Paper landscape. I stitched this today, from torn scraps of paper with some yarn. Then I painted it with watery acrylics. Next I plan to highlight some of the raised areas. And no doubt ruin it completely.....

Silk bookmarks. I used some of the paper I made from silk cocoon stripping to make a few bookmarks. The inchies were cut from the leftovers.

A star made for the cloth paper studio swap. The diamond shapes have three layers of quite tacky shiny stuff with a velvet top. I dyed the silk puff and hand twisted the cord edging. Had to add a few beads :)

Silk Paper class. I went to the knitting and stitching show at the NEC yesterday and took a one hour class with Sarah Lawrence. This is the piece of silk paper that I came away with.

It was made by laying out cocoon strippings, spraying with dye and then adding a sprinkling of gold flakes. Then ironed between sheets of silicone paper. Very simple.

This is Katy, occasionally known as "that bloody animal", in an endearing way of course.

She is the reason why I haven't posted much recently, or the reason why I haven't achieved much recently, so have had nothing to blog about.

Katy has been poorly again. She is on the mend now and, having been pampered rotten, is being a bit of a prima donna. When she is awake of course - asleep she is adorable.

Latest tumor has gone, the pancreatitis is under control for the time being, the renal failure is on-going but not critical yet, the heart murmur isn't a problem except for when she has been charging about like a puppy, the cataracts don't appear to bother her too much and the deafness is a wonderful excuse for doing as she pleases.

So, think of me trying to sew with Katy's head on my foot and my foot on the pedal of the sewing machine. Is it any wonder my stitches aren't even.....

I took this photo at Belton House, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belton_House

The old ruin is a folly and was built in around 1750, there is a wonderful cascade of rapids behind it. I do like spooky places.

I made six sheets of 'silk' paper today.

Got out my cmc powder. It said on the packet, mix one or two tablespoons with a little water taken from one pint. Stir vigorously then add the rest.

Deep sigh. I think it must have meant the rest of the water. Thick stuff this paste.

Anyway, after I had beaten it to within an inch of it's life, sieved it to get all the lumps out, I had a nice batch of gloopy paste. Add some silk, viscose, bamboo and whatever else I had dyed recently and I have paper. I did three sheets using commercial dyed silk tops and three where I carefully threw any old thing on. Guess which I like best?

I do like a bit of texture. No idea what I will do with my sheets. But I like them. Ish.