Ally Pally ......

didn't disappoint this year. It occurred to me as we finished a ghastly journey that it amounted to an annual pilgrimage.

 Good things happened right inside the door.

This magnificent edifice was made to support pieces of unfinished work.  It made me laugh and brought a tear, it was amazing how much work had been put into the pieces, only to be abandoned.

Inside there were two exhibitions that I liked.  One was called Jabberwocky, a joint display by Ann Small and Sue Walton.
 These are some of Ann's little men.

You can see more of Ann's work here and you can see Sue's  here I was so entranced I forgot to photograph her fork fairies.
The other exhibition was by the North East region of the Embroiderer's Guild, named Mining a Golden Seam, "The mining industry and community that has been such a feature of life in the North East: exploring the riches of the earth's strata and geology: our timeless fascination with gold in all its forms."

You can see more pictures here. It was lovely to see Lynda Monk, she was demonstrating on the Art Van Go stand. I bought some beauutiful hand dyed sari ribbon from Dale, they only left Australia on Tuesday and here they were all set up.

Good day, only a year to go.

3 delights....

I was so delighted to see one of my feathers being used on the Magic Feather Project  cloth on Spirit Cloth.

You can follow the story of this beautiful  cloth here.

I am also delighted because I have finished (I think) my Space cloth which I started this time last year.

It measures about 5 feet squarish.Roll on winter so I can snuggle in.

Lastly it is that annual delight the Knitting and Stitching show at Ally Pally, I jave actually started using some of the wool I bought last year. Hopiing to be there when the doors open on Thursday.

I wanted an owl......

and  here he is, I could see the outline in the cloth, he just needed a little help.

He is based on the Athena Owl  and is part of what I hope is going to be an ongoing project.

Pride......

I don't usually do personal but I am so proud of my brother who built this beautiful boat and I am proud that he named it after me.

the end........

of this wonderful summer or sport and celebration.  Yesterday I went up to town to watch the parade of Team GB.  Waiting in the crowd was made fun by a group of Gamesmakers who were still doing there job rousing the crowd with songs and mexican waves, When the parade finally arrived it was difficult to take it all in, needed to cheer, clap, wave a flag and try and take photographs all at the same time .

I was delighted to see some of  the Torch Relay Security team.

 The Red Arrows had everyone cheering. Great Day.

 Just when we thought the excitement was all over Andy Murray wins the first Grand Slam for 76 years. 

What now.........well Strictly Come Dancing starts next week......................

I wish to go the festival.......

not Into the Woods , though I wouldn't mind seeing that again, but the London Festival.  In perfect weather this year,  with the added buzz of the Paralympics, it was time to jump off the train at London Bridge and follow the walk along the south bank of the Thames, for all kinds of sights and sounds. a very Oriental theme this year with the space in front of the Tate modern given over to South Korea.

 These dancers defied the heat and whirled and twirled their bodies and head dresses, I was so mesmerised by the ribbons that I didn't catch a proper photograph but with a slight move of the head they sent these ribbons into wonderful circles.

This elegant gentleman was happy to pose. I loved his hat.

These dancers are from Japan and must have been sweltering in these heavy padded costumes,

but there was a lovely happy smile inside this one.

There was a firebird from Colombia 

 and some very good Morris Men from West London.

 

The festival is a annual treat for me and this year with the wonderful vibe there has been in London it was even more special, but at the end of the day I think I would like to have joined these poppets and paddled in the fountain. Love the bloomers and the expression on the little boy face. 

I do hope we are going to keep some of the general pleasantness of this summer. People smiling and a level of politeness that has been missing.  Lets hear it for all the volunteers, wish we could keep you around.Well done GB. Going home, one last little treat growing on the track side at London Bridge station.

September....

is my birthday month so for me, it is like New Year, a new beginning. Apart from the weather Summer has not been good with some health worries in the family. So I am trying to fill my mind. 
While I am waiting for the Spirit Cloth Diaries to begin I have been looking at all my bits and pieces that I have made while following Jude on Spirit Cloth. Some I have put aside for new projects and some I am trying to put to practical use. This "long cloth" had become a table runner.

A couple more pieces I think are going to become cushion covers. I have finished my Space cloth but I have to show it to some special people before I put it on here. Time now to unearth the Earth Cloth so I can work along with the Diaries.   Also need to re-organise my workroom it has become sadly neglected over the last few months.  I am writing all this like New Year resolutions to goad myself into getting on with it. 

PS.  for information to the BBC, Autumn does not begin on the 1st September. It begins with the Autumnal Equinox which this year is the 22nd September.

Neil Armstrong......

We woke the children in the middle of the night, my son was 2 and my daughter just a month old but we wanted to be able to tell them that they were there, when a man walked on the moon.

I love a ...

.......flash mob. This is a goody.

I love the effect it has on the children. Everyone wants to be a conductor.

......a good exhibition,  At the Crypt of St Martin's in the Fields, London, until 22nd September a superb display from the branches of the Embroiderers Guild.  Postcards to celebrate the countries taking part in the Summer Games.

Just seen.......

that the Wenlock (mascot) I snapped on the embankment is currently standing at £6001.00 on the Official London 2012 Auction website

anyone want my copy of last weeks TV listings?

Pure gold....

For the last two weeks I have cycled, run, jumped and swum.........  Now I must get off the settee and do some exercise.The Olympics are over.

  What a fortnight. From the spectacular Opening Ceremony

until the moment the flame went out.  We shouted in excitment and dashed away tears of joy. We marvelled at unbelievable stamina, strength and grace. We were amazed how quickly we became experts on sports we had never seen before. Medals apart, we won on every level.

One of the fascinations was watching the different reactions to winning and losing. A bronze medal produced sulks in some and smiles of pure joy in others.  A gold was celebrated with theatrical display or quiet pride.

One disappointment was that no one thought to make the Torch Relay Team part of the ceremonies, they did such a good job in all weathers in the ten weeks before the Games started. I hope they receive some form of recognition.

Well done London (and the rest of the country)

 Yeah!!!

Right three weeks to tackle the ironing before the Paralympics begin.

Wonderful beasts....

I found these wonderful beasts by Elisabeth Higgins O'Connor on the Textile Arts Center blog

(No copyright breach intended)

There are more pictures on the link.

I love the bird, in the background,  who appears to be sneaking out.  What a great way this would be to reduce my stash.

Hating the everlasting grey and rain, up side is lots of time to sew and watch others give there all at Wimbledon and in the Tour de France.

More Kentwell.....

Still reeling from Nadal's defeat..... as another week flashes by, more photos from Kentwell.

Is it a cow?  Is it a donkey?  Is it real?

These photographs don't really show how big these French Donkey's were.   In spite of the field of lush grass behind them they preferred you to hand pick their lunch from the grass on this side of the fence
 The other animal that featured in site and sound was the peacock, a sad tale of a tail here because a fox had stolen his hen so he was calling and displaying as he tried to find another mate.

 So much to see.

Through the time tunnel......

  into the 16th century.  Yes, time for Kentwell again. 1556 to be precise.  We were greeted with music,

and the sun was shining. The gentry were taking a stroll.

and children were everythere.

People cooked

Worked

and rested

and gave us another wonderful day out.  NB Mark calendar for next year.