Celia Hart's blog about what's going on in and around her studio.
Art, printmaking, inspirations, gardening, vegetables, hens, landscapes, wild flowers, East Anglia, adventure, travel.

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Shhhh! we're hiding!

The studio assistants had arrived for 'work', but had disappeared. I could hear Chester snoring, and had briefly searched the office without success (he sometimes sleeps behind the printer). The weather has suddenly changed from glorious Autumnal sunshine to drippy grey drizzle and the forecast says it's set in for the rest of the day, it's the sort of day when a cup of hot tea is essential for creativity. On my way to the kitchen I spotted two furry tassels* at the bottom of the sashiko throw that's covering a small bookcase!



I discovered Sashiko on my visit to Japan a few years ago. While in Takayama I found bundles of indigo dyed fabric remnants for sale in a market; later, in a street of traditional wooden buildings I came across a shop specialising in sashiko - so I bought some thread and a folder of patterns. Back home I transformed the fabric remnants into a sampler of sashiko stitching - my Takayama holiday souvenir.

* For those of you who have read the tale of the tail, you may have noticed that Chester now has a magnificently fluffy ginger tail of which he is very proud.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Celia
    I have nominated you for an award on my blog - pop by when you have time!
    Hannah
    xxx

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  2. This is so typical of the Min Pins too. Introduce something new to the cottage and they all want to sit on or behind it.

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  3. This photo is precious! Not just your beautiful Japanese fabric sampler, but your studio assistants tails...so funny.

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  4. I love your Sashiko throw. The colours and patterns are wonderful.

    Chester does have the most magnificent tail... no wonder he wants to show it off whenever possible!

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  5. Rusty just strolled in and I was able to compare the boys. Yes, very much alike. Rusty's whiskers are on the short side (Josh had splendiferous whisikers;the longest I've seen), but otherwise they could be "peas in a pod."
    Lovely sashiko,too

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  6. Hi! :)

    Nice to find that I have a new reader! You are very welcome to visit my blog later on. :)

    I am just going to work, so will read your blog more this evening, but your blog too looks very promising! I love cats too! :)

    Have a nice day!

    quu

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  7. I'm not sure I qualify Hannah! But a big thank you for nominating me for a "Nice Matters Award" ("for bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration and are a positive influence on our blogging world")

    Hi CS - cats differ from dogs in that they have a hidden agenda - eg blotting wet paws or asking for food.

    Hi Meg - the tails gave them away!

    Hi Kate - I enjoyed stitching the sashiko patterns - if you look at Japanese prints you can see similar patterns on the clothing.
    We worried so much about Chester's tail, and it did look strange after the tip was amputated, just over 4 month later and his tail is fluffier than ever!

    Hi Dinahmow - there's something special about gingers - and Chester knows it!

    Hi Quu - looking forward to exploring your plant filled gardens.

    Celia

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  8. Those are wonderful tassles ! How long did it take you to crochet them?

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  9. You have wonderful fabric sampler with great assistants:) Unfortunately, my feline member at home are reluctant being employed, they prefer to be independent. Just like a well known saying, "Dogs have master, Cats have staff."
    I'm the one who being employed by my darling feline at http://felinesophy.blogspot.com

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