Corris Uchaf, Wales
Quilting at Corris
Patchwork and Quilting work shop at Corris Craft Centre, Mid Wales
A Week of 2 Halves
Jun 10th
To coin a football phrase, this has been a week of 2 halves.
Whilst the sun continues to cast its glare on our corner of Wales, people have been too busy to shop. They look around the wares and watch us work our craft, but its only a means of keeping cool indoors.
But, by the end of the week our visitors must have become accostomed to our wonderful Welsh weather, as they became increasingly interested and found another way of lightening their loads by shedding pounds into our till. Another form of slimming by the pound that should be encouraged.
Also nice to know that folk are interested in what we do and our crafts, even while glowing so profusely under the incessant heat. Just don’t forget the factor 40, and take advantage of the refreshments offered in our cafe.
So, like the football, a quiet first half of the week and we came storming back in the second.
And on that note another cheer for the Wales “B” team – Brazil – Come on the Bouys. Of course not forgetting Trinidad and Tobago, the possible runners up to our “B” team.
This is Wales, so the Sun shines
Jun 3rd
What a glorious week.
After the deluge of recent weeks Wales has recovered to be it’s usual sunny self. Everything has cheered up, the plants, the livestock, the birds and the bees, as well as the good folk at Corris Craft Centre.
A real air of optimism pervades the air all around our little idyll in Mid Wales.
We started a maket stall in Machynlleth on Wednesday selling mainly quilting fabrics. A great opportunity to meet new people and to see old friends as they amble through the streets and stalls of Mach on a very fine and pleasant day. We shall keep the market up as its an ecomonic way of selling and good advertising for us and for the Craft Centre. We have already had people, who saw our stall in the street, make their first ever visit to the Craft Centre. How sad that people living or holidaying for many years within 15 miles of Corris have never even heard that the Craft Centre existed. Yet what a joy for them when they make that first visit.
We have also had much interest from people getting involved in Teresa Anna’s Quilt. We look forward to seeing the designs and construction techniques of the different squares as they are returned over the next few weeks. Teresa Anna herself has put in some guest appearances as well, which is always a bonus.
If you would like to get involved in this personal worthy quest of ours, come and visit our quilting shop at Corris Craft Centre soon before all the material has gone as the quilt has a limit of 25 squares.
A week with our heads in the clouds
May 26th
The monsoons have arrived in Mid Wales.
We tell our visitors that there’s a thick sea mist and some spray – but actually its been incessent rain and heavy showers. So, we’ve lived with our heads in the clouds and our visitors have lived in their rain coats.
But everyone’s cheery, seems the whole of the UK is getting pretty much the same.
Roll on spring, you’ve been a long time comming.
Spring bank holiday just around the corner and all the bulbs and flowers at Corris Craft Centre have been washed away and drowned.
With no end in sight to the monsoon, there’s the World Cup to look forward to. As the Real World Champs (Wales) have had the grace to decline an invite to Germany “so that the others can have a chance”, we shall be supporting the World “B” team – BRAZIL. Come on the bouys in Yellow and Green.
Meanwhile, we look forward to greeting the throng in our own little arena at Corris Craft Centre and delighting them with our fabrics, patchwork and quilts. Plus, there’s one very special quilt we have lined up for a very special Lady (Teresa Anna) in our own little village of Corris Uchaf in aid of Breast Cancer Research. More Soonest ….
Our shoppers this week
May 20th
A hectic week.
We started it by driving to Leicester, then to Nottingham to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo (brill), back to Leicester for the night and then to London.
The gig was a Christmas present courtesy of No1 Daughter – Outstanding
On our way to Leicester we spent some time with No1 Son who was hard at work bettering himself studying to be a Mortgage Consultant.
We spent a short night in Leicester with No2 Son who is a highly competent self employed Shopfitter with experience throughout Europe and North America.
Thence to London to see No2 Daughter, a hughly talented apprentice Tailor in London’s Saville Row.
We had time for two very happy visits to Kar and P and some of their little treasures.
And back to our Quilting Craft Shop in Corris – carefully minded by No1 Daughter and Ollie for our 4 days’ absence. Very successful they were too.
Since our return we have had some delightful shoppers – 2 couples from the Nottingham/Chesterfield area, some Ladies from the Fairbourne WI, and then today some lovely people; beginners and experienced alike – fond memories of time spent together. Diolch yn Fawr.
This is part of which makes crafting such a joy. Not just the actual mechanics of the craft, but being able to share with folk such as these who have visited us this week.
A delight to meet you all….
**** Numbers above reflect succession of birth alone.
What is this Craft Centre thingy at Corris then?
May 12th
Well, as you ask – a quick explanation …
Basically Corris Craft Centre is a general term for 3 sets of businesses.
At the Craft Centre itself we have 10 craft units. Each crafter designs, makes and sells their wares from their own craft workshop. There are wooden toys, pottery, jewellery, leather, candles, patchwork and quilting (us), glass sculpturs, rustic furniture, woodturning and pyrography, and card (kard) making. You can visit (free) and watch, join in or buy if you like.
There is also a cafe run by Chris “Coffi”. She has an outstanding team of kitchen and ice cream staff, including Chai, Jude, Tony, Sarah, Phillipa, Mentol, Amy, and Angel.
King Arthur’s Labyrinth is an underground adventure through the old mines whilst The Bard’s Quest is a gentle stroll through a maze. Both examine myths and legends of old.
The Labyrinth reception in run by Jackie (with the recently retired Anne “doing” the books), assisted by Sammy and the Shepherds.
The Tourist Information Centre is run by Ann, Julie and “Garden” Jackie, who is our gardener in chief hence her name.
The Underground operations are managed by “Head Boy” (Hew), stoutly assisted by “Wing Commander” Steve, with able contributions from Mark, Ryan and Dave.
All of this is overseen by Ian; who takes his turn at maintenance, reception, and even as a sheperd.
Confused? You wont be if you come on down and pay us a visit amongst the delightful countryside of Mid Wales. A great day for young and not so young alike.
A Quiet couple of weeks
May 7th
Easter has passed, and so has the first May bank holiday.
The trees are greening, the birds singing and the countryside reinvents itself at this magical time of Spring.
There can be no where on earth as beautiful as Spring in Mid Wales, and especially at Corris Craft Centre.
Like silk worms we continue to sew and weave our way through our current projects. We have nearly completed our two Celtic wallhangings with our versions of the Red Dragon and celtic knotwork. Hope you like them.
We are also developing a theme of celebratory Welsh love spoons, built in woodlike fabrics, with personal inscriptions embroidered onto them. Rare and charming gifts for those special days.
We hope to have illustratory pictures as soon as we can.
Even better, come and see them at Bumble Bee Quilting…..
Easter 2006
Apr 18th
The air is mainly dry and the crowds flock.
We’ve been buzzy Bees down at the Corris Craft Centre, and Bumble Bee Quilting has been as busy as ever.
The patchwork and quilting craft continues apace when the light allows, Amazing how hazy light can make sewing so difficult. Even under daylight bulbs there is not enough contrast to show up what and where you are sewing. A real strain on the already fatigued eyes. Cannot be good for long term vision.
But, retail is going and interest from the visiting public is resonable at best. We too have to make a living.
We have only been here since July 2005, but from our short experience we can say without hesitation that the vast majority of visitors to the craft units are just wasting time between boats for the journey through King Arthur’s Labyrinth.
Of the other 8% who visit the Corris Craft Centre some are genuinely interested in crafting generally, and the rest know the crafters they wish to visit and make the point of seeing them and perhaps no others.
For the 92% however, we are nursing and providing some light entertainment for them and their families whilst they wait their turn underground. In much the same way that the education system nurses younger children and their families before they go up to the bigger schools.
Very disappointing
That’s Lucky
Apr 10th
I’m told there is an advert with a lucky dog.
Well, we are a Craft Centre with a Lucky Lamb, who is aptly named.
Lucky, having been rescued from the crows developed some kind of tummy bug.
My sister, brother-in-law and their 3 little angels are visiting us and have met Lucky, a poorly Lucky though. That was yesterday, and today I am happy to report that Lucky’s health is improving. The tummy bug is lessening and she is skipping about and is very much more cheerful. Just a blip then we hope.
So, my nieces can now meet a happy and well Lucky and they can appreciate one of natures gifts.
Just as we crafters try to work close to mother nature with the natural materials we all use in our various crafts.
