Coming up for Air

It has been a long winter, and I have neglected many things in my hibernation state, including this blog. But now it feels like spring may just be in the air, if quietly, and things (including me) are coming slowly back to life.

Early December saw us installing this beauty, which swiftly became Meg's best friend.

Whilst the weather outside continued dark and snowy, the birds flocked to the new feeders we hung on the washing line. This is the first time we'd had a goldfinch in the garden.

 And for the first time in almost 20 years (I think), the Tyne froze over.

We passed the winter solstice, Christmas came and went, and the days, though short, were at least bright. Frosty light transmits so clearly, and when I got outside it always felt worth it.

There were even occasional patches of colour in the smudged charcoal palette of late December.

Mostly though, we all stayed indoors.

Then New Year passed over. I made some rather grand resolutions, sang Auld Lang Syne and promised myself 2011 would be a momentous year.

January whizzed past in a flash, but not without my walk with Dad; this time we went over to Alston, and marvelled at the spectacular light washing over still snow covered Pennine hilltops (for those of you unfamiliar with the area, Alston is the highest market town in England I believe). Click on the photos below to see them properly!

It was a bitterly cold day, with signs of winter still departing everywhere around us, but after so long inside four walls it just felt good to be out again.

This amazing moss was growing outside Alston cemetery; a brilliant glimmer of acid green in the grey and blue day.

But that's not all I have been up to since last I posted. For a few weeks now, I have been planning my teaching schedule for next year, and I am very excited to announce that I will be teaching Nuno felting at The Garden Station on 9th April! It's going to be a lovely course, in a really beautiful location, and I am looking forward to being able to pass on this most versatile feltmaking technique.

Click here for more details. I can't wait.