CHOCOLATE LIFE AND JAZZ!

The adventure begins..........

2012-01-31T21:31:00.000Z

Well....l am now the proud owner of a studio and workshops! Yeh....now just have to make it work. It feels right .....and that is half the battle l reckon. So l am now creating flyers etc...............phew!

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Eco-dyeing paper.

2012-01-30T20:39:00.002Z

Today, l am creating some more eco-dyed paper for book making. I have used heavy watercolour paper and some Eucayptus leaves from a new tree l have found . I have used some old broken wooden rulers to keep the papers flat when in the dye.

The first image is of the bundle in the main cooking pot.

Second view is a close up of the wooden rulers and the bundle! Really excited to see how this 2nd "book bundle" will turn out. I have boiled the dye for 1 hour and have now covered and leave it over night to cool down.

The last image is the first attempt l did to create eco-dyed paper. l am now sewing it and decorating it.

Brick Box activities and stitching!

2012-01-28T21:56:00.002Z

Putney calling.....Good evening.
These beautiful flowers are from the Quince bush...still not sure it should be flowering now but pleased it is!

Self-portrait for today!

Learning to like Green Tea....it is growing on me..l think!Oh..love the colour, must buy some to try Eco-dyeing with. Can hear Tony sighing and saying, "Is nothing safe"?. Hax

This is my bundle that is drying..and still drying....wonder how long l can last?

This is the bundle l have opened because of the rusty items in it..it is now drying after having been unwrapped. Show you once it is dry!

Look what l found in the Charity Shop the other day....yippee! Can use them to hold my small unframed Silk paintings, when l have exhibitions. I think they are so cute!Thank you to who ever made then and then gave them away!

The next few images are of some of the patches l have created....really enjoy making them.

A few weeks ago l eco-dyed some water colour papers, which are now being turned into a book. I have started to decorate it...some stitches and buttons so far. Learning as l go .......

While l was waiting for my bus this morning to go to Brick Box, l saw one of our Wimbledon Common Rangers. Isn't this horse fantastic?

Today at Brick Box,the children and l celebrated Chinese New Year...the year of the Dragon. So we made Dragon Puppets.

Grandad and children had great fun and made some wonderful puppets.

2 year old learning to glue and ended up making a caterpiller!!! She spoke Spanish and l don't, well a few words but sign/body language is an amazing aid to language! She never sat still, was quite a handful but was so cute! Her father works in the new Spanish food kiosk, which has opened a few space down from us.

This was the temptation facing me today in The Brick Box cafe.......l had a tiny piece and that's all...promise.

When l was out getting some shopping..look what l saw...isn't it wonderful? Wonder if it was advertising something? There was no writting on the car that l could see.

What's wrong with this image?

More dragon puppet fun.

Two young boys ( 7 and 9 l think) who often turn up for my workshops, made their dragons and then went onto other creations!!The results were great.....Evil dragon letters. This is one of the many reasons l love working with children, it is never dull!

The moon and two of it's planets. This is what l saw as l arrived home...beautiful!

onion skins, a few banana skins and my daily life!

2012-01-25T23:05:00.006Z

I was talking the other day about how l wished l had created a bigger piece of silk, when l saw the results of it being bundled and boiled in banana skins. Well...that is what l did today. A large piece of silk, bundled with about 15 banana skins and then boiled in red onion skins. As you can see from the image below...it does look like a joint of meat! I have boiled it for about 2 hours and will now leave it to cool overnight and then leave it for about a week or two. It depends how long my patience can last! Any bets? Ha!

The weather over the last few days has been very cold and wet...very wet. So l have posted some images below and how it felt. As you will see..l love raindrops!

This next image is what a appears to be a plate or maybe a tile, that may have been dropped on the road. It was under a car, so maybe it was run over because someone forgot to pick it up?... ..either way....it formed a very pretty and interesting pattern on the dark tarmac of the road. "Why did you photograph that rubbish?" l was asked by a man walking by. My answer...It is a beautiful blue, it is unusual to see china on the road and lastly..why not? He just looked at me, shook his head and walked of laughing!

Sometimes simple can be beautiful. This is yet another image to add to the book l am creating called..."On the yellow line".

While l was taking this image in Tooting yesterday, l heard a heated conversation going on behind me. In fact you would have to have been deaf not to hear it! Two white guys, middle aged and one on a phone.
1st guy..."No. l mean today not tomorrow or Friday, NOW!".
2nd guy... Swiped mobile from his hand and shouted out LOUD, " If that money is not here in his hand soon, I'll send the brothers round, no no, no listen, this isn't a f*****g game...I'll send the brothers round. No, you listen to me... Money or legs broken for a warning. And you know the boys, hard to control when they get excited." and so on and so....
I looked round to see if l could see a camera, this must be a film or something. I am not naive but it seemed so staged that l felt as if l was on a film set, mainly because l have heard or seen this "conversation" so many times. But, no... it was real and l was listening in, as were the rest of the people around the station, to a very threatening phone call. What really surprised me was no-one else seemed to be bothered by what was being said. If you actually listened to this very loud conversation, ( it was hard not to ) you would have realised you were listen to a very threatening, violent and dangerous conversation..scarey times!

Um... nice orange colour... but, how toxic would this be to us eco-dyers? Ha!

Um.... today's self portrait makes my nose look quite large! But l can't alter it just because l am not happy with it because l have to remember why l started this project. To feel happier about myself!!! And it is working and l am actually enjoying the whole project.

One of the many Cherry trees on and around our flats that is in blossom... Nature must be very confused! Hope the frosts, due soon, don't do too much damage to the buds. I love using the red leaves from this cherry tree for eco-dyeing...very easy to print with too.

When our winter days are dark and miserable, this bush always cheers me up. Unfortunately this image was not what l had hoped for. The red part of the stems are not showing up too well, l used too much flash... I should know better but it was raining and l was wet and cold. ...I know..."A bad workman always blames his tools" ..now who said that? And on that thought l will say "Goodnight folks".

Dyeing and the man in the moon!

2012-01-23T22:36:00.003Z

This is the piece of silk that l stitched without using a ring. The main reason being l didn't have a small enough embroidery ring. I have now got one, as l found the silk was really difficult to sew as it would pucker and l felt it didn't sit correctly. I now back silk with cotton when l sew it, as l find it easier to handle.

This is another one of my "patches" which I really am enjoying making from my many scraps .

This is the latest patch. I am now putting adhesive patches on the back of some them, so those that don't want or can't sew don't have to! I am also designing the labels for these packages at the moment..not easy ..... all for £12!

The other week l put up an image of a small bag l had just finished sewing, so l thought you might like to see all of it now. l just have to find something for the strap.

This is the front.

The back.

Front and back.

Lined insided with Eucalyptus dyed silk.

As we were walking past this shop in Putney today..Tony started to laugh and pointed out this chest of drawers.

I have taken a closer image of it and it really does look as if it a smily chest of drawers doesn't it? Ha. So much fun for a child's room but an adult?um........or am l just being boring?Hax

The man in the moon says "Goodnight"

Mostly dyeing today!

2012-01-21T22:01:00.002Z

I have been doing some more dyeing...what a shock!! Ha!...This first image is of a Pashmina (bought for only £2.50..new could have cost me about £30!) which was original white and l think it was more than likely an unloved Christmas present..shame! I tied it first and then dyed it with fungi dye but was not happy with the results, so l decided to re dye it. But what colour?

I decided to use the blue/purple dye from blueberries...really like the idea of this.

This is what the pashmina looked like when first taken out of the dye, having been boiled for 2 hours. really rich, dark colour.

The next image is after the pashmina had been draining for a while over the sink, paler but not that much that it worries me. I will leave it until it is fully dry and then l will let it rest for a week before taking off the elastic bands and wash it.

I decided last night that l had to start sorting out my ever increasing pile of paper work...such as stuff l find interesting, newspaper articles, project ideas, notes and so on. l am feeling much better for it but l have a long way to go yet but at least l have started it!! This image shows you a tiny bit of what l am facing! Ha!

The next two images are of the piece of silk l dyed useing banana skins. A view of each side.

I have now washed all my lastest dyeing project and none of them have lost any colour...l am so pleased with the results.

I just wanted to show you this bird image l took the other day. It is not a brillant one but l really like it. I have not decided what l want to do with it yet but it really fasinactes me, so when l have decided l will show you!

And the last image...my gorgeous husband. The doctor is testing him at the moment..just "checking" for our children to see if he does actually have "a heart"!?

Start with a flower and end with one!

2012-01-19T21:07:00.002Z

Over the weekend, Tony and l went up to see Andrew and Gemma and of course our grand-dog, Alfie! Believe me it was COLD!!! I can't believe how many flowers and buds there are around and it is mid January. Just look at these beautiful, bright yellow primroses.

Our postman shows us how cold it was and how much frost there had been overnight by drawing smiley faces on his buggy!

This next image is what the lawn outside my flats looked like at 11.30 in the morning!! Still too cold for the frost to have melted yet..brr! Rutland here we come.....hope the roads are not to slippery.

Oh my goodness, look at the smog over London this afternoon. No wonder l have a sore throat!

This is my self portrait for the day, taken at a Motorway Service Station restroom!

One of the reasons we went to Rutland was to look after Alfie while Andrew, Gemma and three of her friends spent the weekend in a Holiday House Time Share (see image below) beside Rutland Water. Then, on Monday, we could have it for the rest of the week while they were at work. Unfortunately, due to some unexpected appointments back here in London, we had to come home on Monday. Just as well really as the house was very cold and Tony had a terrible Cold! Shame though as it also had a gym, sauna and health spa! sigh!

This is one of the beautiful views around this hotel complex... beautiful.

Loads of wildlife around the houses: pheasants, sheep, birds, rabbits and squirrels. When we drove up to the houses, we had to stop to let about 12 ducks cross the road, except the last one couldn't decide to walk cross or not... so he flew instead. Very funny to watch. Isn't the red on the pheasant so bright and cheerful? made me smile just looking at it.

Even up here in Rutland in late afternoon there is still some frost hanging around. Mind you, it did make the tennis court look very attractive.

When we reached Andrew and Gemma's house we were met by Alfie......the usual cuddles and play fight happened between Grandad and Grand-dog! Ha x

Next morning was just as cold, still below freezing... brr! I love how frozen leaves look, so magical. Our poor Mini car was not happy as she had had to be out in the cold all night, she is used to a warm garage.

The next images are of my latest dyeing projects. The first is a white scarf which has been tied with elastic bands and then put into the mushroom dye pot. This is not a very good image of the actual colour of the fungi dye, it is far more pale yellow in real life.

The next three images show you a piece of soft grey wool, which has been bundled with Eucaylptus and beetroot leaves and then steamed. Really like the effect.

This last image shows you a piece of silk, bundled with banana skins and steamed and then left to dry for 11 days...really really like this piece. So much so l am going to do a really large piece of silk next time. No problem with obtaining banana skins as Tony and l have one each a day!

And to end my entry for today...look what has flowered outside my front door....in January?

Night xx

One bag and bye till Wednesday!

2012-01-14T18:20:00.000Z

I am unable to upload any images until next Wednesday ...... so you will have to make do with this image of my latest bag.! See you soon..happy dyeing!

Finished work, dyeing, fungi, bottling and more.

2012-01-13T17:49:00.000Z

Well it is friday 13th...be afraid, be very afraid!......Ha!

Today l decided l would show you what l have been stitching, making, collecting, dyeing and looking at. The first image is of a piece of Eucalyptus dyed, stitched and felted wool blanket, it was originally cream! It eventually will be turned into another bag. I am really loving how this piece is turning out and think it will make a beautiful bag. All l need to do now is line it and sewn on a silk rope handle .

I really am enjoying creating these bags from pieces of re-cycled or thrown away materials. This next bag has been created from a thrown away piece of cotton, which was bundled and dyed with Blue Gum Eucalyptus leaves. Then l embroidered it and decorated it with found buttons.

Lined with Eucalyptus dyed silk and re-cycled buttons.

Back of bag.

Detail of corner where a piece of Eucalyptus dyed silk has been added.

While walking to the hospital yesterday, l saw this fungi on Putney Heath. There were quite a few broken off pieces, so l bought them home and as you will see from the next image..put them in water to soak. So far the liquid has a yellow hue to it. How exciting!

For those of you who follow my blog, you may remember that l have been collecting thrown away cognac bottles from outside a Convent! Well l haven't been along that route for a few weeks but l was there yesterday and guess what?...I collected another 13 bottles!!!All l need to do now, is decide what l am going to create with these disguarded bottles!um.......

Today's self-portrait!

The next image is a tub of Beetroot juice. This is from the water which the beetroot was boiled in and the skin from each veg. Really deep red/purple, can't wait to use it. I have had good results in the past.

The other week l was in Kingston Open Air Market and a stall holder was selling 7 advocado's for £1..so l bought 14! They were so cheap because they were past their best. I still used the flesh and then the skins and stones where use for dyeing. The skins, which l clean/scrape really well by using an old toothbrush and knife are showing a yellow/orange colour at present.

The stones dye bath, at the moment is looking pinkish..magic in the making!

Do you remember all Eucaylptus leaves l picked up from our tree being trimmed?..well here is a tiny bit of it being boiled. The rest is in drying in the garage.

I have been bottling dyes and also been experimenting with freezing some dyes and also some Eucayptus leaves. Let you know the results later.

What would l do without my sturdy bag on wheels?

Me, interesting things and the man in the moon!

2012-01-10T21:42:00.000Z

l try to do a self portrait most days and this is today's.

This is the willow tree that has just been cut (pollarded) on our Estate, as it was dying and becoming dangerous. I had some amazing shots of the men cutting it yesterday but my camera "ate" the images! Grr!!! Anyway, l managed to get a few images today and also some of them cutting the Eucalyptus tree. You should have seen the huge pile of leafy branches that the tree cutters left me. It made me laugh. I had asked the guys to leave me two or three armfuls... All l can say is... they have very big arms! I got SO many branches. I only hope l have enough room in the garage to hang up all of them!!

This is what our Willow tree looked like until yesterday.....

First cut is the deepest!!!!!

This is how it looks now!!!!sighhhhhhh!

Loads of trees were "trimmed" today!

I walk past this row of houses a lot and it was only yesterday l realised l have no images of them. I really love them but they are quite small but as they say, beautifully formed!

Found these fungi today and am going to experiment with them.

So many berries on one tree....and l picked up loads to work with.

I `m one happy bunny-look at my windfalls today...plus all my Eculyptus cut branches...!!

Before l end this post, l wanted to show you some of the Christmas decorations that caught my eye , when we were in Kingston last week. I actually thought they looked better when not switched on!!

Goodnight from the Man in the Moon!

Dyeing, paper napkin and the rest of the trip to Kent.

2012-01-08T19:29:00.001Z

Another piece of silk but this time bundled with Blue dye giving Eucalyptus leaves. I boiled it for 3 hours in the orange leaf dye. I loved the result, wish l had used a much bigger piece of silk. Oh l also added a few rusty tins to the bundle as well..just remembered. Also I used no mordents with this bundle.

The next is a piece of silk which was wrapped around rusty tins and then just dyed in orange dye Eucalyptus leaves. I have not finished stitching it yet, but can you see the cats l stitched? Ha!

Now for something different, as they say on the TV!!! This started out as a napkin, that l saw at my daughter's flat. The minute l saw it l felt l wanted to do something with it. Here is the result...a stitched spoon, knife and fork!!!! I love it .....anyone tell me what they would do with it now? maybe a prize in it for some one...thinks!????

The rest of these images are from yesterday's trip to Kent. I was so amazed to see some many, what l think of late summer plants, still flowering. These Pansies for example and there were also African violets as well...very strange.

Yesterday, if you remember, l stayed taking images while Tony picked his aunt up. Well l also collected quite a few things as well as taking images!!!!As if you weren't surprised! One of the things l collected were these black berries. I have a horrible feeling these are Tuscan berries which are toxic..dam! if anyone is ready this l can comfirm that for me..please let me know!!!

I love ivy but this particular batch of ivy really caught my eye. Why? I think it was because it is so varied in colour and is small in size. It just looked so beautiful l had to show you!!

This is what is called "Old man's beard" and l love it. It is so delicate and magical looking and when it covers a whole tree, looks like something out of a fairy tale.

In the village where Tony's aunt lives, is this one house l always try to drive slowly past. The reason being he has such funny things in his front yard. This time the first thing you cannot fail to notice is...a giraffi hanging over the front railings!

The next is in the form of a rather large black and white cow!

And last but not least...a gorrilla, a pig and a couple celebrating New Year! Not sure l want to be their neighbours but it does make me smile, when l drive past it!

I have now found out these berries are not berries at all but crap apples. Every tree l have gone past in the last week or so is suffering under the amount on each tree. This one's branches are actually breaking under the strain. Shame the people who own this tree have not done some thing about it.

Being a passenger in the mini, l was reading and happened to look up, to be met by this sight. ( see next image!) Just for a second l was extremley panicked.....then realised it was ok! The lorry was not coming straight at us, the wrong way on the road but was on tow!Phew!!!

The motorway was not quiet!!

The next few images are of the wonderful sky that we had all the way home.

Not sure what l did to achieve this image of the moon...but l like it!

And the last image..what better way to end a trip out but a quick trip to Staples....Ha! when did l ever manage a quickt trip to Staples?

Herringbone material and old buildings

2012-01-06T20:49:00.001Z

More eco-dyeing folks. This is a piece of herringbone linen which was a sort of greyish colour. It was bundled with leaves l found around my estate the gardener had just brushed up into a pile! Then l boiled the bundle in (orange dye) Eucalyptus leaves for about 3 hours. I am very pleased with the end results.

This is a piece of silk which was bundled together with bottle tops and red and pink rose petals then boiled in blue Eucalyptus leaf dye. I really love the effect and also the pale pink/yellowish colour.

This silk has been bundled with slices of oranges. It is a lot deeper in colour than it appears in this image. For some reason l couldn't get the colour correct.

Today we went to visit our Aunty and took her out to Lunch at a pub/resturant in a 13th Century building called "The Dirty Habit"!!

It is a beautiful building!

Most of the buildings in the village are hundreds of years old and built in the lovely Kentish style. While Tony collected Aunty Mo, l stayed behind to photograph the village. BUT oh my goodness it was COLD!!!!

Are these meant to be flowering now? outside?

I love the colour of this door and l would like to have my kitchen cupboards this colour . I also thought the Christmas decoration on this door was very unusual.

Here is another gorgeous house in this village of Hollingbourne.

Also in the village, there is this amazing building called Hollingbourne Manor... sigh! Wouldn't you love to own this glorious house? Here's hoping for the winning numbers in the Lottery on Saturday!!!

This next image shows you the gateway to the Manor and the Coach House. Don't you just love those gorgeously decorated gates?

This stone plaque was high up on the wall, next to the main gates. I was unable to read it because of the height but also the sun was shining on it quite brightly!

Now to see inside the Dirty Habit!

These antlers are hung over a doorway inside the pub, which is so low, most people have to duck!

One part of the restaurant has a beautiful fire that burns wonderful smelling wood logs.

Then there is sort of "cosy" area to sit while you wait for your meal or have a few drinks with friends.

Most of the seating is wooden benches, as if you were in a church and in one corner is special seating "for Monks"! Some of the eating areas have normal chairs but they are all different in styles, patterns and colours.

And the last image is of something l love looking for...fungi. But l don't know the name of these particular ones!!!

More dyeing and bits around London!

2012-01-05T20:17:00.001Z

I just love the way "things" happen when you let Nature work it's magic. This was a bright yellow table napkin which l eco-dyed with blue eucalyptus leaves....Can you see a tree? Love it.

I found a small, white bodice top in a charity shop and l wish it had been my size!!sigh!!! Not even my trips to the gym could get me to fit into this!Ha! I dyed and bundled it with "blue" Eucalyptus leaves and added some copper plant labels into the bundle. Can you see the oblong shape?.... that's the label. Really pleased how this turned out. When l start my Etsy shop l think that's where this will go.

We drove past Buckingham Palace the other evening and through the side gates can you see the Christmas Tree? The main Christmas tree is out the front of the Palace and it was huge. I couldn't take an image, as we were driving quite fast and you cannot stop opposite the front gates, for security reasons.

I spotted this window design on a London building, when l was looking up to see the moon. The structure around the window always reminds me of the buildings l saw in Paris.

While we were stopped at a set of traffic lights, l looked up and saw this building decoration. The rest of the building is so boring and dirty and yet this level is beautiful and looks as if it has been cleaned recently.

While we were again at another set of traffic lights, this car drove up beside us...drool. It was a Lamborghini...but bright yellow..oh have some style please!

Can you see a cow on top of the building? Don't panic it is not real it is plastic!Ha

Eco-dyeing and Christmas lights !

2012-01-03T23:07:00.000Z

A few weeks ago, l spoke about the "patches" l was making..well here are three of them. I have sold one of these...£12 each. l am surprised how people have been so keen on them.

The next three images are of a larger piece l have just finished stitching. The material is a piece of old canvas which dyes well and is great to stitch.

I have discovered l love stitching circles as well as drawing them!

The material l used for this was made from a very open weave cloth....not easy to stitch but l enjoyed the challenge and am happy with the end results.

To carry on from yesterday's "Christmas Lights Tour" images. Leaving my daughter's flat, there is this amazing flat that is very decorated! Pity the lights were not on yet. But you can see what l mean from this image taken from our moving mini!

Just thought l would show you this as we went past it on the way to Regent Street lights. It is an amazing shop that not only sells and repairs umbrellas and walking sticks but also makes them. A very old fashioned service and gentlemen salesmen...gorgeous experience!

Starting off in Oxford Street.......

This spider's web had lights going up and down each strand.....very magical!

This is what it looked like from the open top of our mini...moving quite slowly!

Further down the street......

This was the entrance to a precinct off Regent's street.

Stopped at a set of traffic lights just before Piccadilly Circus.

This is what a Christmas tree looks like when you go past it at 30 miles an hour......and try and take a photograph! I rather like it!

For those of you who love Harrods....here it is all light up for Christmas!

A Christmas themed Christmas window...jingle bells..jingle bells......

End of tour. Night allxxx

Dyeing, stitiching and Christmas lights.

2012-01-02T22:13:00.000Z

It seems so long since l last posted some of my eco dyeing and stitching . Christmas and New Year seem to have got in the way!

The first image is of a piece of silk, that was bundled with a few bits of rusty tin, and a few banana skins.

This is a piece of cotton bundled with blue eucalyptus leaves and dyed in a pot of blue eucalyptus leaves and pods.

The next two images are of some of the piece of old wool blanket, that l found in a thrift shop. They are dyed with Eucalyptus leaves. The first image is of the front side, which is bundled with them. The other side was bundled with oak leaves as well. I really love working with this old wool blanket, it dyes so well.

This is a piece of old silk from a blouse that has been embroidered by me, all the buttons have been found or given to me.

This next piece of silk was bundled with banana skins and a few eucalyptus and then embroidered by me.

This last eco-dyed image is of a piece of skim that l dyed with blue eucalyptus and bottle tops, just to see if anything would take. Very pleased with the end result.

Today, Bank Holiday Monday, we did a tour of the Christmas Lights around Central London. This is the decoration that is outside The Saatchi Gallery.

This decoration was in Sloane Square...simple but very beautiful.

Very bright moon this afternoon....just over Buckingham Palace!

There were a lot of tourists around the "Buck House" area and, as we drove past, l could see a beautiful Christmas Tree.

Big Ben looked beautiful against the dark blue sky.

As we were waiting to move in traffic, we noticed a telephone box with lots of people around it. Then we realised why everyone was laughting and shouting... They were trying to see how many people they could squeeze into the box!

Not a good image but l do love the way this Christmas tree and lights seem to be "a ghost" in this image.

A view of the "Eye" through the Mini window. I think it looks dramatic any time of the day but, at night, especially so.

These are everywhere it seems in London this year... what l call "Mistletoe" balls. They looks so pretty and really stand out against the bare tree branches.

Tomorrow, l will show you some more dyeing, stitching and Christmas lights.

Visit to the V&A Museum

2012-01-01T16:26:00.002Z

Today, l went to the exhibition "Power of Making" at the Victoria & Albert Museum ("V&A"), in South Kennsington, London. To say l was one of a few people visiting would be an understatement, the museum was, as all the eating places around were, bursting at the seams! The first image is of the museum itself, a wonderful looking building, with an amazing, very impressive main entrance.

Once inside, you are faced with this wonderful steel structure. Hanging down from the ceiling is one of Chihuly glass sculptures.

The "Power of Making" Exhibition is free to view but there is a queuing system in place. You are told you can take images of the first sculpture....this amazing gorilla is entitled "King Silver" and is made of hand-twisted wire. The artist is David Mach, he is English and this was made in 2011.

"Every element resembles an everyday clothes hanger but together they accumulate into an image of dramatic power."

The exhibition was set up so there was no definite "walking" route, which worked well as the space was full of adults with a lot of young children.

Quote from the exhibition information:

"The Power of Making" is an exhibition about the breadth and depth of Craft's presence in the modern world. The featured objects have been selected to highlight both age-old skills and contemporary techniques, from tradional stone walls to machines that can make other machines".

Quote from the Guest Curator, Daniel Charney:

"Making is the most powerful way that we solve problems, express ideas and shape our world. What and how we make defines who we are, and communicates who we want to be".

The first piece that caught my eye was a "Laboratory grown tote bag" by Suzanne Lee, who is British and a Senior Reasearch fellow at Central St. Martins. From what l can understand, she uses the growth potiential of microbes to create cellulose shapes in a large vat filled with..wait for it...sugar and green tea! Suzanne then moulds and stitches them into finished pieces of clothing. The methods used to "make" the items are fermentation, wet moulding and oxidation. All l can say is...WOW!

In the Exhibiton, there were several objects that had been scaled up or down, which, as the notes say, "is not as straightforward as it seems". In this section is a "Knitted Arun Rug" created by Christien Meinderlsmia from The Netherlands in 2011. It was hand-made using huge, wooden knitting needles and the wool from 18, sheared Merino sheep! The artist wanted to draw people's attention to the animals that provide us with objects we use everyday. The wooden needles were made by the artist herself and she said that, after a while, she started to understand how they worked together with the wool. Soon, she started to use her fingers to knit ! The rug was HUGE!

As some of you are Quilters, l thought you may find the next item interesting. It is called "Quilts in Women's Lives 11"and was created by an American artist called Sabrina Gschwantner in 2009. This was "made" by using celluloid film, either her own or early feminist documentaries on textile crafts. She then bleaches, paints, scratches, dyes and finally uses polyamide and/or cotton thread to sew it all together. I can tell you that it really did look like a fabric quilt..amazing.

The item in front of this Quilt made me smile. A thong made from hand-made, Polish lace... interesting! When l looked at it at first, l thought it was crochet, it didn't look fine enough to be lace. It appears the skilled lacemakers of the Koniakow Co-operative in Poland needed to extend their area of work for several reasons. For instance, they used to serve many church clients, including Pope John 11. Unfortunately, this type of work had started to slow down and so the ladies decided to change from making altar cloths to underwear! They are making money again and managing to keep the craft alive at the same time. Enterprising women indeed... religious items to woman's underwear!!!

On one wall, there hung the most amazing carpet, "The Carpet of Remembrance". It is a kilm-loom piece of work created by relatives of victims from the Srebrenica genocide in 2008. In 1995, there were over 8,000 Bosnian men and boys killed in a horrific massacre and this work helped the women to heal, promote human rights and gave them a source of income. For a carpet that had so much sadness in it, it was so bright and colourful.
The little bit of a sparkley flag you can see on the right of this image is a Hatitian, Vodoo Flag. Traditionally, they were created and used by the men, now they are created and used by both men and women. This flag was created by a woman called Myrlande Constant but they do not know when she made it. Myrlande learned beading and the other techniques from her mother and then trained other makers.

I just love this next image, "A Snowflake Address Card" created in 2009 by the Heatherwisk Studio in the UK. They got the idea from children folding, cutting and creating paper snowflakes. The team made each of the 350 unique designs by cutting away the empty spaces around, within and between the letters of the address. They first hand wrote each address, used computor - aided designs and then laser cutting and folding!! A beautiful piece of art in it's own right. To me, it also looks as though it is something written in Arabic!

Old fashioned cross stitch meets the eletronic age. "QR U"? is the name of this beaded dress and necklace. This outifit was designed by Thorunn Arndotlir and was inspired by African masks that were decorated in symbols used to communicate identities. She used Swarovski crystals into which QR (quick response) codes were patterned. You can use a smart phone to "read" the dress, which was designed for the Icelandic pop star Kali, this links to her online persona. The necklace leads you to the designer's website. If you zoom in onto the beads, your smart phone will pick it up (provided you have the free App "Scan") Tony tried it and it works! I really wish l could understand all this new technology!!!!

Believe it or not, the image of the baby is a cake... l kid you not! It is called, strangely, "Sculptured Baby Cake". The British artist Michelle Wibowo makes hyper-realistic cakes! All she does is bake it, then she sculpts it using marzipan, then she paints it using coloured icing. Simple isn't it?!

There were many other items in the Exhibition l couldn't get an image of. For example, the fantastic dress called "Widow". It took the British artist, Susie MacMurry 7 full weeeks to pin each of the 100,000 dressmaker's pins into the leather, made from a base of Black Napper Leather. Just imagine how heavy it must be.
Quote from the article's notes: "The dress is a psychological portrait of a widow. The dress is both inviting sexually and literaly stand-offish." It looks magnificent, shimmers in the light and is beautiful to look at.
Another item that caught my attention was a pair of shoes designed by Alexander McQueen in 2009 and worn by the model Naomi Campbell. Do you remember?... she fell off them while on the catwalk? They were inspired by the shape of a ballet dancer's foot when performing 'en pointe'. Do you know how many individual people contributed to the making of this shoe? .........100! No wonder his shoes are so expensive. I have drawn a quick sketch of what they looked like. They are made from python skin and are called "Armadillo" shoes.

The last item l want to talk about made me both laugh and cringe at the same time. Unfortunately, no image to show you. "Crochetdermy" was a mix of crochet and taxidermy... l promise you that is what it said! A full scale, brown bear looking like those bears you see "stuffed" in Museums, but this one didn't require an actual animal to be killed. Made from a polystyrene and steel frame, mohair and then a black walnut base. Amazing to see !
There was quite a bit more to see. It was well worth going to visit before it closes tomorrow on the 2nd Jan 2012.
What better way to end an Exhibition tour than to see loads of Siver Disco balls and they were for sale too!

To end on a Christmasy note, across from the V&A is the Natural History Museum and their Ice Rink. Every trees has thousands of little white lights shinning away into the night, making the area look very magical and beautiful.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Post Christmas, Family 'get together' on December 27th 2011

2011-12-27T19:17:00.000Z

This is Tuesday and my whole family are together... It was a wonderful day. Lots of images of this beautiful event.

Isn't Alfie's tail wonderful?

Our son Andrew playing with our soft, "Alfie substitute "and Alfie deciding to pounce on Andrew to make him play with him instead!! Ha!

A very beautiful and thoughtful Gemma, my daughter-in-law.

The coolest place in the flat!

Playtime with Grandad!

Nice to see Gemma sooooooooo relaxedxx

Father and son hug timex

Alfie has a soft mouth for carrying ducks... so it doesn't really hurt.

"Is it time to go yet"????

A laughing Gemma because Alfie decides to pull the rug off the settee, so as to get her to play with him!

The only safe place in the flat for "our " Alfie is on top of the bookcases! You have to admit, he does look a bit worried! Ha!

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

2011-12-26T19:51:00.003Z

On Christmas Eve l went into Kingston and saw this Christmas decoration over the "Kop Shop", isn't it beautiful and very unusual?!

I just love standing and watching the expressions on the children's faces, when the bears, penguins and the music starts on this Christmas Showcase.

Guess who sits here?

Yep... Father Christmas!

Now for Christmas Day!

What... you don't have a Phone Angel in your house?

Can someone please tell my wonderful husband this is not the best way to take your blood pressure! Ha!

Isn't this beautiful?... A gift to me from my husband, Tony. Aren't l a really lucky girl?... I love Amber!

Christmas dinner cooked by Tony, with help from our daughter who prepared the brussel sprouts!!! xx

Walking round Wimbledon Common to compensate for the dinner we just ate.

Think l found a Guerrilla Poet on Wimbledon Common... This was the third one l found.

Another confused plant blooming way too early!

Me trying to be Arty!... Think l succeeded!

Moorhens on the edge of one of the ponds on the Common.

Does anyone know what the green growth is beside this fungi?

Boxing Day shopping with Tony and Jenny. Oh what l could do with this paper, pity they throw such great stuff away!

Isn't this an amazing mural? So much to look at, I see something new every time I go past it.

One of the staircases we climbed today!

A different view of the Post Office Tower.

Looking out the window while having coffee in a "Pret" in Tottenham Court Road.

Lovely Christmas decorations.

Just love the contrast between the netting, metal decoration and stone work.

Snowflakes or Mistletoe lights.......?

A great view of 'The Wheel' on Boxing Day evening.

Night all...

Happy Christmas

2011-12-24T22:06:00.002Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM MY FAMILY TO ALL MY INTERNET FRIENDSxxxxxx

Photographic images that help to create Art!

2011-12-22T23:58:00.001Z

Yeh......my laptop is back and l am so happy! I have done lots of things instead and also l realised l am not addicted and could live without it BUT would rather not!
Before l start, l thought l would show you a new look l had the other night.....

This week l decided to record which part of nature has really inspired my Art this week. I went out just after it had stopped raining and the colours had become very vibrant and fresh looking! Even though the sky was dull and grey....everything seemed to be shinning !
The first three image are of the rose bush outside my front porch. I don't think l have seen the pips looking this red before! Wow!

It is now December and yet there are still so many leaves left on the trees, even though we have had so many gales. I am not complaining because that means there are still some wonderful leaves around for me to use in mybundles!

As l was waiting for my bus, l noticed this puddle just across the road from me. The reason l noticed it, was the sun suddenly came out, the water sparkled and l noticed this wonderful reflection.....gorgeous.

When the Plain Trees bark is not wet..it is colourful but when it is wet...wow...the colours are amazing. Just like a patchwork Quilt nailed to a tree! Ha!

I bent to pick up a leaf..as you do...and noticed how green this moss is at the moment. So vibrant and green..if you see what l mean?!

These berries are just SO blue and the red berries peeping through every so often, really stand out!

There were so many raindrops on each thin, long leaf, sparkling and slowly running down to the base. I could have sat and watched them for ages, as it was l did it for about 3 or 4 mins. When l told my friend what l had been doing... her reply was as follows....!
" I thought watching paint dry was boring but l think you have just trumpted it"!..Ha!

Yes l know, it is a banana skin but l thought it looked quite artistic and actually quite evil!

Love this image.....so stark and yet very beautiful.

Again a wonderful colour created by nature...

You can see these leaves from a long way away....it is very striking and really cheers me!

Hope you have enjoyed this walk through my artistic mind this week.......... so tomorrow l will show you what l have been making and creating, while l have been laptop free!

Away for a week!!

2011-12-13T23:12:00.001Z

This poor laptop is going into the hospital! sob! So l will not be on here for about a week...unless l can get a few mins on Tony's computor!!!!! So if l am missing for a few days..do not panic..it's the machine this time that is sick NOT me! xxKeep safe and see you again soon..l hope!xx

Hope these few images will keep you going till l appear on here again!!

Night folkxx

A trip to brick Box on Sunday 11 December 2011

2011-12-12T20:30:00.000Z

Today l went to deliver some of my Art to Brick Box, so they could use it, if need be, for their Evening Entertainments all this week. If you look into the small round mirror, you will see a soft top mini..that's me! Hax....The pocket rocket as we call her!

Every time l drive pass in my car or am in the bus, l mean to stop and go and look at this statue. Well.... today l actually managed to stop and go and look. It is a wonderful and so glad l made the effort to stop. I cannot tell you anything about it, as there is no plaque anywhere to be seen.

This sculpture has fasinated me for ages and it did not let me down. It has not been looked after unfortunetly but all the same it is wonderful.

Love this image!

The dead trees on either side are full of amazing textures and shapes.

There were 3 fungi near the sculptures which were far from their best! I was wondering what makes those holes you can see on this one? Tony reckons it's birds digging into the fungi to find grubs!

At the Brick Box there was afternoon activity. A wonderful singer who wrote and sang her own songs..some of them happy!!( an in joke apparently)...called Jessica. (www.jcarmody.co.uk)

Some of this audience......

Walking back to my car, l noticed this on a garage door......interesting! Why l wonder?

I have some more handbags, sewing and more Eco-dyeing to show you tomorrow.

Pressure cooker experiments.

2011-12-06T20:29:00.001Z

Waiting to be wrapped.

Going to use pressure cooker for the first time! scary ...but l did it and it worked.

Can l wait to open bundlesor can l wait? No..opened it straight away!

I am really pleased with the results. Old cream colored second-hand blanket, mordant was ash water and Euclyptus leaves bundled inside.

Another piece of wool, bundled with assorted leaves.

I also wrapped copper labels into bundle.

Really liked the outcome of these blankets.

A trip to Sutton and buttons!!

2011-12-05T23:02:00.001Z

On my trips down to Putney, l go past a new complex of flats that has just been completed. When l first saw the drum kit on this balcony ( through the bus window ), l thought "l am glad l don't live next to or above them". But then, l saw it was one of those "quiet" kits, so they are forgiven! Ha! Considerate neighbours after all!

The other thing l especially noticed today, was there were so many discarded, empty coffee cups. Don't people use bins any more?

My trip today was to go to Sutton, via Clapham Junction. I just love Clapham Junction Station, as it is always so busy and the new walk-way enables you to see loads of trains. Actually, Tony tells me he thinks it is the busiest railway junction in the country!

Standing on the platform, l noticed loads of things, such as its array of lights and their supports.

This image fascinates me because of all the shapes that are in this one building. I also like the sheltered walkway that forms a V, that is just in front of the building.

Another thing l noticed today was how much red there was on the station... hair, prams, coats and bags.

I saw this teddy bear through the train window and it appeared that it was behind bars..oh l wonder what he had done that was so bad?....just made me giggle!!

The reason l went to Sutton today was to see a vacant shop premises that my friend Terry had noticed the other week. Looks interesting, fingers crossed and we will see what happens. I would love to have it to hold art classes for adults and children, a "drop in" Art Centre and a gallery... and oh so much more. Both for the community and to be part of it.

Guess what and where this is.....?

It is on a Night Club Wall in Sutton...isn't great?

In among the grasses are bird boxes....love the idea.

Loved the three hair colours in this group of girls. They were so happy, laughting and chatting, was great to see and hear on this very dark and chilly afternoon.

Love this old signpost in Sutton.

The moon was shinning and the street lights seemed to light up the base of this glass building. Quite romantic actually!

Every time l go past this building, l mean to take an image. Today l did but l still am not sure why it is there or what it means yet. The mosaics and the top of the building remind me of designs in Amsterdam

Just thought l would show you the patch on my wool skirt and the fringes on my boots...Pocohontas has nothing on me you know! ha!

This is one of the bright and very Christmasy sights that greets me when l arrive at my 1930's flats. Really makes me smile.

The last thing l want to show you today.... are the 50 odd buttons that l got today.....l just LOVE buttons!

Sunday Selections #48

2011-12-04T22:15:00.003Z

Sunday Selections, brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, is an ongoing theme where participants post previously unused photos languishing in their files.

Anyone can join in, just post your photos under the Sunday Selections title, link back to Kim, then add your name to her Linky list at Frogpondsrock.

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These are my images for this Sunday's images. First one is just to remind you Christmas can be fun!Ha! This is a Big Issue Seller's version of "Christmas Spirit". The rest are animal images..enjoy!

Happy Sundayxxx

2011-12-03T20:28:00.000Z

Had great fun today at the Brick Box creating Christmas Decorations with the children and some adults. It is so great to see familar families returning week after week, especially ones that were hesitant in the beginning.

When l went out at lunch time, l came across this man wearing a very colourful jacket. isn't it great?

Another of my daily experimental portraits. Today l seemed to attract more attention than usual in my colourful attire! Ha!

The Christmas Spirit has arrived at The Tooting Market and Brick Box.

The amazing Vintage Shop at the Brick Box and there is more inside!

A Christmas Tree created my one of the regular children's mum.

A lost and found bracelet ......

Sewing and images!

2011-12-02T21:46:00.002Z

Sold another "patch" today ... yeh!

Tomorrow l am selling on of my bags..sorry to loose it really! The images below show which one it is. It now has a gold coloured strap added to it. It is going to be a 60th birthday present for my friend's mum. First image is front and inside bag,

2nd image is of back of bag.

Closed bag. All hand sewn and also embroidered by hand.

Here are some of the "strange" image..as my husband calls them..that l took today on my walk about.

I just love Magpies.

Trying to show you the colour of my new hair colour!!!!

Picked up some Ecu leaves from the ground....from the pub tree.

The great Christmas Wreath on our mansion flats gates.....very festive. Love the sign inside it......!Ha!

The lights on our tree by the main gate.

So that's all tonight ....night all! xx

Thinking about the Future!

2011-11-29T22:28:00.003Z

Today l have been thinking a lot about my Art. Where does my creativity go from here? How can l create more customers? What should my website look like? and so on. Being an Artist is more than just "creating" Art and l don't think l have really thought about it seriously since l came back to the UK. I have to sort out my Website quickly because it has become very clear to me, since the last show, people need to see your Art. They like to see what else you create, that isn't at the Show/Exhibition they are viewing. Buyers also said they would like to see my work as it progresses and also to see what cards l am producing. This was so they could order "stuff" from me, throughout the year.

Today l have been finishing off a few commissions for Silk paintings and then l am starting on a Wall Hanging that is going off to Hanoi for Christmas.

My Art is dividing itself into different sections...my Silkpainting creations:-

My Eco-dyeing fabrics which are then turned into bags/clothes etc:-

Then there is my Wax work which is just beginning to come together. And, lastly... there are my photographs Should they be on the same website? or a different one?? Interesting times!!!

How do l get more people to see my blog and then my website? Do l join Etsy?... How do l sell my Art other than by Shows? Oh so many questions... When l have figured it out... l will tell you! Ha!

Tomorrow l will show you what l have been painting to-night. Brrrrrr... Hope it is brighter and less windy tomorrow. I do so hate these Winter days when, by 3.30ish in the afternoon, it is dark...so depressing!!!

My Exhibition.

2011-11-26T20:56:00.001Z

I have a new set-up for this Exhibition, as l found that the wall-hangings this time were not selling. Once l had taken them down, my Silkpaintings began to sell. I am learning more and more from each exhibition..which is the way it should be, l think.

Some of the other Artists being rebellious...as we are not supposed to be allowed chairs!!! Health and Safety strikes again!

Being entertained by local musicians....lots of Christmas music. Bright and cheerful!

My daily cup of coffee!

Love this hair colour, matched her coat beautifully.

This is where a homeless man left his bike and belongings while he hunted for cigarette butts!

Don't you just love his hat?!

It has been a very busy and tiring week but l have enjoyed it .

Stitching and patterns.

2011-11-24T22:13:00.001Z

I have been doing some more stitching and have developed a new idea. If l rip a blouse or mark a shirt, instead of throwing it away.....mend it! So l have been developing some patches that l can sew over those problems. This is one of them. This piece of blanket has been felted and dyed with Eucalyptus leaves then a piece of dyed (some beetroot and turmeric) silk has been attached and embroidered on to the felt. I have created quite a few and in different colours. The feedback has been very positive. I reckon the price will be about £12 ish.

The next few images are of the bag l am still working on. I decided l didn't like the orange thread l had originally applied. So l have unpicked it all and started again and now l am pleased with what l have created.

This is the front of the bag, which l have done some more stitching to also.

The last image of this bag now has paler thread on it too. To my eyes, it looks so much better.

Having coffee often gets my imagination going...especially when one is given coffee decorated like this.

This decoration on a vase also made me want to go home and stencil!

2011-11-21T22:09:00.000Z

Day one at the Putney Exchange Exhibition...still really full of cold, feeling terrible but still got there...wait for it..at 8.15!!! I am so proud of myself and didn't leave until 8pm!!!!

Just thought l would show you some of the other artists involved in this exhibition.. .all very different from me!! Also l am the only artist working in textiles.

My space plus my wonderful "zebra crossing" trolley as my children call it! Won't be taking it tomorrow as it is in the way and there is no where to store it. That is the real problem when doing exhibitions in places like this..no storage place!

The good news....l sold 2 unframed paintings. One of a sailing boat and the other is the whale you can see in the browser! There is a nice story attached to this sale. A very pregnant woman ( baby due in 10 days) and her friend loved my work. They had been at Uni together and hadn't seen each other since then. One lives in Oman and the other in Spain and had just met today for a special reunion. It was so nice to think my Art has been bought to remind them of this day and seal their friendship.

One down and the next one goes up!

2011-11-20T22:03:00.002Z

My wonderful husband Tony, sat and did "my" 3 hours stint at the Mine Gallery this morning and then took it down for me. I had another exhibition to put up in The Putney Exchange later in the afternoon and l knew l would never manage it if l didn't rest before hand. The empty stand on the left is my space.

Tony helped to put the frames together and then sat and helped me to decide where things should go.

The person next to me is Graham and l am looking after his space as he is at work till 7pm each night. He then had a small space at the bottom of his frame, which he kindly lent me.

There are 20 of us showing our work this time and I am lucky as l am facing the Cafe!!!!......Drinking wine or coffee, nice food..comfty chair....calm and happy people....looking at my Art.....never know what they may decide to buy!!

And look at all the Christmas decorations hanging over my space!!!

My normal Saturday activities!

2011-11-19T22:31:00.002Z

I still have flu, still feel quite grotty but happily went to create at Brick Box today because it is such a "happy" place. My wonderful husband took me there by car, so l could have more time in the morning to get ready for next week's exhibition.

Look what l saw hiding away in the hedge today....a solitary flower..it really made me smile.

Yes l know, l am a big kid really but one of the main reasons l like Autumn...is so l can run through the piles of fallen leaves. just love the noise they make when stepped upon ...heaven!

One of two self portraits sans make-up , l took today. Still trying to find an image that l feel shows the real me. As for years l used to hate every photo that was taken of me, the fact that l can now not only cope with what l see but 7 out of 10 images...l actual quite like!

The Art Table waiting for customers young and old to come and create. Very slow to start with today but got busier later in the afternoon. Today we were using stencils to make Christmas Cards and/or Bookmarks.

This car and flower were hand drawn by a 5 year old little girl, going on 30! She was amazing - bright, articulate and funny. She really made me smile when she started to "design" her car and l mean design. We started with the tyres and where they should go and why to where the seat should be for the driver...a fascinating child.

Her finished card, which was made for her "mommy". Not sure who was covered in more silver glitter, the card or her! We had a great time talking about how hot America was, that it snowed at Christmas but only in some places and her school is full of mad children!! I love this job.

This the second self portrait which l took because l wanted to see how this cardigan looked really... if you see what l mean ladies? Ha!

These three young brothers get on so well together and are extremely talented young artists. Apparently they take after their mum, who is a very talented animator.

I did have a nice surprise later in the afternoon, when my daughter Jenny came to see where l was working. I think she was impressed and l was very happy to show off my very attractive daughter!

I asked the brothers' mum if we could maybe use all or one of these cards as The Brick Box Christmas Card..Answer..YES! have talked to "Boss" and l think it maybe a goer!! Yippee.

A selection of many bookmarks made by a 5 year old, who told me he needed this many because he might have a lot of books one day. So sweet!

I am sure this young man, of 9 (l think), will go far in the Art World if he decides to carry it on. He was so "into" his drawing it was wonderful to see.

I did some photography shots today for Terry, who runs the Vintage shop in Brick Box. This is by now ..the fur coat that is...hopefully already up on ebay!

More young artists at work.... funnily enough they were all boys today.

I went home early at 4pm today, as not only am l still feeling pretty grotty but l have to get ready to take down one exhibition...and put the next one up, within an hour of each other tomorrow. (Sunday). Why do l do it to myself?

Night folks.

My Exhibition at The Mine Gallery in Carshalton.

2011-11-16T18:28:00.002Z

My latest exhibition is in the Mine Gallery in Carshalton. It is a wonderful space and l am also going to be exhibiting there for their Christmas Show, l hope! This my "Feathers" image in one of the double windows of the gallery.

I have a wonderful space in the gallery, almost like my own seperate gallery! I love the church pew which is in "my" space.

Here are some of the images l am exhibiting. The first one is one of my favorites ...Noah's Ark. I have been asked so many times if l have a print of this image, so l have decided to see how much it would cost.

This one of my new painting...meet Mr. Whale.

This next image is of the wall hanging " Fish", which l sold on Friday night and since then l have sold 2 more on commission! I am so thrilled...she says jumping up and down!!!Ha! One commission is for the wonderful lady that owns Calladoodles, an amazing gift shop in Carshalton and the other is going overseas for a ladies French daughter-in-law. Oh and l also sold a card today..life is looking up!

The next wall hanging is one of two large ones l am exhibiting in this exhibition. I have had some really good feedback about them.

The last image of my work is of a piece of mending l have just completed. I ripped my blouse, so l embroidered a pieced of felted wool blanket last night and hey presto...a new blouse. Which l have to say, got some great comments this morning. Infact l have some ideas about "patches" at the moment ..shh..still working on the idea!

On the way home l saw this amazing rusted cross, outside the St. John's Ambulance Brigade station. Oh that would be so lovely to rust with. Just think what that would look like on a piece of cloth....sigh!!

Sunday.

2011-11-15T21:50:00.001Z

While we were waiting at the traffic lights on Sunday, l saw this notice on a pole....it certainly made me giggle!...dead bikes!

On Sunday, as you will have seen from the previous post, we had a family lunch at The Black Swan. While we were having a drink before lunch, look what l saw out through the pub window! A slower way of life..great!

This pub is very popular and there are always lots of cars around....someone didn't take much notice of this sign did they?

I just loved this vase....the sun shinning through it was amazing.

There are so many beautiful old houses around in this area. This is one of them....so cute.

On the way home, we decided to show my daughter, who was in the car, this gorgeous "Secret Place" we have found. It has a walled garden, cafe, small studio's and a garden centre. The children's play area is gorgeous, full of nature scultures and a wigwam to boot!.

Today there was also a Yurt ( I think this is what it is called) in the grounds and l just love the wooden ornate doors. The tree to the right is an Olive Tree, luckily their collection survived last year's hard snow. The leaves are a wonderful source for dyeing! This place is just getting better and better and is so peaceful during the week, when it is less busy.

For my Eco-dyeing friends..look at all these rusty items...sigh!

And this rusty spade.....l was wondering how to smuggle this out but that would be stealing!Ha!

Is it me or do you think this is a mightly posh concrete post..just to hold up barbed wire? Ha!

Love this image...Car washing and drying area, looks so domestic!

I was doing a project a few years ago concerning letters in the enviroment. I was reminded of that project when l saw this perfect O in the tree.

Do you have these in your area.....Adult Gyms in the open air? they are great fun.

I have often gone past these chimneys, thinking they belonged to a factory or something. It wasn't until today when l went a bit slower than usual past them, l realised they actually belong to a housing complex...look so much fun! Each chimney is diffent colours and all are very bright.

This image is especially for my son....35 Rums always in stock!!!!

The last image shows the gorgeous evening sky!

The Howells Family

2011-11-13T22:26:00.001Z

Today l am only showing 2 images.....In them are...Me, my daughter Jenny, my son Andrew, my daughter-in-law Gemma, my husband Tony and Alfie (the dog!). We had a Roast Lunch together today, in a wonderful pub called The Black Swan. It is ages since we have all been together, so we asked the waitress to take a few photographs.

My gorgeous family.

Private View.

2011-11-12T22:24:00.001Z

I had the most amazing evening last night at WAC's (Wandsworth Artists Co-operative) Private View in the Mine Gallery in Carlshalton. I met some amazing people, a blogging friend and l sold 2 small wall hangings and made loads of connections.

The first person through the Gallery doors was my blogging friend Cath, (http://stitchclothcolour.blogspot.com), whom l have never actually met but lives in the Chalshalton area. She and her friend came, looking very smart and beautiful and then Cath bought my wall hanging. I have to say though Cath, you need to change the photo on your blog..you look much prettier in real life! Haxxx

I have a few images but the light in the Gallery was poor as it was after dark. I will take more images on one of my duty days next week.

The image below is just as we arrived and discover l have a room to myself unti 5 mins before we have finished hanging..then l am told one of the big walls was being given to another artist! Well..that's life...after l had calmed Tony down, we sorted the walls out.

See l do work when l am hanging an exhibition!!!! Thanks Tony for taking these images.

Oh dear...need to mend my cardigan!

A very poor image but gives you the idea of my rather nice space. It really is a lovely gallery Space and the owner has big plans for it it's futire.

You see the small hanging over the church bench? Well that is the one Cath bought and l am making another one the same size, for a customer who owns a craft shop in the village. I will talk about her shop on tomorrow's blog...need to go to bed.xnightxx

My Art, Tooting Market and some more art!

2011-11-09T21:35:00.000Z

I am now panicking as l have a show opening on Friday and l am not really ready.....ahhhhh! Here are some of the pictures and wall hangings that l will be showing. It is a gallery called Mine in Calshalton.

While l was looking for some mirror tiles to hang my images from, found these very cheap copper bits...for my eco-dyeing!

This is the next bag l am in the middle of making. Felted wool, dyed and is now being made and decorated, all by hand.

This piece of cotton canvas is being decoated after being eco-dyed. It will be added to the piece of cloth l am making, that will be turned into a shirt or maybe a jacket!

This piece of eco-dyeing is very delicately decorated from being eco-dyed...but once decorated the rose will show up more clearly.

This next image is to show you the cords l have chosen to use with my felted bags. The cords will become handles or straps.

Brick Box which l have spoken of on here many times, now also has a Vintage Shop attached to it. It has some wonderful things in it and all at very reasonable prices l think.

Saw this orange on the edge of a dustbin and it sort of shouted at me..so l took it's image!

This is the Butchers that is beside Brick Box in Tooting Market...can you see the pig's head?

Some Saturday evenings after work, Tony comes to pick me up by car. While waiting for him , l am quite often entertain by what is going on around me. I have walked past this salon loads of times but it wasn't till it was dark and the lights came on...l noticed this sign!

This next image reminds me so much of my time living in the Bahamas. This food store and the ladies that run it could be found on most beaches in Nassau or on many of the small islands around the place! The colour may also help to remind me of Nassau!

And last but not least this image of the sisters. These two ladies that are crossing the road, l met many years ago when l did a photography project in Putney. They look like twins but in fact are sisters, a few years apart. They live together and l seem to remember are in their late 80's. They still do their own shopping and are as lively as most 65 year olds l know. Great couple to talk to about life past and present.

To Islington and back!

2011-11-08T21:36:00.001Z

Went to babysit the electrician at my daughter's flat and so as usual l took some images of the journey there and the surrounding area.
While waiting for the bus l saw this very small label on the bus shelter......it intrigued me!
l have always meant to take an image of this clock on the tube station platform but as we are not allowed to use flash, the conditions have never been right. Today everything was right.

In Holloway there are some amazing building, old and new and they all seem to muddle along together very nicely. This building is part of the University complex in this area.

I just love this juxtaposition of a Betting shop, a Mosque and a Dancing Club.....just have to love the thought that went into this Buildings Application Form! ha!

This next sight really upsets me and l am so sorry we still see people who have no where else to go but the streets.

As l was walking to Jenny's flat, l happened to look up and there l saw this amazing roof top.

This tower normally doesn't stand out but today it really shone out.

As l said earlier, there are so many different stlyes of building around here. These are some of the amazing flats round here. The coloured glass bannisters really stand out and they also catch the sun.

Also in this area are are very artistic Street Artists. Do you agree....?

Then in the middle of the flats found this great cafe.....lovely coffee!

Walking back to the station found this very "elegant" drinking hole!

This rundown house stands all on its own, opposite the railway station. It looks very weird standing there all on its own and l am not sure if it is occupied. The turquoise seems a strange colour to paint this building.

As l changed from the tube to the No.14 bus, l suddenly remember this sculpture that l meant to take some images of. As the bus was late, l had time to go and look at it. Unfortunetly the sky came over grey and so l do not have very good images. I still decided to take them, maybe next summer l will take some better ones with blue sky behind!!!

This last image is a "JUST BECAUSE" image!!

Night!xx

Sunday Selections #44

2011-11-06T19:59:00.000Z

Sunday Selections #44

Sunday Selections is hosted by Kim from Frogpondsrock to give us an opportunity to post those photos that are lurking somewhere in some folder on your computer, almost forgotten. If you have folders filled with photos waiting to be shown on your computer, you can always hop over to the rocking frog ponds and join in.

My images for today's post!

A few years ago l had a fantastic week in Amsterdam with my gorgeous husbandx Here are some of those images which have been stored on my laptop for quite a while. Perhaps it is time they were shown the light again!!!

Thanks for reminding me of a great hoilday!

Sorry guys had to take this one!!!!

Hope you enjoyed them, was great seeing them again!

Halloween Day and party at The Brickbox!

2011-11-01T22:16:00.000Z

Hope everyone had a great Halloween. I can tell you my broomstick worked well!

At the BrickBox on Saturday we had a great day of Halloween based activities for children and adults. Ray created some amazing drawing to decorate the place.

One of the tables was used to show children and adults how to make scary mobiles. We drew and cut-out skulls, pumkins, ghosts and bats .

These are some of the cut-outs.

We also had a clay skull decorating table. They could decorate them with glitter glue, loose glitter and confetti bits. All l can say is that there was a LOT of glue spread around! Ha.

As you can see from this image...l was right about a lot of glitter glue being used. I have no idea how long it will take to dry!

This young man was so excited he forgot which one he was decorating and ended up by decorating at least 6...all at the same time!ha!

One of the other Artist's ran a Potato Printing Table, which proved to be very popular.

We also decided to have Facepainting session too. Elenor and l both decided to have our faces painted to add to the Halloween Spirit!

Before......

After.........

Before........

After.......scary or what!

Some of the other face-painted faces!

We also had a Maskmaking table.

EID on Sunday..HALLOWEEN on Monday......

We prepared for an evening adult Party to Celebrate "The Day of the Dead ". We built shrines and decorated the place.

The beginning of the inside of a shrine.

Then the Market was shut and the main lights went out.....great atmosphere!

Hope you had a great night my spooky friends!!!!

Sugar skulls...yummy!

Did l just see a ghost?

Spooky...........

Sunday Selections #43

2011-10-30T19:47:00.003Z

Sunday Selections #43

To join in with Sunday Selections, post photos of your choice under the Sunday Selections title, then go to Kim from Frogpondsrocksite, add your name to her linky list
and leave her a comment.

A very tiny, green leaf cutter insect.

The "is it a bus or is a boat" ride round London and in the River Thames! The DUKW ("ducks") as it is called.

Beautiful graffiti in Brick Lane. Found on a large double gate to a derelict building site.

What a strange place to find Mary Poppins!

Love this very simple graffiti.

Old and red.

Beautiful.

Strange but beautiful.

Influences my stitching.

SO......Orange

I love Spirals.

Jersey in Channel islands has these everywhere!

Nature is her own Artist.

Such a character!

Happy Sunday and have a Great Halloween.

Autumn colours, BrickBox and dyeing!

2011-10-28T21:24:00.000+01:00

Off to BrickBox this afternoon and noticed how much out trees had changed colour, in the last few days.

This the road l walk down to get to the top of Putney Hill..beautiful at this time of year.

I love Tooting, it is so vibrant, colouful and very Ethnic. This is the entrance to Tooting market, where the Art Cafe is situated.

The image below shows two of the people l work with in BrickBox...can you see why l love being here! They are so much fun, so dedicated and great to create with! The moustach was printers ink which is washable!!!!!.......don't ask! Ha!

At the BrickBox we are celebrating Halloween tomorrow. Hence all these clay skulls l turned out this afternoon!!!!

As you can see from the image below...people/children will be decorating the skulls tomorrow. They will also be Halloween Mobiles to be made, face painting to created and lots of fun to be had by all...l hope! Then in the evening, a free adult party...making shrines, facepainting, and much more.

Lots of Mexican decorations.

On the way home, l saw this perfect "Time" clock.

My drying rack is full of drying dyed fabric. Felted wool on the top rack.and 6 more below!!

Some wool and silk being dyed pink with advocado stones.

Now some more completed sewing dyed bits. This is a piece of felted wool, dyed with Ecu leaves. I loved sewing it, so easy to work with.

Loved this part of the piece...lots of little straight stitches..so calming. Sorry images are not to clear, it was late at night and under artificial light..not a good time to take images!!Just wanted to show you what l have been doing lately!

This piece of felted wool was a weird shape but l decided to sew it as it was anyway. It looks like a flag, so maybe as l now have vcreated two, l will start making a few more!

As many of you may remember, l love creating circles...and there are a few on this flag!.

Have a great weekend. x lynda x