Out of the Office

Breakfast here

Lunch here because I was involved in this

"Tea" (with some G) here in excellent company

and supper in the best place of all...at home.

Day Off

It was our intention today to head over to Somerset House where the Origin Craft Fair was ending its first week.  Mark drove up and met me in Muswell Hill bright and early and the walk from the car park to Aldwych was glorious.  London was looking fantastic in clear sunshine - not a cloud in the sky.  We walked through Trafalgar Square, thinking that we'd sit a while and enjoy the view but sadly all the paraphernalia with an event in the square prevented that.  Admiral Lord Nelson had a better vantage point as you'll see from my photo of the day yesterday. 

Though we've both walked past Somerset House many times, this was the first time either of us had been inside and I have to say, I was amazed at what I saw.  A trip to the loo revealed all kinds of walkways and passageways beneath street level - on the Aldwych side at least, for the other side is high above the Embankment.  Mark explained this was all reclaimed land - something I didn't know/hadn't really thought about before.

We loved many of the exhibits in the craft show - some extravagant silver candle holders by Brett Payne and some fine woodwork and furniture.  We both loved Michael Berger's Kinetic rings too. Had a short chat with Jane Adam, whose jewellery I wear and which always provokes comment and admired the beautiful felted shawls of Maggie Scott whose technique of incorporating fine digitally printed chiffon with very thin layers of more woolly fibres intrigued us both.  But budgets being budgets, we settled for smaller "souvenirs" in the form of a gorgeous merino woven scarf by Keskusta, a woven silky one by Margo Selby and a frilly knitted merino wool creation by Florrie - a longer and more drapey version of the neck ruff shown on their website.  I have to wait for that one to be made.

After a short break sitting in the sunshine on the terrace overlooking the river, we returned to explore a little more of this amazing building, starting with Nelsons staircase.

The Nelson staircase rises elegantly from the corridor where the Deli/Cafe is to be found, and the Navy staircase at the opposite end.  Here we found a great description of what might have greeted us in earlier days:

"In these damp, black and comfortless recesses, the clerks of the nation grope about like moles, immersed in Tartarean gloom, where they stamp, sign, examine, indite, doze, and swear..."

Looking down at those dark and gloomy places below, it's wasn't hard to imagine such scenes.

We agreed that we need another visit to this interesting place and added it to our list for another day before heading back across town on an errand or two.  Finished the day with a delicious supper with Edward at Ottolenghi having spent ten minutes or more deciding which nine flavours of chocolates we'd include in our box of chocolates - Marmite and Port and Stilton were Mark's choices, whilst I went for more conventional Cinnamon and Cider - sadly the Yorkshire Tea ones were sold out!

Headed home late last night and intend to have a quiet day today.  The fun begins tomorrow.

Ally Pally Day Two

Back at the exhibition today, once again it was Ray Slater's dolls who were the centre of attention in our corner of the show.  So much character and so beautifully constructed, everyone loved them.

For us, however, the lovely accessories passing by were the main attraction.  A gorgeous scarf here

a lovely pair of shoes there

Throughout the day we admired the work of others, often in the form of bags of some kind

My apologies; the poor photograph doesn't really do this original designed bag justice - it was knitted using the domino technique with felted embellishments and the owner was proud to reveal zipped compartments and the detailed finish - quite rightly too.

Another lovely bag, beautifully machine quilted and embellished in a most tasteful fashion

There were other interesting sights from time to time

and visiting friends provided amusement -( some may recognise this bosom! )

but for the feature which set this shopping trolley apart from others you'll have to go here

As yesterday, meeting friends was the highlight of the day - Maggie, Paulene, Dale, Sue, Nita and I had a rare opportunity to get together - Sarah was there too, but not quite in the same place as the rest of us, sadly!

At the Ally Pally

We enjoyed the first day at the Knitting and Stitching Show today, keeping busy and talking non-stop it seemed.  We loved watching everyone, especially all the youngsters with the most creative outfits.  But I was rather surprised at the cavalier way they photographed everything and anything, usually in an open and honest way but sometimes taking the sneaky route with a mobile phone.  I rewarded those who asked permission with over-generous thanks - heaven knows how those who didn't want any photographs taken managed it.  Presumably they spent all their time policing their stand...

Time for teachers and tutors to make a few recommendations, perhaps?

Of course, many friends were here at Ally Pally today as well - this must be one of the best social gatherings of the year and it's a great opportunity to get together and catch up on what's what.

In addition, there's always something interesting to see and usually (thankfully) people are pleased to share and agree to a photograph

Here, a fascinating knitted necklace worn with an equally individual and striking outfit. Just one of several noteworthy garments and accessories which attracted our attention during the day. 

As the day wore on, our eyes fell upon the treasures people had found and we loved the fact that several stands used clear plastic bags.  Here, two bags full of Oliver Twists goodies.

5.30pm at last and time to pack up.  Tutor/demonstrator Hazel packed up her dear little bears into their box for safekeeping overnight (this box is only about 5 inches square by the way and Bernard, the smallest is just an inch and a half tall)

Did I bring goodies home?  Only one today - a skein of the softest  Baby Alpaca Cashmere and Silk lace weight yarn from the Natural Dye Studio for a small triangular scarf pattern I bought in Purl Soho last month. 

But I'm there again tomorrow ;-)

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho

Back to work this morning, teaching in Warwick.  Having trouble travelling light however - I seem to be taking half my studio with me!