The Royal Wedding

The big day finally came and went, and I think we all had a jolly good time! As you know if you have been following his blog, I have spent the past month or so knitting the royal family and finally got them finished in time for the big day! We went to our friends for a party to mark the occasion - big thanks to Ben and Veronica for a great party, complete with wedding cake, favours and commemorative mugs! I had an excellent excuse to wear my wedding dress again, and no homage to Kate would be complete without a mock-up of THE ring – here are a few photos to keep you entertained.

This has been just one in a string of good weekends recently, and one notable one was international independent record store day. We got up early to head to Bridport Music, where Billy Bragg played a few songs in store for us! It was a pretty surreal experience, having been a fan since my teens, to be stood at the front of a small shop next to Billy’s son, having the man himself singing some of my favourite songs. I did my bit for the record store by buying a couple of albums I’ve been after for a while.

We then headed back to Dorchester for a debate on voting reform, where by coincidence Billy Bragg was also speaking. Vote YES for AV!!!!

Speaking again of supporting local independent stores, I have been filled with child-like glee since the opening of The Gilded Teapot in Dorchester. Having been brought up with a Mum who was a big drinker of various teas I have long been a fan. It has been too long that we have been without a specialist shop such as this. We had a Whittard’s for a while, but I’m sure anyone who has shopped at a real teashop knows that the big chains don’t really give you an idea of what real tea is about. I seem to be on a mission to try the whole selection of teas and coffees. Given there are close to 100 lines it may take me a while! My current favourites are a black tea flavoured with belgian chocolate truffle (need I go on?) and Sencha Sekura, a green tea with rose petals and cherry. I have also treated myself to this beautiful ‘We Love Kaoru’ teacup and saucer from the same shop. [Please excuse the white balance on these photos – I’m too lazy to edit them at the moment]. I make no apology for the blatent advertising, and to make it clear I am not affiliated with the store in any way, but the more of you I get to shop there, the higher the chance they will succeed and stay so that I can shop there too!!

Celebrations!

I’ve been very busy again with lots of crafting projects as well as starting back at work. I’m happy to report I’m actually really enjoying myself. Last weekend we attended a 2nd birthday party, and I never miss an opportunity to craft a gift. This year the boy in question was the recipient of a crocheted koala from ‘Amigurami Two’. I also had a play with some wood block stamps I bought at the Knit and Stitch Show at Ally Pally a couple of years ago and decorated my own wrapping paper and card to go with him.

Next on the craft agenda was related to my online avatar for twitter. I had intended to use the same image on the blog but I haven’t been able to get it to look how I’d like. Having been to the textile museum in Toronto and seen an exhibition using thread and fibre hung over nails in the wall, I was keen to try something similar. I then saw a photo in this months Selvedge magazine relating to Stroud International Textiles Festival. I have admittedly lifted the idea and used it to create my own version. Here’s how it emerged:

I really like the way the loose threads look like stray light adding the feeling of fluorescent tube lighting. This is definitely one of those projects that has proven very difficult to photograph well and I’m really happy with the result in life. It now has pride of place in our hall.

Now to the very important business of the royal wedding. When we were in Canada we were asked about the wedding by the great majority of those we spoke to. I’m not a particular royalist, but I can see an excuse for a party and it’s good to get together with your neighbours to celebrate something nice. I tweeted last week about a book called ‘Knit Your Own Royal Wedding’. Imagine my joy when M came home with the very same book, a gift from a patient! We are going to a party on the day, and I will be wearing my wedding dress. This is hugely exciting for me as I only got to wear it for five hours on our big day. I am currently knitting, crocheting and sewing every available minute to get as many of the figures finished as possible before their showcase at the party. Each doll is taking about 3 days, so I want something a bit meaningful to do with them after the event. My idea is to try to raise some money for our local hospice by suggesting a minimum £5 donation per doll. I’m not sure if this seems too much but I’ve spent about that on making each one, without the time. Tricky. See what you all think. So far I’ve finished the happy couple. I am proud to report that my version of William is the main photo on his pattern page on Ravelry.

We had a very nice time in Lyme Regis today meeting up with our friends and happened to see Alan Titchmarsh shopping. I did have the dolls with me and it crossed my mind to increase their status by getting him to pose with them…. I thought better of it.