All I Need is Time!

What a splendid time I've had in Harrogate!

I'd like to tell you I had plenty of time to see the beautiful town, visit its many attractions and that I'd had tea and cake in Betty's (there was a big queue outside) but it wouldn't be true... that will have to be a treat for another time.  For most of the time I was sat behind a table on Art Van Go's "Artists in Action" stand at the Knitting and Stitching show.

 

 

I arrived Wednesday afternoon in time to set up my table (it has a calm before the storm feeling, don't you think) and met some of my fellow artists... Clare Bullock, a wonderful feltmaker (without a website unfortunately) Alison Hulme and myself had a lot of laughs over the days we were there... many that seemed to involve the security guards but that would be telling!

 

The time whizzed by as we demonstrated, worked on projects and even did some collaborative work... Clare made felt, Alison printed on it and then I stitched it... and of course we chatted to the public, who were all so friendly and interested. I met several ladies who said they read this blog... HELLO!!! That's a big wave to you all, it was lovely to meet you!

 

It was so much fun I ended up staying an extra day  (which involved having to find an M & S to buy clean knickers but that's probably too much information) and didn't get home until Saturday evening... absolutely exhausted! Yesterday and today, I've pottered about, putting things away and tidying up but feeling very inspired to finish off work with plenty of ideas for new things as well. All I need now is more time... If only M & S sold that too!

 

Before I went away, I had a fabulous day in London where I met with two fellow bloggers - Frances, who had come all the way from New York and Celia, a friend from not so far afield. We had a lovely day that included a visit to the Constable exhibition at the V & A and a leisurely lunch. Celia has written so eloquently about the exhibition here that I'm not even going to try, but I do need to share the lovely gifts I received. A set of Celia's beautiful Christmas cards together with buttons that she had covered with Grayson Perry fabric... I think I may have squealed just a little at these. And Frances had hand knitted this dear little fairisle sweater. Mine is already pinned up on my notice board and will not be relegated to the Christmas decoration box, that's for sure.

 

So that's my busy week... although there are commissions to finish and teaching to do in the coming days so it will be back to work for me in the morning. If it's true that there's no rest for the wicked then I reckon I must have been pretty bad as some point! Catch up with you soon!