I went to Barnsdale again last weekend and it was fantastic. The sky was blue, the birds were singing and everywhere was covered in blossom.
I took lots of photos and some of them remind me of Van Gogh's or Monet's paintings of blossom against a blue sky. Beautiful!
I really liked the weeping apple tree and took photos from under the branches as well as peeping through them.
I was in the garden yesterday morning, enjoying the sunshine and hanging the washing out when I noticed the colours of the magnolia (liliflora Susan) and lilac (old tree, unknown variety) against the blue sky. It really was beautiful. The magnolia has been flowering for a couple of weeks and has a lovely scent and the lilac is just coming into flower. I love this time of year.
Above is the latest of the circles series of pieces I have been working on. This is my favourite so far as I think the combination of blues works very well (as blue is my favourite colour, I may be a little biased!) I used Merino for this piece, which felted very well, in about 20 minutes. My next pieces will see a return to my primary source photos I think, as well as continuing the little hearts and stars. It's all fun! 
I was lucky to be able to visit Barnsdale Gardens again yesterday (one of my favourite de-stress places) and the weather was very kind to me (www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk). I managed to escape the cold wind and find some sheltered spots to enjoy the sunshine in. Above are a couple of the photos I took - one showing a tracery of branches from the hazel tunnel against the blue sky, and the other showing hellebores and grape hyacinths. Although plants are about a month behind their usual flowering time, they are catching up quickly. Spring - I love it!
The above piece is an experiment using circles of already felted wool applied to the top surface of a separate piece then the whole thing is felted together. The natural colours come from the wool from my sister's sheep - (Texel cross Black Welsh) - and they do give some lovely shades. The wool takes a lot longer to card as I have to remove any bits of grasses and twigs as I go along. It also takes about 45 mins to felt, whereas Merino only takes 20 mins or so. It does feels wonderful when it is felted. I like the way that the felt decides how it will look in the end; the circles have moved slightly during the felting process, but this just proves it is hand crafted. I am very pleased with the end result and I think I shall make lots more of these - they would also work well using the Merino too.
This is the next stage to my repeating pattern where I repeated it four times to create a more complex image. I really like the shapes within the pattern and the way it has become more abstract. It has a feel of Art Nouveau with the flowing lines. 
Above is a completely new repeating pattern that I created using a segment from a photo I took of some grasses and with a little added Photoshop magic! It is something I learnt to do on my art course and once I'd created the patterns, I translated them into textiles. I really enjoyed creating a brand new pattern and the finished result is always interesting. It makes me look at objects in a different way. The above was a practise to make sure that I hadn't forgotten how to do it.
Here is the stone wall piece finally completed! Although this is the fourth stone wall I have made, each one is different - this originality is one of the reasons I enjoy working with felt so much. 
Above are some of the photos I took at Hodsock Priory (www.snowdrops.co.uk) last Monday. The weather was awful to start with, sleet, snow and hail, then torrential rain! However, once we ventured out, the rain cleared away and we had a reasonable afternoon. Due to the really cold winter, the snowdrops weren't as far on as in previous years, and the hellebores had only just started growing, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The woodland walk is always very peaceful and there is a bonfire to warm up by which is welcome. Well worth a visit, and open until the end of February. 
I am in the process of hand embroidering the stone wall felt and it is amazing how the addition of the stitching really brings the individual stones 'to life'. It is time consuming, but worth it!
I was given these beautiful tulips as a gift the other day and I just love the combination of colours! They are so bright and cheerful and a reminder of the colours of Spring.
I have just been treated to the above book (thanks to my lovely husband!) which was recommended in an embroidery magazine I happened to be looking at. Apparently, it looks at textiles, costume, fashion and social history including portraits and letters. It has rave reviews on Amazon as well so I am really looking forward to receiving it!
Recently, I treated myself to some Shetland wool in the gorgeous natural colours seen above, from 'World of Wool'. (http://www.worldofwool.co.uk) While browsing, I also bought the shades of blue merino with silk fibres added into the blend. No, I haven't decide what I shall use it for yet, but no doubt inspiration will come at some point.
The stone wall felt has proved to be the most popular, with the number of commissions at three so far. Of course, it is the one that takes the most time to make because the blending of colours to create the individual stones is a time consuming process in itself. However, it is very enjoyable and quite therapeutic to do. The above photo shows the piece finished, prior to felting, with the 'stones' laid on to the top layer of wool. I like the 'fluffy' appearance, which is lost once the felting process is complete. Some of the blends I created are around the edge of the work and the original piece is above it, to give me a guide. It felted well and I am now ready to begin the hand embroidery to delineate each stone. A few hours in front of the television should see that done!
Having received this hobby box from Mum at Christmas, I have finally got all my embroidery threads, art silks and ribbons sorted and easily accessible. Before this, they were shoved in a box, in a bit of a mess. Now I can find what I need with no problems! Aren't Mums great?
I tokk this photo as I was intrigued by the colour contrast of the dark grey (and snow laden) clouds with the brilliant orange of the setting sun on the trees. I saw this over the Christmas week and it really grabbed my attention. Whether I shall use it in a felt landscape, I don't know, but it will be added to my stock of photos. (Or 'primary source material' to give it the proper name!)
I haven't made any new landscape inspired felt pieces for a while (this is my job for the new year!) but I do have this piece framed, so thought I would add the photo of it to my blog. Again, the choice of frame and mounting board took us quite some time, but the end result does justify all the indecision! 
Above is a photo of the stone wall felt which I have had framed and am going to give to my mother in law for Christmas. I had initially thought it should be in a pale frame with a light coloured mount, but when I tried that at the framers, it looked awful! So, I went to the other extreme and chose a dark frame and mount which I feel highlights the colours much more effectively. It is in a box frame, which though more expensive, holds the glass away from the surface of the felt. Let's hope she likes it!
Above are some photos I took at the Christmas market last weekend. We went on the last day, assuming that if we timed it right, it wouldn't be so busy. Lots of other people had the same idea, so it was much busier than we thought! I particularly liked the lighting effects on the Bishop's Palace wall. We didn't buy a lot, just a few new decorations. 
