Tuesday 26 February 2013

Scandinavian Birdies

Scandinavian Birdies

I am addicted to making these little birdies from transparent Bullseye glass because the colour combinations are just endless. 

Blue Bird
Each finished bird has been decorated with Glassline gold paint which is then fused again in the kiln to make the gold durable (the "paint" is really gold glass powder mixed to a paste).

Fused Birds waiting for gold decoration

These birds look great hanging in the window from transparent fishing line or hanging from a shelf. Each birdie has a copper loop that has been fused into the glass and they make the ideal Mother's Day gift. 

Garnet red Birdie
These Scandi Birdies are now available in my Folksy Shop and will be listed on Etsy within the next few days. 

Sunday 24 February 2013

Glass Fairs 2013


I have been sorting out this year's shows and fairs and trying to plan ahead. Here is a list of dates and venues where I shall be during 2013, although it is still a work in progress. 



Otley Courthouse Designer Craft Fair Sunday 28 April 
This coincides with the Otley Famers' Market and is inside the Courthouse from 9.30 am to 1pm



Saltaire Makers' Fair at Victoria Hall, Saltaire 25 - 27 May 
As part of the prestigious Saltaire Arts Trail, I will be at Victoria Hall as part of the Makers' Fair from 10am to 4pm


Art in the Pen at Skipton Auction Mart 17 - 18 August
My second year at Art in the Pen. This year will be bigger than last with 30% more stalls selling handmade and original art

Headingley Heart Centre 14 September and 14 December
A busy venue with a lovely cafe and a great atmosphere

Please come and see me at Glassprimitif at one (or all) of these events) or check in to my News page 

Friday 15 February 2013

Janet's Quilt

Janet's Quilt
It's finished! AT LAST I have finished a quilt for my sister Janet and will be posting it off to her tomorrow. 
I started this quilt last February, soon after my sister had been diagnosed with cancer, because I wanted her to have a quilt made up of memories.


All the coloured squares are made from scraps of fabric that I have had for many years, including some scraps from both my Mum's and my sewing box dating back to the 1960's. There are scraps from a turquoise dress that my sister used to wear as a teenager and Laura Ashley furnishing fabric that I used to make dresses from for my daughter when she was small.  There is also a scrap of the bridesmaid's dress that I wore to my sister Gill's wedding in 1976!!! 


There have been times during 2012 when I didn't think I would still have my sister Janet, things were really bad during July and August (around her birthday) but, thanks to the great support she has received from her local hospice, Jan has regained some strength and is feeling a lot more like her old self. She is even talking about doing some voluntary work once she has finished her physio.


So this quilt has been made from cotton scraps pieced around a square of ivory cotton and edged with a black and white stripe. It is really densely quilted by hand (I know. What was I thinking?) with a meander pattern and a heart in the centre of each square. It is padded with Warm and Natural cotton batting (wadding) and backed with a spriggy blue cotton fabric. 
This quilt is a great way of using up scraps but, I swear, I will never make a large quilt with 1" squares EVER again! 

Wednesday 13 February 2013

What's new on Pinterest

Roddy and Ginger
I'm really interested in Scandinavian design at the moment and am looking for ideas to redecorate my kitchen diner in a Scandi style. Loving the new kitchenware and cushions from Roddy and Ginger and can't keep away from Scandi  folk design! 
Here's a selection of some of the Scandi things I have been pinning on my Pinterest board. 

Can I live here please?
Sanna Annukka

Monday 11 February 2013

Fresh From the Kiln

Large Petal Dish
Gosh I need to make some glass! I have been accepted at Saltaire Arts Trail in May and I have very little stock. Better stop surfing Pinterest and order some more glass today. 

Sunday 10 February 2013

Miserable Sunday Weather

Farnhill Moor
Today we have endured rain, sleet and snow so there was nothing for it but to wrap up warm and get out on the moor. 

Not that the weather ever bothers Jackson.

Farnhill Pinnacle