my 2011 - and giveaway

1. 1, 2. sketchbook, 3. another view of 'deeper', 4. circus dreamers, 5. rainy day obsession, 6. a dolls house, 7. fortitude, 8. spring vessels, 9. seeing is believing, 10. untitled pair, 11. forget-me-nots, 12.fragile wings, 13. naming the flower, 14. vessels & fragments, 15. a bottle collection (detail), 16. Violet Goodenough, 17. www.flickr.com/photos/novembermoon/5852548063/in/photostream, 18. memory, 19.sketchbook, 20. brown paper sketch, 21. sketchbook, 22. together, 23. double visionary, 24. sketchbook, 25. neighbourhoodzine4, 26. dance the dance, 27. mixed media folk art dolls, 28. no farewells, 29.Untitled, 30. 15, 31. Adoration, 32. detail, 33. an earthy arrangement, 34. sketchbook dogs, 35.sketchbook, 36. golden gown

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Happy Boxing Day..... as this is a holiday Monday, the last of this year, I've decided to share here a mosaic of my own work from 2011. I've looked through my Flickr photos from January until now - and what a rich and varied mix.....

So I did a lot of painting with black gouache in 2011..... and not so much stitching as perhaps I might have liked. I really enjoy painting, I like the challenge of working with just one colour (black) and the challenge of imagination.... I don't think of myself as 'a painter'. I am someone who sketches and makes imaginative scenes and shapes, but I do not pretend to have any ambition beyond. I have worked on canvas this year and I think quite successfully, but I am not confident that painting on canvas could be my focus for very long - I like working small and I like the feel of paper so much....

I will continue to work in my sketchbooks and continue with my 100 portraits on brown paper, in 2012. I love painting on brown paper and so you will be seeing more....

I've been happy with my most recent stitching and am glad that I am working on my machine again. Earlier this year I got shoulder problems and all kinds of arthritic-type pain flared up. I didn't say much about it at the time, I just hoped it would go. And tried my best to get on with everything. I stayed away from sewing on the machine, as when I attempted any work it just hurt. Now I am so happy to say - I can work again, stitch again at my machine and whilst I limit myself to a few hours a day max, I am able to complete work and have no problems at all - it is a real joy.  I'm so pleased people have liked my newest stitched pieces - there are more in the works.... 

2012 is going to be the year of more stitch and especially wearable pieces I think....

Clay - the tiny heads project was such a great focus to begin 2011. I don't honestly think I would have stuck at it for so long if I had not received such great responses from people - here and over at Flickr. I'm pleased other people got interested in clay too - and thank you for sharing your projects. I just had so much fun with it. Even if I stopped after three or so months. I made over one hundred heads and I still have them! Now, I don't know what I am going to do with them, still, and will let you know. I do know that I want to make more in the future - so..... there will be more characters to appear.....

Zines - I've enjoyed making each different zine in 2011. Violet Goodenough is perhaps my favourite of the few. A zine with poetry and some artwork, it has been very well received and I am grateful for the encouraging feedback. I've not written very much in 2011 - I want to write more in 2012. At least putting Violet together made me feel like a writer:) And there is more Violet to come. I'm working on the next installment..... I really put a lot of heart and effort into my 'Neighbourhood' zine and will treasure it as the one without faces but a strong sense of place and imagination....

Next year will be busy again - with just as much variety? I don't know. I do know I want to stitch more in 2012, and make more zines. Infact I have a special giveaway to offer here...

Special Giveaway time........ I have not offered very many giveaways this year so I thought I would go for it and offer a good one now.....

My next zine 'home' is due out January 4th. I also hope to publish at least another 3 zines in 2012. I'd like to offer 3 people the opportunity to receive all my 2012 zines as a gift. I'll send you the zine as soon as it is published. So that's the one coming up soon, one probably March time, one in the Summer and one in the Autumn.....

You are welcome to enter the giveaway, where ever you are in the world..... To enter please leave a comment  - it's that simple. Also make sure I can contact you. If you have problems leaving a comment you can email me.

Three names will be pulled out of the magic hat on January 2nd - I will post the winners names here.

Thank you!

Christmas Eve

many best wishes to you - if you are celebrating this Christmas I hope you have a lovely few days of fun and festivities.....

I'll be back on Monday, Boxing Day, to share a special mosaic of my personal favourites from this year - and to offer a special giveaway.....

winter solstice

Winter Solstice..... and so I was thinking about going outside and taking photos of delightful frosty leaves and seedheads, and how the sun may glint in tree branches. But - it is a rainy, dull and miserable day.... and I had a better idea. Thinking of light and dark, this side of the year and the next, movement and changes, I'm sharing here a photo of the other side - the other side of a piece of machine embroidery work in progress. This was stitched earlier today and I've added a little more since. The final piece will become a cuff. Can you see the figures here, in their green, thinking of Spring ahead?

best wishes to you on this shortest day

mosaic monday

1. BOaS FeSTaS***************, 2. Trying to Find My Place, 3. doll-sized gingerbread!, 4. Happy christmas in advance, 5. Anais, 6. Beethoven, Ode to Joy (Series), 7. Oranges and Cinnamon, 8. licht, 9.IMG_4689, 10. Angel, 11. Christmas Chickadee, 12. Aarti, 13. Chai Tea, 14. Untitled, 15. Picture 173, 16. giant acorn caps, logs, silver oak leaf, 17. bolsa, 18. Untitled, 19. Untitled, 20. collage of original printed and painted papers

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Christmas week Monday to you..... many thanks to all the artists and makers featured above. Thanks always to all my Flickr contacts for sharing their images over there, so inspiring..... 

It's chilly out and I slipped on invisible ice outside the house this morning, but stumbled enough to not fall down:)

This week - I am continuing to work on new items for my shop - one or two may appear this week, or I may put them in the shop after Christmas. As you may know already, my shop is open for the holidays but I'll not be sending out packages between 21st Dec and Jan 4th. If you see something and might like to reserve until January 4th when I am sending again, I am happy to do that for you just send me a convo message. 

My zine 'Home' is just about completed - it's a happy little book of homely things with sketches and photographs. I've decided to make this one a smaller limited edition than previous recent zines - it will be limited to just 50 copies. More details to come - it will be available Jan 4th. 

Now the holidays are just about here, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. The past few months have felt pretty busy and we've all worked hard. Now time for some relaxing and fun...

Thanks again for all your recent comments and visits.

I wish you a very good week ahead. 

sketchbook sunday - lost and found

a few sketchbook pages that got 'forgotten'... both are from several months ago infact. The top image I have called 'little pilgrim' and I painted this in August, on a warm sunny day - such a strange wintry image for a warm summer's day - and I felt it a bit odd but I liked it very much and decided to 'keep it aside' until perhaps other images came along, similar, to keep it company... But this one has remained as a scanned image on my computer for months now and I have not added it to a zine or offered it as a print, though I had considered this could happen to it.....

I think perhaps in this sketch the little pilgrim is a little lost and trying to find her way. I remember now painting the figure in red and thinking she was a confusion of nun and red riding hood.... and then I put the image in my drawer of sketches.....

Such is the way.....

As for the dogs on brown paper.... I like their character very much and feel a little sorry that I had forgotten about them. I'm pretty sure they are not happy with their limb structures, ha! maybe I did not think them 'anatomically correct enough', but really.... I am not sure.

At least I have them and can share now.

Thank you for all your very thoughtful comments on projects for 2012 - I really do appreciate your feedback, I've still not come up with a concrete plan just yet. Please do continue to think too:) And let me know about any projects you do decide upon. Thank you!

daily project 2012 - a list

At the beginning of this year I began my tiny heads project. I worked on this for over three months, before deciding to end on day 121. It was a fun learning curve and I was delighted with the responses I received. 

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Many artists decide to set themselves new challenges for a new year. Projects begin and end all year round, of course. A year-long project is a particular challenge that may or may not appeal. It can be daunting and yet how would it feel to really make it happen 365?! There are projects that follow the course of a month, day to day. There are projects that add up to 100, or more days, or things.

This blog post is about choosing a daily project for 2012 - whether you stick to it for the whole year or just a month or three. I'm hoping here to share some brainstorming ideas. Also, if you have ideas to add then you are welcome to leave a comment. I'm writing this to help share ideas - and help myself decide what I want to do in 2012!

A daily project can be that little something special for you to achieve. Setting a goal, or deciding to simply 'do this each day', may give an artist that little push to explore new ideas, a new material. It can be the best thing to do - if you have been feeling stuck lately. A project can be that kick up the skirt that might just make you get to the art desk, or the sewing machine, or the kitchen table and - do it.

Giving just a small amount of time each day, a creative process can become a daily practice. It may take on a spiritual dimension, or not. It may become the main thing in your life, or not. It may bore you after a few weeks, or not.

Sharing it with the world, via a blog and/or Flickr, Facebook, can help you along the way. But sharing can also feel a little overwhelming at times, it may feel like an added complication when you are trying to achieve a little confidence with a 'new thing' or regain inspiration with something from the past. So sharing is not essential. There are projects I've made for myself that I have not shared publicly, things I've tried for a while. This is all part of learning what works for you, of course. That said, the positives of sharing a project are many: you get to showcase your work and how it develops, inspire others, and document the project for yourself. I think inspiring other people is one of the best, most fulfilling positives.

Deciding on a new project is not always easy. Some of my past projects have come around easily, I've simply found myself doing them. Others have been planned and thought-through. Some are started and abandoned (giving yourself permission to give up a project that is not working out for you is a whole other post - one day!).

So, you're thinking that maybe a new year could mean a new project for you. A daily project can be as complex or as simple as you like of course. Think about the amount of time you have for it and be realistic. Every day is every day, can you do this on a weekend too? Or how about a year-long project that does not include certain days? You set the rules and bend them as necessary.

 I present here a brainstormed list of ideas for daily projects. The focus here is visual. Though I am including a few ideas for writers too. And so often artists are writers and writers are artists.

To give some kind of sense to it, I've divided into types: Journal based, textile based, photography based, mixed media and conceptual. There's a lot of cross-over, cross-pollination. And please note: these are not all my original ideas, of course, you may have tackled a few or more of these yourself already.

Journal Based Project Ideas


a collage a day - but with a particular focus eg: not using paper (using textiles, plastics, found objects). Or a collage a day using a current newspaper or magazines.

painted book - I did this for a month, November 2010 - you can see here. I painted sketchbook pages, using various paints and keeping it abstract. You might think of the pages as backgrounds or a wordless diary. I'm really seriously thinking about this as a year-long project.

Explore a word picked randomly from a dictionary - sketch, collage, paint.

Keep a journal as an alter ego. You might really want to explore a past artist's life and style. You could choose to be anyone you admire or want to know more about. Or create an alternate persona for yourself. For example, up until now you may have worked in a particular style but would like to explore something entirely different. Your Alter Ego Journal might give you an opportunity to work in a completely new or divergent way.

Drawing projects do not have to be journal based - but a journal or sketchbook is a good way of keeping it together. A few things to consider: a bird a day, an outdoor sketch, a line drawing without taking the pencil off the paper, monoprint (see my various monoprinting posts for technique ideas), self portrait, random object in your home.

Related idea: make a small blank book each day - with different binding techniques to explore.

Textile Based Project Ideas


I like the idea of keeping daily projects quite frugal and making use of things you have already. So many of my textile ideas are about 'using up', recycling, upcycling, or making small things that add up to a lovely collection.

making a small patchwork square
make a textile bead or ornament
stitch a row of embroidery on a sampler (teaching yourself a new stitch every so often)
make a small doll
make a simple wrist bracelet or cuff

sharing the items you make can add a further dimension: eg. you might want to put all the small things together and donate quilts to a charity, or you may want to 'donate and decorate' local trees, or sell items to fund the project.

But - textile projects need not always be about making and using materials and an end 'thing'. Design for textiles could be your focus. You could keep a textile journal with fantasy fashion designs and snippets of fabrics. Design a dress a day. Or a pair of shoes. Or draw an embroidery design for later use.


Photography Based Project Ideas

This feels limitless, perhaps. Choose something and photograph it each day. Watch a tree grow and change, for example. Photograph your day at a particular time of the day.

Photograph the early morning sky, your neighbourhood, your garden. Found objects. Shop windows. Doorways.

Self portraits - this could be particularly demanding and perhaps worth really thinking through carefully before deciding upon. I say this as someone who did a self portrait project many years ago and found it eventually taking too much of my time in perfectionism and making me feel quite vulnerable. So proceed with caution. Especially if you are going to share your photos publicly.


Conceptual and Other Ideas


I like the idea of giving something each day. Whether this is giving something away that you no longer need, giving time perhaps. This could be documented in a diary/blog.

Sending things: writing postcards and letters... But of course postage costs will add up. A year of stamps will  be a large financial commitment. An alternative would be to write a letter or postcard each day and then send a week's worth or even a month's worth to a friend. Or write a letter or postcard to your child for them to read when older. Or write to someone fictional or historical and explain the world to them, as it is now.

Objects in places. I know of projects that have involved leaving small treasures in different public places. The classic balloon with a tag idea, but revised to become a haiku in a bottle, for example.


Just a few ideas then..... Please let me know your ideas and I will add them in here (with credit to you). It would be good to have your ideas here too and you are welcome to link to this post, of course.

And finally, if you decide to take on a project for 2012 - please let me know. If I can, depending on response, I'll put together another post at the beginning of the new year listing projects and giving links to blogs.

mosaic monday

1. hoy, 2. Untitled, 3. Project Pic 11, 4. holiday bits, 5. dec102011, 6. madre e figlia, 7. afternoon rehearsal - woodblock print, 8. Sofá rojo / red sofa, 9. bird's idyll, 10. DSC_0025, 11. Christmas bakery..., 12. 「陽台城市語錄-積木城市」衛星空照圖, 13. miracolo italiano, 14. Tears for you, 15. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 16. :), 17. Untitled, 18. Outsider Folk Art Gallery, in NYC, 19. Japan @ V&A Museum - London, UK, 20. untitled, 21. You did what?, 22. 2 originals for my collective show in Munich, Germany., 23. handmade wool bag by memake, 24. spool bird softies, 25. Wall Quilt

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you... many thanks to all the artists and makers featured in this week's mosaic. It's a sunny if chilly start here. Not bad at all.

This week I am going to spend some time working on the final edit for my forthcoming zine 'Home'. I still have quite a bit to do. Putting together a zine does take time, but I find the process worthwhile and I learn a lot about putting images together and the basics of it all. This one will be out January 4th - which seems a while away yet but really is not. 

I was listening to the radio yesterday evening (I listen to the radio nearly all day every day - not really  tv watcher) - and the presenter was talking briefly about musicians who have been writing a song a day for the year. This reminded me of how it is not just visual artists who undertake a 'one a day' or a '365' or '100' challenge. It's a format open to all. It also reminded me that I really want to put together some kind of database of ideas. So that if you want to take on a new challenge in 2012 - well there's a whole list of ideas you can mull over....

So tomorrow I will blog 'ideas for daily projects in 2012' - or something like that - not sure of the blog entry title just yet. And I would love it if you could come back tomorrow and leave suggestions. I'll add all ideas (as long as not illegal or offensive) to the list. I am a list maker by habit, so the idea of sharing a list of ideas appeals to me as rather an indulgence. Let's see what we can come up with - ideas for visually-related projects wise. More tomorrow then.

I'm also hoping to add one or two new items to my shop this week. Please note that if you are in the UK there is still time to buy in time for Christmas delivery. However, if you are elsewhere it may not get to you before the 25th. The post office today (I've just come home from there) was busy but as efficient as ever. 

Please also note: I shall not be posting packages between December 21st and January 4th. My shop will remain open during this time but I will not be able to guarantee an opportunity to get to the post office, due to holiday closures etc.... I shall put all this info in my shop but thought I would just note here also.

Have a good start to the week - and more tomorrow x

100 portraits on brown paper - update

I thought it was time to update on this project..... it's moving slowly but surely, which is how I wanted it to work......



a few or so..... I'm now up to 26. I'll continue to work on these, perhaps they will get a little more attention over the coming weeks. Then, in the new year, a selection will be available, I expect, perhaps. Meanwhile, I'm busy stitching and sketching. Expect to see a few more new stitch pieces in my shop on Friday or Saturday. Thanks always for your comments.

new work

New embroidery cuffs recently completed and in my shop today....... I discovered some lovely viscose threads in my box of spools, and have made use of.... It's nice to find something useful - I had been looking for completely different colours but these wanted to be stitched.....

mosaic monday

1. looker aftering papercut, 2. moonstones gathering, 3. improbable., 4. Blackboard, 5. raconets :), 6. OT, 7. cambridge sketches- great st mary's & kings college, 8. All things considered, 9. Untitled, 10. Jim Harris: Untitled., 11. IMG_6678, 12. Bracelet, 13. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 14. sova|gufo|owl, 15.The bud of the stars take icy. thorns, 16. I ♥ Lettering, 17. Wendell, 18. Domestic landscape 3-, 19.Studio Visit: Alison Macleod..., 20. Untitled, 21. La tombée des ailes, 22. In the studio, 23. Nocciolina pin, 24. Bebe the Couch Cat Love=Creature, 25. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Hello Monday. I have a super-busy day ahead, so decided to post jolly early!  Many thanks to all the artists featured in this eclectic mosaic. Follow the links to discover more.... I enjoy putting together such a wide variety of images and artists - artists and artisans in Europe, Japan, USA, Mexico and beyond.....

This week I am as always working on a variety of 'things'..... I'm still making sketches for my next zine, due out in the new year, but they come when I have a moment. Much of my time is spent stitching recently, though I am pacing myself because a) I need to make sure I look after my posture and muscles and b) it is good to look up and re-focus your eyes once in a while!...... Since I moved my sewing machine to a window spot, I'm finding it a pleasant little nook to work and I when I do look up I can watch the magpies on roofs and the clouds twirling into each other.... and then it's back to the stitch and stitches twirling into each other.....

Thanks always for your comments and visits here. 

New items will appear in my shop this week - so take a peek if you get a moment....

have a good Monday

sketchbook sunday

a few more pages in my watercolour moleskine sketchbooks... sketches for 'home' zine due out in the new year....




I've been hand stitching a patchwork quilt. It will take some time to complete and is my own random version of a log cabin kind of construction. I do not use rulers, set squares etc.... for this, or mostly any project, unless absolutely necessary.....

Anyhow, the hand stitching inspired the page above...

Many thanks for your comments and visits this week.

in the detail

detail - 'beauty in scarlet red' - cuff (now in my shop....)

I don't think I'll ever know exactly how I stitch such tiny faces, they just sort of happen......

have a very good weekend x

Happy December

Golden Gown - an embroidery cuff to wear....

I'm pleased with this piece - it is a wider cuff and would make a lovely statement with a simple outfit. When not worn it can be displayed as a small artwork. The stitch work is 7cm across in the centre. This piece has just been added to my shop.

Also in my shop I have added a new SALE section, with seasonal offers in there.....

When I am not stitching - and stitching is taking up a lot of my time lately - I am working on new paintings with a still life feel, inspired by my 'home' sketchbook pages. These new paintings will arrive in my shop at the beginning of the new year. It's now December and I know the weeks ahead I going to move fast, with holidays approaching..... Like I said Monday, I'll be here continuing to share my work.

I'm also writing and sharing new poems, with a seasonal feel, and posting them over at nevering.

Busy start to the month then!

It's a mild start here, with autumn and winter sharing the scene....

Hope your week is going well....