'Mercia' at The British Quilt & Stitch Village...

Well, good morning my lovelies...

How are you all on this grey and dreary Tuesday?

Here in the Fens I think Spring must be playing a massive mischievous joke on us all and is only pretending to stop for a while and actually has no intention whatsoever to indulge us in some warmer days despite the Springtime blooms nodding their heads to say hello!

It seems a lifetime away since I actually sat and wrote a blog post to you all.

I know many of you reading this do say hello via my Tilly Rose - Textile Artist Facebook page

but a blog post is a little different...

I can chatter and meamble so much more!

So in the spirit of The Sound of Music, where shall we start?

Well, let;s start at the very beginning... a very good place to start...

Some of you may be wondering where I've been hiding, why I've been a little quiet of late and will you see on TV again etc etc...

Last year our family was hit really hard as my husband 

was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer.

After fighting bowel cancer two years previously, then vasculitis and sepsis of his kidneys a year later, we actually thought we would have a few months to recover but sadly not.

As you can imagine or perhaps may have experienced yourselves personally, we faced a very huge uphill struggle...but at least we were given that option of a way to do so.

Sadly I know some are not so fortunate.

So...roll on a few months of very tough hardship, major surgery and intense recovery

I am pleased to say that hubby is now back at work and looking forward.

We take each day as it arrives with a massive blessing of smiles.

Whilst all this was going on I was writing my first book Stitched Memories - Search Press.

Timings really couldn't have been worse but it gave me a focus and in between hospital and clinic visits you could always find me hunched over a laptop writing instructions and explanations etc for the projects in the book.

It has now gone to print as we speak and will be available in August.

If you click on the link above you will find a little detail about what little surprises are waiting for you...

So....going back to my original sentence of where have I been, well as you can imagine

keeping that positive smile going for hubby and the rest of our family, continuing to work, writing a book and doing the dusting now and then can take it's toll.

At Christmas I faced exhaustion and so I took a few months off to recouperate.

It's that simple really.

Giving yourself time off is hard for someone like myself who likes to keep busy because 

it makes you feel guilty that you are not working!

But, how could I not be doing something at all?

Well for those of you who have been following my daily rambles and chats, you will all know that I've made the most of my time whilst lazily squidged on the sofa by doodling designs, 

planning my own range of sewing kits and gathering momentum for an exhibit

that I showed at The British Quilt & Stitch Village in Uttoxeter last weekend.

Many visitors to the event loved 'Mercia'; my version of 3D textile art depicting the Myths & Legends of the Cambridgeshire Fens over the many centuries of agricultural hardship...

Fen folk were often considered the 'odd folk living out on the marshlands', who were very independent and very suspicious of any 'foreigners'.
The term 'foreigners' simply meant anyone who didn't live amongst the Fen reeds and work the land which included anyone from everyday folk to the gentry!

Much of the Fens that we see today are a result of the reclaimed lands, drained many moons ago by the Dutch engineers who used their knowledge to create agricultural fields and land for communities to feed their families and toil the earth.

Before the drainage was developed many Fenfolk travelled from island to island via punts or rowing boats and knew the marshes like the back of their hand but more importantly they also knew that the marshlands were a law unto themselves.
Often gas escaped from the marsh and with it followed tales of 'bog spirits' and will'o'the'wisps.

 Fenland stories of  odd sightings among the Fen reeds were often passed down from generation to generation around the table of an evening over a pint of ale...

'Mercia', the anglo-Saxon name for the region, hopefully depicts two side of the story..

Her skirt, a Fenland river, is divided into two halves; one side represents the richer side of life
where women of a certain status enjoyed the luxuries that life in the Fens offered and the cotton muddied ragged edge on the other half represents the masses... the life of an Ag Lab that knew all about the hardships of living in such a wild wilderness of a Fen marshy bogland but loved it anyway.
Needless to say my family heritage comes from the rugged frayed edge of life if you didn't but guess!

Mercia's front bodice depicts the 'Tree of Life' believed by the Celts to be a very important part of their lives.
Boadicea or Boudica, the Queen of the Iceni Tribe ruled in this area, so there is a rich heritage of Celtic tradition connected to the Fens.
Many myths and tales have evolved from these times and often remain today.

The back of the bodice depicts the hard times of life on the land with embroidered stitches showcasing the famous plough lines of the patchwork fields found in this area.

Fenland heritage is in my DNA.
It has seeped into my bones over many centuries...

Not many folk give a shout out for the Fens.
They don't see the beauty of our completely flat 'boring' lands but for me
the Fens smile with a unique beauty.
Their sunsets, vasts skies, ever changing light and openess fills my little Fen heart with joy.
Someone has to make a stand for our little area of the UK!

Whilst on holiday in Cornwall a few years ago I was asked where I lived and when I mentioned the Cambs Fens, the shopkeeper said"Oh I know, you live in the damp patch then!"
Not sure what to say to that one....

On a day like today when the wild winds are a-howling through, I do think perhaps if I lived somewhere with a few hills, woods and undulating pathways my life would perhaps be a little quieter but then I change my mind as quickly as the wind calms again...

The judges seemed to like my little shout out for the Fens and awarded

me with a  'Second' rosette which although I was very happy to accept the result wasn't really that important to me.

It was never about winning really...

 I hope that doesn't sound arrogant at all because for me, 

entering the competition was so much more than a rosette...

It was about me allowing myself time to indulge in my passion for textile art, showcasing some Fenland history and having such fun designing and stitching on a mannikin which I just love doing!

 I was so over the moon to see people chatting about the Fens and asking about my little area of the UK.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and chatted about 'Mercia'

It makes it all worthwhile.

 

I think I will have to write a separate post about my workshops and the beautiful displays on offer as I don't want you all to be nodding off!

I've rambled on as usual...

I'll leave you with this last pic of the pint that quenched my thirst on the last day at the event.

The little verse on the glass totally sums up a brilliant philospohy methinks!

"A little bit of beer is divine medicine"

I will say cheery bye for now and get writing my next post.

I'd forgotten the joy writing brings...

Until I stop by and say hello again

Have a beautiful day my lovelies!

Much love

Tilly

x x x

November Slowly Beckons...

Hello lovelies

Thank you for popping by last weekend.

It was lovely to know so many of you enjoy my little Fen ramblings on life...

So, today sees the official start of

the darker season after turning back the clocks last night...

Did you remember?

As Autumn continues to swish and  twirl in her silky petticoats as she performs her much rehearsed daliances, she's leaving a beautiful veil of misty cobwebs all around us her in the Fens as we watch the Earth slowly dying and decaying in between the nooks and crannies.

I know for some of you all this may seem a sad time of the year but I believe it is a wonderful time of year.

For me, Autumn is always a season I welcome.

It always means it is a time for reflections...

It's time to allow our bodies to slow a pace and take time to take notice of the stillness in the air as Winter is preparing to start off on her journey and is meandering our way...

Have you ever thought about how the trees never want to cling on to their leaves,

they simply watch them tumble towards a new path.

I think Autumn is a generous lady who allows us to release the old to make way for the new

in our own little way...

We all have a story to tell of how life has ventured during the year.

I for one won't be sorry to say goodbye to this year in many ways 

and yet I am really looking forward to that new path ahead..

This year has seen me travelling up and down the motorways more times than I've ever done in my life before, for both happy & sad reasons.

I'm a firm believer in things happening for reasons often unknown to us at the time so I usually try to find the positives that sit alongside their negative playmates...

So, what's my reflection on the outcome of all that travelling?

Well, for one as a driver who isn't really that confident I can now hold my own on a motorway with the white van bully boys, I can now understand when Sat Nav Simon says keep right he doesn't actually mean turn right he means keep straight (and yes we have had words over that description with each other many a time!) and finally I have learnt that despite building up the number of miles on my little car's speedo, I in fact still absolutely hate motorway driving with a passion!

On a positive of course all that driving has enabled me to work in a many new venues, meet loads of beautiful people, watch my book being turned into a reality and

enjoy seeing a little more of Britain that I haven't seen before.

And so...

the first day of Autumnal darker days sees me finally snuggled in at home with my sparkly lights aglow again (I LOVE sparkly lights!!!) looking forward to a new season of so many sweet things... but that's another post!

For now I'm just chuffed to be snuggled in my cosy home with Mr T ,

 slowly stepping toward our festive celebrations...

Until we natter next time folks...

Toodle-ooh for now

Tilly 

x x x

Slower Autumnal days ahead...

Hello lovelies...

Gosh what a blustery 'ol weekend.

Storm Brian seems to have had his say on things as he sped by here in the Cambridgeshire Fens. The flat landscape surrounding my little home is a perfect place for fast spiralling winds and howling gasps that are often so ferocious they can take your breath away as you step outside.

At this time of year things should be slowing down a pace or two but, with all the storms and hurricanes of late, we seem to be in a continual whirlwind of daily life battling with Mother Nature.

As the days start to begin to get shorter concentrating on slow living is more appealing.

It's a time of year to take stock of what is happening all around us, what I want to 

get done in the following months and a  good way of filling my days with sunshine 

in a creative way.

As the crimson autumnal hues line the Fenland horizons they help to bring us a

beautiful ombre of golden gems that sparkle in the dimmed evening light.

A glory of gold

And russet and grey

The tree-tops old

Glow in the day

And, one by one

The dry leaves fall

And the Autumn sun 

Smiles on them all

Every Autumn, I usually like to have a few things 

on my 'To Do' list to keep my fingers busy over the dark grumpy months ahead.

Alongside my usual slow stitching that keeps my little Fen digits tingling 

I love to have a couple of warm snuggly yarn projects on the go at the same time. 

I'm a lover of both crochet and knitting. 

I'm quite excited as this year,

 as I thought I'd re-visit a style of knitting that I loved doing many years ago 

when my boys were young.

Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle knitting is a magical world of glorious designs

dating back to a golden vintage age.

If you've never dabbled in the world of Fair Isle you'll be amazed

at the beautiful patterns on offer.

Intricate patterns closely woven together with just two needles

create a gorgeous marriage of colour and textures..

The secret ingredient is patience...

So as time is slowing down,

 my mission for Autumn is to find some beautiful vintage patterns to use for inspiration

and create a few snuggly designs with all the wool from my stash.

I find myself purchasing the odd ball of yarn here and there,never knowing what project they will end up in and at times they seem to gather nothing more than house dust,

but, every now and then I get a burst of enthusiasm to get

started again on a new project...

Is anyone else inspired by a love of Fair-Isle knitting?

I'd love to hear your tales...

What projects do you like to create?

Did You Know?

Fair Isle is named after Fair Isle, a tiny island in the north of Scotland, 

that forms part of the Shetland islands. ... 

Watch this space to see how I get on...

I wonder if I'll actually manage to get something finished before the 

harsh wintry weather sets in?

I will let you know!

Will chat again soon my lovelies.

Do leave me a comment below if you have five mins

as I'd love to know who pops by my little door!

Toodle-ooh for now...

Speak again soon

Tilly 

x x x

A Few Autumnal Thoughts...

Hello my lovelies!

Gosh it has been months since I set foot in my little blog home...

It's a little dusty with a few cobwebs hiding in the corners 

but the familiarity is making my heart sing.

Oh how I've missed saying hello!

It's a little like returning home after a holiday and having that wonderful

warm fuzzy feeling of home.

As some of you may know this year has been a box of all sorts of flavours 

for all sorts of reasons

... some very sweet moments hidden under the many varied layers of very sour 

cheek-sucking gems.

Blogging seems to have slipped by the by simply due to time.

Finally though after a very tough time, I do feel as if I am finally able to do a little meamble swim towards the surface for a few bubbles and Autumnal gasps...

So I thought I would take sometime to reflect and refresh on a few thoughts.

Autumn is usually my most favourite time of year to do all kinds of gorgeous things

 but this year, I think I will just be grateful to sit and watch the leaves simply fall around me 

while I rest my weary bones.

It will give me time to stay still and let Mother Earth sing her gentle lullaby while time

slowly glides past at a pace I feel I can handle.

And so... although feeling exhausted and 

having to rest, there is a positive, 

as resting brings me back to my little home of blogging and allows me time to 

slowly catch my breath again which I am delighted about!

It's my little holiday home of calm to capture my Fenland meandering thoughts on life.

I've been blogging since around the beginning of 2007.

Originally, it was my little hideaway safe haven whilst coping with everyday life, learning to live with an invisible illness to many, that was relatively never mentioned and very little was understood about the cause or treatment.... Fibromyalgia

Over the years I've learnt to live with my invisible siamese twin Fibro 

with every waking moment of each day.

Our intense relationship has managed to work together for over 20 years despite

the many arguments.

I learnt back in the early days of diagnosis that taking each day and staying positive was only the way forward to survive.

So I know I'm very blessed that I can still work doing something I love...

 And so, back to the here and now....

My first blog post in a very long time...

Work wise, despite this year being a bit of a clanger I have learnt how to...

- take a selfie and be brave enough to post it! (I hate my pic being taken!)

- wandered along a path with my creativity that I feel is beginning to finally reflect my true self which sounds crackers after being creative since the year dot!

-win an award for first prize at a major event

-write a book.

My first ever book ,Stitched Memories will be published by Search Press early next year and launched in the sunnier months of early Summer (she says grinning like a cheshire cat!!!)

It is my book of Inspirations on how to capture your ever day moments and treasured memories through a selection of slow stitching and free motion embroidery projects.

...my way of leaving a little trail of stitched stories for my future family members showcasing my loves in life and what makes me tick on a daily basis!

I've wanted to write a book since I was a small child and have several stories written but never thought it would be a book about crafts that I would see sitting on a shelf!

So, having done a little stock take of life in the Tilly Rose world I guess what I'm saying a long winded affair is that I feel I can begin to face the dreary cold Fenland months with a little creative smile after all.

Sometimes I think it is good to see the positives in front of you when having been faced with a few negatives of late...

Over the next few months I shall be updating my little cosy home with a few alterations so keep in touch if you fancy seeing the results.

Nothing like a grand makeover but just a few paint touch ups if you know what I mean!

In the meantime 

I will say toodle-ooh for now.

Happy Autumnal Blessings folks!

Looking forward to speaking again 

with you all soon

Tilly x

Stitched memories with cloth and thread...

Hello my lovelies...

Today saw me trundling along the dual carriageway towards 

the NEC in Birmingham for some serious coffee meetings.

Stitches is one of the biggest trade shows for the creative craft industry, 

held annually at NEC, Birmingham.

Anyone working within the industry, traders, retailers & suppliers all get together 

to look at current trends, new products and supplies... and loads of coffee drinking!

I met with many fab people, all of whom are going to be

supporting my book 'Stitched Memories'

I have to say I am a tad excited....just a teeny weeny bit!

It's becoming a little real now....

The wheels are beginning to turn in motion.

We all add a little stitch here and there to our own life's quilt, 

full of precious memories as time goes by.

 In my book, I want to give you all some ideas

and inspiration as to how and what you can actually do with those memories.

As a textile artist I work with a huge variety of fabrics, trims, notions and found objects.

I LOVE pushing the boundaries to see what can be achieved...

As time ticks by I will tell you a little more but thought I'd leave you with some snippets

to introduce my book for now...

If you are a lover of traditional needlecraft then hopefully I can bring a little smile or two for you... 

obviously when I've actually written it that is!

But in the meantime I am off to put my feet up for a well earned rest...

A Year of Nature Walks....

Hello lovelies!

How are you all?

Deccies are packed safely away now until the next Yuletide,

our little home has finally been dusted again and January awaits with bitterly cold eagerness!

I suffer so bad with the cold as I have several ailments that abhor the cold but 

despite this I LOVE this time of year...

I love the winter sparkle

I love the winter crispness

I also love the winter hues at this time of year

New beginnings

Frosty mornings

time to stitch a new patch on your

life's quilt of memories...

So having gathered my thoughts after a very stressful end to 2106

I am now ready to face a new year ahead of beautiful smiles...

I very rarely make New Year's Resolutions as I often 

fall at the first hurdle of just the basics....consistency!

So instead, my philosophy in life has always been the same since a teenager....

slow and steady wins the race...

I write lists and have fun watching them slowly be ticked off, as and when.

This year my list consist of only one thing so far and that is to make myself get out more

to walk and photograph Mother Nature in all her finest splendour.

I know I do that already but this year I am on a mission to

make it a more determined effort.

All of my workshops and exhibits this year will have a theme running through them...

'Inspired By Nature'

Mother Nature is always waiting for a visit from us.

She offers us a free hug when we need one.

She listens to us when we need an ear.

And in return she offers silence for those who listen.

I have decided that photographs from my  #ayearofnaturewalks will be posted on my Instagram page

for anyone who wishes to have a nosey or join me.

You can find me here on the link Tilly Rose Instagram

I have been teaching a variety of crafts based around the ethos of well-being for so many years now

and I always use Mother Nature as an inspiration to encourage others to 'have-a-go' at something...

I shall be using my photographs on my workshops to continue this during the year.

I will be showcasing many techniques that some of you may not have encountered before or perhaps have not even considered having a go at doing.

I love to push boundaries...

I like to bridge the gap between a variety of crafts, combine them with my love of cloth and thread and add layers to my projects.

I always add in a flavour of nostalgia of course and 

mix in a blend of creativity to shout happiness from the roof tops.

* slow stitching * free motion embroidery * patchwork * mixed media * textile art * weaving * 

I will also be experimenting with new products and 

giving you tips on how to include them in your own designs.

If you are interested, I shall be posting details of my workshops onto my website and Facebook page next week once I have given them a little TLC and a fresh lick of paint for 

the New Year ahead so to speak!

I am only doing a few workshops so don't miss out on booking your place if

you are interested as I know they will go fast.

In the meantime I shall wander the paths and byways up and down the UK

to capture snippets of beauty that so often get overlooked by most.

You never know we may just bump into each other now and then!

Wishing you a beautiful weekend my lovelies...

toodle-ooh for now!