English Countryside

This photo was taken on a country walk. I think it is typical of how the English countryside looks at the moment, with the golden fields ready to be harvested. In some places the harvesting has been done and there are hay bales in the fields.

Tag Tuesday-Clocks

The theme for Tag Tuesday this week is Clocks.

For this week's tag, I  was really glad of the opportunity to  use a rather nice stamp of mine, which I stamped over a Victorian lady to make it feel even more vintage. The backing is cardboard which has been painted, and origami paper was used to make a border. Then paper flowers were added for a bit of extra texture. I photographed it against a pretty sketchbook.

Elusive dragonfly

I found this pretty little stream whilst walking near the river. There was a beautiful, bright blue dragonfly , which I tried to photograph, but kept missing it! I hoped that if I kept clicking I would pick it up, but it didn't work. I am pleased with the photos though, and you will just have to imagine the dragonfly!

Sashiko

I am always looking for hand sewing projects to do, the sort of thing you can pick up when you want to do some hand stitching, and not spend ages getting it ready. I was very pleased to find this sashiko fabric when I was in Village Fabrics in Wallingford recently. The sashiko pattern is already marked out, ready to get on and stitch! Then I had to buy the correct threads, needles, thimble (the little black object) as instructed in the library book I borrowed. 

This book, The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe  has lovely illustrations, is very instructive, and the instructions look easy to follow. As the fabric has 8 different sashiko patterns on it, I will have trouble deciding which to do first! Susan's book will wet your appetite for sashiko, or you could just browse through the photos, diagrams and interesting  information about the history of this Japanese decorative style and the type of garments it was used for.

I can't wait to get started on the sewing , now I have everything ready. Just the thing for cosy autumn days indoors . Watch this space to see how I get on with it.

The Lock at Benson

These photos of the River Thames are taken at the lock at Benson, which is a nice place for a walk. There is a path which goes through the fields beside the river. I really like the  shape and texture of the wooden bridge.

Bouquet

I stumbled upon this beautiful bouquet in a cafe. I coudn't believe the colour of the rose!

Textures at Benson Lock

 I went for a walk with Richard at Benson Lock, and found the water to be in full flow.

The speed of the water made wonderful patterns. Richard always looks for fish, but I look for textures and photo opportunities!

I hope you like these photos!

Tag Tuesday-Owls

The theme for this weeks Tag Tuesday is Owls.

For the background I used some of the printed papers I made when I was doing City and Guilds. I chose orange, pink and yellow to echo the swirls in the one I used for the foreground. 

I stamped an owl motif onto this in purple ink, together with some stars,to represent the night sky, from a ribbon and some printed card.

I really like owls, and love to listen to them at night. I couldn't believe it a few months ago when I had a close encounter with a barn owl. He was sitting on my next door neighbour's chimney, looking at me through my loft window! We watched each other for a few minutes, it was wonderful!

Sunflowers

I bought some sunflowers in the market. I couldn't resist them, they are so big and colourful. Of course they are full of texture as well. They look so enticing to draw.

Village Fabrics in Wallingford

I paid a visit to Village Fabrics in Wallingford. It is a marvellous patchwork and quilting shop. I thought you would like to see some photos of some of the beautiful fabrics on sale. If you live anywhere near, you should definitely put it on your list of fabric shops to visit, although I met a lady in there yesterday who comes from Cornwall to shop there! A bit of a long way, if you ask me! I really love the batik range, and think they look so attractive displayed in fat quarters. Do check out their website, they offer classes too. Fabricaholics be warned, this is an addictive shop! It is refreshing to find a fabric shop that you can visit in person, in this day and age, when there are so few of them. We used to have one round the corner, but that became a sports shoe shop. I do buy fabric on line, but there is nothing like looking at and feeling the fabric in person.

Tag Tuesday-Autumn Fruits and Berries

 The theme for this week's Tag Tuesday is Autumn Fruits and Berries.

I decided to do a tag about seed heads, as regular readers will know that I really like seed heads, it is not quite an obsession of mine, but one that I find myself returning to time after time. I am not sure that a seed head is a fruit or a berry, but it seemed in keeping with the autumnal theme.

I used a clothing tag (courtesy of one of my sons), which I covered with masking tape and painted with walnut ink to make it look like wood. The seed heads were stamped onto orange crepe paper and stuck on.

Tag Tuesday-Circus

The theme for this week's Tag Tuesday is CIRCUS.

I made some letters and coloured them with oil pastels for a jolly circus idea.

The tag is a clothing tag (having four sons can be useful, especially when they go on shopping sprees and bring back great tags!)

The background is also coloured with oil pastels.

I did two versions, as it was enjoyable. I couldn't decide which I liked best.

Spain-textures outside

Spain-mountain villages

We visited some delightful mountain villages in Spain. I think this one is Pampaneira.

The colourful rugs are made of cotton, and are typical of the region. The  water channel runs right through the village. There are a few tourists, but it remains unspoilt .

Spain-textures inside the cortijo

These pretty ceramics were used as decorations on the deep yellow walls of the cortijo. I think they are very textural. The colour combination really set off the colour of the walls.

 These brown ones are also ceramic, although they look as though they have been carved out of wood, which is very clever.