Macro Magic.....

Since discovering the macro setting on my camera I've become a little bit obsessed with the centres of flowers...

...and other things.....

Not forgetting the cordyline bark ;-) (This section is actually about 1cm in size).

Scary!!!!

Now I need to do something with them........

Please click on photos for more detail!!

Torn Strips....

My poor scissors are feeling redundant and unwanted.....I realised today that I've been tearing paper and fabric for most of my recent projects. I love my collection of torn strips (the edges from the handmade papers I tear for my altered books). I fancied playing with them today so I did some paper weaving for a change....

Added some machine and hand stitching, sequins, pressed flowers, beads etc. These are my happy colours  :-)

Last week I went on a mini-holiday to stay with my friend Rosie (the Journalling Queen).

We had a lovely time together........visited Lytham St Annes, played in her art room, ate gorgeous food cooked by her talented DH..... and if that wasn't enough we had a visit from Jackie (Dog Daisy Chains) who lives not too far away. We've never met before so it was a real treat...especially as she brought a boxful of her gorgeous artwork to show us (my request :-) We had a wonderful afternoon!

I'm besotted with my coneflowers (echinacea, rudbekia) at the moment and couldn't resist taking these photos .......I love seeing their progress from bud to full flower.

Also loving the eryngiums......the blue is so surprising, especially on the stems!

Maggi brought me some of her honesty seeds last time she visited and I spent a happy hour making patterns with them (at one time I would have done something like this with a class of children.....but sadly I was on my own this time ;-)

And finally......a few people have messaged me regarding my art wall after seeing a partial view (with Peachy)  in my 'Memories' post below. I've been asked to show a full photo........

....so here it is. Not a deliberately 'arty' display; just something that has grown over the past couple of years. The ATCs are attached (with blu-tac) to two wooden rails, screwed to the wall and painted turquoise. If you click on it you might even see your work there!!

My Colours....

I've been happily working with my favourite colours over the past two weeks. Maggi and I spent a great day together at her house just over a week ago. She showed me how to do nuno felting in her fab garage/workshop.......

Maggi at work

First attempt below; front and back. I worked on a piece of dyed silk and laid wool and silk fibres on top before wetting, soaping  and rolling. The final step involved whacking and bashing - great fun :-) Hopefully if you click on it you can see that the silk puckers and creates a lovely effect.

Second piece; front and back.......my fav one. Looking forward especially to sewing on this. Not sure which side to use though!

Maggi kindly gave me a piece of blue cotton velvet to use for my Spirit Cloth cushion.

I extended the stitching out onto the velvet.....

......et voila!

I now want to find something to stitch around the edge........maybe :-/



Peachy has been helping me choose fibres and fabrics for my latest sewing project.....

...he doesn't damage them. Honestly. He just goes a little crazy sometimes.....
I can empathise with that.... ;-)

The elegant Nectaroscordum has almost finished. It's now making me think of fairy castles.........

........so sweet.

And finally.....DH and I decided to make the most of the glorious weather and went to Monsal Head in Derbyshire last weekend. We haven't been there for years and had forgotten how stunning it is.
(Click on the photos)

 The viaduct used to be for trains...but now its cyclists and walkers only.

If ever you get a chance....go there :-)



Maytime, Playtime........

I really must try harder to blog more than once a month..... but April wasn't really a time for sitting at the computer; it was much more suited for walking, cycling, gardening, sunbathing and barbecues :-)
But I did manage to make another Spirit Cloth...a tiny one this time (my wrinkly hand is there to show size :-) ) It's going to be the centre panel for a cushion - when I can get hold of some dark blue velvet.

Last week The Living Threads group of textile artists held an exhibition very close to where I live. I managed two visits! Had a lovely day with Maggi and then went again with my friend Lynne. I used to belong to this group when it first started in 1982 but had to give it up because of my job. Fingers crossed....I'm hoping to join again, so maybe I'll be involved at the next exhibition in two years time.

Unfortunately no photos were allowed at the exhibition -  but I can show you a felting kit I bought there! Hoping to have a go at this tomorrow....

We've been out and about over the last few weeks...went to Calke Abbey to see the wonderful gardens and the fabulous display of auriculas.

Calke has not been over-restored; which is why I like it so much. The orangery still has beautiful peeling paint on the walls (great for textures!). I took this photo in the corner; the damaged wall almost looks like a church window. I haven't altered the image - just added a worn edge.

Lots of people have photos of bluebells on their blogs at the moment...its been a great year for them. We went to Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire and walked amongst them in the sunshine. The smell was as beautiful as the sight of them...what bliss.

The next photo is for Patty...we always have a debate at this time of year about how her American bluebells are different from ours :-)

Another day...another walk; this time to Dale Abbey about 5 miles from where we live. It has one of the smallest churches in the country, a hermits cave in the hillside, the remains of a 13thC abbey and a great pub!

The bit at the end on the left is the church......the rest is a farmhouse!

Peachy News
He's been enjoying the sun, as you can see.......and watching the plants grow ;-)
And....he now has his own door!
He loves it and uses it so much, I just hope he doesn't wear it out.....

It's operated by the microchip in his neck....how clever is that!!!

Right, I'm off to sit here and read my Country Living magazine.
I'll be back soon .....hopefully before June ;-)

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....... :-)