Hedgerow harvest

Hedgerow harvest

Friday 30 September 2016

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.

Thursday 29 September 2016

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.

Wednesday 28 September 2016

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.

Tuesday 27 September 2016

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.

Monday 26 September 2016

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.

Saturday 17 September 2016

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.

Wednesday 14 September 2016

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.

Tuesday 13 September 2016

 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.

Friday 9 September 2016

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.

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Conkers and seed heads.



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

Saturday 3 September 2016

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.

Friday 2 September 2016

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.