Photo: An embroidery artwork from 2018 (this encourages me to want to stitch again in the future - but must be patient)
There’s a robin singing in the early morning light - all alone, in amongst the rose hips. I stand by the window and listen, the song filtering through the glass more boldly than science really expects… One of my first tasks of the day is to wipe the windows, as cold weather brings damp and mildew. There’s a little ritual in this, moving pottery about on windowsills, checking on houseplants. The only way I really get any housekeeping down is to feel the need to re-arrange and my nesting has become quite obsessional, just recently, spending so much time at home, as I do. Days are certainly getting shorter and colder, blink and it’s Christmas. I prefer not to think beyond that, for January and February can be tough months.
Making Christmas is much more appealing to me than buying mass-produced (I also like to buy vintage things, handmade things from fairs and markets if I can). I love to make my own Christmas decorations and have changed my mind about what style over the years. I know what I like much more these days. Having been through a few Christmas phases of glitter, gold and retro…
Thankfully or otherwise, each Christmas that comes around is a new opportunity to re-invent Christmas itself - if that so appeals to you. Older and wiser to the space I live in, I like the simplest of things. My favourite motif, symbol or feature of Christmas is the tree. A simple tre with just lights, maybe a few simple ornaments, is a splendid thing. It does not have to be big. Indeed, I like many small trees dotted about the place.
photo: the beginnings of a simple ‘feather style’ tree made using wool felt and wire. I hope I don’t run out of that dark green thread….
And so I attempt to grow my own - I plant the seeds of an idea, with wool felt and wire, needle and thread. Make simple branches, sewing the wire within the felt and snip-snip-snip. Tis the season to be snipping…. And dreaming….
Anyway, I have probably waffled on about Christmas too soon…..
But just to say, I will be sharing photos of my festive decorating and handmade items over the weeks ahead. And I’ll share more progress on my tree building with a few more basic instructions for anyone interested in growing their own!
Meanwhile, a note on future shop updates. I have just two more updates before Christmas. These will be this coming Wednesday and the Wednesday after that. Then I will be taking a break from my usual busy Wednesday evenings - but still working. My shop will remain open and you may still purchase a ‘lucky dip’ winter painting throughout the winter months. I shall endeavour to get these out to you asap. Please note: unfortunately there are going to be further delays in the UK postal system - but I have noted most overseas customers I have heard from recently are receiving their orders in reasonable time. I hope this may continue. And I am especially grateful to my son who is my personal postman at this time. He has been taking all packages into the post office and is often served by his sister, my daughter, who works there. Getting my artwork to you is really a family enterprise. It always has been, for without my two children giving me their encouragement and help, I would not have the business that I have today.
And I am most grateful indeed to everyone for their recent orders, which make such a difference, each and every order, or even if you have simply spent time looking and pondering…. I thank you for your interest in my artwork, thank you for spending time reading these notes, looking at my Instagram posts, just being there, wherever you may be. I hope you are keeping well, warm and safe in this ever-changing world.
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Photo: sketchbook from 2016
A few small stories from this week
Friends on my doorstep and a huge cake. What to do but but put the kettle on, quick-quick before you wake up and find it’s all a daydream…. I find myself, grey-haired Alice, invited to an impromptu tea party. But there’s no mad hatter or dormouse, just lovely friends. I unwrap a gift that is tied with the most exquisite tiny bunting. I hold the bunting and have to pause for breath. ‘I am overwhelmed by tiny bunting’ I say, holding it up and really have to take a moment because I might just cry.
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I’ve started to keep a list of things I say to myself when painting, making artwork, but especially painting. Here are a few things that I have jotted down:
It’s only a painting
Never mind next time, the time is now
Just don’t touch that bit!
Leave it to dry and come back
The light is against me (so often said at this time of year)
Well I love trees
If a bird comes to the window I will paint one
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Thanks always for reading here, for your likes and kind comments. I do appreciate you taking the time to read and thanks also for subscribing. I am especially grateful to everyone who supports me by buying a coffee - it really does help out and allows me to feel able to give more time to my writing, something so important for me to share. Thanks!
If i didn’t live across the water, i would bring a basket that holds old book papers, scissors and glue, a raggedy sewn heart with a wool felt blackbird stitched onto the front, a jar of ginger jam, and bread for toasting. we would sit at the table and fashion old book pages into paper chains; we would drink hot tea and watch the birds through the winter window. our paper chain would spill over to the floor, as new links are added; we would laugh and we would savor the stories that were shared. xox Nina
Your posts are always so heartfelt and heartwarming, especially as the holidays are upon us. It reminds me that you always make a practice of living meaningfully. You create ample space in your days to truly appreciate the little things that matter like the birds eating the grapes, the decorations that speak of handwork rather than glitter, and tiny trees sprinkled around your home. You have a lovely aesthetic year round, culminating in a peaceful Christmas spent with loved ones. ❤️