Early ideas for ways in which I could make something of my Sri Lanka images concentrated on using photocopies on plain paper with bondaweb and in Black and White.

I also wanted to explore writing about place and including that in the piece. My ability to write in free motion machine stitch is still far too rustic to be serviceable, so tried a photocopy.

So.... I resurrected an early attempt, worked on it and completed it, not because I think I have found the right formula but because trying to resolve the design has helped clarify  what I might want to omit and what I want to do more of.

Landscape is one one my key themes this year. I like to work from places that mean something to me and which have a visual impact. Where I start seems a little ad hoc - I found some images from a trip to Sri Lanka some years ago. An amazing place, but a trip imbued with sadness as my father passed away while I was there.
The images were taken the day I knew I'd not make it home in time to be with him. All this time later I can approach these interesting images and work with them without the burden I felt earlier, just the joy at the colour, pattern and shape that drew me to the docks in the first place and a link to him.
Here are some of the raw images I've been working with.

Mending is usually about using stitches to to remove, cover, strengthen areas of fabric which have worn or been distressed. I wanted to explore the use of machine darning to 'quilt' my piece and experimented with different threads.

I was also interested in using the words we use to describe these surface changes to fabric and have experimented with writing them on the cloth with stitches.

For background details see Current Work - Mending

An A3 portrait orientation challenge in response to a novel titled "The Heavenly Trousers" and a particular exert in which the author discusses mending.
I have been experimenting with different mending skills and looking to make them explicit rather than invisible!​
​Working on old French rustic linen with a lovely slubbed rough texture. The following images show some of the ideas I have had so far.

Machine darning                                                      Insert in seam

It was really interesting to investigate the effects that could be created by taking photographs through objects, windows , gaps etc. I am now very pleased with the imagery and like the idea of trying to create layered images in fabric and thread.

It is amazing what you can see when you really look! When Circles was the theme we were all a lot more inventive, finding circle elements in all manor of places.

Sally from stitchywoowoo.com came with us recently on a trip to France for a holiday and stitchy retreat. She set us  number of photography challenges while we were sight seeing.
What at first interpretation seemed a simple task, actually taught me to really look at what what I was seeing! Made me appreciate the intricacies of landscape and buildings. It also showed us how differently individuals 'see' the same thing when we shared our collections each evening.
The first challenge was to find SQUARES while wandering around St. Foy La Grande near Bergerac. Very literal choices in this first attempt.