Tuesday 29 June 2010

Trains 'n that


If you can't beat 'em .... so it was off to Shildon to see an important visitor in all its glory.

Lots of enthusiastic men crowding around and learning strange facts about the machine, while I took myself off for some photos (not all of the Mallard!). As you can see, I still swerve to rot!

Saturday 26 June 2010

Friday 25 June 2010

WIP

I'm busy working on some embellished squares using voile and wool tops on felt with some added acrylics and stitching. I'm hoping to do some more so that I can build them up into some sort of hanging - all a bit hazy at the moment as things change as I go along. Still seem to revert back to my favourite colours although this is mainly because I need some more supplies of other colours. One of the best fabric warehouses closed down last year - can't think why as it was always full of customers.

But I've no excuse for using the same colours here! These are some of my sketchbook ideas when I was making a bag for a skateboarding GS. Had to keep it quite plain though - nothing too over the top for a skateboarder!

Monday 21 June 2010

Layers



I've been playing with layers this week - each image has three or four layers, using my photos although this time I used a background layer from Shadowhouse Creations. I've also decided it's time to start something textile-y so the embellisher has had an airing this afternoon resulting in a broken needle. Too many layers!

Saturday 19 June 2010

PS





A few more images from Crook Hall, the last one I altered in Paint Shop Pro. Just hoping they don't come out too dark as I have been so far unable to make this monitor lighter, so everything is looking darker. Must find out how to put this right.
Enjoyed a GS's beach hut birthday party today in spite of a freezing wind and grey clouds. Typical! just when we had a lovely week of weather!

Friday 18 June 2010

Jaunts

Two little jaunts out this week, making the most of the lovely weather. the first to Crook Hall and Gardens in Durham, which we never knew existed - a real hidden gem and worth a visit.
You can just see Durham cathedral in the distance.
The second jaunt was with some of the members of the camera club to Bolam Lake, still with light in the sky after 10 o'clock. Lots of fun to be had with stones thrown in the water and trying to catch the shot. I learnt a lot from the others but still didn't get everything right. There's always a next time!

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Passage of time





There's nothing like a few rusty things to brighten one's day! The last image is a mixture of sand and rust, but it will come in useful for "texture" images - well, that's my excuse!

Thursday 10 June 2010

Take care




Several years ago I made this mixed media piece, about A4 size, using flour paste spread onto fabric and allowed to dry before adding acrylics and some red thread. Where the paste had cracked I added some black acrylic. In my mind the piece was called "fractured earth"; I never got round to doing anything with it (nothing new there!) but it was pinned on my workroom wall for years (it was difficult to store) and I got used to it being there until recently when I saw pictures of the oilspill and the terrible damage it has done. It's a reminder that we are meant to be stewards of the earth and not the destroyers, to look after this wonderful creation instead of ruining it. I think I'll leave it where it is.

Monday 7 June 2010

Saturday 5 June 2010

Sizzling!

A barbeque in the Northumbrian hills was just what the doctor ordered with all the family in one place at the same time! This was the remains of the feast before clearing up and heading home. Hills, river, sun, food - lovely!

This was a rather fuzzy pic of some dandelions, taken on the Camera Club evening, but I decided to change it into a digital quilt, which is about the nearest I'll ever get to making a quilt like this!

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Day out


Along with 26000 other people we enjoyed a day at the Northumberland County Show held in Corbridge. The weather was hot! The GC were most impressed with the motorcycling display team (as was Grandad!) whose ages ranged from 5 to 16. Hope they don't get ideas yet!