Saturday 14 April 2012

A day out in Bath...



So yesterday I took the day off and caught the train up to Bath for the day to meet  up with my mum and sister who were staying with friends in Wiltshire for a few days. I do love Bath... in fact I was actually born there, and although I've lived all over the country since, I'm really glad that we now live quite close again, it is such a great city. I try to go up about once a month, it takes about an hour on the train (a really slow one though that stops at every little town and village on the way) but the journey is really scenic so it doesn't seem too bad at all! I haven't actually been for a while though cos I've been so busy lately, but also as I'm now too old for a young person's railcard (sob!) it makes it quite expensive!

I went up on the ten o clock train so I had some time to myself to do some fabric and yarn shopping before the others arrived... I have a few shops which I have to visit each time I visit Bath to get my fabric and yarn fix. One of my first stops was Wool, a relatively new yarn shop, located on Old Orchard Street. Being only quite new to the whole yarn thing myself, I've only popped in a couple of times before, but this time, I was on a mission! I was looking for yarn for a new project... I wasn't exactly sure what brand or colours I was after but oh my, I wasn't disappointed with the choice!


The whole shop was crammed full of delicious colours and yarns, with a comfy looking sofa with a colourful granny blanket thrown over... It has a nice relaxed atmosphere where I didn't feel intimidated by my lack of yarny knowledge! The lovely lady who owns the shop (in above picture) was really friendly and helpful but let me just potter about and mull over my choices.

There were so many different brands of yarn but I was drawn to the few makes I had actually heard of... One of which was Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.... so many gorgeous colours and so, so soft! Really gorgeous yarn... I just had to have some of it! I had done a bit of research online before I went, but buying in person is always so much better as you can see the colours for what they really are and feel the texture and quality up close. I must admit that I do tend to buy quite a lot of supplies etc online as we live out in the sticks now, but I do love to support my local craft and yarn shops when and where I can.

Anyway I spent quite a while pulling out different colours, trying them out in combinations to see what jumped out at me. I'd decided before I went that I wanted a more muted palette than I've used for my recent stylecraft blankets, something softer, maybe greens and duck eggs... I also wanted to try out a 'luxury' yarn as opposed to my usual cheap and cheerful stuff!      


This is what I came away with....

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous... aren't they! I must admit a teeny bit of guilt did go through me as I went to pay. It is quite an extravagance for me at £5.50 a ball, especially considering the balls are only 50g each. I haven't even tried it out yet but I can already tell it will be worth it, the quality of it feels so nice.

Anyway I'm really happy with my colour choices. Although most of you probably associate brighter colours with me, with the exception of my studio, which yes, to be honest, is full to bursting with colour, the rest of the house is actually quite neutral. I love the calming nature of these soft and beautiful colours, they are the colours I am drawn to for a lot of my soft furnishings. 

I think I am going to make a cushion with my yarn, something snuggly for the sofa. I would love to make another stripey blanket, or maybe even a ripple but I don't think I can justify the cost of using such expensive yarn for something so big! I am possibly going to add a little pink to the mix... I'm not sure though. I do love the greens and blues together, but I just wonder whether there will be enough contrast for me with what I have chosen. Will make up a couple of squares I think and then decide...

Anyway, I also popped into Country Threads too, my favourite fabric shop, and which handily, is right across the street from Wool!


 

It is a bit of a treasure trove as there is a whole room hidden away at the back of the shop, crammed full of all manner of quilting and patchwork fabrics, threads, ribbons, tools and books. I can often lose hours in here (not a joke). The staff are always really friendly but to be honest, kind of leave me to it, I am in there that long! Though yesterday I was actually quite organised as I had a project in mind which I needed some new fabric for, which I decided on quite quickly. I did also impulse buy some new 'London' fabric (new mirrors coming shortly!) some felt, some pom pom trim and some new scissors though but other than that I was really good and stuck to my 'shopping list', haha!

Oooh and I also popped into The Makery, another fab new crafty shop in Bath (readers of Mollie Makes will recognise it!), on Northumberland Place.



It is an absolutely gorgeous little shop full of cute fabrics, felts, buttons, trimmings and ribbons, and the window displays are always so creative too. So many lovely things to look at, you don't know where to look first! I got chatting to Kate who runs the shop when I was in a few months ago and she is lovely too. They also run lots of workshops for all sorts of different things, from embroidery and sewing, to felt making, lampshade making, bookbinding and knitting amongst many many more! Check out their website for more info.

Sorry for the lack of my own pictures on this post and of the insides of all these wonderful shops, but hopefully you will check out their websites, or even better, pay them a visit in person! They really are a crafty person's heaven!! Anyway I had a really lovely day out, and it was so nice to see my mum and sister again (even though I only saw them two weeks ago!) it was really great to catch up and spend the day together. Hope you are enjoying the weekend too, will be back soon xxx

26 comments:

my4lilgirls said...

I'm soooooooooo jealous, such beautiful shops.
Don't you just love beautiful shops, I could spend all day!!!!!
Have a lovely weekend
Karen x

somewhere on the avenue said...

Always fancied going to Bath, I have no idea if a train goes from where I am. I always think that I will need a huge stash of money as the shops there are so beautiful :) Already clicked on the Makery website, oh yes my type of shop, browse all day and never get bored!!

The undomesticated scientist said...

I so have to visit bath, it would also help.if I could win the lottery.

henny designs said...

Oh you really won't regret getting the baby cashmerino - it's an absolute delight to knit with, trouble is it spoils you for using anything else (so perhaps you will regret it lol). I'm in the middle of knitting a patchwork blanket with it.
I haven't been to Bath for ages - a trip is needed I think.
xxx

cupcakejojo said...

Oooh how I wish we lived back home so I could visit these delightful looking shops!! I have to say once you experience the pure joy of working with a lovely yarn you won't be able to look back & use the stylecraft. I think it's worth paying a bit more though for a full on pleasurable experience and a finished article that just looks and feels divine :)

Lovely post x x x

Free Spirit Designs said...

Glad you enjoyed your day in Bath Jenny! I only live about 4 miles away but i tend to hang out in my little country village most of the time :) I love visiting Bath though - its a great place to just wander around... I know The Makery - its a gorgeous little shop isn't it! The other's you've mentioned are new to me but i will certainly be paying them a visit soon!

The wool you've chosen is absolutely gorgeous! Its just so much fun shopping for supplies for creative projects isn't it :) I always end up buying lots of lovely things from F.J.Harris and Son in Bath (gorgeous art shop if you don't know it)

looking forward to seeing what you make with your lovely yarn!

Natalie

JoZart Designs said...

That sounds like a perfect day out for me too! Lovely shops and I love Bath.
For quality wools at bargain prices try the Black Sheep Wool Craft Barn in Culcheth, Lancashire. I am lucky enough to visit as it's only 30 mins from me but their prices are fabulous with lots at least half price or less and they charge very low postage rates for mail order.
They have coffee and a lovely big sofa so DH takes his Kindle whilst I spend as long as I like there!
JoZarty x

serendipity said...

I love Bath. We used to go there quite a lot before the girls came along! I remember Country Threads. It's a lovely place. I don't know what trains you use, but the Network railcard gives you a third off fares for £28 a year. xx

Nia Cross Stitch said...

Hi jenny,

I can just imagine the lovely soft texture of those wools.
I agree, a little pink in there would look fab.

Pink and green, one of my favourite colour combinations.

Enjoy!

Nia

Emily said...

Bath is just lovely, isn't it? It's definitely on my wishlist of 'places I'd like to win if I won the lottery'!
Gorge yarn colours - think your cushion's going to look beautiful - can't wait to see it made up.
Emily x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lucky you being so close to these gorgeous shops!
I love your yarn choice, I would be very happy with those shades too. :)Looking forward to seeing the new cushion!
Vivienne x

moonstruckcreations said...

What a lovely day out - I too love Bath but havent been there for ages. I actually got married there!

Helenxx

FourHappyBunnies said...

Hello Jenny. I love your colour choices and I'm sure the cost of the yarn will be worth it for a soft,snugly blanket. My mum used a lot of Debbie Bliss patterns to make things for my daughter when she was a baby and they were always beautiful.
Bath is a wonderful place, we have enjoyed a couple of weekend there.
I look forward to seeing your new blanket xx

Deborah said...

I love Bath and I love your buys :) hope you have a wonderful week sweetie

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

fee @ chipper nelly said...

day out, Bath, mum and sister, wool shopping? sounds perfect!
I'm in denial that my shop opens tomorrow - I'm really enjoying the easter hols and lots of family time. The ironing/bag packing/last minute homework is calling me....but so quietly I can't hear it!!!
happy new week
fee x

The Sewing Boutique said...

Love love LOVE Bath! I was there in January and went to Country Threads and loved it. Spent ages in there. Must go back soon.

Glad you had a lovely time!

Rhi x

Anonymous said...

Your photos tell the tale...what a wonderful creative exploration indeed. Your blog is delightful. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

Kay said...

How fabulous. I think I need to move house to somewhere like Bath. We have one tiny shop in our city.

Fleur Cotton said...

What a really great day out in Bath, I'm soooo jealous. Many many moons ago (infact 15 yrs ago) I used to work in Bath commuting down on a monday going home on a Friday so I used to spend hours around the shops in my spare time. After reading your post I have an inkling to visit again soon. I love your yarn choice, and the Debbie Bliss cashmerino is lovely, I've used it many times to knit with - love the shades you've chosen.

Happy crafting
Fleur xx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

So many lovely shops in Bath Jenny!...Your yarn is beautiful and you will love working with it...I really love your colour choices too..
Hope you are having a lovely week,
Susan x
P.S Sorry I'm late Jenny...I seem to remember I visited a few days ago but was having trouble leaving a comment and it has just come back to me!

Helen Philipps said...

Ooooh how lucky you are to live near Bath and such gorgeous shops, Jenny!! I enjoyed seeing these pictures and think it's time we had another trip to that lovely city. (Last time we went a few years ago we went to the American Museum, just outside Bath, to look at the inspiring patchworks.) I love your new yarn choice, beautiful colours. I have knitted lots of Debbie Bliss cashmerino and it's so soft, it will be lovely to crochet with too, I'm sure.
Hope you're having a good week :)
Helen x

claire said...

Looks like a fab day out :)

manu said...

Good morning! i find you and your very amazing blog, surfing the web!!!
your works are very nice , beautiful, sweet !"!
Manu

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