Embroidery Workshop

This is a couching sampler I made in a workshop held in Julia Tristan's studio in Durham. I was lucky enough to win a workshop day in a prize draw and I picked a Contempory Hand Stitch class. It was such a fun and relaxing day with a great bunch of embroiderers -and Julia who lead a the stitch exploration so expertly!

Some of these little pieces ended up more appliqued than couched, but I am pleased with the composition and fun feel of the piece. I am itching to do more - maybe large scale...

Last of the Holiday Collages

Pick of the Week (and another holiday collage)

Its been a week. Sure has. Lots of things done all while nursing a terrible headache (gave up on pain killers on Thursday since my tummy was starting to feel weird). Seem to be ok now - was probably fighting some bug. Besides the usual telephone and spreadsheet situation at work, here is a sample of some of the other stuff that went on:

Had a two hour meeting that may just get the ball rolling on something very important.

Had lunch with a former colleague. I had forgotten what a lovely man he is. His charm and complimentary encouragement gave my esteem a big lift.

Went to a play at the Live Theatre in Newcastle with Caroline. The Pitman Painters was written around a true story about miners who took art appreciation classes in the 1930s. They decided to create art in order to understand the meaning of art. This play explored their terrible working conditions/poverty and the way art enriched and lifted their lives. It was very funny - not at all trite - but with very serious ideas being presented. "Art is about You" said one of the characters. I just loved it.

Got these earings in the post - you can see more at maryandjane's etsy shop here. They are very swing-y and fab!

Got this wonderful book in the post too. It is by the artist Rob Ryan. The combination of his paper cut designs and the seemingly simple sentiments he expresses makes my heart flip. Look here for his book, and here for Rob's blog

Helped to rescue a cockatil -someone's pet that was trying to escape from the dive bombing magpies and crows. It banged into a lamp post and fell to the ground. Super Clair and I went to find it and scooped it up into a box. Clair nursed it, Sarah took it to the vet. Sharon got an update. It survived and is with a bird sanctuary lady until its owner is found. Result for all the blondies at work - and of course the bird!

Georgia's homework is a breeze for her. Her reading is really coming together. How exciting to be five and have this magical power begin to happen.

Finally, a GORGEOUS customer winked at me on Thursday. WooHoo.

and another one...

Another collage

Had a great day today - took Georgia to a beach in County Durham. The glass industry in Sunderland use to dump glass waste out at sea years ago and now the beach at Seaham has lots of glass pebbles. We collected a jar full - Georgia found the biggest nugget of blue - I found a few little pieces of yellow - but most are clear and green.

We lunched in the supermarket cafe (to G's delight) and then went shopping for slippers and jeans.

The sculpted head is from St James church in Hatfield. We visited in June for a very special memorial service for Cully's Aunty Margaret. She was a stylish lover of jazz, so Uncle David arranged for a jazz band to play in the churchyard while friends and relatives remembered her in the sweetest atmosphere on one of the few sunny days of the summer.

The summer was so grey

The summer was so grey in the UK this year, but sometimes grey skies are beautiful and make a landscape more interesting. This sheep picture was taken in August in Northumberland.

And another holiday collage.

September Morn

Another collage from our holiday at Badachro and some early morning shots of the plants in the Garden at Kilworth House Hotel in Leicester. I was there for some work product marketing meetings. The best bit was the lovely hotel and getting to drive Bentley GTs at great speed on a track.

August collage

The first collage I made on our holiday to Badachro, North West Scotland. Our car broke and the weather was rainy, but it was cozy and relaxing in our little cottage and I got to play with paper and glue and paint.

You can double click on the image to see it in detail.

Straight Lines

I do like straight lines. Never been a great fan of curvey things, but here are some elipses from recent days. Easter Sunday cloud, the Devil's Punch Bowl in the river at Braemar in Scotland, and a collage by me.

Dreamer

Recent collage -the face is an old photo etching

summer fields

SUMMER FIELDS

Pink City

The latest collage using a letter written from India about 15 years ago by our friend Sam. This one just evolved by my taking the route his words led me down. I'm pleased that there is a sense of place in this work - even though its a place I never visited.

Pink and orange together feels so energetic. I like how the white adds a bit of sparkle too.

The Scent of a Summer Night

It has been a great weekend. Hot and sultry (not a word I can describe the North of England with very often). We spent last night in our caravan (camper) out in the wilds of Northumberland. It was such a perfect evening - warm and sunny. We went for a walk after our supper and I can't remember being happier lately. My sweet family; the three of us having fun in the warmth. One of the best things was being able to walk on the campsite grass barefoot. We live in the city and although there is a brilliant park nearby, I don't go barefoot outdoors much. The feel of the cool grass under my feet made my eyes fill with tears. Its the little things that make magic in life. Georgia enjoyed not wearing shoes too, but she took a bit of persuading.

This collage was made last week, and I really wanted to paint the red oak tree that I spent half of my life looking at and playing under. The tree is gone now, but I can still feel the softness of the moss carpet underneath and see its shape in the summer dusk. The smell of the summer evenings from my North Georgia childhood will stay with me forever.