Woyww

Happy hump day! That means sharing what's on our workdesks on a Wednesday. 

This week its a short update, hopefully it works as its done on my phone. Only managed to do this once before but i have a day off, am knackered and really dont want to turn the computer on! 

On my desk this week is my allotment planting plan for this year. Some of you who follow my instagram page (I'm on Instagram as @kylacotterell)
 will know we were sadly victims of an arson attack last week on our allotment site so i have lost about 1/3 of the crops so i now have ynexpected space for planting autumn/winter crops so thought i better update the plans and lists!

My man bites dog cards this week are Singer Defends Suspect Tycoon-ooh that does sound interesting!!!

Fingers crossed this posting works!
So, what's on your workdesk this Wednesday?
Kyla

Barcelona

 I was lucky enough last week to go on holiday with my extended family.  A a present for my hubby's 50th they organised a holiday in Spain.  

We stayed in Sitges (about 40 mins train ride from Barcelona) and I actually took over 200 photos-but don't worry I wont show them all!  This is just a small random selection.

We had a day in Barcelona and luckily my brother and sister in law are fluent in spanish (and can get by in catalan) which was a boon. Since it was just a day in the city we used the Ho-Ho (hop on, hop off) bus as this enabled us to see several of the sites in a short period of time.

We are quite a short family so sitting upstairs on the bus meant we could see over the crowds-a great way to see the city (and save my legs-one of the downsides of RA is I am often slow and tire easily).

We got off at Park Guell, an amazing park full of art and gorgeous plants and walks.  Whilst you have to pay to go into the monument park I knew from research that brilliant views of the paid area could be seen from a walking route that took you around the top of the park-amazing views all for free!

Everyway we turned there was more art, sculptures and architecture.

As we were staying in Sitges we explored the town, it is an ancient town filled with amazing buildings and stone carvings.  It also has a fabulous promenade and amazing beaches with clear blue water.

Sitges is the Gay capital of Spain (think Brighton) so there is a brilliant vibe and some great eating and drinking venues (we ate a lot of tapas and quite a lot of wine and beer!).

I am happy to admit I fell in love with both places and plan on returning several times as there was SO much to explore.

Kyla

Another archway!

 Over on the CollaborArt blog we are taking part in a six month chinese whispers fabric project.

Each month we use another participants previous project to inspire us and a small envelope of goodies are sent to try to use some of them in our next project (full details can be found on my previous blog post here).

  The lovely Chris sent me (a larger than expected!!) envelope of goodies 

(such lovely building fabric)

 

 and this fantastic card titled "The Socialites Boccee Tournament.  Friendly competition ensues on the course but it's no reason to put down the wine"  A sentiment I concur with!!

 The picture of the project I was sent had some stamped images on the fabric (a lovely art quilt representing a season) so I thought I would use that as my inspiration spring board.

I used some fabric I previously dyed in a tea bath and stamped an ornate archway and attached the printed fabric, batting and muslin.  I made a mask to ensure I was covering the archway with the patterned fabric.

 I then free machine embroidered around the stamped image and then with a deep breath cut through the top layer (being extra careful NOT to cut any deeper) to reveal the layers below

 I then added some of the decorative edging and a metal button Chris sent me and made 2 ribbon roses (thanks to Jill and Arlene at the Coven for their patience in teaching me how to do this!) and used some variegated thread to add a couple of hand stitched leaves

 I also added some hand stitching on some of the buildings to add to the quilted effect.

Month two down.  I have already had my photo for the next inspiration, but this project has taught me to hang fire on deciding what to make next as it can be difficult to incorporate some of the items you are sent (which is good as it stretches the imagination).  

So I await another visit from my postie

Kyla

Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath

 Not a crafting update but I thought I would share some photos I took recently on a walk one crisp morning around a local cemetery.

 The gravestones in the early morning light really showed the frost off and they sparkled like they had been dusted in glitter!

 The architecture in this cemetery is truly stunning

 The buildings are made of Bath stone, that instantly recognisable warm honey stone

The views across the city of Bath are truly spectacular, there are many churches in the city so you often see one of them as you gaze across the city

 Here you can see the golden dome of Beckfords Tower at the top of Landsdown.  Built in 1827 this 120 foot tower is open to the public and you can climb the steps to the top (I haven't, but my husband has).  Its golden dome dominates the skyline.

We have some fantastic cemetery's in the West Country (I plan on going to Arnos Vale in Bristol) and they have some great photo opportunities, stone carvings and structures.  It was too cold to take my sketch book so I only took photos.

Happy crafting

Kyla