Slow stitch - circles and Autumn colour.

 I have been pondering over the borders on my large meditation circle- the cycle of the seasons.I began some small cicles and really enjoyed them. So this side is the autumn border, from the colours outside the window and autumn leaves. I have used either a variegated thread or 2 strands of different colour silk or cotton so that the colour isn't too flat but contrasts with the large middle circle. These are spirals for the unwinding effect.

 Autumn leaves gathered and pressed flat. Below at Westonbirt Aboretum - Lime Avenue.The leaves shone on a rather damp misty morning.

Little bird finished.

The Great Tit, holly and ivy is finished. It took about 11-12 days which is quick for me! I have worked on it most days. Now ready to get some cards done. I will get it framed eventually. The news is that The Glos Guild of Craftsmen are going to take over Rodmarton mManor again next Sept for a large exhibition and events, so I will start putting togther a body of work for that. It will take me all year and with the gallery in Cheltenham to supply that is enough to keep me busy. The recipe booklet is now going to the printers and we hope to have out for sale by Dec3rd. I have my cake pieces back ready to mount and sell on that date. The people who supplied the recipe get first refusal.

Knitted squares blanket.

 I have been knitting this for months and months. I used up all my oddments of 4 ply, left over from knitting mittens and an odd pair of socks. I bought a few extra balls and luckily found a stash in a charity shop. It is a mitred square pattern where you pick up stitches from the previous square so no tedious stitching together of patches. You decrease down the middle of the row. Difficult to explain but plenty of instructions on u-tube etc. It is so comforting to knit.

I will use it as a studio blanket over my knees or round my shoulders on those chilly days. Like today. Woke up to snow! Very early for snow here. Turned very slushy now. We Brits love to talk about our weather. How can anyone deny climate change? As Beth would say-'don't get me started'

Garden bird - great tit- in stitch

 The cold weather has bought the birds back to the garden bird feeders- yes the bird cafe is busy with visitors! Great tits and blue tits are present all day so my next new piece features a great tit. Hoping to use this as a Christmas card which means getting on speedily. Well there is always next year if it takes too long!

meditation words finished.

 All finished and it's going on my studio wall. It helped me concentrate in yoga on Wednesday. All the words are prompts to help me relax my muscles and calm my mind. So I can't touch my toes but I can try to relax fully and find a quiet mind.

The central image is a visual unwind message. The final word a promt to let go all the tension in my face ( I really have to nag myself to relax those jaw muscles!) and then the smile appears inside and out. It is a nice format and hope to do some more pieces this shape and size.

stitched meditation.

 I began a new piece of work at the weekend - a kind of spin off or second piece to my large meditation circle. I have been trying to think of what to do in the borders of this large piece and had an idea of words that calm the mind. I decided to make a small piece just for myself. So I have been thinking of a series of words that could take me into a peaceful place. (Like at the end of yoga in corpse pose) Choosing quiet and gentle colours. Not sure if the stitching is working but hurray that stitches can be undone if I change my mind.

 I thought I would stitch a word each day and think deeply about that word throughout the day. Difficult to choose just a few words but some trigger a response more than others. I wonder what your words would be?

Yesterday morning - a walk to Cherington pond. Calm and serene with autumn colours. (also very damp and muddy!)

october perpetual journal.

Here are the entries for October in my perpetual journal. I have put all the pages together and will now make the cover. This is volume 2. Just 2 volumes and I realised I needed an inventory in the back of each because I forget what I have drawn! Also if I need to look things up for reference. Amazing that in 2 more months I will be coming around to Jan again.