wise words

Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us. - Jerry Garcia
Need I say more

Virtue is it's own reward

Went up to Suffolk Norfolk border on Saturday to see the Seven Deadly Virtues exhibition. Not very deadly at all, rather agreeable in fact, except for my crazed creations. This is screenprint & patchwork is by Helen, whose gallery and workshop it is. We tend to call her Helen the Rottweiler [behind her back] to differentiate from Helen the Meek who is also a patchworker.

It was a lovely day in the rural flat lands, corn all gathered in, potatoes' browned off heads waiting to be lifted. Recently we were asked by a couple from Texas what these strange plants were, presumably they had not been to Ohio, - is that where potatoes come from?

Other exhibitors were a mixed bunch, I liked the automota by John, Helen's large and silent partner.

Lin has never shown her work before, one of H's deadly virtues is bullying people into having some confidence about their work. L uses pen and ink and water colour by the look of it, and does calligraphy quotes to frame it. Her literary references didn't seem to be mine so I didn't have to try and squeeze one of her pieces onto our already over crowded walls.





John2 takes and prints rather wonderful digital photos, and only jealousy stopped me buying one, no matter how little room their might be.






















Finally Heather stitched and dyed, in a not very exciting way, but perfectly competently. She called this Homage to Tiamen which does lend it more gravitas.

We stopped off on the way back at Walberswick for tea and cakey, lovely pub amongst the salt flats leading to the sea, and all was gorgeous - till i realised I had left my bag back at the gallery, which lengthened the return journey considerably Four times through the one way system of Beccles is 4 too many.

winged chariot

Hastings was good, as was the sunshine, I wonder if we would be different people if we all had sufficient of sunlight and ............holidays.
Lots of bossy magpies up on the East cliffs; a couple of determined crows quartering the grass every day - they found an abandoned apple and spent a merry couple of days pecking it to the core and beyond.
The seagulls screamed from chimneys and all high points, often the top of cars which they strutted around on as if the car was a ragged rock round which we ragged rascals ran.
All the birds soared in wonderful swooping glides on the thermals, what kind of people would we be if we could fly in the sunshine, and scream and curse whenever we feel the urge.
Couldn't resist a couple of fish and chip suppers, scrumptious, I had forgotten how good hot fat batter and starch can taste.
Also a lovely spicy lamb casserole and another night an even more scrumptious cassolet - duck and herby sauage squeezed among the beans at the Dragon. Nothing like it at home - a kind of wine bar, but a down market arty one with odd tables and chairs. low light and jazz on the vinyl. Almost like being young and intellectual again with black eye liner and nail varnish. Though my mother told me once that she wore black nail varnish when she was young, [with shoulder pads and a big hat and 3" heels clambering over the ruins of London to the office, she claims]
Why can't we stay young, only our thoughts and understanding maturing, then when we finally get bored we can switch off.

The value of old things did raise a finger for attention as old town has many, many junk shops. The lady in flibbertigibbet [or some such] reckons she could sell anything, even wet fish, to anyone. She didn't stock wet fish but maybe it was in her experience. I bought a double white cotton sheet, presumably from a failed hotel of which there are probably many as Hastings is not what it was, one look at the poor old pier gives you a glimpse of the ghost of past glories. The thick white Egyptian cotton was irresistible, one day i will dye it.

red with anger

It is blustery today, sudden sunshine then black clouds, the washing was almost dry when I lost my nerve and brought it in.
Big push to finish work for the Seven Deadly Virtues exhibition.
Have done a triptych on Awakening Anger, unfortunately it is a bit more Awankening as I first spelt it. It was a long horizontal work, which might have interested Coffeespooners present interior decorating requirements, but I thought sagely - who would want a long horizontal piece, so I cut it up..........Timing is everything, as we know.
Finally I stitched each face to a gold fabric covered board and sent them on their way [not rejoicing]. The scarlet threads of Anger flood the photo as usual, not sure what it is about red, or how to deal with it more successfully.
Another piece is also lengthier than high, Envy Lurks, takes a remarkably clear pic, as it is rather dark, in all senses.
Eastern Region Textile forum has a competition [saints preserve us] to stitch a postcard on the subject On The Doorstep. It has to be 5" x 7" which is an odd size to start with.
I did think of a Stabbed Body lying across the doorstep, but may settle for a Rough Sleeper. I suspect there will be many beautiful garden views so I have to think of something different, or be upset when my garden isn't up to scratch.
I should be thinking of making some more traditionally sized fabric postcards and bookmarks for the local craft show. I don't think Envy Lurks will quite cut it.
We [me, him and Hattie] go away fro a week on Saturday, maybe the South coast will inspire me, if i can see thru the rain.