Just returned from setting up an small exhibition for the Eastwell Fete, in the church. A tad late finishing this as we spent most of today loading the van & alternatively taking in or putting out washing in between showers! I'm really pleased with how we left it looking - new tiles from the kiln, old tiles and cards and new paintings, which I'm very proud of.

I've left a comments book as well as my portfolio - I hope people have time to look.

Karen

A rainy day today in Eastwell churchyard making Wonderful Willow butterflies, bees and pods, thankfully under a couple of marquees!

To make a willow butterfly:

Willow rods, cut to size with garden shears & bound together with thin masking tape,
Wet strength tissue paper
PVA glue diluted 1/2 & 1/2 with water and applied with a cut up sponge
Coloured tissue to decorate

Make wing shapes by looping the thin end of willow round to meet the thick end, fasten with tape. Tear the wet strength tissue into quarter sheets and spread with PVA solution using the sponge, drape wet tissue over the wings.
Make a butterfly body by creating a thin pod - fasten 4 willow rods at the tips with tape, then make a small circle of willow & fasten this inside the 4 rods about halfway - tip - use only half length rods then the body is smaller than a lantern pod. Join the 4 rods again at the bottom. Cover this with wet tissue.

Decorate the wings and body with strips and cut shapes of coloured tissue, apply with more PVA and brush on.

Fasten wings with clear tape on either side of body & carry with pride!

Supplies of willow rods or withies:
http://www.windrushwillow.com
Supplies of wet strength tissue (I haven't bought any from these but it did take me quite a time to find a stockist, so I'm including them to be helpful!)
http://www.musgrovewillows.co.uk/

Horticultural fun in Knowsley

This weekend saw us in the Heritage marquee as a part of the Knowsley Horticultural show, alongside some extremely noisy brick banging children and some nice museum people.

I'm always amazed at the breadth of experience of the members of the public that we meet - and the variety of questions that we are asked and this Sunday was typical. I suppose one day I may stop being amazed and take it for granted but I hope that I don't.

A lot of the visitors told us they have clay in their gardens and a couple of people told me about tiles that they had also dug up locally. Charlie only had one child who was willing to have a go at the wattle and daub - I think the weather has an influence on how willing people are to get mucky!

Because of the rainy weather I ended up staggering about in my pattens again, which are useful for explaining about wear and tear on medieval tiles and the practice of taking your pattens off in the church porch before entering, as compared with other faiths in warmer countries who take off their shoes and enter bare-foot to their place of worship.

This weekend sees us back at Lanark which we are really looking forward to - and I'll probably be wearing my pattens again!

http://www.lanarkmedievalfestival.co.uk/

Charlie at Lanark last year:

http://www.lanarkmedievalfestival.co.uk/gallery/Aug%202007/slides/wattle%20and%20daub.html