Wednesday 23 August 2017

WOYWW 429

Hello WOYWWers, Followers and All

It's Wednesday again ... they do come round quickly ... so the day in the week that I join in with Julia, Head Desker, and What's On Your Desk Wednesday over at the Stamping Ground.

WARNING! A photo heavy post follows.

After our weekend away, and a day working in the garden yesterday, there's not a lot of crafting going on here but I do have a few photos of crafty goodies, some found while we were in the Lake District.
A visit to the Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick was fascinating. I don't know why I'd never thought of it before but the company Derwent has it's origins in the little town near the Derwentwater, In fact the original factory, now closed, is next door to the museum. The factory has now relocated to Workington, only a few miles away. There's a shop attached to the museum where I was spoilt for choice. As well as picking up lots of goodies for the youngsters in the family I got this pack of waterbrushes - these have been on my wish list for the longest time - and the pack of 12 watercolour pencils for myself. We also took the opportunity to visit the home of Beatrix Potter, Hill Top ... it's been on my bucket list for years ... and I just had to bring back that sweet little jug decorated with Peter Rabbit. It makes the perfect container for what is probably the last of the sweet peas. The postcards were hard to resist too, though I have no idea what I will do with them.
Here's a couple of items that weren't brought back from the Lake district. I found the ATC holder going for a song at our local craft/stationery shop. Sadly, it is closing down due to a slump in sales - too many of us have either cut back on purchases or are buying online these days - and a hike in council rates. I feel more than a little responsible because I'm as guilty as any for buying online. The two fat quarter bundles were ordered from an online source. The members of the craft club I attend has been challenged to make a quilt to be displayed at the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts show at the SECC Glasgow in October. We've chosen black and white with a hint of red for this quilt and I plan to make a block or two later this evening.

Incidentally, and so exciting, the first quilt we made as a group was voted Bronze Place in the Lewis & Irene, Down by the River Competition. It was displayed at the Festival of Quilts by the organisers of the competition, Popular Patchwork Magazine and will be included in a feature on all the winning quilts in a forthcoming issue of the magazine. 

And now a few more photos taken at the weekend.

Here's DH leaning on one of the largest colour pencils in the world. Measuring almost 8 metres, it is massive. Also seen in the museum is the story of the secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps  - very James Bond!
Beatrix Potter's Hill Top, near Hawkshead, was bought with the royalties from her first few books. She wrote many of her famous children’s stories in this little 17th century stone house which is full of her favourite things.
Characters such as Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers and Jemima Puddleduck were all created here, and the books contain many pictures based on the house and garden.
When she died in 1943, she left Hill Top to the National Trust with the proviso that it be kept exactly as she left it, complete with her furniture and china. 

Finally, look what landed on my craft room window one day this week. 
It's a Forest Bug - otherwise known as Pentatoma rufipes. The photo was found online because all I could see on the window was 6 orange legs, antennae and it's underside so had to do a Google search to see what it looked like. Ugly looking creature but apparently fairly harmless - not that I put it to the test.

So that's what's been on my desk, and on my window, this week. I'm off now to see what's been on yours ... whatever it is it's bound to be more craft related, and inspirational too. 

Happy WOYWW and have a great week ahead.

17 comments:

Annie said...

Fab new stash Ellie. Can't you just imaging Peter rabbit running through that garden too?.....I'm making several lengths of Peter rabbit bunting to deck the hall for little Theo's first birthday coming soon....where has that year gone?
Hugs,
Annie. X #9

glitterandglue said...

Hi Elizabeth. What a wonderful post! So glad you enjoyed the Pencil museum - we went a few years ago and found it fascinating. Haven't been to Hill top yet though - it's on my list... Congrats to your quilting group - and all the best for the new quilt for the show. Enjoy doing it. Not long to the crop now - as Neet keeps reminding us - it will be SO good to meet you.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, how lovely to visit Beatrix Potters home. Looks like you picked up some lovely goodies on your travels. I'm the same with postcards, always picking some up wherever we go, never do anything with them! I think we all do so much online now, it's just the easiest way to get stuff. You can find exactly what you need, which is what the small local stores can't hope to compete with. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #7 XxX

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Elizabeth; nice stash. I had never associated Derwentwater and the pencil manufacturer. I have visited Hilltop but not the pencil museum; it looks interesting. Happy WOYWW Sarah #18

Helen said...

you're the second person I know who's recently visited the pencil museum - and love the goodies you snagged! Great work by your quilt group! Helen #4

May said...

Dear Elizabeth I am a big Beatrix Potter fan, to visit Hill top is on my bucket list also I must get there some day now I have retired... I love the small jug so pretty... The pencil Museum looks very interesting .. A big congrats to your quilting club... would love a photo of the Black & White with a touch of Red when it's complete... Thank you for the link to my Tomato with the strange shape so very interesting... I did not get to taste it my Grandson who is 3 had it he said it was good.... Have a happy week May #15

Lunch Lady Jan said...

What a lovely post! I'm so pleased you had a great time in the Lake District...we used to go there all the time when we lived in Northumberland. You can't go to the pencil museum and not make a few purchases!! I hope you enjoy using them. Well done on your group's quilt coming third, that's amazing - good luck with the new project for the NEC :-D
Hugs LLJ 5 xxxx

Bernice said...

Don't like the look of the bug - lots of other lovely pics though. We visited the pencil museum a few years ago and I loved the pick and mix idea where you bought a tin and filled it with your own choice of colours. I didn't get to visit Hill Top though - we'll have to do that next time - I have always loved the Beatrix Potter stories.
Bernice #1

Heather M said...

Hi Elizabeth, I will add the pencil museum on to our itinerary next time we go to the Lake District. And I'll definitely add some new watercolour pencils! Have a lovely week, Heather #6

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great post Elizabeth, looks like you've been busy recently. Pleased you had a good time away. I love bugs they are so unusual and he's very cute with that tiny head, great big body and spindly legs. Thanks for the visit to mine and have a great woyww, Angela x12x

MagsB said...

Lovely photos! My hubby is from Lancashire and visited the Lake District often in his youth, so of course we have holidayed there a lot! I love Hilltop, last time we visited there were people dressed in Victorian clothes who showed us around - I must say, I'm glad I live in the 21st century with central heating and taps in the bathroom!!! The Lake District is so beautiful!

love Mags B x

Sharon Madson said...

Elizabeth, I love your photo heavy post! Thanks for taking the time to share your photos! Love that giant pencil, and oh, how I would love to find a ATC holder like that! Thanks for sharing. #30

Di said...

Fabulous post Elizabeth! I remember the Derwent pencil museum very well and Hill Top is one of my most loved homes. after Chawton where Jane Austen lived - just down the road from us. We're obviously both drawn to writers. You came back with a lovely haul as well!

Hugs

Di xx

Darnell said...

A great post, Elizabeth! I enjoyed all the photos and information! From colored pencils to Beatrix Potter to bugs, and some crafty goodies, too, it was a delight to read!!

I also enjoyed the kiddie photos in the prior post! Hugs, Darnell

Lindart said...

The Beatrice Potter house must have been fascinating! I love the pic that you posted of the watering cans, I think there is an illustration is her books of exactly that view! Sad that your local craft store is going, ours went a few years ago - even a huge city like Toronto (3 hours away) doesn't have one anymore. I hate shopping online, but I guess that's the way we have to go now. Thanks for sharing, Lindart #33

Cheetarah said...

Looks like a fantastic place, the pencil museum! I also love your craft goodies :) Have a great weekend! xo Cheetarah WOYWW #24

scrappymo! said...

Hi Elizabeth
Your post today created so many fond memories for me. I have been to all the placed you highlighted in this post. Thanks for sharing that the Derwent store is in Workington. That is so close to my cousins in Whitehaven. i am going to go there to shop for new Derwent pencils next time I visit England.

Your purchases look great. Sounds like you had a good time as well.