Unbundling and some Wall Pinnings

A shibori bundle released from those tightly pulled stitches.

as usual silk velvet soaked up colour

and

the rough texture of silk noil absorbed yellows and burgundies.

My giant washers created a pair of owl eyes.

A stained crochet heirloom is now a delicious cool brown.

Colours undulating and encircling each other on the silk noil.

At the moment early mornings are spent pinning bits and pieces on the wall.

I aim to get going on a few pieces at once.

It's always a surprise when commercial prints look at home beside natural dyes.

Little bird spent quite some time clinging to the side of my home

a stitched house surely belongs somewhere.

It wasn't night-time perhaps the star doesn't belong. 

I'm also thinking of a border of stitched prehistoric bird symbols.

We shall see

Still playing

allowing the idea to become clearer.

Another piece on the wall.

My favourite at the moment.

Animal tracks perhaps.

Not complicated

Simple

Honest.

Donna's Jewellery

I think I've mentioned Donna's jewellery before.

Today I wanted to share her silver trees with you

simply because I love them

and I love Donna too.

because she loves my son Mark!

They are a creative couple

dedicated to their art and each other.

Brewing dyes and Simmering Thoughts

Colours brewing in dye pots

Wrapping cloth with seaweed, shells, leaves and bark.

Creating colour with what grows locally

connects me and my work closer to this land.

I like that thought

My goal is always to express my reaction to these precious surroundings.

Brewing time allows time to think.

Thinking of this year as it comes to an end.

Thinking of this year's work

and wondering if it expresses what I wanted it to say.

Am I focused enough?

Perhaps setting a narrow focus or design element could

improve my work

make my voice clearer.

I'm working through thoughts like this as I tend my simmering pots!

One thing I know for sure

my favourite part of bundle dyeing

is the bundles themselves

and I plan to create a body of work based on simple bundles.

Trying Something New

It's always worth while trying something new

especially on a play-day with friends.

I thought of you, Yvette, as I attempted my first wet felting.

A physical process

that needs a sturdy back and strong wrists. 

After working a second piece,

I decided to try felted balls.

The first one ended up as a separate egg and a saucer shape.

For the second one I paid more attention to stopping the wool from folding over itself

and ended up with a perfect little sphere!

Ready to be Adopted!

All that snow melted outside under a barrage of rain.

Inside a snowbound tree still remains

but not for long.

It is ready to go forth and be adopted

at the Community Arts Centre fundraiser.

Actually today I would be happy to adopt out some rusty pups...

...muddy paw-prints everywhere!

Sometimes

Sometimes sadness sweeps through the body like a giant wave

and then we try to remember that the sun still shines way up there above the clouds.

Feather Fashions

Boldly striped

and speckled hints of stripes.

Misty greys dipped in marshmallow whites.

 Blacks and whites streaked with blue.

Polka-dots of night and day.

Snow tipped.

A swoosh of black.