What have I been up to?

For the past six weeks I have been trying to get myself more confident in riding my bike on the roads around Malvern by participating in a group organised by Malvern Hills DC - 'Couch to 50km'.  This week we did 21 km (13.2 miles) in just over an hour. We do the 50 km ride during Week 6 so lots more training needed.  Homework this week includes riding up steep hills - so no shortage of them here ...

Wish I was there

Angel's Fishing Rods at Bodnant. At least it might not be raining now.

Life is Full of Surprises

I had no idea there was such an interesting museum lurking in Bradford.  My friend suggested that we go to the Bradford Industrial Museum as there was a textile exhibition by FLAX that she wanted to see.  We spent a fascinating morning looking at all sorts of machinery and equipment associated with the local area.  I will certainly visit again.

Another Little Trip

Just had a few days away, firstly to pick up my quilt from Father's Heart in Bradford, where it has now been long arm quilted and, secondly, to catch up with friends.  We managed to call in at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on the drive up and found there was a Tony Cragg sculpture exhibition 'A Rare Category of Objects' and also a display of Alice Pattullo's work 'Of House and Home'.  Both excellent and a nice break in our journey.

Sunshine and Rain

Here's the sunshine .... the short sunflower seeds I sew after receiving them at a wedding are just starting to flower along with borage, daisies and Inulas.  Very jolly site.

and here is the rain .... we went to Bodnant Gardens whilst we were away and the heavens opened and we got very wet.  The gardens were fabulous which made up for the weather.

More Sketching ....

A bit more of my drawing from during the week.  These were Lotus flower seed pods.  I found them quite difficult to draw but will have another try if I get chance but using a more conventional method than left hand drawing. The comments were my own and from 3 fellow delegates on the course.

Love in the Mist

Did lots of drawing with graphite pencils and sticks from chosen items in the seeds and pods group.  Very difficult drawing with your left hand and trying your best not to use traditional mark making techniques.  As the days wore on and my technique improved I started to achieve something resembling the 'Live in a Mist' I was trying to draw.

Stitching onto a long thin piece of calico which had emulsion paint added randomly to the surface was the next challenge and is still 'Work in Progress'.

Unfortunately the last picture does not really show the tuck to its best advantage. Perhaps when I have done further stitching I will be able to get a better image of it.