Image: Su Leslie 2021
Image: Su Leslie 2021
craft
The Changing Seasons: July 2020
“By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself; see what thy soul doth wear.” — George Herbert. Early morning, Waikato River at Mercer, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
I consider it a success in life that I can accept (if not entirely understand) the ebb and flow of my emotional state. I’ve learned to recognise when I’m struggling, and not to make the bad times worse by beating myself up about having a bad time.
I’ve also learned that eventually (so far) I will find something — however small — that triggers joy and that a little turn of the screw in the right direction can re-set the machine and get the cogs moving again.
July, it has to be said, has been a month largely lacking in cog action.
A short road-trip (in lieu of visiting my dad) provided an opportunity to read, think and relax away from all the usual chores and responsibilities. I didn’t venture too far from home, and despite the rain and school holidays, enjoyed re-visiting Hamilton and the small towns of the Hauraki Plains. It struck me though, that even as we’re being told the country is open for business, Covid 19 has taken a huge toll on many small communities, especially in the tourist-dependent hospitality sector. Those cafes that were open at all were operating shortened hours — which led to some “interesting” ad hoc meals.
Even the wonderful Hamilton Gardens seemed straggly and bare, with several of the themed gardens closed. I know that is partly a consequence of the time of year, but suspect the vastly reduced number of visitors has provided an opportunity for low-impact maintenance and repair.
Since my return, I’ve pottered about and made a little progress on a few projects, but generally got to the end of each day and wondered where the time had gone.
As the month-end approaches, I’m feeling a sense of being able to draw a line under July and move into August with some enthusiasm. I’ve got two weeks to prepare for the first “posh” dinner I’ve hosted in years, and I suspect I’ll be testing a few practice dishes on The Big T (like he’s going to complain).
I’ve also set myself the challenge of doing one creative, just-for-fun thing every day in August (is Arty August too cheesy a title). I have a few biggish projects that can only be done in stages, but think I need to also set little goals — like a daily doodle or something similar. In announcing my intention, I’ve made myself accountable; if only to my end-of-August Changing Seasons self.
“The surreal is but reality that has not been disconnected from its mystery.” — Rene Magritte. Entrance to Surreal Garden, Hamilton Gardens, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Entrance to Surreal Garden, Hamilton Gardens, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Alice in Wonderland statues, by Anneke Bester, Time Court, Hamilton Gardens, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Detail from Alice in Wonderland sculpture, Hamilton Gardens. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Detail from Alice in Wonderland sculpture, Hamilton Gardens. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Karangahake Gorge, NZ. Image; Su Leslie 2020
Ohinemuri River at Karangahake Gorge, NZ. Image; Su Leslie 2020
Ohinemuri River at Karangahake Gorge, NZ. Image; Su Leslie 2020
Remnants of the past; old gold-mining infrastructure, Karangahake Gorge,NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Remnants of the past; old gold-mining infrastructure, Karangahake Gorge,NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Remnants of the past; old gold-mining infrastructure, Karangahake Gorge,NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Beach, Thames Coast, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ohinemuri River at Paeroa, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Hamiton Lake, NZ. Image: Su Leslie
Pukeko, Hamilton Lake. Image: Su Leslie 2020
“Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.” — Pablo Picasso. Beach at Kaiaua, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Finished: knitted lap blanket for those afternoons snuggled in the armchair with a good book. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Finished: knitted lap blanket for those afternoons snuggled in the armchair with a good book. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Making progress, knitted cotton facecloth. Image: Su Leslie 2020
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
Update
Please visit these bloggers to find out how July played out for them:
Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind
Pauline at Living in Paradise
Tish at Writer on the Edge
Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth
Sarah at Art Expedition
Suzanne from Life at No 22
Darren at The Arty Plantsman
Brian at Bushboy’s World
Gill at Talking Thailand
Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful
Where
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. — Henry David Thoreau. Image: Su Leslie
I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be. — Douglas Adams
Image: Su Leslie
The excitement of a new project. Image: Su Leslie
Art Matters. Image: Su Leslie
Fruits of my labour. Image: Su Leslie
Tea and doodles. Image: Su Leslie
My kitchen; part studio, part laboratory, part drop-in centre. My favourite part of the house and my happy place. Image: Su Leslie
Ok, lots of words. But I’m still posting this to Debbie’s One Word Sunday | where — because when I started thinking about it, this is where I ended up.
Time to finish those abandoned projects
Wordless Wednesday
Making progress on the dining chair refurb. First seat cushioned and ready to cover. Image: Su Leslie 2019
When the packaging’s part of the present
Finished! Toy sack that doubles as gift-wrapping for the mokopuna‘s* Christmas gift.
I am trying to reduce the amount of packaging waste I generate, and while I can’t do anything about the plastic and cardboard encasing the little one’s train set, I figured I could at least deliver it in something useful.
‘Cos seriously, what boy doesn’t collect stuff?
*mokopuna (often shortened to moko) is the Maori word for a young grandchild, niece, nephew — or in our case, first cousin twice removed.
Isn’t moko so much nicer.
Wordless Wednesday
Christmas sewing project: toy sack for the whanau’s youngest member. Image: Su Leslie 2018
In love with the lustre
Another up-cycled kimono sash cushion cover. Image: Su Leslie 2018
(Still) feeling too lethargic and woolly-headed from my cold to get out and do much, I am amusing myself with simple projects — like up-cycling kimono sashes (obi).
The latest cushion was made entirely from the silk in the sash itself and required very little sewing.
I love these fabrics; the beautiful colours and designs, and the wonderful lustre of the silk fibres.
Posted to Ragtag Daily Prompt | lustre.
Silent Sunday
A good afternoon’s work. Images:Su Leslie 2018
Working in colour
Getting ready. Image: Su Leslie 2018
All the spring-cleaning and re-organising of my stuff that’s been going on has revealed the true extent of my fabric stash, and I am determined to start using it.
Green certainly seems to be my colour. Image: Su Leslie 2018
These shades of blue and green seem to form the palette of my life, and I think look really good on my newly painted work table.
New work table, new enthusiasm. Image: Su Leslie 2018
Sanded, sealed, splashed and sealed again; our old table repurposed. The surface is smooth enough for working with fabric, and waterproof so I can use it for painting too.
It’s amazing how having a fun, colourful workspace improves my enthusiasm for a project.
Of course the painting helps. I bought it about 30 years ago from a friend who in turn bought it in an art school graduate show. I love the colours, and the landscape is Auckland’s west coast, probably either Piha or Te Henga beach.
