tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87399223215578276592024-03-19T11:15:24.555+00:00threadnoodleIsobel Moore - playing with food, fabric and thread - www.isobelmoore.co.ukIzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-33563713346676803712020-12-31T18:40:00.000+00:002020-12-31T18:40:27.405+00:00Hello! Goodbye....from here<p>Hello! Long time no be here.</p><p>I'm just popping over here to say I'm now over <a href="https://www.isobelmoore.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">there</a>, as in <a href="https://www.isobelmoore.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">here, on my website</a>. </p><p>I've done this before, move from Blogger to my website, but I found that because the blog was on my website, I started writing in a very odd way, trying to be all grown up. But I'm not really, I'm a big kid, and I want my blog to be fun to read as well as write - just like I think this one was, back in the day...</p><p>So I'm giving it another go. Come on over and say hello, have a look round the new place and have a mince pie*! It would be great to see you over <a href="https://www.isobelmoore.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">there</a>, because I'm not going to be here! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEfqTEVaIXvBxjKFno-san_SEHePlpgWNPem-NYglXhlhwNm7uXPoY15HnuW_4e_CIE-zbT7sjkF-h2d2ceSDFip8XVWz28bD8ayIIZUKlQCKBon2_CSjB7r4oaliCCadYMkL8K9Q7i9D/s958/Screenshot+%2528296%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEfqTEVaIXvBxjKFno-san_SEHePlpgWNPem-NYglXhlhwNm7uXPoY15HnuW_4e_CIE-zbT7sjkF-h2d2ceSDFip8XVWz28bD8ayIIZUKlQCKBon2_CSjB7r4oaliCCadYMkL8K9Q7i9D/s16000/Screenshot+%2528296%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><p>* <a href="https://threadnoodle.blogspot.com/2010/12/richards-pies.html">mince pie recipe post can be found here</a> - with grateful thanks to my <a href="https://www.ginaferrari-art.co.uk/" target="_blank">new podcast buddy</a>, and <a href="http://ginaferrari.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">old blogging pal</a>!</p>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-53469532840255103702020-09-22T16:25:00.000+01:002020-11-25T13:39:54.451+00:00Seeking SeasideWell, we had a new tent and were itching to try it. Combined with our urgent need to get a bit of seaside, and a genuine need to get some photos and videos for my next big online course, what else to do but head to Cornwall?!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZyxQ0Pr0Rkz2zd5azfiRbEyVzkPl6HnYXAPcuuU_jxTPGbDIXsBQ3JI_sG20y6SzbuuIECON6iFRftBcn-YZDT7kxydbcAAotVwVldvpEvLqW_atm3Y2yDc-_hB7SkaeMLgEVItWfwVs/s2048/IMG_4697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZyxQ0Pr0Rkz2zd5azfiRbEyVzkPl6HnYXAPcuuU_jxTPGbDIXsBQ3JI_sG20y6SzbuuIECON6iFRftBcn-YZDT7kxydbcAAotVwVldvpEvLqW_atm3Y2yDc-_hB7SkaeMLgEVItWfwVs/s320/IMG_4697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The weather was....mixed...but the pasties and icecream were just what we needed to keep the mood up. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYLyDzRFo_S9GgB_SCuAvUyldm4YwqJRD_bfzkj4RtYArttTRmQY32qIglqmHbtkwPybk3fbmxEk4hUiTlkiyLETHILHFuoBq4gRVR0ELncyxZii29EYNusfVg99UcF_LbVGP2RhKgglz/s2048/IMG_4541.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNk-cJ0dRSj81ARNWos6qklK_GzE8M2T8QwiARFqzeDLoknxkE0GVWKp8ANFdoHPpWwxkwhlepYHosGzZMc7fSU-LgKdrG-0l5S6LCrD1Qz0ml2lcEWpZpzugz567IzPGFvayObU2cKeE/s400/IMG_4708.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYLyDzRFo_S9GgB_SCuAvUyldm4YwqJRD_bfzkj4RtYArttTRmQY32qIglqmHbtkwPybk3fbmxEk4hUiTlkiyLETHILHFuoBq4gRVR0ELncyxZii29EYNusfVg99UcF_LbVGP2RhKgglz/s2048/IMG_4541.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYLyDzRFo_S9GgB_SCuAvUyldm4YwqJRD_bfzkj4RtYArttTRmQY32qIglqmHbtkwPybk3fbmxEk4hUiTlkiyLETHILHFuoBq4gRVR0ELncyxZii29EYNusfVg99UcF_LbVGP2RhKgglz/s400/IMG_4541.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="400" /></a></div><div>On our last full day, we found a very quiet part of the southern coast and walked to this beach, only accessible on foot. Perfect. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYLyDzRFo_S9GgB_SCuAvUyldm4YwqJRD_bfzkj4RtYArttTRmQY32qIglqmHbtkwPybk3fbmxEk4hUiTlkiyLETHILHFuoBq4gRVR0ELncyxZii29EYNusfVg99UcF_LbVGP2RhKgglz/s2048/IMG_4541.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oBr6i1BfPgTHFkjs1Sezh93ny2ZsPzokQIh8yhq1dr0n1alhLh_gMdMoD6p6y9gFZ8UJ7GsNwhdBiuvVDM3ARxWy7tJJdz-jpFBqdl9ZOsixI13yiqVGVTi7Izwq4dMMCy5il4cIhY4D/s400/5B91A079-1158-483F-9D80-A30719875F29.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="400" /></a></div><div>Many videos and photos were taken, just because. I could sit and listen and watch all day, but unfortunately, we had to climb back up the cliff and find icecream. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzbNFLRTzR3efkF4D-0tQa9Dax72_L9OroXxA5Lg-hi6OVJRa9i9TkqhfAqOCDjgLt7VWRoc0WPnTupC94z6jykpZE76xr2YCI9U-iR5HedBMMGjhFjm_A8BhMqLkzo_CZvH-CeS92bEv/s2048/IMG_4722.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpP0AcJne9TmJ5TVHctyNsYXDNqKQ_cLsea-kZEqV1_xYfAxd05T3cnOFg3G2cr9jCIvsM1vnRnmpYrKLQD-x431yxTp4_Y8ekYMsKlh61TK_hTavjDZg4pkATcB2LMykMzTiTh6fAGNk/s400/IMG_4757.JPEG" style="text-align: left;" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyPRbZ7D3g2cxr_hCzAoXT8dKRA7Q9dR8V2w_4I_Z2p-5bSSm2HhF8aS0KhpOx7H5xAHx-WSGC1AeoVlsi6SA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><div>So that was a good day, but all in all, it was just a little stressy. Learning to pitch (and then dry) the mammoth new tent, plus a campsite owner who must have had some sort of military or headteachery background by the tone of the messages and posters plastered absolutely everywhere, we didn't really have the relaxing break we were looking for. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we're up for a second go. Going further south and west, taking a smaller tent that's quicker to pitch and easier to dry, and preparing properly for cold nights! Last time I ended up sleeping in double socks and a lambswool sweater - this time, I'm going to add tights and a hat.</div><div><br /></div><div>
So pray the weather gods shine upon us, and please please let us go before all the campsites and pasty shops are closed for another lockdown. Oh, and the tearooms - we made a major booboo last time and forgot to have a cream tea! I know, shocking. We will remedy if we can. </div><div><br /></div><div>And in case you were wondering, it's scone with an "on", and jam first. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwW1LrTDabX0AJ5P1sEu-d6K1G31qWeS6DKBEM0BSrSrE0ygWlbS9T6FAjDOBF-zbOJp8c9jQpcumud9W7_AJ3W6jsjGzhbhovTJysSsC1hE4_13aYh5_V_IeX6B0uktqsMxodWgTfAD7/s2048/IMG_4722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwW1LrTDabX0AJ5P1sEu-d6K1G31qWeS6DKBEM0BSrSrE0ygWlbS9T6FAjDOBF-zbOJp8c9jQpcumud9W7_AJ3W6jsjGzhbhovTJysSsC1hE4_13aYh5_V_IeX6B0uktqsMxodWgTfAD7/s320/IMG_4722.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-78215290068744557832020-07-18T09:00:00.001+01:002020-07-18T09:00:03.873+01:00Painting with ScissorsContinuing my play with paint, last weekend I took part in a short online class with the <a href="http://www.londondrawinggroup.com/" target="_blank">London Drawing Group</a>, using Matisse as an inspiration.<div><br /></div><div>I had to paint papers before the class, and thought I'd have another go at the gelli plate. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGYxVN1-pCK9-Ddqm1-vuQ-3CBHTyorP8IF12dbUBNj96iIJfNyViWWfs89GGDw3JE_2FBEUMsgNffP_BYmp8r3jEig6A_GKln3U59Fx1gYQFUgoyPyiDzEgC6TjE8P-kuFDXJjm8_VL5/s2048/matisse+papers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGYxVN1-pCK9-Ddqm1-vuQ-3CBHTyorP8IF12dbUBNj96iIJfNyViWWfs89GGDw3JE_2FBEUMsgNffP_BYmp8r3jEig6A_GKln3U59Fx1gYQFUgoyPyiDzEgC6TjE8P-kuFDXJjm8_VL5/s320/matisse+papers.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's all a bit hit and miss, but there were some bits that I liked so much I cut them out and stuck them in my journal instead of using them in the class! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5U9RXepK3mflEXQZB_g6meF1FPrVh63X0hKeMPAbbtdHOVRngtjuP19FBMC0Yn62_bp_1ADZdKO7D3SsuZXhatf1L0oguu6a7HiqZvXjU1MwN8aCcvK6uzH_RYP3wkyPAz7BVilCj-fn/s2048/journal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1601" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5U9RXepK3mflEXQZB_g6meF1FPrVh63X0hKeMPAbbtdHOVRngtjuP19FBMC0Yn62_bp_1ADZdKO7D3SsuZXhatf1L0oguu6a7HiqZvXjU1MwN8aCcvK6uzH_RYP3wkyPAz7BVilCj-fn/w313-h400/journal.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And then the actual playing with scissors. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj430EiZplfBFWw2jZ6_l5kkk3P0Sg8OWUVgDplsHODKEWCrzetgYg-cOo6h-B5HScCcutcJjFlcXirzcPs6AqZCKwUhdbHw-9gzPDwO1AMJwthv3I7sIaLiTcDeCCbjhNBHyTjprNrrI0C/s2048/IMG_3604.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj430EiZplfBFWw2jZ6_l5kkk3P0Sg8OWUVgDplsHODKEWCrzetgYg-cOo6h-B5HScCcutcJjFlcXirzcPs6AqZCKwUhdbHw-9gzPDwO1AMJwthv3I7sIaLiTcDeCCbjhNBHyTjprNrrI0C/s320/IMG_3604.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmMssP5dssdMvFPdOT4V3kyxwMIxG9Bi7ZBOIW2vTjRPp5QGvt7ok-ZpDqpE59NRFl0TdfJ6FsuBOWZYFxVMY530mrPViAmeHOSe4gnlpOxjpc2glWp1B6O0J0IHURcsw60OOo12Ay2sX/s2048/IMG_3609.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2017" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmMssP5dssdMvFPdOT4V3kyxwMIxG9Bi7ZBOIW2vTjRPp5QGvt7ok-ZpDqpE59NRFl0TdfJ6FsuBOWZYFxVMY530mrPViAmeHOSe4gnlpOxjpc2glWp1B6O0J0IHURcsw60OOo12Ay2sX/s320/IMG_3609.JPEG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RK8-m23rElCYF_jA_fl6-cOdTynLxlmq-T_iRFgcw3F58NMkaSCWSQ6fBHoPNe38oFO6ounb9b1Y7Fhcu30-zd47jWXgKcD4yo6DKpQ8miDk4Sn3HCZu-WnWMkRlvpjL0jf9XDAwPDdC/s2048/IMG_3610.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RK8-m23rElCYF_jA_fl6-cOdTynLxlmq-T_iRFgcw3F58NMkaSCWSQ6fBHoPNe38oFO6ounb9b1Y7Fhcu30-zd47jWXgKcD4yo6DKpQ8miDk4Sn3HCZu-WnWMkRlvpjL0jf9XDAwPDdC/w284-h400/IMG_3610.JPEG" width="284" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The class was on Zoom, and on my iPad I could only see the slides, and not the teacher (although I could hear her) so I wasn't at all sure what we were supposed to be doing. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISh0oF3XwivAm9JFKThN2-iNi4K6KFrfO7MxXy9UqVOmtVeEYyN2oQKx0g1nM6PDs4gfbZW-tuFSV9uxrX0IhItAtN5riYcXptu5OVgSmO0m5lA05SjNclyDCIhz50OQhn0jV4uTwBfXw/w269-h400/IMG_3614.JPEG" width="269" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyTe_MvCfBYN6J8ht-fYTWm0w2bygfBHy4GR6zoXgWK2qeX0s3hUuAWYWZV55yzPIOKc5cYrW-oIkpRp4v0Eows7EvA6PKbKeQLE5L3kb2bUxL5DR01LeNZyOZfvhYN4b05lPylKs5mre/s2048/IMG_3622.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1565" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyTe_MvCfBYN6J8ht-fYTWm0w2bygfBHy4GR6zoXgWK2qeX0s3hUuAWYWZV55yzPIOKc5cYrW-oIkpRp4v0Eows7EvA6PKbKeQLE5L3kb2bUxL5DR01LeNZyOZfvhYN4b05lPylKs5mre/w306-h400/IMG_3622.JPEG" width="306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>But it doesn't matter, it was great fun, and a lovely way to spend an hour on a Saturday afternoon. <a href="http://www.londondrawinggroup.com/" target="_blank">Have a look and see what else they're doing</a> - the price is very reasonable (it's a donation of a suggested amount) and short enough to achieve something without <i>too much overthinking!</i></div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-81954798633455779722020-07-17T16:16:00.000+01:002020-07-17T16:16:54.390+01:00Stepping away from the thinky thinkyAs I said last time, I've been so busy, and while it's all be wonderful and exciting, I'm really feeling the need to take some time out to consider my own creativity. Everything has been very outward looking, and keeping the plates spinning has meant it's all been very thinky thinky! <div><br /></div>I need to refill the well, tap into what makes me come alive, what I love. I want to go deeper into what I want to do and where I want to go with it all. I'm conflicted between loving the fabrics and threads, being frustrated with the fabric and threads (mostly the storage issues, to be fair), and the urge to do something more immediate - my sewing machine is fast, but paint is faster still!<div><br /></div><div>There's was a bit of sketchbooking and sketching during lockdown, but now the fields <a href="https://threadnoodle.blogspot.com/2020/06/who-will-tell-birds-and-rabbits.html" target="_blank">are infested with men in hard hats</a> there's been a lack of sources of inspiration around here. Even the woods aren't safe, as the dust from the the diggers floats like a cloud over everything. My husband has just <a href="https://gonecyclingagain.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/a-charm-against-wanton-destruction/" target="_blank">written something for the little men</a> in their diggers! Very tempting to print it out and fix it to their silly fences.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I've enrolled on a rather wonderful art course. It's not exclusively for painters (which is good, because I'm not) but it does involved getting messy with the stuff to work through the exercises. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YwZGe6tIy20wJi8tw2zi6ZLCW9yyHncinBns2iw2Rb_VvkJpauly8QfjBwv4MuTzLbiKH_Wac4t3mYG0cdP1ALdeqsYIq7Amz6r96aTV5rHU0nUl3SfIWdhKvHXbDBZzNLdjDi548eSC/s3155/IMG_3586.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="3155" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YwZGe6tIy20wJi8tw2zi6ZLCW9yyHncinBns2iw2Rb_VvkJpauly8QfjBwv4MuTzLbiKH_Wac4t3mYG0cdP1ALdeqsYIq7Amz6r96aTV5rHU0nUl3SfIWdhKvHXbDBZzNLdjDi548eSC/w400-h291/IMG_3586.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This first exercise was fast and fun fun fun. Just what I need!</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVP_tgEWc1EKXf5yUQ1TqjCPrpAJ0nI9kBcfLj06OCEPJ-CrNw78o2dyFHVHA8akLa1hgeFOtMV654Eh0IHXjuiVQuMajkwjsjFG80VQL8p0oaA7IfHB7rVYXEHWlPIKRNVr870d-SSOH/s2946/IMG_3588.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="2946" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVP_tgEWc1EKXf5yUQ1TqjCPrpAJ0nI9kBcfLj06OCEPJ-CrNw78o2dyFHVHA8akLa1hgeFOtMV654Eh0IHXjuiVQuMajkwjsjFG80VQL8p0oaA7IfHB7rVYXEHWlPIKRNVr870d-SSOH/w400-h289/IMG_3588.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I cleaned my palette, with the unused blue paint, by wiping it onto sketchbook pages with a knife - and a seascape emerged!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLt516NTryWhsqcdulyKGifwX1h5VcuYuvQpuHGgYMVYLr9Bt5voJbvH8-34x9HAA6N_rJYVmmWjB1zc_B9tMo0cIaXLeSw3I0h0J5r_4KBd1fnaY3dbQUngNEgy5_9t2SQbDrHn_X6PPi/s3249/seascape.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3249" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLt516NTryWhsqcdulyKGifwX1h5VcuYuvQpuHGgYMVYLr9Bt5voJbvH8-34x9HAA6N_rJYVmmWjB1zc_B9tMo0cIaXLeSw3I0h0J5r_4KBd1fnaY3dbQUngNEgy5_9t2SQbDrHn_X6PPi/w400-h286/seascape.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh207rqeFXG1RAat2SvbuYGg10SqGRKzNZt7fQTQ8wxFon2RWU-Lsue2BagbiaHRgiSqyY7tzi2CWtVXjJSmsnagLhEhtCWSgZeLHyHI9k1LDBBMHofgDlz19iwFgRuJv31j2MMqxM5y4CZ/s2048/bracken+printing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh207rqeFXG1RAat2SvbuYGg10SqGRKzNZt7fQTQ8wxFon2RWU-Lsue2BagbiaHRgiSqyY7tzi2CWtVXjJSmsnagLhEhtCWSgZeLHyHI9k1LDBBMHofgDlz19iwFgRuJv31j2MMqxM5y4CZ/w400-h300/bracken+printing.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>I've combined some of my sketchbook inspirations from the fields with my most recent paint play, and this was my favourite so far - spot the bracken frond!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There has been a lot more experimenting since I took these photos, far too much to photograph and document - even on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/izzymoore.art/" target="_blank">arty instagram page</a> (I keep this separate from my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/izzyfmoore/" target="_blank">textiles instagram grid</a>)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm having fun. I'm going back to the textiles soon as I have other things I want to do. Ideally I want to find a way to combine the two - paint first, interpret in fabric and stitch? Paint on fabric, then stitch? Stitch, then paint? Add fabric and stitch to paint?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's all good!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>PS Should I keep my painty instagram separate from my textile instagram? Should it all be one and the same? All the time I'm not sure what I'm doing with paint, I'm not sure. Thoughts?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>PPS I'm doing the thinky thinky again! Oops!</i></div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-78945680667151823942020-07-09T10:09:00.002+01:002020-07-10T13:58:35.897+01:00When creating is work and work is creatingMy second run through of Swirls of Colour is now up and running, and everyone seems to be having a very good time! I am more than a little relieved that things are ticking along so well, and I am so overwhelmed with gratitude to my students. If someone had said a few months ago, that I would be up and running my own - successful! - online course by now, I wouldn't have believed you. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3HLfBjhTATDkAdolY3F9UXkZa4bd35WPFK1Gac-x7u52b7sV-uggi8-1ji6UHFnfPBLhPfZZ5M4foellZXBLWLwf5Q8jq7M_vIFltm7NlvOtK6YhjWxGQQgX1kFTbCbkdfhrmvAOsr5w/s1800/IMG_7882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3HLfBjhTATDkAdolY3F9UXkZa4bd35WPFK1Gac-x7u52b7sV-uggi8-1ji6UHFnfPBLhPfZZ5M4foellZXBLWLwf5Q8jq7M_vIFltm7NlvOtK6YhjWxGQQgX1kFTbCbkdfhrmvAOsr5w/s320/IMG_7882.JPG" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://vimeo.com/437119883" target="_blank">Here's a video</a> of some of the finished pieces from the first course - to be added to as more people finish. I'm blown away by the work that people have produced - it's so very different teaching online and not in person; I can't see what they're all up to until they show me! I'm already pondering what course to get filmed and running next, so there's going to be more stitching and thinking needed to do that over the next few months. </div><div><br /></div><div><div> I've also spent a lot of time recently stitching some commissions, two completely different projects. The first piece was for a couple getting married, both with children already, who wanted to celebrate the coming together of two different families into one whole - but also represent their different natures and quirks. So we came up with the idea of one piece of work, split into puzzle pieces. Each colour represents each person, and features on each piece. The shapes are all different and quirky - but ultimately they can all fit together. Each piece will be framed separately. Here's one of the pieces: </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZpXQKxc5Igd5g7P2YQt8REsR-eDjkLDNqWwrVbZoCbhyphenhyphen_gzFTkvscGa1kVj5HAgZKn2OE4Su5MLs-BgQ1SKeEHKRF5UXUmLjlCvQR8CgdYW3SymOBzYqTDbNM-tzYAOCXqGIk0K5x3Fv/s2244/jigsaw+finished+piece.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="2244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZpXQKxc5Igd5g7P2YQt8REsR-eDjkLDNqWwrVbZoCbhyphenhyphen_gzFTkvscGa1kVj5HAgZKn2OE4Su5MLs-BgQ1SKeEHKRF5UXUmLjlCvQR8CgdYW3SymOBzYqTDbNM-tzYAOCXqGIk0K5x3Fv/s320/jigsaw+finished+piece.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The other commission was for two cushion panels, based on a similar idea to my Swirls of Colour, but using a very neutral palette with hints of darker colours.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08noPwWCqpBfs9THAdeKVfhlDd4BRdzOFEOLY8pDj5ET43HRLfac4f0qWw8bBt2ytL8yuMH0nxCPnuUfFNnWZnt1hzoxGrsqQTvA9VG12APPmOudJgtqcGK13YTPPHGTqWj5F7lUMbadO/s2448/IMG_3557.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08noPwWCqpBfs9THAdeKVfhlDd4BRdzOFEOLY8pDj5ET43HRLfac4f0qWw8bBt2ytL8yuMH0nxCPnuUfFNnWZnt1hzoxGrsqQTvA9VG12APPmOudJgtqcGK13YTPPHGTqWj5F7lUMbadO/s320/IMG_3557.JPEG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdm0wBW_qdmZxROhsk6UG_kRZPETevNc1kh5QZgAPCOA7sXIUswiM70M0fzBaU0S3JQGzYC3vgxkw5Flt-GI2jXRSbXnc32myLkZFiEHIxxIbexqz3VGYaH2XcTOJQhVYNPRz3eX2KHZ_/s2448/IMG_3580.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdm0wBW_qdmZxROhsk6UG_kRZPETevNc1kh5QZgAPCOA7sXIUswiM70M0fzBaU0S3JQGzYC3vgxkw5Flt-GI2jXRSbXnc32myLkZFiEHIxxIbexqz3VGYaH2XcTOJQhVYNPRz3eX2KHZ_/s320/IMG_3580.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlXT_TDMdjSvxu5nROqmDUDKvoxezypAMcMNsxOT5oyGsQxqETHmUsxx0-KP5MBMSSzDAiCXCySCroyFxTZjW6bp9F0TayC4mCux0q1sRHtVXMHLQwgTcULB39m4R067LsDvRHTAUDFIk/s2448/IMG_3582.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlXT_TDMdjSvxu5nROqmDUDKvoxezypAMcMNsxOT5oyGsQxqETHmUsxx0-KP5MBMSSzDAiCXCySCroyFxTZjW6bp9F0TayC4mCux0q1sRHtVXMHLQwgTcULB39m4R067LsDvRHTAUDFIk/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's wonderful to be asked to do something, and in both cases, based on something I'd done previously, but it's also hard work trying to create something that fits with someone else's vision of what it should look like when it's finished!</div><div><br /></div><div>So what with the course, and the commissions, I've been so busy it's felt like having a "proper" job! There's not been much of my own stitching or creating going on, that's for sure - I urgently need to find a way to make sure that time to experiment and develop my own ideas is written into my job description too. I'd love to know how other artists and creatives manage to do that. How do you find time to do the work, as well as the business of work? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-76808563791289792022020-06-16T12:26:00.001+01:002020-06-16T12:27:24.219+01:00Who will tell the birds and rabbits?My first words when discovering that the Men in Fluorescent Jackets had started to move further around the hill to hammer in fence posts and dig out a roadway and concrete a crossing over the stream. There's also a heck of a lot of soil being shifted; they're stripping the fields to build a roundabout and road network first, and then houses.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxed9Vea1VqcdOIG3oHygywIALJjPF0_MGjQpp_vkjr39_chfXX9-2Ge3rRo-pnf4Ynk4P_41K-XqF9eZVtxQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><div><br /></div><div>We knew it was going to happen, just maybe not yet. We'd hoped to have the summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Only a couple of weekends ago, I was happily roaming around these fields, coming home with armfuls of different grasses and weeds to draw for a sketchbook course with <a href="https://www.helenhallows.com/" target="_blank">Helen Hallows</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had an absolute blast painting the pages in my book - even though it meant queuing outside the DIY shop in my mask in order to buy more tester pots of chalk paint! Here's a little video flick through the pages. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RnK9gFwH2DQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="RnK9gFwH2DQ"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Then I got stuck into some practice sketches, my favourite being the one where we used our non-dominant hand. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIboBaZMUzxc8BsKLcr5ZQWmmE_fVrJ-1tuLJWlO6EF0nBrt2bNcK7v9mDF-sEn701cEfgobNMZwnfppDPhLNfupqcOhDb-MV7AFq-YMhyphenhyphen-JC7TPhX9Vc5HHDMz9JjA_N3Tpik_pwBBlC/s3264/jamjar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIboBaZMUzxc8BsKLcr5ZQWmmE_fVrJ-1tuLJWlO6EF0nBrt2bNcK7v9mDF-sEn701cEfgobNMZwnfppDPhLNfupqcOhDb-MV7AFq-YMhyphenhyphen-JC7TPhX9Vc5HHDMz9JjA_N3Tpik_pwBBlC/w300-h400/jamjar.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvd4E1AGjK7bU04s25VEBfq6GaHqh9E6xxo5Ly4pfkjQcD7S9oFAxhudEi4-e70Svsu-xtAZfHQbkik3lWqqmOAj4RRhGC5cHAZkreo3XORZlP5nIVvl-hsQAbwnAuCzHTi5V72cJH33u/s3264/left+hand.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvd4E1AGjK7bU04s25VEBfq6GaHqh9E6xxo5Ly4pfkjQcD7S9oFAxhudEi4-e70Svsu-xtAZfHQbkik3lWqqmOAj4RRhGC5cHAZkreo3XORZlP5nIVvl-hsQAbwnAuCzHTi5V72cJH33u/w300-h400/left+hand.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleZKQ_m_wWRhVl0LA6jmiHikHS-rAQmZbsEvTVYc0KPfGH5cUVfgqjmBUtvvEalYC2fYwtOc_pdVSEMJvsQxlLFsb1W6kAKwqLkt-uwaIhptcoRmKHAoyW0mYRbxDo_7c2KV6VhllD_4R/s3264/sketch.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleZKQ_m_wWRhVl0LA6jmiHikHS-rAQmZbsEvTVYc0KPfGH5cUVfgqjmBUtvvEalYC2fYwtOc_pdVSEMJvsQxlLFsb1W6kAKwqLkt-uwaIhptcoRmKHAoyW0mYRbxDo_7c2KV6VhllD_4R/w300-h400/sketch.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgM34ANgy9CHfHxUd3b7P-ydSE-91vwcOcblMjuTR_lDhcT33-g0BXigSR5G3oWUer70qZ0ZY-xLiVnVxpfyCv5ZxxX_Kkp-Rv8_MR0iMQHSnkkyBHiYq8PyF-dKr6Ui7VhJ0kwODiT9I/s3264/sketch2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgM34ANgy9CHfHxUd3b7P-ydSE-91vwcOcblMjuTR_lDhcT33-g0BXigSR5G3oWUer70qZ0ZY-xLiVnVxpfyCv5ZxxX_Kkp-Rv8_MR0iMQHSnkkyBHiYq8PyF-dKr6Ui7VhJ0kwODiT9I/w300-h400/sketch2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And I've made a start on some of my pages.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmL23x4wLEdEKn57twATtnQS9X0VA7FbgFDrfOoDXmvmYLWlqdyqQXA-hLC4z8n78Z6Ufqp7qIs7pWpZve29HlQuYpHnMj_k3gX-Fx4jrSHr_EdviaCguudbX6BaHNAz6lM6Pmz559Xl9/s3264/IMG_3299.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmL23x4wLEdEKn57twATtnQS9X0VA7FbgFDrfOoDXmvmYLWlqdyqQXA-hLC4z8n78Z6Ufqp7qIs7pWpZve29HlQuYpHnMj_k3gX-Fx4jrSHr_EdviaCguudbX6BaHNAz6lM6Pmz559Xl9/w300-h400/IMG_3299.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUzCmX5BB78KMUMPXl5qigswH6xmOUzcRQW4054lII8jVvjNWy716oWZw182tMoSMjk7XRsY320pO46-XcFNdoActHm27zJiA-28uPTlCrHqvHGlb9Vy2XCocIUNrTdycAhLwezsQBc3C/s3264/IMG_3300.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUzCmX5BB78KMUMPXl5qigswH6xmOUzcRQW4054lII8jVvjNWy716oWZw182tMoSMjk7XRsY320pO46-XcFNdoActHm27zJiA-28uPTlCrHqvHGlb9Vy2XCocIUNrTdycAhLwezsQBc3C/w400-h300/IMG_3300.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd78SxK0VAkxtdi-vrdTnoUSqy9PYF9B9JQJsfUTUj31el8e0tr5VtSdwWYgX77Piz8E9PLqLjxAtms4aA9KIRMUGpD21jylN9J2fgUzKyp1rUX1Leuuohutil2LBXqNEXDum0bG2M_7D/s3264/IMG_3302.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd78SxK0VAkxtdi-vrdTnoUSqy9PYF9B9JQJsfUTUj31el8e0tr5VtSdwWYgX77Piz8E9PLqLjxAtms4aA9KIRMUGpD21jylN9J2fgUzKyp1rUX1Leuuohutil2LBXqNEXDum0bG2M_7D/w400-h300/IMG_3302.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But of course, everything's wilted in the jamjars and I need to go and gather more material - it's either that or perch out in the fields, amidst the thistles, and now the Men in Yellow are there I feel even less inclined to do that!</div><div><br /></div><div>We still trespass, just after hours when they've all gone home for their tea. Yesterday we saw a black bunny, just sitting on the path. We stopped in our tracks and watched it for ages. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry there's no picture, but if you can imagine a silhouette of a bunny rabbit, sitting upright, with ears up and paws hanging down...that's what we saw. Luckily the whippet didn't...</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't remember who said it, it might have been <a href="http://www.brianrutenbergart.com/recent-videos" target="_blank">Brian Rutenberg</a>, that it's important to experience a little moment of astonishment every day. Well, that was my moment for yesterday. </div></div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-37853120476591803082020-06-07T17:12:00.000+01:002020-06-07T17:13:44.341+01:00Dorset, Durness, Deadlines and Doing things backwardsWell these are strange times. I'm sure that's been said before!<div><br /></div><div>This week I was supposed to be teaching in Dorset, then heading off up to the far north of Scotland to one of my favourite places, Durness. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtpPwhjJgm803vdAKLn6Cgnak7r5qifHcQBlmyBfcZbJSGB6cMjTM4d9YYmkBDh1enw6viBaF95Bp6ZSeEH-z6XeVOnudBp3qx6GVsveraPZOMGZdDwvk37XoIy5DTMNIQKVgq19kY6qL/s1172/Granny+at+Durness.bmp-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="766" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtpPwhjJgm803vdAKLn6Cgnak7r5qifHcQBlmyBfcZbJSGB6cMjTM4d9YYmkBDh1enw6viBaF95Bp6ZSeEH-z6XeVOnudBp3qx6GVsveraPZOMGZdDwvk37XoIy5DTMNIQKVgq19kY6qL/s320/Granny+at+Durness.bmp-001.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was on Balnakiel beach at Durness that this photo of my Granny was taken over 30 years ago. Sums her up. Tough, out-doorsy, headscarf, sensible trousers, in one of her favourite places - Scotland. I even swam that day, just around the corner from Balnakiel. I was planning on doing exactly that this time too. And puffins. I was so looking forward to seeing puffins, and we'd planned several jaunts to puffin-rich locations to track them down.</div><div><br /></div><div>So Dorset isn't happening until 2022, and Durness isn't happening until next year. </div><div><br /></div><div>So why not create another deadline for myself instead?</div><div><br /></div><div>As you may know, I've been working away on my first online course. There's a natural deadline coming up this week that ties in beautifully with an idea I've had for signing up a test group. Say no more say no more, but if you want in on the secret and a chance to be in it, <a href="http://eepurl.com/goX-xP" target="_blank">make sure you've signed up to my newsletter</a>. The invitation will be going out tomorrow Monday 8 June - and places will be limited. </div><div><br /></div><div>And doing things backwards?</div><div><br /></div><div>Wouldn't it have been good to have thought through exactly how to film, edit, write, host, market, test, and sign up a course before giving myself a deadline to do it all?</div><div><br /></div><div>Then again, sleep's overrated, isn't it?!</div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-18361025336333192582020-05-24T16:16:00.004+01:002020-05-24T21:00:22.383+01:00Corralling Ideas As well as sketchbooks for, well, sketching, I have a collection of themed A4 spiral-bound sketchbooks that are more like "inspiration" books. There's a book for:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Inspiration from nature, landscape, science, ancient history (e.g. stone carvings) - you could call this Primary Sources, as there's nothing in here that has been interpreted by an artist.</li><li>Secondary sources of inspiration: pics of other artists' work, postcards, magazine clippings of imagery and patterns that I like e.g. ceramics, printed textiles</li><li>Instructions for textile projects: clippings from textile magazines showing various artists' techniques that might be useful for future reference</li><li>Information book: a scrap book (now into it's third volume) of anything that may be useful for future reference (such as how to plan a vegetable plot rotation, or how to make soap) to inspiring quotes and tidbits of random knowledge. </li><li>Ideas book: a more portable A5 book (also in three volumes) where I noodle with ideas, sketching out how to make something. I also use a variety of smaller Moleskine journals and notebooks that go with me in my handbag or slip into a back pocket when I go for a walk. </li><li>Artist cards bought at exhibitions (these overflow into a box, too!)</li></ul><div>Here's a quick flip through some of my collection:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXAKcL8qqOehAfjcypIrjnQ83hiIuSTbEbIdyih_iXbrjWZgzqXgdOYOew0bxDmrvffI6WKMlFJV2R8qFmoA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Music: Bossanova</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ilya Truhanov</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>https://icons8.com/music</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>See those artist cards at the end? If you're like me and have your own collection of cards that you can't bring yourself to send to other people (come on, I'm not alone am I?!) there's a really interesting exercise you can do with them - for another time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every now and then, I try and clear the backlog of things that I've cut out to be stuck in the relevant book. Once I've finally cleared the backlog (!) my intention is to have ONE book and just put everything in that. We'll see!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Because I'm so behind, and some things have just been rammed in loosely to be stuck in at a later date, I can come across totally random and wonderful ideas that I'd completely forgotten about. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today I came across an idea for some reverse appliqué, and an idea for making embroidered felt cuffs. The felt cuff idea is at least 17 years ago, because I remember wearing a prototype to a particular family party when my daughter was two years old. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's almost like having a diary (something I've never stuck at). Every now and then, I come across something that that reminds me of what I was doing at the time, and how I was feeling. Today I came across a list that just made me hoot with laughter. I might (or might not) share it another time; it has fruity language!</div><div><br /></div><div>On the one hand, maybe I don't need all these books. You could say if I haven't done something by now, then I never will. But then again, I feel inspired now just by having a leaf through. Never mind decluttering my sock drawer, I'm a lost cause for hoarding ideas! </div><div><br /></div><div>How do you keep track of all your ideas and inspirations? Do you manage to keep up with yourself, or are you always playing catch-up?! Let me know!</div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-10334913066078712082020-05-20T16:46:00.006+01:002020-05-20T22:56:36.555+01:00Field NotesOnce again, I'm on a mission to discover exactly what it is I want to create and what it is I want to say. In fact, this whole blog, particularly the early days, is record of my attempts to do just that. After a few years, teaching took over, then producing work for Art Trail and other exhibitions, and I got caught up in the doing and demonstrating and trying to keep up with all the things I said yes to; I lost the time to reflect on what I actually <i>want </i>to do. So here we go again.<div><br /><div>This week I've been paying attention to what I pay attention to...kinda circular! I've been out trespassing away, noticing what I notice. I've taken a lot of photos of weeds, and I've even sat in the middle of a field of them and sketched them.</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGtCjRCkzGnyZ6Yrh8Nty6NAaxO-BWKUkdl0ZyM9T4BYc7WlRk-CTaNNQwpN7Nnld9X3HixA2QDKYj26LZOMQj7eyXr-LbbsZQ3FBYUr6ndVMIo2fnZ9j732iIt_BqkbLFaToUFbh01FZ/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="1915" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGtCjRCkzGnyZ6Yrh8Nty6NAaxO-BWKUkdl0ZyM9T4BYc7WlRk-CTaNNQwpN7Nnld9X3HixA2QDKYj26LZOMQj7eyXr-LbbsZQ3FBYUr6ndVMIo2fnZ9j732iIt_BqkbLFaToUFbh01FZ/s320/IMG_2843.JPEG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;">I like the empty skies, the empty fields, the physical mass of the woods as viewed from the track approaching them. I like the sound and feel of the wind in the trees, the smell of the morning air, the airy spaciousness of it all, and the cloistered hush of the different spaces in the woods. There's one particular space, under the canopy of the tallest trees, that we've always called "the cathedral" because that's exactly what it feels like. Even the light's the same, dappled, as if through stained glass. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRx55t8X7LKQkGiyvMkfHTvD1Krhlpz1kG4C1ZiINPpMP4euWkXMVvkFwSm7m4hA6be3Kns6F6AKE9e7Bvpav2wPkz6nGmPbVvdOTOOXknneEf4-F_oAnjXhFjXAeX8L-O_huIxhWCemm/w300-h400/IMG_2918.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="path under oak branches, looking towards the woods" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>field path under oak branches, looking towards the woods</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br />But I'm also absolutely fascinated by the structure of dandelion and groundsel seedheads. Properly obsessed. I kicked myself for not having a camera with me the morning each fluffy seedhead was full of glassy droplets of dew. Also kicking myself for not starting a record of how the field is changing over the weeks. It's been abandoned, no agriculture, and it's fascinating to see how it's changing with no intervention. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDNGifEPpT37QVerRsey5UTCdvmR3gGkibZcES3YJ-dS9MODMidMAwFcqP1Z7wInyCRMVwFH5vDABClAPux50gpUugH5pdFzP4gKKuS8XGrafHDAlKd7mwusLJQw9Lcs1zhi3nIPi43Kz/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDNGifEPpT37QVerRsey5UTCdvmR3gGkibZcES3YJ-dS9MODMidMAwFcqP1Z7wInyCRMVwFH5vDABClAPux50gpUugH5pdFzP4gKKuS8XGrafHDAlKd7mwusLJQw9Lcs1zhi3nIPi43Kz/w300-h400/IMG_2937.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's also very parched, because we've had no rain. It's almost desert-like. The old dried up corn stalks are like bleached bones or branches. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRpJAjtvmSC3n1grZYid_8Q4GfvKtK2feWwdUucE3nnf9LBw8TP5qruoit_dOi-NTNEqSZhZ1o58v4PKCFEQiAy-5-UXgacmohNvW0ge5mgD6Q2dc3AFUCHohaE0VeL43qgw-ozmbYTi6/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRpJAjtvmSC3n1grZYid_8Q4GfvKtK2feWwdUucE3nnf9LBw8TP5qruoit_dOi-NTNEqSZhZ1o58v4PKCFEQiAy-5-UXgacmohNvW0ge5mgD6Q2dc3AFUCHohaE0VeL43qgw-ozmbYTi6/w400-h300/IMG_2817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>There are some lovely tiny flowers, if you look closely. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Scarlet pimpernels and speedwell. </i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvYgMvankLboNlDa69AxpC6hoLB89m1MHKGGD24TD3btHzchwAjNBAo9qO3_59gUs9CsAxKh1y8Py6GQJcXvGX4YsZg4j8JEuZpuikqpRZ30_hbizg4cnNh0xuUl0FNvCZGFw8iM0_JMs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2109" data-original-width="2109" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvYgMvankLboNlDa69AxpC6hoLB89m1MHKGGD24TD3btHzchwAjNBAo9qO3_59gUs9CsAxKh1y8Py6GQJcXvGX4YsZg4j8JEuZpuikqpRZ30_hbizg4cnNh0xuUl0FNvCZGFw8iM0_JMs/w400-h400/IMG_2820.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkSZHMIMcZOjQeYPPxNn3u0e9dzISXw3kcpfD4fVK9X0nYPZkOVPvtgvnVusLGYKHS8PLee36pROWfO9CsBew2kRMVB8cBML7AH9_8wAiImnpMYMnS2YTL7O9oLDNC_s-twULydf8aba7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="3128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkSZHMIMcZOjQeYPPxNn3u0e9dzISXw3kcpfD4fVK9X0nYPZkOVPvtgvnVusLGYKHS8PLee36pROWfO9CsBew2kRMVB8cBML7AH9_8wAiImnpMYMnS2YTL7O9oLDNC_s-twULydf8aba7/w400-h300/IMG_2923.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>I like them, but not as much as the dandelions and groundsel </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(the one I'm holding in the first photo).</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-gkrZR3nrktcuauFw-uROy85WOMhMXOrHjQsiI1ZMK57SX4aEJUw1JRIsRvyVMVJMslraZNKZJvsGM2wSj7l6GTk7eO4pGimFRQDhtc6uf1n8_-R3mukzMRYQ8vStXh4L3PnU3tDAX5D/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-gkrZR3nrktcuauFw-uROy85WOMhMXOrHjQsiI1ZMK57SX4aEJUw1JRIsRvyVMVJMslraZNKZJvsGM2wSj7l6GTk7eO4pGimFRQDhtc6uf1n8_-R3mukzMRYQ8vStXh4L3PnU3tDAX5D/w400-h400/IMG_2893.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXW5Nb6t-2BGucPktkgQWIsbRWKeE-fsIA1Y3DhMcqmk4s4WPNSK1RqB6f7zriDkBh7blyf3ETl0pH1R03_YHlfUpf8inAi9EsyXyw7R2fLRW-pr_HVt1ieEvzKpwvxeLQzZoSGcBWu8B/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="1792" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXW5Nb6t-2BGucPktkgQWIsbRWKeE-fsIA1Y3DhMcqmk4s4WPNSK1RqB6f7zriDkBh7blyf3ETl0pH1R03_YHlfUpf8inAi9EsyXyw7R2fLRW-pr_HVt1ieEvzKpwvxeLQzZoSGcBWu8B/w339-h400/IMG_2904.JPEG" width="339" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpTf_3PD8JnQ3A1_lpuNlIKZokPr79IuTTEmAjOhLBqteK3bPyKeCbTZJwOw0_TVUjS8Ull-uo7IFkp57bptgOjKZ9t_P-Dd1WlhYFDIXKohFW0oUrO6-HVR4bnFXoo5dfGt9nY2lOLbA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpTf_3PD8JnQ3A1_lpuNlIKZokPr79IuTTEmAjOhLBqteK3bPyKeCbTZJwOw0_TVUjS8Ull-uo7IFkp57bptgOjKZ9t_P-Dd1WlhYFDIXKohFW0oUrO6-HVR4bnFXoo5dfGt9nY2lOLbA/w400-h400/IMG_2906.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For me to get as far as sketchbook pages, that's really something. Here's a little video I made.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOXhTvkMadMwn8ACD-NmZqM8L1MuppIPpbVJozrMXRMpkfse21C79vLGoGP4QGIqVv7WkoUDbA4fCxCTNWxQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Music: The Nest, Josh Woodward @ www.joshwoodward.com</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-88709632710551404362020-05-08T17:29:00.001+01:002020-05-08T22:10:56.261+01:00Swirls of Colour Phew, thank goodness it's Friday. I've been stitching like a mad thing this week, and all the while videoing the proceedings. My room is a tip and I'm tired. But I think I'm nearly there!<br />
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I've been wittering on about sorting out an online course for so long now, but I think I'm within touching distance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy2Zujr_GsrmftEHnn1DU3rsw5Ubn3RgJwUfNR8lPDIQA2ajbD9YTy2nqezq6HHjDT13UmI_SUZqMbb1m3ik8BOKW1B42A9xc1csZNfl79f59pwT83doVcuDMvFYuwR_bK7PMGyrzedpe/s1600/Screenshot+%2528176%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1203" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy2Zujr_GsrmftEHnn1DU3rsw5Ubn3RgJwUfNR8lPDIQA2ajbD9YTy2nqezq6HHjDT13UmI_SUZqMbb1m3ik8BOKW1B42A9xc1csZNfl79f59pwT83doVcuDMvFYuwR_bK7PMGyrzedpe/s400/Screenshot+%2528176%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, I still need to edit all the video and work out where and how I'm going to host the course, and recruit people to test it and then promote it and all of that, but for now - I'm pleased.<br />
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If you'd like to be one of the brave people to try it out, please let me know! You can <a href="http://eepurl.com/goX-xP" target="_blank">sign up to my newsletter</a> and tick the Swirls box to make sure you're on the list.<br />
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-77526883000073363102020-04-29T10:51:00.000+01:002020-04-29T10:51:07.475+01:00If I'm the answer then it's a very bad questionLike so many up and down the land, those with sewing machines, I have been stitching scrubs for the NHS.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Initially I was given ten metres of black polycotton, which turned out to be double-width. After a bit of head-scratching about how to physically handle the volume of fabric and cut it in the most frugal manner on a very small table, I was able to cut out six sets.</span></div>
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Despite my other skills on the sewing machine, I'm not a dressmaker. For example, <a href="https://threadnoodle.blogspot.com/2010/07/three-for-price-of-one.html" target="_blank">this is the sort of thing I've done before</a>.<br />
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So if I'm the answer to the crisis gripping the nation and our health service, then it must be a very very bad question. We are not in a good place, folks.Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-21314951066392778372020-04-29T10:33:00.000+01:002020-04-29T10:33:09.919+01:00TrespassingWhen we first viewed our little house more than 21 years ago, we were early for our appointment so took a walk to the top of the cul-de-sac. We discovered that despite being only a 5 minute walk from the town centre and the railway station, from the top of the street there was an unbroken view all the way across fields and woodland to the hills of the South Downs. Sold.<br />
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There is a bypass around town, but it is hidden from view at the bottom of the hill beyond the farmland. We can often hear it but not see it.<br />
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Eight years ago, we discovered that all the farmland up to the bypass had been sold to developers, and the plan was for 1000 new homes to be built. 1000 homes that will eventually block the view completely. Our nearest patch of ancient woodland will be marooned like an island in the middle. There were the usual protests, environmental audits and so on, but it was a done deal. <a href="https://threadnoodle.blogspot.com/2013/03/close-to-home.html" target="_blank">I wrote about it at the time</a>, and stitched my own version of the plan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq6kG4ZXt20RAJMHPCMuvEfS3ncIyIqV2L_7GmuHQA-DoHnvf-HPMA26xvtaxZYYEDSxp6EniYoo-SH-Bxq9gGBxYAQPBlAcc9TCXQJ_e0Afpf-X2aN6w4KVYa2Bg46i1hbFG04KdlF8I/s1600/ridgewood+farm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="629" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq6kG4ZXt20RAJMHPCMuvEfS3ncIyIqV2L_7GmuHQA-DoHnvf-HPMA26xvtaxZYYEDSxp6EniYoo-SH-Bxq9gGBxYAQPBlAcc9TCXQJ_e0Afpf-X2aN6w4KVYa2Bg46i1hbFG04KdlF8I/s400/ridgewood+farm+2.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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They've started building the houses on the furthest edge, out of view for now, but people have even started moving in. The past year or so they've been digging the fields for drainage pipes and water pipes, but now the building has started the fields closest to us are empty once more. This is the first year the fields are completely uncultivated, and with no sheep or cows.<br />
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And then the lockdown started, and suddenly it seems that because people have been told they can only have an hour of exercise a day, they've all decided to take it in the same place, whether or not they were doing so before. It's become harder than ever before to maintain our distance from people, whereas before the lockdown we hardly met a soul, only our usual fellow dog-walkers.<br />
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One day, some people walking in front of us blatantly walked straight through a gap in the hedge into the abandoned field beyond. And so we followed them. And we haven't stopped since. We've discovered a whole new network of paths and loops, leading back into the woodland we usually walk in, by way of a "broken" fence (another walker must have accidentally cut through it with some wire cutters they just happened to have in their pocket, and accidentally moved the fence while they were at it).<br />
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<i>It's so peaceful and fragrant in the woods.</i></div>
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So we've changed our longest dog walk time from the afternoon to early morning, and it's been utterly delightful. It's been a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZu2LidUhR0" target="_blank">bit Pride and Prejudice</a>, the sun rising over the dew-soaked fields, the skylark twittering away overhead. Even the bypass is mostly silent. Wonderful.<br />
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I'm particularly captivated by the little paths that wind their way through the trees and bluebells.<br />
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Over the years, the direction of the paths changes slightly. Sometimes it's to avoid a muddy patch in the winter (impossible eventually, when the woods become a quagmire) or sometimes to avoid a fallen tree. They evolve.<br />
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<i>I love the archways and doorways between trees.</i></div>
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And I don't know whether it's because the air is so much cleaner and clearer than usual, but walking in the fields now, seeing little paths made by deer and rabbits, has reminded me vividly of being a child again, when time had no meaning and all I had to do was play.<br />
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<i>I could spend all day in here.</i></div>
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I think I'm becoming a bit obsessed about paths and pathways. It might be my new thing.</div>
Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-28966806269154169342020-04-13T12:04:00.002+01:002020-04-13T12:09:20.985+01:00Will you be in my gang?At nearly 50 years old I never thought I'd be saying that. As a child I was a watcher from the sidelines, only getting involved when I felt safe. I had absolutely no ambition to be a leader myself!<br />
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Even now, I find it hard to talk about myself and my work, especially when there are so many talented people out there doing wonderful things. Being online and showing our work takes courage, as every time we potentially risk personal ridicule and rejection. This is a very primal fear, and as a species we generally avoid putting ourselves in such a situation.<br />
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I started my Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/threadnoodlers" target="_blank">Threadnoodlers</a> as a chance for my "audience" (even that word makes me feel uncomfortable and exposed!) to have their chance to share, and inspire and be inspired by others - mostly to take the spotlight off me! I am absolutely not unique with what I can do with a sewing machine and a bit of fabric: we all have talents and skills and interests, they will not be the same, but they are equally valid and important.<br />
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I am no more talented because I have a Facebook page or a blog or Instagram; I just decided to do it one day a few years ago. I post sporadically, procrastinate nearly all the time, and have regular moments of feeling entirely inadequate. It's hard to let go of the fear about whether what I do is useful or interesting to anyone - but my job is just to do it, and give other people the opportunity to decide for themselves.<br />
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Similarly, creating a Facebook group is just something I decided to do one day, to allow other people to get involved and to share. It's not a place for me to be clever and for people to follow along, hanging on my every word; it's a place for everybody to get involved equally and share what they have to offer to others. We're all in this together, and we're all stuck at home so now seemed like the perfect time!<br />
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So please join us - pop along to my Facebook page, give me a like there, and join the group. There are three questions to answer when you sign up (they're not hard!) and <i>please </i>indicate that you agree to the rules (they are very obvious rules about playing nicely).<br />
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See you there - in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/threadnoodlers" target="_blank">my gang</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYdE41aP6EoKJaBGTLO8utNHJBm5YwgiPUplFd_de1hxqpQNVU-iAEqk2pw-QApZi2Rp4UCnqZeKzRb8tjNBw0Ryh0dy__AL6SVFvDGdRQXzXmNYQsn8Va34aGTP1rUCPc76-cGfurRkk/s1600/IMG_7128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYdE41aP6EoKJaBGTLO8utNHJBm5YwgiPUplFd_de1hxqpQNVU-iAEqk2pw-QApZi2Rp4UCnqZeKzRb8tjNBw0Ryh0dy__AL6SVFvDGdRQXzXmNYQsn8Va34aGTP1rUCPc76-cGfurRkk/s400/IMG_7128.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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My own little gang: our family on our first "theme night" to liven up our evenings while we're in lockdown. No, I can't really explain this one...</div>
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-42223083135299394662020-03-20T12:56:00.001+00:002020-03-20T12:56:22.492+00:00Change and challengesIt's probably fair to say that these are interesting, and challenging times. <br />
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Personally, things started to go a bit awry last week when this happened to my tyre on my way to do a talk:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rLHqoJZPpzwSVABfGxPEiXIZwH6AIduxsYB69LiQYh_IAylEdgIhUWuA1gt8Ir65-wyVv-rVhcKRBoIwBSry8GVtFXtLoTcf0HXoTX58pwhkgw6ArjRhLxBe4JO4_QTyGRX-kt_wU1v8/s1600/tyre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rLHqoJZPpzwSVABfGxPEiXIZwH6AIduxsYB69LiQYh_IAylEdgIhUWuA1gt8Ir65-wyVv-rVhcKRBoIwBSry8GVtFXtLoTcf0HXoTX58pwhkgw6ArjRhLxBe4JO4_QTyGRX-kt_wU1v8/s320/tyre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And of course nobody has a spare tyre nowadays, we all have those silly inflation kits and there was no way that was going to fix this. So I needed rescuing and putting on a truck. This is the sort of thing I've always dreaded happening, so on a personal note it's good to know that I can cope and work it out, and not just fall apart in a helpless heap.<br />
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One new tyre later, I managed to get to Chichester for the second day of my visit, for a Swirls workshop. Unfortunately, Chichester Embroiderers' Guild had their own bad luck in that their regular venue had been flooded. Luckily, one of their members was able to secure an alternative room at very short notice so the show could go on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua6oxbwPxIasg_rGhmV9DvIdMy6iCniHTzqJKh_gs9RUW4vBVY9maXPKyzwXe2RT1chARsjYU5IafVBDqv32WPYAkX3fCtg2AxColMtHGvHdIvZaPTqyP6N_WJDHjOv5q6Sk-SWwAjxUD/s1600/IMG_6982.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1473" data-original-width="1600" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua6oxbwPxIasg_rGhmV9DvIdMy6iCniHTzqJKh_gs9RUW4vBVY9maXPKyzwXe2RT1chARsjYU5IafVBDqv32WPYAkX3fCtg2AxColMtHGvHdIvZaPTqyP6N_WJDHjOv5q6Sk-SWwAjxUD/s400/IMG_6982.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>my teaching sample</i></div>
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And despite being in quite a small room, with limited space, the work that everyone stitched was super.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET5JE0q0mY_3s1M1FzTTGZIzpeBVzvvliwYz_glEY2jVVAS7vlLKuUv8Hqs0Th8MYNPwE4No8dc_WIOlxy5qlTt8uJSOj8SWrz9tJSBfuKWVAUx5Uy5gTUDZ1vP5c7fHkLt-CqGxDJqPC/s1600/IMG_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET5JE0q0mY_3s1M1FzTTGZIzpeBVzvvliwYz_glEY2jVVAS7vlLKuUv8Hqs0Th8MYNPwE4No8dc_WIOlxy5qlTt8uJSOj8SWrz9tJSBfuKWVAUx5Uy5gTUDZ1vP5c7fHkLt-CqGxDJqPC/s400/IMG_6967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNEXmlkBEACsVesV_dK4UFbgiTWNgY86zjOp1sNQppckNeywg6J2mxg372paj9qenZBWCl74VbVdhqMnjwDm_7nLD90YahiwckQn-4pzgzm7ZRb4CcSUoGH0MaXZl2-bl79am_6gf5TM_/s1600/IMG_6969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNEXmlkBEACsVesV_dK4UFbgiTWNgY86zjOp1sNQppckNeywg6J2mxg372paj9qenZBWCl74VbVdhqMnjwDm_7nLD90YahiwckQn-4pzgzm7ZRb4CcSUoGH0MaXZl2-bl79am_6gf5TM_/s400/IMG_6969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As always with these workshops, I love how people's personality comes out in their colour choices, and the size they choose to work. A lot of the time they surprise themselves!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Rw0e515-nYxOqAMIeZtJOYsxhRY7vgpP5zkVVoBCq05YFnbMK8g9H43Uk-gnpNmi_51KqXY_zdRyLREtaNfxocZwCt6wwwkdQfvss1gieDpM2RP8FgYd5BcClxaR2KE4hpAb4is-wNx/s1600/IMG_1629.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1395" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Rw0e515-nYxOqAMIeZtJOYsxhRY7vgpP5zkVVoBCq05YFnbMK8g9H43Uk-gnpNmi_51KqXY_zdRyLREtaNfxocZwCt6wwwkdQfvss1gieDpM2RP8FgYd5BcClxaR2KE4hpAb4is-wNx/s400/IMG_1629.JPEG" width="348" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpny1bEXEYARx0RCaEPyl3PW2e5fdvo7i3irbAy-g53i1I-g0FMjJV0ILXek3WTe9HHfGyxb_73V7Vk9uJGXTA4Aa2i2AahxC_7XsAUowvfbDUbAjQ2C-Thu44aMLlQeuYy921DpEIG4IU/s1600/IMG_1631.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1600" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpny1bEXEYARx0RCaEPyl3PW2e5fdvo7i3irbAy-g53i1I-g0FMjJV0ILXek3WTe9HHfGyxb_73V7Vk9uJGXTA4Aa2i2AahxC_7XsAUowvfbDUbAjQ2C-Thu44aMLlQeuYy921DpEIG4IU/s400/IMG_1631.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk-YnYT5L14AYa969WfBacwssLmRmy1gbrYeFqil2YkWZTXHeJjzKtprreXEb3UfJrvohyuYtDlB8McxVxQUcEnj30jG8tpAU8gMFGZwJBPX2TPgcTwJzInadOEU1BnIKULDNtaQ36Rug/s1600/IMG_1632.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk-YnYT5L14AYa969WfBacwssLmRmy1gbrYeFqil2YkWZTXHeJjzKtprreXEb3UfJrvohyuYtDlB8McxVxQUcEnj30jG8tpAU8gMFGZwJBPX2TPgcTwJzInadOEU1BnIKULDNtaQ36Rug/s400/IMG_1632.JPEG" width="390" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHYxc8j3L8J95cotHPq3hkx5lUse0CRscGr40k-mjzFG7grznEG_n7mKpkUjIR6YWNAI1TxTaffCKizAy-Gcp5LJ1x8XSHSK_hTgUeIVvsSkVultlyEwTB25duth6v3NTcN6DJ9ZC66tH/s1600/IMG_1634.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1600" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHYxc8j3L8J95cotHPq3hkx5lUse0CRscGr40k-mjzFG7grznEG_n7mKpkUjIR6YWNAI1TxTaffCKizAy-Gcp5LJ1x8XSHSK_hTgUeIVvsSkVultlyEwTB25duth6v3NTcN6DJ9ZC66tH/s400/IMG_1634.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_9t-skakbILgdKF77eCy7l-zfnW5Uc5MaTCAPIG74KMOpwpObrPnxxtXhveyZ4yrF4ClnkYKuEs4UC6nZKQfB6pmTe8ybmnqzrYAAs05tQ_0FsVunXFqKLUzih-sv2rJaeux1wcv7Fe_/s1600/IMG_1636.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_9t-skakbILgdKF77eCy7l-zfnW5Uc5MaTCAPIG74KMOpwpObrPnxxtXhveyZ4yrF4ClnkYKuEs4UC6nZKQfB6pmTe8ybmnqzrYAAs05tQ_0FsVunXFqKLUzih-sv2rJaeux1wcv7Fe_/s400/IMG_1636.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIZZk_tUTj674FT8JxnoHbvTNQT4JsPQdrrF3jJSPssg_m2pQkIj6BzPb1vrmoWyHceF9MZz-M8bXhW1Jkvv48N5696532VoadwOow_QrZ7UFGGLAruxUvQ8ISwUKzAFmXzd8CF9Z3FKV/s1600/IMG_1638.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1600" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIZZk_tUTj674FT8JxnoHbvTNQT4JsPQdrrF3jJSPssg_m2pQkIj6BzPb1vrmoWyHceF9MZz-M8bXhW1Jkvv48N5696532VoadwOow_QrZ7UFGGLAruxUvQ8ISwUKzAFmXzd8CF9Z3FKV/s400/IMG_1638.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I "was" booked to teach this workshop quite a few times in the coming months, so I'd prepared a folder of samples showing the whole process. I tried to remember to video what I was doing as I was going along, and my initial intention was to produce another little book, with links to the videos as a bonus. But now a lot of the workshops are cancelled, I'm thinking I may finally get my act together and create a little online course. I'm not sure exactly how to go about this, so that's what's occupying me while I can't go out and do anything else!<br />
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When things are up and running again and life has returned to "normal", I will of course be teaching in person, but an online course might be a solution for now. If that is something you would be interested in, please make sure you've <a href="http://eepurl.com/goX-xP" target="_blank">signed up to my newsletter</a> to hear about it first (you'll also receive a link for a 15% discount in my Etsy shop when you sign up). <br />
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For now, thank you for reading - and stay safe everyone xx<br />
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-15715718472193333662020-01-31T17:40:00.002+00:002020-01-31T17:40:48.937+00:00SortedMy threads, that is.<br />
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As promised in my last post, I'm going to let you into the secret that has TRANSFORMED how I work in my studio.<br />
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It's so simple, but it's fantastic. No apologies for the shouty caps-lock - I'm excited about this one!<br />
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So when I'm stitching something, I use lots of different threads. I swap between them often. There is no point putting the threads away mid-project. And sometimes I'm stitching more than one project at a time. So that's a lot of threads.<br />
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Traditionally, these threads are scattered all over my work surface. Sometimes I corral them all into a rather marvelous fabric bowl that I made a few years ago (thanks Di for showing me how):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR8_NKBoOtQ3TS-2-5Jm2nLsdzeIxhwgZ2PEJzQpwu6xWivtEe-fdh9WpsIt-fCOBAaFZCopiz1K1CfnJEiaIENP6Gq54GlhswHWRIEdslPaeTmBkm8cmvRmEzDFmdJr3hAWtdJUZgwlx/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR8_NKBoOtQ3TS-2-5Jm2nLsdzeIxhwgZ2PEJzQpwu6xWivtEe-fdh9WpsIt-fCOBAaFZCopiz1K1CfnJEiaIENP6Gq54GlhswHWRIEdslPaeTmBkm8cmvRmEzDFmdJr3hAWtdJUZgwlx/s400/IMG_1307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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BUT. When I finished a project, did I put the threads away? No, of course I didn't.<br />
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For years I used <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001IYMCJO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B001IYMCJO&linkCode=as2&tag=threadnoodle-21&linkId=8f7de9550584cd7c010c6eda75691f52" target="_blank">these double-sided thread storage boxes</a>*. Fantastic to be able to sort threads into colour families in the different compartments, and you can get SO MUCH into one box! Except they have one major drawback - they're only fantastic if you actually PUT THE THREADS BACK IN!<br />
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Which I didn't. Because, let's face it, tidying is boring. But I like tidy, and having a mess on my desk each day was depressing, and made it hard for me to get started on new things, resulting in massive amounts of procrastination. And I tried all sorts of systems for making myself tidy up at the end of the day, but nothing worked. When I moved into my room and had new shelves with different dimensions, I had to dump the double-sided boxes and started using <a href="https://www.reallyusefulstorageboxes.co.uk/4litre-really-useful-storage-box-c2x12353044" target="_blank">these boxes</a> - but still <a href="https://www.reallyusefulstorageboxes.co.uk/really-useful-clear-tray-hobby-compartment-tray-c2x28907828" target="_blank">with the dividers</a>, and still organised by colour. Here they are on their shelf:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YdIIoetcO5Rb-tcGHvkYGVw0ohTuEuBniL8AozSor1MMTft5Fw_GXJEqKy-gKd7dWjzEiPGw0PA6l9mGMzI1dZRdGFAbkdjoLcz7DByNfshdRTY22_fyPL50t5hFFko7nfwCHLqP2BGs/s1600/IMG_6632.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YdIIoetcO5Rb-tcGHvkYGVw0ohTuEuBniL8AozSor1MMTft5Fw_GXJEqKy-gKd7dWjzEiPGw0PA6l9mGMzI1dZRdGFAbkdjoLcz7DByNfshdRTY22_fyPL50t5hFFko7nfwCHLqP2BGs/s400/IMG_6632.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(you've got to admit, this is a riveting post so far!)</i></div>
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So I was noodling around on the interwebs, avoiding the task of filing all my sewing threads away, and I came across <a href="https://clutterbug.me/" target="_blank">this lady</a>. I did <a href="https://clutterbug.me/what-clutterbug-are-you-test" target="_blank">the test</a> and it turns out I'm a "LadyBug" sort of organiser: I like things to look tidy on the surface, but underneath and in drawers and cupboards - woah, disaster area.<br />
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<b>I need systems, I like systems, but they must be QUICK and EASY. According to the test results, I need a MACRO organising system - whereas my tendency has always been to devise complicated MICRO systems - the antithesis of quick and easy!!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I need tidying up my threads to be EASY. And sorting into little storage compartments is DIFFICULT because you need to make the threads fit into the spaces - and what if you have too much of one colour???!! etc etc.</b></div>
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So I've come up with this - and it bloomin' WORKS! Tidy threads, tidy desk.<br />
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<b>All the cops and cones</b> (i.e. ones without tops) in one box:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kh14eDgi560Lc0cPdq3fA6fKjSWNceGyMgrvh24Sq5gvk8vUfP9-bJ3PyHdGYJo27AW2UHoX9DzqT-V0gHbQX52qkwp3NUqPsASRTgI9YtKYEaiL9615zdkpho4rwoYx8qGGE71UFT22/s1600/IMG_6637.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kh14eDgi560Lc0cPdq3fA6fKjSWNceGyMgrvh24Sq5gvk8vUfP9-bJ3PyHdGYJo27AW2UHoX9DzqT-V0gHbQX52qkwp3NUqPsASRTgI9YtKYEaiL9615zdkpho4rwoYx8qGGE71UFT22/s400/IMG_6637.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>All the reels</b> (i.e. ones with tops and bottoms):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuSFoukUc3Zdzp1OGZvgx1W-Ln-e7-kKnlEn-5b-vWA56IwAlB7S8SJ5cNDL1rzGz4cp3O4nDKoHRdcL6mb6uyzQUhRCfGbzKdSm9JzGsW0geHwIxbjnMhKMkBoV4aQHmdy4W7G5Nrz6h/s1600/IMG_6636.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuSFoukUc3Zdzp1OGZvgx1W-Ln-e7-kKnlEn-5b-vWA56IwAlB7S8SJ5cNDL1rzGz4cp3O4nDKoHRdcL6mb6uyzQUhRCfGbzKdSm9JzGsW0geHwIxbjnMhKMkBoV4aQHmdy4W7G5Nrz6h/s400/IMG_6636.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>All the "everyday" metallic</b> in a basket:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIUUtKNdlpMdfe30r0U1la2mLUt9XjP4KkqaDMcR9lDktM2p-Cp5llCk1tAovGXzFCzPg2Uql0HiYZ5W75GjnHmtzXKzJDZx15jRTu3ketMbM38LgLao81ZJVvcGX2_w4xIl-sesRVzXy/s1600/IMG_6639.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIUUtKNdlpMdfe30r0U1la2mLUt9XjP4KkqaDMcR9lDktM2p-Cp5llCk1tAovGXzFCzPg2Uql0HiYZ5W75GjnHmtzXKzJDZx15jRTu3ketMbM38LgLao81ZJVvcGX2_w4xIl-sesRVzXy/s400/IMG_6639.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have kept two boxes with compartments, but to be honest, I forget they're there. I mostly use the top two boxes and the metallics.<br />
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<b>Then the miscellaneous...</b><br />
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One box (still with its compartments) has "special" threads that I just stroke from time to time, plus my Indian rayons that I forget about and they only really work in the bobbin (they shred easily):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVDhr9wNboCv71KO69MiruLrvpkpKgIXck5f3NDVbTeEszLN-zGYFQzaQrgZdFvmlCNTqKFgXbeEcv2QfpXzsB4o00GwFnIpymbEKjpelDNoYcXJlZlkINovC4uIexR9-qojK_JGXd9vO/s1600/IMG_6634.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVDhr9wNboCv71KO69MiruLrvpkpKgIXck5f3NDVbTeEszLN-zGYFQzaQrgZdFvmlCNTqKFgXbeEcv2QfpXzsB4o00GwFnIpymbEKjpelDNoYcXJlZlkINovC4uIexR9-qojK_JGXd9vO/s400/IMG_6634.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And this last compartment box has the ends of some threads a friend was selling cheaply yonks ago that I forget I have, some really cheapo metallics that I should either use up in the bobbin or chuck out, and some "spare" duplicate metallics (sometimes I forget to take a list when I go shopping at the shows...):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_uQzlNFoSCe4biF24EFMZt36PkKScuM_o3585umy4dLAvypZUVqITzrozqlgbYR1laR2erq2vL37ZUIHwYz-LHAjKzozJKJxOuJjqkcTlB41zjHWVx1v9VUSRHEfZU8hoz7N0B1HR0Sx/s1600/IMG_6635.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_uQzlNFoSCe4biF24EFMZt36PkKScuM_o3585umy4dLAvypZUVqITzrozqlgbYR1laR2erq2vL37ZUIHwYz-LHAjKzozJKJxOuJjqkcTlB41zjHWVx1v9VUSRHEfZU8hoz7N0B1HR0Sx/s400/IMG_6635.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It always tickles me when people say to me "Oh, you must have masses of different threads"! No, not really! I have one desk drawer that holds my all-purpose polyester threads, bobbinfil, invisible thread (I'm always losing that one....) and some cheapo threads from the charity shop that I use in the bobbin - but this really is it!</div>
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<b>So try it! <a href="https://clutterbug.me/what-clutterbug-are-you-test" target="_blank">Do the test</a>, see what works for you. It might just revolutionise how you tidy up!</b><br />
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<i>Why the pink boxes? Well the shelves where my threads live are on the sunny side of my studio (on summer afternoons), and I'm paranoid about UV damage - yes, it's a thing for threads - and putting thread boxes in drawers falls back into the DIFFICULT zone of tidying; they'd be a mess again! The pink boxes were the only coloured ones I could find (at <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/really-useful-pink-box-4-litres/587320-1001" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a>, if you're interested). </i><br />
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<i>* this is an affiliate link - I earn a few pennies from purchases made through this link</i>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-44222551286288022982020-01-14T11:27:00.000+00:002020-01-14T11:27:46.124+00:00New Year New Decade New Desks...As promised for those who are nosy, like me, and want to know what I've done with my desk and studio space and why.<br />
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And while I'm the first to admit that my absolute favourite way of procrastinating is to have a sort out, I promise you - this really needed to be done.<br />
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(This is a long post, so if you want the short version skip down to the bullet points!)<br />
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As you may remember if you've followed me for a while, I moved into my new studio four (four!) years ago. Nearly everything came from IKEA, not least because I could know in advance the precise dimensions of all the different bits of furniture and work out how to fit everything in! Ever since I was little, I've loved rearranging furniture and planning layouts.<br />
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Here is my empty room and all the boxes from my first IKEA haul four years ago:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3YVtpXoJbCCNG1hZBSxNqsEk_kYQ2KR71FQZMTUQvd9kNlstb4_5uf9GGWq79U-EIZR3ADwj5tXplblS9I_Xtpi7efl_qru-m0G0DUJb5Zm0uAWT6JA4zfq5im7CvsC_y5UVLdQE-a_c/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3YVtpXoJbCCNG1hZBSxNqsEk_kYQ2KR71FQZMTUQvd9kNlstb4_5uf9GGWq79U-EIZR3ADwj5tXplblS9I_Xtpi7efl_qru-m0G0DUJb5Zm0uAWT6JA4zfq5im7CvsC_y5UVLdQE-a_c/s400/IMG_1179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u6f-dw3aO5omlW1eAzF7Jy1wN8qxKrrgZPa0WOTKKREhxWRsKTlEBJWEs5ohFPGm6l4PU9jxVNuSxdEAMW3Ou05bjZr77hoGqQ1_Jmph8r3ZOV_YhQxvfnl1wKgeP4hLDqF0lePwZljV/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u6f-dw3aO5omlW1eAzF7Jy1wN8qxKrrgZPa0WOTKKREhxWRsKTlEBJWEs5ohFPGm6l4PU9jxVNuSxdEAMW3Ou05bjZr77hoGqQ1_Jmph8r3ZOV_YhQxvfnl1wKgeP4hLDqF0lePwZljV/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And here is what it looked like after setting nearly everything up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQVzdFiaEz8Fvq_ve0uKCQOxNXI3YoOjAnNgy2TN6JG2cSocCanz7ijINaOZRs2Wo4UqooGMyS7Hqyjxm7oD-_LAejvLpR1TacRd8SmVtJssY4zNJVWsoGs55ArtdKhwBlyrzN95FKmF6/s1600/IMG_6558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQVzdFiaEz8Fvq_ve0uKCQOxNXI3YoOjAnNgy2TN6JG2cSocCanz7ijINaOZRs2Wo4UqooGMyS7Hqyjxm7oD-_LAejvLpR1TacRd8SmVtJssY4zNJVWsoGs55ArtdKhwBlyrzN95FKmF6/s400/IMG_6558.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And since then, it's <i>kind of</i> worked, but also not really. Here's the other end of the finished space. Comfy chair for reading books from the little bookcase of arty books, big textile books on shelves on the RHS, two chests of drawers for fabric with a glass top for painting, and my ironing pad. The curtains hide the storage area under the stairs - a third of it is 2 metres deep but narrow; two thirds is just under a metre deep. There are three sturdy IKEA storage cube shelves on castors that fit in here, as well as two trolleys holding paint, dye, glue, printing tools etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q2wNdnhguLLOluSRvNaff4nD9fsilyJpLxrAL-dupAKEbFneQpi7bnH9R4hPncut7RJjM7_SQ5xocS-VMxQg6Pd7HWjCLRiO4CVYCuEMOUdxRKdO40YGSBs_AFpM7LF422VOrG739GaA/s1600/13879292_982599605172529_7829488697183528332_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q2wNdnhguLLOluSRvNaff4nD9fsilyJpLxrAL-dupAKEbFneQpi7bnH9R4hPncut7RJjM7_SQ5xocS-VMxQg6Pd7HWjCLRiO4CVYCuEMOUdxRKdO40YGSBs_AFpM7LF422VOrG739GaA/s400/13879292_982599605172529_7829488697183528332_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So the rug was the first thing to go years ago. The whippet claimed it as his own, and it's now by the fire in the other room - and also not as white! Then the chair....I spent more time moving it out of the way so I could pull out the storage trolleys, rather than sitting in it. Bye bye. That went soon after.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TiO18bIKIi1oozgo2vCm3p852fhgJ_713ZDyImt2p6EyH37m4ln9vEUhgwaSk-x9BtOHA9ly9fwxxAS_94ekwUJiXduC3E6AUHJ7Aki_UePBWMj_RwZ5z0IhoDDPe7CKJYtTsk_t0NZ2/s1600/13880219_982599591839197_3994055084546425335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TiO18bIKIi1oozgo2vCm3p852fhgJ_713ZDyImt2p6EyH37m4ln9vEUhgwaSk-x9BtOHA9ly9fwxxAS_94ekwUJiXduC3E6AUHJ7Aki_UePBWMj_RwZ5z0IhoDDPe7CKJYtTsk_t0NZ2/s400/13880219_982599591839197_3994055084546425335_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then that shelf holding my laptop. Took up way too much space. Had to go. I found a way to tuck my laptop and keyboard out of way completely, under my desk, but you can see how small the desk space actually is. And because I couldn't sit at one end (drawers underneath were too close to my knees, and then the dog discovered the radiator) things just got dumped on it. I kept clearing it, but it was an endless battle.<br />
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You can see the my sewing machine on the right hand side, and how little room I had for stitching. And when I got my big new sewing machine I started using the knee lifter all the time - so the little drawers had to move over, which reduced my available sitting space even further.<br />
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There was one small space in the middle of the long desk to do everything. And that's where the central supporting leg of the desk was, so there wasn't actually any leg room! I also had a naughty habit of stashing all sorts of things into the corner under the desk, where they never saw the light of day again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEzxP5qNl8glM6-tXAFP1mLFf2YnNRHKME-Wx_tZ6CYR__QUE2835BlK4I6A0x4SfVr0Z3Te6J9BCkq2y573LywhSvT_E-xup67WS9cdS6WjgnF7LmXbvLfG9DaPCuefYpSuN9cMXEyrl/s1600/29133738_1524187651013719_1817003682852503552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEzxP5qNl8glM6-tXAFP1mLFf2YnNRHKME-Wx_tZ6CYR__QUE2835BlK4I6A0x4SfVr0Z3Te6J9BCkq2y573LywhSvT_E-xup67WS9cdS6WjgnF7LmXbvLfG9DaPCuefYpSuN9cMXEyrl/s400/29133738_1524187651013719_1817003682852503552_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One attempted fix was to find an extra table that could be tucked away under my bookshelves, which I did in the form of a second hand Ikea gateleg table that folded down to nothing. I used it when I did my big commission back in 2018.<br />
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But the problem was, even though it tucked away neatly under my shelves (one of which I had to cut in half to allow the space) the narrow top also became a dumping ground for stuff.<br />
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And a lot of the stuff that got dumped everywhere in my room wasn't my own stuff for creating and making new work, but teaching stuff - half-started/finished demonstration samples, folders, boxes of materials and so on.<br />
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It's was really starting to get on my nerves that in order to start anything for myself, I had to have a major clearing up session first.<br />
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Eventually it became easier not to do anything creative at all, but just do more admin - which I could do from the tiny portion of my desk where my laptop fitted. Even though I had no leg room. You may have also noticed if you've followed me for a while that there hasn't been a lot of creating going on, and it's actually made me feel pretty depressed, and my room set up was largely why. It felt very churlish to complain about the space not working for me, when the whole point of converting our garage (and creating fairly substantial bike storage issues) was to give me a room of my own, so I've struggled on. But I've got such a busy year coming up, and so many things I want to do as well as have to do, something had to give.<br />
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SO. Between Christmas and New Year, I took the time to trial what has been noodling around in my mind for a while now. First I had to clear all the surfaces. Then I had to haul out the dreaded baskets of stash under my desk. Then I had to get very serious about what I wanted or needed to keep, and what I could let go. That always feels good after the event, but is painful to do!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uR8tPHrq7OHjFvtWCnot2MxoGZprytHajcQEAAwTr7S3LJ-UNU8a7Tv6-7tYhLCnkjrTXVXJfG8j4wrGnJsOYUOnzsxxEwkq6Ad0p5GWUYj_u6f3ddJIHKRqPHhuwk8TQWiluveUiu5I/s1600/IMG_6478.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uR8tPHrq7OHjFvtWCnot2MxoGZprytHajcQEAAwTr7S3LJ-UNU8a7Tv6-7tYhLCnkjrTXVXJfG8j4wrGnJsOYUOnzsxxEwkq6Ad0p5GWUYj_u6f3ddJIHKRqPHhuwk8TQWiluveUiu5I/s400/IMG_6478.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remarkably all these baskets were stashed under my desk. </div>
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You could say I have a thing for baskets...</div>
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Then I could start moving furniture (my favourite bit but it makes everyone else nervous: my husband hasn't ever let me forget about the time he came home from work and found a wardrobe stuck across the landing, because I had decided to have a bit of a sort out while he was out...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX3z26fiQVonM6dhatBHgwp2ppkRZVwNlePOGiZvIAvSUzMrhiriSGUM709SG9jdeXa1iZ7AKz-PcckYaj8AOBeFE9zIFl7q6V-hcttImA2I7TkudKnr_bMVtKUjOf5kkg7M7TbUTA1yo/s1600/IMG_6487.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX3z26fiQVonM6dhatBHgwp2ppkRZVwNlePOGiZvIAvSUzMrhiriSGUM709SG9jdeXa1iZ7AKz-PcckYaj8AOBeFE9zIFl7q6V-hcttImA2I7TkudKnr_bMVtKUjOf5kkg7M7TbUTA1yo/s400/IMG_6487.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's the old desk top in the new position but moved away from the wall, to show the difference another 20cm of desk depth would make. This is when I knew I was right to go through the hassle and expense of carrying on.<br />
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There was one frustrating moment after I had moved my fabric drawers down the room by 80cm that resulted in a Billy bookcase with no home and still too much stuff to put away, but after a bit of head scratching I came up with the brilliant solution of fitting it into my tardis-like storage space at the back of my room (the bit that is actually under our stairs) and VOILA a bookcase that can now be JUST for my teaching files, workshop bags and equipment. Fantastic stuff. You can just see it tucked away behind the curtain on the right hand side here (sorry for the funny angle!). That in turn created space on my other shelves, and so it went on, for several days.<br />
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Eventually I was at my second favourite moment, when I actually get to go to the land of blue and yellow and buy more flat packs!<br />
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Then the small matter of opening boxes and constructing, and finally, selling my surplus desk top and the old Ikea gateleg table - which I managed to do very quickly, and to lovely people who were happy to give them a new home.<br />
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And after that, everything slotted very neatly into place.<br />
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Unfortunately since I've been in, I haven't had a chance to use my new desks! I've been in school supervising exams, then travelling at the weekend for family things. I did use my new "admin" desk to do my tax return but I'm desperate to get to the "creating" desks. Today might be the day, as soon as I've posted this!<br />
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So here's a summary of why I had to do this, and what it achieved:<br />
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<b>Old problems:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Desk is a dumping ground</li>
<li>No leg room</li>
<li>No usable space</li>
<li>Very hard to film space (under window, no clamping point for phone to video)</li>
<li>Desk not deep enough for large or multiple pieces of work</li>
<li>Have to tidy all stitching away in order to do admin.</li>
<li>Have to tidy the admin in order to do any stitching</li>
<li>No desk space for sketchbook/drawing/painting - the only painting space is on the glass top of my fabric drawers, which is even narrower than my desk at 48cm deep.</li>
<li>Teaching stuff encroaches on my own stuff, so I end up doing teaching prep not my own work as it's easier</li>
<li>Paint/mixed media materials are in storage space and have to be wheeled out to be used</li>
<li>Lots of books I haven't read</li>
<li>Can't easily reach the shelves by the window that hold my bead drawers</li>
<li>Too much stuff stowed away that I've forgotten what I have and why</li>
<li>Desky stuff like stationery has to share a set of drawers with sewing equipment and threads.</li>
</ul>
<b>New solution:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>2.4 metres of usable desk space for creating ONLY - I don't have to clear it to use my laptop</li>
<li>Separate desk for admin/laptop - doesn't get in the way of creating</li>
<li>Deeper desk (80cm instead of 60cm) - much more usable space</li>
<li>Loads of leg room - not on a corner, deeper desk, no dog bed in the way</li>
<li>Desk is under shelves not window - can clamp phone for taking video of work</li>
<li>Teaching materials are separate from my materials - I can concentrate on my own work </li>
<li>Stash is in storage trolley cubes and more accessible.</li>
<li>Paint/mixed media trolleys are in main room and more likely to be used</li>
<li>Embellisher fits on desk - more likely to be used</li>
<li>My books on creativity and art are right by my desk and more likely to be read</li>
<li>Bead storage drawers are easier to access</li>
<li>A4 printing paper, scrap paper, stationery etc have their own drawers</li>
<li>My big DSLR camera has it's own deep drawer, along with its accessories </li>
<li>More drawers near my desk for hand embroidery threads - more likely to be used</li>
<li>Two large desks side by side give me separate zones for sewing/texiles and painting/drawing without having to tidy one away - I may actually do some of both now!</li>
<li>Having a chuck out of things I don't use or want to use any more feels GOOD!</li>
<li>Dog bed is still by my laptop desk, and by the radiator, and doesn't block anything. Hooray!</li>
</ul>
So many problems have been fixed, I'm slightly cross with myself that it's taken four years to work it out! But it's only by living in a space and working out how you actually use it, that you can see what isn't working and what would make it better.<br />
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Next time, I'll show you how I've sorted my machine embroidery threads. I did that before this big sort out and it's been what they call a "game changer". But right now, I'm off to use some of them!<br />
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-219718637440086082019-09-12T17:51:00.002+01:002022-01-19T10:07:18.951+00:00Back to schoolOr not! This September marks the end of an era and the start of new adventures: <a href="https://threadnoodle.blogspot.com/2010/07/three-for-price-of-one.html" target="_blank">my Girl</a> is going to leave home to go to university! When I started this blog, she was only nine years old...<br />
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(with her great-grandmother, at my sister's wedding)</div>
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All through May and June we were both absorbed with exams: she was sitting them, I was invigilating. We were both slaves to the timetable and the alarm clock. Since then, she's been at home (or at orchestra or on tour with orchestra or on holiday) and our days have lacked routine or structure. Since our short holiday in France in August, I've started to try and claw back some sort of discipline. It's been hard, but I know that we have to get ourselves sorted out before Girl leaves. I'm a night owl, so without a routine I think I'm in danger of becoming nocturnal! She's received her uni timetable today, so that's been a bit of a kick for me to get myself sorted.<br />
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And whenever we return from camping in a tent and existing in shorts and T shirts, the return to a house with wardrobes and cupboards and furniture and <i>stuff</i> always prompts a massive declutter. Even though I do it every year, we still have far too much <i>stuff</i>. I've been very inspired by the idea of minimalist living, although I'm not sure I'm quite ready to go that far - I just like watching YouTube videos of Scandinavians living in their beautiful white houses with wonderful empty space, woolly blankets and pot plants that aren't desiccated from neglect like mine.<br />
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The other major change that will be upon us once Girl leaves, is our Saturdays. For ten years we've spent Saturdays taking it in turns to either do the orchestra/choir taxi service, or to stay behind and clean the house. Now our Saturdays will be free (if I'm not teaching...) we don't want to spend our weekends doing chores. I've tried various systems for getting the housework done in the past, and nothing has stuck. The most complicated system I ever found was the <a href="http://www.flylady.net/" target="_blank">Fly Lady</a> system, and I didn't even last a day - but that was before I found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbbm7p8Sk15fmeU0LWk7YwA" target="_blank">Diane in Denmark</a>!<br />
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Via my noodling on YouTube, I came across Diane's videos. She uses the Fly Lady system, but the way she explains it suddenly makes so much sense. So far, I'm three weeks in and the house is (mostly) clean and staying clean. And the best thing is, I don't spend hours doing it. The second best thing is my YouTube feed is now suggesting all sorts of other cleaning/organising/hygge videos, so I'm wallowing in a bingefest of Scandi inspiration!<br />
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I've tweaked the system to suit me: for example, I've designated Thursday (today) as my "plan and play" day. I've just started a new <a href="https://whitecraneacademy.com/" target="_blank">Tai Chi class</a> and (a) it starts early, so I have to set my alarm (good for getting back on schedule) (b) it's very close to one of my favourite places, <a href="https://www.kew.org/wakehurst" target="_blank">Wakehurst Place</a>. So after Tai Chi, I pop along to Wakehurst for a coffee and a walk. Lovely.<br />
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When my weekly class starts in a few weeks on a Wednesday, Thursday Tai Chi and coffee will be my reward for the next day! (The "plan" part is to sit down with Mr Gonecycling and plan the weekend and week ahead and decide what we want to eat etc.)<br />
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I'm also trying to implement my own version of the system in the studio. The key is to have morning and evening routines, and then a theme for each week in a month, and a theme for each day in a week. Let's just say it's a work in progress! I'm doing slightly better with my themed weeks than I am with my routines: I decided last week was newsletter, and this week is blog - so here I am!<br />
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The main thing I've learnt from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbbm7p8Sk15fmeU0LWk7YwA" target="_blank">Diane in Denmark</a>, is to avoid the temptation to do everything at once - start simple and build the habit first - which is why the routines are so important. The first and most important thing you do is to "shine your sink". That way, even if wheels are falling off all over the place, your kitchen sink is shiny and clean and you feel at least <i>some</i> measure of control!<br />
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I've been trying to work out what the "shiny sink" equivalent is in my studio - is it to draw every day, no matter what? Or is it to stitch every day? What ONE thing can I do that will make me feel as if I'm on top of things? And it has to be very very easy to do...<br />
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It probably <i>should</i> be stitch, because that's what I do...but stitch means getting <i>stuff</i> out, and <i>switching on the machine</i> and so on. Whereas drawing/sketchbook is as easy as picking up a pen or pencil. Or is it the literal equivalent of shining my sink - tidying my desk? That's tricky! I still wouldn't be <i>creating</i> anything! I'd love to know what your ONE thing is, your "non-negotiable"? Let me know!<br />
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So far I've managed both the sketchbook and the stitch, but certainly not everyday. Here's what I've achieved so far:<br />
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Six little paintings based on a method suggested by artist <a href="https://www.louisefletcherart.com/" target="_blank">Louise Fletcher</a></div>
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A little card</div>
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It's not a lot, but at least I've created! The card was a bonus from the painting - I saved the masking tape that I used to divide up my sketchbook page, et voila, new material to play with. I sealed it with <a href="https://www.vycombe-arts.co.uk/onlineshop/prod_3679316-Art-Van-Go-Acrylic-Wax-250ml.html" target="_blank">acrylic wax</a>, because I'd used charcoal on the paintings.<br />
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If like me you're fascinated by how other people organise their time, this is a great book: <a href="https://amzn.to/2Q9veIv" target="_blank">Daily Rituals: How Artists Work</a>.*<br />
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So there's a couple more weeks when I can indulge myself in all this, but then I'm going to have to crack right on, new routines and timetables ready or not. I'm just trying to retain a sense of some calm and space for as long as I can before life gets hectic again!<br />
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<i>(*this is an affiliate link, so if you buy I'll get about 2p for recommending it!)</i>Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-78947043038848607162019-05-07T08:59:00.000+01:002019-05-07T09:02:21.880+01:00The Great Outdoors and other adventuresHello everyone,<br />
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Well I think I've defrosted! When <a href="https://wowbook.d4daisy.com/" target="_blank">Maggie Grey</a> invited me to take part in the <a href="http://www.brockenhurstfiesta.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brockenhurst Needlework Fiesta</a>, I immediately thought "New Forest: Camping". What could go wrong?! When I decided to cancel the emergency back-up B&B, the weather was (admittedly unseasonably) warm. When I started to pack up my camping things ready for my weekend in the New Forest, there were yellow warning forecasts for strong wind from Storm Hannah!<br />
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I arrived in good time in the afternoon to set up the Green Cornet (as my husband calls it - it's actually called a Green Cone, not very original). The tipi hadn't been used since last summer, when we use it for an overnight tent on our first and last nights in Brittany, as the big tent is such a palaver to deal with. I'd forgotten that we'd detached all the little loops and toggles that connect the fly sheet to the inner, so first I had to do that. Then I had to tighten all the guys as much as possible. Then I unzipped the front ready to put my things in, and found that I'd forgotten to attach the central toggle that holds the inner up to the full height of the pole. So yes, I had to undo all the guys, take down the pole, attach the toggle, and tighten everything up again.<br />
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By the time I was all set inside and out, I was exhausted but it was time to go to the village hall to set up my stand. By then the adrenaline had kicked in, so I got everything set up remarkably easily, including the pieces of work on the wall which usually take ages to arrange, and I think it all looked quite good!<br />
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Back to the tipi for a glass of wine and some bolognese I'd brought from home, then time (and it did take time, thanks to the wind) to boil some water for a hot water bottle and tuck myself in for the night. And boy, was it windy! The wind dropped a little bit initially, but around 2am it started to build up. Luckily the tipi shape means the wind goes around, so the tent was solid and stable but it was a bit drafty. Half way through the night I threw one of the picnic blankets on the floor over me, on top of my other two blankets and wool duvet. I slept well after that, and woke to a beautiful sunny morning - if still a little breezy - and to see a large herd of deer gathered on the far side of the campsite in the morning sun.<br />
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View across the campsite towards my pitch</div>
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The first day of the show was wonderful - so many visitors, and a lot of interest in what I'm doing. I sold many creativity packs ( I love making them), my new book, and my cards. I'd taken some painted collage backgrounds that I started to stitch while people chatted to me, which was all going well until I thought someone had turned the lights out. Then I realised that no, it was my sewing machine. Again. I'd taken my middling machine, which until October was my main machine, and it's been in for repairs twice already this year to replace the power board. And I thought third time lucky. But as soon as the screen flickered, I knew it was a goner!<br />
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So the next day (after a much quieter night in the Green Cornet once the storm had passed) with the sewing machine packed away, I rearranged my stand but then didn't know what to do with myself. I ended up buying some gorgeous hand-dyed felt from <a href="https://www.21stcenturyyarns.com/" target="_blank">21st Century Yarns</a>, and started to stitch something by hand, just to keep my hands busy!<br />
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Sunday brought even more visitors, more enquiries about workshops, more creativity packs, books and cards sold, and of course the New Forest is a wonderful place to visit - what could be better? So yes! I'm doing it all over again next year. And yes, I think I will camp again, and I've made a note to take a hat and gloves next time. And I'll be taking my newest Bernina - Old Faithful was declared properly dead on the Monday after I got back, and has been replaced with a New Shiny (wiping out my profits, but it had to be done). And because it takes the new bigger bobbins, like the other Bernina beast that lives on my desk, I spent a happy morning unwinding all the old silver bobbins (over 70!!) getting ready to pass them on to friends.<br />
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Because this was a <a href="https://www.ramsterevents.com/single-post/2019/02/11/Coming-soon-The-largest-exhibition-of-contemporary-textile-art-in-the-country" target="_blank">Ramster</a> year (the embroidery exhibition is every two years) I have been making cards since January to make sure I had enough for both Ramster and Brockenhurst. I've also taught five workshops, so it's a bit odd to stop now. That said, there's no rest for the wicked. I have another workshop next weekend, then a talk, a few more things later this year, and next year I'm in danger of running out of Saturdays. There are many, many things in the pipeline - so if you haven't signed up to my new newsletter, please do to stay in the loop of what I'm doing and where I'm going! <a href="http://eepurl.com/goX-xP" target="_blank">Click here to join up</a>.<br />
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Thanks for reading!Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-15683131896567135952019-03-15T14:29:00.000+00:002019-03-15T14:33:14.734+00:00Philosophy in Five - on Friday I've spent a lot of the last few weeks making cards - endless cards! I've made close to 100 handmade, stitched cards for sale at the <a href="https://www.ramsterevents.com/whatson" target="_blank">Ramster embroidery exhibition</a> taking place over the next two weeks, and also for my stand at <a href="http://www.brockenhurstfiesta.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brockenhurst</a> in April. I've been on a roll, making these little miniatures, as well as a few larger unframed pieces for the browsers.<br />
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So it's inevitable that having delivered my work to Ramster on Monday, I came a bit unstuck as to what to do next. It's not that there's nothing I should be doing, I've just lost the momentum of preparing for an imminent deadline.<br />
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At times like this, I tend to flit from one task to another, and all I can do is stick with it, keep doing, and eventually something will gather enough momentum to hold my attention for more than a day and then I'm off again.<br />
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So here's what I've been doing - and by writing them down, I realise that yeah, maybe they are more linked than random, and together I think they sum up my creative philosophy quite nicely:<br />
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<b>1. Use what you have</b><br />
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In my general pottering about the studio, picking things up and putting them down again, I bought a new box of tissues. I was about to recycle the old box but I was struck by the patterns (it was no accident that I chose that brand and that box at the time). So I rummaged in my little heap of scraps for some things I could combine and had a little play. I'm not sure what happens next, but I think it'll involve punching stitching holes and using bright thread.<br />
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<b>2. Just because something is broken and discarded doesn't mean it isn't beautiful</b><br />
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I've also been working my way through my growing collection of broken jewellery and beads - removing findings, cleaning up, cutting strings to get at the little lovelies. I've been starting to edge some of my embroideries with beads and dangles, and want to do more. I'll package up the surplus beads with fabrics (see below).<br />
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<b>3. Second-hand fabric is nearly always more interesting than new</b><br />
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And I've been having a high old time, creating huge messes on the floor, cutting the selvedges and cuffs and collars off my stash of second-hand goodies.<br />
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I even save the little strips from folded cuffs and hems - perfect for cards and miniatures.<br />
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These fabrics will all find their way into my creations, and the surplus will go into more Creativity Packs. I made some packs a while ago (too long ago - I love doing it, so I don't know why I haven't done any more!) and they flew out of the Etsy shop - so these next packs will be for sale at Brockenhurst.<br />
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<b>4. Buy one get one free - don't overlook the freebies - also known as Use Everything</b><br />
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Cutting up clothes yields buttons and trims, and I've now got a new cowl/scarf because I bought it for the lacy edge (now removed and stowed in the stash) and kept the rest! I'm wearing it today, and it's my new favourite thing.<br />
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Also, the scraps from cutting up every little bit will go back to the charity shop, because they can get money from selling rag. The best selvedges I will save and use - for tying boxes shut, tying bundles, making cords, or using in embroideries.<br />
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<b>5. Colour is wonderful</b><br />
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I also took some time yesterday (OK, all day) to cut skeins of white cotton thread (from a massive cone I found in a charity shop years ago) and dye it. I dyed some cotton fabric at the same time, to mop up the excess dye. I am not an expert dyer, and I don't do it frequently enough to have a good system - which is why it takes so long! - but I'm loving the results. Again, these will be on my stand at Brockenhurst in some form or other - in my embroidery, in miniatures/cards, or for sale separately or in the Creativity Packs.<br />
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-70346103838318229582019-01-23T12:54:00.000+00:002019-01-23T12:55:01.537+00:00Gender, Justice and SecurityWell there's an unusual title for you, not my usual thing.<br />
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In my last post I shared all my latest news, but there was one thing I left off the list - a project which has now gone live, so now I can share it!<br />
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I was approached by <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/" target="_blank">LSE</a> (London School of Economics and Political Science) for permission to use an image of my work on an internal publication, and also a <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/women-peace-security/research/Gender-Justice-and-Security-Hub" target="_blank">web page for a new research hub</a> - and I was absolutely delighted to agree.<br />
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Coming from a family background where most people do "proper jobs", including a fair few who have worked or still work in academia themselves, including close friends of the family who have <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/governance/structure/board-governors/members/nancy-rothwell/" target="_blank">reached the top echelons</a>, somehow this feels like a bit of validation for what I'm doing! And I'm honoured that the image is being used for such an important topic.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-news-from-LSE/2019/LSE-to-lead-15m-research-hub-to-promote-gender-equality" target="_blank">announcement by LSE is here</a>, and the research hub itself is <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/women-peace-security/research/Gender-Justice-and-Security-Hub" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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They wanted to use embroidery for the banner image, explaining that "embroidery is significant both because it is a traditionally female craft and also because development agencies often support women to learn textile skills as a way to earn money after conflict or displacement."<br />
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From the LSE announcement:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The UKRI GCRF Gender, Justice and Security Hub will work extensively with civil society groups, practitioners, governments and international organisations to advance gender justice and inclusive peace in developing nations....by developing an evidence-base around gender, justice and inclusive security in conflict-affected societies....the Hub will also connect with leading ambassadors for gender justice to turn research insights into ongoing actions that will improve lives.</span></div>
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-52890999489739911892019-01-22T21:18:00.001+00:002019-01-22T21:29:15.539+00:00Many thingsMany things to tell you! I always tell myself "I'll write a blog post about that" and then time gets away from me again, and then another thing happens and I say "I'll add that to the blog post I was going to write about that other thing"...and so on.<br />
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Where to start?!<br />
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<b>Workshops</b><br />
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Just before Christmas I had a very exciting meeting with Becky Drinan from <a href="https://www.dottodotstudio.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dot to Dot Studio</a> in East Hoathly, East Sussex. Becky is the dressmaking tutor who taught <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegirlwiththebrightredhair/" target="_blank">Jade the Girl with the Bright Red Hair</a>, youngest ever participant and finalist in the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/29WrS46yx72ZHhNKQ1y34Ry/sewers" target="_blank">2016 BBC Great British Sewing Bee</a>.<br />
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Anyway, back to Dot to Dot. We've agreed three dates for one-day machine embroidery workshops for this coming year, with yours truly teaching up to 8 people a little project in the Dot to Dot studio.<br />
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The first workshop is Saturday 13 April, making little books with appliqué covers and stitched cord fastenings.<br />
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These are great little book covers for using up all your snippets and oddments of fabric, practising free motion embroidery, and learning how to stitch a cord. Your little book could become a needlecase (easiest) or a cover for a handmade paper book, or a reusable slip cover (a little more involved - for the keen!).<br />
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The second workshop on 17 August is machine embroidered landscapes - again, using lots of scraps of fabrics and different threads and fibres to create either an imagined landscape, or maybe recreate a favourite place in stitch.<br />
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In the third workshop on 23 November we will be making embroidered Christmas baubles!<br />
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To book your place with Dot to Dot <a href="https://www.dottodotstudio.co.uk/embroidery-textile-art-workshop/" target="_blank">please click here</a>.<br />
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<b>Exhibition 1</b><br />
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In 2017 I exhibited at <a href="https://www.ramsterevents.com/whatson" target="_blank">Ramster</a> for the very first time, and I'm going to be there again this year. The show runs every day from 16 to 31 March, and is well worth a visit - two gorgeous old halls in a stately home, absolutely packed with embroidered textiles. Much of the work is for sale, and there are always hundreds of artist cards to choose from, unframed pieces of work, and other bits and bobs for sale.<br />
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I think I will enter my purple swirl<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojC_xh9-UukslR9Dk1yDZAbyrwT_6KBHeCOv7q6SohYh-zqhXVfKJsmdZEbsDPlp_NEU1f_J9KLR7vLEVVtwUDzJGkCAr4qI4TcaUj5NlShVvHRM6tiBsaD4UCyJ9n0uzU2O-BSa4HbXM/s1600/purple+swirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojC_xh9-UukslR9Dk1yDZAbyrwT_6KBHeCOv7q6SohYh-zqhXVfKJsmdZEbsDPlp_NEU1f_J9KLR7vLEVVtwUDzJGkCAr4qI4TcaUj5NlShVvHRM6tiBsaD4UCyJ9n0uzU2O-BSa4HbXM/s320/purple+swirl.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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and my two little birdie pieces that I've been working on recently. Here's the first one (sorry the photo isn't great, I blame the lack of daylight!)<br />
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<b>Exhibition 2</b></div>
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<a href="https://wowbook.d4daisy.com/" target="_blank">Maggie Grey</a> has kindly invited me to take part in the <a href="http://www.brockenhurstfiesta.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brockenhurst Needlework Fiesta</a> in the New Forest on 27 and 28 April. I'll be exhibiting and selling work, as well as handmade cards and packs of goodies. I've never been to the Fiesta before, but I know it's a popular event - and I love the New Forest! The last time I was there we were camping at Easter, and our tent zip froze. While we were struggling with frozen fingers to escape into the frosty morning, we were taunted by the smell of sizzling bacon from all the cosy campervans and caravans. I've booked a B&B, but I am tempted to take my little tipi and camp...it won't be that cold, will it? It's nearly May! </div>
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I've also given one talk already this year, and one workshop, with another three workshops and a talk to come - all before Ramster kicks off!</div>
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So at the moment I am VERY BUSY trying to make enough things for all these different things, and keep all the plates spinning! But busy is good, and it takes my mind off politics, albeit temporarily.</div>
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<b>Finally...</b></div>
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Back in November I did a couple of little questionnaires asking for your thoughts about what I'm up to, and also about the creative process. Thank you to everyone who took the time to take my little surveys - the results were really interesting to read and very encouraging!<br />
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The results of the creativity survey are being compiled into a project that I've had ticking over for a while now. I have a Big Idea about the creative process, in particular how to get "unstuck", and also how to make your work "better" (something that is also hard to define).<br />
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Personally, I get stuck all the time - and I'm a master procrastinator, so I have much experience in this area! Can you tell?!<br />
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As a tutor, I like to think that I help people to get the best out of their stitching when they come to one of my classes or a workshop. I've worked with many many people now, and I can usually tell where people need a little prod to produce really wonderful work.<br />
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The problem is, do I turn this project into a mini online course? A mini book? A longer course? A longer book?! Maybe I'll do them all. When I've got a moment.<br />
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Thank you for reading!Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-5321483142610739882018-11-19T12:40:00.001+00:002018-11-19T12:40:37.002+00:00Gratuitous WhippetsLast week I did a little survey on my Facebook page. I was just checking to see what people wanted to see, and whether I was meeting their "needs". The results were fascinating! Turns out people want to see Work in Progress, and finished things, but lots of people also find it reassuring to know that being creative and making things is not always the easiest thing.<br />
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The result that made me laugh out loud was this one...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmPanMjHw0v2Lt1B3fZnmMDt-nVv0enZIsyG4YfmTg3mhSnBMM5fug3yfwqqiPILXNioKkqxXv-sG2rnKxsCl85Pa8mirm8YaPTnnDZmRYQNNITqWSVS1Hf-txgTrTthIB-Ynb3QX6rCS/s1600/Screenshot+%252812%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmPanMjHw0v2Lt1B3fZnmMDt-nVv0enZIsyG4YfmTg3mhSnBMM5fug3yfwqqiPILXNioKkqxXv-sG2rnKxsCl85Pa8mirm8YaPTnnDZmRYQNNITqWSVS1Hf-txgTrTthIB-Ynb3QX6rCS/s320/Screenshot+%252812%2529.png" width="256" /></a></div>
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Turns out people aren't too fussed about seeing pics of the puppy.<br />
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OH WELL!!<br />
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(If you'd like to participate, the first survey is <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HD8PSM6" target="_blank">still open here</a>. And the follow-up questions are <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5JM9M3X" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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There's a reason behind all these questions, watch this space!Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-71927462830626530212018-11-15T10:57:00.001+00:002018-11-15T11:23:19.233+00:00LeafageLeaves. Always liked a good leaf. I've had a little pile of eucalyptus leaves in my studio for weeks now, along with jar of rusty nails. And yesterday, I actually combined A with B and did this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS-gPfBQP6Hp3UXmTyObu9Vl9olNBGQs6jGHl5tK4X2dEOnvGQrzsZjMr46N5C0JENXiRCrRwpl6Ljb12qXkZ6X2tIBTaQYPcOg7sk6QIPnTfA_PfPh_M_5D-pUEMVL8kuOUGp8Baia6j/s1600/IMG_7406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS-gPfBQP6Hp3UXmTyObu9Vl9olNBGQs6jGHl5tK4X2dEOnvGQrzsZjMr46N5C0JENXiRCrRwpl6Ljb12qXkZ6X2tIBTaQYPcOg7sk6QIPnTfA_PfPh_M_5D-pUEMVL8kuOUGp8Baia6j/s400/IMG_7406.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8jVbM3Stw9wgrHPBAfoTWDlAlDnS3_I0vW2nQHPvS3L8-kaensN0I_naelEJ0JXSnG1XXHBU6_YMMiZdagbG8DFvurAHrcNnrL8sY4ctwhuUNE9s_p2JiTvqSRlzvR2erlWST8oMApM9/s1600/IMG_7407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8jVbM3Stw9wgrHPBAfoTWDlAlDnS3_I0vW2nQHPvS3L8-kaensN0I_naelEJ0JXSnG1XXHBU6_YMMiZdagbG8DFvurAHrcNnrL8sY4ctwhuUNE9s_p2JiTvqSRlzvR2erlWST8oMApM9/s400/IMG_7407.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I followed the instructions by <a href="https://carolinebelltextiles.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Caroline Bell</a> in the first <a href="https://wowbook.d4daisy.com/all-wowbooks/december-2017/" target="_blank">WoW book by Maggie Grey</a>. I used calico and lining paper. The darkest prints were weeds from the garden! The eucalyptus made the pan smell...interesting...but didn't really produce clear prints.<br />
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Not sure what happens next.<br />
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And talking of leaves, the torrential rain the other evening did very interesting things in our local woods. The rain poured off the neighbouring field and overran the ditches in the wood, swooshing along everything from the woodland floor as it went and carving swathes of dark, earthy paths through the carpet of leaves. <br />
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I love the way the leaves have been lined up, like pages in a book - or leaves, indeed. </div>
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And the way the sticks and twigs are now facing the same way.</div>
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Love it. </div>
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-79019673647852145142018-10-17T13:38:00.000+01:002018-10-17T13:38:33.494+01:00Slow BurnSometimes it takes me a while to get round to things, but I think 26 years is my record so far.<br />
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In 1992 I went to Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. It was fabulous. Desolate, wild, beautiful. We were wild camping in a tiny tent. Wild, because there were very few campsites, so we pitched wherever we found a flattish dry-ish spot - usually by a beach with an outstanding view over the Atlantic. From what I remember, we survived on porridge, baked beans and crisp breads! The weather was pretty wild, too.<br />
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This is the view across the interior of Lewis:<br />
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And here's me - I wasn't married then, so my surname was different. Can you guess what it was?!<br />
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My aunt had been to Harris and Lewis the previous year, in her tiny caravan, and she gave us three invaluable tips:<br />
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1. Take a trowel...<br />
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2. You can get a hot shower for just 60p in the public toilets in Stornaway<br />
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3. You can visit a Harris tweed weaver and buy direct from the maker.<br />
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So I did all three.<br />
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1. Like I said, wild camping...<br />
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2. A m a z i n g !! Best shower ever, particularly after camping for nearly two weeks with no facilities.<br />
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3. I drew out some vague plans, made some rough calculations, and bought about 5 metres of the stuff - genuine Harris tweed from a genuine Harris weaver in his little weaving shed. I was even given a little label to sew onto whatever I made. I think I was going to make a cloak.<br />
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Since when, The Harris Tweed has been carefully stowed in a bag (protection from moths) wherever I've lived. Whenever I think about making something and buying fabric, Himself mutters "...well, there's always the Harris tweed you could use...."<br />
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So when I found a pattern for a tweed wrap at the Knitting & Stitching Show on Friday, I just had to text home to let him know.<br />
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Even more remarkably, I actually took the pattern out of the packet, found the tweed, cut it up, and stitched up the wrap. It was so easy, I probably didn't need the pattern - after all, 26 years ago I'd already worked out what I was going to do...<br />
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I found the big buttons on the same stand - love them</div>
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I even stitched on the little label - also kept safe for all those years.<br />
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PS...and I stitched it on this machine, about which more news in the next installment...<br />
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8739922321557827659.post-26377128854068626122018-10-11T18:24:00.001+01:002018-10-11T18:40:25.770+01:00All the little bits...If you know me, you'll also know that I collect all the little bits.<br />
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Actually, not just the little bits, but the bigger bits too. I have a whole basket (and several zippy folders and little boxes) of bits and pieces that are either recycled from a larger piece that is "no more", or never even made it into being a larger piece.<br />
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I keep these indefinitely, and every now and then I sort through them and start to chop and change and compile mini compositions - mini textile artworks.<br />
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I spend as much care and attention composing these as I do for much, much larger pieces of work. They are just as much a "part of me" as anything else I make.<br />
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Sometimes I even get a piece of stabiliser ready, so that I can start to stitch.<br />
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Sometimes I even get as far as finishing one of the minis and listing it on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/636494388/ooak-handmade-textile-art-card-free?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Etsy</a>!<br />
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<i><strike>Mounted on a watercolour greetings card with envelope - to give away or ready to frame in a standard photo frame. FREE worldwide shipping and available from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/636494388/ooak-handmade-textile-art-card-free?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here</a>. </strike></i><br />
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<i>Sold already!</i></div>
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<br />Izhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032407776491997007noreply@blogger.com6