A Loom with a View

I know, I know, I'm a sucker for an awful pun. And no, I haven't taken up a new instrument, but Nick my melodeon tutor has - he has become a Weaver! Already an accomplished spinner and knitter, Nick learned to weave, and is currently giving demonstrations on a reconditioned 19th Century loom at the Bridewell Museum in Norwich. I was fascinated to hear about the history of the Flemish weavers in the city, he does a good talk as well! This loom is now ensconced in their tiny terraced house in Norwich- he has VERY understanding house-mates! I think there is another demo this month, if you are in the area, check out the dates on-line. And for those more recent blog-followers, you can hear Nick and his band Triette playing fantastic music on their website. I don't know where he gets his energy from. OK, yes, being young helps, but even so. 

By contrast I have had quite a quiet few days - apart from zipping back and forth to Norwich. I'll tell you what else exhausts me, and that's the speed at which some of you bloggers are getting your posts out! I can only manage one every three days or so - and sometimes I hardly have time to read and comment and you've posted another one - enough, already!! Anyway, I have been mainly doing :

A bit of stitching ....

Applique nearly finished, lettering to complete and cushion make-up.

A bit of painting:

Viewed from Jim's chair, the re-vamped cheap magazine rack. I used the same paint I did the dining room chair with, but wanted it more green so I  ..er...squeezed some acrylic emerald children's paint into the tin of vinyl matt .....yes, I know. You shouldn't do things like that, but I got away with it.(I had visions of the whole tin ending up like cake mix which has separated) (phew).So the other chairs will be slightly greener than the first one. No I am not going to repaint the darned thing. Yes, I know you would, and I should, but again, this is too much like unpicking stitches: don't go there.

I did a little flower picking:

Sweet, huh?

A spot of straining and bottling:

Yes, it was time to bottle my Wild Garlic Oil, after 18 days of macerating in a dark cupboard. I have to say it is milder than I expected, just quite a gentle flavour, more chivey than garlicky I'd say. I'm quite chuffed. I couldn't bear to waste the squeezed leaved, so chopped them into the mashed potato which covered the fish pie we had for supper yesterday, and I think I will just freeze the rest and bung it into a risotto or something. I have been amazed at the number of references to Wild Garlic I have come across recently - in magazines, novels, newspapers, on the television .... perhaps it's time for the next Big Thing!

Oh and I did a little bit of preparation for an upcoming workshop which has been long in the pipeline for various reasons - New Zealand being one of them, and the shop needing the space for an unexpected property exchange requiring storage space. We will get there, honest! Anyway this is what I shall be teaching :

 Just a little stitched and appliqued sampler I did last year; several people including the owner of the shop have asked that I teach it as a workshop so that's what'll be happening.

And that's what I've been  up to; Bank Holiday is going to be very relaxed, and I'm hoping for more sunshine - we had a few rain showers today, what's that all about, hey?? Hope you have a good weekend.