Brainstorming my windows theme plus some embroidery and a design...

Photos and notes, again exploring windows.

Yet more photos plus an exploratory piece of fabric - threads and scraps and paper between tissue and organza.

And now for my other new sketchbook – no title as yet, just sketchbook, lol!!!

Benches in Weston Park, Sheffield plus zentangle

Blue zentangle plus photo of bandstand

Close up photo of bandstand window and a green zentangle.

Quick 5 minute sketch of mirror in pub whilst waiting for my friend.

Ryan - the latest teddy in my collection, lol.

And finally, yet another zentangle - I do love playing around with these

Zentangled "Q"

I know, I’ve been quiet. Doesn’t mean that I haven’t been doing things though!!! Much considering going on, lol. Lots of notes. And some decisions made. One being to resume the Visual Dialogue with my friend, Jill – a joint decision that seemed to be made by us both at the same time. Do love synchronicity!!! Another being to start a new sketchbook similar to the one I made for the ArtHouse project, although this won’t be limited to monochromatic images. Already started in a lovely little A6 book that my sister gave me for xmas. And this one I’ll keep for reference. Plus some notes made in the Textiles sketchbook that I started seem to indicate that I’ll be making a cloth – probably a small one – as a longer term project.

Zentangled "R"

No photos or scans as yet, but I promise I will take them and add them to the blog later in the week. For now, just two images of ATCs for the continuing Zentangled Alphabet ATC series via SwapBot.

Pages 30 and 31

Four more pages have now been finished in my ArtHouse Co-op Sketchbook 2012. Leaving just 2 more to do!

Although I missed my personal deadline of the end of December, I’m still on track to complete and post by the ArtHouse deadline of the end of January. Really pleased. I feel much happier with this book than I did with the one I completed for 2011. Perhaps I needed the first one to give me the experience! Anyway, am now considering how to finish the book. I may even add a touch of fabric or textile art although I suspect there will be one more photo inserted – an easy and quick way, I know, to fill a page but then, this is my sketchbook, lol!!!

Pages 32 and 33 - a zentangle and a drawing of my winter decorations - first bought for the xmas season some years ago, they now seem to stay put for most of the winter, lol!!!

Last night I was sent an email by WordPress with my stats for 2011. I’d share it with you but every time I try to read it through, Firefox crashes, lol. What I do know is that my little blog is more popular than it was at this time last year, and for that I thank you too.

Over the past week or so I’ve been procrastinating over my WORD for 2012. I had thought of perhaps continuing with STRUCTURE, the word I adopted back in July, having failed miserably to establish a rapport with my January 2011 word Balance let alone be inspired by it. Structure worked well. I’ve laid down some guidelines, structured my creative activities, including learning (and yes, I’m still ‘studying’ from my personal library as well as continuing with my Morning Pages) and am creating within a flexible yet thought out daily schedule, health and the Muse permitting.

But, the WORD has done its job. I can continue along the path now that my structure has been laid down. And so, time to choose a new one.

However, deciding on that new WORD has been fraught with mental wrestling, lol. Eventually I decided, via my Morning Pages, that the problem lies in my wanting too much from one word. There is no one word that adequately conveys the path that I now wish to follow. Briefly I wondered about having two words for 2012 but decided against that. If I want to, I can always choose a new one in June (according to the rules laid down by Christine Kane that is perfectly acceptable).

And so, after much careful deliberation, my new word is CONSIDER. (See Wiktionary for one definition). For me, that definition contains part of what I want to do over the coming months: to think about my creativity seriously and perhaps most importantly, to look attentively at the work that I’m producing as well as to consider and study the processes and techniques involved. My favourite definition however is here, with this line in particular jumping out at me:

“To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to think on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on.”

There are other connotations to CONSIDER and I’ll be mind-mapping them in my journal later today. Giving greater consideration to other people and events included: sometimes I feel that I become so wrapped up in my own little world that I ignore what else is going on around me.

Today I’m also hoping to put up the ‘mood board’ that I bought yesterday. Blank at the moment, I’m hoping to fill it gradually and use it for considered inspiration over the days and weeks and months ahead. See you all again soon, and thanks once more for your support.

Front cover of my new Textiles Sketchbook

Having had several new textile-related books for xmas, I’ve decided to start a textile-only sketchbook. Just over 8″ square the one I’ve chosen is made from Khadi paper. So it should be strong enough to withstand stitching and rough handling. Before I started working in it I decided to make it feel and look like a book for textiles, and have thus covered it using various fabric scraps, some lace and patterned tissue stuck down with a PVA/ water mix. Stitched around the edges, with fancy buttons for the ribbon tie and a couple of embellishments.

The back cover.

As you’ve probably gathered, I’m hoping to explore textile arts in 2012, including embroidery and general stitching, lace-making, collage, quilts, patchwork, wall-hangings and cloths. I’m also determined to finish my ArtHouse Co-op Sketchbook – with only 3 more pages to do, I’m pretty confident that it will be ready to post in plenty of time (deadline is the end of January).

See you in the New Year

Wishing you all a wonderful xmas!!!!

I’ll be taking a short break for the festivities, will be back soon In the meantime, here’s hoping that you all have a great holiday season, and thank you for your support – so very much appreciated.

What hasn’t changed is that I’m still aiming to take at least one or two photographs each day as a personal record of my life. These may be of interest to others but I’m guessing that most are not. In the same way that some pages of a journal or a diary may contain elements that can be shared, there are only a few photographs that will be worth displaying. The ones I like will be shown here or on my Flickr pages. As before!!! Below is a small selection taken this week:

A touch of the exotic... a reminder of sun and warmth!

Temptations in our local Christmas Market.

I really can't imagine anyone wearing this hat, lol!!! Even if he does look cute Sheffield Christmas market.