Absorbing Nature and Her Colours

This September I spent a lovely day with WSD Guild Isle of Wight naturally dyeing our wools. Brewing up wonderful colours from Nature working outdoors on an open fire. It always feels magical when an old madder root or some dry old leaves and stalks give up some beautiful colours! 

absorbing Nature in the wool

Skipper and I also made our way to Devon for a most relaxing week in the hills.

I took my water colour paints and tried to capture the ever changing moods and colours of Nature,

quite impossible!! but I had a great time doing something different from my wool spinning, weaving and hand knitting.

However we were still in our element as we stayed on a working sheep farm in really lovely accommodation and we had the exclusive use of the summer house and fishing lake with a boat!

The sheep would come down to the lake to drink.

The water reflecting, the colours amazing. The Lake was buzzing with wildlife. water boat men, dragon flies of many colours, mayflies, kingfishers and swallows ever busy.

In the lake were so many different fish ranging from the tiniest minnow, small trout to big carp. 

We both managed to catch a few and admired their most detailed colourful scales and tails, simmering and full of life.

Absorbing Nature all around us

Putting them back in the lake gently saying "thank you" for the privilege. with a flick of their tails they dive back down to the depths of the water.

It is so good to "just be"

Taking some time to recharge, relax and be absorbed in Nature. no need to watch the clock, the Sun will tell you when to rise and sleep, your body will tell you when to eat.

I feel my colour senses have been  re-awakened. My energy levels topped up and I just can't wait to get the Saori Loom warped up to start a colourful weave using my newly dyed yarns.

Autumn Winter is the busiest time for my business, with craft events booked and supply of new stock for shops to organise. Projects to knit and weave and with my weaving workshops now up and running I shall enjoy being absorbed snug and warm in all the woolly colours of nature!

At the summer house

The link to where we stayed 

https://www.independentcottages.co.uk/devon/oakwood-farm-ref1371

Mountains and Lakes of Austria

 

St Wolfgang Austria.

What a most beautiful place to take a little holiday! This view of the "Lion Mountain" taken from our room balcony. There was a sailing regatta taking place upon our arrival, so we felt quite at home watching the little yachts trying to chase the breeze on a very warm calm day.

Skipper and I hadn't even unpacked before we were down to the lake and rowing the dinghy provided by the hotel.

Bliss, such a wonderful place to be. Skipper gently rowing our little boat across the Lake, the Sun on our faces and scenery to marvel at.

I suppose we must have spent a busy week, as we went up the mountain on the train, walked around the lake, swam in the lake, travelled and explored all the towns and villages on each ferry stop. Each day was filled with plenty to see and do. But it didn't feel tiring, just rejuvenating.

One of my favourite days was the Sunday when we took a snack, our books and some water colour paints cast off the dinghy and went across the lake to little shingle beach.  We pulled our boat ashore and took a swim, painted, read, dozed, daydreamed and breathed in the clear mountain air. So relaxing, I'm no painter-but it's good fun trying and it really made me look more deeply at my surroundings and opened my mind to all the many colours. 

How do you capture the colours and hues, the light of the sun dancing reflections of silver and gold on the water?

Just magical.

 

So back creating something with wool instead of paint. I pick up my knitting needles and balls of yarn. Sit by the lake, what inspiration! 

We had a lovely stay at http://www.wolfgangsee.com/