THE OLD OAKS OF TYCANOL ..

Not fossils this time ,  but ancient living oak trees..  We went walking in Tycanol  woods last w/e and I promised more photos to friends who don't see my Facebook posts -  here they are :-)

It was one of those perfect early spring days -  we are a little behind you folks in England - with early flowers & lambs,  and also when the leaves are still small enough that light pours down among the trees too.  It was a surprise to see where wood sorrel can grow ... 

This wood has such a magical atmosphere,  very beautiful,  and time gets vague ...  but I think  it would take some courage to stay there after dark too ..

We went up to Carn Meibion Owen,  the rocky outcrops on the hill above, from whence the overview can be seen, and along an ancient sunken track between fields,  and the pic of me was in a clearing carpeted with celandines ...

I look forward to going back soon for the bluebells ....

Please click on these to enlarge them,  the little thumbnails really dont do these great spirits justice ...

5,000 year old Trees !

I had such a positive response to the photos I put on my Facebook page ( yes, you can find me there ..)  I thought I would post some more over here..

Taken on a walk at Borth last w/e,  where these ancient ones were exposed after the recent storms removed many tons of sand.  At the new moon low tide they were all visible ..  in a long strip above the low tide mark. 

Who has walked here before,  long ago ..??

It felt very special and out-of-clock-time  to wander along there in the glow of backlit clouds before rain ..  didnt want to leave,  except that the rain did come in some force ...

UPCYCLING STRIKES AGAIN ...

Its been a long time ,  I know,  but life &  training as a One Spirit Interfaith Minister more than fills my time at the moment, -  and I was intending to write about that  here too - another time.
When turning some clothes out recently  I thought about how I liked bits of them .. and then the penny dropped - there's another garment lurking here.  So out came the scissors,  and a much missed tingle of energy,  and a big smile...
This 1st photo is of what happened last,  another image of a heart breaking open,  which, those of you who follow me here will know,  is a symbol I have painted quite a few times ...  well  I rather like it in fabric,  in fact I have had such  a positive response going about in this top that I might make some more with these happy hearts on.   We all need a bit of that.   The heart breaking bit isn't happy ,   but you don't get to the sparkles  without the growing open.  Doesn't work like that ..  Oh ,  and a big thank you to the friend who gave me the packet of heart sequins.  I'll just have to get some more now .

And now I cant see how to get away from the centre - never mind.  

So it will come out like

this.

I have so enjoyed the process,  following those hunches the spirits whisper in my ears,  if they aren't being more forceful than that..  And I still get such a kick from something lumpy & filled with pins turning into one fluid piece of fabric.  Magic.  Gets me every time.  Thank you thank you ..

That's enough foreplay -  here is the garment,  4 old ones into one.  It was really fun to make,  and it likes the view...

The back was fun too,  saved the best bit of a favourite t-shirt,  and now I have discovered fabric pens too ..  more & more possibilities open up ...

Hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I enjoy wearing it ..  Big thanks to Carys Hedd  of http://www.wenchwear.co.uk  who started me off on this & shares her skills & enthousiasm so generously.

See you around !