Walking the tree trail at Newark Park.

 Sunday, a glorious, sunny day- Alan and I walked the tree trail at Newark Park. There are 17 trees on the Parks list. This is the Maidenhair Tree or Ginkgo, which is one of mine to make a leaf for. 

 The chickens are very friendly and came to me when I took their photograph. Watch out for them if you are having a picnic! The gardeners have left swards of long grass for wild flowers to grow.

Some leaves of a variety of Japanese Maple brought back to identify.

Walnut leaf.

As part of the exhibition we are making a tree trail, highlighting some of the more unusual trees in the grounds with some information and hangings. There will be a sheet for children (and adults!) to fill in leaf shapes and they will get a badge if they complete it. This is my first leaf. The walnut- I couldn't get much writing around the outside as I had hoped, I really wanted to say that walnut dye is made from the green husks but that will be on the info laminated label. Liz Hewitt is making the bulk of these tree hangings. I am making three. Carla's mushroom trail was so successful last year at Nature in Art we wanted to make a fun but educational trail again. My husband is an arboriculturist so trees have always been important in our lives.

Falling feathers- finished!

Falling feathers- finished! I took it outside to photograph on the Cotswold wall.

Falling feathers- adding the backing.

Putting the top layer onto the felt backing- I am hand stitching down some of the seam lines to fix securely in the right place, there is more control and I can ease it together by hand. Then I can machine down some of the seams to finish. Nearly there!

Free machinery embroidery.

This is my view this week, machining the edge of the Falling Feathers Hanging. I use a darning foot on the machine but I don't need a frame when working on felt. I go over the pebbles twice, then I can trim the edge. Eyes down again today- one track mind. Well it is a pathway and a journey.

Falling feathers.

Back to work this week on the backing for Falling Feathers. I am machining the edge with my signature pebbles stitch. It is a path with drifts of feathers spiraling down it.

painting feathers.

Last page in the Large Feather Sketchbook.

More feathers finished now.

Three portfolio pieces finished and mounted on board. It is always satisfying to cover them with clear cellophane- finished and labelled! Just the tricky bit left- the pricing. I wonder how many people realize that a gallery will take a large percentage of the price on the label? I wonder how many people realize how much it costs to have bespoke framing? Best not to think about money too much in the end. Fix a price and consider what to stitch next? Well that's a brighter thought!

Falling feathers.

I am working on this long strip hanging for my final piece for the exhibition. I am using my feathers made on soluble fabric. Seams and edges not straight as usual.

Little feather concertina sketchbook.

This little book is finished now. I love it- maybe because it is small and precious? This is another week of finishing work. I have had a head cold and a birthday, not to be recommended both together! So a quiet week now hopefully so I can appreciate my lovely presents and new books.

Outside hangings- peacock feathers.

My two outside pieces finished now- peacock feathers for the peacock house at Newark Park. I hung them on our workshop wall to photograph them- wonderful lichen on the Cotswold stone walls. A peacock has the most amazing variety of feathers, if you come to the exhibition you can see the peacocks close up because they are quite tame, they seem to love a photo opportunity!

What am I trying to say?

Trying to finish this hanging yesterday and today- struggling to get it to hang straight- well it is not completely straight so never mind. Meanwhile to think about my artists statement. What am I trying to say? I think it is the artists work to say-" ahem, excuse me,you who are rushing round with your busy lives, just stop a while and consider this- observe something beautiful.... or something ugly,  think about this, question and open your mind too. Take a moment." I call these moments -time to stop and stare moments ( from the poem by W.H.Davies) I think they are the important moments of life and revitalise  the soul. Well they do for me. My feathers have been a rediscovery for me of something ordinary that is in fact extraordinary.

Drawing feathers.

This long thin piece is finished now- no stitching just drawing and thoughts.

 Wide horizons were windy and cold. Sheringham, North Norfolk, last week. Too cold to linger on the beach.

 Flint walls always an inspiration for texture.

Finally as we were about to leave the weather began to get better! Lovely sunset at Sheringham. Still we made our visits to see all the family and had some lovely days out- it was a complete change and rest. The land is flat and wide open. Coming back to the Cotswolds is so lush in greenery, valleys and hills. Back to quiet and bird song and being on my own in my studio- work to be finished!