Sunday, December 21, 2008

2008

I know it’s not over yet, but what a year 2008 has been for me. Who would have believed it!

It all started with writing two articles for Workshop on the Web followed by being asked to submit a piece of work (well, three pieces in this case) for the Cyber Fyber exhibition organised by Susan Lenz, which have now being sent so I’m waiting with baited breath to make sure they arrive safely and in one piece.

I also had a painted quilt I created for my first ALQS partner Wil appearing in Maggie Greys latest book ‘Textile Translations ‘ (Pages 74 and 75 in case I haven't mentioned that already)

Then there was the resounding success of the first Fibre in-Form workshop (which runs again on January 9th – more details here).
And of course, the icing on the cake, being asked to write a book with Carol for d4Daisy. My heartfelt thanks go to Dale here for insisting on introducing me to Maggie at Ally Pally back in ’07.

Of course, these are not the only really exciting things to happen to me this year. Wendy from C&G Machine Knitting days got in touch and I then managed to track down one of our old tutors, Jane Ford and we are all going to meet up sometime in the New Year for a 'play day'. Then the amount of wonderful people I have become friends with through blogging, far too many to list, is totally unbelievable, and managing to meet several of them in 'real life' has also been amazing.

Who knows what 2009 will bring?

And talk about the season for giving. I have been most fortunate in the past couple of weeks.
It all started when I was bemoaning the fact that I couldn’t seem to catch the light at the right time to take any halfway decent photographs. A young friend said he had one of these light tents that he just didn’t use anymore and I would be most welcome to it.Well, having never come across one of these before I didn’t quite know what to expect. I unzipped the carry case and the damn thing ‘exploded’. It measures 60” x 60” – I’m sure it would sleep a family of four quite comfortably on a camping holiday :)
Taking a photograph of a postcard in this tent looks a bit incongruous. We had to re-arrange the furniture in the sitting room to accommodate it! Trying to get it back in the carry case was hilarious. It took the pair of us to do it and it was like something out of ‘Mr Bean’! Not too sure that I will use it that often.

I’ve been using recycled blankets from the Charity Shops for several years now for one thing and another and its also what I use as wadding in these painted quilts. Its been very difficult of late to get hold of them – nobody uses blankets anymore – plus they have increased in price from £1 to £2!
So there I was, moaning again, when my listeners husband said he thought he might be able to get hold of a couple for me. Well, he did better than that. It really was my lucky day. Several of them were actually being disposed of because they were no longer needed , he asked if he could have a few and was given 7 boxfuls of blankets – each with 12 in a box. 96 blankets!! They will last me a lifetime. So if ever you need a blanket or three, you know where to come :)

I was given an early Christmas present from my (sometimes)lovely hubby :) – a multimedia projector. Its been on my wish list for a long time. I have hundreds of slides of different textile exhibitions – loads of the Windsor (Jan & Jean) exhibitions from over the years which are always very inspirational to look at. My old projector is just about giving up the ghost so I was really excited about this. What I didn’t realise is that you can actually play DVD’s and also plug it into the TV. So guess what I was doing yesterday evening? Yes, watching the ‘Strictly’ finals on the BIG screen.(Although I really shouldn’t have bothered, what a travesty (?). So pleased I don’t waste my pennies on voting – I would have demanded a refund!) Anyway, it was like being in the cinema (or ‘the pictures’ as I still have a habit of saying – mind you, I still listen to the ‘wireless’ and still ‘tape’ on a DVD!)
The only thing missing was the popcorn and the close proximity of a strangers body parts ??

In the post I received a bumper package from the very generous Joanna. We were getting a bit concerned as she had posted it about two weeks before it arrived, but those of you living in the UK will know what our postal service is like at this time of year. The contents spilling out of the jiffy bag seemed never ending. I can imagine Joanna as being the winner of one of the challenges we used to give to the Brownies on the largest number of items you could fit in a matchbox!
Amongst the treasures were these which I can’t wait to try out.And also the Calendar Girls 2008 December card. We are going into 2009 with the Calendar Girls but this time we all choose one picture from our own calendar each month for the other members to interpret – should be fun.And last, but certainly not least, this lovely little vintage style Christmas heart arrived from Pat.I seriously want to root around in Pats workroom and grab a bag of the lovely old bits of lace she uses. I really need to know where she comes across these. :)

And thats it! Apologies for loads of words and very few photos but I wanted to share my good fortune with you all. Hopefully I can get back to ‘normal’ with regards to blogging and bloghopping in the New Year.
Hope you all have a really great Christmas and a fantastic New Year.

24 comments:

Gina said...

Hope you have a happy Christmas Lynda and an equally successful 2009!

Genie said...

Happy Christmas Lynda

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours! And here's to another wonderful year in store for you.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family Lynda. I hope 2009 will be as good as 2008!

Heather said...

Congratulations on the book - hope it comes out in time for my birthday in mid-March. Your good fortune is ours as we get to buy the book and learn more techniques and have more play days! Have a lovely Christmas and another great year in 2009. Your painted quilt in Maggie's book is stunning.

Julie said...

Oops! I had missed your work in Maggie's book. It looks wonderful, beautiful colour as ever.

Here's to an exciting year next year and the launch of your book which will definitely be coming to my house. Have a very Happy Christmas Lynda and thank you for sharing your inspiring work here in blogland.

Doreen G said...

Who's a lucky girl then.
Lynda I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and I know that 2009 will be even better for you.
You are such a talented lady who shares all that you do and I am proud to call you my friend.
Here's to a creative 2009.

Clare Wassermann said...

You truly are a gifted person and the reason you will continue to do so well is your gratitude. People who have this gratitude contimue to move forward and gain more. x

Shirley Anne Sherris said...

Hi
Congrats on a super successful year. I hope 2009 continues in the same vane.
Look forward to lots of new blogs.
Cheers
Shirley

FARBTUPFER said...

Merry Christmas and a happy new year,
Waltraud

hippopip said...

Great to have you back blogging after a brilliant year,welldone and well deserved,Merry Christmas

Ruth said...

Merry Christmas Lynda! Those light tents work really well for improving your photos although yours sounds a bit large. I'm going to make one sometime soon so I can try it out.

Wendy said...

It proves that good things happen to those who deserve it. Well done. Hope you have a fab christmas and come back next year with more exciting ideas to enthrall us.

Pat said...

Well deserved congratulations for all you have achieved this year. I have learned so much from your generous sharing. Have a great Christmas.

Susan D said...

Congratulations on all you've achieved this year and thanks for sharing with us. Have a Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2009.

Maggie Grey said...

I'm with Wendy on this and I think that d4daisy is very lucky to have you both. I know it will be a stunning book.

Loved the description of the light tent. Val CH used to demonstrate the unpacking of these at the end of her talk on design/photography. It never failed to make everyone jump and was a great finale.

xx

Maggie

Penny said...

what a wonderful post and I love the story of the blankets, pity I am so far away. You have had the best year and you deserve it, you have been such an inspiration to me.
I also hope you have the Best Christmas and an even better New Year.

Shirley Goodwin said...

I'm sure 2009 will be another great year for you Lynda. Merry Christmas!

Wil said...

Best wishes to you and may 2009 be as good as this year was.

ewa-christine said...

Merry Chrismas

sharon young said...

I am sooooo....... pleased for all your well deserved success this year, Lynda, may it long continue.
Many thanks for your good wishes.

TracyB said...

The photography tent.....I totally understand the exploding effect. My DH got me one of these with the tripods and lights for Christmas. The instructions on the bag holding the HUGE tent said to be careful when opening stating the popping strength of the steel piping is quite strong. It freaked out both of my cats when it happened. Trying to close it by folding it upon itself, almost took two people. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!

Morna Crites-Moore said...

It seems you have very good karma! I've just been enjoying revisiting your blog - I love what you do!

gunnelsvensson said...

Such a beautiful 2008 you have had Lynda!!! Congratulations! And I wish you a Happy New Year 2009 !!