KARENS STUDIO

2009-03-15T10:50:00.003Z

I have moved my blog home again, as I wanted the freedom of publishing a wordpress blog on my own website.

You can now find me over at "Artist's Garden Studio" where I have moved lock stock and barrel.
Thanks for your patience

Karen

Moving this blog ...

2008-10-07T18:35:00.005+01:00

I am moving this blog to a new home on the Wordpress platform, as this is where my garden journal is hosted and I have decided to keep everything under one roof - so to speak.
My first post is up to-day after more than 6 months away from the studio.

Although it has been a wonderful time - I did have a slight "something is missing" feeling - and of course it was art. I am struggling to get back to a place where I am working creatively - so my entries on my new blog may be a bit sporadic to start with. Please bare with me!

Part of the reason that I have not been in the studio is that I have found work as a gardener - it pays slightly better than art! Plus I have been working in my own garden - which I am passionate about.

Now the nights are drawing in - and the weather is changing - fingers crossed the studio is where I will settle for the winter.

Above is a small image - to tempt you to my new home An Artist's Garden-Studio

Edit, 15th March 2009
I have updated the above link to point to my blog's latest home.

Pink Artist Project

2008-08-02T00:00:00.005+01:00

In January of this year I discovered Monicas Blog - Girl Gone Thread Wild.

She put out a call to textile artists - to make a 2 inch pink square for a project she was doing to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.

The response she received from textile artists across the world was amazing. The pink squares 490 of them, flooded in. Monica used them to create a doll called "Love Squared".

This doll is now being raffled for charity and if you would like to donate/enter the draw please check out this link for all the details.

Monica has boundless energy and her enthusiasm and joy are amazing.

On her blog are the details of the the pink artists - and the journey to make the doll a reality -

Please take a look.

And remember:-

GET CHECKED.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-02T18:50:00.003+01:00

Wordless Wednesday - Totem for the Sun

Fragments

2008-03-18T15:25:00.006Z

Thursday is the Spring or Vernal Equinox - this is a time associated with "The Greenman" and above is a picture that I did some years ago.

The original drawing was based on my middle son, when he was a teenager, and this son has also been on my mind these past few weeks, as his wedding takes place over the Easter weekend.

I think that part of my reluctance to be in the studio this past month is to do with my feelings around my sons wedding.

Or let me re-phrase that my feelings around becoming a "Mother in Law"!

Two of my sons are getting married this year. For the past month - I have not set foot in the studio - but I have been tending my garden like there is no tomorrow.

I love my two new daughter-in-laws-to-be. I am overjoyed that my sons are getting married and I am just so proud of all my children and their partners.

Yet somehow these imminent weddings have affected me more than I knew.
I thought I had embraced my age and in some ways I have - apart from the occasional moan about the fact that various parts of my body seem to be hurtling towards the ground - Gravity has a strange effect on the over 50's!

However at another level - I know these weddings are also a milestone in my life, and for the past month I have been in the grey time, the liminal phase of neither here nor there. Somehow, not the same mother I was - and - not yet the Mother in Law I will become.

Tending the garden has been my metaphorical rite of passage - cultivating the soil, pulling the weeds and moving stones. A way of separating from the Mother I was, actively nurturing my children (Although in truth - I have not had to do this for a few years) and moving towards the Mother I will become.

Now - I send them joyfully into this new and exciting phase of their lives, while I take my new place as the "Mother in Law"

This is work in progress that I started to-day. It is going to be composed of fragments. Fragments that I have saved over the years - from pieces that didn't work out, experiments, bits that I liked - but never got around to working into a picture.

Perhaps another metaphor for where I am just now.

Digital Art Journal Entry

2008-03-12T15:51:00.005Z

Please click on the picture for a larger view.
Art Journal entry
Sketchbook pages from 1991

As I am not in my studio very much just now - you may find me in
An Artist's Garden

Absence and Award!

2008-02-25T17:08:00.005Z

I have not been in my studio for two weeks. The reality is that I probably wont have much studio time in March.

However, despite not being here Threadspider has passed on this to me.

Which I really appreciate.

The idea of the Excellent Blog Award, is to award it to 10 more people whose blog you find Excellent Award Worthy.

I would like to pass this on to:-

Seth at the Altered Page
He writes a very interesting blog, I particularly enjoyed his "pulse" series of interviews.

Jude at Spirit Cloth - her blog and her stitching are a mediation

Michelle Ward - whose work I think is amazing and she is so generous, with links, techniques and her writing.

Monica Magness at Girl gone thread wild. My experience of Monica's blog is one of such joy and vibrancy. In particular the Artists Squares she has organized.

Kate Smudges - who has just celebrated her first anniversary with her blog Kate Smudges in Earth, Paint and Life, and I feel that Kate's blog is like sitting down with a friend for a cup of tea

Also - Sandy at Garden Path. I have only recently started following Sandy's blog, and I am enjoying her images and her Haiku.

Apologies for the brevity of this post - normal creative posting will resume when my muse returns from being out to play!

Wolf Moon

2008-02-14T19:59:00.006Z

Wolf Moon is now finished - in this picture it probably does not look a lot different than in the last post - but there is more stitching on it. I don't know why but all the close ups I took of the piece today showed a real haze on the layer of organza (with light reflection I suppose) - but it is not there at all when you look at the real piece. It is quite hard to photograph - which will be a problem if I want to have giclee prints made from it. (OK not a problem - a challenge!)

The full moon in February is known among other things as "Snow Moon", or "Ice Moon"
It is hard to think about a "Snow Moon" given the wonderful sunshine that we have had over the past few days, so I think the inspiration for this moon will come from the snowdrops in the garden.

Tomorrow I am going to spend some time in the studio working on this theme!

What has happened to the spell checker on blogger?
When you are dyslexic it is a real problem if it doesn't work!!

No Apologies

2008-02-11T09:49:00.000Z

Well - actually I do have one apology to make - and that is I am so sorry that I have not replied to all of you who took the time and trouble to leave a comment on my last post.

So thank you;-
Shirley, Dobby, Sharon, Threadspider, Paula, Judy and Linda I valued your input.
I have not looked at the piece since I posted it - and as I said in my last post I have done a bit more stitching.

BUT THE SUN CAME OUT

So I have been working in the garden and at the weekend we walked.

"A little piece of Heaven"

I feel so much better now that I have had some sun on my face. When we walked at the weekend , the weather was so wonderful that we were in T-shirts. What bliss.
(humm - the spell checker on bloggger does not seem to work - apologies for spelling errors)

Comments Welcome

2008-02-05T16:51:00.001Z

This is where I am up to with "Wolf Moon" the "mount" around the edge is only paper. So that I can get an idea of the composition of the finished work. The piece has not been pressed - so it does look a bit creased!

I am now in a position where do I .............

1) leave it as is with minimal hand stitching

or

2) Do hand stitching all over

Detail 1

detail 2
(Actually the wolf has a little bit more stitching on it since the photo)

Your comments are welcome

Candlemass

2008-02-02T22:17:00.001Z

Good walk to-day.

This is a vain attempt to loose weight before one of my sons wedding ...
7 weeks to-day - eek

Pink

2008-01-30T19:43:00.001Z

"It is better to light a candle,
than to curse the darkness"

I read this earlier in the day and it seems very apt for me right now.

Following on from my last post - I am still sad for my youngest son, who is now travelling lighter than ever - as the burglars also took his suitcase!

But in "blog land" today I came across this on Monica's blog. (girl gone thread wild)

Monica is going to make a doll and a quilt from 2 inch squares sent to her by fellow bloggers. The square can be in your chosen medium, with a cloth base, so Monica can sew the square to the doll - please see her blog for inspiration.

The doll will be sent to Art Doll Quarterly, and then auctioned. The proceeds will go to help fight breast cancer.

The square must be with Monica by the 1st March 2008 - so there is plenty of time if you want to contribute. Do check out Monica's blog for all the information. HERE

I started my squares to-day.

2 inch squares - work in progress.

2008-01-27T20:48:00.000Z

Please click on the images for a larger view.

The Sun Came Out To-day .....

2008-01-24T23:18:00.001Z

The sun came out to-day so I went for a good walk with a friend. Sunshine Exercise and Good Company - just what I needed.

There was a lot of water in the river, after the rains we have had.

I was so glad to see the sun.

Sress!!

2008-01-23T22:23:00.001Z

Stressed today!

I am setting up an ETSY shop for Giclee Prints of my work.

In the past I have had giclees professionally printed of some of my embroideries. They generally tended to be steady little sellers at exhibitions and fairs. However now that I am not out at shows any more - I thought that ETSY would be the way to go.

It took me half a day to get one picture up there! Not because it is hard - far from it - really the whole process seems quite straightforward. I think I was stressing too much over whether the colour reproduction of the photo was accurate and trying to get the text correct.

Phew - well one up 4 to go! Anyway I wont direct you to my ETSY shop just yet -because "Cherry Toes" is the only thing there - but I will put a link up when I get it all sorted.

Work in Progress - Wolf Moon

2008-01-22T17:38:00.001Z

I have started on a new piece of work - from the journal page that I did on the 8th January.
Yesterday I dyed the fabric, today I started laying on sheers and organza fabrics and tacking them down. The finished piece will be slightly bigger than this - approximately 12 ins x 12 ins.

I usually use a scoured felt - prepared for dying as my background fabric for a piece of work. Felt is a wonderful ground fabric when you are doing a lot of Free Machine Embroidery, and building up layers. I use heat fix silk dyes, and acrylic paint to add colour to the background fabric.

TIP - If you are tacking fabrics down before free machine embroidery - use a thread which breaks easily and is a good colour match to the overall picture. When you do dense FME it is impossible to get all the tacking out - especially if like me you work in layers. I tack fabrics down - and then overlay more fabric on top. If you use tacking thread that matches the picture - when you have little ends that refuse to come out - they look meant!

Destroy to Create

2008-01-17T19:04:00.001Z

Interesting day in the studio today - I really wanted to push the development of the images from yesterday and the day before - as a double page spread in my 2008 "Moon Journal".

I also wanted to push my sewing machine as well - because - as yet I have not had time to see what it will really do. I decided to see what the "built in quilting stitches" would do. And I really rather like them. The machine also stitched nicely through the layers - which were - woven paper, painted bondaweb, inkjet transfer on muslin, tissue paper and vyline.

I always find synchronicity interesting. I spent the day yesterday in the veg. garden sorting it out after the high winds and lashing rain we have been having - and I still didn't get to plant the onions. To-day I received a "planting by the moon" e-mail and low and behold - it is tomorrow that is a good day for planting onions!

The page developed further as the day progressed - there is still a couple of things I want to add - but the note about it being a good day to plant onions is down the left hand side - and next to it, is an abstract design I drew, painted and cut out from a sketch I did last summer - when my onions went to seed.

Purple Missus (Lynda Monk) left a comment yesterday - saying she would of been more than happy with the first image on yesterdays post - I think the sub-text of a lot of my work process is "Destroy to Create" and "What happens If ..."

Sometimes this doesn't work at all - but if you push and push - Sometimes the results are wonderful.

Is this is a wonderful page - No it is not - but it is a very useful page. It has some excellent starting points to build on. Which - for me - is a good reason to keep an "art journal"

My mind is buzzing with ideas to develop from what I did today. I know my machine just a little bit more - and perhaps - most importantly - I can plant my onions either to-morrow or Saturday!

Developments

2008-01-15T18:32:00.001Z

Here are some developments on the picture I posted yesterday - with a view to using them as starting point in my art journal.

The picture above - is simply yesterdays image with the contents of my "to do" list scrawled on top.

I took this page and two photographs of onions that I took last summer. Then I cut these into one inch wide strips and wove them together to create a new back ground paper.

This back ground I will be working on further tomorrow - but I did scan it and alter it in photoshop, and type a journal entry for today on it.

Unfortunately - I have just slopped my cup of tea on my computer keyboard - so need to go and dry it out!

Detail

2008-01-14T09:33:00.001Z

This is a very small detail of a development page of the wolf moon image posted a few days ago.

I was working on this image for the "travelling sketchbook" I do with Linda.
When I had finished the page - I scanned it to make a copy. But my scanner glass is so mucky with paint and fibre - that I had to edit it in photoshop to get rid of the bits of fluff around the edges of the picture.

As I had it blown up really large - I noticed this wonderful bit of texture. Sometimes little areas of texture blown up make wonderful starting points. I think I may print this bit off, to use as a background for a page in my art journal.

I want to thank Sharon and Shirley Anne for giving me a "You Make My Day Award" I am touched - and I appreciate it very much.

As I nominated a couple of folk on the 9th January post - I hope Sharon and Shirley will not mind too much if I do not pass it on at this time. But I would like to thank you all who continue to read and support my blog.

The Sea ... The Sea

2008-01-10T18:25:00.002Z

At the moment I am totally captivated by the new work that Vivian has on her blog. Her current art is speaking directly to my soul. It is also inspiring me to return to working with sea themes again.

It is strange - that now I am living about 5 minutes away from the beach how little sea imagery is in my work.

However - when I was living away from the sea - my work was about the sea. I missed it so ......

In 1988 - when I was doing my City and Guilds in Creative Embroidery. My part two theme was "the sea". One of my major pieces was a coat, which had seaweed and sea horses as decoration.

My father - who lived by the sea, sent me regular parcels of sea weed - so that I could draw it. How brave was the post man who delivered it!

Then in 1998 I was doing a lot of shows and exhibitions - the sea and all things watery, featured strongly in my work - again I was living a long way away from it and missed it a lot.

However here I am now - returned to my soul home, and prompted by Vivian I am pulled once more towards the sea.

The joy of having a theme that returns time and again over the years (decades) is that you have the opportunity to revisit the theme with new eyes and new perspective.

During Part 2, City and Guilds - my sea themes were large.

In 1998 my sea images had a melancholy - which perhaps reflected where I was in my life at that time.

And now - 20 years down the line - although the water and the boats appear from time to time - I am edging towards doing another body of significant work around the sea and my life beside it.

You Make My Day

2008-01-09T17:21:00.000Z

Judy gave me a "You Make My Day Award" yesterday - which was lovely!

Here are the guidelines for this:-

Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about Blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!

Some of the folk that I would pass it onto - also got it yesterday too!

I have decided to very selective about who to mention and pass on this award too.

There are so many of you out there who "Make My Day" Blogland is a wonderful place - and in my experience such a supportive community.

I will give this award to

Sharon Young

Because I enjoy her blog - but also she is a wonderful reader of my blog and so many other blogs. She also takes the time and trouble to leave comments. Her questions set me thinking, and her support is great.

The other blogger I would choose is

Catherine Kerr

I have only recently discovered Catherine's blog and I love it. For me it is a gentle reminder every morning to live a soulful life - and for that I thank her

Here is my second to last doll - This is for Denice - who signed up for the PIF - way back. As I didn't have a picture of her - I transferred a picture of a Venetian Mask to the doll. I had hoped to get it to her for Christmas - but time ran away with me - so she got it today!

One more to do - hopefully tomorrow.

New Year - New Art Journal

2008-01-08T17:38:00.001Z

Journal page January 8th

A New year and a new journal.

A journal for me is different from a sketchbook - this is where I start with a theme and see where it leads and this year my theme is the wheel of the year as defined by the full moons. (Actually it is the wheel of the year every year!) The journal is where my themes and ideas for significant pieces of work gestate

My sketchbook is just that - sketches and drawings - very rough, samples and ideas, thoughts about techniques. Colour notes, reminders, "what iff's" and so on. I suspect the main difference is that the journal is rather inward looking and the sketchbook is looking out and observing the world. Of course the two feed each other - for how can you draw a wolf moon - unless you have stood under the night sky and truly looked at the moon.

Judy has left a comment giving me a "You make my day Award" which is delightful and I will be following up on this tomorrow. Thank you Judy.

What I did Next

2008-01-05T14:47:00.001Z

Printed image and "shrinked" image

For my three girl-friends here in Wales - I decided that although they had their own doll - they could also have smaller versions of their two friends to hang on the Christmas Tree!

(Although one of my friends has such a tasteful Christmas tree - her decorations did not make it onto the tree!)

So I photographed the finished doll. and printed it onto "shrink paper" for an ink jet printer.
After a few trial and errors - I printed the image nearly the full size of an A4 paper, and as you can see from above - I really lightened the colour - because during the heating process the colours darken.

Close up of the Christmas Decoration!
Size approx 3 ins high

The images shrink a lot during the two minutes that you heat them in the oven. I also discovered that they don't shrink evenly - so if I printed figures sideways (landscape) on an A4 sheet - they turned out small - but slim!

However portrait I could do bigger figures - but they were slightly "well rounded"

Anyway - it was fun and I have wanted to try shrink plastic/paper for the inkjet printer for ages.

Another doll

2008-01-04T11:05:00.001Z

This was the only "boy" that I made!

I was trying to do a gingerbread man - but he looked a bit strange - so I had to give him "Christmas trousers" and a bow tie!

I made a doll for Judy as a PIF - and the photo she has on her blog is better than the photo I took - so if you want to see Judy please click here

The paper mountain is slowly decreasing! I want to get it done and dusted so that I can be in the studio with a clear conscience otherwise it sits like a grey cloud in the back of my mind and I get grumpy.

Happy New Year to you all

2008-01-03T10:04:00.001Z

Happy New Year to you all. I apologise for not blogging for ages - there were two reasons for this.

The first was the dreaded vertigo - which - fingers crossed, for the most part is better.
I have been seeing the osteopath, and she has really helped however the process of recovering from the vertigo gave me a very uncomfortable back - so I could only be in the studio for short bursts of time!

The other reason is that I was making "art dolls" as Christmas presents and for the PIF exchange and I did not want to post pictures until I was sure that all of those dolls were in their new homes!

They did prove to be slightly more time consuming than I first thought - although they were not really very complicated - just fiddly. The hardest part was turning the doll right side out.

However - they were a joy to make!

I will post more pictures over the next couple of days - as they are not all in the "group photo"

Here are links to two more fun tutorials on art-e-zine;- for making this type of doll which caught my eye when I was first thinking about making "fairies" for my friends Christmas Trees.

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/teedoll.html

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/createdolls.html

One of my resolutions this year is to try and stay on top of "paperwork". I seem to have half a Brazilian Rain forest of papers and "stuff" to sort out. (I think I say that every year) So no studio time for me until I have made some inroads into my paper mountain.

So I wish you all a wonderful 2008, thank you all for visiting my blog and all your comments and e-mails.

How lovely is this?

2007-12-11T17:59:00.001Z

How lovely is this?

This is a detail of the canvas I received to-day from Mercedes Jiminez
via the art-e-zine 8 x 8 canvas swap. Unfortunately the light had gone when I tried to photograph it - but it is a lovely mixed media collage and I am delighted.

If you would like to see all the art made for this swap it can be found on the art-e-zine site here, but it is a big page - so is most suited to a broadband Internet connection.

Listen to Your Muse

2007-12-05T19:33:00.001Z

This is the canvas that I made for the 8 x 8 inch canvas swap on art-e-zine. Generously hosted by Christine (her blog is here)

It is the first swap I have taken part in - partly because I had the time available to do it. And because of the format - I love the 8 x 8 format - large enough to do some interesting work, and small enough to post to America. Also it was "a favourite technique" Obviously I used free machine embroidery, with hand stitching, done on layers of organza. So now I wait patiently for a canvas to be sent to me from America.

I am doing things in the studio - if somewhat slowly - without moving my head - or bending down - but it is not stuff that I can post about just yet.

A Family Weekend

2007-12-02T20:04:00.000Z

Two of my sons and one of my "soon to be" daughters in law came to visit this weekend.

It was so wonderful to be with them - I just wish I had felt slightly more lively!

However Adam did decide that he could not possibly visit the seaside without a dip in the water!

The sea in Wales in December - chilling!

We had a lovely time - lots of catching up with Adam and Caroline's wedding plans, and Daniels time in Denmark.

Good food, and happy company. Such Joy.

Vertigo is back

2007-11-29T15:42:00.000Z

Vertigo is back ....... gutted

Vertigo Has Gone!

2007-11-27T20:56:00.001Z

The vertigo has gone and I feel so much better

Dyed some fabric for Christmas Things - but now I don't want to cut into it!

But I will

Gentle Day

2007-11-23T19:21:00.001Z

A gentle day in the studio to-day making a batch of these petal shapes with free machine embroidery on organza.

Tomorrow I will burn around the edges

I can not tell you what they are for - because it is top secret!
(With Christmas happening in 31 days)

Sketchbooks and Art Journals

2007-11-21T20:51:00.001Z

Sketchbook page November 2006
I am sorry I cannot give a credit for the rubber stamp - I got it at a stamp fair - and I forget who from - it is however, not my design.

As I am not under high pressure for deadlines - but rather just having studio time, and this means working in sketchbooks - something that I am not very good at - or rather - not as disciplined as I would like.

I cannot believe that the page above is from nearly exactly a year ago. I start a new book - I do a few pages - then it all peters out - as I go straight into the "real" pieces. Then I spend the rest of the year making rough notes on scrappy pieces of paper.

How to "do" my sketchbooks is always something that consumes a large chunk of thought, (when I am not working to deadlines) and I have piles of half used books ranging in size from very small to large and if there is one thing I would like to do - it is to have a more organized approach and paradoxically a more spontaneous approach toward my sketchbooks.

I think I have definitely reached the point where I want to bind my own books - to include all the scrappy bits of paper and notes. I don't want to make beautiful hand stitched journals - although I admire those that do - and have done so myself to commemorate special events. I simply want to wire bind all my stuff up - once every few months - so that all my fabric experiments, figure drawings, notes etc are all in one place - together.

Ho Humm - The trouble with the vertigo - is because I am not working flat out - I have to much time to think! Back to the doctor tomorrow for a chat - and to see what is what.

PS Just found some beautiful handmade books here made by Kaija - sometimes I wish I was a bookbinder!

Quiet Sunday

2007-11-18T16:46:00.001Z

Quiet Sunday today - pottering in the studio - but not accomplishing much.

The vertigo is still with me - so I am pretty fed up about that.

The image here is a sketchbook page - probably for my "Travelling Sketchbook" which I share with Linda.

It is only a rough sketch - using painted bondaweb, and free machine embroidery. I was reflecting on the things we say like "keeping your feet on the ground" or "Being grounded" and how just now - the ground does not feel like a very safe place - in fact is seems rather squashy!! The colours probably reflect my dreary state of mind.

Thanks to
Judy,
Lynn and
Marion
For joining in the PIF exchange. I am really looking forward to making something for you all - don't forget to e-mail me with your addresses if you have not all ready done so.

Denice will also be getting something from me - although she does not have a blog - I am sure she will join in the PIF ethos.

Thanks to all of you who left a comment on my "Friendship post" I am the one at the back left of the last photo! And I had a great time at our class reunion

Pay it Forward

2007-11-13T12:50:00.000Z

I am sure that many of you will have seen "pay it forward" on other blogs around and about.

I think it is such a nice idea and I was delighted when I saw that Vivian was participating. As I love her work, and I love the concept of "Pay it Forward" I left a comment on her blog - and I was one of the first three to do so!

This means that sometime in the next 365 days I will receive a piece of art from Vivian and I have to "Pay it Forward" here on my blog. Here is how it goes:-

"I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 artists who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."

I don't know where this started. I tried to track the "pay it forwards" exchange back through various blogs - but I found myself so diverted with interesting reading and other links - that I did not get very far - so I don't know who the credit for this scheme goes too.

So the first three people who comment, will receive something in the post from me - not to sure when, and all I ask is that you continue with the PIF exchange on your own blogs.

Friendship

2007-11-08T14:58:00.001Z

"The Gang" - in our teens

I am feeling so much better - went back to the doctor yesterday and got different pills for the vertigo.

I am mightily relieved about this, as tomorrow I am off to a school reunion! Our class tries to have a get together about once a decade!

It is at this point that I:-

1) Wished I looked in the mirror more often - perhaps I could of done something about those wrinkles in my face a while ago.

2) Was more disciplined about things like moisturizer - then maybe my skin would not be like rhino-hide

3) Remembered to say "no thank you" to chocolate, coffee cake, new potatoes with butter and so on

But I didn't do any of these things - so there we go!

In our nearly 40's

Friendship is an amazing thing and throughout my life I have been blessed with wonderful friendships.
Some are fleeting and transient - a soul connection of two people who for that brief moment in a life time know that they are friends, this kind of friendship sometimes leaves the bittersweet memory of "if only ..."

Some friendships have a natural time span - they are wonderful for many years but then things move on and so does the friendship. No regrets - no blame - just the warm comfortable memories of shared laughter and shared lives.

Some are blossoming friendships - new and interesting in their newness - like the ones that are growing here in Wales since I moved back.

Also;- "cyber-buddies" the friendships developing because of shared interests, and ease of communication over the web. Friends who I may never meet in person - but who become friends nonetheless

Some friendships - are more enduring and my friendship with the three woman in these photographs has lasted for 4 decades! I think it is amazing.

We met at school when we were about 10 years old - and as we were at a boarding school our lives were perhaps more interlinked with each other, than those children who go to a day school. We have seen each others worst and best. My life is richer for knowing them.

We probably only meet up every few years as a foursome - but the joy of this friendship is we carry on just where we left off, it can be 2 years, 2 months or two weeks since we last saw each other it really doesn't matter.

This Spring the 4 of us went to Paris - to celebrate 40 years of friendship - although there was perhaps a little apprehension as to whether we would get on together for 5 days of constant company .... it was great and we had a ball. (it took me a week to get my voice back - and two weeks to recover fully - but hey!)

In our well over 40's!
Oh - Ok our 50's

Now all you have to do is guess which one is me!

Jeans Finished Work

2007-11-05T23:05:00.001Z

Jean popped in to see me to-day - to see how I was doing with the vertigo - and to show me her finished piece of work.

This is a close up - I particularly like what she has done at the bottom with the machine wrapped cord couched down to form the sea. Also overlaying the organza to trap the pearls and shells. It is lovely to see finished pieces of work and I was pleased she came to show me.

I managed a couple of hours in the studio to-day and I am quietly happy with the progress I made on my canvas for the canvas swap - but I probably wont post any pictures of it until it has been received by who ever gets it! - Well maybe tomorrow I will post a little corner for you to peep at!

Last Class Photos

2007-11-03T20:23:00.001Z

This is Denice's finished work - well almost finished - She was going to do some hand stitching at home - to blend the heavily textured area more into the background fabric.

The picture below is a close up - lovely texture - Denice was pleased with the finished result.

I spent some time in the studio to-day - with not much luck. I have the idea of a piece in my head - but trying to work out the "How To Do It" was frustrating me to-day. Sometimes I wish I could just to the same old thing over and over again - as I feel like I am trying to re-invent the wheel with every piece I do.

I know it is just the frustration talking - and probably not helped by the fact that I am still a bit wobbly on my pins - and my head is probably not as clear as it could be.

Never mind - it will all come together .... or something at some point next week.

More views

2007-11-02T19:30:00.001Z

This is another view of Pats sampler - again apologies for the quality of the photography.

Pat is going to do a small amount of hand stitching onto the little square to catch down any loose fibres that have come adrift since she cut the squares from a bigger piece.

This is a close up of one of the squares showing the lovely textures Pat created.

Blogger is not being very responsive tonight and the photos are not quite going where I want them. Why does this happen sometimes?

Last Class

2007-11-01T17:59:00.001Z

Here is Jean with her (nearly) finished piece of embroidery. She will be so cross with me that the photo is of her holding her work up! She didn't want to be in it. I did take a close up of the work - but it was very out of focus - I blame the vertigo.

Jean had to leave early - so she was disappointed that her piece was not complete by the time she left. However she knew where it was going. She had also used all the machine embroidery techniques we covered in the three weeks and was so delighted that she knew more about her machine than she did a month ago.

Here is Pat, with her piece. She probably had the most unsuitable machine for all the techniques we covered. (I need to find out more about this particular machine.) Pat made some lovely textures, which she cut up and her finished work was a "sampler".

I will post a detail tomorrow - still not really able to spend much time in the vertical position.

Thanks to ALL of you who have left such lovely comments over the past 10 days or so. I really enjoy hearing from you all - and I am sorry I haven't replied to you personally.

Vertigo Strikes!

2007-10-30T20:16:00.001Z

Sorry no posting for a while. I have been feeling a bit under par with some kind of virus. I had a horrid ear-ache for a while - and now a chest infection, but the worst is vertigo.

So I have been struggling to stay up-right - let alone do anything in the studio. I did this little play around today with my new machine - on painted bondaweb layers - but I perhaps I should not have done it - as the dizzy spells are back with a vengeance!

Water Soluble Fabric

2007-10-25T09:42:00.000+01:00

Click on the photos for a bigger image

Another creatively fun day with the "Machine Embroidery for Beginners" group

Yesterday the class had a good day experimenting with water soluble fabric for the first time.
Next week is the final class - when the students are making a small (8ins x 8 ins) embroidery using all the skills they have learnt in the past three weeks.

A little Sample

2007-10-22T22:23:00.001+01:00

Today I was preparing for next Wednesday Class - which is working with water soluble fabric and machine embroidery and I made this small sample.

I really rather like it - it is only small - maybe 5 inches or so. I simply laid fibres onto the water soluble fabric and machined it down - then dissolved away the water soluble.

Funny how sometimes just playing around works out well and leads on to other things!

My New Baby! Pfaff 2058

2007-10-21T19:20:00.001+01:00

I have a new sewing machine!

I have only played with it for a few hours to-day so I don't really know what it is capable of yet. It is taking a bit of getting used too!

So far so good.

Because it has more electronics; it is a bit strange; in that I can not sit down and just do "free machine embroidery".

There are a few start up screens to go through and a lot of "touch screen" - bit like trying to get money out of the hole in the wall at the bank!

It did however, stitch very nicely through layers of fabrics and wool with a nice even stitch and it purrs along - unlike my old machine which in the last year has started to sound very clunky indeed.

My last machine was also a Pfaff - and I am quite surprised that I bought another one - as all my stitching life I wanted to be the proud owner of a Bernina!

I also knew - that at this point, I did not want a machine that connects to my computer - (although I am tempted) but I have a Mac - and I think that all the current "embroidery" machines connect to PC's which would of meant buying a PC as well as a sewing machine. My views about PC's are not repeatable - I love my Mac.

I got my machine through www.sewingmachines.co.uk
I spoke with Russell there who was brilliantly helpful. If you want to buy a brand of sewing machine they deal with - then I recommend them.

I will let you know how I get on with my new machine. I will keep my old machine for back up,
but I am now thinking of turning my very old machine (an elna) into an embelisher as I wont need it for back up.

If anyone has done this to one of their old machines - I would welcome your comments

Tagged

2007-10-18T09:19:00.000+01:00

I have been Tagged!

This is a kind of double edged sword - as it is quite nice because it means someone, somewhere is following my blog - this someone happened to be Sharon

But it also means I have to tag 7 others and
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

I am not a huge blogger in that I don't know many others - I admire and read a lot of the doyennes of the fibre art world but would not be "brave" enough to tag them!

The majority to the people who read my blog sign themselves as anonymous, or admirer - so I don't know who they are!

Anyway - here goes.

7 facts about myself - some random some weired.

1) I have three wonderful sons who I am very proud of

2) I broke my collar bone 2 years ago and it never healed - so I have a strange gap instead of a collar bone

3) I am always amazed when people remember who I am

4) I have an terrific sense of smell

5) I don't like the colour yellow very much

6) I hate "keep fit" but enjoy swimming

7) I love the moon - I think it is so beautiful and magical and to live here - close to the sea. To have the tides, the moon, the mountains - bliss!

Phew done - now the hard bit tagging 7 others.

Linda - She is my comrade in arms - and has been for a long time

Judy - who is my new cyber friend

Margaret (digitalgran) - who also lives in Wales

Vivien - I like her flower paintings - and she has wonderful pictures of the sea on her blog
(but I don't know her)

Penny - I don't know Penny but I enjoy her drawing and the title of her blog always makes me smile

Shirley - who I have just met in blogland and would like to get to know better

And for my last I will put ........

djpettit - I enjoy the way she paints faces - and from her blog - I imagine she must be an inspiring teacher. (This is my brave tag!)

Day 2 of Machine Embroidery Class

2007-10-17T20:22:00.000+01:00

Machine Cable Stitch

Today we covered altering the tension on both the top thread and the bobbin - whip stitch and feather stitch. We also tried machine cable stitch - this is where a thick thread is wound on the bobbin and the embroidery is worked on the reverse.

During the afternoon session we covered machine stitched cords, and Jean has stitched her cord onto the piece that she started last week.

Sheilaghs work shows a wonderful build up of texture using whip stitch variations.

Another good day was had by us all - I really enjoy seeing how different folk develop their work from the same starting point. I think all the students are in agreement that after 2 days of machine embroidery - they know their machines a lot better and are beginning to test their machines full capabilities!

Playing around with your machine and practising with different fabrics, threads and tension settings is time well spent if you wish to develop your free machine embroidery techniques.

Again I am having trouble posting the pictures tonight - and I have visitors arriving tomorrow for a few days so ..... I am not sure when I will be able to add more pics.

Good Day To-day

2007-10-15T19:00:00.001+01:00

Beaded Silk / Velvet devoree with glass

Nice day to-day - not a high pressured creative day - but I spent the day assembling necklaces for the Beetroot Tree Christmas Show.

Silk / Velvet Devoree with Indian Glass Beads.

This is something that is rather time consuming - but gently enjoyable - I could actually listen to the radio while I was doing this - something I have not done in a while!

Silk / Velvet devoree with Labradorite

I make bangles and ear-rings to match the necklaces - the earrings I will do next week. As tomorrow I will be preparing for Day 2 of the "Machine Embroidery for Beginners" class which takes place on Wednesday.

I would like to reply to the comment about it being stressful teaching a course for beginners. Comments like this are always useful as it makes me stop and think about why.

Yes I find it stressful - and sometimes I would much prefer to stay in the studio and create rather than going out there and face the world. However there are several reasons for getting out there, here are just a few that apply to me.

The Bank Manager - the bottom line is that I find it difficult to support myself as a full time artist. If I am in my studio - I am creating pieces that might or might not sell at some point in the future.

Isolation - If I stayed in my studio creating - I believe I would not grow as an artist. In teaching I get the opportunity to re-visit techniques that I have not used in a while, and develop existing techniques. Students are interested and exciting - especially adult students as they are in your class because they REALLY want to be there.

Joy - it is a great joy when a student is totally excited by what she has produced in class - their joy and enthusiasm is infectious - if they continue with the work when class is over - then - Job done.

The amount of teaching that I do is minimal, however for me - it is worth the angst and stress.

PS The necklaces have not got their clasps on yet - and apologies for the quality of the pictures - we have had a very grey day here - and (again) I left the photography until to late in the day!

Machine Embroidery Class

2007-10-10T21:50:00.000+01:00

Today was the first session of Machine Embroidery for Beginners, and we were a very select group of 6;- plus me!

This was ideal as it meant we all had enough time.

For some reason - blogger wont let me post all my pictures tonight - so here are some of the samples done in class today. More tomorrow.

This are samples from the first exercise - simply using straight stitching over layers of threads and fabrics.

I enjoyed to-day. The group was humorous and hard working - a lovely combination!

More Beads

2007-10-09T21:15:00.001+01:00

c Karen Hall 2007

Yummy devoree silk- velvet beads that I finished today.
Which I think will make a fabulous necklace for the winter parties!

Time / No Time !

2007-10-07T19:42:00.001+01:00

Textile Beads
Using Fabrics from Bumblebee Quilting

I feel that I am stomping around quite a lot just at the moment. Probably because I have not spent much time in the studio recently. Well I have - but not really making - more administration.

One of the things that I do struggle with from time to time - is TIME - or lack of it - where has this week gone?

Sometimes - the "office" bits of being an artist, takes time away from "making" Just small things - pricing up work. Sorting out work for prints, getting prices for giclee prints. Signing prints. Ordering stuff from suppliers etc.

Then - my day school starts on Wednesday - so getting all the stuff together, lesson plans, supplies for students to use. Packing everything up etc.

Then there is my morning job - which I do as I cannot fully support myself as a working artist - and, if you have not guessed - it is gardening!

Then there is "life" all that day to day stuff - which needs doing, but totally takes time away from art.

So just in this moment - I am feeling a bit stompy. As a result - I have decided to take the week of the 15th off from gardening work. This way I can spend more of the week in the studio - and get all my stuff together for the Beetroot Tree Christmas show "Desirables". 18 new pieces of jewellery which have to be delivered by the 1st November.

I also really want to take part in a canvas swap on art-e-zine

More Beads

I am sad that these pictures are so poor - but the light had gone and I was being hasty - The colour does not do justice to the lovely fabrics that I got from Bumblebeequilting.

After making beads - one of the nicest things is deciding what to put them with them;-

This

Or this!

I have all day in the studio tomorrow - but I will be testing out the samples I want my class to make on Wednesday - and thinking about the piece I want to make for the 8 x 8 art-e-zine swap!

Spirit of the Land - Amulet

2007-09-28T21:44:00.001+01:00

The Amulet

Today I sold this amulet, which I created in 2001.

A lady saw this piece at the craft fair last weekend, and loved it. During the week, she phoned to ask me if she could buy it for her daughter. But when I delivered it to her today - she hung it on her wall - and it looked very happy - so I think that for now - Spirit of the land will stay with her.

Detail of the top section

Because the piece is framed and glazed in such a deep frame - I found it hard to take a picture without reflections - so I hope that the images can be made out clearly.

Middle Section

With all my amulets I do a piece of written work - and mostly people choose to read the words as well as view the picture. These pieces are enjoyed and/or bought by people who have a soulful connection with the art.

Spirit of the Land

This amulet draws on both male and female symbolism
It is a distillation of both energies
And encompasses the elements of
Fire, Earth, Water and Air.

On the copper panel is the face of the Guardian Spirit,
The “Green Man’
The embodiment of the vibrant energy of life.

On the second panel,
The copper wire
Depicts a journey.

Wherever your life’s journey may take you,
The Spirit of the land protects and watches over you.

Back to Basics

2007-09-24T21:24:00.000+01:00

Sample 1

Spent the day going back to basics with machine embroidery. In fact the samples I did to-day are not even free motion embroidery, but are done using the regular straight and zig-zag stitches on the machine.

Sample 1 is done on a patterned cotton background - overlaid with scraps of thin and thick fibers, with sheer chiffon on top.

The grid is then machined using regular straight stitch.

Sample 2

Sample 2 is done on the same patterned background as 1, with the same fibres and threads laid on top. Then a rather revolting piece of organza laid on top of the fibers. The top layer of organza is to stop the fibres from catching in the sewing machine foot.

I then machined on top using the built in patterns on the machine, changing the thread frequently.

Sample 3

The last sample is the same patterned cotton, with fragments of a variety of fabrics snipped and dropped onto the background. These were caught down using a regular straight stitch, then over stitched using a zig zag setting. While stitching I varied the width and length of the zig zag randomly across the work.

It is useful to revisit basic techniques from time to time - as I see them in a different light and can see applications for them now - that I might not have recognized 30 odd years ago. I have always disliked using the built in patterns on my sewing machine - but sample 2 has some nice bits of texture in it - and could be useful cut up and re pieced into a larger art work.

Where did the week go?

2007-09-23T21:04:00.001+01:00

Machine embroidered beads

As you can see from the above image I have posted an old picture of machine embroidered beads. The reason is - that beads and machine embroidery are the two things that I have been working on this week.

In October - I am teaching class - "Machine Embroidery for Beginners" here in the village. It is good to teach class - because it has made me think about the free machine embroidery that I do - and I have had to go back to basics - and re-visit techniques that I have not done in a while - and look at them with fresh eyes in order to teach them to others.

I am hoping to do 4 sessions, once a week, in October. Although I have been very lax about publicising it anywhere - so I expect we shall be a very select little group!

I have also been making beads for a gallery show in November - so beads and machine embroidery have been filling my head this week - which - I have to say has flown by so quickly!

My thanks go out to Judy,
Who after visiting my blog - and being very inspired by the beads she saw - has credited me, and linked back to my blog - much appreciated.

Be sure to check out her beads and her lovely silk dying.

A Travelling Sketchbook

2007-09-19T11:25:00.001+01:00

A Travelling Sketchbook

This is one of a pair of books that Linda Chilton and I exchange every couple of months.

Actually - the books themselves are so heavy and precious now - that we just exchange four pages at a time.

Linda and I have been friends, and artist colleagues for the past 20 + + years. However in July 2005 as we were both moving away from the area that we lived - we decided to keep in touch via sketchbooks.

Linda is the person I turned too whenever I was having artist "collie-wobbles" and these books have been a wonderful way to explore new directions, and still get frank feedback from a trusted friend.

Experiments with Tyvek

Resistance is futile!

2007-09-17T19:56:00.000+01:00

Fat Quarters

After two days looking at Jane's patchwork supplies - all beautifully arranged in colour families - I have to admit to quite a few fat quarters finding their way into my studio!

And how could I resist this

or this!

Quite often I wish I was a patchworker - because they always stagger home from events and shows with their arms full of seductive fabrics, toning, contrasting, all so yummy.

The way the fabric is packaged looks cute as well. The little bags of fat quarters, or, I saw something that I think was called a jelly roll - so tasteful with the colours matching beautifully. Oh - on some days I really wish I was a patchworker!

One lady I spoke to at the weekend was buying some fabric for her "stash" - her stash that never goes near a pair of scissors - but she delights in the fabrics in her "stash" - and then uses other fabrics for the things she creates. I can understand that.

I am, however going to use the fabrics I got for necklaces like this - which I make for people to buy as little Christmas presents. This style of necklace was also my best seller this weekend. Funny how sometimes it is ear-rings, sometimes bangles, and sometimes the necklaces that sell well at different times!

Craft Fair Weekend

2007-09-15T19:21:00.000+01:00

Our village Craft Fair this weekend. And I am amazed at the number of people who visited it to-day. There were people coming in through the door all day - apart from a lull at lunchtime!

Our little hall was full for most of the day.

My stand was next to two lovely ladies Suzie, reading "Stitch" Magazine, and Jane, working on a quilt. I have to say - the picture does not do them justice

Jane runs a patchwork and quilting shop - so I was gazing at wonderful fat quarters of fabric all day . Jane's shop is in the Coris Craft Centre www.bumblebeequilting.co.uk
Visit her web site for more info

It was a good day we have such a wealth of talent in our local area - and I was happy as I sold some jewellery!

Beads

2007-09-11T00:06:00.001+01:00

Hand made beads

Quite a busy time in the studio - although quite a lot of that time has been used up doing "administrative" stuff for the village craft fair this weekend. Making sure all my pictures have hangers on them. Sorting out my jewellery, and writing price tags etc.

I have also been working on my pages for "A travelling sketchbook"
This is two books that Linda and I exchange every couple of months. So we will both post about this soon .... Watch this space! To see Linda's work click here.

I have also made quite a few beads to make up into necklaces and ear-rings.

And quite a cute necklace with the beads threaded onto ribbon

I want to make a few more of these before Saturday if possible. So a busy time sorting stuff really.

(The Dog - Merlin continues to improve - we were back at the Vets today - and he doesn't want to see him again - but he has to wear his collar thing for a week!)

Two Steps forward - One step back

2007-09-08T20:58:00.000+01:00

Merlin went back to the vet on Friday to have his stitches out - he was doing very well after his operation.

Unfortunately today - he either had a good old scratch or caught the operation wound on something in the garden - and manages to open the wound up again - and there is even a hole (grim) - so back to the vet again today - and now he has this very glamorous collar - which he has not got used to yet. Back to the vet again on Monday - to see what is what - it might need stitching again.

Mixed bag of a day in the studio to-day. I am making textile beads for jewellery - this is rather repetitive - and because I have to make so many I make and assemble them rather like a factory line. So no completed beads yet.

I also had a cunning plan for creating a new bead - but it failed! So back to the drawing board tomorrow.

No pictures - because my camera ran out of battery -

What a Lovely Day

2007-09-04T22:42:00.000+01:00

Today was such a lovely day. The weather was glorious - one of those sparkling September days - with a suggestion that we might be in for an Indian Summer - and a whisper of the Autumn to come. The sky was clear, and the mountains magnificent. They often look better with no haze of heat around them.

It was one of those days where I simply feel from the bottom of my heart “life is good”

My Studio

2007-09-04T09:11:00.001+01:00

Sewing Table and Messy Table

No actual work done these last few days - but I have re-organized my studio space. On Saturday evening I was having a little moan about my work space and how it wasn't working right (for that read - how I wasn't working right!) When my partner and his sister took me in hand - before you could say mixed media - we cleared up the little room - found all my fabrics and put them on one shelf - and re-organized the work stations in the big room. I spent Sunday and Monday going through everything.

One of the reasons that we bought this house was the big old shed/chalet at the bottom of the garden that would make an ideal studio space for me. My partner re-furbished it as soon as we moved into the house - and it was a wonderful big light space. I moved all my stuff in very quickly to get it out of his work space - and really gave no proper thought as to what I wanted where.

As I was "homeless" for over 6 months - between selling my last house and finding this house - My work stuff was spread all over - some in store and some travelled with me. But I only got my large "messy" table back a couple of months ago.

Lots of my "bits and pieces" are still in boxes labeled "Studio nature" and "Studio sentimental" and "Studio inspiration"

As you can see from the above picture - my large board at the back of the room remains empty - this is intended as a place for all those images that catch my eye - photos I take - for starting points. Colour explorations. Pictures of my kids. etc

The village craft fair is in a couple of weeks - I have no excuse now not to be working flat out. I have also had a request from a gallery for jewellery for their Christmas Exhibition - just when I had decided to wind down the jewellery! I am considering starting an Etsy shop only for my textile jewellery - but I really have no idea how successful they are - especially here in the UK. I am not particularly good at self promotion.

Opps!

2007-08-31T21:01:00.001+01:00

Lovely day to-day. Denice took me out shopping and this is what we bought!

We got up and eight - and drove to Mostyn about 2 hours from where we live to visit a shop called Abakhan. I didn't know this shop existed in Wales and I was in heaven - fabric heaven, well fabric and trimmings and papers and threads .....

You get the picture. One thing that I found really strange was they have big baskets of remnants - you pick your pieces of fabric - and they are priced by the weight!

For example - I use a lot of velvet in my Textile jewellery - so I rummaged through the velvet remnant basket picked out pieces in various sizes that caught my eye; they were weighed and I paid - like shopping for I don't know - fruit and veg - it was quite cool really - as I made some quite creative choices with colour and pattern - especially with the organza. Usually I just buy a metre each of 6 or 7 plain colours - today I bought patterns.

Denice is a patch worker - so she got lots of cottons. She also teaches class - so some of the things she bought are for other patch workers.

Great day.

(I will be playing in the studio tomorrow!)

Son, Dog and Amulets

2007-08-29T21:00:00.001+01:00

My youngest son is safe and happy in Denmark and we have the dog back home after his operation to remove the saliva glands on one side.

He looks quite gruesome! So I wont be posting a picture of him. As well as a large shaved area around and under his neck and chin - for some reason the top of his head on one side has been shaved - around his ear - and above one eye - most strange - he look very vulnerable with a partially shaved head.

Apart from all the swelling and stitches he seems OK in himself - and he still searches the floor for every crumb of food that might have dropped by accident!

So as I was dog sitting to-day - to make sure that he did not scratch the stitches out - I was able to get on a bit in the studio with "Standing Stones".

There is a lot more stitching by hand in quite thick silk and also I have made an amulet for the top corner. I have made amulets for some years now (see my website amulet page here
and here)

This little talisman necklace is made from slate wrapped with wire, with beads of coral, turquoise and lapis - interspersed with random coloured glass beads.

I don't know what I think of this piece yet - although I really enjoyed working with it to-day!

Merlin

2007-08-24T18:51:00.001+01:00

We got Merlin back from the vet on Wednesday - after his small operation to release the pressure of the swelling. He was overjoyed to be home - but quite tiered.

I took him back this morning for a check up - and the vet says he now has to have the operation to remove the saliva gland - and has booked him in for Tuesday. I least I feel a bit re-assured as now he has had one anesthetic he should survive another - I once had a dog die as a reaction to anesthetic. But I still hate the whole thing - I hate that I cannot explain to him what is happening and that it will all be OK.

Another thing that has happened this week is that my youngest son - who has been staying here for the past three weeks or so - has left - and is going to live in Denmark with his girlfriend. One of the things - even after all this years - that I never get used too are the feelings that Mothers have for their children - I am so excited for him - for the opportunity to live in a different country and experience everything that has to offer. Also so concerned for him - that all will be well with him - and that he wont feel frightened, or alone - that he knows that he can return here to Wales if things don't work out. Holding these two sets of emotions, for me, always creates tension - and it is at times like these that I should keep away from work in progress (and credit cards) but this afternoon I went into the studio.

It should have been a gift - an unexpected afternoon in the studio - instead I think I may of wreaked the "Standing Stone" piece - as I put it under the sewing machine and stitched hard!

I am not totally sure where the piece will go from here.

No studio time until Monday now - so ..... I have a bit of time to think about it.

My Dog - Merlin

2007-08-21T22:34:00.001+01:00

I have not been in the studio for a couple of days now as I have been as bit anxious about my dog, Merlin.

He had a swelling on his jaw last week, the vet thought it might be a problem with his saliva glands - which if so they would have to be removed.

However on Sunday night the swelling ballooned massively - so I took him back to the vet on Monday - and they operated to remove the swelling.

He is still at the vets - hopefully I will be able to bring him home tomorrow. They have not at this stage removed the saliva gland - that is still to come.

Standing Stones

2007-08-19T17:01:00.001+01:00

Last year I read an article in "Cloth, Paper Scissors" (summer 2006. Issue 7) which was a bit like reading a yummy recipe - I was hungry to give it a go - all the "ingredients" sounded right up my street.

The article was "Fused Integration" by d j pettitt - See her website and or blog and check out her wonderful work.

http://www.djpettitt.com

http://djpettitt.blogspot.com

Her article explained how to fuse a variety of wet media - gesso, matte medium, molding paste onto fabric, and include bits of sheer fabrics , ephemera, tissue paper.

I was entranced - and I made this background piece the day I read the article - I don't think I had all the ingredients that she mentions in her tutorial - but I used what I had to hand - and this was the result. I loved it - the weight and texture were wonderful. It suggested ancient standing stones to me - and it has been pinned up in my studio for many months.

Background fused fabric.

Today I decided to work on this background - drawing 3 standing stones where the shadow of them appeared to be, overlaying with sheer fabric and machine stitching the detail. This heavy fused fabric is interesting to stitch on. It is so ridged that I did not need to put it in an embroidery hoop. It was also so dense that I used a larger needle than I usually do, with bigger stitching and heavyweight threads.

I don't know if this piece will work yet - or not. I have overlaid more sheer fabrics on the left side of the picture because I am going to stitch part of a circle in hand and machine embroidery.

The effect I want is the stones standing against a partially abstract landscape with a distant mountain - so we shall see.

With regard to pieces not working;- a friend came around today who has seen "Walking Man" on the blog - and very tentatively she told me she did not like it - phew - what a relief - I realized that I was not too keen on him either - and really it is not a very good piece - so that is one that has not worked!

So A big thank you to d j pettitt for her generous and inspiring article - "fused integration".
It is definitely something I will be trying again.

Walking Man

2007-08-18T21:43:00.001+01:00

Not the greatest day in the studio - I definitely had a bit of a monkey mind - and mentally I was all over the place and could not stay focused.

I am having a table at a small craft fair here in the village in September - I guess it will be very different from the Fairs I used to attend in the South - which were very expensive to attend as an exhibitor and highly competitive - in that there were a large amount of very talented crafts people with fantastic work.

I used to love the "Craft Fair Circuit" as I felt part of a wonderful, multi-coloured, tribe of designer makers.

I am sure that at the village fair - there will also be very talented crafts people with wonderful work - but as it will not have cost me hundreds of pounds to have a stand it feels slightly different.

The bottom line, however, is that I am there to sell my work, and today I felt that I was slipping back into my old way of working - as it is "safe" When confronted with deadlines or pressure - I often fall back to a safe place making the "known" as it might sell, on the grounds that it has sold before. I am berating myself - for not doing some daring pieces for the craft fair - because it really does not matter if I sell very little as the stand will only cost a fraction of what I paid in the past - and all I am using up is some of my time

One joy of keeping a blog - is that visually my work is up here on a day to day basis and there are changes and developments from piece to piece I just forget to note them for my self!

It is something about this piece "Walking Man" that makes me feel that I have not developed - because I have used this image in other work, and used a similar arch shape as well.

The way I layer fabrics is the way I enjoy working - I am forgetting that I have extended this to include layers of papers that I have dyed, printed, and transferred onto to make a "fabric" that is unique to me.

Background of layered and coloured ink-jet prints

In this piece the background is made of ink-jet transfers onto tissue paper; built up in layers, including the music from the "Magnificat" and a map - which I altered in Photoshop.

Beyond the stars

2007-08-17T19:54:00.001+01:00

No studio time today - I have promised myself a complete day in there tomorrow.
Here is "beyond the stars" mounted on painted canvas board.

I am going for the unglazed unframed look in my work at the moment - which is quite new for me - people do worry about dust and unframed work - especially in textiles!

New Piece Started

2007-08-15T21:49:00.000+01:00

I finished the boat piece - but the light had gone - and I have not photographed it yet.

I did start a new piece - quite a small one - 8 ins by 8 ins will be the finished size when mounted on board.

The starting point for this piece was the tissue paper with the figure stenciled on it - it was actually a "test stencil" on scrap tissue - which then got used for other things - but I quite like the blotchy paint.

I bondawebed the tissue onto a felt back ground, then put another piece of bonded and printed paper along the bottom.

I marked out the arch - as this is the shape that I want the finished piece.

Then I overlaid the images with scraps of fabrics.

The next step was to start machining in the arch with a variety of threads.

That is all I had time to do to-day!

Birthday Gift

2007-08-13T19:32:00.001+01:00

No time in the studio recently - but I did celebrate my Birthday - and look what I got from my stitching friend Denise! - How lovely is this!

It is a wrapped basket for keeping my threads in. Cords have been wrapped and stitched together on the sewing machine.

Denise then made a butterfly for the outside and stitched it on

What a lovely gift - I shall enjoy using it - although at the moment it is being the star of the show in the house - not the studio!

Boat Stitched

2007-08-02T23:03:00.001+01:00

I seem to have had quite a busy week this week with gardening commitments - so I have not had much time in the studio. But I am not complaining - the weather has been glorious these past few days.

I did get a little time in the studio yesterday - and stitched around the boat - then cut the fabric away.

Taaadaa - here it is - in the right place on the background and sailing along - not falling off the horizon or anything bad.

We are going away for a few days tomorrow - to a friends wedding and visiting my kids. So it will be a while before I get back into the studio, to start stitching the sea and sky and have anything visual to post. Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Byeeee

2007-07-31T23:11:00.001+01:00

My little boat has been on and off the background of this picture a lot. And not just one boat - but lots of different sorts of boats - long boats, boats with lots of oars, two masted boats, etc.

Anyway today I took the plunge and stitched a boat - below are the stages.

Step 1

I am doing this boat as a type of "Reverse applique". I lay dark coloured fabric over my sunset background.

Step 2

I lay water soluble fabric with the drawing of the boat on over the dark fabric and background fabric.

Step 3

Stitch the boat, with free machine embroidery in a thread that goes with the dark fabric.

Tomorrow I will dissolve away the water soluble fabric, and cut away the dark fabric from around the outside of the boat, leaving a silhouette - which hopefully will be sailing along in the right place .... watch this space!

Ho Hum

2007-07-27T21:31:00.001+01:00

Picture so far ........

Lots of faffing about this afternoon placing fabrics and papers on the piece; and taking them off again ..... on and off ....... on and off ........

This is where I have got to now. Layers of fabrics and papers for the "sea" at the bottom.
Layers or sheers, organza's and some tissue paper at the top.

There is supposed to be a boat sailing away in the middle - but when I cut out a paper template and placed it in position - I didn't like it. The sea and sky overpowered it.

So I am having to have a re-think about the design. Meanwhile I still have the original design in my head.

I think in preparing this background - I strayed away from my original design - which was quite ethereal - and have done a more literal sea scape - sort of on automatic pilot - and now I don't know where to take it!

Anyway - no studio time tomorrow - and I must tend the veg garden on Sunday - so that will give me lots of thinking time to resolve the design and process.

Oh ..... my piece "Sacred Mysteries" has been accepted for hanging at the open art competition, so I am pleased about that.

New Picture Started

2007-07-26T23:12:00.001+01:00

Guess what? ..... it rained today! Got completely washed out gardening this morning - and was not very settled in the studio this afternoon.

However I have made a start on a new piece - and got a working title for it - currently "Beyond the Stars"

It is based on a section of Sacred Mysteries - the sailing boat section.

Background

The background is a rough sunset/water painted onto vylene - I always rough out the background colours - even though they wont show in the finished piece as it gives me a starting point for the fabric, papers and stitching - and it is far easier to make a first stitch into colour than untouched white - rather like its hard (sometimes) to draw on the first page of a new sketchbook - I always start a couple of pages into the book.

Starting the layers

For the sea I wanted words in the background. I have transferred a letter onto tissue paper which I have ripped up and placed on the background.

Building up the fabric layers

I am now starting to build up the fabric layers of the sea - that's all I had time for today - but when I next get time in the studio - hopefully tomorrow - I will continue to build up the fabric layers in the sky. At this point they are only pinned down - Giving scope for tweaking when all the fabrics are in place, prior to stitching

To days Journal Page

2007-07-23T21:32:00.001+01:00

Tissue Paper, print and fabric layers stuck together, then cut and re-pieced.
Stitching and felt pens.
(size aprox 8ins high)

Very fed up with all these grey skies we are having just now. Not much time in the studio to-day - just enough to do a journal entry.

To Day in the Studio

2007-07-20T19:06:00.000+01:00

Had some time today in the studio - but was not very focused!

I was contemplating these papers - When I paint bondaweb - these are the backing papers once the bondaweb has been removed - and they are a happy accidents - and far to good to chuck away - but didn't come up with anything I really want to do with them today - maybe tomorrow!

The next "event" that I have to prepare for is a craft fair here in the village in September - and I want to make some greetings cards.

When I do "small embroideries" as greetings cards, they take a phenomenal amount of time. So I wanted to do something quicker and I am playing around with paper layers and stitching - using papers I created over the years.

Golden Music Paper

This is a piece of paper I made last year (size approx A4) It is made from layers of tissue paper, some of which were stamped or drawn on. Pages from a music book and loose fibres, with more tissue paper on top. The whole piece has been brushed over with quite a thick gold acrylic paint - which was quickly rubbed away. It also had some pearl ex powder sprinkled on top and rubbed in.

I am going to cut this up to make "toppers" for greetings cards - hearts and flowers are always popular. So I have started cutting out hearts from another piece of laminated tissue papers - and stitched this onto the background.

Close up detail of heart

size approx 4 inches high

Still quite fed up with the blog being off line for a day or two this is why;-

Your blog is locked

Blogger's spam-prevention robots have detected that your blog has characteristics of a spam blog. (What is a spam blog?) Since you are an actual person reading this, your blog is probably not a spam blog. Automated spam detection is inherently fuzzy and we sincerely apologise for this false positive.

We received your unlock request on 17 July 2007. On behalf of the robots, we apologise for locking your non-spam blog. Please be patient while we take a look at your blog and verify that it is not spam.

Find out more about how Blogger is fighting spam blogs.

Is it going to happen again? - If they check you out once does that mean it wont happen again? Should I take my blog elsewhere? All these silly little questions going on in the back of my head. I am glad it happened after I finished the big piece - because the piece and the blog were very linked in my mind.

Locked Blog

2007-07-18T23:06:00.000+01:00

To anyone who tried to visit my blog yesterday or today - sorry for the inconvenience of being
"locked" however - google has now verified I am a "real" person and this evening my blog was unlocked.

Piece Delivered .....

2007-07-16T22:09:00.000+01:00

"Sacred Mysteries" has gone - I delivered it to the gallery today - and the selection panel meets next Tuesday. They let artists know if their work has been selected by post, so I will know one way or the other by the end of next week.

When I got home after delivering the work I felt a bit lost - this is how I usually feel when I part with a big piece - especially so soon after it has been finished.

Usually on completion of a big piece, or series of pieces I take a day to clean my studio - returning everything to its place ready for the next batch of work - but this time before I start on the studio, I will have to tidy the house for visitors that arrive on Wednesday.

I am not tidy by nature - and my home bears testament to this. However, the cleaning of the studio after a batch of work is therapy. It is a meditation on the pieces that have been finished - and those that are to come. It is a time to pause and take stock - before the next flurry of activity. As I write this I am reminded of those snow globes - which you shake and the glitter and snow flies everywhere, fast at first - then slowing down before gently sinking to the bottom - ready to be shaken up again.

When I tidy the studio - this is sometimes when wonderful "What if" moments occur - which will be triggered by the juxtaposition of carelessly discarded elements from the just completed pieces;- Bondaweb on top of foil. String under foil etc.

Above is a small glimpse of an old piece of work - layers of hand made paper and copper - just a little eye candy!

Thank You

2007-07-16T10:00:00.000+01:00

(This post was in response to a variety of comments which have now been deleted).

I would like to thank all of you who visit my blog and take the time and trouble to comment.

I believe that art has no boundaries - neither place nor gender, nor age.

I make my art and put it out there for the world to see - if it touches someone, amuses someone, brings someone joy, makes someone think, or irritates - than that is all well and good.

I work from my soul, expressing what I need or want to say. I started this blog as way of showing how I work, what my decision processes are and if the pieces themselves work or not.

I have friends to stay now for 10 days - and will not be in the studio much - although I will probably post about how it feel to have completed a big piece later in the week.

I realize that I will not get my commentary right for all of the people all of the time - and that is something we will all have to live with. But I will take on board suggestions that make it easier for viewers to understand (ie 20cm = 8 ins)

This blog is about my art, my processes and my musings on an artists life and I will welcome comments on these matters. In future I will moderate comments that are not related to the above.

What's in a Name?

2007-07-15T21:30:00.000+01:00

The naming of a piece of work is always something I find thought provoking and interesting.

Sometimes the name comes first - I will hear or read a phrase and immediately it invokes the idea of a piece of art. Other times - as in this case - I was working to a brief "In a country churchyard" and the name of the piece is still undecided.

While working on the big piece - in my mind I was calling it "Fabric of Life" - however I like this title so much that I really want to do a series of work with this title - or use it as the theme for an exhibition.

I have been toying with variations on journeys and songs - as the piece has a "journey line" in it - which is a theme I enjoy but nothing I thought about was really right.

Friends came around this evening to have a look at the art before I submit it for selection tomorrow. We were all playing with thoughts and ideas - what the piece was saying to us as individuals. Trying to find the appropriate name.

One of the group said "Sacred Mysteries" and I knew that was right - Again for me it is an internal click - I suppose like putting in the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle; Click the jigsaw is finished; Click the piece is named "Sacred Mysteries". The title says everything I want the piece to express, and I am happy.

The Gift for a Friend
This piece is now finished, and it is called "The Gift" (Size 20cm x 20cm)
below is the finished piece, and some details.

THE GIFT

The embroidery has been mounted onto a board which has been covered with a copy of the service sheet. I have aged this by washing it over with a wet tea bag. Then when this was dry I washed it over with a mix of Gesso and Parchment coloured acrylic paint.

Detail showing ExtravOrganza scroll

The scroll was made by printing a quotation onto ExtravOrganza with an inkjet printer.

Detail showing the service sheet background
(in Welsh)

The complete picture

2007-07-14T16:36:00.001+01:00

photography Nigel Thompson

A Gift for a friend.

2007-07-13T20:15:00.001+01:00

Rain again today - so another studio day as no gardening!

I wanted to make a piece as a gift for my cousin who became a priest on Sunday - and I wanted to complete the piece in one day. I nearly achieved it - but I have got a few finishing touches to do tomorrow.

I have taken the angel element from the large piece - as this angel is meaningful to both of us.

For the background I layered dyed pieces of tissue and tissuetex left over from the last project. I bonded these layers together using bondaweb. As I really did not like the colours - I was left with very dark blue and acid yellow - I over painted the bonded papers with golden and pearl acrylic paint - this left me with quite a strange plasticy surface - but that was fine. I then cut an arch shape out of the bonded papers.

I printed the angel onto ExtrvOrganza and then bondawebed the organza onto heavyweight vylene - which had all ready been coloured with a dilute mix of fabric dye and gold acrylic paint.

I placed the tissue layers over the angel do that she was sitting in the arch - then machine zig-zaged around the arch in gold thread. Then I did my usual thing of putting the whole lot onto water soluble fabric as a support while I did the machine and hand stitching.

As for my big piece - I have ignored it all day - and looking at it this evening - it is finished!
And ...... its OK

Still Thinking

2007-07-12T23:26:00.000+01:00

Rain today - very grey and wet.
Still thinking

I think it might be finished

2007-07-11T22:31:00.000+01:00

I think it might be finished! So I shall leave the piece alone until Friday when I will stitch it onto the background! Oh - and photograph it.

The End is in sight

2007-07-10T14:16:00.001+01:00

Was in the studio for about half an hour this morning - when I realized that actually the stitching was complete! It came as quite a surprise really.

When to stop stitching is always a tricky one. For me there is an internal click and a sense of "that's it"

Sometimes, when you know something is not right - but you are not sure what - you can hold your work up to a mirror - it is much easier to see what is not working in the reflected view.

I decided the time had come to get rid of all the messy edges - as I could not see the wood for the trees with all the bits of masking tape, water soluble fabric and trails of organza dotted around.

Messy Edges

My first task was to get rid of the water soluble fabric. Normally - when working on water soluble fabric I put the whole piece in a sink full of water and let it dissolve away. However as this piece has so much tissue paper, ink jet prints, and variety of mixed media - I felt that would be a foolish move! So I laid the piece out and cut away as much of the water soluble as I could. Then, with a brush and water - I just wet the embroidery around the edges to remove the water soluble where I had machined off the edge of the fabric. The rest of it I have left in place - as it will not show on the back and wont do any harm.

The piece immediately looked better - so the next task was to burn away the organza around the edges to follow the contour of the piece. To do this I use an electric stencil cutter - rather like a soldering iron with a very fine tip. I slid a piece of metal under the organza to be cut away and ran the hot tool around.

(TIP - If you are burning away fabrics make sure you are in a well ventilated room, some of the synthetic fabrics can give off fumes).

Burnt Edges.

I have all ready prepared the background that the piece is going to sit on - when I painted and dyed the papers for the piece - I did enough to make the background.

(TIP If you are preparing papers for a piece of work - do twice as much as you think you need so;- if you want some for a background, the colour match is there).

Background

The white space is where the work will sit against the background. I have put the embroidery away now - until tomorrow afternoon - when I will look at it with fresh eyes against the background - then decide what if anything needs tweaking

Much Better Day Today! No more Mr. Grumpy

2007-07-09T16:16:00.000+01:00

Better day today - it is amazing how one line of stitching can pull the whole piece together again.

The journey line running through the embroidery had got lost on the green side - but as soon as I put a line of yellow stitching it - it reappeared and the piece started to come together. I also covered the maze with bondaweb - then put gold film on top - after it had stuck - I touched it with a hot iron to make it look worn - then re machine stitched the maze . It does look better.

More integrated within the piece. As I have put gold foil on the maze - I will now have to have a sprinkling of it through the piece to link the elements together.

I don't really have many studio hours available to me this week - but I think I have broken the back of the work, and now it will be a case of enriching the surface in some areas with more hand stitching - I toyed with the idea of seed beads everywhere -
It could look rather nice ...........

But remembered my deadline!!

Disappointed Today.

2007-07-08T20:32:00.002+01:00

Not the best day to-day.

Got up this morning and did a couple of hours stitching before the rest of the household surfaced. Pinned the piece up on a big board - and really was not happy with what I saw.

The individual elements have a lovely quality - but the piece as a whole doesn't read well. The colour flow from pink at one end to green at the other is jerky.

I am particularly irritated with this bit showing the dolphin

From a distance - this dark green stands out too much - actually not all the dark green but the little trail of green that arcs out towards the right. It is a bit better now that I have machine stitched in white on top of it. But it is still rather obvious - so I am Mr. Grumpy and we will see what tomorrow brings.

Day Off

2007-07-07T13:03:00.000+01:00

I should have visitors at least once a month - when I am in the "creative zone" because everything else gets ignored. Today I found ants under the dining room floor, and white fly on the basil. And possibly most surprising lettuce seed in the bathroom cabinet - I wondered where it had vanished to!

However I rushed around, picking sweet peas for guest room, beetroot and salad for supper, and gave everything a quick once over.

I thought about my (grown up) children and their partner's - then remembered I had spoken to one of them yesterday - and with the other two - no news is good news.

I am an all or nothing person - and when I am in the studio and working well - the days fly by and nothing else gets a look in. When my kids were little and I was doing a City and Guilds course, their birthdays always fell the same week as our end of year shows; although it was only for 4 years - they were extremely good about postponing their birthday celebrations for a day or two! I know that this week I have started to say things to my partner and then not remembered what I was going to say - or just stop mid sentence. I find myself going around muttering lists of things to do, "go to the loo, make tea, download photos", otherwise I forget what I came out of my studio for. It is because I am so immersed in the piece that nothing else really matters, and shopping, cooking and cleaning are just to trivial to deal with.

Compare this to the fallow times, when displacement activity is all encompassing - surfing the web for random information that I don't really need. Getting fed up because there are so many talented and creative people "out there" who make beautiful things and sell them. I will iron socks, knickers and tea towels. Make long lists of everything and anything as long as it is not art related. Read books about artists block and then ignore the good advice - oh and of course lets not forget shopping! Not the best displacement activity on an artists income.

But in creatively lean times it feels better to be doing anything rather than face the blank page of the sketchbook - or a pile of fabrics and threads.

I am learning though - that often it is in these creatively difficult times - that things are bubbling and connecting - that I have to sit with it - I will come out the other side - and my work will develop and grow again.

Rain Again To Day - so more stitching

2007-07-06T19:40:00.001+01:00

Close up of French Knots and Straight Stitch

Rain again today for the most part - so concentrated on more hand stitching, which I really love.
I enjoy the rhythm. Hand stitching also gives me a feeling of being connected to all the women down the ages who have stitched.

I love this bit!

Doing as much hand stitching as I am on a piece this size is not at all cost effective - the stitches and threads I use are so small and fine that they take an age to do so if the piece ever sells - I will probably get twopence an hour for my time! But I still adore hand stitching.

Tip for the day is to use a fine a needle as you can when stitching on tissue paper - or any paper - as the needle leaves small holes in the paper unlike fabric where it has more chance of pushing the fibres aside. My other tip for hand stitching;- if you are using an circular embroidery hoop - is to have the hoop "Upside-down" ie put the big section - the outside rim on the table - place your fabric on top and then push in the inner ring - this means that the little screw for tightening the hoop is underneath - and you do not get your thread caught up in it

No studio time tomorrow - we have visitors for the weekend - so must dash around the house with mop and bucket - I guess you all know how it is when you are in the middle of a piece of work!

A few hours hand stitching

2007-07-05T23:04:00.001+01:00

Only a few hours in the studio today - and this is the area I was concentrating on.

I was really pleased with this bit when I was doing the design and making the paper layers - it has gold oil stick drawn onto a printed page - which has then been overlaid with the tissue paper - so that the gold and the book print ghosts through.

In reality it does not integrate too well into the piece .... yet. I machine stitched a complicated labyrinth on top of the book paper - perhaps too complicated - something simpler may have been more appropriate. So in the few hours available today I was hand stitching this area using seeding and straight stitches - to start to blend the slightly "blockey" colours and to emphasise the outline of the maze

Does all the extra stitching make the slightest bit of difference? - I think it needs more hand stitching and it does give movement and depth.

Free Machine Embroidery completed - I think!

2007-07-04T22:37:00.001+01:00

Another good day in the studio - what bliss I have had four complete days in there. The fact that it has rained non-stop has meant that my gardening commitments have not been vying for my time.

Today's challenge;
I now have so many layers of fabric, tissue, papers, organza, plus I have added a strip of felt to the middle as a backing (to give the piece more depth) - it was cumbersome to get it under the machine! I needed to do some of the embroidery in a hoop as it was very precise and it is very tedious to take off the darning foot and wiggle the whole lot into place - but in the scheme of things - it is a very minor annoyance. However it does remind me that when I change my machine to make sure I go for one with the longest arm.

The pink end - showing the water soluble fabric and layers of tissue and fabric

You may wonder why I have a boat in my "Country Churchyard" piece - two reasons - firstly the churchyard I am basing the art on, overlooks the sea - many of the gravestones have images of boats - and some have references to a love of sailing and of course there are lifeboat men remembered here.

Sailing can also represent a metaphorical journey - as in Sailing to Byzantium and what greater journey do we find represented in a churchyard - than that from cradle to grave. Not many studio hours available for me tomorrow - but I have a few days of hand stitching in front of me now.

Starting the free machine embroidery

2007-07-03T19:39:00.000+01:00

Good day in the studio today - I had all the layers of tissue and paper in place yesterday. Today I placed the whole lot on water soluble fabric and started the free machine embroidery. The water soluble fabric is so that I can machine off the edges - which will give me a more delicate edge. However the tissue paper was not really strong enough to stand up to heavy machining - so I have decided to incorporate fragments of organza both around the edge and overlaid in the centre of the piece. This will be cut away at the end.

Today's challenging moment was that I wanted an angel from one of my photos in the piece - I transferred the photo with Lazertran onto tissuetex - and it looked quite nice - however when it was on the piece - it looked too strong - so I knocked it back with colour washed tissue paper - and end up with a grey blob!!

GREY BLOB!

My next step was to re-print the angel onto ExtravaOrganza - which I then colour washed greeneyblue - the same as the background

EXTRAVAORGANZA ANGEL

I think it will be OK when it has more stitching on top - we shall see

Diary of a Piece - Planning the design cont

2007-07-03T10:37:00.000+01:00

Below is the rough design for the layout of the elements I wanted in include in the piece - the list written in black is me "thinking out loud" on the nearest flat surface - not part of the design.

The next step is to colour tissue papers, tissutex and other papers - to layer over the background fabric - and I will use painted vilene for this

2007-07-03T10:34:00.001+01:00

Diary of a Piece - Planning the design

2007-07-03T09:43:00.002+01:00

I was pleased with techniques I used in my last piece of work, and want to develop them in my next. So I have decided to do a piece and submit it into an open art exhibition - submissions due on the 16th July - 2 weeks today - no pressure there then (lol).

It is always interesting submitting a "textile" piece into an "art" exhibition - although easier than it was years ago - there is still the eternal debate between "art" and "craft".

The exhibition brief is "In a country Churchyard" - which appealed to me as I have been wanting to do a piece about my local church yard - which I really like. I spent a day there last week with sketchbook and camera. My way of working is not a literal translation of what I see - but concepts and feelings. So the thoughts behind my piece will be around ancestors, life's journey, (cradle to grave), elements.

I want to do the piece on layers of tissue paper - the way it disintegrates is part of the process.

In an earlier sketchbook I had a "journey" design which I wanted to incorporate in this bigger piece. (Canvass size 30cm x 90cm)

The Journey

I also want to include one of the angels!

First Blog

2007-07-01T19:27:00.000+01:00

Thought it was time I had a web presence with a blog - so here is the first post, together with a detail of my latest work "A little piece of Heaven"

Machine and hand embroidery on layers of tissue paper, which have been painted.