tour of the south west

Here's where we stayed. Egyptian House, Penzance.

We've had a week away in Devon and Cornwall. Visiting family and exploring the coast.

View from the top flat of the Egyptian House. That's the sea and St. Michael's Mount in the distance, honest.

Betty having had her height recorded at Tate St. Ives as part of Roman Ondak's installation.

Barbara Hepworth's tools at her workshop in St. Ives.

The Minack Theatre.

The causeway to St. Michael's Mount.

Stopping off for a picnic at Stonehenge on the way home.

ikat dressing gown

I finished making this dressing gown for myself a couple of weeks ago, but taking photos of me modelling it has proved tricky as I don't look my best first thing in the morning. I've gone for the washing line option instead.

The fabric is a beautiful ikat design I found in John Lewis. It's so soft. I used nearly all of the 3m I bought. I hope they've still got some when I next go, as I'm kicking myself for not buying a little more for a summer top.

The pattern is from my old dressing gown that had been worn to tatters. I cut along the seams and laid the pieces out on the new fabric. The seams are flat-felled so the whole gown is essentially reversible.

mini bunting dress

With left over fabric from Betty's bunting dress I've made a little version for Kiki, her Cloth Kit doll.The pattern is traced from the dress she originally came with.

betty proof laptop cover

To try and prevent Betty from bashing my laptop whilst watching Ivor The Engine episodes on Youtube, I came up with this. Made from the packaging from a vinyl record delivery it slips neatly over the keyboard.

oh dear, the allotment

Not much time for sewing or knitting recently. I've pulled my finger out and am attempting to regain control of my sorry looking allotment. I've been timing my visits with Betty's morning nap. I can usually get an hour and a half of work done before she wakes. Then, the only thing that keeps her happy is soaking herself with the hose pipe.

My studio has become a green house.

I'm also making the most of the light evenings, going up again after dinner for an hour or so. It's hard to capture the amazing sunsets over the sea.