Winchcombe on a sunny day in February.

To new reader's of my blog welcome, to returning viewer's, hi and lovely to see you again.

This weekend the weather here in the UK has been incredibly mild considering it's February, in parts of the country the temperatures have beaten all time records.

I live in the Cotswolds, (sadly not in a picture postcard town), but if I drive just fifteen minutes I am in the beautiful town of Winchcombe. 

The history behind the town is fascinating.

Winchcombe was one of the four Gloucestershire boroughs mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. In the following centuries both town and abbey prospered, benefitting from the trade in wool from the surrounding farmland and, increasingly, from the economic benefits brought to the town by pilgrims. 

The nearby Sudeley Castle, was home to the young Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I) and to Henry VIII’s widow, Katherine Parr in the sixteenth century.

Myself and my four legged companion Indie went on a four mile walk around the outskirts of the town, taking in outer edge of Sudeley Castle which is open to the public on 4th March.

We walked past many picture perfect cottages.

My boy enjoyed the walk, but especially in sharing in my picnic!

Snowdrops are such a beautiful flowers that were seen scattered in hugh clusters on the banks in front of the houses.

I came across these small clumps of Daffodils just in the hedgerow in front of a house.  The yellow zingned out against the deep blue sky.

The catkins hanging from the Hazel tree look so delicate.

Their were so many sheep in the fields, such a great sight.

I love tihs view just over looking the town itself on the way up the hill.

Indie enjoyed a little paddle in the River Isbourne that runs through the town.

Designed by George Gilbert Scott) near St Peter’s church and the almshouses in Dent’s Terrace (1865

I hope you have enjoyed this picture diary.  Until next time.

The Victorian Arts & Crafts

I have recently been catching up on a programme very dear to my heart.

It was first prodcast in January this year on BBC 2.  But thanks to the ability of being able to watch programmes on catch up I have been able to watch this programme at my leisure.

So let me introduce you to it.  The Victorian House Of Arts and Crafts-series-1-episode-1

In this landmark living history series, a late 1800s Victorian arts and crafts commune in the Welsh hills has been painstakingly brought back to life as a group of 21st-century crafters move in to experience the highs and lows of living and working together as a creative commune. Over their month-long stay they are set to renovate four of the key rooms in the house. 

In the first episode Anita Rani is joined by internationally renowned potter Keith Brymer Jones and arts and crafts expert and dealer Patch Rogers, as the six crafters are faced with the challenge of breathing life back into the Victorian parlour. Using original Victorian tools and techniques, they create arts and crafts objects including a Sussex chair, CR Ashbee bowl and William Morris-inspired wallpaper - all from scratch and all in a week. 

All the while, they are also eating, working and living within the philosophies first outlined by the likes of John Ruskin and William Morris. Will their 1890s communal life help them to better understand the depth and scale of the Arts and Crafts movement, both as a power for artistic and social change? Will the arts and crafts life make them better crafters and reconnect them creatively to what they love? 

The setting for the programme is Wyndcliffe Court in St Arvans, Monmouthshire.  First built in 1922 and built by Eric Francis.

I wanted whilst writing this blog not only to research more about the Arts & Crafts, but find out more about the six crafters that took part.

Thanks to Making a Mark I have found all six crafters.

Bryony Knox

Bryony's craft is silver smithing and you can view her studio here with beautiful imagary.

During the first week Bryony produced a stunning hand finished silver hand bowl in the style of Charles Robert Ashbee

The second artist is Abdollah Nafisi.

Abdollah's skill set is woodwork.  During the programme he reproduced Sussex Chair from scratch which was designed by William Morris

Ilsa Parry skill set is design practitioner, with advanced specialist knowledge of 3D design, art direction and product commercialisation.  During her time at the house she designed wall paper to be hung in the dining room inspired by William Morris.

Stephen Winstanley key skill is as a potter.

Niamh Wimperis is an incredibly talented embroider and she produced a beautiful bed throw.

The final artist is Rod Hughes who's "day job" is sword making! But when you watch the programme he can turn his hand to most crafts. 

My interest in Arts & Crafts stems from the fact that during my final year of my degree I studied William Morris and visited Kelmscott Manor in Lechlade which was fascinating.  

I wanted to use William Morris's work as an inspiration to interior design.  

 

This was my final dissertation with the sketch and inspiration in the journal.

 

This is an extract from my design idea sketchbook with inspiration from my trip to the house and some of William Morris's wallpaper.

 

 

This was my final cushion design, with an outer layer of knitwear and inside was a silk covered cushion that could be used aswell for an alternative.

 

I am still designing knitwear and my portfolio of work can be seen here.

 

At present I am working on mainly sock designs and neck accessories. 

 

 

These are examples of some of my designs.

 

I do hope you get a chance to watch the programme and would love to hear what you think of it here.