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Saturday 30 December 2017

Winter Scenes...

30th December 2017

This year has passed so quickly, a roller coaster of a year for me and a huge learning curve about my capabilities....


...Highgate Woods on Christmas Day, couldn't believe how many joggers there were, Lots of natural woven fences in evidence...


....the last leaves, such a beautiful colour.....


....London skyline from Alexandra Palace...


.....I was fascinated by the growth on a fallen tree...


....I have completed my first house sit and am looking forward to many more in 2018.

Wishing you all a very happy and fulfilling 2018 x

Saturday 23 December 2017

A New Experience.....

23rd December 2017

I am 'Housesitting' over Christmas looking after a lovely dog and cat so I am not frantically preparing for Christmas, so relaxing, time to knit, crochet, read and walk in Alexandra Park with a very obedient dog!

Before I came here I visited one of my very favourite places, have you guessed Kew, to see an exhibition that I didn't have time to see the last time I visited....



...a whole room was decorated with a wonderful selection of dried flowers, cones, seed heads...


....so beautiful....


...the flowers were connected by fine copper wire, these strips were suspended from the ceiling....


....a gentle waft of air as people entered the room caused slight movement and wonderful shadows on the walls...


....lilies...



...so, so relaxing to be in that space...



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In the corridor leading to the exhibit I noticed this!



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Loved this way of mark making.




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Had to have a walk around although it was quite grey and damp, had some extra exercise on the tree top walk, a very different view in winter...




...great texture and colour on this tree...


....part of the Christmas lights... 


....grasses on the Boardwalk...


...stunning colours on these stems...



...one last look across the lake before I leave...


....I would like to wish you all...

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND WONDERFUL 2018


Tuesday 12 December 2017

A Completed Experiment...

12th December 2017

Remember I made this fabric by layering ribbons on felt....


....brainstorming my ideas.....


.....made the face but didn't like it.....


....made wings by layering lacy silver fabric under soluble film, traced templates and free machined using silver metallic thread. Took a while as the thread kept breaking!


My finished angel for a special little girl to put on her tree....


...I used a natural colour felt for the face and embroidered a much simpler detail on the face, small lace flowers for the hair and bells for shoes!

Such a grey day today for photos, this is more silver than it looks.

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Tried bubble writing for a project I have in mind for the new year...

1st attempt....


....after watching you tube...


....I want to make this using machine embroidery!

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Lastly made a couple of A6 cards using items from my stash.



I really need to find an outlet for my creations, any ideas welcome!!


Sunday 10 December 2017

Quick Catch Up

10th December 2017


There are 160 completed squares here, I need about 80 more and have managed 20 this week. I have so enjoyed making these, they measure 8 cm. Today I ordered more of the grey to join them all up to complete my throw.


Found this deep 4" x4" frame in 'the Range', ideal for this shell weaving on my indigo, potassium dyed shibori linen fabric....


....used white felt and assorted white/silver fabrics/ribbons...


...to make a fabric, think I am going to make a bird decoration and angel tree hanging with it.


I buy books from the charity shops and found these good ones, similar to Dan Brown...





....and a thriller.


Will be taking them back this week and choose more for over Christmas.

Also been baking, chocolate iced buns,  never last long in this house...


...and a new ginger cake recipe from River Cottage, I love how gingery it is and don't think this will be in the cake tin long either!!


I have also finished the back and 2 sleeves of the aran jacket, so many things 'on the go' and so little time as I am going to London on Friday to see the family then am 'house sitting' over Christmas, a new experience for me but am looking forward to it!

Hope to post again later in the week with some finished items......



Sunday 3 December 2017

Sample from Eco Dyed Fabric and more playing!!

3rd December 2017

I have been fairly busy this week, some good sunshine days but a cold north wind....

.....I have caught up with friends in the park, litter picking this week, a walk and chat with my creative friend and a yarn bombing coffee afternoon...




....the wool fabric I eco dyed, using these threads to stitch around the outline of the leaves, on a cotton  wadding...


....just added extra stitch to one leaf...


....decided to outline shape with hand dyed threads and Kantha stitch...


....used only the left textured cotton thread and pleased with the result...


...this is going in my sample sketchbook.

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More cards...




....decided to make a new 'fabric' using felt for the base...


....used my embellisher to add chiffon and gold yarn...


....ribbons and sari silk stitched on...


....quite pleased with these baubles, might make them into cards...


.....please feel free to add other suggestions!

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These are my crochet circle/squares with a border ready for joining...


....lots more waiting for a border....


...really enjoyed making these while watching I-player....

.....hope you all have a good week x