Craft fair haul

 Thursday saw me take a day off work and spend a lovely day with the Coven at the Craft 4 Crafters event, a whole day with likeminded people, craft classes and stash.

I was VERY restrained and bought items on my list, card blanks and cello bags (as I have almost run out), a guitar die (forgot to take a photo) and some magnetic sheets (as I store all my thin dies in a homemade ring binder on these sheets.

Then I came across a stall (sewing-sanctuary.com) selling cotton backed laminated fabric, think, robust yet flexible-I am thinking messenger bag or wash bag-only £4 for a fat quarter so I bought these two as I fell in love with the designs (they were NOT on my list!)

 I also bought from the Weston Super Mare quilters stall this pen/pencil holder which fits perfectly on my urban sketchers book (and it was only £3 and all for charity!)

We also signed up for a glass bunting class, it was with the same company we made the glass hanger last year (Glass Garden Studio)

It took 1.5hrs and we came away with a lovely piece of handmade bunting

Which in the end I decided to hang across the top of one of my bookcases (just below a fabric doll I made with Coven a few years ago).

A great day out and I do love glass making, over the years I have made a window hanger, blown a paperweight, blown a hanging glass bauble and now bunting-happy days.

Happy crafting

Contemporary Craft Fair

I recently went to the Contemporary Craft Fair at BoveyTracey in Devon http://www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/ 

I have been attending for many years and the array of work is amazing.  Once again they had the pottery show down, a vintage cinema, willow weavers, stone masons etc

The level of work is amazing and we may have made one or two purchases (though not as much this year, last year we bought an original piece for the bedroom wall).

I prefer to buy direct from craftspeople and this is why I love events such as this.  

You get to talk to them direct and really appreciate the work that goes into each piece.

My mum and I bought a selection of handmade zipper bags. 

 A couple of screen printed ones on linen with waterproof linings (https://www.helenround.com) and three where a fabric was created from their original paintings (http://www.maggiemagoodesigns.com/).

My husband also bought me this from http://www.yvettebrownworld.co.uk/ How cute is it?  I cannot wait to wear it on my suit jacket at work, I think it has SO much character-she is stomping, a little like me at times!

Do you have any events you attend where you can buy direct from the maker?  I would love to know (especially if they are in the UK) as I am always on the lookout.

Happy crafting

kyla

A show and a couple of classes

 There are not many craft shows (or indeed craft shops) down here in the West country so last weekend we had a Coven outing to the Shepton Craft fair.

I didn't buy much (in fact most of this actually fitted in the storage box I bought!) but what I did buy were items that I know I will use.

The storage box was only £1, perfect for storing my colouring pencils.

The light weight air drying clay and memento ink are replacements as I have run out of mine.

The Vintaj metal embossing plates were TOO good a bargain at either £2 or £1 each as were the resin blanks at £1 each and the TH mini distress pads are lovely bright colours that I don't have and know I will use.

We were lucky enough to enrol into two make and takes: the first was Powertex 

where we made mini canvasses

The other was glass foiling where we made these sun catchers-and got to play with soldering irons-what's not to like!

I know the internet sometimes makes things seem much closer (skyping my family in NZ, buying from the states etc) but I also remembered how small the crafting world can be as I bumped into a couple of friends  (waves at Kay) and Morti albeit for a short time (as I was doing the class at the time), but great nonetheless.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend

Happy crafting

Kyla

Westpoint show and some more street art

 Now I doubt I am very different from many of you, working too many hours in the pay the bills job not leaving enough time for socialising, crafting or family? Sounds familiar eh?

So, after realising that I had worked almost 3 days unpaid overtime in the past few weeks I decided to take Friday off in lieu and hubby and I went down to the Craft4crafters show in Westpoint, Exeter (hubby earned some serious bonus points for this!).

The show is a reasonable size but sadly, for me, it wasn't that great.  Many of the stalls were selling what I traditionally think of (probably unfairly) was slightly 'older' styles.  There was a lot of 'pretty' patterned fabrics, pastels, a LOT of decoupage or kits where you can assemble a card from the components only in the kit.  Nothing wrong with that...but it is just not my 'thing'.

There were some nice pieces on display though, such as this egg tempura icon (as we discussed it the lady who made it came over to chat as she was pleased someone actually recognised the medium she used). Loved the frame she made from metal too.

This piece was by Steph Francis.

 I love her dyed silks and embellishments they are so beautiful to work with.

We walked round the show twice but all I bought is a magazine (the new issue of Workbox...not in the shops yet so pleased with that) some cellophane bags (that were on my shopping list) and one sheet of card!!!  I know, that was it!

On the way back we broke the journey back up the M5 in the driving rain by stopping off in Glastonbury, a favourite haunt of my late teens/early twenties when I bought my first car.

We checked out some of the new street art

 before a quick cuppa and heading home back in the wind and rain!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, what ever you are up to.

Kyla

Malta roundup

One of the reasons I haven't blogged for a while is because we went to Malta for a well earned break.  My parents and grandparents both used to live and work there so it does feel comforting when I walk around.

The weather was lovely and warm (in the 80's) but there were a few days of heavy thunderstorms and downpours (but hey, if you are swimming you are wet anyway).

We were staying in Floriana (just outside the city gates of the capital Valetta) and knew that they had a street art festival (similar to the one we have in Bristol) back in the summer so we headed off walking the streets to see what we could find-and boy did we find some amazing pieces.  This is just a small selection:

These were down by the lido (where we swim if we are there in season but as we were just out of season it was closed, so we swam in the sea off the rocks with the locals instead.

This gent was HUGE and was painted on the roof of fishermen's huts

 

!!This was painted on the walls of a local cafe

 

These were next to the lido on the roof of their bar/changing rooms.  The jelly bears are larger than a person and when you walk amongst them it is difficult to tell what they are....but climb up through the streets and peer over a certain wall and voila, 3D jelly bears!  Several people were there and taking photos of the lovely harbour view but not looking down!  That soon changed when they heard us "oohing and ahhing"!

This large 3D melting icecube complete with trapped blue bottle was next door.  It almost felt you could reach out and touch it.

A short water taxi to Sliema and we came across even more

This one was 3 storeys high

The eyes on the skull cleverly used the drainage holes in the wall

 

So many colourful pieces all hidden under a walkway next to the sea, the only way to view them was to climb down when the tide was out and look back towards the town

I think this was a really old painting looking at the weathering 

 

From the road you wouldn't know any of this was here

Some stunning work and not what I expected to find

Back in Valletta we came across new bars and galleries since our last visit as it gears up to be the 2018 European City of Culture

Tables have been upcycled with handpainted tops

Locals have embraced the anarchic nature with "this is a piece of art!" we found in the street

Whilst we were there it was the 10th Anniversary of the performance and arts festival Notte Bianca where 60,000 people descend on Valletta for one evening.  These were Mdina Glass light shades suspended along one of the streets.  There was so much to see and do, 

such as crafts,

like this weaver

 

ancient and public buildings (including the Prime Ministers private office!!  The queues for that were massive) threw their doors open (free entry)

There were lots and lots of art installations such as this bedsit covered entirely in paper

These were small diarama's made by prisoners depicting what time in cells meant to them

 

We explored the WWII bomb shelters where my nan probably spent some of her time whilst she was on the island.  As you can see it was VERY far down into the depths of the island.

 

We then walked to the far end of the city to Fort St Elmo.  This was only recently re-opened after refurbishment and not somewhere we had been before so we took advantage of it all being open for free, with bands playing and lovely light displays

 

With rows of giant floor lanterns once again made with Mdina Glass

Then there were the fireworks....which carried on,

 

and on for almost 6 hrs!!  There could not have been any gunpowder left on the island!

 

We did some tourist things such as visiting the markets and Mdina (the silent city)

 

The biggest change we noticed were the new city gates in Valletta which are a stunning execution of stone masonry.

 

If you like your street art and are looking for somewhere sunny I thoroughly recommend the capital of Malta.

Kyla

 

Craft Show catch up

Just a quick catch up.  A few of us from The Coven went to the Shepton Mallet craft show on Friday (much better than a day at the office).

The last few shows I have been to have been a bit of a let down and I have come away with very little.  This show is a nice size though it did seem like there were quite a few of non stitch/craft stalls.  I don't know if this is because of the cost of stalls or some other reason but I did struggle to find many of the items on my list!  For example, there was lots of cross stitch but no tapestry.

Luckily Siesta were there so I was able to get my tapestry frame, leather needles and quilting ruler (I find their stall has lots of goodies and their team are really knowledgeable about the products too).

I also bought a text embossing folder, some cork camera embellishments (I intend to paint these) and a large roll of washi tape.  There was also a fabulous company that sold food grade silicon moulds.  I have been trying to find a decent wine bottle stamp for some years (still no luck) so when I saw these little wine bottle moulds (there is even a mateus rose bottle complete with the raffia bottle!!  Oh that takes me back) I couldn't resist.

The only other thing I bought was some fat quarters.  I did promise myself I wouldn't buy any fabric but these were lovely so I relented!

So not too big a haul, no papercrafting bargains but still a lovely day out.

Happy crafting
Kyla
 

When two worlds collide

 Hello peeps, I hope the weekend is treating you well?

During the week I took advantage of a new railcard in the UK, the TwoTogether card.  Travel after 0930 or anytime at the weekend for the 2 people on the card is a third off.  We bought it primarily for our trips to London but then I thought...the stitch show is at the NEC...hmmm.

It was all a bit of a last minute rush, but after the totally awful last 15 months I have had I thought "sod it". Rather than go up on my own my lovely hubby suggested he come with me (bless him!). 

So, off on the train we went, and the saving with our new card paid for the card in one transaction!

These are a selection of the photos I took, its a little photo heavy so why not grab a coffee and settle back?

There was some lovely art material stalls...not as many as I would have liked but I still managed to get some goodies!

 This was one of the glazes and mediums on display.

Whilst I loved the hobbycraft bit, my love is really mixed media and textiles.  So many of the pieces on display were mind blowing-even hubby enjoyed this part!

 This was one piece for the background of the quilt and had photos transferred onto fabric appliqued over-really effective.

 I loved this rainforest quilt and spent quite a long time just standing there staring at this one!

 The dimensions on this piece were fabulous

 The detail and shading on this one was breathtaking

 These small hanging art quilts were SO inspiring.  I am currently making a VERY basic version of something like these at the moment!

Now, the NEC is a large place and 2 halls were taken up with Hobbycraft and Stitch, another was an education show and the other.....well that was a Comic and Collectable show!!

Look who was there!! 

 I met some Storm Troopers too!!!!

 Not often do my worlds of Sci-Fi and art mix.....but I loved it!

It was a knackering day and my poor little RA inflamed body took a battering, but it was worth it!

So, did I buy some stash?  Well, I was really restrained.....NO fabric or thread!!!!!  I know, I couldn't believe it either!

I did buy these though. 

 Some dye based watercolour paints that I plan on using on a wall hanging and 3 sets of small 1" by 1" TH distress inks-I thought these would be brilliant for my craft travel tote for when I go to my Coven meetings, crops or on holiday.

 Some Indigo Blue stamps (I love the quality of their stamps) and these phrases are brilliant

 Even though this stamp and stencil are not a pair I think they go together really well.

 I have never seen these rubbers and shields before, they were only £3.50 for the whole lot so I thought I would give them a go.

 In a nod to my Father and Grandfather (neither who are with us anymore) who both loved woodwork and creating things with their hands I bought this marquetry kit!  I have never had a go a this before, but I thought it looked a bit different and I can never say no to a new craft!  I will let you know how I get on!

 

 These moulds are for air drying clay.  I use a lot of hot glue and resin in my work so I thought I would give them a go....its not what they were intended for but I am hoping they have enough release agent built in to let them work with other mediums.

 

 I finally found these little stick on thimbles that I have been on the look out for for what seems like a couple of years!  I thought they would be really good for my little travel kit when I do a bit of handstitching, and a new blade for my poor blunt cutter! 

 Last, but in no ways least is my new book. I have all of Kim Thittichai's books and this is her new one not even in the shops yet but the shipment came in time for her stand at the show.

I love her work, its so experimental and really pushes some of the preconceived ideas of how stitching should be.

Phew, and there you have it.  Not tons of stuff to find a new home for but some fabulous goodies. 

Finally a big thankyou to my Nan over in New Zealand.  She kindly sent me some money for my birthday last month and believe it or not the above came to almost the same amount!!  Obviously meant to be.

Also, it is my Nan's 90th Birthday today and I had a lovely skype with her earlier.  I will blog what I made her once I am sure she has opened it!!

Now, I just need some more painkillers and some bed rest to repair my body (before I play with my new stash!).

Happy crafting

kyla