A really good day at class

I was at uni yesterday and had a great tutorial with Linden, my tutor.  

Linden is very enthusiastic about my sampler project, and we were talking about methodology (she gets very excited about different methods of research). I showed various bits of artwork I have done in Vanda's art class, so she could see how I work up ideas.  Linden has listened to various stories I have told about friend's mothers and family members and has various methods of research she wants me to use.  I was also told off!  She is very keen that I should have one of Aunt Joan's knitted sweaters as part of my research. She was seriously unimpressed that I had not accepted one of the sweaters when Allison offered one!  I need to talk to my cousin Allison to see whether there is one I can have.

Linden was very excited about the knitting book that I have inherited from Aunt Joan. I had planned to get it repaired by a bookbinder and was told not to, at least until I had done the research on the book.  Now I have looked at every page of the book, I know Aunt Joan knitted the pram set, gloves, a boy's sweater and a ladies top.  She ate a biscuit one day while knitting and also knitted in the garden soon after the grass had been mown!  

I might also knit one of the patterns and wear it at either the 2015 end of year show, or the 2016 MA show.  I think this is a great idea!

I told my Contextual Studies tutor, Lewis, about my ideas.  Because of all the stories I tell about family, he wants me to do some oral history research.  He was suggesting I find out whether family members are prepare to tell the family stories, and be recorded.  At present I know nothing about how to do this, so I need to find out at my next tute with him.  He was very keen that someone in the group should use oral history technique.  I have known for some time that Narrative is important to my work, but had not realised it would be an important part of my research.

I also handed in my Literature Review.  He was quite stunned.  I thought it had to be in on Friday 27 November, and I am busy with other things today and tomorrow.  So, obviously to my mind(!), the deadline comes forward.  He seemed not to expect it until about a week later.  Other class members seem confused about what is expected - a literature review or a report.  As is my wont, I just went ahead and did as I thought fit.

So I have an idea.  At present I have not spoken to Jim about all this, as he is not home until Sunday.  Jim and I were planning to go to Scotland between Christmas and New Year, to see his friend Grace, (who is about 85, quite disabled, but feisty and happy), and we normally spend a few days with her while we visit Glasgow, then have a few days in Edinburgh, before coming home.  This is not yet arranged.  So I was wondering whether Jim and I could pop into see Allison and other family members  either on the way up or back from Scotland.  I suspect my Uncle Jimmy might be quite interested in the actual recording process, as he is a retired engineer.  All my Dad's side of the family are supportive of my studies and I think they would be very keen and very interested in what I am doing.