put them on everything, I just have to be careful that I don’t overdo them.  I have ordered more colours so will be experimenting over the next couple of weeks.

Border Terriers Find New Home

Two Border Terrier needle felted Brooches

I also (finally) finished the two needle felted  Border Terrier brooches, ordered in January.  As I have said before, these can be quite tough to make.  Luckily, after a little tweeking, they were eventually completed and sent to a very good home.
I am working on some new designs for my needle felted dogs too.  I bought some cashmere Nepps with my last order of wool, and can’t wait to get started on making some Poodle heads.  The cashmere nepps are much softer than the wool nepps I have been previously using, once I get around to making them.  They only come in a soft off-white, unless I decide to dye them, but that is another brand new thing to learn about, so probably not quite yet.