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Monday 9 April 2018

T Stands For......the weekend...

Hello T friends (and of course anyone else - you don't have to be sharing your drink related post to join me here)

A few weeks ago another of my dear friends, Charlotte, passed away! She was a good friend, an extremely talented artist and last year we had an outing together to a local craft shop and another was planned for this Spring! Alas, in January she became very ill and went into a hospice. We went to her funeral last Friday, a quiet affair and although we had intended setting off after the service we were persuaded to stay on and have some food at the local pub(we think we may go back there sometime) We arrived at our caravan a little later than we had planned but the sun had been shining and it was quite warm.
As you may recall, we have only visited once since the end of February, although I did go to a workshop at Rowantree Crafts with my friends Sarah and Helen when Sarah kindly did the driving.
This weekend was another workshop with Tracy Easson using her fabulous Wonky Tonk stamps.
I already have some of Tracy's stamps they are so quirky(or wonky!)
There was a huge bag waiting for us all which held the workshop materials and a note book, some cards and......

...this lovely mug!
We got started on our first project - a cover for the notebook.
We all concentrated with our stamping onto fabric then painting and sewing (wonky stitching was an essential skill thank goodness!)We were encouraged to name our Wonky girl, I had a couple of names in mind...either Marguerite or Marianne, but I swear that my girlie had something else in mind as I heard a little voice say "Nothing fancy Thank you!" ...so she is Mary!! 
I am very pleased with her!
I hadn't quite finished and added the white highlights in the evening and I was up early to add the red kisses.
I love the little rusty bell we were given to attach to the top corner.I hope to decorate the back too.
In the afternoon we did a lovely wall hanging but I am going to give  her a post all of her own, so here are a couple of teasers!

We had also intended making some little brooches but time went so quickly that we were shown some examples to get some ideas.

As the stitching of kisses didn't take long, and hubby was having a lie in, I made a couple of brooches with some of the scraps(including some bits of old blouses I have at the caravan) 
I got a little bag together for making more too!
As you can see I have quite few bits in my plastic carrier
Now, it's time to join Bluebeard and Elizabeth for T Stands For Tuesday.
You must be wondering why I didn't show you my new mug with coffee in! I left it at our caravan, but I can show you everyone that attended on Saturday and let you see how many drinks you can spot on the table!
Tracy is in the centre and you may spot Rachel(Fisher's Cards and Crafts - she has more photos too!) and Karen over on the left who I have met on other workshops.
Two other folk you may like to meet...
Super artist Annie on the left, of Purple Tree Paints blog, and Sharon Quinn, the lovely owner and grand organiser of workshops from Rowan Tree Craft shop in Carnforth! If ever you are headed to the Lake District or beyond and are heading up the M6 it's worth a break from the motorway to visit the craft shop and have a bite to eat at Booths just around the corner. It's only about a mile off Junction 35.
It was a really fun day, Tracy is such an entertainer as well as being extremely talented (and maybe just a little bit wonky kind of crazy - sorry Tracy!!!) We certainly laughed a lot as we were working! I think we were all sorry when the day came to an end!

I may not be here next week, I'll see how things go, but we are off on another adventure very soon!

Hoping to get to visit everyone soon!
Thanks for looking, Chrisx
 

22 comments:

Linda Kunsman said...

First , I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend Charlotte. So difficult, yet it is consoling to have happy times together to remember.
What a great class you had!! I only wish they had them around my parts. LOVE your fabric cover girl along with your delightful little brooches. Looks like you got so much from that class. Thanks for sharing and a happy T day!

kathyinozarks said...

I am so sorry for your loss-so sad-and a hug coming your way.
I would have really enjoyed being with you at your workshop-I found it very fun and unique. I love Mary-and her name suits her. Loved your new mug too.
Enjoy your next adventure and Happy T Day Kathy

My name is Erika. said...

Sorry for loss Chris. It's sad to lose someone but when they go fast you don't even have time to adjust. But I am glad y0u had something fun this past weekend-like heading to your caravan and taking a fantastic clas. That mug is fantastic. that is a good gift. :) Happy T day Chris. Hugs-Erika

Helen said...

So sorry to hear about your friend.
The weekend looks fabulous however, very busy at the workshop . I think I can guess where you are off to, given the dates... if I am right, have fun!
If I am not, still have fun!!

Helen said...

just been thinking, I am wrong in my initial thought of your destination, as of course you have told me one place you are visiting... doh! it's too early!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Sorry you lost your friend, that's always sad. Looks like you had a great day out and got to meet up with nice people and share some fun ideas. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

johanna said...

one of the hardest things... to lose a dear friend (lost a very close one last year and i´m so often thinking of her). i´m so sorry for you!
that class would have been after my taste!! i love all the fabric thingies you made, mary is just WONDERFUL!! and obviously you were in joyful company!
happy t-day, dear chris ♥

Let's Art Journal said...

I was sorry to hear of your friends passing, I hope you are ok and wishing you peace and comfort! The workshop you attended with your friends looks wonderful and oh, the pieces you created are amazing 😀. I love your notebook cover, Mary looks adorable and those little red kisses finished it perfectly! We are planning a visit to Morecambe soon (for my birthday) and as Carnforth isn't far away I think we may pop into the craft shop too, thanks 😉. Sending you Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x

Redanne said...

Chris, this is such a lovely post, I am so sorry to hear about your friend though, such a sad loss for you and her family.

I cannot wait until I do my class with Tracy later in the year, she is such a talented artist! I love Mary, she is stunning and the little brooches are gorgeous (love the ones you made!). Hugs, Anne xx

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Sorry for your loss, Chris. Losing a dear friend is like losing a piece of yourself. Please accept my condolences.


Your Rowan Tree craft classes sound like so much fun. Mary is charming. The name suits her sweet face. And after all, "It's a Grand Old Name" ;-)

That looks like so much fun - all those happy crafty ladies and the lovely mess on the table. Oh, I'm envious ...

Have a fun adventure this week.

Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

jinxxxygirl said...

I'am so sorry you lost Charlotte Chris... But i think she would very much like to see that you are crafting and arting still...

Looks like you had alot of fun with these crafty , talented ladies. I just love what you made.. The perfect little highlight on her nose and the kisses....

More adventures coming!! yeah!!! Do share! Happy T day! Hugs! deb

froebelsternchen said...

So sad about your friend!
I love what you have made on this workshop dear Chris! AMAZING!

Lorraine said...

its good to remember the good times spent with a dear friend who has passed over..beautiful fabric doll perhaps hugging her when your feeling sad will help

Divers and Sundry said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Losing those close to us is such a hard thing. I'm glad you have good support through this time.

That class looks like fun! I hope your next adventure is a great one :) Happy T Tuesday

Annie said...

Sorry to hear of your friends passing Chris but nice that you got to say goodbye and attend the celebration of her life x Looks like you had a great time at the workshop and so lovely to see Rachel too. Your journal cover and brooches look super xx

Sorry for being awol but been pretty busy with other things and had to let blogging slip by the wayside

TFS and best wishes
Annie x

Dianne said...

Oh my goodness, Mary is absolutely stunning! I love her to bits...such a cute, soft, serene little journal cover. :) those little brooches are quite lovely too...hmmm...maybe I need to get out some scraps for stitching?! happy T day! ♥

CJ Kennedy said...

Mary is just charming. I love all the fabrics you show and the different textures. Looks like a fabulous time was had at the workshop. So good to get together with like-minded spirits.Happy T Day!

Meggymay said...

Chris that workshop must have been such fun. I love Mary. an absolutely delightful project. I do like that super cup as well.
Your fabric broaches look beautiful as well.
I was sorry to read that you had said goodbye to one of your friends,not easy to get over, but remember the good times you shared.
Happy T day wishes.
Yvonne xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I had planned to be here sooner, but my keyboard had other plans. It's hard to lose a good friend, especially one who "gets" you and your art. I am sure Charlotte is looking down today and smiling on you.

What a great mug to be included in your bag of workshop materials and fabrics. I am in awe of Mary and her wonderful face. Those broaches are incredible, and I want to make a few of these with leftover fabric, too. I am in awe of them.

Of course, I am thrilled to see the fun you had at the workshop and I couldn't even begin to count all those drinks. I lost track somewhere in the middle. Thanks for sharing your incredible fabric cover, the broaches, and your new mug with us for T this Tuesday, dear Chris.

Kate Yetter said...

Your fabric art pieces are AMAZING! And I absolutely love that stamp you used on the journal cover. Your workshop must have been so fun. I would love to attend a workshop to make crafty pieces and new friends.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. It is not easy to lose someone dear to us.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Mrs.B said...

Sorry to read about loosing your friend Chris, no doubt you will think of her everytime you visit the local craft shop.
Your workshop sounds and looks fun - and Mary is beautiful and that's such a fabulous mug too.
Avril xx

Carol said...

My heart goes out to you. Losing a friend is so hard and reminds us of our own mortality.♥
Your projects are lovely and it looks like you had a great time with the group. That's the one thing about living in the country and then not being able to drive at night. I'm restricted on the crafting and art events I can participate in. Good thing I love gardening so I have plenty to keep me busy during the warmer months. It has finally been very nice out the past few days so that is why I'm so late getting around. I've been out in the sunshine♥♥
Happy Very Late Tuesday!!!
Carol