Sentimental journey

Last night I had to sew buttons back on jumpers and cardigans, so I got down my trusty sewing box to look for a needle and thread. And I had a real sense of nostalgia as my needles are still stored in a needle case I made when I was at juniors school.

I know it was juniors school as I can remember clearly the classroom I was in as I sat and made this little case. It would have been my last year (so aged 10-11) before moving up to the high school. I have no idea what year it would be classed now not being with it and all.

Anyway, I sat and admired the handiwork….how carefully I had cut it out and stitched around the edges and realised that I had made this almost 30 years ago. Wow. I’d not mislaid it in all those years, but had kept it like it was something precious. I guess now it is….well least to me.

And this needle case is stored in my Nan’s sewing box which was passed to my mum upon my Nan’s death and then given to me some time ago by mum. That and a little pill box are my treasured possessions that were my dear Nan’s.

As I took a picture of this for my blog I realised that I had placed it on a quilt my mum made last year and had given to me. So right there in front of me were 3 generations of craft stuff…..all of which are handmade, either by my family or another crafter.

It’s wonderful that the UK is starting to embrace handmade items again and encouraging us to take up a craft or work at the ones we may already know.

I love it and I hope that in years to come this sewing box, quilt and needle case are enjoyed by the generation below me.

What a lovely thought.

Happy Happy Friday

No matter what you are doing and who you are with, I hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Helen xx

A painting from the archives

The other day I posted a photograph from my archives - one that I used to sell a lot of. So today I thought I would share one of my life drawing paintings. This was done using pastels and I remember my tutor, Fran, pushing me to use the colours of the sarong on her skin, as almost a reflection. I tended to do a lot of my nudes in charcoal and this was the first one I did in pastels. I had THE most amazing time. I felt like I was just touching the surface of what I could achieve. Shortly after this session the classes stopped for a while and then I couldn't make the new term

I really did enjoy creating this study and I hope to join another life class in the not too distant future.

Hope you had a nice evening last night and are looking forward to the weekend. I missed Kirstie's Handmade Britain as for some reason our telly as decided to remove quite a few channels from it's selection....Channel 4 being one of them. Thanks heavens for catch up tv.

Have a great day!

Helen xx

Anthony Amos 1950 - 2010

In the November's issue of The Artist magazine there was an article on Anthony Amos. I had never heard of him before but I was immediately drawn to his paintings. These are not something that I would typically hang in my home, but I do have a love of boats (I know these are ships, but are still a form of boat). This scanned image doesn't do it justice, just as I am sure the printed picture in the magazine doesn't either.

Fishing Trawler

I really felt like I could smell the dockyard when I saw his paintings and I loved the looseness of his work. It has such an evocative feel about it.

Shipyard

You can read more about him here and see various images.

I am starting to feel better after a head cold which has gone on to my chest, so tonight I plan on doing more on my Paint Free class as it has taken a bit of a back seat lately.

Have a brilliant day, however you spend it.

Helen xx

A pretty flower to brighten the day

On my blog header it says 'artist and photographer' and for some reason I tend to post my art more than my photography. So here is one from my archives. I used to sell this as a print on ebay and it has been on wedding invitations, thank you cards and all sorts of things. I love gerbera flowers and I really love this picture.

Hope you are all having a good Tuesday xx

I just love crunching leaves.....

Happy Monday xx

Bridget Henry

I came across this video today and it has really interested me. In the last few days I have been intrigued at the process of printing either from wood or lino. It completely fascinates me and I really enjoyed watching the process.

I have a long long list of things I would like to try and this really is one of them. I love how you can use just a few colours and it makes an interesting print. I think there are starter kits you can buy......that's the thing with art, there are so many possibilities but they can be so expensive to buy the bits too!

I definitely want to have a go at this!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Helen x