Blue Sky Thinking
A birthday card from Hoylake
Hello and Happy Sunday! If you are here simply for news from the studio and my wonderful world of paper flowers, please scroll down to the bottom of the letter, otherwise, read on…
Dear reader, forgive me, todays letter is both late and brief! Let me explain. Tomorrow is my birthday, my crazy Pa has surprised me with a visit and I’m granting my wish for a little time off. Johnny has driven 367 miles south from Seil Island to be with me, no mean feat at 83. I want to be like him when I grow up! Oh, what’s that, I already am? I’ll take that, no problem.
This morning we took a brisk stroll along the Tip Path, and what a beautiful day it is, clear blue skies with sky larks singing their hearts out high over head. On the pond, moorhens are busy planning their nest, mallards are forming couples and the violets I’ve been monitoring for the past five weeks finally have buds. In next to no time, the woods will be carpeted with bluebells. Has spring arrived where you are? How are you spending your Sunday? Whatever you do, I hope flowers creep in somewhere!
This week I have delivered five workshops, which on reflection is basically a full time teaching job and somewhat unexpected! The pictures give you a flavour of the range of flowers I am developing right now, and much of this work will feed into my preparations for Flourishing, September’s Paper Flower Retreat in Norfolk. Organising and delivering a treat is new for me, but it is something I’ve dreamed of doing for as long as I can remember. When I was 18, I spent six months at a Danish Folk High School, an experience which I believe is pretty unique to Denmark. The youngest student in the cohort of fifty utterly diverse individuals, within days I knew this was what, in an ideal life, I wanted to do: Be A Folk High School Teacher. It’s not a career path which exists in England, but the more involved I become with creative delivery in the arts and crafts sector, the closer I get. Ruth, my Danish textiles teacher, gave me a huge compliment the day she found me setting up a loom. I can’t recall the exact details but in a bid to avoid entanglement I had somehow attached the warp to either my belt (or possibly parts of my body) and she laughed: “Du er bare en der kan!” (translated: you are just someone who can). I’ve carried those words with me throughout my life. When things feel hard or circumstances challenge me, I remember: “Du er bare en der kan!”. With Flourishing, Meg and I will create the perfect environment to get away from the everyday, get creative and spend three blissful days immersed in the wonderful world of Paper Flowers. All this, and watching the sunset of the wildflower meadows from the sanctuary of the Woodland Spa. It will be heavenly. Come and join us!
Before I finish (as Grandma used to say “I want to catch the post”!) let me tell you about a wonderful exhibition I saw at Ruthin Craft Centre. “Stitching a Voice” by Bethan Hughes uses quilted textiles in limited palette of red, black and white to explore themes of democracy, politics, identity and community. I was lucky enough to meet Bethan and she talked me through the pieces of her exhibition, which are both a visual feast and a powerful feat of communication, leaving me inspired and somewhat humbled by her vision. Luckily for you, Bethan is currently artist in residence at Ruthin and the exhibition is there until 30th March, so you still have several weeks to visit and a great opportunity to meet her and hear the story behind the work for yourself.
That’s all for this week folks, I want to get back to my lovely dad and my birthday weekend. I mean really, it should be you all that are writing to me this time!
Thanks for reading and with love until next time, Ling
NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PAPER FLOWERS
UPCOMING CLASSES At BLOSSOM + CREATE this Tuesday (11th March) I will be teaching a beautiful Anemone. There is just one place remaining on this class! 18th March will be all about Daisies, and on 25th March, the classes will be Paper Narcissus. Book your spaces here. Wildflower classes will be coming to Ruthin on 3rd and 4th May, watch this space, or keep an eye on Ruthin here.
COME AWAY WITH ME TO A FLOURISHING RETREAT: In partnership with Meg Lowder of @florigami.paperflower I am hosting an exclusive luxury paper flower retreat. From September 25th - 28th we’ll be welcoming you to the stunning Little Massingham Manor in Norfolk for an unforgettable 3 day, 3 night experience. Spaces are limited so register your interest today, FOR FULL DETAILS AND TO BOOK YOUR PLACE CLICK HERE. Book now for Earlybird prices!
Last week! FLORIBUNDA the exhibition is on now at The Atkinson Southport until 15th March.
SPRING REALLY IS IN THE AIR! Celebrate with Craftkits from THE PAPER WILDFLOWER. A lovely treat for yourself, a fabulous gift for the crafter in your life - or a day well spent having fun and making flowers: a quality time gift for Mothers Day 💚 Craftkits are £15 each or three for £40, always available online, and now available from The Atkinson, Southport, The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool and Lady Lever Gallery, Port Sunlight, Ruthin Craft Centre and other outlets.
All images by Ling Warlow 2023-2025