I heard a robin this morning...

'I heard a robin this mornin'

I'm feelin' happy today

Gonna pack my cares in a whistle

And blow them all away...'  

Al Jolson

Whenever I post a photo or create a picture of a robin, there always seems to be a lot of love for this little bird.

It's the time of year where 'our' robin starts to hang around the garden a little more, becoming more trustful and daring.

Fiercely territorial, the robin is a feisty little bird and yet its song is an absolute joy to listen to - a little melancholy with rippling notes and trills, announcing its presence in full voice.  Our robin sits either on our wall or on top of the washing line pole to sing, choosing a good vantage point to make sure it is heard by all.

Many people associate a visiting robin with someone close that they have lost - I have heard that a number of times, and indeed a couple of my needlefelted robin pictures have been purchased by people that find the robin a comforting sign that a loved one is still with them in some spiritual way.  

I love that sentiment.

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This is our little robin, sitting on top of the garden wall quite happy for me to get close to take his photo!

 As our robin has been hanging around in the garden a lot more lately, I was inspired to do another needlefelted portrait.  I worked it into a printed linen background (which is actually a piece of a tablecloth I picked up in the reduced section of Sainsbury's - love a bargain!)

I was really pleased with how it turned out, and if this picture doesn't find a new home it is more than welcome to hang on my own wall!

Let's make sure we look after our little birds as the weather changes - time to fill up those bird feeders!

Have a great week
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Not Just a Card...

Well, with just a week left until we set up for the St Ives Textiles Exhibition, I've been finishing off some cards which will be for sale.

I buy lots of cards for myself, usually printed art cards of paintings that I've admired and can sadly not afford to purchase - cards that I never intend to give away, but will keep and perhaps frame in lieu of the original.  A way of enjoying inspirational art without hurting my bank balance!

I have some printed cards of my own work which fit the Cornwall theme, however I wanted to create some handmade cards as well - each one unique but with a little hint of Cornwall in terms of colours, words and images.  You may recall from a previous blog post that I had experimented with printing choughs, so I have made a series of images incorporating that very special Cornish bird. I also made a few with plant monoprints.

I really enjoyed making these - I didn't plan them too much, I just let the creative juices take over! Sometimes it's nice to  try something new and a bit different, away from felting, and I'm pleased with how these turned out.  I used text from an old book (aptly titled 'Cornwall') as well as teabag paper, fabrics and stitch - and of course the odd button!

I told myself I wouldn't make any more felted items before the exhibition, but I have one more thing I'd really like to make, and my fingers are itching...I may have time over the weekend, but I'll have to see...watch this space!

If you're in town in the week of the exhibition, be sure to pop in - we're a friendly bunch, and there will always be a couple of us there stewarding.

Best wishes, and have a lovely weekend!