Probably the best time of the year (not including Christmas)

I so love bonfire night... there is something so wonderful about the smoky air, burning smell and crunchy leaves. Then you add the fireworks, fire and food and everything is perfect.

I've just got back from my friends bonfire party and am schnuggled up all cosy in my bed (yes, I know I'm going to make my pillow smell of smoke but is that not another tradition of the night?) and looking through my photos... I'm trying to use my camera more and experiment with the different settings and tonight seemed a good opportunity.

And what's even better is that I get to go to a display tomorrow!

A comment about bonfire night food, normally I advocate toffee and sausage rolls (Jake was particularly sad about the lack of treacle toffee tonight) but alas I didn't have enough time! So instead I made Nigella's Sweet and Salty Chocolate Bars, I'm sure there's a real recipe with quantities somewhere but I just whacked things in using what looked like the right amount... I saw them on TV last night and just had to make them.

Melt butter, chocolate and golden syrup in a pan over a low heat.

In a bowl crumble up some crunchies and add a bag of salted peanuts.

Pour in your melted mixture.

Put in a tray and leave to set in the fridge.

Cut up and eat :)

Introspection Exhibition

Now I finally have internet in my new flat I can get back to posting as it has been a seriously long time...
Tonight my friend Helena is having an exhibition at the Soup Kitchen in the northern quarter in aid of Cancer Research UK, I've been busily sewing away getting my contribution ready... If the work sells (fingers crossed) 25% will go to the charity, 25% to our degree show fund and the rest will go towards my MOT...

So here's the work...

Wish me luck guys!

New GCSE projects

Seriously, I loved my GCSE art, I learnt invaluable skills and had more fun than is usual in a school, however... Going into my old high school this week I felt a pang of jealousy, the new spec is amazing... the year 11 project on Brazilian underground art (see www.holaamiga.com www.bryonyjackson.net www.choquecultural.co.uk) I wish so much I'd got to do this... in fact I might do it now. Forget the freedom of uni- I want a good old fashioned project!

Shadows

I have a bit of an obsession with shadows... I think they're gorgeous. I was just searching through some files, looking for something else entirely, when I found these photos I took ages ago. The front room gets loads of amazing light effects and these shadows were created by Japanese Anemone seed heads in the evening sun... lovely times.

Hamster Mainia!

Today my friend Laura dropped off her hamster Margot-Belle with us to look after while she is away in Turkey- this got me thinking, if I'm blogging about the lovely things in my life how have I left out Chris and Benson thus far?

These little guys were Jakes finishing dissertation present and arrived whilst I was on my hen weekend away... At first I was like 'why do you want hamsters all they'll do is escape and sleep... boring!' I was so wrong! As you can keep roborovski hamsters in pairs we have 2 super cute sisters (who are always referred to as boys, Chris for Chris Kirkham Jakes dissertation supervisor and Benson for Benson's algorithm which was the subject of the  wondrous paper) Anyway.... they scamper around loads and always play together in the most adorable way. Love it!

So yeah, we were just messing around this evening with said animals and I was taking pictures, Margot is super tame and very friendly but C+B are far far too speedy to hold. They also make Margot look like a bear because they are SO small...

Here they are in all their furry hamstery joy!

Chris or Benson

Benson or Chris (as you may have gathered its hard to tell them apart)

Jake chillaxing with Margot-Belle!

Crafty Kate strikes again!

Lobster fabric pinny! What more could you want!

Another of Kate's makes, such wonderful gathering (which I taught her of course haha) what a fun way of keeping clean!

Jake's Ice Cream Adventure

A couple of weeks ago we went up to Keswick and made a trip to Allonby on the coast, home of the famous, well fairly famous, Allonby Whopper- perhaps the biggest ice cream ever. Here is my lovely husband attempting to eat it, its why I married him! Sadly I only started taking photos half way through the adventure so you can't see all the wafers, flakes, sprinkles, flags and jazz...

The H-Meister in her natural habitat

Today I took advantage of the sun and went to Arley Hall and gardens http://www.arleyhallandgardens.com/ with the H-Meister... it was as always fully lovely (despite the terrible summer we have had) I love how at home she is with a herbaceous border...

Please, its just so gorgeous...

I took loads of photos, adding yet more to my giant collection waiting to be uploaded, seriously I have so much backlog to write about- expect some posts that seem a little out of sync... Anyway, here are some highlights:

"Dahlias for late summer interest"

Crafty times!

Oh the school holidays! Well none of us actually go to school anymore but its still the same thing really, I'm surprised we're not doing papier-mache.

After a brilliant trip to Leon's (a local fabric shop) we set about some serious sewing...

Today I finished covering a mini sofa for one of my friends, her kids sit on it all the time and they look so cute! Sadly it had been loved a little too much and the cover had been ripped- luckily I stepped in to reupholster it with some strawberry fabric.

I really hope they like it! (to be honest I'm not sure I want to give it back now- the fabric is so nice!)

Now, me and Hatty sewing is not all that unusual but I am thrilled to inform you that my darling sister has been joining in making this BEAUTIFUL cushion which she lovingly hand embroidered- she also fitted her very first zip... I am so proud! 

I could not for the life of me get this to be the right way up

chain stitch which was lovingly taught by my aunty clare on my hen weekend away 

This is completely unsarcastic, Kate never normally makes thing yet she seems to be nearly as good as me- perhaps I should brush up on my knowledge of the kidneys. So much more lovely fabric still waiting! Including Kate's next project- I keep you posted!

Sweet Peas

Is there anything lovelier? I think not!

My Great-Grandmother's Lace

My family isn't much of a one for heirlooms but when I decided to get married I was informed, to my surprise, that we had a family veil! It was made by my Great-Grandmother for her wedding in the 20's and was 85 years old this year.

When I say its spectacular- I am not exaggerating. Its about 1.5m by 3m and is completely hand embroidered. Its called Carrick-ma-cross lace, which is a traditional Irish technique (she came from an Irish background) and is worked using a needle from linen. The edge is embroidered with shamrocks, thistles and roses- uniting Ireland, Scotland and England (the Scottish and English connection being my Great-Grandfathers) and took her 2 years to make!

I really wanted to document it as I had it on kind loan from my Great-Aunt and, sadly, couldn't keep it forever. I really feel that such gorgeous things should be shared as its not often that you see them. It really impresses on me the family connections and history that can be communicated through fabric- it holds so many precious memories! As well as being worn by my Great-Grandmother it was worn by Great-Aunts and cousins for their weddings and by my Great-Grandmother's sisters when they become nuns- in their weddings to Christ- crazy stuff!

Sadly I couldn't wear it- it didn't go with my dress (I was so sad about this!) but I was so honoured to see it and be part of its story. it really is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

Here are my photos:

It made some lovely shadows!