A grey day & top stitching

The light for taking photos is swiftly disappearing, flash was necessary for the square pic today - I didn't want to drag the 'hanging' they're on thru the rain as even in the greenhouse it's pretty dim. We've had what some people (especially those on holiday expecting views) would call foul weather. Autumn is here, but I just wait for those intense bursts of sun lighting up the sails of those few intrepid boats in the Sound set against the deep purple grey of the rainclouds, followed by a beautiful rainbow, sometimes double, which settles on our village; truly our pot of Gold.

This weeks squares -

cut up swim suit sticky lable found in that certain place, bit's & pieces on my desk, the power of football, loosing scratchcards, bits by my sewing machine & for Corrine a nod to Beryl Taylor - I'll keep practicing.

Would you look at this top stitching!!!!!! Never been so neat before. I had to unpick one side as I fell off the nipple (can we say that?!) There is one stich that is kinked but as it's a satiny fabric I won't unpick again. The fabric is plain but all the watermarks have show up in the pic. Reminds me of my scientific module at college, photographing crystal growth thru polarising filters. I wonder where I'd be if I'd gone the scientific route in photography instead of the commercial route?

Mid September already

I'm going to have to admit to the Autumn, soon, much as it hurts to say goodbye, only for a couple of seasons, to these.

and these.

Looking at this pic I took this afternoon I've got to say I'm filled with hope for next year - if I can do it once, I can do it again, maybe even better (I find I tell myself this all the time, don't always listen!)

Just to fill my life with even more when there's already no room left, I did a fabulous 2 day workshop with a costumier called Morag. The workshop was held at Rag Tag & Textiles for the purpose of making a bodice to model in the late autumn fashion show that Rag Tag are putting on in Broadford & Inverness. I don't think I've cut a clothes pattern out since I was at school & i was so excited that i was finally able to be taught & to do something that so many are able to do with their eyes closed. I'm sure it's given me the confidence to try other pieces of clothing. The bodice is coming on, slowly but surely.

You get the general picture - on the right are the loops sewed on the lining that will lace me in! I've got to do some top stitching, neatly mind, on what we called the learning curve ;) I'll ask my friends for some pics of the class next week. I started a little corsage for the bodice. 

I really learnt far more than just how to make a beautiful bodice. Thank you, Morag, & Meg & Fiona for organising it.

some squares

Another piece of painted Magnum wrapper, coupons out of date; it's all about money, a dried up wetwipe for work spillages, a nod to the swallows on the wire - I had to look at the sillhouette in the birdbook to help with an outline, inspired by Jackie I tried to stitch some empty pill packets, my needle had a little wobbly but it's ok. When you both have asthma there are always empty pill packets of some kind twinkling at me from the waste paper bin! The last square is a variation of a card I was making this week - there's a fish you can just about see hanging there fashioned out of thin red wire.

Too much playing this last week, not enought work :)