Thursday 31 December 2015

Tag Tuesday-Snowflakes

The theme for Tag Tuesday this week is Snowflakes
For my Snowflakes tag I had fun combining gelli printed
 pages. I used some wooden print blocks from
Colouricious and finished off with some snowflake
ribbons from my stash.


Thursday 17 December 2015

Tag Tuesday-Baubles and Bling



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here!
Here's my Baubles and Bling tag for this week's Tag Tuesday
I made a background with glittery card, and added
gold braid and ribbons. I couldn't resist putting on
some sequins. Now I struggled to find a  satisfactory
 way to make the baubles. Then I remembered my
tiny set of baubles on display, and thought they
would be the right size, and they were!


Wednesday 9 December 2015

Tag Tuesday-Night Sky

This week on Tag Tuesday the theme is Night Sky.
My Night Sky tag was inspired by a set of Christmas stamps.
The background was painted with Inktense blocks,
and I added water, because it is always fun watching
how the surface changes. Stars stamped with acrylic on
a black background were framed with washi tape stars,
the background sprinkled with more stars. Some fabric
with houses was also painted with Inktense pencils,

and then some larger silver stars cascaded down the 
corner.



Sunday 6 December 2015

Christmas Cards

I have been printing some Christmas cards,
using the wooden print blocks I bought from Colouricious.
I have had great fun stamping and printing. When the weather
is bad it is great to have a studio to make art in. Listening to 
the wind howling round my loft, I feel very in touch
with the elements. As a bonus, I emerge a couple of hours
later covered in glitter!


Sunday 29 November 2015

Christmas Card Printing

Here is my box of wood block stamps
from Colouricious. I am getting ready to
start printing Christmas cards!  They came
in a little box. 


Wednesday 11 November 2015

Gelli Printing with Leaves

There are so  many fallen leaves on the ground at the moment.
I decided to use some beech leaves for printing on my
gelli plate.
I was pleased with the results, and it was fun, so I may have
to do some more!







Thursday 5 November 2015

Spider's webs

 There are such beautiful spider's webs everywhere
at the moment. I found these in our garden! 





Wednesday 28 October 2015

Online classes at Craftsy


I have signed up for a couple of online classes at Craftsy. If you haven't
come across this website before, I recommend having a look.
There are online classes available in all sorts of creative pursuits.
So many different subjects to choose from! Embroidery, quilting,
sewing, yarn and fibre arts, art and photography among others!
The prices are very reasonable, and the classes are clear and easy 
to follow.It is like having a personal tutorial.


I am doing Embroidering Texture and Dimension by Hand with Sue 
Spargo 



and Bead Embroidery with Myra Wood




Monday 19 October 2015

Autumn/Fall Colouring Pages by Alisa Burke

Colouring books for adults are becoming increasingly popular.
There are some artists who sell bundles of colouring pages on
their websites. I liked the ones by Alisa Burke, an American 
artist in Portland, Oregon. Here is a link to the page on her 
I have started to colour in one of her free downloadable
colouring sheets to try it out, and I thought it was fun,
and I love her drawings. It is also fun to use my new Sharpies!
It is for the times when I get into the studio and want to do
something creative to kick-start my ideas.








Wednesday 30 September 2015

Crochet blanket

I started learning crochet this time last year. It has been a challenge
and great fun at the same time. Once a month I go to a local group
meeting, where we crochet, chat and swap patterns. 
Here you can see the blanket I am making.

Work in Progress
It started as a cushion
The pattern is in this book
More yarn arrived from Wool Warehouse

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Sashiko Shirt Cushions

Sashiko is a type of Japanese embroidery, which I really like and
 have some previously stitched projects.
I knew I had 2 finished sashiko pieces, the right size for cushion
covers, and  I knew they
 would be a great gift , for friends who have birthdays on the same day.
I used old shirts for backing and made patchwork borders.
Now I have two finished projects, and two  home made presents.
You can read about the Sashiko embroideries here:
http://texturetrail.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/some-more-sashiko.html
http://texturetrail.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/more-sashiko.html

Sashiko Shirt Cushions

Grape Design

Leaf and Hemp Design

Back of cushion

Shirt Back
Matching Pair

Thursday 10 September 2015

Tag Tuesday-I remember when

This week on Tag Tuesday the theme is "I remember when"

I have made a " Nostalgia " tag, because I
wanted to use this photo of two sisters. I really
wish this was an old family photo, but I found it in
a Brocante in France last summer!
I have used a stamp which evokes
memories of times gone by, lace for a vintage feel,
and a birdcage.



 I have added a close up of the sweet photo of two little sisters.

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Holiday in Italy

Here are some photos of Tuscany and Umbria.
We had a lovely holiday, and visited some beautiful places.
The scenery was perfect! 


Typical Tuscan landscape


Walled town of Pienza


Coffee in the town square


Narrow streets


Magnificent bank


Thursday 3 September 2015

Epoch 3-new shop in Caversham

We have a new shop in Caversham, selling revamped
furniture and arts and crafts by local artists.
If you look carefully, you will see some of my stitched
textile pictures on display!
Epoch3 is a bright, but cosy shop, with lovely furniture
and things for the home.
This is what it looks like today!

 













Tuesday 1 September 2015

Tag Tuesday-Blues and Browns



I am back with you again after a blogging and tagging break over the summer.
The past few weeks have gone by very fast, and it is hard to believe it
is September. I have been spending time at home, and have just
returned from a fabulous holiday in Italy. I will post photos of it soon.
For my Blues and Browns tag, I have used random colours of writing materials 
 and bits and pieces from my studio ( courtesy of Pat Brennan, from when
we did a stash swap)I enjoyed layering on the colours,as some sank into the
handmade paper background. The other pieces were placed on top.

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Texture Trail Summer Holiday

Texture Trail is taking a summer holiday and will be back in September.
Have a good summer everyone!
Jane x


Regency Flower Picking Image
Image by The Graphics Fairy


Tuesday 7 July 2015

National Gardens Scheme-Chalkhouse Farm

On Sunday Richard and I visited another garden in the
National Gardens Scheme. Chalkhouse Green Farm is
near to where we live. It is a great open day,
with a beautiful farm house, glorious gardens,
rare breed animals and even a swimming pool
and tennis court for the public to use.
We did enjoy wandering round the gardens, but
 particularly liked seeing the animals. Marigold,the
Mangalitza sow was very friendly.  Daisy the
Suffolk Punch,with her foal, Blossom, only
three and a half months old were delightful.
My favourite was Jack the Shire horse, who weighs
about 950 pounds! He looked magnificent
with his plaited mane.

Pretty oriental pot

Quiet corner with a water trough

Large lemons being grown in pots

Fragrant honeysuckle

Sundial

Sweet statue

Carved wooden shutters

Daisy stands guard over Blossom

Jack with his plaited mane

Marigold making friends with the visitors