Ironing out my Rough and Hard Edges with Sew You

I have documented, my minor 30s crisis before…. Finding various courses and events to inspire me to do different things. Perhaps it’s the confidence of being in my 30s and knowing that life is too short to spend on things you don’t enjoy, or the realization that I can still learn new skills.

My mother was an accomplished seamstress – something which was part of her generation’s  skill set. We had an amazing array of clothes made for us as children, as well as cast offs in a totally rad dressing up box, which made us the envy of our friends. I still have my Mum’s sewing box (see picture below) and even buttons and pieces of material which she saved for years.

Retro!

I have recently been sewing a little more. Starting off with a project to re-cover the seats of our VW campervan – which The Boy actually ended up doing, then some bunting for our annual ‘Pleasantfest’ music festival and even some circle skirts for bellydancing. I was using a donated sewing machine which broke, then a borrowed machine from my Dad’s girlfriend which belonged in colonial india, but worked fantastically well…. I was then gifted a fairly brand spanker Brother machine by my lovely Auntie Joan. This is what prompted me to want to be better at sewing.

I found that living across the road from Cannon Mills has its benefits – cheap cheap cheap material of a fantastic quality and much inspiration coming my way in the form of various baby-based projects for pregnant friends (more on those projects to come this month) – but I needed skilling up!

In came Sew You…. A twitter pick up that (as with most Twitter friends) I cannot quite remember the route to. Abi is now a staple in my twitter feed with her comments on sewing, life, Bradford, culture and generally nice things.

There is an excellent Q and A here with Abi by the lovely Irna Qureshi for Fabric

I had originally booked onto the Baby Bootie course with the lovely Abi, but no-one else wanted to book for Easter Sunday – neither Abi nor I had noticed the day/date clash as we were obviously far too enthusiastic! So I moved onto the Machine Embroidery Masterclass – something well out of my comfort zone, but potentially very useful in line with other craft projects I was on with.

On a very blustery Sunday, 4 students were greeted at Abi’s studio at The Butterfly Rooms in Saltaire. The studio was cosy against the buffeting winds which were lashing against the window and we had a lovely cuppa tea before getting to know our machines. Abi does allow you to bring your own machines, something which I nearly took advantage of, but taking the bus, decided against it. The machines we used were Janome computerized beasts and worked really well for our course.

My Machine for the Day!

I loved the way that the course was relaxed but pacey enough to feel like we were covering some good ground. It was clear throughout what we were trying to achieve and we were asked if we wanted to cover anything additional.

Of course Abi has fantastic samples and threads and spent some time explaining the different types of thread, as well as the importance of things I had never heard of such as Bondaweb and Interfacing… items which one student thought were going to revolutionise her sewing.

Lovely Boxes of Odds and End and Bit and Pieces – an organised studio indeed!

First we learned how to hard edge appliqué – something which I found a challenge on the first attempt, but Abi was patient and encouraging and I was determined, so managed to move from this:

Rough Flamingo

To this

Not so Rough Flamingo

In a matter of an hour!

Some of you might recognize the flamingo from my cards – I thought I would give them a bit of a trial in material and Abi said embroidery onto card was definitely an option… watch this space!

After lunch, we moved on to the infinitely more free handed rough edge appliqué… much more room for flexibility and for want of a better word ‘roughness’. I didn’t get on with this as well, perhaps it didn’t appeal to my slightly more uniform approach to craft.. I did however make some super cute personalised presents.

The course gave us ample opportunity to use Abi’s expertise (as we were all at varying levels of skill) and to have ‘a play’. Plus Abi offered us bags of samples to take home! Excellent.

To find out more about courses at Sew You – click here.

My Evening with One of My Favourite Authors: Iain Banks

Recently, in the atmospheric surroundings of The Keys in Hudersfield; I was attending my second Key Words event and feeling a bit starstruck. Organised by Michelle Hodgson, who has her own company with copywriting, events and journalism services, this was an evening of epic proportions for me…. A chance to meet, in real life, one of my very favourite authors.

An event of this nature can throw you into a little chaos, especially when you realise that you have only read a small proportion of his collection. In the case of Iain Banks, you could be a fan of Iain M Banks instead – his Science Fiction alter ego. It became clear however fairly quickly that he considered the ‘mainstream’ his alter ego and the S.F his staple diet.

Astonishing value at just £22.50 for an evening meal including conversation with the author, I had already experienced the slightly stern but definitely entertaining Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame, who talked us through her movement from teacher to author with great relish.

What Mr Banks gave us during this evening was true entertainment and a feeling that we were his friends. Fresh from the success of being listed as one of the books for World Book Night and promoting his new ‘mainstream’ novel Stonemouth, Iain was happy to sign books and pose for photos before we all settled down to a delicious evening meal provided by The Keys.

The format of the evening allows for Michelle to introduce and ‘warm up’ the author; then inviting questions from the floor… none of which were pre-selected or censored. We learned that Banks writes from his own experience, so Scottish, male and white protagonists prevail…. Citing Canal Dreams, his 1989 book and one which I enjoyed very much, as “the runt of the litter”. In fact another of my favourites The Business, also featured a female protagonist but Banks claims that we live in a nurturing society, which lends itself to understanding the viewpoints of each gender.

One great question from the floor asked Banks which ‘mainstream’ book he would like to be seen made into a movie and who would direct it. I would like to make the point here that I don’t consider his novels to be mainstream in any way shape or form – his debut novel, The Wasp Factory was in fact one of the most bizarre and original things I have read. Banks however professes he would love to live in his Science Fiction novels and feels more at home writing them as well as believing that they cover the most important genre of the effects of technology on humans. Anyway, back to the question, which ‘mainstream’ book he would like to be seen made into a movie and who would direct it. There was a little umming and ahhing, but The Bridge was the selected book and his chosen directors; The Coen Brothers. The Bridge is now on my list to read and I do like a bit of the Coens!

from iain-banks.net

When asked the predictable eBook question, he said he would miss the smell of books (something I agree with) and that in his mind, no medium destroys another, so the nervousness of publishers was a little unfounded. He was also pleased with World Book Night’s book giveaways and its commitment to enthusing readers.

I found Iain Banks engaging and he demonstrated a visible passion for life and literature. He put me in mind of a less sweary Billy Connolly, not just because he is Scottish and handsomely grey, but he is energetic, speedy, irreverent and likeable. My only regret is not asking a question, but I was more or less happy to simply absorb the greatness and listen to the yarns; leaving with a thirst for upping my catalogue of his books, and branching out into the SF.

For more from Key Words  - click here

To eat at The Keys – with a host of other events – click here

It’s all about the Library

It’s World Book Night and I want to say this…. Libraries rock…. officially. I mean when I was a kid – they rocked pretty hard; it was a BIG treat in our house to head to our local library. I mean how could you not love this….

The very cute Brighouse Library (from yourlocalweb.co.uk)

I used to race up the stairs to select my books and held my little pink laminated card so tightly it used to crease up! Now my taste in books have changed massively – I no longer love ‘choose your own adventure‘ books – but I still love libraries. After a bit of an absence, I have come back to them with a vengence and my oh my how things have changed.

The combination of the fact I have an Android phone and the astonishing progress made in libraries mean that I can get quite overexcited and well overstocked very easily. I can order any book I want from the collection and if they don’t have it, they will access it from another library in the UK or order a new copy for me for about 50 pence. Then when it does arrive (usually in no time at all) I get a text message saying it is there to be picked up! I KNOW – amazing! I do still have a browse in there as well and ask from recommendations from the staff.

But then you hear the disturbing news about closing libraries down – but they are still fighting hard.

Keep on borrowing – libraries refuse to die - from The Independent

Redesigning libraries for today’s climate and tomorrow’s needs - from The Guardian

Granted, my local library at Great Horton is not quite the hive of activity that the central library version is – but it is gorgeous (see below) and there are always local people in there using it…. without any regard for being quiet… but I am not sure that even matters anymore!

Great Horton Library (from geograpgh.org.uk) another stunning building

A good friend of mine is John Dolan He is involved with Speak up for Libraries and CILIP he tells me of amazing things that libraries can do with communities and individuals, when they just think a little outside the box…. and they are doing; but they need people to use them. From the libraries in this country who don’t just lend books, but provide heritage, cultural and community services to the 24 hour information line ‘Enquire‘ where you can ask them anything and they shall seek it out for you  and if the UK staff are asleep – their American counterparts will help you (and vice versa for the American customers!)

So save our libraries – they are worth so much to our society and our future.

To see the list of books selected for world book night click here - I have only read 5 of them…. so guess what I am typing into my Android right now?

Than-Kew for a Soggy but Lovely Day

The Boy was stuck in London working for 3 weeks at The Tower, so I headed down recently to spend a weekend in the Big Smoke. I love visiting London, but I also love leaving it too. At the moment, it seems to cost about £17 each way with Grand Central from Leeds– so its very easy to get in and out…. Accommodation however is whole other can of worms! But this time round I had free digs so more money to spend on having fun!

One of my must visit places in London is the tranquil and lovely Kew Gardens. It’s a loooooooong tube ride out there from the centre, but getting off and walking through the lovely little village and then into the spectacular gardens is worth the time investment. The admission fee is pretty steep though at almost £15 … so plan to spend a full day there.

We picked about the rainiest day going, but still had a lovely time. We saw the Palm House, the random History House – complete with dinosaur noises and historical timelines and we climbed to the dizzy heights of the treetop walk. We also spent a heap of time in the Princess of Wales Conservatory which has different rooms with some stunning plants and a HUGE puffa fish!

Fantastic pies in the café too!

Other top spots – for the upcoming summer weather (fingers crossed) are:

• A day in Greenwich– get the boat down the river and walk up to the fantastic Maritime Museum, mooch around the market and have a picnic in the park
• Curry on Brick Lane– be ready to be hassled – but all they want to do is feed you up – so you can’t feel too hassled!
• Portobello Road Market – secondhand finds, vintage treats and purple peppers! What’s not to love
• Southbank and The Tate Modern – touristy and superbusy – but iconic and a great place to people watch.

Warm Pork Rub

That title sounds a bit wrong!

I wanted to spice up some roast pork, so built on this recipe from All Recipes

So here is the rub recipe:

• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp mustard seed
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp brown soft sugar

Just roll your pork loin, or joint or pieces around in it… then cook as you like.

It was delicious!

Let me know if you try it and if you like it….

Dinky Thinks Book Review: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

By far my favourite author, Margaret Atwood had me at the first page of the Handmaid’s Tale which I read many years ago. I have been working my way through her novels ever since, albeit at a fairly slow pace…. I don’t want to finish them all too soon… in case she doesn’t write any more.

The latest one I opened up was Alias Grace – which I picked up at a Book Swap with the fabulous @BookElfLeeds – I picked up a real hoard of great books at her event….books in a suitcase…. ace!

Alias Grace has taken me a while to get through, but I really and truly loved it. I shy away from non-fiction, in favour of escapism – but this offered both of the above.

The main protagonist Grace Marks; is a historical figure who was made famous in the 1800′s by a brutal double murder, in which she was implicated. Atwood has based the novel on facts about the case and the fascinating Grace.

You are never really sure who to believe, when hearing the main voices of Grace and Dr Jordan, a psychologist who has been asked to ascertain her innocence (or otherwise) by a group of well-meaning church goers. At this point in the story Grace has been incarcerated for most of her adult life and seems to be devoid of emotion or regret – although she does suffer some very strange visions involving red peonies.

The novel is crammed with colourful detail about the places and people Grace has encountered and the events leading up to the infamous murder. Plus Dr Jordan is wrestling with his own personal demons whilst trying to help Grace – a figure becoming more enigmatic by the day to him, and also drawing him in to her world.

Leading Line: “Sometimes I whisper it to myself: Murderess. Murderess… it rustles like a taffeta skirt along the floor”

Read it if: You have an appetite for mysterious goings on, murder and creepy class conflict

Other Margaret Atwood’s I have read and LOVED!

• The Handmaid’s Tale
• Cat’s Eye
• Surfacing
• The Robber Bride
• The Year of The Flood

Recycled Paper Gift Bags

I use the phrase recycled in this instance in terms of re-use. I have lots of wallpaper samples hanging around as we are trying to decide on how to decorate 2 rooms in the house.

I decided to make some gift bags – something I have attempted in the past with not much success. This time however, I found this ace, simple and quick video for making bags which I followed… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWpiipx1Aqc&feature=related

I did make a few adjustments though as follows:

1. An extra fold on the sides gives the bag its depth and makes sure it stands up

Put the ruler in line with the end of the bottom of the bag

Fold the bag over the ruler

Fold the central line inwards

Pinch the folds together and re-crease

2. I added hole enforcers to the holes for the handles and put beads at the end of the handles to keep them in place

Hole reinforcers added

3. For a bit more strength, I added a piece of thick cardboard into the bottom of the bad – just cut to shape and slip into the bottom

Et voila! Loads of lovely bags!

Toad in the Hole – First Time!

Cheapest tea ever tonight.

Leftover batter from the Yorkshire Puds yesterday, plus leftover sausages from the BBQ on Saturday….

mmmmm

Toad in the Hole…. delish and frugal to boot.

Any ideas for variations on the use of leftover batter?

My First Ever Bettakultcha

I had a very limited understanding of what I would experience when I purchased my first tickets for Bettakultcha. I do love a good Powerpoint and I do love to find out about new subjects – and I think listening to someone who is passionate about something is a good use of time…. so I had high expectations for an evening which promised all the above.

The evening didn’t dissapoint at all. Bettakultcha @Life Online took place at the new exhibiton of the same name in the Media Museum in Bradford and saw an eclectic mix of people in the presenters and the audience…

Co-founder and presenter Richard Michie kicked things off with an explanation of Death by PowerPoint which laid out the rules

• 20 slides
• 15 seconds each
• NO PITCHES

Then we were into the evening proper and it was a rollercoaster until the end. Although Richard had said that it wasn’t essential to be funny – most of the presenters were…. as was co-founder Ivor Tymchak who was compering the evening! Here are my highlights (including Twitter tags)

• Issues with abbreviation by @Maft – I loved it mostly because I too cannot cope with people saying PIN Number (aaaaargh) and I was crying with laughter at how www. said out loud takes longer in syllables than actually saying world wide web!
• Female Female Impersonator @Mystivalentine – How you would get to the point of being a female female impersonator and doing it whilst pregnant was not clear from the presentation – but the actions to “The Court of King Caractacus” were!
• My Life in Cheese @verbalID – Any presentation with Cheese in, is a winner for me!
• Random Slide Challenge with Susan Everett including witches dressed in Blue and a man with Blu-Tak on his nose

All that and free wine and jelly babies… I can’t wait for the next one!

Bettakultcha are leaving the ‘shire’ as well with their first event in Manchester – don’t miss it if you are Manchester-based. To find out more about Bettakultcha go to http://bettakultcha.com

Richard Michie also talks about setting up Bettakultcha here on Culture Vultures - http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/all/is-there-life-online/ 

Lotions and Potions (cackles evilly!)

I am having a bit of a 30s crisis…. well its not really a crisis; its great! I had decided that I have time to do courses and learn about things I enjoy and to spend more time being creative. I have booked in for a number of courses to develop my skills. The first is Lotions and Potions which I did this weekend in Leeds at the fabulous Fabrication.

Whilst backpacking, I could almost visualise a range of lovely smelly products inspired by the countries we were experiencing. This mostly stemmed from our driver in Rajasthan making me a traditional Indian facemask to deal with my terrible skin.

Back in the UK I was not sure where to start, but found on Twitter, reference to some courses being run in Leeds as part of a social enterprise called Fabrication. Fabrication supports micro craft and fashion businesses also teaches crafts skills in house and in the community.

The course was run in the current premises in the Merrion Centre behind Morrison’s and took place between 10.30am and 4.30pm. In attendance were only myself and one other, which meant we got a filled day of lotions and potions and a well filled bag of goodies at the end.

Course tutor Dawn Wood and the other girl on the course were also engaged to be married – so we had a really girlie day sharing all sorts of ideas and it felt like I was with mates, just having a giggle. In reality I had paid £45 for the day – which I felt was more than reasonable, it included tea (Yorkshire of course) served in delightful china and lemon fancies and cookies (yum!)

During the course of the day, we made all sorts of great smellies and learnt alot about the balance behind the ingredients. I had made the facemask in India which went a bit mouldy after a day or so – I had attributed this to the heat, but Dawn explained that it was because it had water in it and therefore needed a preservative (well whaddya know!)

Mixing some Potions

• Ginger, Lemongrass and Coriander Bath Fizzes
• Lemon Meringue and Sweet Fennel Shower Jelly
• Nutmeg and Black Pepper Body Scrublets (I made the scrublets name up – because they are scrubby and small)
• Kermit The Frog Body Butter (Chocolate and Green)
• Lavender and Geranium Hand Cream
• Cleopatra Bath Milk with Vanilla and Orange
• Ginger Foot Balm

A bath in the milk then a moisturise with the Kermit – was made all the more lovely for knowing I had made it all myself! If you fancy a course at Fabrication go to www.fabric-ation.co.uk/