The English Armchair Abroad

lol, Chris Beetles and Matt cartoons

For many happy years I would sign emails to my children "LOL Mum". Hugh (number two) then told me that for his generation LOL was not Lots of Love but laughing out loud.

I am staying with my mother for a few days. Sadly she is at a time in her life when there are more downs than ups. Fortunately, but even more sadly, she is also at a time when the downs are quickly forgotten. Just occasionally the ups are remembered.

This morning I took a walk across St James' Park just to get a change of scene and forget things for a while. It was a beautiful day and it did me a lot of good. I was aiming for the Chris Beetles Gallery in Ryder Street to see his Illustrators' Exhibition. It was definitely a good decision and cheered me up enormously.

I took my time wandering around a deceptively large gallery. Many old "friends" were there - Osbert Lancaster, Giles (wonderful Giles), Ronald Searle, Quentin Blake and, of course, Matt. I was offered a cup of coffee (delicious) and I asked to see more Matt cartoons.

Hidden in a drawer - three drawers actually - were dozens of Matt cartoons. For thirty minutes I went through them, laughing, giggling, remembering and just enjoying. How he does it I don't know. He should come with a government health warning: More than six Matt cartoons per day may cause sudden death from excess laughing. A good way to go I think.

LOL

Dedication pays off

Some years ago I met a lady who invited me to join Tricot Nordique.  I've written about this before.  I dreamt that one day I would be able to produce beautiful knitted colourwork just as they do.

Well, today I am proud to show you Persian Tiles by Jade Starmore knitted in Jamieson Spindrift.  It took me about two months to knit and then I set it aside in order to clear the workroom and have time to do the steek.

For those of you who don't know a steek  from a staple, it is a technique designed to give the knitter a heart attack followed by instant relief.  If it works that is.  If it doesn't, well, don't let's go there.

Basically, this shawl was knit as a tube with some extra stitches going up a long side.  Once the knitting was completed I cut up these stitches to open the shawl and then carefully fixed them so they wouldn't unravel.  

It is currently blocking (hence all those pins) and then on Sunday I'll attach the tassels.

I have more FO's to show you next week and this evening I'm starting a new project.  A new departure for me.  More another day.

Chair delivered, blood bath avoided

Lest you think I have been idle I have a photo for you of a chair I delivered a few weeks back.  It is for a client who asked me to recover this one and reupholster four others.  I did this one first while the others were being reglued.  

Of the other four, one is finished (photos another time), one is awaiting a cushion and two Louis style chairs are awaiting braid.

The cushion would, normally, have been done by now but unfortunately a week ago I cut my finger in the kitchen quite dramatically and although it wasn't a serious cut the amount of blood was spectacular.  The following day it was still weepy so I didn't dare go near any fabric.  Then on Monday (three days later), with the finger still well covered, I snagged it on a tack.  Thanks goodness I was working on a new project and was putting on jute.  Blood was once again everywhere.  If it had been top fabric it would not have been amusing.  Anyway, I decided I would not even look at the cushion until my finger was well and truly healed.