Alium Seed Head- stitched.

One more finished- rather like a dandelion clock or a sun burst. Yesterday was Michaelmas- the traditional time for change in the farming year- often used in Thomas Hardy novels and Jane Austen ( yesterday I was listening to an audio tape of Persuasion! ) Autumn change- days are definitely shorter and I put away my light summer clothes.

Five for Autumn

Three out of the five finished on this piece- Five for Autumn. I was thinking yesterday about stitches and it is the very simplest that are the most useful in expressive work but I love that I have the knowledge of the most complicated stitches too. It made me think about completing my series of stitch samplers. I also want to work on some inspiration from the holiday- the brain races ahead of the hands - discipline needed to finish present work. So to come back to Autumn- days drawing in, colder weather, tawny colours - a day to stitch.

thistle head

I realised I must finish this piece first because it will need framing for November. So full steam ahead with renewed vigour to get this work done. Now is the season of change- the hedgerows are full of berries and seed heads. I also realised this morning it is 30 years since I began my City and Guilds Embroidery Course and began a change from infant teaching to stitching. I started at The Rowans in Cheltenham College with Maureen Pallister as a tutor. We began with learning all the stitch families and had to produce masses of samplers. This thistle head is straight stitch using silk, brushed out to fluff it up and a few fly stitches.

Back to stitching- Love-in-the-mist.

Back to work after my holiday- it was good to have a proper break. Good for the mind and the eyes. Sea gazing worked wonders! I took in so much inspiration from Cornwall but now I will get down to this seed pod work. I finished the tendrils and am placing it on a background. I plan to make it free hanging rather than framed so larger than my normal work and with some quilting on the borders.

Holiday pictures - The Lizard, Cornwall.

 Stitches along the harbour wall. Porthleven.

 Poem etched onto the window of the old lifeboat station. Porthleven.

 Walking the coastal path- the Lizard.

Hidden beach, perfect weather, amazing colours.

Gone sea watching.

I am taking my cold down to the seaside in the hope the sea air will blow away the germs! Be back next week.

Inspired by Judy Martin- stitching in circles.

 Inspired by Judy Martin's blog I had to have a go at stitching in circles- it also helped me to return to my stitches in circles that I prepared last year for my forthcoming workshops- for details click on the pictures on the sidebar.

Red admiral butterfly on the plum tree.

 I have been working on this piece of a Nigella seed pod- also known as Love-in-the-mist. It is developing into a larger free hanging square but I must finish the twisty tendrils first. I have had a head cold an am feeling as stuffy as the weather.....

the garden is full of red admiral butterflies feeding on the windfall plums. So glad I didn't clear them all away.

Feather book will travel.

 Yesterday I took a day out to revisit my feather theme and made a little calico traveling bag for the feather book.

Little feather book - front and back.

Conkers and seed heads.

The changing season. Seed time and harvest. Plough lines like stitch lines.

Little feather sketchbook will travel.

 This little sketchbook has been accepted for Threads at Salisbury Art Centre 10th Oct-12th Nov. Very pleased!

Little kestrel sold in the gallery at Cheltenham a few days ago.

Seed pod sketchbook

 I am still working on this little sketchbook- not finished yet. I am enjoying it so much it is double sided.

Studio corner with seed pods to draw. I am enjoying the space of time with no looming deadline. It gives me time to slow down and experiment. Deep sigh! Time to breathe and observe the changes in the hedgerows.