Wylam Summer Fair

This weekend has been a bit hectic...I had a stall at Wylam Summer fair and ran the 3 mile fun run too.The stall was pretty successful and i sold several wreaths, lots of badges and hair clips. I was pretty stressed setting things out. This was my home turf and I was feeling a bit insecure. Thankfully feedback was good and I sold quite a lot of stuff.I was particularly pleased with a large pine cone wreath I made.
I decided to put myself under even more pressure by taking part in the annual fun run. Last year I was last. This year however after a years worth of consistent training I wasn't and managed to knock 4 minutes off last years time. I probably could have gone faster, but it was a hot day. Since I took up running a year ago I have dropped 2 dress sizes and gained a great deal of emotional strength and stability. That is more than enough. My husband Lee won the race in a new v40 record time. Robyn was first 9-11 girl. Thanks to my mum Margaret who did a great job working on the stall while I was running and to all the lovely people who bought something.

Wedding Garland

I took these photos of a 'just hitched' wedding garland down the road at the entrance to Wylam church. The little gate way looks sweet and I thought this garland might look nice there.

Recently I've been experimenting with pine cones. Using the glue gun I have stuck similar sized cones together. One makes a rustic candle surround, the other a pretty heart which could be hung inside or out. The obvious draw back with the candle ring is that it is inflammable so caution would have to be exercised.Still, I might make a few more of the heart ones for the Wylam Summer Fair stall.I used a heart template to make sure the shape stayed more or less accurate. The pine cones I've used here came from the woods at Close House and there are loads of them on the ground. I've collected some today from a Scots pine in Engine Dene, its quite interesting to look at the different types of cones and know where they are from.

These Garlands Have Something To Say.

I've made a couple of garlands lately as gifts. One for some friends,Steve and Ineke who are getting married this weekend and one for my nephew, Camerons Birthday.I down loaded a funky font and found the letters fairly easy to cut from felt. I hope they like them.
I have decided to have a stall at Wylam Summer Fair on June 26th. Hope this will be successful and raise local awareness of Pixie Pegs.

Outing to Northumberland Spinners and Weavers Guild.

My friend Anne is a member of the spinners and weavers guild and today was their annual gathering, where fleece suppliers visit with their wares. The hall in Stocksfield was packed with colourful stalls and ladies of a certain age linned the centre of the room with spinning wheels. It was fascinating, there where raw fleeces, dyed tops that were ready for spinning and balls of luxurious wool for sale. Looms, crochet hooks , and every other wool and fibre accessory you could imagine. I was particularly interested in the drop spindles, they are the simplest way of spinning wool and apparently thats how spinning started. Annes friend Lynn demonstrated one and it looked relatively easy, or at least masterable.
There was a woman from Darlington selling felting supplies and I bought some very reasonably priced sheets of prefelted Merino fleece and a red Merino top for felting. They are beautifully soft and smell slightly sheepy. I am looking forward to making some thing out of them. Who knows maybe i'll revisit the spinners again, may be with Mum, she would have loved it.

Sweet Little Doggie Badges

I've made a second Greyhound badge today, the first one I donated to the North East Greyhound rescue monthly raffle and I was delighted that it was won by a lady who owns a beautiful black greyhound. The hound on the badge was also black....she said she loved it and this meant a great deal to me. Todays badge however is in the image of our own pretty greyhound, Jodie. I will have to make another one as both the kids want it. Greyhounds are truly beautiful creatures and inspiring in many ways.....Jodie is not just a dog....she is a Greyhound.
Here's a photo of some my other dog badges, I think I'll put some in the Etsy shop. I sold them for £1 each in Hexham. The most popular badge proved to be a black cat with a little silver bell.

Beautiful Cherry tree

This evening I went out in to Engine Dene, which is behind our house with my camera. I wanted to capture the beauty of a large Cherry tree I can see from my kitchen window. Every year I look forward to the explosion of white blossom that this special tree produces. I think it looks particularly great this year.