Getting Ghostly

 

October is my favourite month of the year, and this week there has been some great autumn weather for walking: sometimes chill and crisp, sometimes mysterious and misty, sometimes a breezy swirl of leaves. I collected a handful of newly-fallen leaves from the old track where I walk most days, and used them to print on a piece of bright yellow cotton. A box of ancient fabric paints was unearthed, which were revived with a bit of water and vigorous stirring.  I used a sponge to dab around the leaves, with just enough on the veins to make a mark. The print has come out warm and energetic, and I was quite pleased with the result, despite the patchiness. I think I will add some stitching to it eventually. It will serve as a reminder of a favourite walk.

A lot of mess was made in the production of this humble sample.

As Hallowe'en approaches, I thought Lumpy Witch needed a pet, and decided on a frog to match her green skin. I have a lot of wool for needle-felting after an online purchase a few years ago, when I failed to look at the quantities. This little chap didn't make much of a dent in the stash - perhaps I should make a whole pond of them. He's about 5cm high, all wool except for his black bead eyes. He's sitting in a witch's cauldron, also wool, and not looking very happy about it, although he could just jump away!

Somehow, frogs seem much easier to make in 3D.

Finally, another train journey this week requires a bit of sewing. To complement the parade of witches, I've set up a troupe of ghosts to wander under a misty moon. At the moment, the fabric is lightly sewed on with tiny stitches, which I will continue adding to, until the piece has a nice texture. The ghostly material is a bit of offcut from a wedding dress, and the blues are remnants from my old, indescribable garment and a scrap of chiffon. I like the way the ghosts are just drifting along - there is something about things in line which immediately makes you wonder what the story is. 

On a ghost walk

There's an unusual ghost in this book by Berlie Doherty, illustrated by Jane Ray. Jinnie Ghost floats through children's bedrooms, bringing dreams, passing through, saying nothing - a ghost you could almost welcome into your home. Jane Ray is one of my favourite artists. Her book illustrations are always beautiful and evocative, and full of tiny details. They combine, in this book, with lovely poetic language. 

There's lots more of Jane Ray's art on her website, janeray.com

The beautiful art of Jane Ray