Moses Peter.

I would like to tell you about a cheery white haired gentleman who has become famous in the Bay.

 He sits all day on a bench between Torquay and Paignton smiling and waving at all the passing traffic. He carrys a staff and dons a headband and beads to spread happiness and good will. He has been featured in our local paper and has even hit the nationals.

 Now he even has his own facebook page and has become world famous. Rumour has it that he will be switching on the Christmas lights.

He makes everyone smile and we miss him when hes not around.

Check out Moses Peter on facebook.

This lovely chap prefers to remain a mystery and will only say ' I want to spread love joy and happiness. Well he's certainly doing that!

One amazing woman.

Since joining KC Willis Collage Camp I have been planning more work and thinking about all the inspiring women who could feature in my future work.

As I pondered on such women,'Florence Nightingale', 'Marie Curie'And even 'Coco Chanel' I also thought about what a great woman my mother was.

She was born one of nine children and her early life was hard. She told tales of being sent to a home because she was so underweight and being given spoonfuls of cod liver oil and malt extract. Eeuk!

Here she is aged sixteen. This would have been in 1940.

  She worked for various wealthy families in her home city of Sheffield, all of whom seemed to be fond of her. She talked about these people often and had many memories.

When WW2 broke out she joined the Wrens. Some of her training was in Scotland, she was then stationed in Southhampton and drove launches.

She recounted tales of being alongside American ships to collect the crew and being given lots of luxuries(soft white bread) that wasn't seen in war torn Britain.

On one occasion she was reprimanded for giggling when she took part in a march past the King.

  

                                    Here she is happy and smiling, my favourite picture of her.

                                         This picture was taken aboard a Polish Destroyer.

          She was very proud of her Navy days and treasured her badges, beret and service medal.

 I think these days were some of her happiest if her stories are anything to go by.   

After the war she met and married my Dad,  I was born on Christmas Day 1948 at 11.55pm by C Section and my brother was born in 1951.

  I always remember her as a hard working lady , who's favourite phrase was to hurry up and do the work so that we could sit and do nothing .     

Unfortunately she got her wish as she was diagnosed with Dementia and spent the last years of her life in a nursing home sitting doing nothing and being beautifully cared for.   

A brave woman to the end suffering the indignity of dementia but also leaving her brain to Medical Science so that research could be done to discover more.

Eventually we found out that she had a rare form of dementia and the scientists were so grateful for her donation.        

So that was my Mum, a great lady who would be the first to say she didn't always get it right but she loved her children, she loved her dogs and she loved life!                      

Lilla's Noel Banner.

I've been watching Lillas fabulous tutorial and look what I made.

 It's a pretty Christmas banner in just the right colours to match my room.

Lilla posted a video tutorial which was so easy to follow, it was in three parts and really well explained. It was great to see her work space and hear her voice. I think I could hear the birds outside her house too, all the way here in England.

I liked my first attempt so much I made another one for my friend Liz in Winchester.

I made little ribbon roses to stitch on the letters then added some buttons and pearls. I just walked to the Post Office and sent it. I'm sure she will have a nice surprise when she opens it.

So, a big 'THANK YOU'  Lilla and please can you do a similar tutorial on your beautiful Tussie Mussies.

xox

 Angela.

It's quiet as I'm moving house.

I may be quiet for a few days as I am moving house. I want to sit and work but everything is in boxes.

 I have one outstanding job to do as I'm going on a three day workshop with Patti Medaris Culea to make one of her fabulous art dolls. 

I still have to make the doll body in preparation for the class and find all the things I need to take with me.

 I've only made Raggedys before, this was for my grandaughter, she looks a bit 'wild'.

This is where she sleeps. A little rocking cradle with it's own quilt and pillow. I enjoyed making all these but now is the time to try some grown up dolls with 'attitude'.

The class is Friday, Saturday and Sunday then moving on Monday. EEeeekkk!!!.

I've had lots of help from my grandson, here he is in Cornwall last summer.

I'll catch up with all my news soon. Have a great week everyone!

Votes for Women.

I am really enjoying the pieces that I am making after joining KC Willis Collage Camp. I am working on inspirational British women. This is a piece that I have just finished featuring Emmiline Pankhurst, a leader of the Suffragette movement who fought for Votes for Women here in England.

I have used shades of Purple and green,( the Suffragette colours) with some aged lace and ribbon. She is an elegant Edwardian lady and I hope I've captured that.

I am working now until I can have enough pieces for an Exhibition. I'll just need to find a venue.

                          

       I've also added some things that I've made to my   blog shop so please pop over and look.

My Cuff Swap has arrived.

I joined in theVictorian Cuff Swap hosted by Honey Lamb and I and yesterday my package arrived. It was so exciting to open and I was sooo.... delighted with what I received.

Inside the envelope was a a card from Virginie, and a red bag with my cuff. When I opened it I was so delighted,she has worked so hard to learn some new sewing skills to make this for me.

See how beautifully she made the fastening and covered the button.

She even put in her own label.

On the card was a lovely message and a surprise, a gift voucher to spend with her.

You made my day Virginie, so many' THANKS', I'm shouting in case you can hear me across the Irish Sea.

Here's what I sent to Virginie.

I put it in a little bag.

I made a little box to put it in.

The cuff has a rolled rose made from coffee stained ribbon and stitched either side with pearls and pink seed beads over pink lace roses. It is all on some pretty lace that I had in my box.

I covered the box with some of my grandma's crochet then added another rose and some ribbon.

I have really enjoyed making all these things and hope Virginie likes them.

I'm off to Cornwall now to see my friend at Cowslip and for my grandson to audition for a part in the Duchy Ballets new production of The Nutcracker.

Have a good Sunday everyone!

The Lady Gardener.

I love books with a purpose so I really enjoyed designing this keepsake journal for a Lady Gardener. I am still working with the inspiration from KC Willis Collage Camp. This is the front cover.

              The first page has a pocket on each side, one for little reminders and one for seeds.

                                                     

                                                                           

Here is another pocket for treasures and a page with her thoughts.

This page has a little notebook and the 'Ladies' pride and joy, her Sunday School prize.

This is the back cover.

I've really enjoyed making this and hope to be making more. I've got lots of ideas!!

Let me know what you think.

xox Angela.