WOYWW 874 Pastels, sewing and Thames cruises

Hi all, As I’m joining in with our blog circle care of Sarah’s craftshed, I’m sending healing hugs to those of you who are unwell, especially to our Neet. 

My art class desk isn’t very interesting at the drawing stage. 

Our tutor, Claire, shared some techniques for using soft pastels with watercolour. 

This is my desk at home, testing colours and trying pastels for the culvert painting 

The pastel over watercolour for the water didn’t work well for me, but I tried using clingfilm over wet paint and I think that may work better. 

We’ll see more techniques at art class this week. 

I managed to do a few bits of hand sewing in the last few days, taking up B’s trousers, the sleeves of a jacket, and putting a patch pocket on this jacket. It was sold with its trousers as pajamas but it’s too pretty for that. The trousers were far too small so I chopped off part of a leg to make a pocket. I like the lime green contrasting cuff. 

The back of my waistcoat is progressing; I don’t always get Bella’s supervision since we’ve had dry weather, there are such interesting things in the garden. (We’ve only had 2 dead mice so far). She sends you all purrs though, and is happy to sleep under my crochet when she’s worn out from patrolling the garden. 

Our French goddaughter, Alexia, came to London on Saturday with her partner, Pierre, for a works’ trip to the Harry Potter studio, which Alexia loves. It’s ten years since she and I visited it. 

Sunday was free so we went on a cruise down the Thames and back with them, and had a late lunch before they had to catch the Eurostar home.  

It was great to see them, and fortunate that the company where Pierre works decided to have a trip here. We’ve tried to coordinate before for a trip including the HP Studio but you have to book so far in advance it’s been difficult. 

And finally…

I’ll be round after class. My turn to bring cake this time, what’s your favourite? Mine’s the apricot and almond bara brith that I attributed to Granny Boswell in my novel, A Sense for Silver. Here’s the recipe. The only thing I’d change is to put the apricot glaze on it when it comes out of the oven. 

Happy WOYWW 

Hugs

Lynnecrafts xx