Now this first one probably needs a bit of explanation.

You might recall that from time to time I exhibit with two other stitchers in Milton Keynes under the banner of Mix3d Stitch.

This year we are planning a couple of outings under the Mix3d Stitch banner.

The first one is "Shape and Form - Textiles Inspired by Architecture":




And pattern using squares.

I have not done any test prints yet with these. That will be the next step.

I don't know about you,  but after the highs of the sales at the back end of November and early December (I wrote about them here and here ) and then the whole Christmas thing (plus very full on in the day job) I just did not manage to get into the studio in December.

Added to that my studio is cold and not welcoming on a dark winter's evening (It is in a conservatory off my bedroom).

So, come January and I was rather out of the habit.

Also, it looked as though a bomb had hit it.

I was reading the blog of my good friend Sheila in Idaho and in one post written after Christmas, she put a very positive spin on tidying!

So last weekend I put 'tidy the studio' on the to do list and, with a radio play on in the background, gave it a bit of a spring clean.

And it was a very worthwhile exercise - it somehow feels less overwhelming, with a bit of order redeemed from the chaos.

So this week I have managed to get back in there - nothing too strenuous just playing in a little sketch book. This is the one I have reserved for flowers and leaves so you have seen some pages before.

But here is a bit of limbering up with the new ones (this is a bit like sharing my daily workout with you - which I don't do by the way, unless you count the 10,000 on step dog walk I achieve most days)



A bit of doodling on top with a black pen - but the colours are very dark on this page.


So I invested in a white pen - but with moderate success. What do you use for a white pen in sketch books or journals?


The finished page. The variation in colour is down to the different light and cameras used - both by phone in the studio under electric light and my camera in the dining room under different light.

But you get the drift.

 And here is another page with the bottom photo after simple highlighting with the pen. But the pen is not working too well on the ink. I think it is because the ink is not permanent so the pen activates it again and all you get is a lighter version of the colour underneath.

It has been a little while since I have been gripped by the nuisance that is insomnia. It's blooming frustrating I can tell you, especially when you're laying there getting more and more frustrated by the fact that sleep eludes you and all you can hear is the gentle snoring of your two canine companions!

I have in my mind the words:-

• Change (I am changing a map, into a book, then into a sketchbook)
• Conserve
• Time - that is taking me down a path that I won't divulge here in case it comes to nothing
• Journey

 I managed to stitch that ribbon down on by turning the book round. In truth, if you are going to stitch into a sketch book it is easier to remove the pages and then reassemble. But I had only just put the thing together.

I am using inks from a little palette here (they are not colour fast when they get wet again) inktense pencils, which are, and wax crayons for the resist.



I am trying a bit of sketching and painting.


And of course, cutting and pasting.

I find the day job really satisfying but boy, does it eat into my creative time and sap my creative energy!

And then that old adversary insomnia popped back this week - so that's me wiped out then.

What's a girl to do?  Why - wander the web of course.

I have a week in Italy planned for the beginning of September and I am getting more determined to start creating little travel journals. I dabbled last year, when I was in Spain, but it was just that, a dabble. This year I want to be much more creative while I am away.

Watercolours travel well. They are small and compact and I do like the effect that you can create with them.  So I have been doing a bit more research.

And first up I found this from The Frugal Crafter. Boy can she talk! If you can get over the chitter chatter then it is fascinating to see how she builds up the picture. Little things like "start with wet paper and a big brush and move to dry paper and a smaller brush" - a little gem of a tip! That is something I can remember.

And her use of a sponge and paper towel to help create the texture - another brilliant tip. She dabs away at the wet paper to marvelous effect.



What I love about this is that it is not a masterpiece - I would not want this on my wall, but perfect for a sketchbook.

Next up I found this. Again using watercolour, but a very different approach. Not so useful for a little travel journal - I am not taking stencils and a pot of gesso with me - but nevertheless a usefull technique for a creating backgrounds. One to try for some textured background papers I think.

In the meantime, I have been a bit busy doing a spot of dressmaking. I will share that in my next post.