Spring.

The first spring flowers, beginning my spring concertina book- little patches of intense colour (pages aprox 7cm) Strong low sunlight this morning on a light frost.

Goldfinch finished.

The goldfinch is finished, just background to do now.

Goldfinch in progress.

The third bird on this long piece is a goldfinch. They are so delightful to watch on the bird feeders ( nyjer and sunflower seeds) They sit either side of a feeder like love birds or colourful clowns with their white buttons on black, down their backs. A group of them is a charm of goldfinches. It is time to get this winter piece finished as all the spring flowers are now appearing.

Mossy green and Great tit.

 The mossy greens in french knots.................

and the Great tit finished. High winds yesterday so I stitched all day, even started the third bird.

More spring greens and a white bird.

 Although I promised myself not to start anything new I couldn't resist these mossy greens and some spring colours.

On Friday at Slimbridge WWT we saw a little egret ( heron family) fishing in the water. With the sunshine on its white feathers it was glorious.

Winter white and spring greens.

 Snowdrops from the garden on my white button hanging................

 and moss on a tree in the water at Newark Park - blazing green in the sunshine.

Snowdrop time.

Snowdrops at Newark Park, Ozleworth, Glos. Our area is a good place to see banks of snowdrops carpeting the ground. The daffodils will be hot on their heels with primroses and crocus. A blackbird sang the dawn chorus this morning. Yesterday I started a big clear out- well you actually have to do some spring cleaning before you can say, ' Hang spring cleaning!' ( mole in Wind in the Willows) So I'd better get out the vacuum cleaner and dusters.

Garden Birds -Great tit- in progress.

Fourth picture- adding more colour. I am working this in the hand rather than in a frame so the silk is buckling- I am hoping for character here rather than smooth fabric! Well that's my excuse.

Showing the stitch progress - Great tit.

Building up the stitches - because it is such a slow process there is plenty of time to consider and refine - that is take out stitches and try again. It is cold and grey here so good to get some colour in.

And the next bird

And the next bird is a Great Tit which are numerous on our bird feeders.

Nuthatch finished.

Rather dark this morning so not a good photo but finished for now. Well it needs to rest while I turn my attention elsewhere and then come back fresh to it. I haven't finished the tree bark yet. It looks good on the garden bench with wood behind. I shall remember that when I photograph again.

Nuthatch in progress.

Nuthatch in progress- a few more stitches and texture added to the tree bark and the eye is defined more. The nuthatch is the only bird that can run down a tree as well as up.

Printing stitches.

Printing stitches- I made some stitches into a strip of printing foam board, (but cardboard would have worked as well) and printed with it. Herringbone for a travelling stitch. Interesting expressive marks with my invented loop stitch. First one is on fabric others on paper. I went to the costume museum in Bath on Sunday and liked the blackwork on the shirts best, hence black and white. Perhaps try white paint on black paper next? Just playing to see what happens if.................

Early morning walk.

Serene, bright morning by the lake -walking my friends dog. Snowdrops under the trees. Sunshine to cheer the heart.

Winter birds- nuthatch.

Making progress and a tumble of threads. Not everything goes to plan- stitches are put in and pulled out. Things drawn and rubbed out. I want the background neutral in grey and a little silver. I think the bird in the middle too much so that may go.

Nuthatch- in progress.

Nuthatch- onto fabric - first stitches.

Winter sketchbook finished.

All put together!