Mind Wanderings Over Stone Pathways

Looking at this picture for some reason my mind

thought of Hopscotch.  

My goodness... the hours we played that as kids in the fifties.

Then I wondered if in fact I have any control at all

over my mind

for

it seems to wander wherever it wishes

without any control on my part.

I Love the minimalist nature of a few marks

on dark grey linen.

I think it is fair to say that most pebbles in these parts

are grey with some kind of white streak

A fringed divide between colours

makes me think of a grass skirt

perhaps dancing over it's own tiny stone pathway.

As you can see the pebble itself

is asking for a white streak

but

that little scrap of dyed silk is just too beautiful

for me to wreck with clumsy stitching

so it remains as it's own little gem.

Ah, this one I love

it makes me think of one of those old topographical maps

full of little symbols.

Symbols for marshlands, trees, mountains, towns

and many more I can't recall at the moment.

Or perhaps even more ancient rock markings.

This one is tiny

My scrap of silk was not quite the right colour

so it asked to be stitched all over to bring the colour closer.

Such a handsome stone

and silk velvet is way too beautiful to stitch over!

Apologies for my rambling thoughts

Our dear friend, Velma, died suddenly this week

We are filled with so much sadness

for her family and many friends.

Progress.....Perhaps.....Perhaps Not!

Earlier this year I wrote a post 'Searching New Beginnings'

I thought you would like to see how some of those

pieces have changed.

This one changed 

from this

then this

Quite a journey so far.

It might change again

but I am trying to keep it simple.

This one hasn't been through quite so many transitions.

It started off like this....

If you recall, I have to make five pieces.

Haven't decided on this one yet.
It is quite different from the first two.
What I like is the lighter streaks
showing up against the lace.
But not much else yet!

Also not sure about this one.
Being surrounded by snow
I had been thinking of bringing in some colour
but
perhaps not!

Think I should perhaps take another look at this collection of greys.
Taking time to reconsider.
Tiny steps in one direction then another.
Moving slowly from one piece to another will hopefully make them
a cohesive grouping...
Which they are not yet!

Have a nice day!

Tiptoeing Through Stone Pathways

 All pebbles in these parts are now

under four feet of snow.

I am going to have to start digging

to gather seven pebbles for next week!

 Another pebble around a hole!

Actually, just realized it is kind of heart shaped.

 Speckled

Striped

 Ummm?

More speckles.

Makes me think

I never see speckled eggs anymore

Where did those speckles go?

A stone in my pathway

is covered in pathways!

 I think that someone in olden times

has worked the edges of this arrowhead pebble

to shape it or sharpen it.

It certainly would have existed then

but I'm probably wrong.

Having been marooned in the house

for five of the last six days

I've had enough of snow

Cabin fever is setting in!

What to do on a Stormy Winter's Day

Watch and listen to the wind through icy windows.

And the wind was vicious.

Try and play with your new camera

to get it to focus on icy windows

and not the swirling snow outside.

Then get it to ignore ice covered windows

and find the cardinals

searching for food amidst the storm.

This morning the Rusty Pups and us

just have to wait patiently to be ploughed out.

The driveway is beneath a lot of snow!

The best part of a snowy day

is stitching in front of a cosy fire.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tripping Over One Mighty Rock Amidst the Pebbles

Stone circle

Now that I see this photographed

 it needs a few more stitches. 

Can you tell this is not just a pebble

It's a mighty rock

The biggest so far

 Practically round

Playing around with silk chiffon.

Another pebble with a hole

Also known as a Hag Stone

 Holey Stone

or Witch Stone

and many more names from ancient Britain.

It is said that if you look through the hole

with one eye closed

you will see the world of Faeries.

Frequently my rendition

just doesn't do nature justice.

Sometimes a short length of rusted string

comes in handy.

This should give you a better idea of the size
of my mighty rock! 

Hope you are ready for Valentine's Day

One thing I don't seem to have 

is a heart shaped pebble.

I know they are out there.

Stone Pathways Move into February

A pathway transitioning into February.

I have decided to add a strip indicating the start of a new month.

The next decision will be whether to stitch 'February' onto that strip.

If I do so, it should be subtle.

Only read when close up.

This was the day I turned seventy

woosh....it came so quickly...scary!

I tell you because there is another decision I have to make.

Do I indicate anything on those eventful days.

This is the smoothest, purest stone I have.

So beautiful in it's simplicity.

Some markings just cling to the sides of rocks.

Now, this would be a perfect pebble to skip across water.

Last year my son Mark and I tried showing two year old Ashley how to throw those flat stones across the water.

Maybe we will have more luck this summer!

Love those frayed edges.

I feel this pebble must have been born on a cloudy day.

Nature stained this stone with iron

I stained mine with leaves.

Just cute!

Stones and pebbles are taking over my life!

I've made many more pebbles

and played around on the design wall.

They just seem to fit with the natural dyes.