I hope you are all doing OK .
As you may be aware , if you booked any of the workshops this year,  the ones which should have taken place up to April have been cancelled , and I'm awaiting  news from Quirky Workshops and Artison for any updates on the situation for the ones scheduled from April onwards . Hopefully there will be some good news to report , but like  with everything else at present there are more questions than answers.
One thing which has become apparent  is the amount of people who seem to be getting involved with crafts to keep themselves occupied .With the Winter weather and everything closed  they maybe looking for more creative ways of spending  time away from  the negativity of the TV .
Looking back to last February's newsletter , we had just made the first of our picture kits which I asked Richard to design , and twelve months on they have proved to be very popular  and  he added a couple of more designs to the range including  the Swaledale scene, another Lakeland scene , both including the   sheep associated with these areas of course  plus  a Highland scene complete with Highland cow.  All the 3d sculpture kits have been  popular too  and we've been sending things as far as Singapore and Thailand in the East and the USA in the West .
It's nice to get correspondence from customers too and also photos of their finished projects. Just look at this excellent Swaledale picture which Angela completed.  She's added an extra sheep .
I really appreciate feedback from customers and to see  their pictures  adding their own touches to personalise the project . We often get that in the workshops with the hares and the Herdwick doorstops  which all adds to the fun !
With the galleries still closed we have not been making anything ourselves , we have been kept busy  putting kits together for the Etsy shop and making the wool pads  which have also become popular . I intend  to make a start on something soon as I am feeling the urge to  make something  , perhaps  I will undertake  a larger project  which is something I've been wanting to do for a while now , since the ram's head commission I did which seems ages ago .
There's not much more to add , so I'll say goodbye for now , and  hopefully have some news on the workshops next time .
Best wishes .

​Hello everyone.
I would imagine 2020 is a year which has been memorable for the wrong reasons , to most ordinary people around the world . Hopefully though, you have all been able to find a way to  enjoy your crafts and the outdoors  during some of the better weather we have had .
With all the uncertainty , I have not had the amount of materials  in stock that I usually have for making hares and other things which we usually  put in the galleries, not knowing if it would be used ,and we've missed having our regular delivery trips. materials had to be kept in stock of course to cover the workshops which were already booked however we did not know if or when they would run, or if the shops will be open ?  We did get a few items into the  galleries during the period they were open ,and it would be nice to get at least something to them in  the next week or so .  It must be really frustrating for the galleries . ​
​Our  Etsy shop continues to be busy .
Much of our time recently has been spent putting together and packaging kits while also making up the wool felting pads which as become our best seller and are  now  going to various parts of the world which is wonderful. We have also introduced a new picture kit which has been well received , and is a variation on the original Lake and Mountain picture,  it can be seen in the accompanying photo here. People round the world are obviously  immersing themselves into crafts , with other forms of entertainment and travel being curtailed . Indeed  many of our customers have told us that they are trying needle felting and other things  for the first time when they order .Thank you to all our Etsy customers !

I've not updated this part of the website since September, with nobody knowing whether they are coming or going , there's been little to report since then, with only  one workshop which we managed to  get in at the beginning of October  at Quirky Workshops where Annie has valiantly  been doing her best to keep things going for us all . This workshop was the Herdwick doorstop , which again was well attended with everyone's contributions making it another really enjoyable day out. There is more good news as the scheduled November hare class which was cancelled is taking place on  the 15th December , which anyone who's booked will no doubt be aware by now . I look forward to seeing everyone there. Beyond that I encourage everyone to keep an eye on Quirky workshops website for any developments in the New Year , and hopefully  ArtisOn will also have some news  by then too. I will try and get some photos from the next class onto the website on the usual page for you to look at . I'd like to thank everyone who's  supported the workshops at Greystoke this year and made them a success in very trying circumstances  which I know has been a nightmare to administer and organise . 

Make sure that you  have an enjoyable Christmas and happy New year !

Hello all ! 
Here we are again entering the next season in nature's calendar , and I hope during the Summer you've been able to negotiate  your way through the ever changing and confusing  rules and regulations  and make the most of  the pleasant weather we had . 
Our workshop photo gallery is looking a little sparse this year , but if you take a look you'll see we had some great hares, owls, bunnies and Herdwick doorstops made by  those who attended the last two classes at Quirky Workshops  . A big thank you to all who attended  and made them such enjoyable days .
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the next workshop, again at Quirky this Friday ,  2nd October when we'll be making Herdwick doorstops once again .

Next year I would like to introduce a new subject into the schedule , I have had a couple of ideas of my own, my mallard (pictured) is one , plus a few put to me by some of you . These include, Sausage dog draught excluder , Highland  cattle , fox, otter and a Red Squirrel. It would be interesting to get some feedback  , then I can see if it is feasible to do it.
As for the rest of this year , there is one more class on the 24th November making hares . 
Hopefully next year ,  Artison will also  be back on the calendar, running the classes they had to move over from this year .
In the Etsy shop I have added some bagged wool as requested and I shall try and make some more of our own batts. The wool stab pads are hard to keep up with but fantastic to get such positive feedback, kits in store- proving popular are the picture kits and Sheep kit,  it is also good to hear that the Youtube tutorial for the Sheep kit is getting positive feedback so maybe I will have to make another for the next new kit. 
Please do get in touch if you have any ideas you would like to add or enquiries, I love to hear from my woolly friends baaaa.. 

Best wishes  ...

Hello all!
Here we are well into the Summer now and at last we have a couple of workshops  to add to the "completed" list rather than the cancelled , or postponed  this year. We had the hare class on the 25th of July and made the bunnies on the 28th . A big thank you to everyone who came along and made both days so enjoyable and such a success . Annie at Quirky Workshops has worked so hard during the  uncertain times thrust upon us this year to get everything prepared for the classes she hosts , mine being just one of them . The logistics of rescheduling many classes and cancelling others must have been an absolute nightmare on top of everything else and I'm sure I speak for all who attended when I say she has made a lovely job of the new room in the barn and has managed as best she can to retain the atmosphere you've always  enjoyed when  at the classes .
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One thing which Annie has introduced was the projection screen and camera set up which I used for the first time to demonstrate close the up work . Normally every one will gather round my table to watch during certain parts of the project . Now there is a small GoPro camera which when needed , I set up on a tripod overlooking the work and it is projected live and in colour , as they say, on a large screen behind me . I think both Annie and myself were a bit so so about having to introduce the tech' into what is essentially a traditional craft class , but I have to say it worked  well  and served it's purpose whilst not being to intrusive .
Unfortunately all classes, including of course mine , which were scheduled for 2020 at Artison have now been cancelled, which is obviously disappointing for everyone involved, Sue and Gaynor also had a huge task shuffling and eventually rescheduling courses  to take place next year .

As we'd already booked our self catering accommodation​ for the trips in Masham, we decided to keep the bookings and used them to also book an apartment in the building for our Daughter and family, as it was our Grandson's second birthday . the weather was warm and sunny , and we were able to get out on some of the lovely walks in the area , including the  beautiful Hackfall woodland with it's follies and other features . It was also nice have a chance meeting with Gaynor from Artison on one of our earlier walks . She was busy carving an inscription into a piece of masonry  in an outbuilding of a farm by the footpath we were walking along .

 I think one of the things which has been highlighted this year  is  that no matter how reserved we think we are as individuals  being completely isolated is not natural for us humans . You realise this when things we take for granted are suddenly denied us , whether it's your church , pub or even the homes of your family and friends , or getting together to share an interest , for many this may be  the only contact they have with others , so enjoy the rest of the Summer and have fun!
The next workshop at Greystoke is on the 25th August , when we will be making our old friend the hare , and I look forward to seeing eveyone there .
Best wishes .
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Hello to everyone.
​I hope you have all managed to get outside and make the most of the lovely weather most of us have experienced during the Spring . Though at the time of writing, it is a lot cooler and very windy here .
I would guess , that no matter how many Spring times  you have behind you, that you've never had one quite so bizarre as  2020. Outside, nature continues  as it always has done , our resident garden blackbirds have fledged yet another brood as they have done for the last few years , the hawthorn is in blossom and the daffodils and bluebells have come and gone and the woodland is carpeted with the beautiful , and tasty wild garlic, with their bright white  flowers and lush leaves . The human world however, could have well been living an episode of the the twilight  zone since March , for those of us old enough to remember that series .😀
Sadly, there are  no recent workshops to report on , but be assured that Annie , at Quirky workshops, and Sue and Gaynor at  ArtisON  have been working tirelessly to try and reschedule all their postponed bookings , I'm sure everyone appreciates  this is a great undertaking and on behalf of us all , I'd like to thank them for their efforts .
I may have  mentioned last time that , we had a bit more activity in our Etsy shop , which I'm assuming is due , unfortunately, to the physical shops being closed . One of the things which has proved very popular is the Lakeland  picture kit which Richard put together  as shown  in the February News blog . He has since put together a new one , inspired by our happy memories over the years from our time spent in north Yorkshire . This  is a kit where you can create a Swaledale scene , featuring of course a Swaledale sheep . This too has been very popular with a few going overseas . Take a look at the short video Richard  has filmed demonstrating this kit taking shape on the videos page. this kit is also on  Etsy

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You may be aware of the wool felting pads  which I use in the workshops , and you may also have bought one for yourselves ? I made them to a size which I have found best suited to most projects , from the larger things like doorstops and hares we make in classes, down to the hedgehog and bunnies ,  Richard also uses them for making the cushions . However, I had an email the other day asking if I had any smaller ones about half the size . I had considered making a smaller version but was unsure if there was a demand for it,  so it appears there may be,  we have  now made a few and  have them  listed in my Etsy shop .

That's all for now, and hopefully we'll soon find a way out of. .........
The Twighlight Zone !

Best wishes everyone.

Hello everyone .
First of all , I hope you are all well . I have not  written a news letter since February  , but then again these are very bizarre times , with  uncertain times ahead no doubt. 

We completed the first workshop of the year in March which was appropriately enough the hares , but If any of you have booked on any of my classes since then, at Quirky Workshops or Artison , you will be aware that everything is now up in the air , with any  classes that were scheduled while the current situation continues  having been cancelled  or hopefully  rescheduled, if possible.(and it's not just our felting classes affected obviously)    . All this will be a problem , to say the very least ,for Annie, at Quirky, and Sue and Gaynor at Artison , who work so hard to make everyone welcome and ensure these events run so smoothly. A difficult job at the best of times. Then there are the galleries , Viridian in Keswick , Thornthwaite , Gallery 2 down in Windermere  and Blue Poppy in Appleby .  Like many other  businesses , they have been forced to close their doors during this glorious Spring weather at one of their busiest times of the year , and  I'd  like to  wish Diane, Oliver, Bill and Lisa, well . See you again soon.

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So , with everything else being on hold we have been making use of the fine weather by going outside and carding a couple of Swaledale fleeces which we have not previously  got  round to processing , and with the forecast set fine for the next week there's some Herdwick fleece to sort out too.
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There has been some activity in the Etsy shop . I can only assume this is due to the fact that people are using their enforced spare time  to be creative , they can't really get out too often  I suppose . The things which have been popular, are the Lakeland picture kit , and the new three sheep kit which I have just put together . This one is accompanied by tutorial video instructions which can be accessed from this website . I've wanted to do this for a while but never got round to it , as it's quite time consuming , and then Richard had to edit it and upload it . Time is something we have found ourselves with however , and so that's all done now , and I'd be interested to get some feed back to hear how useful the videos are .
There's not much else to say really , we had intended to visit our Daughter and Son in law so are missing both of  them and  our Grandson , We are at least able to make do with Skype or Zoom , and  fortunately therefore , did not miss out on his first few words a week or so ago , but ,  everyone reading this, will be in the same predicament of not being able to visit  or be visited .

That's all for now , and hopefully the next newsletter will be a much more upbeat , and I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and wish you all good health and hope to catch up with you all soon !
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Cheers !

​Hello all !
Just wanted to share an idea for a felting kit which you can make yourself . I asked Richard if he could come up with a template for a straight forward design which would look effective when finished  , and not take too long to make .
​This is  the first one. It's the typical view which we always seem to see when out on the fells . A Herdwick sheep , (or often several) either peering over the crest of  a hill , or over the bracken looking to see what you're up to  ! It should suit anyone  who just wants to try needle felting . If however, you have some experience , then the basic template can be used  & you can add your own creative touches, it  is approximately A4 size . I hope to have some of these available at the workshops too . Check  on the website  over the next week or two .

With regard to emails .Over the last couple of years at the workshops , many people have added themselves to the mailing list ,  and I've sent out the occasional heads up , but this year I'm just going to suggest that everyone checks the website on this page for any updates . There 's been a few problems with the emailing lists  , some people have not received the messages,  or for some reason they fail to send  and I receive strange error messages  . I may also use  facebook to let you know if there's any updates here too.
See you soon !
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 Hello everyone !
I hope you all  enjoyed  Christmas & New Year , January is already  past  , and  there are  now  early signs of Spring  here in the North West . Primroses  growing in some hedgerows , the crocus and daffodils seem to have beaten the snowdrops this year, and the buds are starting to open on some of the hedges  sprouting new leaf growth .
​We spent December and January taking a little bit of a break . We spent time with family over Christmas and enjoyed some time with our little Grandson  who was just recovering from a cold . He did benefit from some good sea air on the beach at St Bees , and also enjoyed a trip to the marine aquarium at Maryport a few miles from us .
As far as the felting goes , we've been preparing for the first few workshops of the year , the first of which is in March . Details for the 2020 workshops are here
The Hedgehog kits which so many people requested  last year have proved to be very popular,  as well as in the UK , quite a few have gone over the Atlantic  to the USA , along with a number of our felting pads which people  seems to like too . I always  use  the pads myself . I wanted something which was hard wearing and a nice size , and I also wanted something which had a white side , or a side I could use for white wool , meaning that the darker wool would not contaminate the work  because of using the same surface . 
Richard , has  completed couple of his cushions too ,  including a highland cattle design which he's never done before . 

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Something else which was much sought after were the Metal needle holders which take up to 6 needles . Those who've been to the workshops will have used them and seen just how  well they work ,  the extra weight  adds momentum  giving the needles more  impact adding to the efficiency , it also means they are easier to use . Of course a lot of people wanted one for themselves . We were, temporarily , able to get a very limited supply of them specially made  last year , but they quickly sold out,  and I've been  asked if we can get any more ?
Well I'm excited to say , that we have now approached a local engineering business with the tooling to manufacture some for us . They will be very similar to the previous ones but we've  asked them to make a couple of small alterations to the ergonomics , which we think  will make them look and feel  even better ! Can't wait to see the finished product and give them a try ! Of course I will put photos  on the website when we get them .
I am now working on an new idea which will add a little more variety  to the workshops . I didn't have the time to do this  last year . Again I will keep you posted 
Looking forward to the rest of the year and  meeting everyone at the workshops , both new and familiar faces alike  . 

Where did 2019 go ?  After a particularly busy workshop schedule , it's hard to believe that Friday's hare workshop at Greystoke was the last one of the year . Thanks so much to all who attended , it was lovely to see everyone there on such a beautifully frosty morning , and as usual there were some brilliant hares  departed from Quirky Workshops along with their proud creators ! A few photos can be viewed on the workshop photo page . Indeed , thank you to everyone who's attended and supported the classes this year and beyond . Also a big thank you   Annie , at Quirky Workshops , Sue and Gaynor over at Artison in  Yorkshire  , and Beverly , just down the road at Fobbles , for hosting the classes and all their  support . You'll find links to their individual sites on my links page .
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Something I particularly enjoyed about this year was the introduction of a couple of new workshops , namely the hedgehog , and the bunny . I have had  people showing an interest in a class to make these two animals  in previous years , so I was pleased to be able to bring them to you and see some excellent results , again head over to the photos to see for yourself .
I also had the idea of making the hedgehog available as a kit . I spent some time preparing a kit with some detailed written and pictorial instructions , which I think will be helpful , and I'm now pleased to say that I have a few ready, I will add them to my Etsy shop.

This year has been quite an interesting and eventful one . The felting pads which we designed , have been very popular . Most of you will have used them in the workshops this year, these are also available at Etsy
Richard has been getting more creative and adventurous with his cushion designs , and although it's been a very busy year for workshops , we've still tried to have some items present in the wonderful Lakeland galleries  we are associated with . We will also be updating the video tutorial page of the website over the Winter , and replacing them with ones of better quality like the latest one we've just uploaded on wrapping techniques and attaching eyes (useful for the hedgehog kit) . I am now able to narrate the process rather than just put written instructions up on screen as we have a camera with a decent microphone now .

On a more personal note , we have enjoyed seeing our Grandson take to his feet and begin walking the road of life , and we've also helped settle him and his parent's into their lovely little home after their move, and we look forward to spending some time with them when they come to visit during Christmas .

Next year's workshop schedule is all set , with many of the places already booked and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone , familiar faces and new comers alike , and as  this will likely be the last news letter of 2019 , I'd like to thank everyone once again for their support , and wish you all the very best for Christmas and the coming year .

Hello Again !
Autumn is well underway  , and  I hope that you are all getting out and enjoying the colourful display put on by our deciduous trees before they finally loose their leaves until the Spring time . This photo was taken in Masham when we were over at Artison for the Herdwick Doorstop workshop , which  was great fun once again , and we all had  a lovely day  and  a  fantastic lunch as always . With the weather turning very wet outside as the day went on , where better to be than indoors felting ? 
While we were in the area we went for a walk from Masham on the footpaths over the  fields  and came across Marfield wetlands nature reserve . This is a beautiful place , consisting of gravel pits which have become mature lakes and a haven for wildlife . We sat in one of the bird hides  one evening overlooking one of the lakes , the walls inside are filled with photos and information , there is even a pair of binoculars provided . We met the gentleman & his wife who fill up the numerous bird feeders . It tuns out they manage the whole reserve pretty much on their own on a voluntary basis, which must be very challenging  work . They seemed to love what they do and it must be rewarding to see people like us enjoying the results . If you visit , do leave a small donation to contribute to the bird food which attracts a wide variety of wild birds close enough to get some superb photos .

The Autumn Equinox has just passed for another year, and the Sun is making it's journey through the sky a little lower towards the horizon each day . The stubble fields left after the harvest  attract the attention of lapwing and wood pigeon flocks , and the swifts have long headed South & only a very few  swallows  remain before they too will have gone in a week or so , all signs that a new season is upon us .
We ended the Summer ourselves , with a hare workshop at Artison , on the 19th of this month, where we were made welcome once again by Sue and Gaynor . We all had a fabulous time as usual , thanks to everyone who came along and worked hard to produce some more fine characterful hares  of which you should all be very proud !
It was also very interesting to watch  the stone carving workshop which Gaynor was running . They were outside enjoying  the glorious late Summer weather , they may have said they  were enduring  though as  it was quite hot out there . The clicking of chisels  carving  stone   and dull thud of needles  felting wool , continued  throughout the day . I have to say I was really impressed by the beautiful designs the class had  carved into the stone tablets they were working  .
We made the best of the weather the following day as we had stayed locally and decided to go for a circular walk  of about four miles round the Masham  area , which took us through fields along side the picturesque River Ure  and one of it's tributaries , the River Burn which ended with a brief stop for refreshment at the Theakston brewery tap , where we sat outside  in the warm sun .

.Autumn got off to a great start yesterday at  Greystoke 's Quirky workshops hosted of course , by Annie . On the drive through , I took a moment to pull over and take a photo across Bassenthwaite Lake towards the South East & Kewsick , with the early morning sky looking so dramatic and Autumnal . I met a lovely group of new people who had came along to make a Herdwick sheep doorstop  for their first time . Thank you all so much for a fun and enjoyable day  and I think everyone was justifiably proud of the flock we turned out at the end of the day ! The day was all about stone and wool , as once again , we shared the venue with  a stone carving workshop ran by Pip Hall , but this time Annie was getting herself involved , making a superb job of her carved stone name plaque . It is fun and interesting mingling during the day with the other classes  running alongside our own and taking an interest in each other's work . Some photos from both the September workshops are posted on the workshop photo page as usual .

This year's workshop calendar is almost complete with only 3 more dates to go ,  hedgehog , Herdwick  and hare , respectively . Keep an eye open also , for the 2020 workshop dates to be announced  soon , and I will catch up with you next month !
Thank you and best wishes .

I am always looking at ways I can improve and make our workshops a great experience. Careful preparation makes the day go smoothly making for a more enjoyable day. I have prepared some of the new kits to try out at the next Herdwick and Hare workshops this month. I have just about managed to cram all the woolly materials into your individual bags. 

I hope everyone is having a great Summer and making the most of the mixed weather . The blackberries are  starting to ripen and the  rosebay willowherbs  beginning to cast their downy seeds to the wind , indicating that we have the next season of Autumn to look forward to just a few weeks away .
We managed a couple of days visiting our Grandson just before his first birthday which he enjoyed celebrating  at Sundown Adventure land  with his parents and his paternal Gran' ,who was able to be there . It's a theme park for  younger kids where we once took  Heather during one of our camper van holidays when she was a small child  , and where they now just happen to live a few miles away from , so she thought it fitting to take her own first child for this special day  .. We returned home to get ready for the  hedgehog workshop .  
The hedgehog workshop I have just mentioned was the first one I have done . As this is something which people have requested , I have spent a lot of time over the last few months putting together something which we could complete in a day and that  I could be confident you'd be happy with at the end .  This was held in the new upstairs workshop  at Annie's Quirky Workshops  which was again, lovely , with it's rustic charm ,  and plenty  of room !  Please have a look at the workshop photos and see for yourself how well the hedgehogs turned out , they're impressive & a credit to their creators . There's always room to tweak the way I do my workshops if needed , but I felt this first hedgehog one went really well and the preparation beforehand had been worth it , as with the bunny  workshop which was also new for this year . Both were the results of feedback from people who attend the classes so it was good to be able to deliver .
The next workshop was on the following day and we again took advantage of Annie's new work space for a hare workshop , where , once more we had lots of fun and some brilliant results at the end . If you follow the link above once again, you can see them looking splendid in the surroundings of the new work shop  don't forget to click the photos to enlarge them .
The felt "stabbing pads" which I make  have  again sold out on my ETSY shop , however we are making some more , to replace them , they seem to sell quickly , so if you'd like one  , contact me directly . They are £12 + £3  postage .  If I do have any in stock  I'll also take them along to  the workshops  .
The next classes are Greystoke again,  at the end of this month making Herdwicks and hares , respectively . If you are attending , I'll look forward to seeing you there !

Hello, once again !

First of all , thank you to all who attended the Quirky Workshops "Summer Solstice" owl workshop on the 21st June , and those who came to make some fine hares a couple of days later  at the same venue . Again , we had a super time , and if you haven't already done so , have a look at some of the  splendid  results on the photo page  from both the above days .The next workshop is  the Herdwick Doorstop , on the 28th of July at Quirky Workshops again .

I had planned a short  break in the workshop schedule so I could get caught up with a few things including trying to get something into the galleries , and also to visit our family and particularly to spend some time with our Grandson who's approaching his 1st birthday . 

We've  just returned from an enjoyable week with our Daughter & family. The weather was fine and we had a couple of nice days out with them , including a visit to the local air field where the sounds and sights of the light aircraft held  young Jesse's attention for the afternoon (and Richard's). Richard & I had also planned , while we were down there , to walk  part of the  "Cuckoo Way " , which follows the tow path of the Chesterfield canal  from the point where it joins the River Trent  North of Gainsborough back to our Daughter's , a distance of about 30 miles I think . We took the train to Gainsborough and booked a couple of B&Bs as  overnight stops for the return walk  , which took us through some picturesque countryside and interesting towns like Retford, which was quite pleasant and which we'd never visited before , also Worksop  where we stayed on the outskirts  , and never really got a look in the town centre .  We only had 5 miles to do on the last day , but due to Richard's Achilles tendons becoming stiff  we thought it wise to get Heather to pick us up to avoid aggravating the situation . Despite the fact we walk a lot locally including the fells , Annie ( at Quirky Workshops ) had  actually warned us that walking long distances on the flat  when you are not used to it puts constant pressure on the same parts of the feet and legs as opposed to ascending and descending  hills . With hindsight , trainers or his  soft boots may have been better than the leather hiking boots with hard soles , as my feet were fine , but we really enjoyed the walk,  I did feel a little unprepared, next time I won't be!

Lastly, we were contacted a week or two ago by Kathy Cartmell who runs the on line publication Qerky Art Magazine .(nothing to do with Quirky Workshops) . Kathy asked if she could  write a piece in the July edition which is all about woolly crafts, and is out now, about Annis's Hand Felted Creations, how we started and what we do etc  . This , of course was really appreciated . If you are interested in crafts of all kinds you can visit. www.qerkyartmag.co.uk/qerkyartmag/ and perhaps check out the magazine .
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See you Soon !

As we approach the middle of June , and the outside temperature feels more like October We've had a busy time felting . As well as a couple of outstanding commission orders I've had to complete , we've  had the "Bunny" workshop at Fobbles  hosted by Beverly . There were some splendid specimens turned out by the class , which was fantastic , as the rabbits were a new workshop introduced for this year, which I'd spent some time preparing the best methods to use to construct them on the day .
Next we were off to Annie's Quirky Workshops for another hare class , and we ended the month of May with Sue & Gaynor at Artison on 31st . We also started the June campaign there too  on the following day June 1st , when we made some more hares. Thank you very much to everyone who attended all the classes  , and to our hosts at their respective venues  for making it all such an enjoyable few days. Have a look at the Workshop photos from the above classes .
We took the opportunity to make the most of our trip to Artison and stayed on a couple of nights  self catering at a fine old building in Masham which has been divided into apartments  . We enjoyed fine weather & some lovely walks round the picturesque town  , with the obligatory visit to the Theakston and Black Sheep brewery tap houses for a quick half  pint .
We also had a walk round the beautiful  Hackfall woodland which Richard had discovered while I was at the hare workshop . This is a splendid woodland full of  native deciduous trees such as beech & oak . Part of an estate dating back to the 1700s there are some fascinating water features and interesting buildings  round every turn it seems . and full of wild woodland birds . We never managed to spot any Wuzels though !

Well,
We are half way through the month of May already . The leaves are on the  trees  and the swifts have arrived reminding us that Summer is just over the horizon .
May got off to a fantastic start with another trip across to Artison on the 5th , which was the Bank Holiday Weekend when it was all happening in the area . The Tour of Yorkshire cycle race  passed through nearby Bedale & then on Sunday through Masham which was the day of our hare workshop .

We all had a thoroughly enjoyable day , and again it was so good to meet some new people and catch up with some familiar faces from previous visits , and I have to say once again , there were some excellent hares turned out , as I'm sure you'll agree if you look at the photos taken on the day , well done to everyone , and thank you!

Yesterday , my Mother & I attended a fascinating presentation given by a friend of mine , Susan Denham - Smith , at the Beacon Centre , which is  beside the harbour in Whitehaven . I first met her  several years ago when she was managing a local gallery , and it was there where my idea for the Herdwick doorstop was first on display, which so many of you reading this will have now made for yourself, or purchased , not to mention her giving me the confidence  to do my first ever needle felting workshops , for which I'm always  grateful !
 Susan  has the Wild Wool Workshop , which is  situated  on the banks of the picturesque  Ennerdale lake ,  overlooked by the surrounding fells  , hidden in one of the more tranquil corners of the  Lake District . If you would like to see traditional wool spinning and weaving demonstrated ,  using wool from the local Herdwick sheep , buy her products , or even have a go yourself , then this is the place  . There are even camping facilities ,  or you can  stay in their "Wild Wool Barn " accommodation .
Susan is very knowledgable about the  Herdwick sheep breed and their history, as well as  working with their wool , this meant that during the presentation I picked up some really useful tips on how to wash and prepare raw fleece which I use myself . She also told an intriguing story about the connection between her farm house and well known  Lake District authoress Beatrix Potter , of Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle fame .
Susan also likes a challenge , you could say . She intends to climb all 214 of the Wainwright  Fells !  With a spinning wheel , with which she intends to spin Herdwick wool on top of them all !  The  spun wool will be made into rugs which will be sold  in aid of the Calvert Trust who organise outdoor activities for the disabled, so  check out  http://www.wildwoolworkshop.co.uk/ . for alll the information about Susan's activities and her business.

The next workshop of my own is on the 18th of May when we will be  needle felting mountain hares  on the summit of Helvellyn ! ... Only joking !
It is in fact making "Bunnies" at Fobbles in Holmrook with Beverley , on that day, which is much nearer to sea level . Looking forward to seeing everyone there .
Then on the 27th , we'll be back at Annie's Quirky Workshops making Hares  . Then back over to Artison for two days of hares and Herdwick Doorstops , on the 31st so May is a busy month for workshops . Great !
There are a couple of extra dates added for August due to demand , get in touch if you are interested in booking a place .
There  are now  a limited number of the heavy  metal needle holders available to buy, I had some made ,  as so many people have been enquiring about  them , and I must say I'm really pleased with them .

See you soon !

I received a  couple of Swaledale fleeces from a local farm a few weeks ago and They've been waiting in the garage for the weather to improve , so I've made  use of the dry spell to get them washed and dried ready for use .

Hello again .
This is just a quick update as I return  from another thoroughly enjoyable workshop over at
 Artison   in North Yorkshire . Thank you to  Gaynor & Sue  at Artison , and to everyone who came along to the workshop and made it such a great day ! A special thank you to all on this occasion  due to the fact that some of  the class lost the first hour or so  due to being caught up in the aftermath of a traffic incident which brought the  A 1  to a halt heading South . Hopefully no one was hurt , and it's a sobering thought when inconvenienced by situations like these , that someone else is obviously having a much worse day than you are .
When the ladies did arrive  though, they pulled out all the stops ( or in our case, needles )  to make up for lost time which helped  us to overcome the situation  and produce a nice flock of Herdwicks at the end of a lovely day . I am looking forward to the trip back again shortly , for the Hare workshop on the 5th May .  There are, as usual a few images from the day here .
After we'd loaded the car and said farewell to Gaynor , we headed back to Ripon where we stayed overnight , before heading further on down the Great North Road  to stay for a pleasant couple of days with our Grandson , and of course his Mam & Dad !

 Spring has arrived !
Our resident blackbirds who have made our garden their home  have fledged their  their first young of the season . For the past three years or so we have been putting out meal worms  and the female bird has  taken to flying down and "asking" for them when she sees you appear in the window  Her & her mate raised three broods last year and judging by this years early start , they have ambitions for this year too . Richard also had his first sighting this year , of the osprey on  Bassenthwaite lake yesterday too .
We are now well under way with the busy 2019 workshop schedule , having just completed the third one yesterday . They've all been at Quirky Workshops  so far , beginning with the hare class on March 1st  . Next was  the Herdwick Doorstops on March 27th , and the one yesterday April 7th was something new for this year , The Bunnies , which went very well  . As usual each everyone attending made each class a really enjoyable experience and contributed to the relaxed , and fun atmosphere , and once again it was fantastic to be re-acquainted with some familiar faces from previous occasions and to welcome  some new ones . Thank you all  ! have a look on the     workshop photo page   if  you'd like to see some photos of those days &  the great results  .
This Weekend, I'm looking forward to heading back  to  ArtisOn  at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with the  Herdwick doorstops . I'll be posting some pictures as usual , so keep an eye open  . If you're going along , I'll see you there !
Best wishes .

Hello again.
We have just returned from our trip to  Grassington , in the beautiful  upper reaches of the River Wharfe , where we spent a very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the company of the ladies from the Grassington Embroiderers' Guild  .    I was contacted by them  last year & asked if I would present a demonstration of my needle felting for them, so I'd like to thank them so much for giving me this opportunity to experience something a little different from what I am used to, which is running my workshops .  I had some time to think about what it was that I was going to say and demonstrate , bearing in mind that I could be speaking to some very accomplished crafters with a lifetime of experience , and this turned out to be the case . Some of the ladies , I was informed had experience in various  types of felting also .
We arrived at  the Wharfedale Rugby Club , which is where the Embroiderers' Guild are based. This was in a beautiful location , and from the room on the upper floor where we were , there were splendid views of the surrounding  fields and hills of the Dales .
We arrived around 12.30pm to set up, and had  approximately two hours of time to  fill , so  I had decided  to go through the various stages of making one of my hares, with the help of ones which I'd previously prepared to various stages of completion in  the Blue Peter ," here's one I made earlier " way .  The drum carder was taken & Richard demonstrated how he set up the carder, and makes up a batt of wool for the doorstops . We had also taken various pieces of work to display,  and a projector which was very  useful, & kindly lent to us by My Father in Law , Eric, this could be connected to the laptop so Richard could be kept busy showing  some photos to help with our presentation . We never actually got any photos of the event ourselves  but the ladies  have some on their site if you follow the link in the paragraph below .

The time passed very quickly ,  as it does when you are enjoying yourself , and we  learned a lot from the wealth of experience which the ladies present were more than happy to share with us. Some of the work they do themselves is outstanding and we only saw a glimpse of what they actually do . We were shown a photo of a piece of work which  was particularly outstanding , and I believe won them a first prize . It depicted a Swaledale sheep and dry stone wall scene . The detail, right down to the lichens and moss on the stonework was fantastic , and it would have been nice to  have seen the actual work it's self .
So thank you very much once again  to  Grassington Embroiderers' Guild for their warm welcome , and a very enjoyable experience ! Hope to catch up with you again in the future .

Afterwards we had decided to stay overnight  down the road at Skipton . I recently learned that Skipton is actually ,and very aptly named  "sheep town" in olde English.  "Sceap tun" , sceap meaning sheep , and tun , meaning town/village .
The theme continued as we found a lovely old pub in the town centre called " The Woolly Sheep Inn"  located , where else , but on "Sheep Street " ! They also had a wonderful selection of Yorkshire beers at the BAAA !

I f you are ever in the Skipton area and need accommodation I would thoroughly recommend The Pinfold  guest house . This is room only , but there are numerous cafes etc  which do breakfasts in the immediate area as well as restaurants and pubs . The room was really clean and comfortable with lots of nice little added extras all at a reasonable price .