Book Wrap and Spring

The book wrap is complete. I am happy that my journal 2011 has such a nest. Warm, protective and natural. The calico cover is tea dyed, the images are transferred using a range of techniques from printing to spraying, gel medium transfer to emulsion transfer. Inks used are walnut and eucalyptus. There is machine and hand stitching of the three layers and a tie made from slubby sheep's wool.
I shall definitely make more.

The weather today is a joy. There was a honey bee on the snowdrops this morning - I have never seen that before. He has made it through the winter and is willing to try any flower available - imagine that; Snowdrop Honey!

The croci have opened their hearts too.

Clare's Pears

Just loved a wonderful workshop making bookwraps with Annette Emms on Saturday.
Mine is to cover my 2011 journal.
I seem to be in a 'pear' sort of mood at the moment. I love their angular shapes and their 'shoulders'.

Talking of pears, I took the children to the wonderful Jackfield Tile Museum at Ironbridge last week and we had a super morning designing and painting a tile each. They were fired and we went to collect them on Saturday.

Treading the path.

Sometimes I have a lot on. At the moment there are things I have to do which seem hard and fruitless. I know the end of the process will be sad. I know I will not have my Mum any more. But I have to remember to take one step at the time. A little warm footprint on the cold, cold path.
Part of the process is to continue to make. To keep my hands busy and allow my mind to assimilate and focus.

To remember her as she was when her mind worked. To remember that she will shine like a star inside me.

And that star will have colour and depth. And warmth around it.

Softness and form.

Humour.

Love.

A practical side.

And a hug.
(This is our boy Henry looking at the snow from his hutch - he didn't think much of it on his paws!)

Monochromish

 Strange, how subconciously I opt for this rather monochromatic colour scheme every January / February. This year I thought it wouldn't happen as we have had no snow, the daffs are starting to bloom and our general landscape has been pretty green and verdant.

And still it happens. After Christmas it's as if the eyes need a rest.

These Japanese woven fabrics are just the ticket for some kind of relaxation and a sense of peace.

Even if they do turn into a chicken quilt without me really thinking about what I'm doing! This  one is for the kitchen table as Spring approaches.

Unbidden, this afternoon, six inches of snow fell in six hours. The first of the winter.

More fabrics laid out. More of the same easy hues.

I'm not sure what will happen to them!
But they lie here, winking!

A note in the sketchbook - snow surrounds the terracotta pumpkins.

January's diary shows a little more vibrancy. The month has been a difficult one with my Mum's failing health. After two months in hospital she is taken into a nursing home. We feed and water her. We make her comfortable.

Some solace in the sketchbook as printing is explored. Acrylic pears stamped with hand cut expanda-sponge and a watercolour dye wash.

The snowmen that my very good friend Tracy made me for Christmas are at last feeling at home in the seasonal weather.

Sketchbook Moments in Time.

Here's some work from my Creative Sketchbook. Lots of collage, water-based dyes, rubbings etc. Gradual progress I hope. I'm very slow. I'm extremely busy. I do this in the chinks of time between everything else. 

It keeps me sane, 

provides an oasis

 and makes me LOOK

 and respond.

New Journal and the Feline Quilt Menace

I've decided upon a new diary format this year inspired by Jill. I found last year that my detailed journal ground to a halt after August when there were some family difficulties and I was so pressed for time. This way I can make a brief note every day of what happened in the little 4cm squares with a double page spread for each month and then I can fill in more detailed days in between where I want to.

This snowman fabric quilt has been a year in the finishing, and even then, to the very last centimetre of the binding Smartie was convinced he was helping.

 Now where's that needle?

 It's under here I think

 Or is there a little mouse under this bit?

I must attack and find out for sure

No wait, here's a cave to sleep in...

 I've finished!!!!!

Taking Form

I was thinking...

...how rain droplets take their form from their surroundings, wherever they happen to be in time and space.

In the NOW we take an ever shifting position - not necessarily relating to our history or our perceived possible future.

I am reminded to be in the NOW more.

In 2012 I will be in the now. More.

Freestyle Embroidery Thinking....

sometimes





I need to think

often I need to get inside myself

working with ones hands

slowly...

allows for this

as does looking ... and seeing properly

for inspiration to continue...

...

Tomten Houses

Have been making some essential Christmas decorations - little houses for the Tomten (elves) to hand on a tree. It's nice to use these lovely quality cottons and linens.
I hung them on a smoke bush (cotinus) and when I finished and turned around there was this fabulous rainbow - what a reward.

I can never really understand anyone who isn't hugely preoccupied with food. I dream about it quite a lot.

At the weekend I was in London and went to get some picnic items in Harrods as a treat. 

Here are some pictures of the wonderful food halls.

...and more chocolate

 oh and a bit more...

 the lovely lady who made my crayfish and rocket flatbread sandwich and served up my venison and squash pie waving cheerily to me.

 some greengrocers!

 feast your eyes...

 fractal patterning...

 a Christmasy basket

 exotica...

 fruits of the sea...

 and if one can peel one's eyes away from the food and look at the ceiling in the fish hall...

... a very friendly squirrel after some picnic in Hyde Park - sorry I ate it all!

In the end, although an exciting time was had it was nice to be back with sleepy Smartie hugging a beloved block of parmesan which is his current gourmet obsession.