Monday 4 April 2011

My Favourite Month......

 I love April.......so many exciting changes taking place in the garden. We have a sea of muscari at the moment so couldn't resist altering one of my photos using Kim Klassen textures..
Whilst out in the garden I found a hydrangea skeleton....so pretty and delicate.
What an amazing flower.....it even looks beautiful when its lost its life and colour. I altered one of the images in Photoshop.....
 ......then boosted the colour and tried a new transfer technique on fabric. I'm really pleased with this - first you iron a piece of Bondaweb (transfer adhesive) onto fabric, peel off the backing paper, then iron your print onto the adhesive. Next you spray water on the back of the paper, leave it to soak a minute then just rub the paper off. I've found this method works better than using gel medium (for me, anyway).
Maggi and I had another great day out last week; we met in Nottingham and had lunch in The Pitcher and Piano bar which is in a deconsecrated church in the Lace Market area. All the stained glass windows have been kept and restored........

This huge, amazing arch is dedicated to one of the ministers of the church. If you click on the pictures you'll see the inspiring words.
The big wheel is in the market square again...I think this is its 3rd visit. Sadly Maggi and I didn't have time to try it out ;-) but we did find time to visit the Victoria Market and buy lots of gorgeous fabrics :-)

Oooh I almost forgot;  I've made another Spirit Cloth......I'm becoming addicted!

Happy April....... :-)

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful muscari photo manipulation. What is it about plant skeletons that are so beautiful. Jude's work has hooked everyone it seems. She truly is quite amazing, I've been readin her for years. xox Corrine

Janet Ghio said...

So many beautiful things on your blog-the hydrangea; the stained glass windows-to die for ; and your spirit cloth quilt. All wonderful!

peggy gatto said...

Oh my, I loved this post with my morning coffee!
We also have muscari which has been spreading for 16 years!!!
I am going out right now to take some pictures!
thanks!!!

Amanda said...

I love the altered hydrangea. Did you use a photocopy or printer copy of the image? I have some bondaweb so it would be interesting to try another technique as I've used gel medium with a photocopy before. Thanks for the inspiration.

ju-north said...

So many interesting things! Would you believe I've just tried that transfer technique today! (but yours aare better!)

Heather said...

Gorgeous post - love the muscari pic. Your altered photos would make beautiful greetings cards. Wonderful stained glass and your latest spirit cloth is perfect for Spring.

Dorthe said...

Your Spirit cloth if fantastic-so beautifull--and so are the skeleton Hydrangea---Thans for showing.
Dorthe

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Wonderful foto at the top and thanks so much for the tip about the transfer with the iron...put that on my to do list:) Your spirit
cloth looks beautiful. I love green.

Ellie Knol said...

I just love your altered photographs! Wish I knew how to do that!

Emma said...

You do put fabulous colrs together - I never come here without drooling all over the place!

Your hydrangeas look so ethereal like that, scrumpcious. Love the old church, so glad these beautiful buildings can be repurposed.

I know I owe you an email!!

Sandies' Patch said...

Lovely post.
The spirit cloth is so 'Spring'.
Did that pu/ex church also used to be the Lace Museum at one time?

Sandie xx

ana @ i made it so said...

the photos of the hydrangea are so beautiful! and i had never heard of spirit cloth before. i followed the link and it sounds so intriguing. yours looks wonderful, the greens and linen are so very spring.

happy april! thanks for sharing what you do.

Sharne Gregory said...

Lovely manipulated images. You cloth is stunning!

Lorraine said...

arent muscari beautiful I have just finished a bag inspired by their colours...love your spirit cloth and now I am off to find the bondaweb thanks for the tip..I hate doing transfers with gel medium as they always end up a mess for me anyhow!! lol

Connie said...

Love it all! Beautiful Spirit Cloth.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you included the stained glass window photos, they were stunning and you have captured them so well. Must remember to take my camera next time! I love what you have done with the muscari and the hydrangea and the latter was so good in real life. Judging by your latest spirit cloth that is one good addiction.

Rosie said...

I love the Spirit cloth and everything really, but ESPECIALLY the hydrangea skeleton! That's just gorgeous ... and I wish I could remember any of the things you showed me in Photoshop. Duh.

Heloise said...

Stunning! all of it.

Judy S. said...

Love what you did with the hydrangea skeleton; I put the rhodie skeletons in a vase. Your spirit cloth is beautiful!

*jean* said...

and happy april to you! ooo i can't wait until we have green here! your photos are just gorgeous!!! thanks for the tip on the bondaweb transfer, i'm going to try that today! i especially adore your church window snaps...

and i also think you have me itching to try the spirit cloth...happy spring, linda!

*j*

~*~Patty S said...

oh where to begin...always so nice 'visiting' with you Linda

April is a wonderful parade of blooms...isn't it...Spring truly is my favorite season...altho they all hold their charms

your Spirit cloth creation is fantastic...screams to be touched!

and what an amazing place with those gorgeous stained glass windows...super close up views...thank you for those too dear one!

Happy April
Happy Spring
Happy Happy Everything
(Love saying that)
oxo

Terri said...

Oh Linda! So much to oooh and aaahhh over in your new post! I love your first photo, and the hydrangea skeleton photo collage is fabulous!
The altered one and the one on fabric are beyond gorgeous!
The stained glass window are so beautiful. Such fine sentiments on the windows dedicated to the minister.
Your new Spirit Cloth is so vibrant and alive with the colors of spring. You create so beautifully!
Hugs,
Terri

Val said...

Wow Linda - what a fantastic, magical post! Just love the muscari and those skelatal flowers are just wonderful! Thanks for all the sharing - you are such an inspiration! Your new Spirit Cloth is gorgeous!

Lynn said...

What beauty again Linda, from the digital art, love that, and the skeleton hydrangeas are beautiful aren't they? Thanks for sharing your transfer technique, will have to try it sometimes. Do you print the photo on regular paper?

Your new Spirit Cloth is devine, love the shades of Olive green with the neutrals.

Sound and looks like you girls had a wonderful day out together too, beautiful photos of the windows :)

Have a great day,
Lynn

Jacky said...

Linda I love your latest spirit cloth...such beautiful colours and stitching.
Dot and I are doing the Whispering Hearts with Jude at the moment, like all of her classes, lovely class atmosphere.
Sounds like a beautiful day out with Maggie. Those stained glass windows are amazing.
Jacky xox

Haddock said...

Love that first drawing....and those stained glass.
Come to think of it there are so many things in life that are beautiful.

Emelie said...

Isn't that a great feeling when you see so many things and you really love them all. Such great photos, and spirit cloth is wonderful. just so much fun to see everything. What a darling peaches with such antics.

Shashi Nayagam said...

Oh what wonderful eye candy once again. I too love that hydrangea skeleons.

Digitalgran said...

Lovely windows, but the Spirit Cloth is even more beautiful.

Julie said...

Your Spirit Cloth is beautiful and the stained glass is stunning. We will have to go to that church/pub.

Jackie said...

What beautiful Muscari photos. Thanks for the info about ironing the print. I'd like to try that sometime. You can print directly onto fabric as well, but its a bit risky if you should get it tangled!
Just look at all these comments.

Jackie said...

Oh..I meant to say I love April but I am loving this April more than most! The weather is so lovely.
There were lambs in the field over the road and we could hear them bleating. It reminded me of 'All on and April evening'..really old hymn/song.

Lori Saul said...

I'm a month late but so happy to visit and see all of your beautiful art pieces and photos. The spirit cloth is sublime and what beautiful inspirations from nature. Hope all is well Linda!

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