Rain stopped play… so no gardening this week and I was able to settle down for a bit of crafting. I decided to make a little quilted wallhanging with some odds and ends of fabric and fibres left over from other projects.
Dornoch beach
Dornoch beach detail
I then realised that I hadn’t given any thought as to how to finish off the edges and decided the easiest way was to make a plain blue fabric frame and backing for it. I also put a piece of stiffener in the middle . It was so quick and easy to make and I really enjoyed it. I had a great piece of driftwood in my workroom for ages, thinking it might come in handy one day and now that I could use it for the wallhanging, it has disappeared off the planet.
One of the presents I was given for my birthday lately, was a book by one of my favourite artists Angie Lewin entitled”Plants and places”. The book shows how the natural world inspires her work. She is renowned for her beautiful wood-cut prints and I have always particularly admired her images of seedheads. The book includes pages from her sketchbook and photographs showing how her work develops from an idea throught to the finished picture. Packed full of wonderful illustrations and inspiration. Its one of those books you would never tire of looking through and I know I am going to enjoy learning from it.
The present came complete with a beautiful textile gift tag which my DH found on a recent trip to Stornoway. It was made by one of my blogging friends which makes it even more special. Its from the Helen Suzanne Studio. Have a look at her blog where you can see more of her lovely work. http://thestudio-helensuzanne.blogspot.com It hangs from a lovely silk ribbon and I have it on my wardrobe doorknob at the moment. I love the colours.
Textile gift tag by Helen Suzanne Studio
Amongst my birthday cards, I was given this lovely linocut entitled “Planting out” by Clare Curtis.
"Planting out" by Clare Curtis
While the sun was shining, I had a play with a new lens we have for the camera. Just a few shots of flowers around the garden.
Daisy
Poppy seedheads
Honeysuckle
Sweet peas
Meconopsis leaves
Now that the rain has stopped, its back into the garden for now. Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed the huge amount of rasps this year. Our bushes are groaning under the weight of rasps and the blackbird family have been stuffing themselves. We have had all sorts of delicious raspberry desserts, and have also frozen a lot, so I feel a jam making session coming on this weekend.
Happy crafting.
That’s a good lens – the photos are brilliant – especially like the sweet pea.
Dornoch Beach is delightful and you must have had a lot of pleasure in the making of it.
What a lovely post – beautiful photos and inspiring crafts. I love your wall hanging and the little gift tag too and I have looked at that book recently and drooled over it. Thanks for sharing all of these beauties with us.
What a lovely post, just full of inspiration. I must investigate Angie Lewin!
Lovely photos and the Dornoch Beach piece is very good too. Enjoy your book
Love your hanging hope you find that driftwood! Thanks for your helpful comments re my twig – I see what you mean by ‘horns’, you’d be amazed how many of them in my collection are like that! I’ll see what I can find for the next one
Happy Belated Birthday! Love AL’s seedheads & your gorgeous garden pics.
The close-up flowers are amazing, especially the detail on the almost frilled tops of the poppies. The colours and textures on the Dornoch beach hanging are wonderful.
I especially like the poppy seed heads. The colours are amazing. Obviously a good lens.
the photos are brilliant – I keep thinking I will treat myself to the Angie Lewin book but haven’t done so yet – well done with the quilt- we are off to Pittenweem for their Arts Festival on the 6th of August – have you ever been – I know it is the wrongside of the country for you but it is well worth a visit
Yes Janice, when we lived in Edinburgh we usually went to Pittenweem Festival. Great fun and so much to see. Hope you enjoy it
Penny