All about Joe!

On Saturday when I was at the Opus open day I met a lovely lady called Avril who introduced herself and not only bravely admitted to reading my blog but then showed me a wonderful pair of multi coloured socks (she was wearing them!) that she had been inspired to knit! We chatted for a while and then she asked how Joe was getting on and I realised I hadn't mentioned him for a while.

So as today has been one of those days when I've done a bit of this and a bit of that and seem to have absolutely nothing to show for it... this post is all about Joe! I haven't actually heard from him in two weeks but he has left New Zealand and is now in Fiji, where they are on a 24/7 party boat. Personally I can think of nothing worse... but I guess you have to be young! So to prove his trip isn't entirely made up of beer and women... some scenic pictures from New Zealand.

Joe on a rock!

Joe and friends by a waterfall.

This seemed strange at first because Joe who is in the middle looks so short (he's actually almost 6') I can only image his friends are very tall!

Trekking in the mountains.



And finally Joe on a boat!
Not sure what he's got living on his chin???

While he was in New Zealand he did a bungee jump which fortunately I didn't know about until after the event. He said it was scary... understatement or what???

Next week they move on to Australia where they will be for the next four months so I'll put more pictures then.

Afternoon Tea

I made my first ever Etsy purchase this week and yesterday this beautiful little book arrived. I bought it from Karen Jinks who is another Cambridge Open Studio artist. ( I've added links on the sidebar) Although I've been known to dabble with a little book making I cannot resist other people's hand made books - and this didn't disappoint. It is beautifully made and I love the paper used for the cover. Of course, this also means I've had to open an Etsy account so now I'm thinking about opening a shop... mmmm? (I obviously haven't got enough to do)

Thank you for all your encouraging comments about my portraits. I would have liked to explore the theme further but there are seven assignments to work through for this module before choosing three to look at in more depth. So I wasn't able to linger on "Stitch and Image" and have now moved on to "Pattern". I have spent hours researching all types of pattern and stitch and I'm overwhelmed! I've come to the conclusion it is a lifetimes study that I've got to cram into 3 -4 days! So today I focused and have limited myself to English embroidery and I started with Elizabethan Blackwork. Already I've spent far too long engrossed in Elizabethan portraits (back to portrait again!) and have started a sample but it won't be ready to show here for a while...hand stitching is so SLOW!!!! Instead I found this little blackwork card I made years ago so it will have to do!

Today's afternoon tea offering was a cinnamon and fruit loaf made in the bread maker. Thank you to my friend Lesley for the suggestion - perfect for Jacob's mid afternoon snack. However my Mum and Dad turned up this afternoon and Ben came home from work early so toasted and buttered it turned into an afternoon snack for five of us... there's not much left!



This post seems to be a series of random disconnected thoughts today... a bit like my head feels at the moment!

Portraits

Jacob spent the day with his dad on Saturday which meant I got to have a day out! I went into London for a day with Opus. I'd brought some of my work along as the morning was an Open Day for prospective degree students - also a good chance to meet and compare notes with some current students, most of whom were almost finished their degree not just starting like me. Then in the afternoon we had a lecture by the incredibly talented Paddy Killer. She brought lots of samples of her work and gave a very entertaining talk. Not sure it would be okay to show pictures of her work on here but if you follow this link to her website you can see loads of examples. She is the most amazing technician both in her drawing and her machining - do take a look!


Going on the train also meant a chance to do some thinking and drawing for my current Opus module. I'd already printed off this image of a self portrait I'd done in the previous module. (I'm not really that grumpy looking - despite what you may have read on my last post - but I had to concentrate very hard to do this!!!)



I then played around with different effects in Paintshop Pro to see what the drawing would look like with different colours. I really am totally useless with things like this on the computer so this is about as far as I got.




However, it did make me think about the brightly coloured portraits of Matisse and so while I was on the train I made this very rough version of the portrait with coloured pencils (it was a very bumpy ride!) I didn't leave off my glasses through vanity - I just didn't fancy having to stitch them!

I have also been looking at the work of Sue Dove as I love her brightly coloured stitched images and so over the rest of the weekend I turned my portrait into a stitched picture influenced by Sue Dove... (and Matisse!)

I thoroughly enjoyed the process of stitching this and seeing the image build up - especially working out of my comfort zone (i.e. away from my sewing machine). I quite like the end result but as always with my work I find it all a bit too neat and controlled... so what I really like best is the reverse!

Which is not at all neat!

*****

Jacob had his first full day at school today which meant a blood test and injection at lunch time but he has coped brilliantly so we had a treat when he came home... tea and fruit scones!

Hidden meanings

In the evenings I've been knitting... a sock in progress complete with very pretty new stitch marker!



And during the day I've been trying to devise the perfect low sugar muffin for a young man who is craving every sort of sugar laden snack he can imagine! There were some pretty disgusting attempts this week but these were finally deemed a success by Jacob.

Jacob is doing really well and has gone back to school three mornings this week so I've been trying to catch up with the research required for my first Opus assessment from my next module - I'm investigating Stitch and Image. Next week I might have something to show for it but nothing yet so I leave you with this piece of trivia.

I followed the link on Moogsmum's blog to find out what my name really means! And this is what it came up with:

What Gina Means

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Okay... brilliant... but grumpy?
Intuitive and wise.... but paranoia and jealousy?
Confident... but aggressive?

No comment...

except my half Welsh Mum almost called me Sian - does that mean I would have grown up with a different personality?

PS I saved the above link on Wednesday so blogger is saying this is when I posted this entry... but it's Saturday!!!!

It's been a while...

... but I suddenly had an urge...

to create a new silly sock creature. This is Mr Allsorts - so named because he is the colour...

Of Liquorice Allsorts!

And of course he is rather partial to the aforementioned confection... mmmm, not bad!

Prefer the pink coconut ones though (doesn't everyone?)


Oh dear Mr Allsorts... you really didn't have to finish the whole packet did you?!
Don't complain to me when you don't feel well.

That was going to be it but then the postman came. And look what he brought me today. This rather lovely fabric postcard from Annica as a thank you for the bag she won in my 100 post giveaway. Thank you Annica - it was a lovely surprise and it is beautiful! I really must find a way of displaying these beautiful cards and ATCs I've received because at the moment they are residing in a plastic box which seems a shame. Any ideas?



While I'm saying thank you - Huge thanks also to Lynda who gave me a "You make my Day" award last week, which was very much appreciated . I've had this before so I won't pass it on again. But I want you all to know that you all help make my day - every day!

Goodies in the post.

I have had some lovely post since coming home from the hospital last week. A big parcel arrived on Friday morning, which although expected was still full of wonderful surprises. Dotty Cookie and I took part in an unofficial "Valentine Swap" along the lines of Lucy's swap. These were the lovely packages inside the parcel... the chocolate wrapping paper looked good enough to eat!

I opened the big packet first... and look what was inside. She is gorgeous and has been named Valentina!

Inside with Valentina was another parcel which had these very pretty stitch markers which I'm already using on another pair of socks. I started knitting another pair while we were in hospital but only managed to knit about 6 rows. However, I've made progress over the weekend and have now got to the point where I need markers!

There were also two lovely pieces of heart themed fabrics...

Red and Pink!

Some pretty ribbons and beads!

And last but not least these rather posh looking chocolates!

Thank you Val - everything was wonderful but especially my beautiful doll!

Another parcel also arrived which again was expected but also contained some unexpected extras. This is the prize I won in Monkee Maker's raffle - a compilation picture of Monkees getting up to all sorts of things which made us all smile!

And also this rather pretty parcel...



Containing these very cute paper clips. I think they are fabulous!

Thank you MM!

Much as I have loved all these wonderful goodies I have to say the nicest surprise came from Moogsmum's daughter Minx who heard we'd had a bit of a sad week and sent me this brilliant picture of a crazy chicken to cheer us up! It certainly did! Thank you Minxy... it's fantastic! (And glad to hear you're feeling better today)

I think this might have to become another embroidered picture!

My young man is making good progress - his blood sugars have been a bit high today but we've been on the phone to the diabetes nurses at Addenbrooke's hospital who have been a fantastic support, dishing out both good advice and reassurance. Tomorrow we have our first clinic appointment and on Wednesday I think he could manage a morning at school! I'm not sure this is his plan but I'm sticking to it!

Happy Mother's Day!

In the UK, today is Mother's Day and this morning I was greeted by a pile of silver wrapped balls, a card and the following letter...

"Dear Mum,

Thank you for bearing us in your womb for nine months, undergoing the agony of childbirth, changing our nappies as well us feeding, clothing and sustaining us for the greater portion of our lives. In return, we present you with Bath Bombs. And a card.

The Boys x"

What comedians!!! But making me laugh has always been their best gift. I also rather like the fact that Ben and Sam are slaving over vegetable peelers and a hot stove right now!

Would also like to say a HUGE thank you for all your wonderful messages of support over the last couple of days. It really has been a great comfort and help. I'm trying to reply to each of you but if I don't manage it please know every single comment and email was very much appreciated. Already we are in a good routine with the blood tests and injections and Jacob is being brilliant and taking it all in his stride... and loving the fact that he gets so much to eat!

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whether you are a Mum or not, have a wonderful Mother's Day.