Printing fun!

These lino squares came as a kit with a carving tool and were my Christmas table gift.  Thanks Laura! 

I've printed the 'TEXT' block onto rusted fabric here to create an interesting panel.

I've cut a leaf motif this time and made tests onto sketchbook pages and then onto rusted fabric.

This is how my heart shape turns out.

Here is a paint transfer print as per a recent DMTV show.
I didn't have freezer paper to hand so used an A4 card with a shiny surface.  It worked a treat!

And a Thomas update - 9 months old and a real cutie!

What a beauty!

For years I used a trusty old treadle Singer sewing machine then it became lost in the mists of time - due mainly to a few house moves.  I'm now the proud owner of this lovely machine thanks to the generosity of my friend and neighbour Mary - thank you Mary!

The side plate and back cover are beautifully decorated.

These pretty motifs would work well in quilt designs.

Best of all - it actually works!

What a lovely day for a walk - dry and sunny!

These trees are looking fabulous against the approaching rainclouds in the background.

Apley Hall with its splendid towers, spires and chimneys.

'Our' beautiful bridge over the swollen River Severn.

Built in 1905 under the instruction of Mr. Foster to enable his tenants, their friends and employees to cross the river to reach Linley train station.

Over the bridge the former railway track between Bridgnorth and Ironbridge has now been made part of the national cycle network.

The track is full of potholes at the moment but the 'muddy' reflections in the puddles are wonderful!

These willows specially grown at Apley in a meadow between the river and the cycle track are destined to become cricket bats.  The variety is 'white willow' and it's used as it's strong, shock resistant and light in weight.

This is just one casualty on the estate, sadly uprooted in recent storms.

There are many buzzards in the grounds and today they were out in numbers calling and soaring in the sunshine.

I spent time over the weekend having fun using up scraps of Batik left over from cosy quilts and throws I've been making recently.

These vibrant purples and greens certainly bring some lively colour to dull and dreary January days!

I also 'harvested' another batch of rusted fabrics to add to the collection.

I love the variation of marks it's possible to create with a little time and patience. 

The stripes are achieved with rusty screws and bring to mind insect bodies!

What wonderful colours and visual texture!

Number One Tearoom in Bridgnorth (Bank Street) is in disarray during the annual redecoration process. 

We'll have all the painting done, the carpets cleaned and the textiles displayed ready for re-opening this Saturday Feb. 1st.  
The rusted fabrics above will be for sale in a cabinet along with an exciting selection of hand-dyed fabrics and threads.
Sadie is planning her menu of delicious home-made goodies and will soon be busy baking to get them ready for the big day. 

And finally - a Thomas update!
He's sporting a lovely hand-knitted jacket and matching hat.

  Les Coches, French Alps.

Ski Hols 11-18th. Jan. 2014 - French Alps - one of the best yet!
Les Coches is a pretty little mountain village in the heart of the Paradiski area.  The Vanoise Express cable car, a double decker with a capacity of carrying over 200 people at a time and the biggest in Europe, is a short ski away and gives access to both Les Arcs and La Plagne ski areas.  

The traditional style village is made up of wooden chalets and is very picturesque.

We had a big dump of snow on our second day to add to the already solid base.

These accents of red look wonderful against the snow - berries in the photo above and pretty pierced hearts in the little gateway below.

There's a stunning view over the alps at the top of the gondola above La Plagne.

The boulangerie in the village kindly delivered their delicious baguettes to our chalet each morning.

The gorgeous décor in Le Monchu restaurant has this fabric for chair coverings and cushions.  It would be great to use the design as inspiration for a print block to use in a quilt project.

This is one of a collection of 19th century handmade tools hanging up on a wall along the steep zig-zag path to the village centre. 

Coffee stop on the mountain - aways a pleasure.

A bientot.

Blists Hill again!

No matter how many times I visit the Victorian town, there're always interesting and beautiful things to look at.

This teeny Singer is one of 8 owned by the lady who's in charge of the drapery shop in the High Street.

The heavy-duty and very decorative cash till above is in the hardware shop just along the street.

The Pharmacy has many wonderful objects to admire including this well-polished copper nameplate and a varied collection of glass bottles.

I love the shapes of the shiny enamelled tea and coffee pots on sale.