“…leaves turn this lovely russet colour harmonising against that stunning blue sky…”
Dear reader, how are you? Did you remember to put the clock back yesterday? I woke at 5.47am, ruffled by my inability to sleep through. An hour later, as sleep continued to elude me, I realised my mistake. I just wasn’t tired and in truth it all ended positively, being up and about super early, which felt great. I hope you too had a good start to your Sunday.
Two days in a row, I have walked the Tip Path to visit the pond. Having been preoccupied for these past weeks, it feels so good to be back in the moment. Autumn’s jewel tones are everywhere and it is a delight to wander, breathing in the fresh air and relishing the familiarity. Often, as I walk, fleeting thoughts and observations bob and dip in my peripheries - I need help to pin them down so I use the dictation tool on my phone. Occasionally confusion results - “the statements are covered in poem” took a while to decipher. And yet it is a useful tool. Allow me a little stream of consciousness, whilst the images are fresh in my mind…
Saturday 26th October walking, for the first time in a while thinking about autumn, denuding the trees and plants - I’m catching glimpses of things that I wouldn't normally see - sparkling sunlight reflecting off the ditch beneath the hawthorn; thick, sulphurous lichen encrusted on the branches above; white bindweed hopefully lifting its trumpets up to face the morning sun their stamens covered in pollen - I hope they get some late season visitors. Grasses stripped bare are revealing their architectural splendour - a small patch of bramble leaves unexpectedly shows me their soft grey white underbelly, rolling over perhaps they are giving up because there's just not enough sunlight to absorb any more and yet, the day is crisp and bright. The glass - no not the glass, the water, the dew! Morning dew is on the leaves and the grass, the sun is low and the shadows confusing, making it harder to see everything - but I spot bare stems of crested dogstail all I see is the zigzag ripple there are no seeds left the birds have feasted.
“…morning dew is on the leaves and the grass, the sun is low...”
Alexanders coming up everywhere, thick, bright green, lush - the autumn leaves are giving a pretty display, they remind me why I enjoy working with natural colours so much. I am seeing a few wild flowers: Herb Bennett, Herb Robert, red campion, buttercups, dandelion, thistle, common mallow….The brambles are still sending out fresh flowers, hope springs eternal - blue alkanet of course what would a walk to the pond be without blue alkanet?
Bindweed, grasses, lichen, stolen glimpses of the Tip Path
Walking back now the October sun feels warm on my back it's unexpected - the sky is so clear blue perfect sky just the faintest suggestion of the morning mist on the horizon hardly any planes in the sky. The copper beech - no it's not a copper beech it's just an ordinary beech a gorgeous display the leaves turn such a vibrant lovely russet colour harmonising against that stunning blue sky they look absolutely beautiful. I hear so many birds, a flock of goldfinches camouflaged amongst the white leaves of the black poplar, looking high up into the top of the trees I see them fluttering and their song gives them away… lots of birds I try and I try to spot them and I try to work out what they are - I rarely know but I enjoy looking - that one was easy though, Mr Robin marking his territory having a little lookout seeing what's going on…he flies ahead of me, is he leading me up the path? …and on and on it goes… dictation, edited
My stand at Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Victoria Baths, Manchester
I spent five days in Manchester in total for the craft fair and it was great, a fabulous venue, friendly and welcoming suppliers, a friendly and curious crowd, all in all a great success. If you came to visit me, thank you, I love meeting people who read this newsletter! Having put so much into the preparation for the fair, I naturally felt a little depleted afterwards, so getting back out and walking in the autumn sun has been a refreshing tonic, and I’m ready to get back into the studio again. This week brings giant wildflowers to dress a Christmas tree (all 20 foot of it!) and a new evening class exploring moth orchids - I’m relishing the challenge.
Dear reader, as I so often say, I don’t know where this will take me when I begin writing. The truth is, the week of the craft fair was really hard, and it was not because of the work. Our beautiful cat Buddy became very ill and we had to make an awful decision which, whilst I know that it was the right thing to do, most certainly did not feel like doing the right thing. Buddy was a rescue cat, and the five of us - Mark and I, Buddy, the girls - from the moment we met, it was a love story. We didn’t know where Buddy came from and we didn’t know how old he was. But he had so much personality, a gentle giant who would pull our hands towards him when he required petting and softly push us away when he had enough. He didn’t miaow, he was like the tin lion in Spike Milligan’s Badjelly the Witch, rusty roaring from 5am every morning until someone stumbled downstairs and fed him. Standing in the kitchen preparing breakfast, I can still feel his paw tapping the back of my leg, asking for seconds. So you will understand, everything was somewhat bittersweet.
When I next write, I will have recovered. For now, thanks for reading. With love, as always, Ling
Can you help: The Paper Wildflower Craftkits sold really well in Manchester and I’m now looking for retailers interested in stocking them ( I am excited to report I now have three stockists!). Please spread the word for me, the CraftKits make a great treat for crafters or a thoughtful gift - each kit contains all the materials required to make two stems of your choice from a selection of eight different flowers*. All you need is scissors, glue and a spare afternoon!
COMING UP in NovemberI have three fabulous classes in paper flower making:
6th November 10- 4 in my Hoylake Studio. Paper Foxglove - a very popular class, this is the fourth time I will be teaching this wonderful flower. Come along and learn how to build a majestic stem of foxglove using nothing but paper, wire and glue! Every time I run this class it gets better and better. There are still a few spaces left, go here to book or contact me directly. £60pp all tools and materials provided plus refreshments (but bring a sandwich!)🌿
20th November 10- 4 in my Hoylake Studio. ENGLISH GARDEN ROSE. Apart from wildflowers, these lush, heavy roses, dense with layer upon layer of petals, have to be one of my favourite flowers to create. Learn how to create a stunning rose using nothing but paper, wire and glue! Everything is provided for you at this class, just remember to bring along a sandwich! £60pp - book here🌿
27th November 10- 4 in my Hoylake Studio. PAPER HOLLYHOCKS. Another majestic spire of blooms the paper hollyhock is an essential part of the English country garden - and of your paper flower cutting garden! Choose from a range of vivid hues to create these beautiful flowers and you will be sure to go home with a stem to be proud of! Everything is provided for you at this class, including tools, materials and refreshments - just remember to bring along a sandwich! £60pp - book here🌿
** CRAFTKITS** available to purchase online now! Choose from Wild Rose, Corn Poppy, Buttercup, Red Campion, Bluebell, Wood Anemone, Dandelion and Ox-Eye Daisy. All the paper and wire you need to make two stems, plus detailed instructions and templates - just add glue and scissors! Don’t forget there are free hints and tips in my reels on Instagram 💚 my website set up only ships in the UK but shipping abroad can be organised, please make direct contact.
All the paper wildflowers you can make using the Paper Wildflower Craftkits by Ling Warlow / Dragonfly (photo @bigcheesephoto)
I’m really sorry to hear about Buddy. I know how hard this decision is to make, the uncertainty, and the tears that follow. 💛