British Summertime is (very nearly) officially over ...

In a few hours time the clocks will be put back an hour and that's that as far as Summer is concerned. It's always a little disconcerting when the clocks go forward in March or back in October. There's the feeling of being unbalanced. Unsettled by the shifting of time in this way.

I've spent part of today finishing this book, 'A Disappearance in Fiji' by Nilima Rao, set in 1914 and concerning the lives of indentured Indians on the island of Fiji. This was the days of Empire, of colonial rulers and sugar cane plantations where conditions were appalling for the thousands of workers bought over from India. Not only is it a well written story, but it gave me a glimpse of a slice of history I'd not known about. In an afterword by the author, she notes that between 1879 and 1916 over 60,000 Indians went to Fiji as indentured servants. Basically they were contracted to work for a fixed period of several years, for fixed pay, and weren't free to just leave or get a new job if they were mistreated. I know all this makes the book sound grim and might put you off, but honestly it's a good read and very enjoyable, despite some grim moments.

I also finished off the two folk art style angels I was making. This pair aren't the prettiest of gals. I think they're sisters, possibly Hettie and Harriet. Certainly the angel on the left has been over-doing the henna, and her wings are decidedly lumpy. Couldn't fly with those!

I've also been watching several Jude Hill videos, and have this slow-stitching piece that I'm putting together. The moon and a black & white feather are both motifs that occur in her work. I'm thinking of adding a comet - as you do - something like the one that occurs in the Bayeux Tapestry - and may add an eye, like the one I already embroidered on another project.

It is fun to start sewing, putting fabrics together, adding lines of stitching, and not know where it's all going to end up. Fun to let ideas pop into your head and not worry whether anyone else will approve or disapprove, whether they'll understand or think you're crackers!

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Sari scraps, PVA, a couple of books and a necklace

I'm typing this as snow's falling, and has been steadily all day. It's not settling to any great extent, though I bet by tomorrow morning the paths will be slippery with ice. Which always makes me paranoid about falling over and at the very least looking undignified, but at worst breaking a bone or twisting an ankle. Oh well, it's ideal weather to stay inside and craft, isn't it? I finally got around to listing packs of sari scraps on Etsy this morning. I only made up six bundles as I've no clue whether they'll sell or if I've set a reasonable enough price point. Time will tell. This is a link to the listing, if you're interested. This vaguely pink fabric isn't from one of my Etsy packs. It's from a bit of experimenting I was doing yesterday. I'd seen a post on Instagram showing how a DIY version of batik could be done without using hot wax. The Instagrammer used PVA instead, and I wanted to try this out....

In praise of wool

Just a quick post today. I'm offering you a short but peaceful break from the overwhelmingness (is that a word?) of Christmas. By now you've probably eaten your bodyweight in sweets//roast potatoes/pigs in blankets/cake/After Eights ... whatever your festive indulgences are. You're under-exericsed, over-stimulated, feeling broke and possibly guilty about an argument with a relative or friend you've never entirely got on with. So, here's something to take your mind off all that. I've two videos to refresh and revive, and they both concern wool. Interesting fact. Well, I found it interesting. About 1% - yup, one per cent - of the world's textiles are made of wool. Out of curiosity, I also googled how much is made of cotton. That's higher, but it's only about 24% and that's heading downward instead of up. Synthetic fibres are the bulk of all textile manufacture. Anyway, back to woolly wonders. My firs...

HOW TO MAKE: these decorative birds

I suggested yesterday that I'd run through how to make a fabric bird wall or window hanging (can't think of a snappier title for it than that!) so here goes. I'll start with the first decorative hanging I made. It's something you could make in any colour combination you want, and would look good hanging at a window with translucent beads that'd catch the light I used five birds for this, but you could make it longer if you prefer. (Incidentally, if you're wondering about what's hanging off the bottom on this, it's a metal Christmas decoration, shaped like a lantern. For some reason I thought it looked appropriate to leave it there, looped over the end.) WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO GATHER TOGETHER: Assorted scraps of fabric for the front of the birds - aim for a mix of colours and textures. Silk looks good, as does anything with embroidery or intricate patterns. You might aim for a hippy-ish boho look, or maybe you're ...

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