A Tree....

Hi everyone...

Today I chopped down a tree.

Now before you all get over-excited and going 'Oh my god you cruel thing!' I didnt kill it, I used the ancient art of coppicing. Basically I cut it back in such a way that it will grow back with more branches. You can do this to most hardy trees, mine is a Sycamore and VERY hardy. I only have a small garden and doing this ensures the tree doesn't outgrow its space and have to be removed completely. I grew it from a seed so there is no way I'm going to harm it!

Do I recommend this to everyone? No, if in doubt get a professional. I use to be a Park Ranger and I've done this many times before. Done wrong and it can kill or weaken the tree so it falls down. Mine was only 20ft tall, I keep it set to that height as its the best for its roots in a small garden. Why now, before full autumn? I usually do this particular tree at this time of year, before it gets too wet and in danger of rotting the wood in the cuts. It has time to heal before winter sets in. Its better now than in spring when the sap is rising, the tree 'feels' it more then.

The resulting wood will not go to waste. I have set it to one side to dry, even the small branches can make something, and the leaves have been added to my wildlife pile where I get a lot of frogs. Good shading for them.

Why am I telling you this? Its to show that some crafting projects can be a long time in the making. I have plans for the wood but it will be at least 12 - 18 months before its really ready, the branches a little sooner.

Patience is as much a part of crafting as the creation process is......

Machine life...

Hi!

Finally got a new washing machine after two weeks of waiting. Got a project for Folksy washing as I type this. :)

My problem now is that I have TOO MANY ideas floating around my head. So many I am in danger of not completing any of them!

As well as the bowl (which has stopped for the moment while I get hold of some more paint and varnish) and a pair of striking neon-striped cushions (I like cushions) I have also just drawn out a pattern ready for crocheting of a stylised fat black kitty. It will be my first tapestry crochet project. I never make things easy for myself!

EDIT...

Diamond cushion is now of Folksy!
Im not very good at taking photos though, heres an extra picture thats not on Folksy of the soft-brushed edging I did.

Heres the unedited pic of the full thing, not much different to what I finally used.

Broken washing machine....

Hi!
A broken washing machine has put most of my textile projects on the back-burner for a week or two so I decided to go back to another project i started some time ago.

Im currently working on a paper-machete Potpourri bowl in the rustic style popular at the moment. Slightly (and deliberately) off-centred and created without a 'mould' such as a balloon or another bowl, just using a card ring, its starting to come along nicely. At about 8 and 1/2 inches across by 4 and 1/2 inches high, its quite a decent size.

Ive just finished layering the paper and given it a good sanding. The hardest part is knowing when to sand and when not, I dont want to lose the 'roughness' too much as its the whole point of the piece. I've also added the first of about 20 (yes 20!) coats of paint ready for another light sanding. Ive already got in mind the decoration for it, but its a secret for now! Another month and it should be done (hopefully)...

In the meantime Im ploughing on with crocheted cushions... I got a thing for them..

See you soon!

😊