In my last blog I said that I was reluctant to make New Year Resolutions, but I did say to myself that I would try to write a blog more frequently, but I have failed at the first hurdle. However in my journal I did write a list of all the things that have happened so far this year, and it is no wonder I've had no time. Some are rather mundane but, all of them time consuming. Visits to elderly parents, hairdressers', doctor's and more excitingly knitters, embroiderers, textile groups and friends. There have been visits from my sister and nephew too. I bought myself a smart phone - just because… and that seem to take up a day swapping numbers and logging on and so on. Some of the photos I took with it popped up on the TV. Mr T cried out that there was a picture of Marvin on the screen while he was watching the snooker and then I did it again when he was watching the bowls! The only way to get rid of them was the TV off and on again! I thought I'd turned off the bluetooth which I thought was responsible. When I've got time I'll fiddle about and try and work out what happened.
Also my GP wants me to monitor my blood pressure and I've had to buy myself a machine. I have 'white coat syndrome" and my doctor always takes my BP at least three times and usually says it is falling to an acceptable level, but this time it didn't. I have been practising before starting to record the results and the same thing is happening at home - sky high first take, and then dropping. I could get a bit obsessive and keep on doing it; I try a bit of meditation in between takes, which definitely seems to work if I can be mindful enough! The very act of strapping that thing round my arm winds me up, and I hate the feel of it gripping tightly. Hopeful at the end of the fortnight I will be so laissez faire with the procedure I will get a true picture, which I may have to accept as high. I'm also trying to walk more, lose weight and cut out even more salt, it's no wonder my blood pressure is up! High BP is very common I know, but not something one wants to have to accept.
I have managed to keep some creativity going, that's what keeps me sane. At our first Spectrum meet of the year Gina encouraged us to have a think about what we wanted to achieve in our textile work, so I applied some of the criteria we talked about to a new long term project. I have a new sketchbook and wanted to devote it to one subject - gardens and plants that are significant to me. I started with a mind map or spider chart as we used to call them donkey's years ago when planning school topics.
I want to produce a book that expresses my feelings on one subject rather than a random collection of ideas which is what happens in my other books. My aim is to produce a beautiful book with now time limit to get it finished. I started with a collage of some of the pictures I have of my sister and I at home in the garden, and chose one to enlarge. Just a bit of fun to break in the new book. Hopefully it will also spark off some textile work.
One subject for the new book is this Amaryllis that friends gave us for Christmas.
It is now on its second spike of flowers. When the first flower head died off I tried a bit of dyeing, wrapping the flowers up in a tight cotton bundle.
It looks as if it could be a severed finger (or worse!!!)
The colour isn't as deep as this, but it was my first attempt.
While I was at it I also tried a bit of tie and bleach. I tied some buttons in a piece of black cotton I knew would bleach to yellow. What a shame it didn't keep the bright orange.
I'm aiming a bit of stitch on my yellow daisies. Rather pleased as it was the effect I was aiming for.
Finally I have managed to finish the first poppy cushion.
This will be shown at the Spectrum exhibition at Art Van Go in March. More details to follow.
I seem to have gained and lost one or two followers, so hello to anyone new and thanks for sharing my journey. Have a good week.
Jill
