Scratching Around

A gift lovely from Kathryn 

because it reminds me

of my childhood.

It now gives shelter to my daily scratchings

and all they might require.

They will live in here rolled around a smooth stick from the ocean

at least until the day I can no longer close the lid.

Then a new home will be found.

As you know I love the wrong side of things

but today this scruffiness disappeared under a backing

because I want to write on the back.

Perhaps noting special days

or quotes from people wiser than me

or perhaps just some poetry.

After the snows at the beginning of the week

I stitched a row of yummy russet apples

my favourite

only available at this time of year.

Then a row of rocks surrounded by circles of retreating ice.

Well that's the idea anyway!

Sunday was no day of rest for us.

We dragged trees and branches

and piled them high

ready for a bonfire or for shredding.

That last scratching could be a pile of twigs

n'est ce pas! 

Edging Away

 The river might not have frozen over this winter

but the lakes did

and still are.

Every time I Look at this island just bursting with trees

dancing trees

I think of Emily Carr

and how she would have painted it.

Close to shore cracks are appearing

revealing water below.

Slowly releasing it's icy grip on the land.

Reflecting on on the changes to come

and how it will dance with the winds

and mirror the sun all summer long,

Sun Worshipper

Thought if I doodled warming spiral energy

some of that glorious sunshiny weather

I've been hearing about

might come this way a bit faster!

It's time.

Think these words of wisdom from Goethe are sometimes just what I need.

"Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do,

begin it.

Action has magic, grace and power in it."

Scratched for Yesterday

To remember yesterday's thick and fluffy snow

which actually melted away throughout the day.

Oh, but it snowed again overnight.

It's that time of year I suppose.

For us Canadians it's been a non winter really.

The driveway has only been ploughed three times.

There is no mountain of snow at the end of the drive

for the rusty pups to play king of the castle on.

No outdoor hockey rinks around here at least.

The river never froze over completely.

People say all this means

the bug and insect population this summer

is going to be huge!

Thinking White, Scratching March

We woke to a new white

clinging thickly to all the trees.

Tree ghosts rise above the woods

whenever I photograph through half open bedroom windows

as if they're marching down the mountain

to shelter by the stream.

You might be bored with snow covered trees...

but it's my blog

and I record what inspires moi!

Mind you a warm Caribbean beach might inspire me right now too!

And just because I haven't shown you rusty pups lately...

they're waiting for Handy Hubby who's down the drive picking up

his morning reading.

March daily scratchings

has started with a new strip of natural dyed linen.

For some reason a braided tail asked to announce the arrival or March.

Looking Backwards and a New Beginning

The doormouse and I thought we would look back
over February's scratchings
before we got too entrenched in March.
Boy how time flies!

February started with that line of double blanket stitch.

Way back in January I remember saying I didn't want this to be a journal

but just scratchings for each day.

Things change

More recently the stitches have been attempting to record

the events of the day.

Things will change again

well certainly the fabric will change because I've filled this first strip.

Meanwhile on the design wall I'm playing with
rusted indigo
natural dyes
and the remains of my wedding dress.
The intent was for a blue watery piece
but not being a blue person
it wasn't long before the water turned into a trickle
surrounded by muddy banks.

A Leap Year Trip

A day trip up the valley.
An artist date with Diane and Sharon
buying delicious threads
sharing the treat of a lunch out
and show and tell of our latest work.
What more could one ask for on a day that only occurs
every four years.

On the drive up we passed snow covered fields of golden stubble.
No time to stop and photograph.

 Back at home the next day
simple markings on the iPad
helped me to record

before I forget

because I want to remember.