Thinking Of Home

Since I moved home, almost 4 years ago now, I have had an almost obsessive pre-occupation with the idea of 'Home'.

It's always been a subject of interest to me which can probably be traced back to my grandparents, avid house hunters who never actually moved for as long as I knew them. But they used to take me on some of their viewings, and there were always plenty of estate agent details for me to peruse, inspiring me to fill exercise books with my own house designs and adding the occupation 'Architect' to my list of possible future careers.

And so, back to the here and now where I find myself poring over images in interior magazines trying to decide which are the perfect rooms and what it is that I am drawn towards.

It's been at the forefront of my mind so much that it became apparent this was the direction that my next piece of work was going in. I touched on it briefly two summers ago in my 'Creativity With Collage' post when I did some work inspired by interiors.

I've undertaken research and done a new piece of work which I will be talking about in future posts, but for now I am going to enjoy the last hours of this bank holiday Monday as the summer draws to a close.

Amanda xxx

Maps Series 1 'Could This Be The Velveteen Rabbit?'

So here is my next completed embroidery and I have to say I really love this one. It speaks of the beauty, the magic, the power of books.

The book is bigger than me. I can step inside it and go on a journey, become a part of it, connect with the words another person has woven into a narrative which, in turn, becomes a part of my narrative.

Anyone who has grown up with books in their life will have experienced the overwhelming feeling of seeing a well loved title from childhood and being transported right back there; connecting with the younger self that resides within us all...it's almost like time travel.

This piece tells another little piece of my story, of the books that are my constant companions, able to inspire, impart knowledge, offer reassurance, or just provide a place to escape, as they accompany me along the map of my life.

Amanda xxx