Mailart 365 has moved

Beginning the new routine, not working so much and returning to my studio time. I guess that's how I see my days after mailart 365. So I'm reading - although I am sure it is re-reading, but I can't remember a thing of what I am reading, so you never know... and one of the artist I'm reading is Wolf Khan.  HIS COLOUR.  My sister gave me his pastel book when I was teaching full time, 8 or so years ago, and I began my day reading that.  This summer I visited Ashely Bryan on little Cranberry Island, we  spend summers on Great Cranberry Island.

Three more to go now.  I thought I'd practice.  It's almost time to begin.

I was asked to make a Christmas card for a wonderful charity I have worked with in partnership with a few Primary and secondary schools in Suffolk.  The charity is Brains means Beans (Buhumba).  It raises money so that Buhumba Primary and secondary school in Uganda grow their own beans on-site to eat for lunch.  They have a long arduous walk home at lunch otherwise and many don't return.  Since they have been eating better their results have imporved.  Here is a first stab at my christmas card.

One of the things I think I'll do once I finish my 365 is to focus on rooms in my house (for a week at a time, say) to respond to.  Perhaps I'm in a loop with this table, but I sat on the floor to get a differnt view today.

We dug up the carrots and these were about the best.  They have sat around on the table, too gross to prepare.  I know I shouldn't discriminate, but would you eat these wonky vegetables?

Fun to look through Hudson's eyes and to see how different I imagine the view that he might hanker for while thoroughly enjoying himself (and working his socks off) at Uni, from his sisters'.

Earlier this month I took somephotos considering the places that I would miss if I were leaving home, preparing myself for the imminent departure of both our children for University. My husband has been keeping in close contact with them, on skype, texting, the phone.  I have begun sending them things in the post.  I was meant to be in a school today but have had an exhausting cold and we decided to postpone the workshop.  Two fothe classes had collected memories form their parents (teacher's idea).  I was messing around with new home motifs and found myself making Fig's 'home book', the things that I think will tweek a smile to connect her with home. the tracing paper idea is from Mim http://mim4art.blogspot.co.uk who sent me a wonderful card with a window and collage materials to use (optionally)!

Fabulous meal at Al Farid in Exeter, finished off with mint tea!

Took an old BBC Goof Food magazine to the pub for the beginning of this one.Just seen that I need to tweeks the hen a bit.

Went to the fancy pub tonight and brought my mailart stuff along.  A woman at the bar couldn't help herself from asking what I was drawing.  There was that awkward conversation where I tried to explain everything all at once.  Later these characters from Patrick's 20+ year old saved school magazine that finally found its way into the recycling.  B my....

Changing weather.  Changing house - empty nest - Pulled a magazine out of recycling and noticed the winter tree. NOT READY for winter but imagined seasons.  Had found the word 'pausa' on the tag of a tea towel I'd bought and then the Rolling Stones' lyrics came into my head. Guido's trees, Stripygoose's 5 emotions, one moment in my life.

Found some asemic writing on the wall in Edinburgh, although could this say stripy goose? Obviously there is a nod to Bris Chris here too.