We have been at the cottage for the better part of two and a half weeks. It has rained at some point during every day we have been here, but we
have also managed great periods of sunshine with spectacular sunsets. The evenings and overnights have been
quite cool for the most part- but it has been great sleeping weather! We are
feeling rested and refreshed, bit-by- bit, from our time off grid and in the
“back of the beyond,” as my husband is fond of saying.
François has been busy
with chores around the cottage, including installing a new-to-us propane
stove/oven in the cottage and a solar system which is providing electricity for
various uses. We hope to add some DC lighting to the cottage and studio before
our cottage time ends this year. I have been working in the studio some
evenings by the light of an Aladdin Lamp, which doesn’t quite provide enough
light for close work.
 |
| Long Stitch, soft leather covered journals |
My studio here is full of activity each and every day. I am
working on my new series of long stitch, soft leather covered journals.
Many have leather tie-backs with interesting bits of beadwork or ornaments
attached. I am also making leather stamped bookmarks to go with them. These long stitch journals make the
perfect, personalized travel or daily journal for the writer. Many are filled
with Fabriano watercolor paper, perfect for the sketch artisan as they lay
flat.
This past week when we have had visitors here, I set up the
outdoor hand paper making studio and made pulp using recycled paper shreds. I
now have a fine post drying that includes around 50 sheets of colored and birch
bark papers.
Next week I plan to make 100% cotton rag papers as well as some
Abacca papers, all of which will be used in brush calligraphy projects in the
coming year. All of the dyes I use are hypoallergenic and biodegradable, which
is ideal for the cottage studio-low impact on the environment. I have really
enjoyed being able to set up the hand paper making studio here at the cottage.
On September 27 I will be offering a one-day Introduction
to Hand Paper Making workshop in Barry’s Bay at the South of 60 Gallery. Check out their
website for registration information and a complete description of the course.
Participation is limited, so if you are interested, sign up as soon as
possible. I will not be offering another hand paper making workshop in 2014.
 |
| View from cottage front window! |
As I sit here this morning, watching the sun come up on the
trees across the lake, the hummingbirds battling for a place at the feeder, and
the red squirrels running up and down the trees next to the deck, I wonder at
the beauty of the world. I
marvel at the solar technology that allows me to tap away at the computer
keyboard. My heart soars like a hawk with the fresh crispness of the air coming
through the screen window.
And I know that All will be well, and all will be well, with the peace
and joy that God’s wisdom of creation provides us, all will be well.
