Incredible

I promised to tell more of the superb exhibition I visited last week, when I was in London for the NFWI AGM in the Albert Hall. 

“hidden places hidden spaces” was an exhibition presented by a group of textile artists from all over the country.  Though I’ve wanted to see their shows in previous years, so far they’ve eluded me.  But finding out that the Private View was on the very afternoon I was going to be in London was perfect timing.  I was there like a shot!

The Mall Galleries are so well located and offered the perfect canvas for this eclectic mix of work.  I’m not sure my chum Nita would take all the credit for the superb hanging, but I’m going to give it to her anyway!  I was lucky to time my arrival perfectly to have her show me around and have the bonus of her insight and the stories behind the pieces, too!

Plenty of space to stand back and admire, because some of the work was pretty large.

That’s Paulene’s  very effective piece “Down the Drain” over on the wall.  A huge piece of felting, there was an added dimension in the form of sound effects triggered by movement in front of it.  The reaction of those passing was amusing to observe too!  I love to see textile art that isn’t “pretty” and Paulene is the master of creating such work.

Another of Paulene’s works, created collaboratively with her colleague Celia, is “Departed Soles” – a collection of “footprints” which fit perfectly into this little outdoor space within the gallery.

“blown” into the corner of the space, this was a really effective presentation of the concept!

Nita’s work often consists of exquisite knitting and her “flying jewels”, tiny hummingbirds knitted from iridescent wire twinkled beautifully in the light, their shadows adding to the effect.

Each little jewel was different, their lace wings beautifully worked.  Her fingers must have been so sore, because wire isn’t the most comfortable or accommodating of yarn to work with.

Her work “stolen jewels” fitted the exhibition title perfectly – a statement on the theft and illegal import of exotic birds, the mere idea sent a shiver down my bird-phobic back!

Sadly, my photograph of Caroline’s bird inspired pieces doesn’t do them justice.  My apologies, Caroline!

And what of the meeting?  Well, I was in excellent company and I’d say my seat in the Albert Hall was the best ever.  I’d feared that the number 12 on my ticket meant I’d be somewhere up there in breathing apparatus territory, amongst the chandeliers perhaps.  But no, I found myself in Box 12, sitting with the National Trainers and rewarded with a perfect view of proceedings.

Notable moments from the day include Maggie Aderin Pocock  who delivered her presentation with two year old daughter, Lauren, on her hip.  What a remarkable woman!

Later in the day, the worldwide record for the greatest number of people knitting at one time was challenged.  That’s still being verified but surely, that one is in the bag?

The audience enjoyed a performance from some of the Strictly dancers, who managed quite well in such a limited space, but thankfully the meeting was brought to a close in a more traditional manner, with a final “Jerusalem” and the National Anthems.

You really have to be there to know how incredible that is.

Through the rainy window

We’re just about jubileed out here.  How about you?

Reading the comments from my last post sent me immediately to my Paddington book to check his Union flag of course, because that’s just the kind of thing which niggles me.  Well spotted, Lesley – I now need to read the rest of the story to find out if indeed, he is in distress!  Knowing Paddington, that is highly likely ;-)

Anyway, we’ve had a relaxing weekend, watching most of the celebrations on TV and whilst I think it’d have been grand to have been there and participated in some of the London events, I will confess to feeling thankful for cosy slippers and a comfortable chair!  It was telling that the solar panel on HMQ’s handbag hasn’t always been able to gather enough power for her to keep waving all weekend; in fact, it’s been pretty dreary here most of the time.

It was a good opportunity to get out the commemorative china though, my parent's’ Coronation mug taking pride of place amongst the collection, which now includes a Diamond Jubilee mug as well.   The mug commemorating our “nearly King” Edward VIII is there too, but relegated to the back!  That was a lucky escape for us all, I think.

It’s probably time to change my little cut out Queen out of her finery now and into the alternative outfit which was thoughtfully provided for her.

As I write, perhaps she is also changing into a pink monogrammed tracksuit and relaxing in front of the TV?  I hope someone remembered to switch on the recorder, especially if it’s usually Prince Philip who does such things?!  I imagine he was watching the proceedings as they happened, which must have been really hard when he surely would have given anything to have been at her side.

 

I can’t imagine that the royal corgis really get dressed up in that no-nonsense household, though, can you?

Hasn’t it been a marvellous weekend of celebration?

The red, white and blue

Oh my, what fun we’ve had so far…

We’ve had such a busy few days, there’s hardly been time to breathe, let alone blog.  I’ll tell more about the wonderful exhibition I saw, about meeting five thousand colleagues and the fun we had with four lovely friends this weekend later.  But for now, since we’re in the Jubilee mood, let’s stick with it.

It was super being in London last week, to see the bunting and the flags everywhere.  The atmosphere was very special and I got the impression that everyone was pushing the boat out; doing their best to ensure that the city sparkled.

I couldn’t resist a sneaky look at the preparations for tonight’s concert, for which we would have loved to have won tickets.  Never mind, we’ll watch on TV and stay warm!

There was a Garden Party at the Palace that afternoon, so parked cars lined The Mall.  It still looked good.

The Royal Parks people had been busy too.

Doing the shopping for our friends’ visit this weekend was fun too.  I’ve never seen so many special editions of familiar products!

Saturday afternoon, a last minute and rather hurried visit to Cheltenham turned into a really fun exploration of classic cars.  The men were happy taking a walk along memory lane, admiring the MGs, Triumphs and Aston Martins and we were happy to browse the fashion shops of Montpellier to find that special little black dress.

Someone even had a “royal” hug…

The house feels strangely empty this morning as our visitors have all gone.  At least I have a new book to read until the concert begins later.

(I don’t usually post pictures of my friends here, but Jane was happy to have her “royal” encounter recorded!)

The calm before…

…the fun begins!

We’ve enjoyed sunny days out in the garden, getting things ready for a few weeks of fun with friends.  The weather has been remarkable, really, and we’ve been pottering about and enjoying being at home.  Yesterday afternoon, whilst my hero was at his choir rehearsal (there’s a couple of big concerts coming up), I sat on the bench up near the summerhouse with my book and Radio 4.  Unusually, there were no gliders overhead, no-one was strimming or mowing the lawn and everything was peaceful.

Gradually, the clear blue sky clouded over and as it did, a strong wind came from nowhere, depositing something on the bench alongside me.  I nearly jumped out of my skin!

This little twig was to blame.  It had blown off a nearby tree and was absolutely covered in the most fascinating lichen.

What a little treasure!  (Though that’s not what I said when it narrowly missed my head)

Tomorrow, I’m heading out with a few hundred of my friends to London, where the NFWI AGM will be held in the Albert Hall on Wednesday.  Coincidentally, Nita and Paulene have the private view of their exhibition at the Mall Galleries tomorrow evening, so I’m looking forward to meeting up with them and a couple of other chums to see their masterpieces on show.

When I return home on Wednesday evening, our dear friends Allan and Jane will be here from the USA, to spend a few days with us before boarding our favourite ship “Voyager” in Southampton at the weekend and sailing off into the sunset.  We’ve got the flags out already, as you can see!

The roses are painted

At last.  This afternoon I finished the pot in time for our WI competition tomorrow evening.  Let’s see, it must have taken me nearly a month and cost me…we'll, perhaps I’d better not work that one out!

I did three in the end, the yellow flowered one above being the least successful, I think.  In fact, I didn’t bother to varnish that one and might well paint over it!

I think this one is the most successful, but when I got my plant ready to pot up, it turned out to be rather too large for the small pot I’d painted.  See, the challenges keep coming!

This slightly larger pot with pinky flowers on it was my nearly-favourite, and so it was this one which will go to the ball.  My plant – a scented leaf geranium – sits in it nicely.

It’s not a masterpiece – far from it – but neither will it embarrass me in the way I feared when it was all going wrong!

Let’s hope the judge is feeling kind!

Have you noticed the sunshine today?  We’ve gone from shivery cold to blazing heat within a couple of days.  Amazing.

We’ve been out in the garden this afternoon, enjoying the fruits of our labours earlier this month and admiring the gorgeous blooms of the irises and poppies which are responding well to the little blast of English summer weather we’re having.

Lovely.