For those who knew the wonderful

Ann McClean

From David McClean

I'm very sorry to tell you all that Ann collapsed on Tuesday afternoon. She was taken by ambulance to Shrewsbury Hospital, but died shortly after getting there.

Her (and my) sons in Vancouver and Perth have been informed, but due to this damned virus there is nothing they can do.

Her brother Stephen is coming over to help with the Frank side of things, but all in all....well, we knew we wouldn't live forever, but we thought there was at least a few more years left.

Sleep is hard to come by at the moment.

Forgotten Stitches

Rebekah is a self taught embroiderer and beader. Forgotten Stitches recreates the romance of bygone eras using vintage textiles and materials and is dedicated to keeping forgotten arts alive. Please email me her rebekah@forgottenstitches.com for any enquires, commissions or just to say hello!

 Forgotten Stitches explores a genuine passion and admiration for the fashion, lifestyle, etiquette and romance of bygone eras, and seeks to recreate this using vintage materials, threads and even sewing instruments wherever possible.

 https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/forgottenstitches

Madeline's Corner

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadelinesCorner#items

I'm Jacky and I am the designer, creator and maker at Madeline's Corner

From being a young child I have had a love of all things creative which use thread, yarn and fabric

From humble beginnings in primary school a beautiful lady called Mrs Lockwood taught me to embroider; from a sampler of stitches initially, then onto the designing and embroidering of a pump bag. How I looked forward each week to her lessons, which she taught with passion and patience

I was taught to knit by my mother (who knitted all my cardigans and jumpers) and my grandmother who favoured cotton dishcloths and socks and I was fascinated by her use of four needles. So, from scarves for my dolls to a layette set as part of my childcare exams, knitting became a firm favourite after I had mastered pattern reading and picking up dropped stitches, (the latter being an art in itself)

In sixth form, born out of the need to further fill my timetable of lessons, I opted to study Needlework. I studied for only a year, tagging onto a fifth form class lesson once a week for the theory side and had two lunchtime sessions of practical learning...and gained a grade A in my 'O' level. That was a proud moment!

 Crocheting has been my love since I decided to start my own business (so much easier to deal with a dropped stitch!) and gladly most of my work now seems to include it!

Over subsequent years I have developed my skills and expertise, mostly self-taught, and with each year that passes my enthusiasm for creativity and achieving high standards of excellence have become my trademark

I am now a mother of four grown-up children who, from enjoying their initial nursery decor of sewn pieces and knitted garments of clothing, still enjoy the labours of love I create today

Madeline was my fifth child, who sadly died. When I launched Madeline's Corner in 2012, it seemed befitting to remember her in this way, as she will always have a home in my heart

I invite you to join me in the adventures of a needle..!!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadelinesCorner#items

Fill Your Garden Trough For Free

The Mesembryanthemum's are long gone, so what do you put in a very shallow trough?

Several cuttings from various evergreen plants such as Ivy, Laurel, Holly Privet and Conifer leaves.

10th Lytham Hall Classic Car & Motorcycle Show

A selection of vehicles that took me eye.

Personality Knitting Pattern Model

Pauline Stone was born in Guildford in 1941, and became  a top English fashion model of the 1960's. A 1960's  image of her that ran in the Daily Express helped to launch celebrated photographer David Bailey's career.

Stone married actor Laurence Harvey in 1972 -1973, He starred in Room at the Top (1959),The Alamo (1960) and The Manchurian Candidate (1962).

In  1978 - 1986 she married Peter Morton a businessman from the United States. who was the  co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe.

She then married  Mark Burns in  1995  until his death  in 2007, an  English film and television actor who stared in Death as a woman, The Saint, The prisoner and the tv series Lorna Doone .

In Domino, the film about Stone's daughter Domino's life,  Paulene is played by actress Jacqueline Bisset. Stone, however, requested that her name not be used in the film. The character was renamed Sophie Wynn.

Restoration Upcycle Queens

These ladies are masters at restoring old furniture, and have an eye for making  items such as picture frames, pictures and Christmas decorations out of old bits of broken jewellery and fabrics.

Before

After

Upcycled Pictures, Frames and Christmas decorations