More pages

More pages from the Book of Trees, the top one will be the cover. These were done a couple of weeks ago only just got round to posting them.
I am hoping to make some more books but maybe on Khadi paper which I really like. Have had lots of fun doing these, especially making the stamps. Maybe I will have a finished version some time next year to share.

Tits

I was so pleased to capture these images of long tailed tits, they very rarely come this near the house or stay still. A bit hazy as the photos were taken through glass. Such pretty little birds. Took loads of photos but only managed to get three in focus, or even in the picture.

Good things come in two's

 Two posts in one day.
 Life seems to have been a bit crazy recently but I have found time to have a bit of fun. I have been doing an online course with Roxanne Evans Stout called "A Book of Trees" which is slowly coming together. Have been having fun, getting very sticky and learning new techniques.                                             
I don't think I will get much more done before Christmas but have now done the front cover, not shown here.

Finished pages

Carrot tops

A bit of dyeing, left to right, carrot tops with copper, as they come and with washing soda. Woollen yarn pre washed, no other treatment. The carrots are from the garden and very carroty tasting.
I have also dyed with avocado stones, still more brown than pink, waiting to be washed.

Transformation: Earth Matters

A detail from my nearly finished weaving for an exhibition next year with the above title. The weft is woven with plastic from the beach and plastic from the home, title 'Plastic Sea'.

My favourite Season

Autumn colour

Harvest

Rose hips

Squash in the hedge

Marigolds

Autumn is my favourite season, mellow and bright. Still warm at the moment, still a lot of colour in the garden. We have began harvesting squash, a good year for all our vegetables, I have frozen pounds of beans, and during the year have also harvested potatoes, onions, garlic and salad crops. We are still harvesting carrots, beetroots. winter salad leaves mooli and have just began to dig the parsnips.

Rowan berries

Cosmos

Late ripening

Still having trouble with my wrist so sadly no hand sewing and slow weaving happening. I am having an injection on Tuesday which will hopefully keep me going until I can have an operation. At the moment I am still waiting to go on a waiting list despite having been diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome six months ago. Unfortunately that is our modern NHS or at least in this area.

Sunset

 A recent sunset, just caught the moment, gone a few minutes later.

Quilt and Textile show

We would like to thank everybody who visited our stand. We had a fantastic time talking to such interested and interesting people,  so many lovely compliments about our space. Hope to see you all again next year.

Our stand

 Some photos of our stand at the West Country Quilt and Textile Show mostly my work, the two indigo and rust pieces are by Liz Hewitt. For some reason a lot of the photos I took didn't work. The show is open until Sunday at 4.30pm. For details check the website http://westcountryquiltshow.co.uk
We have had loads of positive comments and its been tiring but fun.Will try and post more pictures tomorrow.

Phew, nearly there

 This is the final large piece that I have completed for our stand at the The South West Quilt and Textile Show, stand G56
http://westcountryquiltshow.co.uk
I have been very busy completing work hence no blogging. This will be wall hung at the show.



















 This is of a small piece that is waiting to be framed.

Small piece, limpet shell. weaving, rust dyeing

I will take some photos while I am at the show which opens on Friday 1st September.

Rusted, Weathered and Worn

Patches

Iron Dyed scarf

 Our exhibition opened today, crap photos, sorry but will give you some idea. My excuse, not a camera I normally use.
Will try better next time in about a week

More of my pieces

Liz Hewitt

Mine

Mine and Liz's work

Mine

Liz Hewitt

Mine

Liz is the rusted and blue piece

Liz and my denim piece

Liz Hewitt

Liz Hewitt, beautiful pieces, pity about
the photography

Close up

Close up

More dyeing

Woad seeds ripe for harvesting

Various clothing items

The really hot weather which has thankfully broken has ripened the woad seeds beautifully. I bought one plant two years ago, I reckon I am going to have a few more to plant next time around. As they are biennial I will plant half the seeds now and half next year.

I have been doing a fair bit of eco printing and dyeing recently of clothing from charity shops for the 'Worn' part of our exhibition. Here are some curing before being washed.

Day Lilies

I love day lilies, you can get colour from them as well especially the dark ones. I freeze them as recommended by India Flint, then they are ready whenever the dyeing mood comes to me.