More of Art in the Pen at Skipton

Hello. That's better, I feel refreshed after the long day yesterday. Chatting to like minded people at the Art exhibition has fired me up to get on with my own arty stuff. I wish there were more art events in my area, but they are few and far between, so I have to travel. I shall put this one in my diary for next year, and who knows, I may even exhibit. 

When I arrived I was like a kid in a sweet shop, it took me ages to get down the first aisle because I was chatting to everyone. The exhibitors were a friendly bunch, answering my questions and willing to share snippets of their lives. Ooooh, I am nosey, ha ha. This lovely lady goes by the name of Nanny Lynn. I just had to ask her about her felted hair. Isn't in amazing. She had it done at Glastonbury and the process took ages. She loves it, I think it goes perfectly with her business. She is a spinner, dyer, and felt maker from Bolton, Lancashire. She offers talks to groups, group and individual tuition. We had a hoot, she is full of fun.

Some of the things she makes. Her Facebook page is regularly updated, take a look if you are into all things felt.

It was the unusual materials which made me look at this stall, plus the unique name of her business, Hanging by a Fred. Looking closely at the colourful bowls and jewelry, they are made with redundant climbing rope, which used to belong to her father. There are very stringent regulations regarding the strength of climbing rope, and once it has been compromised the whole rope will have to be discarded. Freddie has found a way of upcycling it, in an amazing way. She makes coiled rope bowls, pet accessories, jewelry, and woven mats. Take a look at her web site for more details.

As I was searching for the unusual and unique crafts, I came across this smiley man. I couldn't quite work out what materials he had used to create his art, so I had to ask. Richard is a picture framer, but he was here with his very unusual arty sculptures. He uses reclaimed wood, and stator plates. I've just had to look up what a stator is. It's the stationary part of an electrical generator or motor. Basically a small piece of flat metal which he bends into all kinds of shapes and painstakingly attaches them to chunks of old worn wood. I do believe that his art is totally unique, I've not seen anyone else do this with scrap metal. If you want to learn more about his work, take a look at his web site.

And the last artist I am featuring here is Mathew. Unfortunately I was so intrigued by his work that I forgot to take a photo of him. Sorry Mathew. He is a very personable young man with a massive talent.

Think of a map of a city or town, not a conventional map with symbols, but one with pictures of important buildings depicting the history of the place. Then imagine that all these buildings are piled on top of each other in a tower, and this is what Mathew does. Pretty amazing I think you'll agree. Apologies about the quality of my photo's, some reflections of the lights in the glass. I suggest you look at his web site to see the extent of his artistic talent. I love the pictures of the muck spreaders, quirky and very amusing.

A couple more snaps, colourful stalls always attract me.

And that concludes my visit to Art in the Pen. Now back to my own needle felting picture. It's coming along nicely.
Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
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Art in the Pen at Skipton

Hello. Just popping in with a few piccies. I had a day out today at Skipton. Art in the Pen is an art and crafts event held in the Auction Mart, the place where they usually sell livestock. It's an ideal venue for it, plenty of room in the big shed, and parking for 500 cars outside. There were 195+ exhibitors, the entrance fee was £3, and a brochure was included in the price. Quite a good deal I thought. It was rather a long way to go for a day, should have made it two days really. I didn't decide to go until last night, so I left it a bit late to get organised. No matter, I had a good day. 

I'll do a longer post tomorrow, I'm too tired now. I met some smashing people, had some great chats, everyone was very friendly. There was all kinds of art and crafts. Here's a few of them, more tomorrow,

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
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Because I'm frugal

Hello. Many people are under the impression that being tight, mean, stingy, a skinflint, a tightwad, and all the other names that we frugalers get labeled with, means that we never spend any money. Let me expel that myth now. While a few do die with thousands, even millions stashed away, in the main, frugal people do spend money. I and many others watch their pennies, prioritize what their needs are, and have a game plan. My plan is to save some of my pension so I have enough to spend on what is important to me. I watch my outgoings, and I keep money aside. I have holidays, I have pets to pay for, I have a car which needs updating from time to time. And now I have spent a little bit on making my life more comfortable while sitting at my desk working on this computer. 

My first office chair was a cheapo one, as cheap as you can get, it was ok for a while. Then my last boyfriend, erm, fiftteen years ago, crikey, was it that long ago, had a fancy office chair. I loved it and wanted one, but couldn't afford to buy one. He gave me his old one which was broken but I managed to repair it. I used that for a long time. Then I came across a bit better one, a friend was selling it for £5. That is the one I have been using right up until this morning. 

On Thursday I thought stuff it, I have been managing with second hand, now I have some money saved, and I can afford a brand spanking new one.

Ha ha, look at the difference. That £1 mesh back support has worked well, I couldn't have sat in that chair for very long without it. I have one in my car and it's ace. Now I have plenty of back support with the new chair. It's the bees knees, eh!

Oh dear, the downside is that I will be tempted to spend even longer at the computer, when I should be outside. Never mind, the novelty will wear off eventually.

It's Saturday, it's the weekend, now I really must get on with things. Thank you for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

What do I eat for breakfast in the summer?

Hello. Me again. The video is ready, and don't laugh at the label sticking out of the back of my stripey top. It was £1 from the Age UK charity shop, if you can't quite read the price. I am not filming it again.

I made a large purchase yesterday, it's still in the box. Treated myself to something nice. I'll open it tonight and show you tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon, oh, nearly forgot, the book I am reading with the cat, Jeanneke was right.
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Reading with my cat

Hello. Someone is looking over my shoulder, wonder who it is, ha ha. The sun shines through the back window in the mornings, I usually read for half an hour while drinking my coffee. Can you work out the title of the book, or what it's about. Ooops, nearly gave you a clue then, if no one gets it, I will give you the clue. 

 I have a video uploading to yooootoooob, it will take a while.
Back later. Toodle pip