The Edges of Things

 

The snowdrops hug the warm edges of the house.

They worried me when they broke ground way back in December

It seems they still survived.

The Rusty Pups don't think of edges

just sizes.....

Their sticks are getting bigger!

There are melted edges of ice on the stream today.

I am on the edge of finishing these two.

'Walking with Dogs'

Each one 53"h x 12"w

Frayed edges.

Rusty Edges 

Rocky edges.

Leafy edges and rocky edges

We see the Sun and the Moon

We walk at the break of dawn.

The Sun in our faces

The Moon at our backs.

 I am on the edge of starting a new piece.

Leaning towards a yellow piece this time.

Hoping perhaps for more sunshine

It seems we could be on the edge of defeating this Covid invasion.

Let us hope so.

It's That Time of Year....

When the Stream can look like this one day.... 

....and like this the next.

When Rusty Pups can sniff at grass one day....

....and walk on frozen ponds the next.

A time of year when....

....my colours really reflect with the world outside.

Two new pieces nearly completed.

Lots of work being done in this second year of Covid.

Wishing you a passion for some creative outlet in these difficult years.

New Beginnings On The Wall

Paytime on the design wall

Finding older bits and pieces that have never found a home.

Just the right companion fabrics are surely somewhere in my stash.

It might be time

I never know

But it is fun pinning bits and pieces up there as I contemplate

what unfinished pieces appeal to me after years of neglect.

Piece on the right is a new piece

put together mainly with glue!

I can't believe I'm doing this!

"Rock my World"

Beneath the design wall there is no lack of scraps waiting to join in the fun

and Rusty Pup toys also waiting to be played with of course.

"Rock my World" is to hang outside in the woods.

Not a stitch in sight....

....well, just a few!

What will become of it out in the woods....I do not know.

Ten years ago I wrapped trees with cloth hoping 

to get at least some colour.

All I got was critter and mushroom activity like this!

The elements and wildlife can be pretty vicious around here!

Freezing rain kept us from our walks for a few days this week.

But when we did walk Ginger's mission was apparently

to drag this branch along with us for a few kilometres!

I hope your day is warm and cosy

no matter the weather.

Winter's Edge

I sewed a sleeve to the back

As usual I like the back better than the front.

I need to do more work stitching from the back.

I did exactly that in parts of 'Chasing the Moon'.

It is always striking to me that the back can look so unselfconscious

 so spontaneous

 yet the front is quite controlled.

It might surprise you that I try vey hard to make my fronts look less controlled

Really I do!

Not very successfully I fear!

I am, however, a very messy creative

Threads are piled high right next to where I'm working

As a matter of fact 

every surface, floors and tables, are piled high with fabric and thread.

I frequently start clearing the decks

but never finish

because....

....as I start trying to take control

picking up some piece of cloth or skein of thread

sends me off exploring another idea for a new piece

....and here we go again!

The beginnings of new work are always the messiest of times.

Before sewing on the sleeve

our dining room table was occupied for several days

as I pinned and blocked 'Winter's Edge'.

It is now on it's way to the Wellington County Museum in Fergus

for a Connections show called 'Collections' February 20 - July 4.

If you're in Ontario you have to see this show.

It is such a privilege to be a part of this talented group of fibre artists

whose work is amazing!

And the Wellington County Museum is very impressive.

Worth the drive to Fergus

Covid permitting of course.

Stay safe

Happy Valentine's Day to All....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Especially to my Handy Hubby

Who I fell in love with when I was seventeen

My goodness that was well over half a century ago!

He is my knight in shining armour.

We have been swamped with snow

Kind of marooned

But Handy Hubby has come to the rescue and

snow-blowed trails for the Rusty Pups and me.

No ordinary trails mind you

He created a whole network of paths that criss cross all over the place!

Luckily the Rusty Pups find this just as exciting as a walk along the dyke.

They wait with bated breath for me to get dressed and join them.

We walk our trails every morning at the break of dawn.

My beautiful gentle Rusty Pup Brandy

Who stays close.....

.....Most of the time.

I know it's a bit blurry but I like it all the same!

And this is my Wild Child Rusty Pup, Ginger

Who thinks she is on a mission on every walk.

She walks with a purpose.

Today's mission took her across frozen pond

to see who had been through the woods last night.

Gentle Brandy would rather stay with me but keep an eye on her sister.

There is always cause for a celebratory romp when Ginger returns to the pack!

And after an hour of walking my perfect snowy trails

my fingers are frozen

Time for a nice warm coffee!

Hope your day is full of love!

Walking with Rusty Pups

After the rain or perhaps a morning fog

The colours become richer

The browns browner

the reds redder

I do love those browns

See two Rusty Pups?

Fast approaching

Galloping along

and here they are!

They do some pretty weird things

Like to carrying rocks

Whoever picks one up first carries it

Her sister doesn't try and grab it....not ever

but

as soon as it is dropped because something more interesting turns up

the other one will take her turn and carry it for a while.

 Wonder where they got their love of rocks from!

Well, they have always seen rocks disappear into my pockets.

I hope you find a beautiful rock today.

Time Passages

RP's Brandy and Ginger One Year Ago.... 

....and Today

Can you tell they have swapped sides!

and looking very serious too!

Mark the father 30+ years ago....

....and his daughter today

I suppose we all want to pass our passions down

to the next generation!

Can't say that fishing was ever a passion of mine

Handy Hubby and the boys

were always way more successful!

I hope your next generation is passionate about your loves!