I have just been away for a weekend retreat and feel re-energised both physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  I do recommend getting away for some time of peace and reflection and I make no apologies for showing you more scenes of our glorious English countryside.   There's something about water isn't there?  Always moving and changing and somehow calming.....The birds are full of themselves at the moment, and yesterday I could hear a woodpecker pecking away....and....for the first time I actually saw him,  I have always looked before but never managed to spot one.  But yesterday I did (probably because I didn't have the dogs charging around to disturb him!!).  Yet again, I am trying to make decisions about my creative future.  I feel as though I have been doing the same things for a long time.  But I so enjoy doing them.  Should I push the boat out and stretch myself to do something new?  Or should I try to improve on my present repertoire?  I really don't know at the moment - but in the meantime shall try to get some time at the dyepot today!

"Oh to be in England

                Now that April's (nearly) here ....."  It feels as though everything is just waking up.  I have just driven over the downs and it's glorious.....birds singing, sheep quietly grazing and the sun shining.  It makes me feel as though I am just waking up as well.  I just love to think about all the long, summer days ahead.  I'm always optimistic, and think we'll have loads of warm sun !!!!  The blossom tree is in a local churchyard where I walk some dogs each week and each week I notice a difference....buds blossoming etc.  Maybe it's time for me to be quiet and stop rambling on.  And maybe you've now got the message that I love the Spring xx

I over -dyed some fabrics in my stash.....and here are the results.  I'm now planning what to do with them!!  Today I shall be zooming around, labelling and packaging items to go on sale in a craft centre in Arundel.  I used to sell there but haven't done for some time.  My friend invited me back, so I thought I'd give it a whirl for a few months.  I really like the town of Arundel and am happy to be a part of that scene again.

A good dyeing day was had by all and it was great to see what everyone else produced!  I tried Ice Dyeing (pictured here)  This is a very quick, simple method.  Simply crumple fabric into a bowl.  Drop lots of ice cubes on top.  And then randomly sprinkle Dylon dye powder over the ice cubes.  Leave for several hours until ice cubes melt .... and hey presto ... dyed fabric!  The results are mixed..but can be very subtle, with a mottled effect.  Of course you could also do a 2nd/3rd layer....worth trying!

Today is going to be a play-day!  I shall spend the whole day on a dyeing workshop with good friends.....it's simply ages since I was a class participant - and I can't wait.  No doubt I shall add a lot more photos  to my present collection.  I plan to dye silk/wool/cotton fibres and fabrics - so, watch this space...........

After a long winter it's such a bonus to be outside and enjoy the air...the sea and the downs are glorious at the moment, as is my little art shed.  I'm spending many happy hours in it creating and splashing around.  You can see me here assuring George of my unfailing love and telling her I don't hold any grudges even though she did send me flying and broke my arm....!!!

A new coat for Spring!  The mystery knitters of Worthing have been at it again - and hey presto!  A happy, perky tree waiting to greet passers by in the town centre.  It certainly brought a smile to my face - I wonder who knits it?  Although I should like to know - I do like the element of surprise and mystery!!  Talking of which, there was no mystery earlier today when I was trying to be organised and work at my desk. My cat, Wooster kept on plonking himself on everything so I had to keep on removing him from the table top.  He eventually got the message and is still in my wool basket as I write.  At least I now have room on my desk!!!

Early Spring in a flooded area of the Sussex countryside....I just love the colours, and how the blue sky is reflected in the water...I added the photo of one of my bags which I think complements the scene.  My brain is beginning to go a bit whizzy at the moment with all the heady scents and colours of flowers which are appearing daily.  I have also spent happy hours in my shed painting silk and generally getting my act together.  And....I am so enjoying my little car and go up to the hills most days.  Dogs can't believe their luck!!

What a wonderful day we've had today.....non-stop sunshine and w a r m .........and to top it all we discovered a new tea shop in a delightful Sussex village.  The Amberley Village Tea Rooms is a definite on my future tea shop trail!  As you may guess from the beams, it is in an old barn - fabulous!  (the cakes were good too!)

Over the last couple of weeks I've made the most of improved weather and gone down to my art shed and dyed!!!  I'm still trying to work out the most effective way to dye cotton fabrics and am learning all the time.  I'm quite pleased with the results and now have a good stash  (not sure what I'm going to do with them yet!!)

I enjoyed wandering through the Conservatory in Buxton Pavilion over the weekend.  As I walked into the glass structure my senses were bombarded with glorious colour, shapes and smells.....a little touch of a tropical paradise!!  Today I have walked dogs (in glorious sunshine), dyed more fabrics, entertained family to  lunch, am about to go off for some maths tuition (helping out 11 yr. old ....I need help as well!!) and then I'm off to  supervision meeting tonight.  I'm SO grateful for good health and energy.......

No words needed.......except I'm H A P P Y!!

Another gorgeous shop....I found this one up in Leek (staffs).   Doesn't presentation make a difference?  And look what can be done with a bike!!  Anyway after a great (if somewhat exhausting)  weekend of birthday celebrations, I have just had a wonderful 10 hour sleep  and am now raring to go.....the sun shining and a lot of dog walking is on today's menu.....plus some dyeing.  Yeeeessss .......Spring is on the way!