Run, don’t walk.

If you like embroidery, that is – and if you can get to Portsmouth – and if you haven’t already been – to the Textile Study Group [Practical Study Group as was] exhibition in Portsmouth Museum. [I realise it’s already been all round the country but we tend to get things late in the deep South.]

Just look at that list of exhibitors. And in addition to all the wonderful stitch [stitch with metal, stitch with glass, stitch with ceramics, stitch with paper, stitch with stitch …] there’s a book. A not-for-sale hand made book in which each exhibitor has completed a double page spread of mixed media stuff. It was still there when I left, honest.

Seriously, it is a very good, very inspirational exhibition. It’s on till the end of next month – we will be going again. Admission is free and there is free parking in the grounds. And a tea shop. On a Sunday afternoon, although the other galleries were busy, we had the textiles almost to ourselves. And if you are unfortunate enough to have a partner who isn’t into textiles, there are other exhibitions about Sherlock Holmes and football. [That’s two different exhibitions, you understand – as far as I know S. Holmes wasn’t a football fan. Although as Arthur Conan Doyle lived in Portsmouth, S. Holmes would have been a Pompey supporter. Perhaps that's why he kept it quiet?]

Now I’ve calmed down a bit – another flower. With added bee. I photographed this in the Hillier Gardens and I think its a rudbeckia, though I‘m sure that  if I'm wrong one of the experts out there will correct me.