I’m visiting Gemma and Paddy this weekend, and took the opportunity to visit an exhibition at the Ikon Gallery.
A lovely building as well.
Then I wandered through Birmingham and along the canal before getting a train to Gemma’s.
There’s a lovely marquetry map of Selly Oak at King’s Norton station for some reason.
…lie. I don’t normally manage to catch him like this; he usually leaps up if I get close enough to take a photo!
The view from my shed.
Keen to get leaders back outside with their girls, the folks at Paxwood offered a firelighting course for new and inexperienced leaders, or those who have lost confidence during Covid. They were invited to come with or without a few girls, and some experienced leaders were available for support and encouragement – of which I was one!
I was very impressed with the Brownies’ wood pile; small but beautifully formed:
Later on they offered me a toasted wrap. Rather more toasted than perhaps ideal, but I was hungry so it was welcome. It contained strawberries, slices of banana and some marshmallows which melted goo-ily. I’d not seen wraps cooked on the fire before, so there is always something new to learn even for old hands like me!
So, having bought a wig stand and a stretchy turban as a basis…
The next step was to drape fabric around it. This is left over from the Regency dress, so it’ll match.
Now to begin stitching it all together (and hopefully not to the stand). I also found a little collection of sparkly bits which might work as decorations.
First up this year: grape jelly.
I finally got a good set after years of trying. I added the juice and rind of two oranges. Definitely helped the flavour too, but maybe a tad less ground cloves next time!
Rocco somewhat underwhelmed
Some years ago, I began crocheting squares from some cotton yarn from my stash. Squares are good to take on holiday, as they are small and you can just take a few at a time, but it also means the project progresses slowly… Anyway, I was getting near the end of the cotton, so it was time to decide what to make from the finished squares.
First, they had to be blocked, then pressed. 
I ended up with 33, just the number for a shrug pattern I found. The photo below was taken on the bed while I was away in Cambridge – the whole project was still small enough to take in my rucksack!
The assembled shrug had to be blocked again after I had crocheted the squares together.
Here it is being worn as a shrug:
But the sleeves have buttons, so you can also wear it as a shawl…
…or a scarf!
Very adaptable! But do I store it with the wraps, the shrugs or the scarves??
I am spending a few days in Cambridge with a group called “Free to Believe”, studying Tom Holland’s book “Dominion”. This afternoon we had some free time, so I went for a stroll around Cambridge. In true Wheeler fashion, I wandered away from the bustle to the river, which was much more pleasant.
There were dog walkers, ducks, a heron and a couple of teenage swans. But I wasn’t expecting cows!
Well, the dress is finished; I still need to make a chemise to go underneath the stays, which go under the dress.
Then I can get even more creative and make a turban. Otherwise, I will have to wear my wig…
