Thanks to BT for getting back on line!

Yes, well, it's a shame there was a huge fault in the first place, but we're none of us perfect, are we? & at least they fixed it so only half a day was lost. Of course, if it had been a day for going into work, I'd have been more organised (?) & got the post in before the Crash, but I'm here now, there's no point in crying over spilt milk (I hate it when people say that, I do like a good moan, just sometimes!)

So yesterday's card was from Dot at dotslifeandart over in Victoria, Australia. This is another exquisite card that leapt out of the envelope with an explosion of color. It's felt, with thousands of embelished embelishments, beads, buttons sequins, & yes, more lovely love! There are delicious remnants of fabric & yarns tucked in to a soft surface using millions of tiny hand stitches. I don't exagerate!

I am flabbergasted, thank you.

This mornings card was from Maggi at to dream to stitch from down in Derbyshire, UK. This card is another stunning creation! Beautiful silks, gauzy bits & embelished, with lovely hand stitching leading me, I feel, deep into the peaceful hills.

The two cards have that brilliant emerald green in common!

"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it" Hopeful words, indeed.

I am full of admiration, thank you.

Incredibly, more fell out of the envelope, should I or should I not, wait? That would be silly ;)

Look at these delectable things! Lovely silky hand dyed fabric with all these fabulous beads.I'll tell you what I think they are - on the left, Tyvek, below, stitched felt, above friendly plastic & above those, air dried clay all with beautiful stitches, colors & textures. These are fabulous, I feel an amazing piece of art to wear coming on with these extra pieces! Thank you so much.

What amazes me, with all of the wonderful cards & presents  I have received, is the level of time, care, & yes, love that has gone into them all.

 I really didn't think it would be as good as this.

A Birthday present postcard

Crissi at random-ramblings-of-a-crafter sent me an alternative postcard, from Essex, UK. It's quite remarkable, a mixed media piece where she's put down a richly colored medium of some sort & pressed stamps & drawn into it revealing exciting layers hiding underneath, all on a canvas wrapped frame. More flowers & more love, wonderful!

I am enraptured, thank you!

It's been a mixture today of bright sunshine & a Haar rolling in. Earlier it was just whispy bits round the middle of the hills, now it's a complete whiteout! So here is some more blue & purple from the garden.

Aqualegia, allium in amongst rosa glauca, geranium pheum, honesty, siberian kale (they are coming out tomorrow!) & geranium. I know I'm showing off - note there are no sign of weeds, isn't that cropping tool marvelous!

All you need is love

Well, I thought I'd join in with all these lovey sentiments that I've been enjoying. I do love hearts all year round tho. Still haven't got round to taking a pic of my heart collage - when I look at it it does seem very, well... pink.

Meanwhile, a day late again, there are my six squares. This time they are an attempt at 3D. A friend lent me a book on Mixed Media/found object jewellery so instead of laboriously writing out the instructions, I decided to choose a few samples & make my own versions using what I had, for a 3D 'sketchbook'. It's such a validation when you open a book & see all sorts of wonderful creations made out of components that are already scattered all over your studio, admittedly they're deep inside a box or gathering dust high on a shelf & when you see what can be done with the things you too have collected, almost all your life, you realise that there was a purpose to your hoarding. Very satisfing, but I'll have to stick to the more messy look, my fingers aren't able for delicate wire twisting!