Playing with a new camera

Unfortunately, my Kodak camera which I have been really happy with for a few years, has decided to start letting me down over the battery charging.  If I charge it the night before I need it or the morning I need it, it is fine.  However, after that day, no battery.  I bought a replacement battery but it has proved to be the same, so I am thinking there might be something wrong.  It has taken some lovely photos and I have enjoyed using it, but I decided to buy a new camera. 

After a lot of research, I ended up with the Canon Powershot SX420 IS.  It is different, but it has recognisable buttons and functions.  It has mixed reviews online, but for the price I was happy to pay, it was one of the only options.

This photo is from the Canon website.

 So, I went into the garden to have a practise with it.  Cyclamen Hederifolium looking rather glamorous.

 The changing colours of  Blueberry Goldtraube...

...and again.

 One of the final blooming roses - Gertrude Jekyll.

 Lovely Hydrangea Arborescens Annabelle, fading elegantly.

Miscanthus Silberfeder I think, alongside Rose Gertrude Jekyll.  So far, the camera seems to be OK, although more practising is needed I think.  I'm not sure that the photos have quite the clarity of the Kodak, but time will tell.

Stitching Santa blog swap

Over the years, I have taken part in a lot of blog swaps and exchanges and have really enjoyed them.  It's always lovely to make new friends and send presents.  Receiving presents is nice too, of course.  Recently, I haven't noticed so many to take part in and I have been missing them, so when I saw one which Jo from Through the keyhole is taking part in, I went off to investigate.
It is being run by Sheila at Sewchet and you can choose either knitting/crochet or sewing to take part in.  It is more like a Secret Santa, where someone sends you a present and you send someone else a present, so it isn't a straight swap.  You can spend up to £10.00 (always a good idea to have a limit) and I am looking forward to finding out who I will be sending to.  Some blog stalking (in a nice way), once we have the details will also help to tailor the gifts to the person.
If it sounds like something you'd like to join in with, go on over to Sewchet, where you'll find all the details.  Sign up is open until 31st October, so there's still time!

The Big Craft Event - one month to go

Yes, only one month to go until the Big Craft Event  at the Lincolnshire Showground (12th November 2017 if you'd like to come along) where I am taking my felt work.  I am almost there but just have a few things to finish off and sort out.

 I have made a banner for the front of the stall, and have been very lucky as my talented illustrator friend Rachael has designed a happy sheep logo for me and I have had it made up into a stamp for my packaging materials.

It is a very happy sheep!  I have added a watermark to the above photos, which is not something I usually do on my blog, but I decided it would be sensible to protect that logo.
I know that choosing a name for a hobby, which will work on the internet, as well as any products which you hope to sell, is a difficult process. I settled on 'Feltabulous' in 2009, for this blog and any other website/packaging etc.  I have discovered that other people have also chosen this name, in America and Australia.  This is not too much of a problem as they are in other countries and their work is not like mine.
However, earlier in the year, I discovered that there is someone not too far away from me, also in Lincolnshire, who is using the name, albeit with a variety of upper and lower case fonts and mainly producing needle felted work. I wouldn't mind so much if it was in the UK, but away from Lincolnshire.  I got in touch and asked if we could find a way to distinguish our names, so that our respective customers would not be confused.  Unfortunately, I have had no response.  I have added 'Lincoln' to my packaging in the hope that this will make my work synonymous with me.
I will be busy working away for the next month, finishing off projects and getting it all ready...

The Knights' Auction - the results

The auction of the Knights from The Knights Trail (the 'cutout' photos are from their website) took place last Saturday night at Lincoln Cathedral and the total amount raised for The Nomad Trust and other organisations was nearly £180,000.

(The photos of the Knights in situ are by Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite.)

 Rachael's Knight, 'Home is where the heart is' raised £4,600.  I think she was really pleased.

 'Knight of the Skies' raised the most, going for £15,000.

He was signed by the last surviving member of  the Dam Busters and will be displayed at the Bomber Command Memorial, just outside Lincoln.

 

 'Knight in the Forest' raised £9,000.

 'Lincoln Greene' raised £9,200.

'The Luttrell Psalter' raised £4,200.

'The Knight has a thousand eyes' sold for £3,000.

It would be nice to know who bought them and if they can be seen in their new homes.  If you would like to know about the others (and see some good photos of all the Knights in situ on the trail), head over to The Lincolnite).