The mice will play

Now, don't fall off your chair in shock that I've posted.

I just thought now seemed a good time for a little catch up.



I hope you are all well. It has been strange, being a silent observer. On the outside, peering in.
I've felt quite removed, completely without the need to create that has been a constant for as long as I remember.But perhaps my memory isn't entirely reliable as there have been huge chunks of time when I haven't created much, life changes doesn't it and sometimes other priorities take over.I have been knitting, in my absence but I purposely chose the simplest plainest thing I could do and am happily and slowly working my way, square by garter stitch square through a beautifully soft, kid mohair throw.
But on to other matters.
Do any of you remember this piece?
It was called 'Mother Love ' and it was significant as it was a complex figure with a hinged stomach that opened to reveal a double sided baby.Significant also as it took a decade (not literally) to make. I painted the inside with painstaking brushstrokes and had a lot of love for it.
(Are you noticing my use of the past tense?)

Ok, so I was a little put out when I realised this weekend that the BLOODY MICE HAD EATEN THE WHOLE THING!

They'd eaten the wire, the legs, arms, body, face and only left part of the back and the hair.It was like a scene from a horror film.

I kept looking at it in hope it somehow wouldn't be real.The strange thing was the tissue paper it was wrapped in was still in the same position, all wrapped up concealing the carcass.

They did leave the baby intact, just a few little gnaw marks and the little patchwork quilt.

I now know that the garage is not the place to store precious art work and it has all been transferred into the house.

Thought it warranted sharing.

Another hard lesson.

Sigh.

I'm still very busy job hunting and such so probably still won't be around much.

Hope you're all keeping your precious work in a very safe place.

a little break

I've decided to take a small holiday from attempting to blog, I haven't a creative bone in my body at the moment and life has taken a decided turn for the more complicated.

I'll still be checking in with you, seeing where your inspiration leads.

Best wishes for now.

busy doing nothing

Or rather, busy doing things I'd prefer not to be doing.

It is quite predictable that when something has to be completed a wealth of ideas appear begging attention.This is similar in a way to the affliction Viv describes, I'm sure it's all part of the same family, its only purpose to torment us.The house has been quiet tonight, at least I have been in a quiet part of it and though I have mostly been occupied with essay writing there has been some opportunities for reflection.Having other demands to butt up against, as it were, does mean that a very keen sense of achievement can be gained, when it finally comes back together.

So I have been giving some thought to the advice Karen gave me, making different, smaller things.The idea of head brooches prompted me to do a little cropping to see how that might be.

Not quite as literal as this but it did serve to remind me just how much I love painting faces.
And then I was reminded how I'm aiming to draw more (my sketchbook is strategically placed next to my couch, along with pencils and wool and needles etc, you never know what you might need to do).


Whilst frustrated, I am becoming more relaxed with having to wait a little to start.It's a little like getting ready for a journey, I have some of the things I need but not enough to set off.

These quiet, calm faces should help me to focus.

Failing that I'll just have to knuckle down and finish the essay.

Only 700 more words before bed.

sale or no sale?

I have been mulling a thought over the last few weeks and wondered what you thought.

I have a number of papier mache pieces for sale, which I have tentatively listed a couple on Etsy.I haven't had masses of time to promote this in any way really but have a strong feeling that I want to start afresh with a new body of work or something but the old work is holding me back.I say old yet much of it is was only made a little while ago but I'm sure you all know exactly what I mean.

So I'm thinking of listing to renew and am having a bit of a tussle in my head with regard to the price.My pieces are so time consuming that I've come to the conclusion I can't sell them for their real worth and therefore should move away from this style at the moment.I feel a clean slate is called for so some possible reduced prices may be in the offing.I'd welcome your
thoughts.

Tonight I sorted some of my wool to tackle the next 'patch' in my Kaffe throw.I do think it's going to take a while but here's my progress so far.

Here's what it should look like.

By the way, these are all taken from his pattern book which is the most wonderful resource.His use of colour is masterful, it is so hard to put colours together in any way like he does.

This flower piece was quite difficult and fiddly and small.

I have learnt so far that even the simple designs, like this checked piece is a lot harder than it looks.I'm quite proud of the backs of these patches, I've followed his advice and can now join colours both by carrying colours across the back and by the intarsia method.

Slightly underwhelming,

but it's a start.

tiny sewing steps

I've spent most of the weekend organising.

Organising children, work and thoughts.
I made little steps towards my Japanese sewing quest.I bought some linen.
I think the only things holding me back from starting are lack of time (which won't be a problem come half term) fear and the fact I only recognise one Japanese character for front. I had a look at the pattern last night and it looked a tad intimidating.I'm none too sure what size equivalent I am so once I've got that sorted I'm going to jump in and have a go.I do know some sites I can turn to for help so don't feel entirely adrift.
I also can't yet use my machine, though that will change soon too.


And then there's this.
A patchwork quilt I started almost fifteen years ago and never finished.



It is most certainly not the most attractive thing I've ever made but I feel the time has come to finish it.I don't know what the stuff you put inside it is called (wadding?) but I have bought vast quantities of it to complete both this and another even less attractive quilt which I couldn't bring myself to photograph.

Have you got ancient, lurking projects?

Look at this beauty.

I think I mentioned I'd treated myself to this 1950's sewing basket from Donna.
It's wonderful, I wanted something special and this certainly is.I love the fact that someone else has used it and wonder what they created.It has a wooden tray that lifts out, perfect for keeping all the little bits and bobs in order.


I can't decide if I should give it a gentle makeover.

Just a few touches to mark it's new life as my sewing basket.


Donna even included some vintage bits and bobs, including a wonderful giant button, which deserves a picture of it's own really.Speaking of buttons, I've ordered more of Donna's site and can't wait to get them.Perhaps there's a button post coming soon.

And how gorgeous are the butterfly locks?I had to have it once I saw these.
January proved to be a hectic month.
I've sandwiched a new job in the middle of my week so am now on a very steep learning curve as I get to grips with teaching art and creativity to both adults and children, sometimes together!
Combining this, along with my previous teaching job has been all encompassing these past few weeks.Throw into the mix an evening college course and you can understand why I've been quiet of late.
And doesn't it always seem that as soon as time is constrained then your brain goes into overdrive and you have more ideas than ever?

Or is that just me?

Alongside all this mayhem I have been turning to simple things like these wristwarmers for comfort, in more ways than one.I love knitting in the round like this.Simple and soothing and I am enjoying the variegated wool which is a wool and soya bean mix.It's a little rougher than I anticipated but Rowan can do no wrong in my eyes and as grey is the new black in my wardrobe they fit the bill perfectly.

As planning ahead is touching every other area of my life it seems only fitting that I apply it to my blog life too.

I spent a happy hour or so today gathering together new and ongoing (some for a very long time, more of which another day) projects, taking photo's and marvelling at just how much wool I've managed to accumulate.

So I shouldn't be away for quite so long this time.
Have a lovely weekend.

Please ignore - stupid person in the vacinity

Ok, so forget my plea for help, I was being entirely gormless and have now obviously sorted it out.

Thanks anyway.