Wandering Camera – Christ Church, Oxford, UK

Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

A couple of years back we finally made it to England.  What had kept me away was the predisposed knowledge that once I went to England, I would want to go back again and again.  My prediction did come true.  We did go back multiple times, not just to England, but to Scotland as well.   I would love to share our journey with you. 

 

 

River Isis, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

My first time in England had to include the City of Oxford and its architecture.  I wanted to see the city which introduced me to so many of my favourite writers.  We only had a couple of days there, so instead of rushing through a lot of the city, we decided to take our time and savour just a few places.

 

 

Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

First morning there, we walked up to Christ Church.

 

 

Meadow Building, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

We were greeted by this beautiful Venetian Gothic Meadow Building, designed by T. N. Deane.

 

 

Meadow Building, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The pointed shape of the windows and the lancet arches reflect the style.  

 

 

The Cloister, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I always enjoy a walk along a cloister.  These cloisters were build around 1499. 

 

 

The Cloister, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Details of the cloister ceiling.  It reminds me of the green man motif.

 

 

The Cloister, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The cathedral spire is the oldest surviving stone spire in England and has been part of the Oxford skyline since 1230.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

We entered the Bodley Tower, named after the architect G. F. Bodley. It houses the staircase that leads to the dining hall.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The staircase was built in the 19th century.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The stunning medieval style ceiling, however, was built in 1638.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Entry to the beautiful Christ Church dining hall.

 

 

Dining Hall, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The Hall is part of the college’s original foundation built in Renaissance style.  The walls are adorned with portraits and there is a large fireplace on each side.

 

 

Dining Hall, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The beautiful hammerbeam ceiling was built by Humphrey Coke, Henry VIII’s chief carpenter. 

 

 

Bodley Tower, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After descending the staircase we walked in to the Tom Quad taking in the view of the Bodley Tower from there.  We will continue on to the Tom Quad on the next Wandering Camera.

 

 

Watercolour Sketch of Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I have started keeping a travel sketch journal.  Here’s a quick sketch of a window of the Christ Church Meadow Building.

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

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A Flurry Of Blankets

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

 

A few months ago, I reorganised my atelier a little bit, shifting my sewing and painting supplies around.  During that time, I found a large cut of fleece I had purchased a very long time ago to make a blanket with for when we go camping.  That started a flurry of blanket-making, ending with a total of four – two for us humans and two for the furry ones.  I even knitted one of them.

 

 

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

 

All the fleece blankets I made are double-layered.  I love cold-weather camping in the High Sierras.  Even with 0F-rated sleeping bags, a little extra warmth is very nice to have during the chilly nights.  This is going to be our camping blanket.  That is, of course, not going to stop me from using it at home dreaming of the camping days.

 

 

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The second blanket I made was a present for my husband for his birthday.  It’s a Marauder’s Map fleece print I found at JoAnn.  I purchased 3 yards of the fleece, and for the backing I got 3 yards of the snowflakes print.  I used 2.5 yards of each for the blanket. 

 

 

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Unplanned, it fits the day bed in his home office perfectly.

 

 

 

 

I kept the remnant of the Marauder’s Map fleece for another project.  With the remnant of the snowflake fleece I made a little blanket for the kitties.  As I was attempting to take a photo of it, Charlie showed up and claimed his blanket and I was unable to move him.

 

 

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

 

For the fleece blankets – after rounding off the corners with an old CD, I stitched all around the blanket with 1/4″ seam allowance, keeping a large a gap on one side to turn it over.  I clipped the corners, offsetting the top and the bottom pieces.  I think the corners lie a little flatter that way.  I was too lazy to take the serger out.  After turning the blanket, I used a zigzag stitch on my sewing machine to stitch around the edges to give it a nice finish.

 

 

Tutorial for Fleece And Knitted Blankets | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I also made a knitted blanket specially for Charlie.  He loves to sleep on my yellow pullover.  I used the same bulky gauge yarn I used to knit my pullover for his blanket.  I think, it’s a great alternate pattern to the stockinette stitch. 

You will need to cast on (multiples of 4) + 3 stitches.  Alternate these two rows –

Repeat to the last 3 stitches – knit 3, slip 1 with yarn in front.   Knit the last 3 stitches.

Knit 1. Repeat to the last 2 stitches – slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 3.  The last two stitches – slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 1.

 

These are all very easy to make whether you knit or sew, or do both.

 

Until next time,
-Soma

 

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