Dying with Kemtex acid dyes.

This morning Tom and I had a great time dying bits of fleece - guided by a very generous friend. We'd taken along some black-nosed valais fleece from Camp House farm near Rosley in Cumbria and also used some blue-faced Leicester.

The fleece was from David - on the right. 

 Having washed the fleece (2 hours steeping in hot as I could handle water with a bit of washing up liquid) and then spun dried it in a pillow case, it was soaked in 25% white vinegar solution for 20 minutes.

Then it was drained and placed in a pan - covered with water and the dye solution added. It was then brought to the boil and left to cool before draining and drying.

The dying .....

The drying........

..and what to do with it? Well it looks nice just as it is, but it'll be spun, woven and felted ...

Summer exhibition at Mae's tearooms, Uldale.

The paintings are up and labelled - just awaiting the final touches to the sides around the room for my display. The room is really tall so it is hard to read some of the labels, so this year I have made a leaflet for visitors to refer to and take home if they wish.

Mawbray in some unpredictable weather!

A very warm, bright, blustery and at times just wet, morning. To be honest we didn't get very far, rather a shock after the glorious heat of the summer, but we need the rain!

Criffel before it disappeared into the murk! 

Oystercatchers on the high tide line.

Potfest in the Park 2108

So good to have beautiful weather - dry and calm (at the moment) ...I think that this year was much better than last year. There were a lot of new exhibitors and the work was a good mix of being usable but classy too. Prices were reasonable as well and unlike the last couple of years I could have spent rather a lot!

If anyone wants to treat me - I'll have the pair of hares - they capture their form and nature so well! (Simon Griffith) 

Top left - Charlotte and Sigi Boehmer; mid left - 3D printer Joan Hardy; bottom left - Lichen inspired pots by Jane Plahe.
Top right - Syl Macro; middle - Simon Griffith and bottom right Sue Dunne.

My favourites from the competition....

Fellside, Caldbeck.

A lovely day and walk....primarily looking for minerals click here, but there was a fresh hatching of peacock butterflies - which were flying quickly in the sun, but I managed a few snaps. The water was very photogenic too and it provided a good opportunity for a field sketch.

Langdale field sketches.

A couple of quick sketches from yesterday..........good weather doesn't half make it more pleasant for sketching outside!

Rocky's day up the Langdale Pikes...........

As usual Rocky had the best of times.

Herdwicks in Langdale.

Coming down off the Langdale Pikes we came down to Sticklebarn and a lovely flock of recently shaun Herdwicks.

The Langdale Pikes.

The first day of the summer holidays for me, so off to Langdale. Well worth setting off early and being the first car in the Sticklebarn carpark, both from the point of view of not seeing many people and from walking up in the cooler part of the day.

Up the steep path to Stickle tarn for a paddle and then up and round the back of Pavey Ark. Cracking views and great to watch four displaying ravens tumbling and turning. Then Molly peeled off to Thunacar Knotts, as she's currently doing the Wainwrights, while Tom and I went onto Harrison Stickle to paint/sketch. We met up for an early lunch and then Molly went off to Loft Crag and Tom and I headed over to Pike of Stickle. Tom headed down the scree to the axe factory and I went onto the top to paint - where we all met up. Back down the gentler path between Thorn Crag and Harrison Stickle. A cracking day!

General views.............

Mallard on Stickle tarn, a heron which followed us up the beck to Stickle tarn,
parsley fern and harebells. 

The scree that leads down to the axe factory and three roughed-out neolithic hand axes. 

Alder moth graphic

Love this design by Tom!

Alder moth caterpillars - a late instar before pupation. The earlier form looks like a bird poo mimic.

Great Wood to Ashness Bridge and back via Walla Crag.

Molly took Rocky off earlier in the week. A walk with dramatic skies and scenery.

Textile cards ........

More manic card making, prior to my summer exhibition opening and the Allonby art ex.

Along the Caldew....towards Skiddaw House.

A short walk towards Skiddaw house. Gorgeous colours and it was still slightly damp on the path which given the weather was quite surprising.

General views......

River sculptures.

Bell heather; bilberry; juniper and heath-spotted orchid.

Colourful bilberry.

Silver Y; fox moth caterpillar; beautiful yellow underwing caterpillar and common carpet. 

The bilberry bumblebee.

Male stonechat.

Mini paintings 7cm x 7cm.

With an exhibition of paintings about to open - now it's time for the mini paintings to accompany the big ones!

Across the Solway to Criffel.

Carrock Fell.

Ardnave point circular walk, Islay.

A must for Islay - the Ardnave point circular walk.

Views ......

A flock of 40+ choughs. 

Female hen harrier.

Mid bronze age ceramics from near Ardnave farm. 

Beinn Bheigier, Islay.

Lovely views, with eagles, on this little ( 1611ft) peak.

Views of and from Beinn Bheigier

Golden eagle............

Golden eagle.......

Dwarf willow, fir club moss and juniper. 

Left: keeled skimmer
Right: golden-ringed dragonfly and four-spot chaser.

Quartzite breccia and a pebble/gravel conglomerate.

Beautiful calm waters at Claggain Bay.