Saturday 18 February 2012

A scarfy sort of week.

Well half term has come and gone. I only worked on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so I had some time to sew, knit and paint. Unfortunately I pulled the ligaments in my thumb opening a door at a strange angle and have spent the week strapped up. You learn to appreciate how useful things like opposing thumbs actually are! Never one to give up I discovered that I could crochet because the movement is more in the wrist. Hence the Solomon's knot. 






Yesterday I discovered I could knit and the scarf (one ball of Rowan Drift) was knit up on #12 needles in a few hours.



I still can't wield a needle to quilt but am going painting this morning to make backgrounds for my journal.  These are the samples I did in our class last Monday and I'm so excited to carry on with the journal itself.  I love doing backgrounds because you are never quite sure where they will lead.


I tried using the ink sprays again and just confirmed that this is technique I REALLY do not enjoy.  So the tag near the top is probably the last spray ink I will do.  I particularly loved the tissue paper and mulberry paper (second from right).  My fingers were covered in glue and the purple mulberry paper kept sticking to them.  Suddenly it looked like a tree in an enchanted forest.

Sunday 12 February 2012

Harmony restored.

The Spring Topper for my Shopping List.



I know it doesn't look that different, but the original colours were just too far outside my happy palette. The contrast is much bigger than the photos suggest. I wanted this to be bright and fresh but just went a bit over the top.


I'm just about to snuggle down and watch the Six Nations match and hopefully finish the lovely Steph's Pink Jumper.  I have crisps for half time (naughty girl) but I may just fall asleep if the match isn't good.


I don't think the mobile camera is that hot, so I'll have to dig out my digital camera.  It's pretty old but the quality is much better.

The colours are wrong

I spent hours on this and hate the colours. I thought I better photo this for  posterity before I painted over.  Although it's early in the morning and the light's not good.  Also doing this straight from my mobile phone to check out the camera.



I'm going to paint over the pink and the green with softer colours. (Berries and Cream instead of Baby Pink and Celery Green instead of Mint Pistachio.)  I'm also going to change the brown plaid for green plaid and lighten up the hearts.  It'll look better when I've done all the pen stitching too.

Saturday 4 February 2012

Quiet Mornings

This is my favourite time of the weekend. I've just spent the last hour quietly marking my pieces for the flying geese block. My babies are upstairs snug in their beds. (I know they aren't exactly babies at 24 and 26 but there's something incredibly deep and moving for a mother knowing her children are safe and peaceful). Anyhow....

When the light gets better I will take a sharper picture.

I am happily anticipating the couple of hours that Alison and I will spend at Sandra's painting and chatting. This afternoon I will snuggle down and sew my patchwork whilst watching the Six Nations. In between times I'll be loading up the washing machine and my favourite of all appliances, the tumble drier. There'll be people coming and going, washing cars, out cycling, playing rugby and I'll still be curled up toasty warm.  For now it's just me and the sound of silence. I love Saturdays.