Back to Reality: From Fog to Fabric and Into the Studio

This morning felt a little different. No quiet ship corridors, no misty mountains, no wild landscapes appearing around each bend. Instead: the beep of the alarm clock, the tea making, the sun shining , and two rather excited dogs ready for a long walk.

The adventure may be over, but this — this is where it begins to transform into something tangible.

🐾 The Grounding Rituals

It’s amazing how grounding it is to come home. Walking the dogs through familiar fields, putting a load of washing on, making a mental note to buy milk — these small rituals help reconnect me to my space, my routine, and my creative process.

And yet, I carry with me all the colours, textures, and ideas gathered during the past few weeks. The difference is: now, they start to take shape.

🎨 Back in the Studio

This afternoon, I will unlock the studio door with a bit of anticipation — that delicious “what next?” feeling that only comes after a long, inspiring break.

Here’s what will greeted me:

Piles of fabrics waiting to be re-sorted

Sketchbooks bursting to be opened

Threads already whispering which landscapes they want to become

I’ve started unpacking in more ways than one — not just the contents of my suitcase, but also the creative fuel I’ve been carrying.

🧵 What Comes Next

Now the real work begins. Here’s what I’ll be focusing on over the coming weeks:

Sorting and printing my travel photos into mini inspiration boards

Planning new workshops based on the themes of mist, rust, texture, and abstracted landscape

Beginning sample pieces — small textile sketches that test out colour palettes and techniques

Revisiting my ideas for machine embroidery and wearable textiles, now with fresh eyes

And most importantly, continuing to share this journey with my students and online community

The trip may be over, but the work it inspired is only just beginning.

💭 Final Thoughts: Stitching It All Together

Coming home is always bittersweet. But the comfort of routine — and the joy of having my own studio space again — is deeply welcome. There’s something powerful about standing still after you’ve moved so far, about reflecting while your hands begin to make.

Thank you for following along on this journey through Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the still places in between. Every step, photo, and blog post has helped me reconnect with why I love what I do — and how much beauty there is in simply paying attention.

Now… it’s time to thread the needle and begin.