Felt Pockets and Wraps

Whew - I have finished four Christmas presents. It feels good. I am so used to being halfway through so many projects (I do work better that way) that it is just sheer, giddy heaven to be wrapping them up. I put toggles on the teachers' presents this morning - once again, surprise if any teachers are reading.... and finished the wrap below with a flower corsage I knitted a few weeks ago. After the holidays are over I will post a tutorial on how to knit one.

Better get the paint brushes out and complete a few more presents.

Writing Paper

This morning's project of hand colouring Archie's bird stamp and then playing around with some water colours for writing paper. I have run out of fine line pens so made do with pencil - a trip to Warehouse Stationary is beckoning.


Last night when Hugo was sleeping I lay next to him for a while and quietly drank in his breath. He smelt so good and hopeful and it reminded me of how, when little, I used to bound out of bed, excited to just be awake, not thinking of the day in its entirety, just concentrating on the first burst of wakefulness. Instead when I wake up I have trained my brain to think of the day as a whole, lying in bed with my feet still warm and silky, my mind, already rushed and in the kitchen planning lunch and dinner, pick ups and naps. No wonder I don't jump out full of bounce. I think there is a lesson in there somehow.


I was chuffed by the boy's joy in seeing each other this morning and loved hearing Hugo say to his older brother "It's a good day Archie".

Felted Writing Paper Wrap

Today I lay down in the heat of our driveway, legs against stones and shoulders meshed into the bitumen. These weeds that tower above our mail box, strutting to the sun so boldly and yet sheltering the grass with their new millennium lace are so completely human with their two distinct faces. And the way they glorify themselves in hot dusty weather, becoming so alive in the summer, well, let's just say I am not the only one whose blood changes rhythm when the sun strides its way into our life again, expecting no forgiveness for its behaviour during winter. On reflection, I am sounding dramatic, but when lying down on a driveway with sweat pouring from one's reddened brow, a little bit of drama does seem appropriate. If the postman (Elwyn) had driven up I would have declared "This is what I am willing to do for my art" - but I would have said it as though art was in capital letters. A big thank you to Christel for acting as my spotter.

I had another serious round of felting last night, I haven't had much of a chance since my first lesson with Lucy so it was quite good to flex those muscles that have been lying dormant ever since. I did notice that green wool is much better to felt with than pinky-red as it comes out looking much less like placenta.

After wondering what to do with my finished piece I thought why not a letter writing wrap as a surprise Christmas present for a very loved, loved one. Perhaps not such a surprise anymore.

Felt Brooches

Some current paintings - I had a dinner party the other night and said "Ah ha ha ha, it's also an art exhibition" and then everyone had to look politely at my pictures.... "Very nice" they muttered, edging away from my anxious and slightly hungry expression.

Some writing paper I have been sewing on my machine. Pity about the lighting.


Brooches, brooches and more brooches. Maybe I should wear them all into town, they would keep me warm and when people look at me I can say "I made them myself with real human blood" :)

So this is my first post, I am just going to get it up quickly and then I won't feel so nervous about it, a bit like something else nudge, nudge, wink, wink - by the way, probably not what you are thinking Mum if you are reading this, I mean like the first time I got up on a bike, the next time was much easier. I don't think that sentence made much sense. Oh well.