There and back again

So, the great Hebridean trip is behind us. We've done our duty and visited the various  relatives in Cornwall. but we still can't settle! After a lovely a trip to the North West Contemporary Weekend Group on Sunday, I really thought I'd be rearing to go on Monday, but it was so hot that the DH and I collapsed in front of the tele and watched the tennis!

Still, I have not been entirely idle. Sandra made some lovely colour themed packs for the NWCWG and mine is a "sea" pack. Here it is!

There are 11 bits of fabric, thread etc and we have to use 6 of them in one item and the instruction is to play! I feel so guilty that I haven't really done any sewing recently, but as I'm off the CQ Summer School on Friday, I'll aim to get started then. I'm doing the Hand quilting course with Helen Parrott. Her work is very contemporary and I'm hoping to learn a lot from her.

While we were in Cornwall, we used one of our free days to visit St Ives. It was beautifully sunny, and as my DH has led such a virtuous life, there is always a parking space in the Island car park. Not today though, and neither was there any room in the car park over the Tate.  We should have parked at the park and ride, but couldn't face going all the way back so we drove down the coast road to Botallack and had lunch in the pub there. On the way we visited the Schoolhouse Gallery at Morvah . Their latest exhibition was really good. Paintings by Cath Ensor and textiles by Wendy Hermelin. All the work was related to the lovely scenery around this part of the Cornish coast, especially Cape Cornwall. Very inspiring!

On the cliffs we met a young man from Bradford who was just overwhelmed by the colour of the sea. As he said it's quite different from the brown stuff you get at Whitby! Exactly!

Here is what he meant!  Although the photo's a bit over exposed, it still looks lovely! I really can't begin to imagine what it must have been like to actually work in those mines!

And  here's a rather windblown Peneller digesting crab and prawn pasta rather nearer to the cliff edge than is truly within her comfort zone! Full report of Summer School next week!