Lace Guild of N.Ireland

In September I decided to go along to the N.Ireland lace guild. I had worked with some lovely ladies on the Game of thrones tapestry who were part of the guild and they encouraged me to come along. With my first love being embroidery which I feel is very closely connected, I decided to try my hand at lace making.

Regarding embroidery I like to design my own pieces so after a trial piece of Carrickmacross lace I decided I would make up my own design. Most of my work is influenced by my volunteering at MountStewart house   so of course it was likely to influence the lace as well. I decided on the initials of Lady Londonderry and felt they worked well with the stitches required for Carrickmacross without losing the fact they were initials. I am not sure if she had any personalised lace so maybe this is the first, better late than never!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Montmellick workshop as well by a wonderful lady from Cork, an excellent teacher, Veronica Stuart.

Many of the members are very much involved in bobbin lace making. Although it is beautiful it is so far removed from my other interests I really do not have time at present to attempt. However I was very impressed by some of the work by one of their younger members Zandra Williams (seen above).

I am looking forward to the new season in September to possibly try other forms of lace.

Getting time for relaxation

I have never been so busy but at the same time have such organised relaxation time. Smudge is starting to get into the new routine of me being an early bird and not so much a night owl. I left my sewing machine in for service in preparation for a new quilt I wish to start and just finished a daisy ripple in alpaca I started a while ago.

Plenty of time to get out and about and patchwork ladies producing lovely work learning many new skills. The before and after, the messy study, ready for new projects.

This is little bit of warm weather spurring us on to get out more which can be a dilemma between that and getting some projects finished.

 

 

Social Life

For many years I worked evenings which was my choice and I loved it but time for a change and I am embracing my new work life balance. I have found myself free for more things in one way and extra busy in other ways as I study and prepare myself for new work roles. It’s empowering and freeing.

More time to socialise with friends and I will have been to the theatre three times in May alone. Not home when this one expects me to be so she does her best to make me feel guilty.

A few outings locally.

And a few projects completed

Changing Times

 

Sometimes when we make a decision we feel it will be for life. When we bought the house we lived in we looked at every circumstances and decided no matter what happened in life this house was suitable. This house became our home 27 years ago and I still feel that way about it despite the changing neighbours. When I took on a job with the rapid response nursing service 11 years ago I felt I was making the same choice but this time circumstances changed outside of my control and this team no longer exists as it did. I am thankful that I have moved on and in fact really enjoying the flexibility of choosing who and when I want to work for. I am fortunate to have been accepted to a variety of nursing services.

I received lots of gifts and many kind words.

 

The weather is getting milder so more opportunity to get out and about with Smudge. She us over ten now so nit as fit as she used to be but a fun day at PetNose Day at MountStewart.

 

 

A little trip out to Nendrum. I am presently working full time until I see exactly what I want to concentrate on most but still time for crafting.

 

Teaching remains the same with hand embroidery or patchwork one Wednesday evening a month and one Saturday morning and I don’t plan on changing these in the near future. Saturday does tend to book up quickly. See details in events page. The Bible study group are Jon the midst of studying Romans and this is the last Wednesday evening in the month, group full at present.

St Patrick’s Day

When at school we always did something to celebrate St Patrick’s Day but this seemed to have gone by the wayside for many in Ireland unfortunately and I see it celebrated in other countries more than here . I receive my certificate for my latest City and Guilds course and it brought to mind what a fellow student said to me “don’t stop make sure you keep being creative”. I sat at my desk sketching for embroidery and appliqué and came up with something for St Patrick’s Day. This hand embroideryjncludes battlement couching, two tone chain stitch, raise chain stitch, a raised twisted knit stitch I invented, stem stitch and long and short stitch. It’s all done in cotton stranded floss and I thoroughly enjoyed stitching it.

It’s  been a busy week doing two jobs and now having done a shadow shift for Marie Curie night service and a day shift rapid response I know I have definitely made the right move as I feel so at home in my new roles.

 

Smudge has had her good friend Minnie to stay which means she us even more bossy and demanding of my time, after all she has to keep up appearances!

Dont forget this months raffle for Marie Curie £1 per ticket. Check out Facebook