Not a lot of finished college samples. But I do have this little cherry booklet from the latest book by Kumiko Sudo : Kokoro no Te. Convincing myself that this was a necessity as my other needle book was too small for all the different needles I use. This was made from fabric and felt scraps, the main one is Liberty Tana Lawn. Of course the Japanese thimble and Heian Pin-Pin sewing case I am working on are necessary as well..... 
Not any new shoes though. My new shoes, which I made. I have spent a very enjoyable, but exhausting weekend making these lovely shoes in at The Little Shoe Workshop in New Malden, Surrey. I was a feeling a bit uptight on Friday thinking I should have got together some stitching or outstanding fabric to make my shoes from. Mark told me to chill out, go to the pub, and just enjoy myself at the workshop. Next day, when I got to the workshop there was plenty of choice from the lovely selection of leather and fabric offcuts. The kitten heels of these little beauties are red to match the uppers. The insole binding is a beautiful bright blue suede with a turquoise and red suede layered inner sock. On the Saturday we spent the time cutting out our pattern pieces, glueing and stitching out components. Today we spent the time lasting the shoes and finishing the shoes. The most difficult bit was hammering the nails into the heel. I had a go but, like everyone else got Kirsty the workshop owner, to put the nails in - it requires a certain knack. If I was doing this at home I would either ask Mark to do this (he's got the 'welly') or drill and screw the heels.
I have ordered a home kit which will allow me to make more shoes similar to this. Guess it's time to start planning those embroidered uppers.
No excuses for being so quiet. Have just been doing a few things after attending the Knitting and Stitching Show in London. Didn't take a sketch book with me so took a few notes and then created a little memory book.
I resisted all the goody stalls when I first got there and visited the exhibits. One of my favourites was "Inspired to Stitch: 21 artists". This was publicising the book by Diana Springall of the same name.
The Graduate show case was, as usual, very inspiring and I was particularly taken by the manipulated textiles that two grads. were showing: textured corsets from one student and manipulated dyed silks of another. As an auntie who spends some of her time playing truant from college work and making stuff for her nephews and neices I admired the ladybird decorated clothing, crazy patchwork bootees and textile embellished story books.
I wandered out of the textile gallery and into another room (not the main hall) and found The Braidmakers workshop. There I was given a demonstration on the history and use of the lucet fork. Apparently this another way of making 2 stitch i-cord. Having a some knitting already on the go and a certain amount of college work mounting up - I resisted....
As there was not a huge amount of seating and it was getting a bit hot in the exhibition I was glad I had booked an hours mini-workshop session on Japanese Stencilling. We were given the workshop in a backroom which, though not glamorous or smart, had chairs, cool air and peace and quiet! Vivien Prideaux, who gave the workshop, packed the hour with plenty of anecdotes, tips, advice and knowledge. It is a shame it only lasted an hour - would be great to have a longer session with her on textiles. It was also the first time I had ever done any indigo dyeing. It, of course, was dead easy - Vivien had prepared the dye vat ahead of time!
Of course I wouldn't forget the SHOPPING! Mainly concentrated on making
sure I had a few of the bits and pieces I need for college, for example, silk organza, xpandaprint, designing pattern sheets book and dyed merino felt tops for felt. Treats included getting bamboo knitting needles in a few sizes I hadn't got yet. Major treat of the show was getting hold of an advance copy of this book which was one of the vendors sample copy. Needless to say this is one of the reasons why I haven't been uploading lately (pictures of the results to follow).
Apologies about the funny images I have uploaded. I wasn't anywhere near a scanner so used my trusty camera phone. My little book was made out of one sheet of A4 paper by following the instructions from one of my favourite creativity books "Living Out Loud" by Keri Smith the instructions are also available from her website.
I know everyone is doing this but I couldn't resist. Just typed "Anne needs" into Google and this is what came up:
Anne needs a Job
Anne needs a group of at least 6 people
Anne needs this yesterday
Anne needs to locate a Support Request quickly
Anne needs to provide the current working draft
Anne needs to report on progress
Anne needs a room
Anne needs love
Anne needs someone who will love her, really love her
Anne needs to teach an acting class
Anne needs some luck right now
Anne needs to do more than catch her breath
Anne needs Help!!!
Hmm, maybe, anyways she needs to stop mucking about with her blog and do something constructive!
Finall
y rustled myself up this tote bag to carry around a few crafty bits and pieces. Mainly for transporting my current knitting or stitching project to work for a little lunch time creativity. I used some fabric I found in my fabric stash ( it was previously in my Grandma's). I also created a little kitty+stitch label from computer paper and a white fabric scrap. Didn't take much more than an hour (if that) to sew together.
Saving the glue-pot accident jeans. Completed this whilst on leave, wearing them for the first time today. Originally was going to do some free machine embroidery but despite the use of tear-away stabiliser it kept on runkling up and the thread kept on snapping. Happier with this hand applique felt circles. Not sure how well they will wash but any failure on that front will be a lesson learnt and a new opportunity to embelish my jeans again. Will try not to take 4 months to get around to doing it though....
My sister has had her twins - everyone safe and sound! I have knitted up these two little cardigans for the new arrivals. How did I know they were going to be a boy and a girl? I didn't - the pile of other little cardigans is just out of shot...........
Finally finished the walking the South Downs Way - soon this blog is going to return to stitching craft geek stuff. I could send a picture of my beautiful ugly feet - I treated myself to a pedicure - so I now have nice smooth feet, painted toenails and weepy blisters....
I think I'll just leave you with a nice mental picture.
