How to deal with a difficult day

  Hello peeps, this is quite photo heavy so why not grab a coffee and settle back whilst catching up with my latest exploits (or click away and come back tomorrow for the WOYWW post which is MUCH shorter!!)-the choice is yours my lovelies.

Sunday was my Dad's birthday.  He would have been 71 but sadly died earlier this year.  Before he died he helped me and my mum choose some fancy yarns for me to make my mum some scarfs with. I have already made the other scarfs but I hadn't gotten round to making the final autumnal colour one.  I thought Dad's birthday would be a nice day to present mum with it-she was delighted.

 The scarf is actually doubled over as its nice and wide so it can also be used as a wrap around the shoulders.

 The photos don't really do the colours justice, they are so rich and deep.

We knew the day would be difficult so we bought tickets to see the Tashi Lhunpo Buddhist Monks on their Power of Compassion European tour.  Their spiritual leader of their monastery and his family were taken from their home in 1995, one of the worlds youngest political prisoners, and to this day their whereabouts remain unknown.

 The monks played ancient instruments made from human leg bones and skulls drums.  As well as ancient instruments and dances.

Their costumes were fabulous.

It offered an opportunity to experience a mysterious and endangered ancient culture.

They ended the exhibition with a dance by the snow lion, the symbol of tibet.  We were right in the centre front row so had a fabulous view of the entire show.

It was a lovely way to spend what was a difficult day and if you are at all interested in foreign cultures and get an opportunity to see the monks I recommend it (I have been lucky enough to see Chinese dragon dances and Japanese tea ceremonies in the past couple of years).

Right, off to catch up on Ripper Street on the TV (I love the series!!).

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

 

I can't believe it's been another week! Here is a photo of my desk today ready for WOYWW. If you haven't come across this before, pop over to the blog (there is a shortcut on the right) there are loads of confessions of messy desks, and quite a few clean ones (not sure if that's the sign of a sick mind, I mean, a clean and tidy craft desk...how sick is that!!).

So, what's on my desk today?

The box is a cat food pouch box (out of my friend, Becky, recyling bin!) which I am applying a couple of layers of gesso, then I plan to decorate it and use it to sell my cards out of for charity.

On the left are some air drying clay hearts and keys I made ready to make some valentines cards, I am colouring them, distressing with coloured waxes and then plan to apply some Judikins Diamond Glaze to seal everything.

This is the Buddhist card I made for my mum's birthday this week, I bought the Kanban set at the last craft fair I went to back in the Autumn adding a gem brad and a gold rub-on sentiment.

This is the neclace I made for my sister-in-law for Christmas. The charms are purchased, but I made the dog tag with her name on with PMC silver clay, using letter stamps in the style of that great rock and roll music establishment CBGB's

and finally these are 2 of the scarfs I made for Christmas presents that I promised I would share with you (the yarn was a previous WOYWW entry)

Well, I am shattered, so I am poking off early to crash on the sofa.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Happy Easter everyone

Happy Easter-its cold and grey, so must be a bank holiday!

My lovely hubby bought me my favourite chocolate (made in Dorset and utterly devine) and now there is barely room in my belly for a end of holiday glass of red wine-oooh, there.....there in the corner, just enough space...yes!


Some of you may have noticed that my blogging is not as sporadic as usual, this is because I bought a netbook and we got wi-fi, so I dont need to share the PC or sit downstairs to type, I can now craft and upload the photos all in one room-so much easier.

So, what have I been up to?

Well I have bought some wonderful products from torbay textiles and hand made myself a scarft, and made one for my mum for an easter surprise.


You start with what looks like black knitted netting....


You then weave through some wonderful dyed fibres, cloth, whatever you feel works really.

Then you use a sewing machine and sew up, down and along at various points to secure the thread, then you end up with a wonderful, individual scarf


I love it! Depending on the fibres you use and the order you use them in, I imagine the effect will be different every time.



I have also been making some cards with a beach penguin theme! I made one for a good friends birthday, loved it so much I decided to use up all the paper making a batch of them!

I also managed to send another cheque to charity this week, this time £50 to SENSE who work with the deafblind, a worthy cause.

Anyhoo-need to crack on with making a birthday present, so happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x