Autumn Leaves

are so incredibly beautiful. This tree outside my living room window simply changed colour in a day. Now, of course, after some strong winds, there are more of them on the ground than on the branches, but they still look amazing. I have a selection of autumnal fat quarters just begging to come out to play at this lovely season, perhaps my favourite of all. But I'm still resolutely making things for Christmas, and ignoring their siren call.

I do, however, have to go and get some batting... maybe tomorrow. I have a quilt to make for the International Quilt Challenge, Through The Window. I have completely ignored my earlier ideas, which no doubt will be called up for duty later, to make a piece that it entirely suitable for this time of year, with Hallowe'en/Samhain just passed and Guy Fawkes looming. I'll let you ponder that one... it doesn't involve orange, though.

Meanwhile, back to the grindstone. Stuffing lavender bags and finishing off festive table arrangements, not to mention adding a little more wool to the lovely pale green scarf I felted yesterday... it's all go!

Yet More Burghley

As always, the natural world demanded my attention on the visit to Burghley; and how could it not, with a deer park, and various man-made and natural attractions. I was struck by the beauty of these huge, furry leaves, though I don't know what tree they came from (anybody know?). The patterning on the leaf is fascinating; hugely detailed and reminiscent of tree bark. The reverse of the leaf was just as fascinating, though more muted. I took this one home with me, but within a couple of hours, the green had gone. For want of waxed paper to iron it with, I sprayed it with a wax coating which you would usually use on waxed coats; that has preserved it to some extent, but the stunning colour is gone.

I wouldn't usually think of such a colour combination; isn't nature a wonderful artist? Watch this space for lime green appearing in my palette in future! I bought some, recently, and haven't used it yet... now seems to be a good time! Perhaps in a small piece, just to see how I like it... and then, who knows!

Autumn...

is making its presence felt. The image is a partial shot of a leaf I found in my garden; I thought the colours were beautiful. Like many of the other small images I've shown you recently, it has been printed on canvas, using Big Bertha, my large scale Epson printer, and then stitched into. The whole thing, mounted up, is just over 8" square; the piece itself is about 4 1/2 square. Small but perfectly formed...

I'm sitting here with two jumpers on, thinking about firing up the heating. It does seem a bit early for that, though, but if it continues to be as chilly as this, I will. And I think I'll look out my autumn/winter wardrobe, see what it is like. As it is, I'm now on my fourth scarf, a lacy knit from variegated colours, conker colours together with some rich green... that should be lovely when it's done. And I'm contemplating hand quilting something large, just to keep warm! And it's only October...sigh.

I've been out shopping this afternoon. Bought a frame to see if I like these small images framed up and ready to go. For small things, it's cheaper to buy a frame and see, than it is to make one by hand. Framing and I have had a whirlwhind romance, and then decided we don't like each other much. So I'm sticking to cutting mounts, which I can do well, and leaving the framing to Haydn and Robin. I also bought some fun double knitting wool in seriously bright colours, should cheer me up if nothing else does! And it's carry out curry tonight, which will warm the cockles nicely, particularly as I don't have to cook it! I'm off to set the plates out...