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a to z...book making

Perfect weather,a converted walnut mill in the south of France and five whole days devoted to making and filling books...that was how I spent a week of my holidays. It was as idyllic as it sounds- a well balanced and mixed group of characters, picture perfect countryside and an inspiring tutor.

 the studio- L'Espace

Les Soeurs Anglaises in the Dordogne region played host to the book art workshop run by Rachel Hazell. It was a beautiful place to stay;generous,charming hosts who created an idyllic space in which to relax and work, exceptional food ( a cook book is in the making ) and an inspiring studio workspace.To top it all off,I had a room with its very own bath that looked out over the terraced gardens across fields to the nearby village- bliss!

 
the view from my bath

 

A few mornings, I managed to get myself out of bed for an early run along quiet roads and back again, in time for a long soak in the bath before breakfast.

 A' warm up book' -day one

Between, running, swimming and eating, I managed to squeeze in a little book making...

The theme of the workshop was Dictionaries and Definitions: A Personal A-Z.. The workshop outline promised that we would learn 'unusual and beautiful bookbinding techniques, with humour and the luxury of time to experiment".

That last bit about the 'luxury of time' sealed it for me - for me the week was about spending as much time as I wanted on each stage of the book. Nothing done quickly or just for the sake of filling the pages: the focus was on the process rather the the finished product.

  Final book in the making

 

 

homemade bubbles....

 

A few weeks ago, a friend and I went off for an afternoon of soapmaking, as my birthday gift to her. Neither of us had any previous experience so we both measured and mixed with great care and not a little trepidation. The workshop was held here at The Workshop, a lovely space to work in.

At the end of the three hours , we carefully carried home our well wrapped and insulated moulds full of soap. It has a few weeks left, before it is cured enough to use but I couldn't resist wrapping one bar up to send off as a gift. ( With a note of course to advise letting it rest for a week or two before using it.)

 

It smells like Christmas and I am told that once I use it, I will never want to look at a bar of commercial soap again.

Here's hoping.

 

small hands....

Little fingers that just couldn't resist touching.

Tiny embroidered pincushions that should have been finished in time for Christmas.

Almost there....

coloured pencils...

soldering on...

As you may notice the white rabbit is still waiting patiently for a bit of attention. I had no idea just how long it takes to cut and solder all those little rings.

However progress is being made, albeit slowly, so Rabbit should soon be sporting a lovely silver collar and pierced ears.

He doesn't look all that impressed.

Don't stop to smell the roses...

on...

 

off.

This is what happens in my house if you stand still for too long.

Especially when I'm on the loose with my new piercing saw.

But don't worry, I have plans for Mister Bunny....

green pear...

Still drawing deer at the moment but about to branch out into rabbits....

introducing ....

ummm, skull.

Yet to be named but needs a good strong German name as that's where he hails from. At least I think he's a he.Why is he wrapped in tulle?

Skull is going to be part of my embroidery workshop project. Or perhaps all of it depending on how long he takes me to finish.

This is skull after the workshop yesterday. So far so good - but I have yet to tackle the bottom half of his head. I also think he needs a bit of dental work- gold or silver tooth? Or would a big fat diamond be just a little too much?

More photos soon.....

eating elephants...

Spring already.
A few warm days and the old oak tree in our back yard is covered with bright green tips.
Summer will be upon us before we know it.
Meanwhile, I'm busy knitting. 

Warm things like a grey silk,alpaca and merino cabled neck warmer and this irresistible red cape for Charlotte (or Grace more likely at the rate I am knitting it!).
Odd?
Not really when you are about to head from one winter into another.
Our family is on the move in December from Sydney to London for two years.
Two years.
I know it's exciting.

A wonderful opportunity to travel.

I'm sure after a while, I'll love it.

At the moment though I'm sad. Sad to be leaving family and friends. Sad to be leaving behind my home and the wonderful lifestyle we have here. Sad that Grace won't get to spend her first summer lying bare bottomed on a blanket in the shade of the oak tree.

The excitement will come later, I know. For now I am daunted by the task of packing up our life and relocating to the other side of the world. 

They say it's best to do it one bite at a time.

Sigh.

It seems like an awfully big elephant so I guess I better start eating. I just wish I was a little bit hungrier....

 

keep on snipping...

It's birthday month in our house and I decided that I wanted to make the girls a quilt each for their birthdays. I have seen raggy, shaggy quilt on a few favourite blogs along with comments on how quick and easy they are to make. And so I began.
Easy - yes, I have to  agree with that.
Quick? Well, the sewing part is relatively fast but the seam allowance snipping? I can only do a few seams before my hands start cramping up so it's been a few seams here and a few seams there. I have almost finished so it will be into the wash and drying hopefully before the weekend. Because that's when it's Rose's birthday. And then I have to get started on Charlotte's quilt.
 Lucky for me that Grace has a while to go before she starts asking me where her quilt is....

( Linen from Quilter's barn)