Just a brief one today; a picture of a mixed media work that I had under wraps as it was commissioned by a friend (Dave Id) for his partner's 50th birthday.

I started with a photographic image of a rockpool that I took in Trebarwith Strand in Cornwall. I printed the image onto canvas (approx. 50cm wide) and then laid on gold leaf to highlight the central water reflections. I then worked on the edges, laying down silk strands and plant dyed tissue paper. Finally, I worked over that with acrylic paint and oil sticks.

Dave came to my studio a few times to talk about the work and about what Alison likes. Then when it was finished, I went with him to the framers to help with the choice of frame.

Alison's birthday isn't until February, but they are off with a party of nearest and dearest to India to celebrate, so Dave arranged an 'unveiling' last weekend. It was a lovely evening, and I got to see a few old friends, though I was a bit nervous as I've never been to an unveiling of my own work and didn't want to steal Alison's thunder. Anyway, how wonderful to have a birthday celebration on another continent too!

I can't believe it's over half-way through January already! I had a break from blogging and spent a month doing far less on the computer, more time making art, playing with wool, and making some plans for the coming year.

I'm kicking off with an old love (knitting and crochet) and a display of some of my recent woollen adventures:

Remember my red shawl? Well I had some Alpaca left over and decided on a matching beret by knit designer Ysolde Teague called Rose Red.

Reclining Mahonia Beret!

Here are some shots of a Jacket I made from Noro. I love the colours, though I'm always cross with the quality of their yarn; tiny gaps in the colour here and there, and with knots midway through balls; this should never happen in a quality yarn!

Anyway, I struggled on with it, and am rather pleased with the result, though I can't put my hand on the pattern at the moment to give details as it's buried somewhere.


Last autumn I started planning a new blanket inspired by the vivid colours of the leaves. I started off by buying 14 skeins of Colinette  (ART yarn in Moss) for the grid that holds all the squares together. Then I examined the stash for any that had the right weight, sufficient meterage and  in the colours I had in mind. Then I had fun browsing the websites for the missing yarns. I got quite obsessed and it took ages to plan, but I finally started on it on New Year's Eve. Here is a sneak preview, although it's not yet half-way finished.

I agonised over whether to knit or to crochet, but finally opted for crochet because both sides are the same. The Moss of the grid is much greener than this photo suggests, so I'll try a better shot when it's finished.

And to end with something completely different............well it's not made of wool and I didn't make it, but it will complete my autumal ensemble

I don't buy a lot of jewellery but I've got a thing about acorns and oak trees, so when I saw this on Etsy I just couldn't resist. It came in a lovely little box with a red ribbon (how apt!) seen here against one of my old crochet hats.

Oh, and I nearly forgot the bit about my plans! No New Year's resolutions for me this year (though I did fulfil my last year's resolution to sell some work).

To build on this in 2012 I plan to overhaul the website. I'm tired of the format, the images on the pages, and the white on dark print. I also want to add prices on some of the work for sale and put a means of purchasing on. It won't be soon as I've got too much on in the spring, but as long as it's all up and running by the end of the year, I'll be happy.

That's about it for now; more soon on a recent painting I've completed.

And belated warmth and prosperity to you all for 2012!

Most of the leaves are gone and in the park, the wind whistles through the open spaces...........except for what is left of those glorious maples, now beautifully faded and still hanging on to see the winter in!

 

Sorry it's been a little quiet around here. My energy has flagged with the fall in the light. To herald the change, here's a dark little offering compiled from work created by my Flickr friends .

I'm working on a commission at the moment, so should have some of my own work to post soon!

Still trying to get the essence of maple.  Very little editing was needed with the images from this shoot, so here's a slide show of my walk in the maple grove yesterday..................oh, and you may need shades for some of these!

I've been away at Ty Cariad to recover from back pain (all better now thankfully!) and then back to a busy few days at work. Went to the Wild Gardens at Roath Park today and got some shots of autum leaves.

Laid up with lower back pain (grrrrh!) so busied my fingers with a bit of autumnal crochet, and made a cushion for Ty Cariad. I like to work on things to take there for my guests to enjoy.

I think I prefer the back of this one!

It's my own design, which I made up as I went along, and the wool in grey is Colinette 'Art' yarn and the red is Manos del Uruguay 'Maxima' yarn; both arran weight yarns, and I used a 4.5 size hook for a dense fabric. It has a lovely heavy and substantial feel to it.

Time for a new mosaic; this one is another hot selection from Flickr friends (made with fd's Flickr Toys).

Completed my first A1 print of a recent photo today; onto a prepared sheet of waxed paper with gold paint and Inkaid medium. Then printed it upside down (Doh!) However, I do quite like the gold sky!

The leaves caught my breath today, and blew me away!

There was no need to edit the images in photoshop; they are exactly as they came from my camera.