After A Long Break

I managed to get locked out of my blog, I'm not quite sure how. I toyed with starting a new one to reflect some of my other interests but decided I liked much of what I'd already posted. Although my blog originated from the need to document my Bradford weaving endeavours I bought a glass kiln just over a year ago and I'd like to record some of my experments. I seem to have more failures than successes - I never scarred myself weaving as I did when cutting glass. I'm finding it rather challenging.

Sheffield

I was in Sheffield for work last week. Didn't have time to do any sight seeing but managed to wander through the city centre after dark

Before I Forget

I'd forgotten to post pictures from Kelvingrove Museum, A Century of Style. Probably one of the best exhibitions I've been to. What I'd really like to see is an exhibition of working class clothes, probably little remains but there must be some. 

More Bronte

I came back via Cowan Bridge today, the school here was attended by Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily. Charlotte's experiences here formed the basis of Lowood School in Jane Eyre. There was a huge outcry from the benefactors of the school saying that due to a Charlottes age when she attended and the brief time spent she couldn't possibly remember her time there with any objectivity. They put forward their own witnesses who said the school was fine, Charlotte's husband defended her memories of the school.

The building has changed enormously since then, a whole wing has been demolished and a veranda which would have run along the roadside has also gone. I'm assuming that the path of the road has not really changed so was surprised that it was side on to it, I always expected it to be be more remote. I realize that buildings have sprung up around it but there were still contemporary building close by. I also expected it to be in the shadow of a church but no.

I was shocked by the distance from Howarth, it was just 14 miles but it still took me an hour in the car, it really was an undertaking to go to school here, they must have felt very isolated from their family. Even before they became successful, they were governesses in Thorpe Green and went to Brussels, they weren't the provincial girls we imagine. I was brought up in household without a car and we rarely left the village, the occasional trip to the seaside about 30 miles away was my limit. I couldn't have imagined going to the next county just to go to school or go to another country with just my wits. They really were astounding.

Oh my gosh

I was at Haworth today, to my surprise a quilt made by the Brontes was on display at the Parsonage. I didn't know there was a quilt made by them. It was amazing, very beautifully made. It is paper pieced using newspaper and old letters how wonderful would it be to see those. The fabrics are silks, taffeta and velvet in all hues. They are probably from clothing worn by the Brontes and their aunt it is such a wonderful thing so incredibly personal. It was last exhibited in the 1980's and it's only being exhibited for another week because of its fragility, I feel very honoured to have seen it. 

There was also a handkerchief with bloodstains which I'm not sure if it belonged to Emily or Ann it was incredibly poignant and thought provoking and incredible that it had survived.

Gosh where did the time go

I got locked out of my account and though I knew where I had put the password time just defeated me. Where are we? I have done some weaving mainly double weave which is my all time favourite. A friend announced she was pregnant and I made a baby quilt, I meant to post the picture of it when I gave my friend gave birth but the baby is over a month old now, where does the time go.

My dear friend,Ruth Higham sadly passed away at the end of July, she taught me how to quilt. She expanded my horizons in so many ways, she is such a massive loss and leaves such a hole. I wanted to say more about her but I still find it hard to say anything. Every time I stitch I think of her.

I went to the exhibition at Kelvingrove "A Century of Style" it was amazing, the photos are still on my phone, I'll transfer them and talk about it another day. 

Where has all the time gone

In answer to the title I do not know. Mostly spent working, cleaning and dreaming, pretty much in that order. I started and may I say finished a stained glass course, I have never so much as cut a piece of glass before, broken yes but never cut. I even managed not to break any glass on the course. It has been brilliant, I even painted on glass which if anyone knows about my almost pathological aversion to mark making in any shape or form will know what a miracle that is. I started off using a brush and I couldn't do it but over a week of deliberation I decided to start again using a skewer and it felt more natural and I was happy. 

It's not an original design, I used an image from the Internet and whilst I cringe about using it and showing my poor example here, it will never be sold or copied again. 

I found leading up and soldering far harder than cutting and painting the glass, soldering in particular was tricky and I need to practice, practice, practice. However the flux fumes made my nose run like crazy so a mask will need to be used next time.

I love the painting, shock horror and that's definitely something I want to do again.

So here we are

I've also been weaving more double weave

I started this a while ago but fell out of love with it. I thought there would be more contrast between the beige and oche and tonally there isn't so they just blend into each other, I changed the ochre weft for a rusty brown one but it's still not doing it for me, I might weave enough for a cushion and change again.

I've also been attempting to do some dressmaking but I'm at an impasse at the moment, standard patterns do not fit, I have to adjust them and I don't necessarily have the skills to do it. I have to adjust then make a toile, then find that the adjustment doesn't work and then do another, so it's becoming a frustrating business, which I don't really have time for at the moment but I'll try again when I'm on holiday.