Rain, rain, go away…… come back another day….

The garden is both lush and battered after the storms on Sunday evening.  I’ve chopped the damaged lupins and foxgloves down and have read that they may regrow this summer.

My favourite flowers are looking stunning around the studio.

At least we can have fun in the rain.
(Late Sunday evening paddling!)

The studio is almost back into working order after a major tidy up – shelves and a cupboard have been liberated!  Success!

This rain is getting me down though – can’t even be bothered to get the cameras out after their clean.  The iPhone is becoming an invaluable quick, handy photo tool.

Kantha

Today I went to Bridge of Allan (near Stirling) for the World Textile Day.  I can’t think of anything better to do on a soaking wet, foggy, misty June day. 
The highlight of the morning (and the main reason for going) was to hear John Gillow speak about textiles.  He has travelled, collected, traded and written about textiles since 1969.  I could listened to him for hours.  And then more hours still.  And then all the next day, the information behind the cloth is just so interesting.  He has written many books on textiles (they are on my book shelf) and I would love to read a book of his travel stories.  A biography I suppose.  I wonder if he has thought about this? or if anyone has suggested this to him?

I fell in love with this Kantha from Pakistan.  The top left corner is folded forward to show you the blue backing.  The more I look at it the more I think I am going to hang it on the wall behind the sofa.

I feel a real connection to the woman (or women) whose work I admire.  The quilt has come to a home where it is very much appreciated and loved.

On Tuesday I had a conversation with some good stitching friends (hello!) who have seen my work from the beginning…..and a comment was made that I had left behind the Indian inspired work I started 10+yrs ago and am now working in more neutral and natural colours.

After todays healthy dose of Indian, Pakistani and Afghan textiles I can tell you I am heading back there.  The spirit is rekindled.  I intend to carry on with plans already formed regarding the history and landscape of Northumberland (here) ….. but I intend to indulge in colour and Kantha too.  Like old times  - (here and here).  I can already envisage a combination that blurs the the two styles even more than at present.

My good friend Frieda took some wonderful photos during John Gillows talk.  My little camera is being fixed and I couldn’t remember how to turn the sound off on the Nikon SLR and its far too loud! – so head over to Frieda's blog and see those photos – click here. 
We handled some wonderful pieces of textiles from around the world.   One thing – you cannot appreciate the small size of many of the stitches….. so tiny, so precise and worked with such care.  Frieda and I were amazed and delighted.

Life

Whilst walking on the moors the other day DH said;

“How can there not be life on other planets.  I mean, just look at the amount of life here…… life just….. DOES”.

Now I might not have that exactly word for word but I know exactly what he meant.  One of the reasons I get on so well with my DH is that we are both biologists with a deep love of the natural world.
Life is so abundant and so utterly beautiful. 
It colonises every tiny part of this wonderful world and reinforces my belief in the theory of Gaia.

Doddington Moor

With DS away on a play date DH and I took Daisy up into the hills, just 5-10 minutes drive from our front door.

Northumberland is aptly named
”Land of the Far Horizons” 

Above – looking towards the Milfield Plain (lots of hillforts and henge monuments here)

Above view from the Ringses Hillfort.
More information here.

Above – one of several cup and ring marked rocks on the moor.
Information here.

Remains of a stone circle, 5 stones, only one still standing.
More information here.

The bluebells were truly stunning. 
A wonderful surprise hidden in the bracken.

We vowed to do more of this hillfort and stone spotting very SOON.

Bailiffgate Exhibition

Have you been wondering where I am?

Blogging can once again resume as the exhibition at Bailiffgate Museum Gallery in Alnwick is now up and running.

When I typed the catalogue I was truly shocked to see I had 70 (yes seven zero) wall pieces, 10 towers and four costumes. 
All for sale, apart from the costumes.

I popped in this morning to add the finishing touches and tonight is the preview and the mayor will official open the show.

So here are some pictures for you.

Enjoy!