January Moon 2016

This is part of what I'm working on for this year. I'm making a fabric collage for each month; later on this year, I'll be exhibiting them as part of Wakefield ArtWalk.
I'm using a mix of fabrics; but trying to use a lot of the fabric/s I've dyed using plants.
Each piece will have this circle; the same size; for the full moon. I've almost completed the March Moon; just a few final touches.

I got a lovely pile of fabric sample books the other week. They were in a skip, about to be thrown away, so I did a bit of skip-dipping, and brought some home. Amongst them, was a book of silks.......now you might know that I try not to use purchased silk. I shop around for second hand silks; clothes; remnants etc. So this sample book is an absolute treasure. 
A deep pile of silk, in different colours, even though they're quite small in diameter. Some of these will find their way into this current series. And the couple of pieces that are white/cream, have been popped into the pomegranate dye-pot.   

Stitching the Turmeric

Stitch; working on the third month of 2016.
I'm making a fabric 'collage' for each month of 2016. This is March. Each piece will include a circle, for the full moon. I'm planning on including as much fabric as I can, that I've dyed with plants.
I've a few final touches to make to February, and to complete this. And have the designs done for April and May. 
I've begun to stitch the full moon of April. And decided on the fabrics. What will June bring?  

Turmeric

Silk dyed with Turmeric; then over-dyed with pomegranate.
I haven't been able to post here for months, as google randomly decided to not allow me access to the blog. Today, just as randomly, I seem to be able to post again.

January stitches

Close-up of the piece I've been working on in January. I was struck by something Heather said on her blog, about stitches as lines in a drawing, and the three dimensionality of them. So I wanted to get that; don't think I'm there with these photos. It needs strong sunlight; so the next time it's sunny, I'll have a go. I have to complete this piece, and start thinking about February's circle.......already halfway through the month........

Spring; the difference 2 years makes

 March 2014; the daffodils outside my house, well in bloom.

January 2016; the daffodils in the Chapel grounds, about to emerge.

The season has certainly been wetter, warmer, and in terms of the plants, faste, this year. Daffodils are out all over the place in Yorkshire. The snowdrops have only just come out; and at the same time, so are the daffs. Today is lovely and bright sun; though it's still cold. I'm longing for the brightness though; these grey days have gone on and on, relentlessly. So I'm welcoming the bright yellow, of sun, and daffs. Heralding spring ahead; despite the warning of global change.

January Circle and; British Museum

This circle is the piece I'm working on at present; it goes with the 'star' piece in the earlier post. The whole project will take a while!

And this.......is the Gundestrup Cauldron.......I went to the British Museum to see the Celts exhibition. This was worth the visit! 
The above stitched piece, of circle and star, will include something that refers to the Celts exhibition; not sure what, yet.
And now.....here's February.

star

unfinished, imperfect, star