Ali George Artist

Stormy weather nearly every day has kept me inside. This week I went back to paid employment after nearly 5 months away to move house, set up studios and offices, study and generally stay sane. Lots of time to reflect, to be still in the afternoons and listen to the grumble of thunder, or watch rain bursts fall over the mountains.  Now that I'm fully functioning (well almost) in the studio / office space it has made a huge difference to establish my routines and settle into them like falling into an overpadded lounge chair. The last 5-10 minutes of every visit is set aside to put everything back in its place, to tidy, sort, prepare and clean up before the lights go out, the fan slows to stillness and the sliding doors meet in the middle to signal the end of another day.  It's now time to be gentle, and keep the promise to myself of stress free Christmas holiday. We're unplugging, as far as we can, from the digital world and have banned phones at the table during meals, conv

One of those books that almost needs no review or enthusiastic write up - it just is sumptuous, full of texture and inspirational stitch that's as good as chicken soup for the soul. The pages are thoughtful, intentional, about bringing meaning to mark-making and embracing where you find yourself, whereever that is. Fleaur's love of nature  intersects with her strong encouragement to explore, experiment and above all be at one with stitching in the ways of needle, thread, a cup of tea and taking time.  I found more than a 'how to' and more than the superbly photgraphed processes - this is a wonderful free-form meets the joy of being still. I have loved every page, some I pour over again and again to take in the rich, visual texture and find new perspectives every time I revisit. Koa Press is a New Zealand Publisher, and the book can be purchased through Can Do Books .  

This week saw some creative repurposing. I returned several old books and a magazine to the trees - an older book on art history, a Steinbeck - Travels with Charley - and a gallery magazine. A few stars yet to be mounted and that is the Christmas / festive decorating effort for 2023. Another book, published in New Zealand (and no surprise given its quality) is The Untamed Thread. Sumptuous and one of the few that hooks into the soul from page one. A joy to flip through a friend's copy and now patiently waiting on my copy to arrive. It's going to be a brilliant and creative holiday.  

My mark making exerciseon fabric produced a delicate set of signs and symbols. I then repeated the exerciseon paper, folding each edge to ensure all marking carried across the page so make a seamless (no punintended) repeat pattern. This was then scanned and cleaned up before uploading to a fabric printing website. I ordered small sample pieces (a must before ordering or offering the fabric for sale). I got the scale wrong. It needs to be a much smaller version of the characters - I feel these have pixelated somewhat. Great learning and  another round of samples being ordered.Once I'm happy with both the fabric type and the pattern scale, anyone will be able to order fabric or made up pieces including doona covers, table mats and table napkins.  

I'm hooked. Just wondering what it is I am meant to be doing that I am so keen on making advent mitts. Not a red or green floral to be seen - these are all hand dyed and printed fabrics and a great way to make room for more dyeing adventures. Committed (or should be) to a studio filled with mitts ready for the men and women in my life who bake. [Pattern: available from Maria Shell - Artful Oven Mitts ]