Fun in the Forest

My sewing machine ploughed admirably through yards and yards of industrial Velcro and eventually all of the new USA Yurt quilted roof sections, skirts and hanging junctions were complete. It took some determination to keep going but with a deadline looming there was to be no slacking. I packed up all of the USA Stunt Quilter panels, along with a wide selection of mine and I managed to cram everything into two very large suitcases ready for shipping. I delivered them to the depot after driving around several industrial estates near Aberdeen airport so hopefully they will be sent out as soon as Hurricane Irene calms down. They are heading for the Fiber Arts Museum in Wisconsin, where the new yurt frame has already been delivered. I expect Terri and her team will have a dress rehearsal once everything clears customs.

Having completed the very last Yurt panel ever, I decided that I had to do just one more in case the 18 panels that I have kept in the UK did not quite fit together. It will be a sort of strippy a bit like Five Bar Gate, inspired by the magenta of the willow bay herb, the lilac coloured heather that is in full bloom, and the deep purple brambles. Some of the wide strips are not quite long enough so there will be a few sections of golden flying geese as they will soon be heading south as summer draws to a chilly close.

I spent a couple of days planning some child friendly hand sewing and packed up the Quilted Yurt for an educational event in Durris Forest over the weekend. There is a wood in the forest where local children can take part in Forest School activities. They can work on environmental tasks and spend whole days outside, walking from the village school up the long forest track to a clearing near the top of a hill. Over the weekend there was a bodger helping them to saw logs by hand and make a wooden xylophone, bows and arrows, and play games using sticks and willow hoops. A story-teller with a lyre narrated scary folk tales and a forest ranger led nature trails, identifying bugs and fungi. A team of volunteers worked on a dry stone dyke while children worked on craft activities and everyone was amazed that the weather stayed dry enough for picnics. Despite the merciless midges and the uneven ground, the Yurt looked terrific in its woodland setting. It would be great if a permanent yurt with a wood stove could be put up there for outdoor education.