The Sketchbook Project

 

Its on again this year. 
Lots of new categories and they have promised better paper this time.  Last time this was a real issue for me – blocked my brain completely when I realised I couldn’t do as I wanted.

I’ve signed up – why don’t you go and take a look?  Click on the logo below.

Spring! Yes its here!!!!

We are having a great Easter holiday.  DS and I have been away for a few days (more later) and today we have been enjoying being at home with beautiful weather

DH was dressed for scruffy jobs and burning the last of the winters dead branches (at last the pile has gone!)

Boys playing as boys do

And flowers for Frieda her exhibition is now ON! 
Can’t wait to go and see it.

Her tulips and cherry blossom aren’t out yet so I am sending some more of mine up and left a bit into Scotland.

Another tulip photo here

Even the humblest flowers are beautiful

I even wore some in my hair.

Shoes

Seen on

http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2011/04/for-good-meausre.html

Can you imagine the pain of wearing these!

 

Flowers are finally starting to bloom in the garden….

Hoping the cherry blossom will be out in full bloom for my birthday (two weeks away - and I am determined to celebrate, unlike DH who sulked in March!)

The Cult of Beauty

I’ll be there at the V&A soon.
My perfect exhibition?  I think so, all the painters, patterns and colours I love.

Thought for the day…

…never buy a cheap vacuum cleaner (and never give away the spare)

The studio spring clean is on hold whilst I dust myself down!

Yes, more dust out than in, gave the spare to the charity shop last week. You’ve got to laugh (and sneeze)!

Goddesses in Durham

Great group to teach, great Goddesses produced, all with their own personalities.

Back to tradition

 

Sometimes I love to head back to traditional embroidery.

I have a soft spot for bullion knot roses and lazy daisy daises.
Possibly influenced by spring returning here. 

My Vintage Goddess.

And there is the Liberty Goddess finished, remember I spent 100hours + beading her?  I have never cut out anything so carefully in my life!

One untidy studio.  Its chaos in there.

Farm pictures

Here is the alternative Blip photo.  It was hard to choose.

Here’s the one I chose.

And some sheep – of course.  Not much happening with the lambs today.

Goddess workshop

Just a note to let you all know that I am teaching a workshop on Goddesses – either the 3D version or the A4 hangings (possibly both in the same class as they have a lot in common)

.

The workshop is being hosted by the Region 15E Quilters Guild.

12th November 2011, Stannington, Northumberland.

If you are interested please email Liz at

lvillalobs@btinternet.com

I am also giving a talk on Goddesses on the 15th October, also for the QG and also at Stannington.  

Visitors are always welcome.

Berwick upon Tweed

Is a fascinating town with a wonderful (if rather violent) history.

I have always wanted to walk the town walls (only one of two or three surviving complete medieval town walls in Europe).  Today I was early for the hairdressers and took the opportunity to talk a quick stroll on a small section.

Georgian town houses front directly onto the walls, though sadly, most have their shutters closed and are empty.

I saw this building (below) and wondered what it had been used for – must investigate.

The Old Custom House, sadly all shut and closed.

View along the walls

 

And again in B&W

And then with a texture file to add some….erm…. texture!
This is also my Blip of the day.

The view across the River Tweed

From the car park – look at the roof tops, its not a distortion created by the camera.

I must get to know Berwick better – today I’ve seen a glimpse of a hidden side of what can be, in some places, quite a “run down” town.  Today I saw some beautiful Georgian buildings and must learn more of the history of the place.

Where did March go?

With the days now firmly counting down to the exhibition I keep asking myself that question. 
Have been disappointed today to find that although I have sent off details of the exhibition dates they have not been printed in either a group or national magazine that I had hoped would publish these details.  Letting people know about the exhibition is perhaps one of the hardest things to achieve.

So with March over here are the Photos (almost) A Day from the month. 

I really must try to get a photo every day.  I am pulled between wanting good photos and getting a photograph every single day.

Not always easy when your head is down in the studio or you are rushing to football practise or cooking dinner and outside is foggy, grey and miserable.

Though April is now here and the sun is shinning and there is even the hint of warmth in that sun.

My spirits soar.

Photos can be seen at http://ne71-2011.blogspot.com/ or http://www.blipfoto.com/NE71