Receiving parcels is almost always fun although in this household they are as likely to contain vital parts for the wellbeing of Land Rovers as textile-related treasures. However the one this week was well stitched into its cotton protective jacket which was a bit of a giveaway - Indian Treasures!
I cannot tell you how much these designs please me.
I was privileged to meet Ajrakh block printers in Gujarat. The numerous complex processes involved in the creation of the fabrics is fascinating to learn about but the speed and dexterity with which the block printing itself is carried out is humbling.
So it was lovely to get my hands on these lengths of richly coloured fine cottons from Rajasthan. The bottom one is traditional - a square repeating block that is symmetrical in each direction - while I think the top one more contemporary but well balanced and equally pleasing to the eye.
I realise there's been over a month's gap since my last post here. There are many reasons for my absence but I find myself posting more on Facebook now, and plan to open a Border Tart page there soon.
When is soon? It is immediately after I get my yarns into an online shop! Photographs have been taken which is real progress, and I think initially I am going to re-open my Etsy shop and list the yarns there. Ultimately I want them on my website but I have too many irons in the fire presently and no ability to cope with tech-speak.
One of them is the cottage - You can find it at www.oldtearoom.co.uk and on Facebook (just search for The Old Tearoom, and please like us!) as well as on airbnb. Soon it will be on other holiday let websites too. As I write this we have our first guests through airbnb, and they are happily ensonced in front of their fire tonight, making a pleasant change from their city flat-dwelling life.
And what's next?
Well on Friday 13th there's a private view of the Working Perspectives exhibition at Peebles, so I will have to tidy myself up and look presentable as the great and the good (and participating artist/maker friends) look at the results of our labours. I am looking forward to seeing everyone else's work. It runs until April 11th at Tweeddale Museum & Gallery.
And in no time I'll be off to St Abbs for the Wool Festival on the 28th. Stallholders will have new products to launch and some bargains to offer on older stock too so do enjoy a day out to the coast and come and see us all!
I was privileged to meet Ajrakh block printers in Gujarat. The numerous complex processes involved in the creation of the fabrics is fascinating to learn about but the speed and dexterity with which the block printing itself is carried out is humbling.
So it was lovely to get my hands on these lengths of richly coloured fine cottons from Rajasthan. The bottom one is traditional - a square repeating block that is symmetrical in each direction - while I think the top one more contemporary but well balanced and equally pleasing to the eye.
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| carded wool ready for spinning - very arty, I thought... |
When is soon? It is immediately after I get my yarns into an online shop! Photographs have been taken which is real progress, and I think initially I am going to re-open my Etsy shop and list the yarns there. Ultimately I want them on my website but I have too many irons in the fire presently and no ability to cope with tech-speak.
One of them is the cottage - You can find it at www.oldtearoom.co.uk and on Facebook (just search for The Old Tearoom, and please like us!) as well as on airbnb. Soon it will be on other holiday let websites too. As I write this we have our first guests through airbnb, and they are happily ensonced in front of their fire tonight, making a pleasant change from their city flat-dwelling life.
And what's next?
Well on Friday 13th there's a private view of the Working Perspectives exhibition at Peebles, so I will have to tidy myself up and look presentable as the great and the good (and participating artist/maker friends) look at the results of our labours. I am looking forward to seeing everyone else's work. It runs until April 11th at Tweeddale Museum & Gallery.
And in no time I'll be off to St Abbs for the Wool Festival on the 28th. Stallholders will have new products to launch and some bargains to offer on older stock too so do enjoy a day out to the coast and come and see us all!
