Feathers again

I have never seen one of the feathers in my life and within two days have seen two, one on Gennine's Art Blog and the other on tinctory.

Apparently it is a jay feather, how beautiful!

New start!

I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth, just had a bad creative start to the year! My digital printer has given me endless trouble and only seems to print when it feels like it! At the moment is not printing magenta at all, which obviously affects all the colours, except black. Also, the fabric supplier I use for my tea towels has closed down and I need to go to Cape Town to try and find a new supplier. I've been trying to think of something else to make for my etsy shop but it seems that all good idea's are taken!

I haven't been blogging because I feel I have nothing to blog about but I still read other peoples blogs and look forward to their posts everyday. I suppose that is a bit selfish really so I have decided to make an effort. I do so admire all of you out there who put in so much time and effort to take pics everyday. In an attempt to clear my mind I started by tidying out my fabric stash. Considering that I don't really sew much, I seem to have accumulated a fair amount of fabric!

I just need to get started and today is the day! It's a very late start to 2010 but I suppose 'better late than never!'

All things orange

Orange is not one of my favourite colours, but as we're in the middle of winter, I find myself noticing all things citrus. From there it's an easy step to shades of peach, yellow and salmon.

From there another step to pure orange,


And finally to the intense, sun baked orange of a warm winters day!

maps

I love maps, atlases and vintage books. We have a secondhand bookshop in Hermanus with the most amazing books. I found this atlas and couldn't resist buying it, even though it is moth eaten and discolouredMost inspiring colour combinations.

Dedication in the front of the book. Although this was written over 50 years ago, it still rings true for today.

This map bag, inspired by the atlas purchase, has already been sold and is living happily in the U.S.A

This is a tea towel specifically designed for Hermanus, combining the map idea with the stylized whale shape.

pebbles

There is nothing more soothing than water flowing over pebbles as this photograph by Lori Hinrichsen shows. (You can see more of her work in her etsy shop chasing stillness.) That of course is the first thing that comes to mind but there are so many creative people out there giving a new look to pebblesI saved these a while ago and have forgotten where I found them, but aren't they fascinating!This one speaks for itself and can be found here.

I know felt pebbles aren't anything new, but I just love the way the hardness of the stones is so successfully translated into the softness of the felt.

I found these on etsy at makeyourpresentsfelt!

Bugs and magnolias

While still in 'insect' mode, I came across these photographs, by Kari Herer, on etsy. She has combined the magnolias with old illustrations of flowers and bugs.

I just love the way the flowers become part of the drawing and visa versa. These drawings really put my attempts at botanical sketches to shame. I also like the way they are so systematically arranged. How on earth did she find EXACTLY the right size flower for every drawing! Finally, white is my favourite colour.

I really want one of these photographs!

Insects

Talking of insects, how about this clock from Josh Owen?

More hearts....

More hearts....... This time from the smartest fish.