So interesting to see your new work and experiments. Like you, I'm not good in the heat (I have a chronic illness that makes my body react badly) and have to keep the blinds closed in the house. During the May heatwave, I gave up painting as my studio gets so hot, and retreated to the bedroom, where I worked on stitching instead (and pom pom making!). I've always loved your rabbits, and I actually have one of your painted rabbits from a few years ago! She lived in my studio, but will go in the craft room when it's finished. :) Good luck over the next few days, let's take care of ourselves. x
Thank you so much for this lovely response to today’s notes. Natasha, I think you are very wise indeed taking it easy in hot weather. I pushed myself last time but not this time, as I need to take care. I hope we can stay comfortable in the week ahead. Great to hear you are still enjoying the company of one of my rabbit artworks. I look forward to seeing your craft space when you might share it x
I was feeling concern about the French knots. Glad to see they were only on a brief hiatus. We're bracing for heat here in the Pacific Northwest, too. We close the blinds, also. I dislike that darkroom feel, but leaving the windows on three sides of the house open to the sunlight is out of the question. Summer is my least favorite season, but it is followed by Autumn, which is my favorite. I'm getting out a batch of old Christmas cards to start work on this year's holiday shadow boxes. I like to do them in July with some Christmas music in the background. I like your bunnies and the idea of organic dyes. Have you tried avocado pits?
Thank you Marilee - I was wondering if anyone might miss seeing the French knots and am happy to have time for them again. Yes, summer is my least favourite - I seem to be able to tolerate winter better! Have a good week ahead
Your rabbit ladies are so charming, and I can just imagine them sharing a cup of tea with a plate of crumbled cookies ;-) It’s wonderful to be able to turn Margery’s retirement into a new opportunity for experimentation and creativity. Here in France, near Paris, we’re about to enter our second week of a heat wave.... I can’t bring myself to do anything—my attic studio is a living hell—so I’m reading Sylvia Townsend Wagner’s *The Corner That Held Them*, which I finally found in French. And it’s such a pleasure to receive your notes; they really refresh my mind : Paintings, embroidery, short stories ....Thank you for all of this.
And above all, take care of yourselves. These temperatures are really extreme. I hope it won't be as bad where you are in old England.
Thank you Claudine for such a thoughtful comment - having once visited Paris during a heatwave in August I can quite imagine how hard it is for you and no fun that it still continues. I hope you are enjoying reading ‘The Corner’ and am pleased you were able to find a translation. Thanks always and have a good week ahead x
Always love the stories, Cathy. It’s interesting to see how your work is always evolving. I had a sewing and knitting teacher like yours in primary school - Mrs Yeabsley. We had the great good fortune to have all Thursday afternoons devoted to her class. It’s wonderful to learn those skills early. Now that was an education! Hope you survive the hot days in comfort. Here in N Ireland I think it will be more comfortable than for you all in more southerly parts xx
Thank you Pauline, always lovely to hear from you - I envy your slightly cooler climate! Yes, I think I was fortunate to have several craft and skill minded teachers throughout my school days. It has given me a certain confidence to try things.
So interesting to see your new work and experiments. Like you, I'm not good in the heat (I have a chronic illness that makes my body react badly) and have to keep the blinds closed in the house. During the May heatwave, I gave up painting as my studio gets so hot, and retreated to the bedroom, where I worked on stitching instead (and pom pom making!). I've always loved your rabbits, and I actually have one of your painted rabbits from a few years ago! She lived in my studio, but will go in the craft room when it's finished. :) Good luck over the next few days, let's take care of ourselves. x
Thank you so much for this lovely response to today’s notes. Natasha, I think you are very wise indeed taking it easy in hot weather. I pushed myself last time but not this time, as I need to take care. I hope we can stay comfortable in the week ahead. Great to hear you are still enjoying the company of one of my rabbit artworks. I look forward to seeing your craft space when you might share it x
I was feeling concern about the French knots. Glad to see they were only on a brief hiatus. We're bracing for heat here in the Pacific Northwest, too. We close the blinds, also. I dislike that darkroom feel, but leaving the windows on three sides of the house open to the sunlight is out of the question. Summer is my least favorite season, but it is followed by Autumn, which is my favorite. I'm getting out a batch of old Christmas cards to start work on this year's holiday shadow boxes. I like to do them in July with some Christmas music in the background. I like your bunnies and the idea of organic dyes. Have you tried avocado pits?
I have tried both avocado pits and skins, with various results. It’s good to try things that might be in the kitchen.
Thank you Marilee - I was wondering if anyone might miss seeing the French knots and am happy to have time for them again. Yes, summer is my least favourite - I seem to be able to tolerate winter better! Have a good week ahead
Sending you good wishes for the next heatwave, Cathy! Ugh, I am glad you have other artistic outlets for when it’s hot.
I like the rabbits and the hand stitching. And your stories are so good and always slightly weird.💕 Peacocks are freaky birds! Thank you!
Thank you Sheila! Always good to hear from you and have a happy week ahead
I have an affinity to stichery as well, of various sorts. Happy my mother led the way in me learning.
I love your rabbits and lady figures. I am amazed as to how you stitch such tiny details. You must have nimble fingers and needle control.
My fingers ache just at the prospect of such tiny stitches. Good work, keep creating!
From Colorado, USA
Thank you Krista! I really appreciate your encouragement and am looking forward to stitching more. Have a good week
Your rabbit ladies are so charming, and I can just imagine them sharing a cup of tea with a plate of crumbled cookies ;-) It’s wonderful to be able to turn Margery’s retirement into a new opportunity for experimentation and creativity. Here in France, near Paris, we’re about to enter our second week of a heat wave.... I can’t bring myself to do anything—my attic studio is a living hell—so I’m reading Sylvia Townsend Wagner’s *The Corner That Held Them*, which I finally found in French. And it’s such a pleasure to receive your notes; they really refresh my mind : Paintings, embroidery, short stories ....Thank you for all of this.
And above all, take care of yourselves. These temperatures are really extreme. I hope it won't be as bad where you are in old England.
Thank you Claudine for such a thoughtful comment - having once visited Paris during a heatwave in August I can quite imagine how hard it is for you and no fun that it still continues. I hope you are enjoying reading ‘The Corner’ and am pleased you were able to find a translation. Thanks always and have a good week ahead x
Always love the stories, Cathy. It’s interesting to see how your work is always evolving. I had a sewing and knitting teacher like yours in primary school - Mrs Yeabsley. We had the great good fortune to have all Thursday afternoons devoted to her class. It’s wonderful to learn those skills early. Now that was an education! Hope you survive the hot days in comfort. Here in N Ireland I think it will be more comfortable than for you all in more southerly parts xx
Thank you Pauline, always lovely to hear from you - I envy your slightly cooler climate! Yes, I think I was fortunate to have several craft and skill minded teachers throughout my school days. It has given me a certain confidence to try things.