Squirrels at the Queen's Head

My second workshop last month was a smaller all day session at the Queen's Head, Eynsham - one of my previous students returned, which was very nice. And rather wonderfully, a blog friend, Vikki Rose, whom I have never met but have *known* for several years. She reminded me that she had  bought 'Minxie', my devilish little cat from my first year of needle felting (2008). Anyhow, settled down with home made shortbread (thanks Vikki!) and tea, they got started and worked hard all morning, earning a delicious lunch made, as usual, by Jackie the landlady.

Salmon en Croute, pesto mange tout and new potatoes. Followed by sticky toffee pudding and caramel ice cream. Or melon for the virtuous.

 

Then, somewhat stuffed, we returned to needle felting. It was a big ask, to get them to attempt an entire squirrel in five hours.

Another tea break was needed, with Jackie's home made scones, clotted cream and jam.

Despite all this feasting, by the end of the day, they had made amazing progress and two squirrels were even finished. Three of my students had never tried needle felting before, which makes the results even more impressive.

And Vikki Rose made the day even more special by bringing me some of her 'girls' eggs and one of her sweet care-chickens. She also wrote a super write up of the day on her blog, 'Back to the Castle' which includes a photo of me on a bad hair day and showing most of my tattoos. Irresistible!

If you'd like to be participate in the next workshop at the Queen's Head, sample Jackie's lovely food and see my tattoos,  drop me an email and I'll contact you when the date is confirmed. Next one is scheduled for some time in February or March 2014. Price for the whole day, including all food, is £55. Bit of a bargain, really.

Grey Goosie

There was a time in the dim, distant past when I could get a new toy made in a couple of days...oh happy Land of Faraway! Now I am reduced to scrimping time, as a mouse hoards cheese rind, and my toys are fussed over in odd moments. Poor Grey Goosie, born on the edge of a cricket match, has taken longer than most. I do have orders...but I have to have one of my own going at the same time. Just - because.

Actually, Grey Goosie is now a fully fledged cricket expert - she has visited quite a few over the weeks, and was a great help at the last home match. She made sure the fielders were in the right place -




She helped Andy bowl at the oppo -




She helped lay out the tea - although she didn't make it (well, she is only small and a sandwich is so large to a toy goose).




She even made sure the umpire was keeping score properly -




She is also a bit of a real ale buff now, and enjoyed some Wadworth 6x while looking after Andy's bat.





And later, when both teams retired to the Queen's Head, she said a respectful hello to old Hobbs, the pub cat.




So although she has taken weeks to finish, I think she is the most educated of all my toys.