Better late than never

I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I am going to be a rather sporadic blog writer, so many thanks in advance to anyone who is still reading

I noticed that I need to catch up with posting some photos that I have mentioned in previous posts, so here goes.
First of all, the green postcard I sent to Gina in Australia back in February

Now some more pictures from Wells (I should say Wells-next-the-sea but no one round here ever calls it that)
First a close-up of a traditional boat bumper. I wish I’d noticed that cable tie before.

These wonderful colours and patterns were on the side of a huge old buoy sitting on the quayside.

And finally, you can really understand where the Japanese metalsmiths were coming from when you see bits of wood like this.

For anyone interested in Mokume Gane, James Binnion has a nice description of the modern process and some beautiful examples here: http://www.mokume-gane.com/Pages/What_is_Mokume.html

I won’t promise to be back more regularly but I can promise to be thinking about it and reading lots of blogs in the meantime.  Oh, and I will also try and get some stitching done to show you.

Why do I get the strange ones?

One of my cats is currently sitting about two feet away from me on my desk licking a peppermint teabag to death. I have seen cats eat some very strange things but this is a new one on me, she has split the bag and is even eating some of the leaves. Time for intervention I think.

Does anyone else have pets with strange habits?

I’ve been a bit under the weather again recently but hopefully things are looking up and there will be more textile related posts soon.

Green Circles

One of the postcard swap groups I belong to, a spin off from Stitchin Fingers had a green themed swap before Christmas.  Unfortunately, the card I sent to my swap partner in Australia never turned up.  Last week I sent off a new card for her along with a few little goodies to make up for the delay, I know it wasn’t my fault, but I still feel like I ought to apologise if you know what I mean?

Anyway, here is a detail from that card, I won’t post the whole thing till I know Gina has received it.

Of course I took lots of close-ups

But sea air and scrambling around has taken its toll on me.  I managed to sort out what is probably my favourite shot of the day though

What do you think?

No close-ups please!

Well, I’m not quite ready to show you any pictures of what I have been doing, but I have been doing.  One thing which is almost finished I’m not going to show you as it’s part of a swap and the other piece I’ve been working on definitely needs more work.

Things have definitely been flowing more smoothly since I had my session with Marion, fingers crossed this will continue.

Off up to the North Norfolk coast tomorrow for some photography.  Going to be somewhat chilly I think.  Glad I’m not going on Sunday though!

Making the most of your creativity

This year I have lots of time on my hands so I am determined to do more constructive work (OK, playing with pretty things).  Helping me in this determination is the wonderful kind and talented Marion Barnett aka Artmixter.

Back in October last year,  Marion asked for volunteers to help her road test a new book she is writing about creativity and getting past creative blocks.  I was in two minds at the time whether to put myself forward or not as I was in a rather unstable place at the time and wasn’t sure how much I would be able to put into it, or indeed get out of it.

Fast forward three months and I am very glad I did put myself forward for the group.  We have had sample sections of some of the chapters of her book and have worked through various exercises to help us determine what is actually important to us in our art practice, a process which I am not alone in saying brought up some surprising answers.  As an added bonus Marion has also done telephone coaching sessions with us as individuals.   Marion talks about the coaching she offers here

I had my session with her today and I can happily say that it was one of the most productive and valuable hours I have had in a long time, let alone spent on the telephone.  I am now feeling much more positive about my work and have a sense of direction which has been missing for some time.

Anna, another member of the guinea pig group blogged about her session with Marion very eloquently.  I would cheerfully add my recommendation of  Marion’s coaching sessions for anyone feeling stuck with their work.

Now to go and start working on some of those ideas…

I’m Back!

I’ve been bad and not updated for so long I think I shall just draw a line under last year and start again (actually that’s not a bad idea in oh so many ways…)  If anyone really wants to know I can do a précis of events but I will leave it for now.   At least one if not more posts to follow in short order

Inspiration: Feathers

Hubby and I made the most of a lovely sunny day last weekend to visit a local bird sanctuary.  Viewers of Springwatch might remember Pensthorpe.

White

More white.

And something a bit more colourful

The top two are of course swans and the last one is a bald ibis, a bird that at first glance appears rather drab. Then you notice the wonderful irridesense of the feathers.

Note to self…

… Remember to put the gloves on BEFORE you start playing with inks and dyes.

Busy and tired but mostly happy.

Oh dear, I hadn’t realised it had been so long since I updated here.  Lots has happened in the last month so I will try and keep it (relatively) brief.

Soon after my last post I went on a trip with a local history group down to the Warner Textiles Archives in Braintree, Essex.  If you’re interested in flat textiles then I highly recommend a trip to this fascinating archive.

Unfortunately, since shortly after that trip, my health has been not so good which is one of the main reasons I haven’t been around much.  The second reason is that my laptop died about two weeks ago which has meant computer access has been a bit more limited than normal.

In terms of local wildlife, we have had quite a few more slow worms and a number of grass snakes, I shall get some pictures up soon.

I was just about well enough to visit the Festival of Quilts on Saturday and had a great time.  DH was very noble about pushing me around in a wheelchair all day.  We spent far too much money on goodies for me, and I say we because DH bought me an embellisher as a very early Christmas present.  Most of my money went on threads from Oliver Twists, Stef Francis, Winifred Cottage and various other goodies from Art Van Go.  Met the irrepressible and very talented Marion Barnett Sadly missed meeting other people I know from the blogosphere.  Overall had a fantastic time and I would love to go again another year when I am feeling better and can give all the wonderful quilts on display the time and attention they deserved.