The last two weeks have been rather full on with work. A deadline for a new needle felt pattern, which is the largest thing I've designed instructions for. And because of a workshop happening up in the middle of that, a lightening 48 hour trip back down to Bampton, to my favourite haunt, Folly Fabrics.
Sharon (lovely shop owner and my host that night) took me on a little scenic walk around the village, where I snapped the 'Downton Abbey' church. Again.
And took touristy photos of pretty cottages and houses. I still miss the Cotswolds, despite loving Shropshire. And despite the fact that I could never afford to live here.
One of the things I miss most, is the combination of mellow light on Cotswold stone, against a darkening sky. It brings out a horribly poignant homesickness. 'The Land of Lost Content' indeed.
The Land of Lost Content
Into my heart an air that killsFrom yon far country blows:What are those blue remembered hills,What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content,I see it shining plain,The happy highways where I wentAnd cannot come again.
A. E. Housman ('A Shopshire Lad')
I am sure that many of us have those places. I do find it painfully ironic that this particular excerpt comes, of course, from A.E Housmans 'A Shropshire Lad' - and that one of my favourite musical collections by Ralph Vaughan Williams is 'On Wenlock Edge' - which I now find almost impossible to listen to.
'On Wenlock Edge' is, as you may know, based around 'A Shropshire Lad'. The real Wenlock Edge - in Shropshire of course - is also close to the ancient green woodlands where Andy rests. All of these interwoven strands combine to make a tangled knot of intense sorrow and melancholia, which I try not to dwell on too much.
So let's not. Let's have a photograph of Sharon taking a photograph of wildflowers. As you do.
She was collecting autumn inspiration colours, and these 'Fox and Cubs' (as I know them) are the most gorgeous fiery blood orange.
That night, a cake was decorated for the workshop. They are always themed to fit whatever we are making.
And there everyone was, the next day, with the usual combination of chatter and concentration.
It's always lovely when people come back to my workshops and this time, four out of the nine places had been taken up by people I'd taught before.
Teatime and the traditional toadstool dance around the cake.
I never cease to feel so rewarded at the end of a session, when everyone has worked hard, ploughed through any difficulties and gone home with something they love.
I returned home to Shropshire that night (via train as usual), a little shattered, to find a box of macarons waiting for me; a present through the post from Joe. So sweet and so pretty; the only thing to do was to Instagram them. And then eat them. And feel lucky that I have a man who sends cake through the post.
The rest of the week was spent getting on with my pattern deadline, which was all business as usual; it will be published by Christmas, and it's my favourite one yet - I can't wait to show it off!
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22 Comments on Teeny Tiny Toadstools, last added: 6/29/2011
They're so sweet :) Greets
Ooh! I love them! I'm a fungi fan and these have so much personality :-)
Sweet Teeny Tiny Toadstools, how cute are these! I'm not shocked at all that these have been snapped up.
Are you thinking of moving house then or just interested in house prices?
So lovely! I really do admire your work Xxx
They are so cute! Well done...no surprise they were bought up. Always fun to check in with you...
I love these. There is something so endearing about toadstools: I think the final one is my favourite, I love the way the green blends in up the stalk.
I think I would have them on the bookshelves, peeping out between old and leathery tomes.
We seem to be working at the opposite ends of the scales at the moment. Think I need to go Teeny Tiny too; otherwise I am going to get fired for filling the place with giant sculptures.
sooo sweet!
They remind me of the dancing ones in Fantasia.
I love them.
Gretel they are just beautiful............delicate and so cute.
Not surprised they have already found homes. Would love to find a fairy ring of them out in the paddock.
Big tick for Andy whisking you away for a mini-break, lucky gal. How's his arm Gretel?
Oh my beautiful sunny morning has suddenly clouded over, never mind.
Hope you are enjoying some sunny weather too.
Claire :}
OoOoohhhhhhhhhh wee these are supa adorables. I loooooooooove shrooms. Hope you had a wonderful mini-break? Great to recharge t'ol batteries once in a while hey?!? Loves Ionwen X
These are adorable: I love the way the soil/moss creeps up them..... Hope your break has done the trick.
Love your toadstools! Not surprised they flew off the shelves! xx
The toadstools are lovely especially the long,thin one. Glad you enjoyed your break in Shropshire, it's a nice county with lots of history and still a bit off the beaten track.
They are absolutely delightful!! Glad you enjoyed the break - no doubt you are fired up and ready to do even more creating!
I love the way the moss grows up the stalks.
These are gorgeous Gretel. Not surprised they flew off the virtual shelf. x
Gretel, your minis are very winning!
Great to hear that you and Andy are having a bit of a break. Shropshire seems a good place to me, based upon some posts I follow from folks who live around there.
As another commenter said, I hope that Andy is mending.
xo
These are so adorable!!! ~Val
These are adorable! I love the purple one, but it's hard to pick a favourite.
When I look at your pieces I feel as if I'm walking into a fairytale...
they are full of character Gretel! I listened to your radio broadcast by the way and thought you were a natural.
Oh, they are charming! I want to touch them!:)Life is full of surprises: first - the untraditional gift, then - the inspiration for needle felting...
Thanks for makeing us feel the atmosphere of your little walk!
Yay, at last I've found you again (does little happy dance). My old computer died and although I thought I had backed up all my old files, when I went to find my favourite blogs....horror! They weren't there and of course I couldn't remember any blog names (because I would just click favourites and not take too much notice *sigh*) Love the little toadstools, absolutely gorgeous. <3