Back home. Have been on holiday in Northumberland. A great area for walking, visiting castles and eating, especially if you like fish. As I am a vegetarian I passed on the crab, kippers, sea bass etc. Alnwick has the best second hand book shop anywhere, when I was in the area many years ago the rooms where the café and restaurants are situated had not been opened. It was a pleasant surprise to find as well as great books, atmosphere and the toy train still running they now have good food added to the mix. This makes it a very special destination.
This is the view from the 3 sides of the house I was staying in. Taken through the glass. I never seemed to have my camera when I was outside.
Low tide.
Not sure if this was a sculpture or driftwood for the stove. The beach was on the other side of the wall. Great location.
I like this driftwood heart. It was handing on the kitchen wall.
The estuary leading to Wark. 2 mile walk from beach to castle, along the banks of the Coquest.
My friends entering the Keep.
Wark castle is truly imposing.
Alnwick castle was where the Harry Potter films were shot as was Downton Abbey.
Northumberland has so many large castles sited along its coastline.
The Gardens at Alnwick castle are more theme park than conventional gardens. Like the castles in this area done on a large scale.
The water cascade is spectacular and the tree house is quite magical for adults and kids. Once again huge.
This shows only a small part of it. Well worth a visit, as is all this coastal area. A very enjoyable break.
Have moved more boxes into the studio and have almost unpacked the shed.
It is possible to see my desk now . Will need some help to move it into the studio.
Bucket of clean water for painting but I need another for dirty water.
The shelves go up at the end of the month so will be able to organize boxes and books. Old sketch books waiting for a home.
Please look in next week to view what is happening. Will be hoping to have some work to show.
BYE BYE.
1st stage finished
Floor covering and shelving to be added but need to start saving some pennies for 2nd stage.
Beginning to empty the shed. Rediscovering my pens and paints. Still can`t get to the desk.
Embellisher and sewing machine claiming their spaces.
My chair fits, just need to find right place for everything else. So excited about this whole project. My studio. My space.
Working on the garden. Do so miss the wonderful soil in my other garden. Haven`t even seen a single worm here.
Slow work but nearly all my shrub cuttings have found a home.
I think they are all glad to be out of their travelling pots. 5 years from now I might have a shrubbery!!!!
Found time to explore another trail within this wood.
Good to have a cuppa or a snack at the 1/2 way point just not on a Sunday. It is closed.
Interesting fungus.
Very quiet Sunday. Conserving my energy. Rainy, grey, day matches my mood but Monday a friend is coming so will bounce back.
You will have to wait till next week to find out about stitching in a hoop.
BYE BYE
This is the picture I mentioned last week. It is by Liz Dulley and is from her Japanese collection. Now need to find correct space to hang it. It is only 10cm /8cm.
The garage really has morphed into a Studio. I have a huge smile every time I say "Studio"
The outside light is working. Difficult to photograph.
The painter is finished.
Lights and skirting board will be fitted tomorrow.
Only 2 weeks ago it looked like this. Almost there.
Finding a new route on a walk saw these flowers laid at the foot of a tree. Why????
This is the first signs of the leaves turning. The woods are a dusty, end of Summer green, at the moment.
Looking forward to the Autumn colours.
Photographed the trunk of an old Birch tree. There was a hint of pink on the trunk.
First time I have made marks in a sketchbook in months.
Pastel, scissors and a Pritt stick. Not much but a start. It will be like Christmas when I unpack my art supplies. I am thinking it would be an interesting project to record the wood over a year. Textiles in the wood?
Plans, more plans and looking ahead.
Some interesting visitors this week.
She came for lunch.
He was doing his daily wander around. This time looking down on us.
The balloon sailed over again.
Must show this very sweet solar light which hangs in my garden.
Next week will I be unpacking art supplies? I will be stitching a small piece within a hoop.
Please look in next week to see what that is all about.
BYE BYE
Mega excited. Door went in on Monday.
How cool is this.
Floor down on Tuesday.
A peacock graced the Studio with his presence.
He is a bit scruffy and I could do without him screeching at 6.30 am.
Wednesday, strapping round walls and ceiling and Fibre wrap attached. I will be cosy.
Thursday. The new window knocked through.
and in . All in a few hours. Dave the joiner supervising.
How exciting is that. What a week. I cant stop smiling. It is really beginning to change from a garage into my Studio.
Perth Open Studios.
1st day forgot my camera. 2nd no battery charge.
Had a lovely visit with Kristine Blackbourn who made my lovely pot. See previous post.
Earrings from Linda Gillies. They were just so cute and they came in a little fabric bag. What not to like.
Bought a small piece of Liz Dulley`s work. Will post it next week as it was staying in her studio until end of P.O.S.
Lovely visiting other folks studios, picking up hints for storage as well as viewing makers work.
Finished the week by mentoring a Y.E. group. Forgot my camera again.
Showed my grandchildren the technique Y.E had been doing. Painted Heat and Bond then ironing onto fabric.
Camera shy.
Joiners table made a great outdoor Studio.
I have not used Heat and Bond before. Leaves a plastic sheen on the fabric. I prefer Bond a Web but grandchildren loved the effect.
Next week Things to think about.
Painter and Electrician coming.
What will I choose for floor covering?
Please look in to view progress.
BYE BYE
Friends were staying for a few days and we were gallery visiting. This pot jumped out at me. I thought the shape was so elegant. I made the mistake of saying " if I had the money this is what I would buy."
When they were leaving I was handed a box for a housewarming, birthday and Christmas present.
I love it.
It was made by Kristine Blackbourn. I plan to visit her studio as part of the Perth Open Studios. Would like to talk to her about her Raku technique.
Finding the right place for it took some time. I have placed it near a small sculpture my daughter made at Art College.
Love this as well.
Garage make over has begun. The door is sold and a couple took 3 hours to dismantle it. Folded it up and packed it onto their roof rack and away it went to a new home.
Trying to visualize how this space will be converted to a long awaited studio.
Chair painting but will finish it tomorrow as light was fading. Really like this colour.
Have managed to unpack some drawings I started for an exhibition next year. Need to get motivated again.
Please look in next week
1 To see which Perth Open Studios I visit.
2 If any more work is done on my studio
3 Will I get motivated to start working again.
BYE BYE
