Saturday 15 October 2022
Woodland Walks September ATC Swap
Friday 14 October 2022
Slow Memories
Paper Trees
With the ATC swap that I am hosting this year I have tried to get the themes to match the seasons so that there is lots of topical inspiration around when creating. Following on from my last post about our visit to Sheffield Park and seeing all of the gorgeous, rustling leaves I wanted to get that same feeling in the October cards which have the theme, Autumn Blaze. With the leaves crunching underfoot, they sound quite rustle-y, and I did consider trying to use actual leaves somehow in these cards but decided that it probably wouldn't be lasting as the leaves would disintegrate fairly quickly.
Instead, I have used papers, trying to get a selection of different textures and colours to create more of an interest. Having considered hand cutting hundreds of little, tiny leaf shapes, I decided instead to take the slightly quicker route of using a hole punch and basically creating paper sequins to stitch down and layer. My only concern is that they might look a little like fish scales? I'm hoping not too much though.
Sheffield Park in October
As well as the gorgeous colours and reflections in the ponds and lakes, I love going at this time of the year on mushroom/toadstool spotting expeditions. Sadly, this time round, a lot of the toadstools had been kicked down - something I don't really understand why parents let their children do. Mine certainly won't be trampling toadstools down when he is old enough to walk round and help me look for them. The below two toadstools, which were resplendent when we walked past them on our way to the cafe, were completely squished an hour later when we walked back past them to the car - they were even behind fencing!! I'm glad I took the time to photograph them when they looked so pretty.
I walk around this place with my head swivelling like mad, looking up to see the contrast of the brightly coloured leaves with the blue sky behind them and then down to spot little shrooms nestled in grasses or on tree stumps. Bushes at eye level with their bright berries also vie to catch your eye and, with the rustling of the leaves underfoot it's a hugely sensory experience. Definitely book to visit if you can!!