Today's Forecast . .

Another fine morning, so I set off to Gurnard sea front for some photography. It's beginning to sound like I'm obsessed with the weather and there's no harm in admitting that it's probably true. Well, in a sea-related-radio-4 type of way.

Last year, I experimented with some framed textile pieces that incorporated text (no surprise there then). One used 'Crossing the Bar', by Lord Alfred Tennyson (good Island connection), and the second was based on John Masefield's 'Sea Fever', both obviously with a seaside theme. However, it has suddenly dawned on me that the beloved, equally poetic 'Shipping Forecast' would also work well in a framed style. I'll try and get a few done and hopefully take them to Bovey as part of our collection.

(posted by Ali Hughes)

New Batch of Shipping Forecast Bags

New Bags

Many apologies - it's been a long time since our last post. The weather here on the Island has been very good in October, with lovely warm and sunny weekends - warm enough to go in the sea.

The workshop (without heating) is fortunately still plenty warm enough, thanks to solar power (ie; big windows), but we'll have to see what it's like as we get into winter. 

We've been working on some new bag designs recently. Following the popular 'shipping forecast' bags of the summer (which are still available, incidentally), we realised that the possibilities of text-on-bag are endless - quotes, lyrics, conversations etc. We're starting however, with segments from the easily recognisable Alice in Wonderland and recipes taken from Nigella's TV series book (which are cake-related, so it's not actually that far removed from Alice in Wonderland). We're also experimenting with a beautiful Liberty Tana Lawn lining to the bag.

We're still trying to get an online sales option up and running, so hopefully that will start soon, but in the meantime, here are some pictures and you can always contact us via the website if you are interested in purchasing.

Summer Wine Bucket

The bucket bags are going well at the moment, but I thought Dr Bean's could offer slightly more - with the addition of wine cooler, plastic glasses and of course a nice cold bottle of Pinio Grigio. They made good birthday presents for the recent 50 year olds. . . I'm also thinking that they would be great for Cowes week, so I'd better get sewing! I'll carry on  including bits of the shipping forecast as text around the buckets as it's nice and relevant - and can be adapted for personalised occasions. As you can see from the photos, it's a lovely morning here on the Isle of Wight.