From that......

This is another selection from the 180 colours.  However, they can also be converted into a design source, so here's a quick 'from that'

'to this'

Decisions, decisions!

`

We've already established that I like playing with colour!  I had so much fun with these little tags.  They were coloured using a technique that I love,  and apply in layers.  It involves pressing them onto a prepared surface time and time again until the result is pleasing.  Now I have to decide whether to pop the little book into my handbag to collect ideas as I move around, a sort of mobile journal, or to list it in my other Etsy shop which needs lots of tender loving care.

What do you think?

Don't forget that One World One Heart starts tomorrow.  I'll be blogging and listing something on this other blog, so make a point of stopping by.

Time to relax?

It's been a busy week.  You can read about it here, so I won't go into details, but I'm planning on a relaxing weekend.  We aren't out selling this week, so not up at the crack of dawn, and no babysitting, so hopefully I can go to bed earlyish.....

I might even do something textiley!  If I do I'll post a picture tomorrow, but today I'm just going to 'chill out' as much as I can with maybe a glass of wine with dinner tonight.

I felt so laid back this morning I needed two cups of coffee to just feel able to open my eyes properly!  Oh, yes, and I'll be getting ready for One World, One Heart.  Are you taking part?

Have a good weekend.

It's done!

More about this on another blog tomorrow, however here is the culmination of a weeks stress!  A quick shot of the filming of a dvd.  I'm resting today, I need it.  Let's see what tomorrow brings!

How to get it all wrong.

First - go to the hairdressers.
Next, come home beautifully coiffeured!

Later, go to the salon for a rare indulgence.......


........ only to find that it also includes a head massage


Come home looking really tousled!

Who cares!   I enjoyed it.

Time to read again?

Memory is a funny thing. An internet group of which I am a member currently has a theme of 'A'. I have been meditating on the letter in the hope of 'extreme' inspiration, even though I don't really have time to do anything yet. In the midst of all this there was one word that continually came to mind - 'Axel'. It seemed to come from somewhere deep inside and I rejected it several times before realising that it actually had some meaning. Many years ago - far more years than I would like to admit - I was recommended a book by a very good friend. Although I haven't read it for a long time it is one of the few books I have read time and time again. At the time it opened my eyes to a new world and today I was surprised to discover that it was written almost 100 years ago...

'The Story of San Michele' was first written in 1929 as an autobiographical account of the life and work of Axel Munthe. Written in English, even though its author was Swedish, it has continued to be published and is readily available even today(scroll down and read the review). At the age of 18 he visited the site that he determined to make his home. The book describes an almost idyllic existence that is more than tinged with reality. Reading the names of some of the people with whom he associated and by whom he was influenced is amazing. The house and garden that he created is open to visitors and, judging by the pictures on this site, worth more than one visit.

I am still hopeful that one day I will visit Capri, it has been an idea that has lain dormant for a very long time..........

I'd be interested to know if you have read the book - or if you decide to do so now.

Mid-month catch up (a couple of days late)

 There were a few things that I promised myself at the beginning of the month.  How am I doing?  Well, not everything is accomplished yet but:

1  Eat more vegetables
This was easy.  I love vegetables, so I've been adding a homemade soup to my lunch menu.

2  Comment on at least one blog a day
Yes, I've managed this too.  I couldn't do it during my enforced absence but I'm hoping to increase my commenting. 
3  Take a walk at least 3 times a week
I've even been doing this, except on a couple of days when the snow made it unrealistic.  I'm trying to walk just before lunch every other day.

4  Keep this journal
You can judge me on this one

5  Take more photographs
I certainly managed to take a mountain of photographs during the snow, want to  do more when I'm walking now.

6  Update at least one of my other blogs each day
Yes, so far - so good - except during my computer problems

7  Keep up with drawing practice


Well, something had to go!  I've done a little but not as much as I intended.

8  Make at least one book
Yes, I've made one, and want to do more.  I have an interesting journal idea, if it is a success you will see more, but not until March.

9  Recycle more


I want to use more  of the 'rubbish' that I would normally recycle.  Some of this is going into my books.  That's a start

10 Write a book for my grandson
Yes, I managed to do this too!  I wrote him a book about Christmas.  I included pictures of everyone that joined us on Boxing Day.  I must photograph it next time we see him.

So, that's my resume of the month so far.  Hopefully I can continue for the rest of the month.

Something from the past and looking to the future

I thought that I would show you a few of the 180 colours in more detail.  I think that you will get a much better idea if you click on the picture.  This shot shows 15 of the colours.  You will see that they are all different, although some of them are very close to each other.  I have been asked if I spin or weave.  No, I don't spin.  I can weave, but it isn't something that I do very often.  Having said that I may well incorporate an area of weaving into a larger piece of work.   As an artist my current preferred means of expression is textiles.  This includes fabric, threads, stitching using both hand and sewing machine and also the embellisher machine.  I'm currently working on a few landscapes, these are beginning life on the embellisher, but it is important to me that they are taken further with stitches that are appropriate.  I can't show you one at the moment (work in progress for later in the week,,,,!) but here is one I prepared a lot earlier.

I promise to show you more when I have worked out this computer a little more.  Still no software - but the snow is going and surely there can't be many more excuses for non delivery......

How many colours?

Just how many colours can you get from one small measure of dye?  The answer is - many!  This is just part of one dye sequence that resulted in 180 different colours from one measure each of red, yellow and blue.  None of the colours shown here are from the neat dye, all are mixes and everyone is different.  I may well be sharing more about this sequence at some point, but that's all for now, folks!

Snow

Written during my enforced internet absence

When snow comes I hibernate.
Not for me the rides on sledges;
Snowballs aimed at laughing friends
Enjoying as they miss and shatter!

Snowmen rise above the snowdrifts -
Noses made from orange carrots.
No walks of pleasure just to view them,
Friendly chats with passers by.

Scarves and hats don't compensate
For cold and shiver, fingers blue.
Frozen milk and heat bills soaring -
Close the door and stay inside.

Rather just ignore the season
Slush and mess will come too soon
Spring is just around the corner
Life is promised then, anew.

(If you want more info on why I was missing in action follow this link)

Time for Colour (or even Color!)

What is the point of a journal if there is no colour?

Colour brightens the day, and if this was a paper journal I'm sure there would be colour on each page.

This is a piece of paper that is a 'work in progress'.  Eventually it will be the cover of a little book.  It may even be the cover of a book which will be part of a giveaway. The jury is still out on what exactly the giveaway will be, I've made one book, but then I had another idea for it (watch this space) so I will have to make something else.  As for this paper - it still needs more colour, but I want to think carefully before adding more.  Should it be more of the same, or something to unify?  Let's wait and see - often the best policy.  Sometime, somewhen, inspiration will strike and it will be just perfect....

Thank you

10 things for which I am thankful and not listed in any particular order!

1. Family
2. Colour
3. Warmth
4. Health
5. Friends
6. Life
7. Blogging
8. My place in the World
9. Space to create
10. Inspiration
    

Some of these may sound trivial, but they are only part of the great number of things for which I can give thanks.   I am indeed blessed.

Things to do

Things I want to do this month (not neccesarily in this order!)

1  Eat more vegetables
2  Comment on at least one blog a day
3  Take a walk at least 3 times a week
4  Keep this journal
5  Take more photographs
6  Update at least one of my other blogs each day

7  Keep up with drawing practice
8  Make at least one book
9  Recycle more
10 Write a book for my grandson

What's it all about?

So what is a journal?  Is it a diary?  Is it a place for random thoughts and ideas?  This is where I plan to find out.  It may not match your idea, but surely that's exactly how it should be!

So who am I?

Wife
Daughter
Mother
Sister
Artist
Dyer
Thinker

These are just some of my facets.  Let's see how many more you will discover.