Rosie Goes On Safari

Rosie on the GoGo Safari Trail on Wednesday. You can just see she is holding something white in some shots. That is because she did some craft work, making masks. This was part of the HIDDEN exhibition in St Peter Mancroft

Here is Dog Girl and Pankake Man.
We also visited another Art Gallery and the Stranger's Hall Museum.
It was a very busy day in a very hot Norwich.
Ending with borrowing jump leads from a helpful stranger in the car park, then driving to Halfords for a new car battery! Good job all the other activities did not cost us anything.

Stitches In Time

One of the parts of the "Castle Reborn" project which I have been following with particular interest is the needlework. In the Great Hall there are a number of hangings, and in the adjacent room, a wonderful embroidery - a sequel, if you like, to the Bayeux Tapestry.  

All this stitched by Norfolk women, worked to an exceedingly high standard. Here is the 'year' piece- twelve months, with sun, moon, earth and ocean in the corners.

 And here is a hanging depicting the six kings. Find out about the 'Bayeux Sequel' here

It has been hung rather high on the wall, so you cannot really see it in detail - I learned on Wednesday that many visitors have remarked on this, so maybe it will be put in a more accessible spot.

But there are panels showing some details hanging at eye level in another room

As I walked round on Monday, I was involved in a WhatsApp chat with Kirsten - the whole idea for our collaborative stitching was actually born out of an earlier visit to the Castle 3½ years ago.

"I wish you were here" I typed. There was so much inspirational stitching. I suspect some of it will definitely get into this year's TwoByTwo project.

I love that these two 'sampler' panels have such interesting stitching between the patches - gold on red cloth, and the simpler blue on white.

The people behind the Reborn Project felt it was important to ask local Norfolk Women [from the Costume and Textiles Association] to do this work - and although it is strictly an embroidery [as is the original Bayeux piece] they refer to this one also as a Tapestry.

Better photos and more details here,

The last section ends with the words

"All noise of wars, thanks be to God, is quiet in the English lands"
I am grateful for the peace of my life in East Anglia right now - would that this were true across our world.

Keep-Going

Like party-going and theatre-going, only this time having a good time in a Mediaeval Castle Keep. Because we have annual passes to Norfolk County Museums, we were delighted to be invited to a special preview of the Keep Restoration. To see the work that has been done in Norwich Castle Keep over the last seven years at a cost of millions. 

We went on Monday and it was utterly brilliant. So much to see, a fabulous atmosphere. The main Keep has been restored to the way it was in 1121. The central area is the royal dining hall, and beautifully painted in historically accurate bright colours, with wall hangings and wooden tables and benches. Visitors can dress in robes and feel part of the King's Banquet.  The place was full of people, all ages - young families, students OAPs.

Here's Bob pretending to be Henry 1st [son of William the Conqueror] Tomorrow I shall say more about the embroideries. If you can access BBC Sounds, listen to Monday's Front Row [Link here] which explains even more about this phenomenal project.

And here are some helpful Table Manners for the King's guests

Long Necked Giraffes, And A Long Legged Model

Bob and I went into Norwich yesterday, for a special event. I will explain that tomorrow once i have collated all the photos. We saw quite a few more of the GoGo Safari animals across the city. These creatures raise a lot for charity

There was a really weird giraffe with a wig, but sadly my photo didn't come out.

I dashed into M&S to get a new bra. Unfortunately my 20% off voucher isn't valid till next week, I'd missed that detail ."We've had people coming in all day to try and use these" Never mind, I already had some regular vouchers, so my multipack of 3 only cost me £5.

As I left the store, I noticed a huge poster on the wall - there is no way I could never wear trousers like this! This model must be a foot raller than me. By the time I'd shortened them to fit, I'd look like Coco the Clown! 

Why do trousers have such silly names? Carrot, barrel, cigarette and paper bag...then there are Mom jeans, and Boyfriend jeans [and a company called NYDJ , Not Your Daughter's Jeans] 

I'm waiting for M&S to introduce Very Short Granny Jeans...

Spam On Crackers, Anybody?

Despite our hard work, and your good wishes, Saturday's event did not turn out as planned. We arrived and set up just after 10, Here's a picture taken at 1pm, Saturday, as I sat beside Bob, under the Men's Shed Gazebo. Just seven people on the field, and about thirty more milling about by the bar and the tea point. 

Only eight stalls were there, and I forgot to take pictures. It was quite a surreal event really. The ice cream van left early, as so few people seemed to be buying ices.

And as for the eclectic mix of stall holders... There weren't many takers for unusual pink plastic creatures produced on a 3d printer, pyrography, WW2 memorabilia, earrings, or jute baskets. 

There was a poet who tried in vain to sell his books - he had written poems about Bloomsbury and Tavistock Square. Bob mentioned TS was close to our daughter's office. But the poet said he had never actually been there! 

There was a gentleman, dressed as a US Army Officer was giving out samples of Spam on little crackers "I have enough for 500 visitors" he said, rather sadly, and returned to his stall [a model of a Spam factory surrounded by pictures of WW2 people on ration eating Spam] He had a model chicken on top of the factory, which talked...

Publicity had not been very successful, which contributed to poor attendance I think. There were more people first thing, and a few more later - many said they couldn't find out the details anywhere and a lot of the information on social media omitted the time.

One bemused lady had come from Norwich with her dog for the Rescue Dog Event [what? where?] 

But most did stop at The Shed Display. We had positive conversations with about 40 people I think. Bob and his mates sold £50 of stuff, including just two of my aprons, plus bug hotels, model boat kits, door wedges and tealight holders. And a few blokes took leaflets about the Shed. We packed up around 3.30 [no sign of the Community Rounders Match] £50 will help with the next insurance premium. I hope to sell my aprons elsewhere [I shall put some in my online shop later this week]

When people talk about "Normal for Norfolk" they just have no idea.

Blooming Lovely!

Looking back over seven decades, I can see there is much truth in this statement. But [now I am a gardener!] I have to remind myself that sometimes it takes a long time for a seed to germinate, grow, and bear fruit.
Right now, there are signs all around the village of harvest, and gardens are full of beautiful flowers. This is a good month to remind ourselves that many seeds have to endure the winter weather and spring frosts. 

When life is tough, do not be despondent -there is light at the end of the tunnel - but some tunnels are incredibly long. And never be afraid to admit you are finding life difficult - there are people out there who care, and will stick with you on the journey.

Aprons All Fini-Shed

This is where we will be all afternoon. I have a stack of ten aprons, each tied with a Shed tag, and a leaflet explaining about the Shed in the pocket.

I have kept one apron 'loose' for display. The others are folded round a piece of card, with tissue paper inside, and I had a reel of blue cotton tape in my stash which keeps everything together neatly. 

Hoping for sunshine and sales!

Taken With A Pinch Of Salt

I read this during lockdown, two years after it first came out. I gave it a 3* review, and dithered about making it 4*. I admired their resilience and commitment to their marriage - and having toured France ourselves with a tiny tent, minimal luggage and a tight budget, I recognised that such ventures can be very stressful.

But last month's article in the Observer, by Chloe Hadjimatheou left a really sour taste in my mouth.

What was claimed to be a 'true story' in fact is full of not just inaccuracies, but many actual falsehoods. 

When I read the book, some parts didn't feel quite right, and in my review I said as much  "It doesn't do to be too forensic as you read it. I think there are parts where things may have been slightly adjusted to fit the narrative. I mean, surely, a woman of her age, packing for a long journey by the sea in summer, would remember a hat and some sanpro? And their diet, if it was exactly as described, seems extremely bizarre and unhealthy. Dates are very vague - and there is a hiatus in their walk, when someone offers accommodation so they can be inside 'over the winter'. Nine months disappear into one chapter. "
But I tried not too be too judgmental, so didn't put in my review that I felt that stealing food from the village shop is always wrong: I gave her the benefit of the doubt, their finances were tight, she was worried that her sick husband was weak from lack of food etc. But now I learn that they own a plot of land in France, and that there are serious doubts about his diagnosis of a terminal illness.
Winn was very critical of other people, who apparently dismissed the pair as "tramps, down and outs, or addicts". There are numerous episodes where they are treated badly at campsites and little shops. Since Chloe's article, a number of Cornish people have come forward and spoken of their distress at recognising their shops and sites described in the book - with totally false reports of what happened. Some are local traders who lost business because of the way they have been very inaccurately portrayed in the book.

Somebody at Penguin didn't do their necessary checking up before publishing this "true" story, did they? They might have discovered inter3sting facts -That the bailiffs claimed their house because they had embezzled money from their employees. That nine months condensed into one short chapter misses out the things that they did in the community which sheltered them, and the debts they left unpaid. That the medical details in the book do not follow the same timeline as those Winn has given elsewhere. 

It is all really sickening. I wonder how Gillian Anderson feels now, having played the lead character in the film? 
I recognised that directors claim "dramatic licence" when they alter the details of a story for the film - to make it easier to follow etc. But it seems to be the case that a high percentage of the original book was based on economies with the truth - and yet it claims to be a true story.
"What would happen to us, if we suddenly became homeless and without any income?" I said to Bob - and he said that our friends would rally round and help. [As they did for us in 1985] "Well where were her friends?" I responded. And I found myself wondering if the fact that Raynor claimed that nobody seemed to be friendly towards to them was because she herself wasn't a particularly friendly character. Maybe she did not have any friends to support her.

As Mark Twain said "A lie can get half way round the world while truth is getting its boots on"

Some people are angry, others feel cheated by all this. I just feel sad

HMS Pinafore ?

That stands for His Men's Shed Pinafore. Much progress has been made in the last few hours.

Two machines on the go - one to embroider logos, the other to stitch them in place. I wanted a very simple design.

I used the selvedge cut from the 50cm wide lengths. But where to put them? Bib or pocket? I asked for help...

Steph and Kirsten agreed the pocket. 
On the bib it looks like a staff uniform.
Kirsten suggested at right angles. 
Brilliant. 
BBQ Apron Design done 

But in future, sew logo on pocket before assembling, for ease of construction! Now I have to make loads more before Saturday when the Shed gazebo will be up at the Village Hall as part of the community VJ Day Celebrations

 

First Figs

Early yesterday morning I harvested the first two figs of the season. They tasted fabulous. I might have written a poem about them, but then I discovered someone else had beaten me to it... after lunch, I found this poem, First Fig, by Allison Elrod...

The fig tree has spread its generous
canopy across my late summer side yard.
Its branches are heavy with fruit.

Every day now, the figs grow softer
and fuller; they are taking the rain
and the warmth
of a hundred summer days
and making them over into pleasure;
taut green skin and soft pink flesh.

Wearing only my nightgown
and my work boots,
I have come outside at dawn
like some post-modern Eve,
yearning for a taste of the fruit of the tree.
I reach up into the branches,
reach up for the fruit
that hangs just beyond my reach,
the fig whose skin is just beginning
to bear the flush of readiness.

Maybe I am Eve. After all,
isn’t the light in my garden
still what came of
"Let there be light?"
And isn’t everything to come
in human history beginning
on this very day,
this very morning,
when this very fig—the one I am holding in my hand—is finally ripe?
Or maybe, I am
a middle-aged woman outside
in my nightgown at six a.m.—
filled with happiness so pure it feels
like innocence—savouring the sweetness
of summer’s first ripe fig
before the light shifts,
before history resumes,
before I come inside to wake you,
temptation on my mind.

To be strictly accurate, I ought to admit that I was in the shower, when I suddenly remembered I needed to check my figs, and I really couldn't wait. I wrapped myself in a large bath towel, slipped on my sandals, and ran out into the back garden. I was wearing only slightly more clothes than Eve  [It's OK, our neighbours are away at the moment, nobody could see me]

A Pinny For Your Thoughts

Not far from here there is a small joinery company, which makes bespoke furniture and cabinetry. They supply customers across the world with amazing conference tables, library fittings, dressing rooms and more. They also fit out super yachts. It is all high end, luxury stuff [a million miles from my flat pack IKEA kitchen]  They also run a wonderful apprenticeship scheme training young men and women in woodworking skills. And as well as all that, they have helped our Shed Project by occasionally donating offcuts of wood and veneers etc. 

The latest generous parcel unexpectedly included some fabric. I suspect it may be offcuts from upholstery on one of the yachts. It's a heavy blue and white striped cotton. There is an awful lot of it!

Bob wondered if I could make some stuff to sell to raise funds for the Shed.  But the thing is, no piece is more that 50cm wide. I spent Sunday afternoon sorting and measuring it all.

Stacks of fabric labelled "50x200cm, THREE PIECES" etc. What to make? I thought tote bags, Bob suggested BBQ aprons, Liz said drawstring bags, and Steph [the Oasis fan] came up with "Bucket Hats"!

I decided to start with an apron. I had to join two strips with a centre seam to get a piece which was wide enough. I spent Monday afternoon working on the project. Here is Prototype #1, being modelled by my ShedMan.

It needs a bit of "tweaking" and I want to add some sort of Shed logo or tag. But it is good quality fabric, and if I make a batch, the men can put them out to sell at their stand,  when they go to community events etc. 

Do any of you have any other ideas for quick and easy makes which would be saleable? Thanks for all the brilliant suggestions below

[Thank you Cleyndert and Co for your encouragement and generosity]

Tree Picture Number Eight

It was grey and damp on Friday when I drove into Dereham for my Volunteering session at the Hospital. But I stopped to take a picture of the tree. The crop has been harvested, so you can see the base of the trunk, and the bare area around it. But the foliage remains lush dark green. I've arranged the 8 pictures anticlockwise, starting at the top left with January so you can see how the leaves have developed.

Four months bare branches, four in leaf. I am loving this project!

How Can I Say Thank You?

In the past two weeks, I've have met up in person with three people who read this blog. One was an old friend who I knew before blogging, and she called in whilst on holiday on Norfolk.
The second was someone I met in the early days of blogging, also on holiday locally, so I met her for a cuppa where she was staying.
The third was someone I didn't really know at all. But she heard me talking about my blog at a Women's Day in Norfolk ten years ago and has been reading ever since. She introduced herself to me at an event the other Saturday, and we met up in Dereham for coffee. I hope we will become really good friends. She is a lovely person, and really encouraged me to keep on blogging.
Then I looked at my stats this week [something I try not to do too often] I passed seven million hits last week!

I really cannot get my head round this figure. 
In the past, when I have hit milestones, I have done some sort of thank you for you lovely readers. Usually a small giveaway, to show my gratitude to you for being my blogfriends, for your thoughtful comments and messages, and generosity over the past 17+ years. 

After a wonderful weekend with my granddaughters, enjoying meals together, playing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain, I know my family has so much to be grateful for. I have been moved to tears by the news reports of the little children starving in Gaza. So, my friends, I hope you won't mind that this milestone will not be marked by some item posted randomly to a reader- but instead I am marking 7,000,000 views by sending a gift to help those who really need it, to make a small but positive impact in our sad world.  I am donating £70 to help feed these little children and their families.

I hope you will understand my decision
UNWFP details are here

Thank you all

What A Tangled Web!

 I have been collecting stranded embroidery floss since my teens. In 80s, when I was at home with young children, I became really keen on cross stitching. I bought a divided box for my threads. Later I was given another box ¾ full of threads - their late owner had wound them on cards and neatly written the DMC number on the top. Over the years, lots of people have passed threads on. 

I have used them in many, many projects - not just my own, but with children's groups and for all sorts of things. They were used for the Names of Jesus  decorations which our church in Dorset put in a local tree festival, Christmas 2015. 

And of course, for the last 4 years I have used them for our collaborative stitching. As we commence TwoByTwo, I knew I needed to tidy the tangles in the tins and boxes. I'd even put it on my 70s List. Look at the result of my efforts

There's the regular 6 stranded stuff, and random dye skeins. A few cotton a broder  colours and some finer stranded silks. All wound neatly on dmc plastic bobbins. Tightly knotted lengths, and those less than 30cm long have been ditched . 

This should make it easier to find the right colours for my stitching in future!

How do you organise  your threads?

Two-By-Two

It's The First Of August - and today marks the start of the fourth collaborative stitching project between Kirsten and me. I am so excited about this one! We started out with the Postcard Project, stitching on linen

And then we did the Cross Country Collaboration, working on evenweave Aida, doing cross stitch

And latterly, the CoverStory, adding patches each month to a foundation sheet, to make bookcovers.

In all that time we have learned about new embroidery stitches, Swedish weaving, Spanish work, Sashiko, Dorset Buttons, different types of thread, couching and more. We have also learned the wisdom of having A Good Plan before we begin a project, even if we tweak it along the way. 

CoverStory happened because we wanted to create useful pieces of stitching. And the book covers are great. So let's do a couple more covers, we said. But this time, slightly differently. Postal charges have gone up significantly since we began in 2022. And I have discovered that doing a practice piece each month has resulted in much better work.

This time, we are using the EPP [English Paper Piecing] technique, where each patch is stitched round a paper shape, then they are joined together at the end. But we will each do two very similar squares - and post one, and keep one. We will do 15 [x2] in total, to make a piece just big enough for an A5 book cover. I have already used my diecut machine to produce a lot of paper squares [quick, efficient, uniformly sized] plus a 'frame' so that we can choose where to cut out the fabric patch. 

Here's the frame on my bedroom quilt showing how you can line up the designs to get the best patterns. Below is a practice patch, to give you an idea of how it will work. So every month there will be two patches prepared by us both. That's Two-By-Two. Off we go!