Cottenham

Well, we five MESCH members thoroughtly enjoyed our three days at Cottenham - and congratulations to Pauline Verrinder for pulling off another really successful event. It was lovely to meet so many old friends and to make new ones, and it was amazing how far some people had travelled to be there. Two intrepid ladies had come down especially from Edinburgh! This is our bird tree, Marian Murphy on the left, it caused a great deal of amusement and interest which was exactly what we wanted. And here is a picture of it at the end of the show when many of the birds had been sold, but you can see it more clearly against a blank background. Everyone was most complimentary about our little exhibition and said it was a breath of fresh air! I sold a picture and several other items which was good.

Of course, it goes without saying that we were exhausted by Sunday evening, both Vanda and Marian had tutored workshops, and it is surprisingly tiring to be standing and talking all day! I did a bit of retail therapy and bought one of the delightful African baskets - of course, I REALLY need another basket -but I know I shall enjoy this one. I would take a photo of it now, except that I know that when I download it it will mysteriously go to the top of the page and I shall have to start all over again. HOW do I get the darn thing to come in where I want it, like here :-

Anyway, meanwhile back in real life the bottling has taken place and the wine is really very palatable. The bottles had to soak in Campden tablets in my George's bath for a couple of days

but George and Brenda from next door have been over this evening and the bottling took place. Brenda and I kept well out of the way. The wine will be called Carlini - a cross between The Carlings and Meliniotis. And I think the label should show my mad old lady with the parrot superimposed over one of George's landscapes on the label, Brenda is working on it. The bottles have been removed to the garage and then in due course we have to carefully select those people who will come to a party and be privileged to drink it.

I am feeling really seriously depressed today, a combination of weather, tiredness, February etc.

And the knowledge that we have five weeks before our next exhibition at The Tavern Gallery in Meldreth. My get-up-and-go will have to get up and come pretty quickly if I am to deliver the goods. Onwards and upwards.

Textiles in Focus

I have been at Cottenham most of the day with the other members of MESCH setting up our exhibition - and very good it looks, too! Well, that's what we think. The theme was birds - hence the parrot in the cage, who is looking very annoyed because Madame has taken his best tail feathers for her hat and left him with a bedraggled tail. It is an extension of the 'When I am an old woman I shall wear purple' which I did in a much smaller scale for a recent birthday. In the centre of the room we have a large garden umbrella strung with birds - I will try and take a photograph of it tomorrow, I was so tired when we had finished covering the screens with calico and hanging the pictures that I forgot. Here are two

more birds - I really enjoyed sitting and doing a little gentle hand sewing after the intensity of machining this fellow strutting his stuff -

I am on duty for the next three days, I live closer than anyone else and I am sure I shall enjoy meeting all the people coming in. Will someone please tell me how to download a photograph so that it goes in the right spot ?! I have just decided to put in the photo of the lovely visitors book which Margaret Starr made for the group and the wretched thing has gone to the top of the page. Bother. So much to learn still!
Dear George, who spent the morning helping us set up, has gone out to a meeting. He took himself off for a proper lunch so did not need feeding this evening and we are out to dinner tomorrow - hurrah. So now I am going to sit down with my feet up and have a cup of coffee
and watch my Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
I am really looking forward to this weekend!

Back in circulation

I cannot tell you how much I have missed all your lovely blogs - Gina, Silver Pebble, Dottie Cookie, Magic Cochin et al - we have been off line, apart from one day 24th January, since 14th Jan. DO NOT ASK !!! Someone decided to save money by changing to Talktalk, but they did not cut the mustard and the trauma involved a 5 3/4 hour (YES, that is right) conversation with Mumbai and even four days without a telephone ! We took it in turns to go to the loo or have a drink! However, BT have taken us back and on a slightly better package so here I am. I have really felt disenfranchised.

Am desperately busy with hundreds of emails to deal with, getting ready for Cottenham, had the family here for halfterm and have just left the bedrooms as they all walked out of them! My mother would have a fit. So I don't suppose I will surface 'til Sunday evening but I'M BACK.