stitching a purple sea garden and other dreamy thoughts

1.  the meaning of you  2.  shell  3.  at swim two birds  4.  seated figure  5.  vintage ladies

6.  little riffs  7.  garden in a box  8.  dirt cloud  9.  winter white vintage style felted stocking

 

since I last posted ... it's been a whirl of fun and busy-ness

 

making mosaics and gathering shells for still life

and being inspired by the colours and tones in my collections

 

 

looking closely at shells

and noticing that some of them have their own little sea gardens growing on the outside

 loving purple fossilised seaweed on mussels

 

and being inspired to create my own little purple sea garden on a heart

with a shell found on Mousehole harbour beach

sourcing just the right shade of mauve to use with tones of chocolate and shimmer

I enjoyed creating a new jar scene with this adorable vintage photo
and posed the heart with the little girl who is looking shyly off camera

I wonder how long she was made to stand there and pose ...

the jar photo was meant to be just for a moment in art
but I've kept her in the jar to be enjoyed on my hallway table

I could have sold the purple sea garden heart several times over
and had a lovely commission to make one as similar as possible

but, gladly, and uniquely, they all come out a little differently

 

I called this one ... "believe in dreams"

I adore stitching these one of a kind seaside, ocean and rock pool hearts
I love to source the fabrics and shells that I will use
muse over text and enjoy the quiet time that hand stitching affords

with shop sales and commissions creating the hearts keeps me very busy indeed
 and I think I've made around 20 recently with more commissions still to stitch

and for those who have asked me whether I will be making more textile art beads
the answer is "yes" ... they are in progress but I had to put them to one side
while I got my panel for Festival of Quilts finished

and will share more on that once it's been up to the show
Festival of Quilts, NEC Birmingham 6 - 9 August 2015



for the past couple of months I have been seriously weather watching
and capturing moments of mood and colour on the landscape and seascape
photographing, pushing paint around, paper and fabric collage and stitch
working in my sketchbook towards my show later in the year

something catches my eye every day ...

cloud formations, brewing storms, rain drops on windows, huge waves
mist hanging over the village and rainfall on the far Lizard coastline
the lichen changing colour on the cottage rooftops
the sea changing from silver to deepest aqua, phthalo green and thunderous indigo



there have also been some beautiful sunrises

and early morning pink skies ... serene and calming



it cannot help but inspire ...

I hope this little video works ok ...

it is mesmerising ...

watching the sea sparkles dance

 

of all ... I think silver seas and skies are my favourite

since I last posted work at home is progressing slowly

inside ... a small ensuite shower room is taking shape
with white suite and grey and silver tiles

the living room fireplace has been opened up and a new one created
with a black sea sparkly granite hearth sourced from Carn Brae
housing a gorgeous large windowed wood burning stove

I'm gradually tackling the garden in my spare time
the outside of the house has been painted white and
a new patio has been built to take in the awesome views

my view - vintage style

since I last posted we've enjoyed Cornish time with family and friends down staying
and meals out at The Tolcarne Inn, The Water Mill, The Lifeboat in St. Ives
The Wheel Inn at Tresillian and a night out at Hall For Cornwall

we spent time at Lamorna Cove, Porthcurno, The Minnack Theatre and Sennen
St. Ives (of course ... always my favourite)

Newquay

Pentire Point and Perranporth

we can't wait to return to Pentire Point
to walk this path at a time when the seed heads are at their best

the landscape is already looking autumnal and firing my imagination

which brings me to what's coming next ...

(after completing my current orders this week)
I shall be concentrating on my work for "Seeds and Pods"
for exhibition at Porthmeor Studios in St. Ives
12 - 19 September 2015

my work will include painterly textile wall hangings, framed work
hearts, cottages, totes, cards and supporting sketchbooks

I can't wait to totally indulge in one of my favourite themes
I do hope you can come to the show!

and after that ... autumnal work for The Crow Show
an exhibition of textile art and mixed media with textile artist friend Jo
at St. Ives Arts Club from 31 October - 13 November 2015
(details on the side bar)

I hope you enjoy the photos
and thanks always for reading ♥