Fine Morning for a bit of cycling

Was up early this morning so decided to drive off to Croome and get an early start. I was not disappointed.  At least three fields of Linseed(?) just starting to come into flower; skylarks flying across the road in front of my nose and beautiful scenery everywhere.  What's not to like? Well for one thing the strong and gusty wind that ensued for the full 20 miles.

Another Book

Finally located the photograph of one more of the books that have gone off to be part of the Cut-Fold-Bind Group exhibitions over the coming weeks.  Mislaid it in transition from my phone to the desktop …. hopeless at times? This one used some textured paper for the cover that arrived wrapped around a present. The binding is stitched with two curved needles, used in pairs and one long piece of thread with a needle on either end. Such fun!!

Cycling in the Sun ... Must be Mad Englishwomen!!

Saturday saw the first ever Weekend event for Women on Wheels members.  There were two organised rides around the Lenches, a 'Steady' (23 miles) and a longer, faster ride (35 miles). Here we all are ready to set off from Hilary's field, minus Nikki who took the photograph.

Have we got a plan?

Almost ready to set off …. we think

Faster Group ready for the off

It was awfully hot and the 'Steady' group managed the full 23.5 miles.  Unfortunately the faster group only managed 25 miles, with a much longer overall time as they lingered longer than anticipated when they stopped off to take on water(?) at a pub on the route.

There was cake and tea when we returned to the field and some stayed for a barbeque and entertainment in the evening with the prospect of even longer rides today.

Camper vans provided hot water for tea

Bogged Down

I have been busy for the past week making books for the Cut Fold Bind group for upcoming events.  I have forgotten how to do lots of things so it took me twice as long.

Moated House

Had a lovely day out today at Baddesley Clinton. Lots of ducklings and goslings around the moat and in the yard near the restaurant.  Fabulous house too and we managed to do the 45 minute walk around the grounds which was very pleasant.  Shall definitely go again.

The Peacock Shed

The fox sculpture at the start of the walk

Not so Moth Eaten

I seem to have spent an awful lot of time messing about drawing this past week.  I may now use one or two of these images in some of my printing.

Moth Eaten Sketchbook

I was given a challenge recently to work in a sketchbook with black pages.  Whilst we had a break for Half Term I decided to concentrate on 'playing' in this wonderous journal with it's dark sheets full of opportunities … little did I know how hard it would be to come up with ideas.

I decided to develop the moth drawing I had been following since using the moth trap.

Markel oil stick stencilled moth, sketched moth, printed circle and punched circles revealing the page behind ….

More stencilled moths using both positive and negative images and the reverse of the same punched holes mentioned above.

Negative images sponged over and a cut out moth with a map pasted behind it.

Patterns from moth wings - holes punched through. The page folds up to show just one individual image.