A break from scheduled cosplay posts for some snaps from my holiday in Wales, in which I do my very first yarnbomb!

We stayed in Talgarth Manor, a gorgeous 17thC house near Trefeglwys.

We went to the beach at Aberdyfi/Aberdovey, which was glorious.

And dramatic.

When it poured down, there was a whole lot of crafting going on in the summerhouse. Very satisfying with the doors wide open, the light pouring in, the sight of the misty hills and the sound of the rain pattering in the courtyard outside.

Clare and Emma wanted to give crochet a go, so I thought we could try this project together. Although Studio Knit shows it being made from knitting, a square of crochet should work too.

Had a couple of goes at turning my square into a bunny, but most were unwisely done at the end of the day when I was tired and had had wine. Thick chenille yarn might not have been best choice. Will try again later!

Took this little critter with me. It’s made from discarded attempts at bits for Nimakim (see Travelling Monsters website). I had a head, body and foot. Finished legs and started on an arm.

We had lunch on the harbour at Aberaeron…

… and cream tea in the cafe at nearby NT Llanerchaeron.

The walled garden was lovely…

… full of flowers, vegetables, ancient apple trees, dappled light and birdsong.

Gaie and Dave found there was a yarmbombing festival on in Llwyngwril, so of course I had to go! Here’s Gwril the Giant, the festival mascot.

I made this little sunburst owl (didn’t have time for his wings and ears). The kind folk running the yarnbombing gave me permission to add him.

I put him in the Fairy Glade. He’s right at the top of this pic, looking quite at home with wizards and witches.

He had plenty of company there, big…

…and small.

You can’t visit Wales without tripping over castles. This visit we went to Harlech.

Harlech Pottery has a great selection of art and some lovely ceramics. But the potter also has this brilliant exhibition of all the things that can go wrong.

Here’s a closeup of the list of some potential ceramergencies. Or potastrophes.

We left Harlech pottery with a little bowl and some textile collage cards by Ann Giorgi-Llewellyn.

We took a ride on a steam train on the Vale of Rheidol railway from Aberystwyth…

…through lovely scenery…

…to Devil’s Bridge Falls.

There is a folktale about this bridge, an old lady and the devil.

On the last day we popped into the nearby market town of Llanidloes to visit the quilting exhibition at the Minerva Arts Centre.

The exhibition is run by The Quilt Association and features quilts old and new. This old quilt made with fabrics from 1830’s t0 1880’s still has all the papers in, cut from bills and letters and anything the quilter could get her hands on.

This vintage quilt is a “Suffolk Puff”, made in Kent during WW2.

I liked this modern quilted and embroidered sketch of a festival dancer by Bobby Britnell.

Intrigued by Ruth Singer’s cut and manipulated paper quilt, made from pages of her book, “Sew It Up”.

Of course the exhibition had a shop. I’d already covetously eyed up the bundle of yarns Gaie bought, so of course I had to get some. Gaie was also getting busy with a braiding book with built in Kumihomo disk and plate, but local book shop was all out.

Our last night. There was a running challenge to create wine charms. Left to right : Clare and Duncan’s leather charms, Gaie’s braid and button, my pompom, Dave’s miniature leather mask. Cheers all! It was a lovely holiday.

Notes:

There’s a video on the Studio Knit website giving more detailed instructions about how to make the bunny from a square.

You can read about the making of Nimakim (and his discarded bits) in his category on the Travelling Monsters site.

The sunburst owl crochet pattern is the creation of BunnyMummy, and you can get it (free!) here. UK people – it’s in American terminology, but the conversions for all the terms are listed at the top.

If you want more Llwyngwril yarnbombing goodness, click on my tweet thread below for (a lot of) pics, check out their FB group, or best of all, go and visit before October half term. It’s just wonderful.

I can’t find a website for the Harlech Pottery, but it’s great. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Ann Giorgi-Llewellyn has an online shop too.

The folktale about Devil’s Bridge Falls is here.

If quilts are your thing, here’s the Quilt Association’s website, with information on events and exhibitions. There’s more details on the old quilt with the papers and the Suffolk Puff quilt too. Here’s Bobby Britnell’s website, and Ruth Singer’s.

The kumihomo braiding book Gaie was using is “Beautiful Braiding Made Easy” by Helen Deighan. It is entirely possible that a copy has arrived at the lair. Ahem.

Dave Gullen, who made the tiny leather mask wine charm, has an online shop. He accepts commissions, big and small. His phone cases are supercool.