Hiatus

Have you noticed how, once there's a bit of a break in your blogging routine it gets harder and harder to start blogging again?  Just lately I have been finding it quicker and easier to throw a few words on Facebook and my poor blog has been sadly neglected.  I had so much to share with you and it's all still waiting patiently to be aired.

If you do connect with me on Facebook you will know that we have just had our annual pilgrimage to St Ives.  Two weeks of blissfully drinking in the wonderful light and colours and listening to the sea pound against the shore outside our rented flat. 

A certain lady who 'Loves Stitching Red' enjoying the view from our kitchen.

We saw Porthmeor Beach in all its moods including this early morning rainbow. 

We were even treated to a few sunsets

Following on from my workshop with Dionne Swift at Festival of Quilts I was excited to do some sketchbook work while we were away and I'm pleased to say I got quite a lot done.

These are collaged cottages made from waxed paper, newsprint and magazine paper.

 Inktense pencils above.

Background from my screen printing and squares from a collage project.

Collage inspired by St Ives.

Playing about with paint effects and masking tape resist.

I didn't have any acrylic paint with me other than white so I painted a base of vaguely cottage shapes in white acrylic and then added detail with Koh-i noor dye paints.

Our Sunday walk to Carbis Bay saw me picking up leaves which I collaged to a background of black tissue.  Once the piece had dried I pasted over torn coloured tissue papers.

Scavenging on the beach I found scraps of different tyre treads so printed with them.

The greaseproof paper I used as a pallette was torn up and applied to a painted background.

I had fun cutting out the alphabet from a magazine and filled in the background with Inktense pencils which I should probably add water to to bring out their strength of colour.  Can you spot the not-deliberate error?

Our visit to St Ives coincided with the annual September Festival and there was plenty going on in the town.

There was evidence of Yarn-bombing on the harbourside with Jo McIntosh's knitted bunting.  Jo held a joint exhibition  with Carolyn Saxby earlier in the year which sadly we missed.

This pretty little view is from Madeleine's Tea Room in the centre of St Ives.  If you ever go you must call in there and sample their delicious homemade cakes and cream teas.  

Various singing groups and Morris Dancers performed in the streets and you can see from their expressions how much effort they put in and how much fun they were having.

The RNLI opened up their station for a coffee morning and I found this view from inside the station fascinating. 

The surface of the lifeboat provided some interesting patterns.

I was also drawn to these markings on the bow of the lifeboat.  Maybe they'll appear in a future piece of work.  

Needless to say my eyes were open all the time for textures and patterns around us and I'llshow you some of those next time.  I'm going to be really busy for the next few days as I am going to th Knitting and Stitching Show on Saturday and then continuing down to Sussex for my beautiful stepdaughter's hen party!  We're going to Goodwood for their last race meeting of the season so if you're going be afraid, be very afraid! LOL