Lichen in the Lake District

I have been on holiday in the Lake District. This lichen is so already like a piece of embroidery- oh the textures and the colours! 

Feather brain

Drawing feathers for the last two days- I'm going to make a concertina book.

Tiny seascape concertina book and box to keep it in as featured in Stitch magazine. (Photo Henry Arden)
On Saturday, in the wet morning a juvenile cormorant ( with white breast ) sat in the top branch of the tree in our valley, opposite our bathroom window. It was there for most of the day, a splendid look out post- I have never seen one before in our Cotswold valley. It hung its wings out to dry balanced up there with webbed feet clutching the branch. Mid journey pit stop? Loo, brew and a view?

Intrigued by Herons.

When I was putting the washing on the line on Tuesday, I saw two herons flying overhead and circling each other. Courting presumably. They are a huge bird and unmistakeable, with their heads tucked in and trailing long legs. There was a close up of their fishing action last night on Springwatch-wonderful to see their long necks dart and recoil. There used to be a heronry in the valley- amazing to see such huge birds nesting in trees in large numbers, sadly no longer there, but hopefully that pair are safely nesting somewhere nearby. Time to put out the washing again......in hope.......

Bewick swans

Bewick Swans finished and ready for framing. A total of 12 pieces but some very tiny.

These two inside out envelopes also going to the framers- a bit of an experiment- I don't know if they will sell- but I like them! I will sell some other work and envelopes unframed.

Ready for framing.

 I tend to save up my work and just once a year have a trip to my framer. An expensive business so I save up! Here are the 3 tiny shell samplers that are in Stitch magazine ready for their box frames.

The Strawberry Thief mounted on board and ready for framing. Today I have to finish the swans, take some final photos and decide which inside out envelopes to have framed.