I was lucky enough to receive some amazing books this Christmas. Including the wonderful Horrockses Fashions: Off-the-Peg Style in the 40s and 50s
Having started to actually read it and not just scour the incredible collection of photos and illustrations, what I really love is its account of how social history affected the company's development.
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Paper and textile artist Jennifer Collier has opened a new contemporary craft exhibition and workshop space this year, called Unit 12. I went to have a look and take part in her Banner Workshop. Jennifer provides all you need for all her workshops but always invites you to bring some personal bits and bobs along to include too.
Since I'm slowly assembling items from my family's history these days I thought I'd use some of those so I have some sort of visual snapshot of some of that history. And a few bits from my own life to bring the old and new together.
The studio is a gorgeous space, perfect for workshops of around 10 people or fewer so you get really good support and attention (and lots of cups of tea and cake!). It's on a farm in the the beautiful Staffordshire countryside (about 1 hour's drive from Manchester or half an hour from Birmingham)
There's a song I love. No idea where I first heard it but it has some great lines,
"Course, mum has an old hat.
Oh that's my oldest memory.
See that one's my mother and that one's my father.
And that one in the hat, that's me"
It's by Ani Di Franco called Studying Stones and it's on my blip playlist
