Collage Inspiration!

I've been inspired!

 I went to Yarndale last month, as you know, and met an amazing woman who produces fabulous collages. so when I got home I started searching online to find lots of different styles of collage.... and discovered so much that I was a bit overwhelmed.

 a few days later I joined Jani Franck's 'The Bubbling Well' which is an online space for 'creative beings'.... (you will see the link to the right of this blog). reading Jani's inspirational words and watching her short videos I became more focused and started to really think about the work I could produce. so I made my first collage.....

first I drew out the picture of a cove scene from a recent visit to Wales..... and then I searched for pieces of fabric and paper to construct the scene.  I crocheted piece to represent the large grey rocks.....

and I found some lovely fabric to represent the beautiful pebbles on the beach. 

the pretty primary-coloured boats were represented with pieces of felt

I placed crochet, felt, fabric, ribbon and part of a map on my piece of paper....... and it all started to come together!

but the little felt boats seemed to clutter the picture up too much so they were abandoned..... it was a shame really as they were a very striking part of my original visit to the cove. 

I stuck each element in place with a tiny bit of glue and then used various stitching to attach the fabrics and papers to the backing.  (please note that I am no needlewoman lol)

a page from an old book about the sea formed my coastal path, and ribbons for the sea and sand.  the flowers on the beautiful hillside were a piece of old lace.  I used part of an old map to represent the wider countryside to the side of the cottage, which actually wasn't on the beach, but about half a mile away 

when all the hand stitching had been done I machine sewed it all round...... and then glued it onto a canvas.

Ta Dah!!!

finished and mounted on a canvas

I've just finished a second one but can't show it yet as it is a gift for someone.... but I'll show it when she lets me know that it has arrived safely.

until next time.... blessings, Willow xXx

Five...... always Five!

just to remind all you lovely people that Kit Berry's Stonewylde Series of books comes to an end with the final book being published this week.

the fifth book in the series is out on the 18th October

if you haven't read the books yet please do get a copy of the first one, Magus of Stonewylde, and you will be hooked from the first page! 

there truely is 'no escape'

this is the new version of Magus of Stonewylde published by Gollancz

as the back cover on the original version of Magus says (below) "an enchanting yet disturbing tale of a hidden community in modern England"

here is the original Magus of Stonewylde which was self-published by Kit.  you may still be able to find these in shops or charity shops.



if you want to read more about the author Kit Berry

or about Stonewylde take a look here

I got an email from Amazon this morning to say that my copy of Shaman of Stonewylde has been dispatched!  I am sooooo excited I can hardly contain myself.  once it arrives I'm afraid I will have my nose inside the book until it is finished :-))

until next time....

blessings, Willow xXx

The Magic... Day 1 & 2

Well.... I started working through The Magic by Rhonda Byrne on Friday by making a list of all the things I want in my life. 

It was a struggle at first to put pen to paper and say what I want, as I come from an age when we were told "I want doesn't get!". 

But eventually I had a decent list which is meant to be reviewed and changed as you get the things you want.

Then I could start with Day 1

Each morning I have to write down 10 things I am grateful for to the Universe (or God), with the reasons I am grateful for them.

Perhaps this butterfly will be on my list.

I then have to read the list through, one item at a time, and say "thank you" to to the Universe.

On Day 2 morning I have to repeat writing down another 10 things I am grateful for. 

Gosh that is hard to do!  I'm sure by the end of the 28 days I'll have got the hang of it though.

The next task is to find a Magic Rock or Stone.

..... and here is mine. 

I picked it up off a lovely beach in Wales when M and I were on holiday there in April.  As you can see it is a dark stone with lovely sparkly flecks.

When going to bed at night it is the task to pick up the Magic Stone and think of all the wonderful things that have happened during the day and pick the best thing that happened... and be grateful for it.  Not just think of it but really feel grateful for it. 

The stone is to sit by my bed for the (now) 27 days.

Day 3 starts with writing down 10 things I am grateful for....

(seems to be getting harder lol)

but perhaps the sight of this amazing sheep on a shopping trip which brought a smile to my lips should be on my list. 

Today we are working on relationships using photos.

Looking at the photos I have to say what I am grateful for in that person and write down the five best ones.... saying thank you to the person in the photo.  It was really difficult to choose just three photos to work on but I finally rested on these three.  

During the day I am to look at the photos and say thank you to the people in them.

I have always thought I was grateful for my lot in life.... but I've never said "thank you" so much in my life lol.

It is 10pm and so it is time to hold my Magic Stone and think of all the wonderful things that have happened today and decide which is the best one.

 

There is no rush. 

I love holding the stone and transfering my gratitude to it.... making it truely magical.

I've only been doing this the shortest while... but already it feels so right and having the stone there as something solid and tangible is wonderful.  Thank you Rhonda Byrne.... thank you, thank you  <3

with blessings, Willow xXx