This one's for meI seem to have suddenly acquired a quantity of work, through private commissions and a rather large trade order. All of these have 'CONFIDENTIAL' stamped across them, in big red letters, but suffice to say that I have been stabbing away with my hot little felting needle every day for about 8 hours in the studio and then some more in front of the evening television (else Andy wouldn't see me at all...) In fact, I have been in danger of overdoing it, as Friday night found my wrist quite strained and painful, so I had a weekend of enforced rest. Which gave me a chance to make a list of things I haven't had time to do and must do before the world falls apart.
Updating accounts
E-mailing neglected friends and contacts
Tidying studio
Making marmalade
Putting together trade card order
Order more glass eyes
Ditto logo ribbons
Make lemon drizzzle cake for cake starved partner
E-mailing neglected friends and contacts
Tidying studio
Making marmalade
Putting together trade card order
Order more glass eyes
Ditto logo ribbons
Make lemon drizzzle cake for cake starved partner
I got some of these done. Studio is now tidy-ish, accounts and emails dealt with, big, buttery, lemony cake baked and nearly vanished. But by Sunday I needed to get out, so we took the bike across to our favourite part of round-here and I cobbled together a little film of it.
In anticipation;
1) This contains some footage shot from a moving bike, so if you get motion sickness or suchlike, best avoided.
2) I was very careful about taking the films, the motorbike (a Honda Varadero) is built like a tractor, we were going slowly, Andy is a brilliant and safe driver, the lane was deserted, and I've been riding pillion in all conditions for a decade.
3) There is some music with it.
4) If you can watch it in full screen at high quality, the landscape shots are rather pretty. You can't do this with the blogger film here, but you can with the Youtube version.
OTHER NEWS
I have a few animals for sale, ranging from 45 - 60 UK pounds (65 - 88 US dollars) and a little shipping. If you'd like advance details of these before I post them up here on the blog, let me know and I'll e-mail the info - I'm not putting them on Etsy to start with, as I've had so many enquiries from UK people who aren't comfortable with Etsy or its dollar system. This is the last batch I will have to offer for a while as I have so many orders to fulfill.
So here we are again at Monday, and another 6 days of wooliness. I'm not complaining at all, just thanking my little bunch of angels who work overtime for me. (There are seven of them and yes, I really do believe they are there).
Ooh Gretel I did enjoy your little film! How lucky you are to live where you do and 'enjoy the beautiful nature' as a Swedish friend once exhorted me to do... Also, great choice of music! I do like a bit of Ralph. (I also like a bit of slow pillion riding on a sunny day too). Cake looked good too... altogether I wish I'd had your Sunday afternoon rather than mine! x
ReplyDeleteYour film was very atmospheric of the between the wars films. I loved it very much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great little film!! Congratulations on all of the work and orders you have coming in. Before long, you may need to hire some help!
ReplyDeleteHi Gretel,
ReplyDeleteThat was such a wonderful film...felt like I was there and the combination with the photos was so seamless ... just beautiful! Am so happy that you have so many orders and it's for doing something you love.
Rather like watching Larkrise to Candleford last night, relaxing, and very English.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gretel!
P.x
Just look at that beautiful sky! We nearly went to the Cotswolds yesterday but decided to go woods rambling instead..spring is on the way!! Yay!x
ReplyDeletereally nice film. The sky such a unique blue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat! Ralph certainly knows how to pull the Englishness out of music.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're busy but don't overdo and get carpal tunnel.
I can't wait to see how all these little custom orders are going to turn out. I absolutely love your felting work and I'm so excited!
ReplyDeleteI don't have fast enough internet to be able to watch your little film, but I did enjoy the first picture. What a cute little project. Your creativity always amazes me. I'm glad you are getting a nice flow of work, its always a good feeling. Keep enjoying yourself, and keep a good balance of work and play!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you have work a plenty, especially as it's something you so clearly enjoy. Well done and take care of the hands and wrists :)
ReplyDeleteKim x
I always love your films. The sky was so beautiful on that particular day. Some day I hope to see your countryside for myself.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for your busyness.
Thank you for that Breath of Fresh Air!
ReplyDeleteThere are no skies over here that look anything like those in your film.
It's grand to hear that your order are keeping you busy ... but please do take care of those hands and wrists.
xo
Your film made me nostalgic. I could almost smell the English air. How fun to go about the lanes like that!
ReplyDeleteGretel, a big thank you for this breath of fresh air. That's what I needed to recover!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so happy for you about the orders! By the way, that's not the first time I hear this negative comment about Etsy. What's up?
Cor blimey Gretel! That balloon is fabulous! Looks like you're taking it to the next level.
ReplyDelete... I've gone back to have another look, just had to... it's just amazing.
hen
x
Lovely little film, very evocative landscape and some fabulous music by my favourite composer. Bliss!
ReplyDeleteI do love your films. Makes me want to be there so badly.
ReplyDeleteAlso, love your to-do list. Especially when it gets to "order more glass eyes".
You are just fabulous. I love visiting this charming blog and reading it all!
ReplyDeleteI quite enjoy your sensibility and adore your work!
Best wishes,
Karima
I spy a tiny man with a tall hat... I enjoyed your latest film so much, and will now go and click the link for the motorbike. I am also very pleased that your talents are being recognised and eagerly await seeing the results of your recent and current work. I wonder, is there anyway your stabbing arm's enrgy could be fed into the national grid?
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that you have actually made yourself something and I'm so glad that your angels are working for you.
ReplyDeletebe careful with all that stabbing I don't want to be reading about some kind of carpal tunnel trouble.
Yay, a film to enjoy. Would you kindly send me a note about your new creations Jemjoop@aol.com I never seem to catch them on Etsy either before they go.
ReplyDeleteMy angels are working overtime this month too.
Jen
x
How great to get a big work project in this economy! Be careful not to overdo it – especially with your wrist. I get those problems too. Thanks for the warning about the moving bike video. Good luck getting it all done.
ReplyDeleteI need a Highland Cow, in all his majesty. We're going to need more yard. *sigh*
ReplyDelete*sigh* I so enjoy these vicarious jaunts... Thanks so much for putting them together and posting them, just for *my* enjoyment, I know! :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on all the work - do take care of yourself (the burning-out part = not so much fun).
I applaud your angels. Tell them to keep up the good work.
watch your wrists..i'd cut out the marmalade making I think. giev yourself a break!
ReplyDeleteYou really do live in a lovely part of the world. And the balloon is a thing of beauty.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your video. You are so talented in everything you do....I almost felt like I was the one on the bike.
ReplyDeleteGive that wrist some rest. Hot packs will help it for sure.
Take care.
Hugs
Although your wrist is a bit strained, I know you are thoroughly enjoying this much-deserved success. I am so happy for you! It is inspirational to watch your talent find a voice that reverberates in others' hearts in such a powerful way. Watching your journey makes me think I should take up felting too (except Hubby tells me to avoid creative ADD and stick with what I'm doing).
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cindy
Oh, Gretel..late to the game/ride, but I truly love it. My grandmother from Blo Norton...too old and too Victorian, and too gone, was taken with me on that lovely ride..I know that she would have loved the countryside. Me too for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Note to self "Must go to Cotswolds before I die". Absolutely enthralled with your video and Ralph Vaughan Williams is the perfect match for your film. Thank you so much for sharing. Rest your wrist and best wishes with all the felting duties.
ReplyDeletesmiles
LiBBy BuTTons
I didn't read everyone's comments, so I may be just saying the same thing everybody before me has, but ...
ReplyDeleteThis was fabulous. A travelogue without leaving my chair. I felt as if I were riding along with you through that beautiful, wistful countryside. Soothing music too which lulled me into a trance.
Thank you for this to start my morning out with.
I am so pleased that you have a full order book, that is great. I wonder if you could do an animation with your animals? They look like they would have lots to say for themselves! You are obviously good at little films but then again, it all takes time.
ReplyDeleteThat was just lovely. Reminds me a bit of where I grew up, rural Western Pennsylvania. But Cotswold barns are prettier!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Gretel, thank you for the jaunt through the Cotswolds -- it was lovely and soothing. I hope your weekend off restored your joints. Having so much work is a double-edged sword isn't it -- lovely for the work, woes to all the work. Ah me, there's no rest for the wicked.
ReplyDeleteJenny
Things to do; get some of Gretels marmalade! Also do you sell the cake, hmm yummy!
ReplyDeleteVery impressed with the film, was up near you over the w/e on the bonnie, running it in since it's re-bore. Isn't there a nice pub at the Barringtons?