Wolfy Wednesday...

 We've had this trip planned for weeks - the UK Wolf Conservation Trust, near Reading.

 A wonderful, gentle day out, looking at wolves, having a picnic in the sun.

 Lots of photos opportunities, but my camera was having none of it - most of the pictures are of perfectly focussed wire and fuzzy wolves.  We will just have to go back when I have a decent camera...

Lunch for the wolves - chunks of muntjac.  Seemed to go down well!

Busy Elsewhere...

I've not had much time to produce anything to show here lately.  My sister came to stay last week - she lives in Greece and I have not seen her for about 7 years, so we had a lot of catching up to do as well as seeming to visit every shop in the vicinity!  As soon as she left, I buckled down and finished painting Stacie's room as I now have a stack of work lined up and needed to start the week with a clean slate.

So, on the easel: double dog portrait; horse & children portraits waiting in line
On the needles: some very small houses

In other news, the Nudinits 2017 calendars are now in the shops - I've seen them in two separate places in my local town already.  The Nudinits book comes out very soon, see it here.  It has photos from the film, interesting stories, facts and figures about Woolly Bush and it's inhabitants, and quite a few knitting patterns, many designed and written by myself.  Would make a fantastic Christmas present for the knitter in your life!

Misty Morning Bear

Second attempt at this one, on blue tinted watercolour paper this time.  I'm happier with it than I was with the first one, but still not 100% satisfied.  Maybe I just need to leave it for a day or two.

Chickens In Cowboy Boots....

 This has taken me weeks on and off - I'd forgotten just how long a very detailed acrylic painting takes - but it is finally finished.  One of the weirdest, funniest and most enjoyable commissions I have ever had. Painted in acrylic, blood, sweat & tears on Dalerboard.

 It's that time of year again - six jars of grape jelly with more grapes on the vine.  However, I think the birds can have the remainder this time, I'm busy!

If you are slightly squeamish, don't scroll down any further.  I dropped a large picture frame on my bare foot yesterday and for a few minutes thought I might need a trip to the Emergency Room.  However, with the application of witchhazel and an antiseptic cream, it's subsided a bit.  Can't wear proper shoes just yet though - thankfully it is still warm enough for flipflops.

Misty Bear...

The chicken painting is so very nearly finished, but I had to take a small time out to do a quick watercolour that's been on my mind for a while.  Possibly should have waited, as it was indeed rushed and didn't turn out quite as I had hoped.  Ah well, it was a nice change from working in a tight style with acrylics - today is back to completing the chickens, just the ground and grass left to do.

A Very Quick Kitty...

 This commission came about in a kind of funny way - I got an email from a lady enquiring about my knitted/felt cats and referencing a conversation we'd had.  Now, I know I am usually fairly pre-occupied and a bit scatterbrained, but I'm pretty sure I've never forgotten an enquiry about a prospective bit of work.  So I replied, saying as much, and telling her what I do make.

 She admitted she had confused me with someone else, but asked to see photos of my work - and then asked me to knit a replica of her cat and could I do it by the end of the week!  So here he is, Tenant.

 I haven't made one of these for a while, I'd forgotten how much fun it is assembling all the pieces and seeing a little character emerge.

 He also has a felt and fabric bed, plus a food bowl.  If I'd had more time, I'd have thrown in a bag of 'food' and a toy as well but he had to be in the post yesterday.

I can knit your cat too - just drop me a line!