Spiral paths and trains of thoughts.....

I'm not sure what this is, or will be...just a scrap of rustic embroidery using a gorgeous piece of yellow silk sari scrap, and more lovely spirals.  Perhaps it's a bookmark...or a tiny prayer flag?  Rather uncharacteristically, ultra practical Beloved Other Half said "does it need to be anything?"  Maybe it doesn't, but I like things to have a purpose, a reason for being.  I do rather like the idea of a string of prayer flags like this...hmmm!

Trains!

My dad is a volunteer at a miniature railway a short drive away, and so the girls and I went over for a morning of "rockin' rollin' ridin'" (does any one else remember that song?) yesterday before it got too hot.  They had a great time, being treated like VIPs (allowed to sit on the members chairs on the platform) and getting a ride on all three locos running.  I must take them over during the cooler months too, so they can ride on a steam loco (can't run steamies during summer because the fire hazard is too great).

Through the long grass of the wetland area...

Grandad pointing out things of interest...mostly to Grandad!

I think I should make two hats just like this one, in blue and white stripes...just like Casey Jones!

We're going that way...no, we're going THAT way!

Then back to the carpark, passing a big tree that looked rather like a giant had come along and given it good twist.  Little people inspecting closer discovered a whole lot of 'stinkbugs' having a nap under a loose piece of bark.  The patterns are fascinating...so we collected some of the bits that had fallen on the ground to take home...I'm going to see if they dye fabric, and the little people thought they'd make cool fairy houses.  Which reminds me, better get them out of the back of the car before Beloved decides they're rubbish and throws them out...the bark that is, not the little people!

Paper trails!

Ooh! I almost forgot!  Thanks to OWOH, I've been in touch with Gail over at Papergail, a talented and very creative paper artist (check out her blog, she has some stunning pieces!) and she was looking for someone to 'embellish' some books she made a while ago...well, I nervously put my hand up for the job (this is my new year's resolution, by the way, to say YES when I might normally just say NO out of timidity), and she is sending these lovely pieces to me.  She has two of them, so I'll embellish both, then I get to keep one all for myself!