Gate-the memory of Glastonbury Abbey

Gate- the memory of Glastonbury Abbey
Watercolor.

We visited Glastonbury Abbey several times during our 1-year stay in the UK.
The ruin just stood still -and it was very impressive. The opening which used to be an entrance of the building remains as the opening- just to nothing.

In progress

and finished!

Singing tree

Singing tree. watercolor.

coloured leaves

Colored leaves and fairies.
I drew this watercolor years ago for the gift to my friend.

my new bag

As I wrote in the last article, I sewed a bag using Polish linen last week.
This linen is not only beautiful but also feels like so nice and cozy that I was kind of afraid to make any mistake!
It took about one and a half days to finish it, because I decided to use magnetic hook for closure and went to buy them to the craft shop.
Now it is one of my favorite. :)

Here are some photos:

This is called 'Balloon Bag' because it looks like a bit of balloon due to a lot of side gathers near the handles and tacks at the bottom. (I hope my English makes sense  as I am not a native English speaker)
I needed no lining because this Polish linen is so sturdy.  That makes this roomy bag finished so fast and feather light.

 

As you can see, I sew two  pockets inside the bag to make it handy and easy access for small items like cell phone and keys;  The ribbon you can see is to help this bag shape like a balloon and for a nice screen from others eyes when you open it. (It has big opening)

I even used magnet hook(this was not in the pattern) for convenience and nice stow-away for the ribbon, as I thought it is a bit bother to tie the ribbon every time I need. It  is also troublesome when you do not tie them.

See?

For adding a bit of cute touch, I stamped little teddy bear using cloth ink.:)

I really like the combination of the natural linen and subtle orange.

Ready to go out!

long time no see!

I haven't posted for a long time!
Actually I have been busy since this spring; our second daughter passed the entrance exam of  Osaka Uni and moved to Osaka.  At the same timing the first daughter graduated from Osaka Uni. and came home after four years absence. Such  busy busy time but also happy time we had!

 You might not know( I am pretty sure lol), but  I love painting(watercolors) and I gave my third gallery showing this summer. See this link if you are interested in my paintings (and I hope you are!)
→Gallery's introduction page of my gallery showing of watercolor works

Oh, I almost forgot to paste the link of my watercolor blog in Japan.
Here it is     my watercolor blog 'Unicorn Well'
In this blog, you can see my craft work which is mainly patchwork quilting as well as my paintings. 
I am sorry it's all in Japanese, but you can see the photos anyway!
I hope you like them!
So, I  worked on my paintings for the gallery showing all summer; I am so happy and grateful for many people to come to see the show.

Last week I sewed my bag out of very high quality linen, which was pretty expensive but really my favorite color and quality.  I am so happy to have finished it and start using it.  I am going to show you in the next blog.
See you!

spring, at last!

It's been such a cold winter!
It was unusual for our area but we have had several snowfalls; still cold for this season, but has getting much better.

Our dog is now about ten months old, and weighs about 4 kg.
Now her hair around her ears and tail is getting longer.
She is such a sweet dog!  She likes to cuddle in her bed on cold days, but she loves to play with us more, as well as get on our lap.
She is very quiet(seldom barks), though playful.

Does not she look like smiling!?

lavender field

Did you have a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year?
Here in Japan, we had really warm and wonderful weather on New Year's Day!

Now that we've already had family re-union and some snugly, cozy holidays at home doing nothing special -actually we usually stay at home on holidays and do not go anywhere  because there are so many people out there and of course traffic jams, which we really do not like, I am ready to go back my normal pace of everyday life.

Today I am going to show you my latest watercolor work; actually I finished this yesterday!
It is called ' The fragrant wind- Snowshill Lavender Farm, UK'.
SM size(227x158mm), The Langton watercolor paper.

When we were in the UK, one of my dreams was to visit the farm full of lavender flower in full bloom and I was very happy that it came true!
It was an incredible experience to me to visit the place.
The field was covered with full of subtle purplish gradation of lavender flowers, and  I was totally struck by the natural beauty and the fragrance of numerous lavender in full bloom. So dreamy, and fantastic.
It was one of our good memory and it will remain fresh forever and ever!