Saturday 16 August 2008

Ups and Downs

Guess where I was yesterday?

The Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.
Two hours drive, a lot of walking and 'oohing' and 'aahing,' and a two and a half hour drive back in heavy traffic so no wonder I am tired out today. (Nothing to do with the fact that I called at M&S at the M6 services and bought the components of a meal and ate them too late last night)

I am not comfortable with putting pictures of other's work on my blog but this is just a detail of work by Dorothy Caldwell. I was bowled over by all her work. And she was so generous allowing photography for personal use. I don't know if this counts as personal use.


I confirmed yesterday that the people I have met in cyberspace do exist in real space, and are very nice indeed. First I met a lady from belgium who had bought something from my ETSY shop.
Then I met Viv of Hen's Teeth an absolutely delightful person

who gave me a little package to open at home...just look at this gorgeous pincushion..


I am so lucky to own this little beauty. Thank you Viv. I won't be sticking pins in it..too nice.

Then I bumped into Gina of Fan MyFlame..I recognised the brooch she was wearing! She was talking to Maggie Grey of Magstitch and Workshop on the Web so it was nice to say Hello.
After a bit more walking round I met up with Maureen from Maureens Mixture and she gave me two of her lovely ATCs.

I realised having met all these lovely people, that a photo is only the tip of the iceberg.

I got home to the news that one of the pieces from this post has been accepted for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Open Textile Exhibition at The Platform Gallery. Naturally, being a glass half empty type of girl I am dejected at the rejection of the other two.

I didn't get round to checking the nest yesterday, but went up the ladder this morning and guess what?
While I was looking at Quilts, my little Goldfinch Family was fledging..and I missed it.
Today, the nest is empty.
So good luck little birds, fly well and far..and keep away from Jools...
If you look carefully you just might see the mother in this short clip. (The voice is radio 4)

19 comments:

Elliemac said...

I can see you are back. You obviously saw lots of lovely things and people and you came home with some pressies - a result I'd say.
Well done on having one of your pieces excepted, they can't know a good thing when they see it, otherwise all your pieces would have been chosen.

hens teeth said...

I see the cropping tool has been used!!!! Thank you for the lovely words.
I'm sorry you are disappointed about the one piece being accepted.
I'm very pleased that babies have left home....fly away peter, fly away paul.
Every little bit about yesterday was just the best! Glad you had a good day too.

maggik1 said...

Glad you had a good day at FoQ - so did I. Going to the Platform Gallery on 18th Sept - will look out for your piece. sad that your birdies have flown their nest but -hey, that's life! Put out some niger seeds and they'll be back!

Maureen said...

It was great meeting you Jackie and glad you got home safe if tired.

Anonymous said...

Enchanting images of little Goldfinch es. I love the name for a group of them..."a charm" A very special experience and thankyou for sharing it on your blog.
I am excited at going to London for a few days holiday. Please may Blodwen and Porky come to stay? They are asleep as I write in their basket lulled by the prom concert "Belshazzers Feast" on the radio.
It occurs to me that you have weaving in common with the goldfinches...what an exquisite little nest.Inspiration for you Jackie. And I think they will return later on-they love sunflower seeds. I get the sunflower hearts as then you dont get all the black husk droppings...

Genie said...

Hi Jackie,
looks like you had a great day, sorry you missed the babies flying the nest.

Gina said...

It was lovely to meet you on Friday Jackie - I hope next time we can manage a cup of tea and a longer chat! Congratulations on having your work accepted.
Gina x

Claire said...

What a lovely blog. I have strayed here through wandering about. The pics of the pieces from The Festival of Quilts are so lovely and need to be shared - thank you. I note you like The Shipping News as a book can only whole heartedly agree with that. So your tiny birds have gone but they'll be back next year with their own broods or hopefully at least one of them will be.

Victoria said...

The Festival sounds so wonderful! How terrific to receive a pin cushion made by Hen's Teeth, I love her work! And I can see why you were bowled over by Dorothy Caldwell's work... Wow! I want to see more!
Congrats on having a piece accepted into the upcoming textile exhibition! (I will remain enthusiastic even if you feel a bit dejected. Chin up girl, ya did good!) Sorry you missed the birds fly the coop, the video is darling!

maria said...

Glad you enjoyed the show. I went yesterday and had a great time.

Mermaid's Purse said...

It sounds like you all had a wonderful time - thanks for sharing and congratulations on getting a piece (any piece lol!) accepted!

Lindsey said...

Bye bye birdies. Sad you missed them but now you can get a really good look at the nest without disturbing them.

What a fab show, by the looks of things. Wish I could've gone. Have you put more pics on Flickr? I'm going on a blog trawl to see how many pictures I can find. :o)

Linda Vincent said...

What a great day you had - gorgeous quilts to admire and gifts too! I think you should be really proud to have a piece of work accepted - I know I would be. You have a wonderful talent Jackie.
Linda x

Lorie McCown said...

wow, that's a full day! How cool to see all those creative quilts and people, it's like food and energy. Maybe, like Charlotte's children in 'Charlotte's Web' you'll see the birds when they make their own nests!

jennyflowerblue said...

Wow Blog celeb spotting! Still think that everyone who is kind enough to leave comments on my Blog may actually just be my Mum! You have actually proved that yours are real! Ace

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely wonderful day! and good news, too that your work will be in the show! i'm sure they had a devil of a time deciding between them!

Kim said...

It's lovely to meet people in 'real life' isn't it?

I have a little something for you on my blog, when you have a moment

Kim x

green phoenix said...

Congratulations on getting your work accepted.You need to work on concentrating on good news and glossing over the rest, that's what I do!
I always figure it's their loss, and meant to be for a reason not yet apparent.
I'm confused about the brooches and cuffs, what happened?You'll have to blog about it and explain!
Thanks for support as always.

'fancypicnic' said...

The Festival sounds fantastic! I wanted to go, but with one thing and another (husband busy, an 8yr old and a 5yr old to contend with), I didn't make it. Must make better plans for next year!
Love the pincushion (I wouldn't be able to use it, either!)..and congratulations on the acceptance xx



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