Much as I like to be busy this has been a rather crazy few days so it's good to have my feet up this afternoon. The overwhelming impression I brought back from my day at the Knitting and Stitching show is what an awful headache I had. I remember being unimpressed last year and I felt much the same again on Thursday. A couple of excellent exhibitions but not much else... and the less said about the state of the toilets the better!
However I have had a fantastic weekend at Missenden Abbey with my brand new group of City & Guilds students. They are all enthusiastic and fun, have worked really hard and I know we are going to have a brilliant couple of years. While we were there we stumbled across a fantastic exhibition called Pinpoint at The One Church Street Gallery in Great Missenden. Over fifty contemporary miniature works of art - "that express a sustained conversation with materials" - textile inspired in one way or another. There are some really cutting edge pieces of work from a diverse group of artists and the exhibition which is open until November 9th is well worth a visit.
Something else I managed to do whilst I was at Missenden Abbey was finish off some knitting in the evenings. These blue Parade socks have been on the needles for some time so it was good to finish them... and wear them! Perfect socks for putting one's feet up.
And while I'm talking socks these are another pair I've finished recently - the first time I've ever tried socks with different colour toes and heels. I might have been really pleased with them except I seem to have made a mistake...
One has got a single rib cuff and the other has got a double rib which I didn't notice until I tried them on. They were knitted toe up so it wouldn't be that much of a problem to unravel the cuff on one sock and re-knit it, but to be honest I can't be bothered!
One thing I didn't managed while I was away was to pick a winner of the make up bag made from Celia's fabrics... so I enlisted the help of my assistant on my return home this afternoon...
And Vivienne of Green Rabbit Designs is the winner.
But now it's time to get off my backside and unpack the numerous bags that are taking up space in my studio and then start the dinner... so much for putting my feet up.
must be the weather - I'm back on the sox too Gina. I like doing different coloured heels and toes. your bright ones are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou manage to pack so much into your life, it is unusual to see you with your feet up. I do like your socks! I wouldn't alter the ribbing either, at least you can claim to have a totally unique pair...
ReplyDeleteYour socks are lovely, Gina and no-one will notice the cuffs if they're hidden inside your boots!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your well-deserved time with your feet up :)
xx
Love the socks and who says that they have to be the same anyway?
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to have won your beautiful make up bag Gina! It really is gorgeous ! :)
ReplyDeleteWell done on completing so many socks, I've only ever made two and they weren't even a pair!!
Just put your different ribs down as a design feature!
V xxx
Putting my feet up while wearing home knitted socks, is exactly how I'm ending a rather whirlwind week!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations to Vivienne x
Absolutely fabulous socks, Gina, I would never have noticed the rib mistake if you hadn't pointed it out.
ReplyDeleteI went to the K&S show yesterday and got some good bargains but I was seriously underwhelmed by the showcase exhibits there was very little new inspiring work.
Had a lovey time with my daughter though.
Absolutely fabulous socks, Gina, I would never have noticed the rib mistake if you hadn't pointed it out.
ReplyDeleteI went to the K&S show yesterday and got some good bargains but I was seriously underwhelmed by the showcase exhibits there was very little new inspiring work.
Had a lovey time with my daughter though.
Fabulous socks Gina!! I'm not a knitter so I definitely wouldn't have noticed the mistake if you hadn't pointed it out!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Vivienne!
Glad you make time for putting your feet up. I feel tired just reading your blog sometimes! Lovely cosy toes in those gorgeous socks. You should have kept quiet about the mistake - we'd never have noticed. Many moons ago I lived a bus ride away from Great Missenden - pity we had to move.
ReplyDeleteLove the socks! Ditto with the K&S - but it is useful for getting hold of stuff that I can't find near home. That said, it's an expensive way to do my shopping...
ReplyDeleteI quite like the odd cuffs on the socks, makes them a bit quirky and unusual :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, both pairs of socks are SO beautiful! No one is going to notice those different ribs, so I'm with you -- why re-do them?
ReplyDeleteHope your toes are feeling refreshed in your lovely socks. I must say that after the FOQ , which I missed this year, the knit and stitch show seems more of a shopping opportunity, although I did enjoy the day out.
ReplyDeleteI was reading about the Pinpoint exhibition only this afternoon following a link from Shelley Rhodes. There certainly seems to be a range of responses to the theme and I think seeing them in the flesh might be better than looking at the photos online as I did. Do you recall the bookwork by Gwen Hedley? If so, do tell me what it was like up close... sounds like the less said about Ally Pally the better... although I've only been once, years ago, I remember complaints about the loos even then - how come they don't listen and improve things I wonder.
ReplyDeleteExhibition sounds good and I'm at Missenden on the 9th so I'll make sure I go. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteYour socks are super Gina! I definitely wouldn't re-do the cuff, no one will ever notice the difference. I've always loved the look of parade socks but can't motivate myself to knit them for some reason. You might be persuading me to try again! xx
ReplyDeleteI do agree about K&S, apart from a few of the exhibitions, it was very uninspiring. It just doesn't seem to have that spark that it used to, I think the whole thing could do with a re-vamp.
ReplyDeleteLove the socks! I always know autumn/winter is here when you start knitting socks.
The socks are great and I think you deserve time to put your feet up. Don't let it stop you baking though!
ReplyDeleteLucky you, getting to see Pinpoint! Far too far for me to travel but I'd have loved to see it, I know one of the textile artists whose work is featured.
ReplyDelete