Tuesday 22 March 2011

Return of the Old Crock :-)

Well I think 'old crock' just about sums me up over the last couple of months; first the operation.....  then just as I was getting over that I pulled a muscle in my back and had to avoid sitting at my computer. I think I'm almost back to normal; I have one more physio session this afternoon then hopefully I can put all that behind me. Spring is definitely here today and I'm feeling a bit more frisky!!!  (But best not tell DH that :-)  )

I've managed to do a bit of art.......
 I cut up my turquoise and orange Spirit Cloth and made it into cards and journal covers.
I made an Anniversary card for DH......he bought me these flowers a couple of days beforehand so I photographed one rose on my garden seat and altered it in Photoshop. Used some of the words from a Beatles song (inspired by Kim Klassen).
I used the felted piece which I made on my embellishing machine for a journal cover.....just added some handstitching. I think it needs some decoration around the edge (but its too late because I've sent it to a friend!)
 I made another 'thing' on my embellishing machine...
 ....not sure what it is yet but Peachy LOVES it!!! I think he's adding his own bit of felting :-)

I subscribed to Laura and Linda Kemshall's DMTV and have begun altering a couple of old books - more to come next time. I love handstitching pages together....... :-)

Last week we visited our friends again in beautiful Knaresborough. They took us to Harlow Carr Gardens...I wasn't expecting too much because of the time of year, but it was fabulous.....
 
And to top it off they have a Betty's Tea Room where we had tea and cakes (couldn't resist a simnel cake for Easter and a rhubarb cake for DH).

Sorry this is a long post but I wanted to tell you about a couple of artists I've recently discovered. Last year I tracked down my Mum's cousin (who she hasn't seen for over 60 years)...her name is Irene Jones and she paints amazing pictures. We've exchanged letters and photos and last week she sent me these lovely prints of her work.....

She has an exhibition coming up at this gallery  and if you click on the link you'll see lots more of her paintings. I'm so proud to be related to her and we're hoping to go to Devon to visit her very soon. 

Whilst in Knaresborough we visited the Mill Gallery and I discovered the work of Kate Lycett - and I am hooked. You can see her artwork on her website here. She was trained in textile design which is very evident from the patterns which can be seen in her paintings. We treated ourselves to one of her  (huge) prints called 'Valley Gardens'...it's extra-special because she has added gold machine stitching to the washing lines and walls and has applied gold leaf to some areas. She lives in Hebden Bridge and this painting is her view down to the valley..... another place I want to visit.


Well that's about it - but I can't go without a Peachy photo (or two :-) !
He had me crying with laughing a few days ago as he tried to fit inside one of the boxes on my workdesk. A few months ago, of course, he fitted in it quite easily........

Thanks for staying to the end!

36 comments:

Amanda said...

Busy, busy Blue Eyed Girl!! Lovely things to look at all around and Peachy is just, well, peachy!

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back, wonderful work and fabulous eye candy as always. xox Corrine

Artyjen said...

OMG! I'm doubled up myself with the Peachy pics! ;)
Love the art work too....glad you are feeling ready for Spring
xoxo Sioux

*jean* said...

so glad to see you back here again...glad your back is better too! we've missed you! i think your work is gorgeous...those hand stitched books intrigue me...i've been enjoying hand stitching pockets onto my pages...thank you for sharing your artist discoveries too!! peachy looks like such a joyful creature to have around...happy tuesday, linda

Heather said...

Wonderful post - so glad you are feeling better at last. Love the anniversary card and journal covers. Peachy is really cuddling the embellished piece and the pics of him in that box are hysterical. How exciting to find a 'lost' relative - her paintings are amazing.

ju-north said...

What a comical cat - what a laugh!

Love all your work as usual and hope you continue to improve!

Crafting Queen said...

What a star, Peachy is just adorable. Thanks for sharing these great photos!!:)

Terri said...

First off, welcome back! I did miss you! I am sorry to hear you have been having such a difficult time. I do hope the worst is over and you can get back to feeling good all the time.
Secondly, I hardly know where to start with your fabulous post!
I do love what you have done with your Spirit cloth. It looks wonderful on your journals.
Your anniversary card is so lovely. I like the idea of using words from a Beatles song and a flower your hubby gave you.
The journal with the embellished fibers is great with those stunning colors!
And the "thingy" your not sure what it is....I LOVE IT! I would hand it on my wall or something it is so gorgeous! And I am sure Peachy is adding to it's glory!
I am going to see your artist's sites. Their works are amazing.
Hugs,
Terri

Janny said...

Great post, happy to see you again;o)

Marigold Jam said...

Good to see you back aain. Love your crafty creations and that cat is so funny!

Jane

Gini said...

And there I was only yesterday thinking you must be needle felting everything in sight...

LOL x 10 at Prince Peachy. What time can do to a cat eh!

Love your collage of your trip out, most of all the little sparrow shaking his tail feathers and that cheeky face peeping through the tree trunks.
DH was such a lucky man to get your wonderful card!
Glad to see you have been able to do some things even if not at full throttle yet :-)
Gini
xx

Connie said...

I just love Peachy! What a cool cat. Glad to hear you are feeling better. And creating.

Julie said...

Welcome back Linda and I'm glad you're on the mend. Happy Anniversary too, your card is beautiful. What a wonderful post and Peachey is so funny :-) If at first you don't succeed, keep trying :-)

Jill said...

So glad you are recovering. Love the colours you've been using - and as for Peachy, you know I'm in love.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Great post...such lovely creations and fotos and you saved the best for last I see. I was cracking up
seeing how Peachy was trying to stuff himself in the wee little box...I can still see him here to the right and I can´t stop laughing:)

Lorraine said...

hope your back is ok soon..I like the way you have just left the felted sewn pieces on the journal covers without further embellishing them as it doesnt detract from their sumptuousness. Off to check out irene her paintings are superb and how cool being related that is where you get your talent from...like that hebden bridge one too..great post thanks for sharing all this inspiration

Sandies' Patch said...

Hiya!
You're not an old crock, more of a spring chicken!
Once again, it's those gorgeous colours, turquoise,sands and golds, lovely...sand, sea and sun to my eyes.
The first artists' work I have seen before but, would never have been able to tell you the name.
Hebden Bridge, my lovely Auntie Gert came from there, sadly passed away a few years back.

Lovely post!
Belated Anniversary to you and DH.
Love the pics of peachy, the little mischief!

Hugs,

Sandie xx

Emma said...

Oh I don't know how you managed to capture those photos, he's a star!

Love Harlow Carr, only managed it once, lovely mosaic.

Some beautiful work here, so envious of your L & LK thing, the colors you've used are some of my faves.

Jan said...

Lovely post, Linda. I am loving your recent work. Had to click on every picture and look as close as possible. all are fabulous. Is that one piece mounted on some handmade paper? It is beautiful and a good way to display it. Hope you continue to mend. don't hurt yourself by laughing too hard at Peachy although how could you help it? He is hilarious! so dang cute. Hope you can come up with a better name than dooleybobber for your "things".

~*~Patty S said...

well I feel like I've had the nicest visit with you Linda...I could go on for hours and hours with you ... so much eye candy and loveliness ... you are amazing and sound pretty frisky to me ;)

take care dear friend
and Happy Spring to you and yours!
oxo
p.s. your altered book looks AMAZING!!!

Heloise said...

What a wonderful feast of beautiful work and photographs. So glad that you are feeling much better. The sunshine will be a great boost too.

miss elainie said...

glad you're ok, I didn't think I'd seen you for a while. As you see I've finally sorted out a blog, so now I can comment!! Peachy is so sweet- I'm glad it's not just my cats who have a spatial awareness problem! Alix

Shashi Nayagam said...

You made my day today with photos of your gorgeous work and of Peachy. Glad you are feeling better now. Wishing you a Very Happy Anniversary. Have a lovely day.

Lynn said...

So this is the art your mom's cousin creates? I love it! Wow, lucky you now have some prints.
Love what you have done with your spirit cloth, the digital card is gorgeous, peachy is a pest looks like, love your felting "thing", whatever it is , it is beautiful.
What else, oh yes, I love the altered books, love the texture you get from the stitiching, seems you have been very creative :)
Hugs, Lynn

Maggi said...

You have been busy, all lovely, lovely, lovely. And you already know how much he made me laugh!!

ana @ i made it so said...

there's so much pretty in this post i don't know what to comment on! lovely.

happy weekend to you and yours.

Bunty said...

Gosh, you have been a busy bee Linda haven't you?! Everything looks lovely as usual - your work and the photos you have taken. Welcome back.

Isn't Peachy cute and don't you just love the way that cats squeeze themselves into ridiculously sized containers!!!

Thanks for your good wishes by the way.

Barbara

Rosie said...

Omigoodness what a wonderful post! Delicious shots of Peachy (I agree with him about the felted piece) and those box shots were just SO funny! I'd heard Harlow Car was lovely, but it looks simply wonderful. Must go there one day. I'm so glad you are feeling better - maybe soon you'll be up to coming up here to play???? Say yes, you know you want to!

Val said...

Wonderful post Linda - stayed for ages, looking and reading and looking some more. Just love the Anniversary Card - the way you use the textures, the effects you get, are totally amazing. Thanks so much for sharing.

Jackie said...

I enjoyed that post. I love the two artists you showed and will go and look for more of their work , thanks.
Your felted 'thing' is lovely.
And I love peachy's antics in the box.
I hope you continue to recover from your op, you seem to be doing plenty anyway. Oh and re your comment on my blog: yes you could!

Jaqi said...

'Old Crock Indeed' I think not !!

Sorry to hear you hadnt been well, thank you for this lovely post I enjoyed reading it so much . Youre colours and pictures are always so uplifting its a joy to come and see them. I love the pictures your mums cousin sent, how fab is that , that she creates too? and an exhibition thats brilliant.

The photos of peachy are so cute, hes quite a character and seems to be well at home in youre crafting room, determined to fit into spaces whether he can or not bless him.

Have a lovley weekend Im sorry to hear you had been unwell but I hope you are feeling much better and continue to do so. take care xx

laurel said...

OMG! That cat just made my day. I love how they do crazy things like that.

Love your banner and am enjoying your art and your blog.

BumbleVee said...

wet felting..... by Peachy! ahhahah too cute.

I've got new snow in our gardens this a.m. ......sigh........

BumbleVee said...

hahahahha...just had to go back for a second look.....silly Peachy..... I am hooting out loud over here...... so funny.

Lyn said...

What a great post!
I adore the photos of Peachy, what a star!
xxx

Dot said...

Laughed out loud at the pic of Peachy doing his own felting - what a gorgeous boy he is!

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