Layered and textured paper. Part of a new artwork. Don’t forget to check out Just Snaps, too.
Wordless Wednesday
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Category Archives: textiles
The Answer is NO! Or Capture the Moment May #13
A while ago I was asked to make some bunting for my grand-daughter. I finished it today. It was an experience that I did not enjoy.
You would think it was an easy task, wouldn’t you? Cut the fabric, stitch the fabric, hang it up. That’s all there is too it.
Or is it?
Well, first the fabric. The one we chose was not easy to locate. No local shop had it and finally I was informed that it had been so popular every shop in the world had sold out. That may or may not be true, who knows, but eventually I did find some, and the cost implied that it was in the ‘if you don’t get it from here you won’t get it at all’ category..
So, pattern made (a whole sheet of A4 paper folded and cut to shape) I proceeded to cut into the fabric. At this point I discovered that He who shall be nameless had been using my ‘Don’t Touch!’ scissors, and the cuts were not all they should have been. Sharpening helped, but frankly I was beginning to become quite disheartened about the whole exercise.
Next stitching. Now things began to go smoothly. The sewing machine stitched like a dream, fronts were stitched to backs in record time and as for the turning! Well, I was amazed at just how easy it was once the excess seam had been suitably trimmed. Now to attach to the tape.
The fabric is a heavy furnishing cotton. I had chosen a tape of similar weight and they went together perfectly. In fact, they went together just a little too well. You see, I had also chosen the perfect thread! I couldn’t see where the thread began and the tape and fabric ended. As I was stitching by candle light the new money saving light bulbs I couldn’t see what I was doing. I should have started in daylight – but it was only a half hour job, wasn’t it?
Daylight came. Yes, first thing this morning I attacked the project again. My goodness! Yes, that thread does match. Even the long ‘uncut’ trails vanished – yes, in daylight! Finally, and with only half an hour of stitching the flags were completed and are now awaiting delivery.
They actually look rather pretty, and I will take a proper picture when they are hanging up. However, will I make some for you? The answer is in the title.
Will I make some for other grandchildren? Of course I will. Just as long as ‘He’ stays away from ‘My’ scissors 
Capture the Moment – May #11
What do you do when the students don’t come at coffee time?
Take pictures of stock, of course
Then send them via the iPad!
Home soon, and then I’m making bunting, bet you didn’t expect that!
Just to show you……
…. that I can’t stay far away from a riot of colour for long….
Capture the Moment, May #2 – and more!
I have refrained from posting my work for sale on this site, not sure if that is a good or a bad thing, but at least this opening statement will warn those of you that think it is bad! I’m excited to share two new links. Meta from greeninthemiddle, also curates an online gallery. She has invited me to be part of this and today my first two items are listed.
I’ve also started a sort of ‘Mini Gallery‘ on Etsy. The work that I’m listing here is a collection of some of the Colour Studies that I make when I begin a new artwork. You have seen some of them before (here’s one), and at a later date I’ll probably be listing some of those. Frankly, though, there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all that I want!
Posts have been erratic partly because the internet still isn’t sorted, partly because my camera had somehow acquired a very nasty scratch on the lens. The latter has now been solved with a new purchase and the former should be resolved within the next seven days. Sadly family problems are still uppermost in my mind and they, of course, must take priority.
Oh, the joys of the internet! At least the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day.
Revealed
If you read yesterday’s post, and the comments, I want to assure you that you don’t need to run and hide. There is nothing untoward about this revelation! In fact, although it isn’t fully finished, I’m hoping you will quite like it.
Many of you will know that we often travel around the country displaying our wares.
We lay our stock out on tables which are draped with one of my hand dyed cloths. This is the one that I have used most recently, although if the space is smaller there is another that I use. I decided it was time for a change……
So……
Freshly dyed, rinsed and just pegged onto the line, here it is – REVEALED
It will need a fair bit or ironing! It is VERY long. However, it will be premiered at the Brockenhurst Needlework Fiesta next week. Are you going? You’ll know what to look for if you are – please come and say ‘Hello’. It’s a show that’s worth a visit if you are ‘into’ crafty bits of textiles in any shape or form. I’m really looking forward to it, especially as we may well have a new member of staff with us.
Wordless Wednesday
Image
A reprise
Sometimes it’s good to look back! A few days off gave me a chance to look through some designs I produced a while ago. I was looking for a specific one, and I finally found it.
So, I played with it just a little on Photoshop. Very small changes, but enough to make a difference. Now I have enough to start a new piece of work. It might take a while, but I can’t wait to get started. The next stage is to take the design a little further by way of collage.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch….
Did you miss me? Now be honest. You didn’t even know that I was away, did you? Well, for the last few days I have been staying just outside Cambridge while we attended a Textile Show at Cottenham. Now in its twelfth year Textiles in Focus has gone from strength to strength, and it’s lovely to return to see old and new faces and catch up with friends.
We left home on Thursday to head for the M25. To those of you that live outside the UK I should explain that this is the orbital motorway around London. I has been billed as the largest car park in Europe, so travel along it is often unpredictable if there is an accident or other problem.
The photograph above, and those below, were all taken from a moving car, so the quality isn’t exceptional! I should point out, I wasn’t driving….
Thankfully the journey was easy. The startling thing was the lack of traffic, hence the photographs. Very few lorries, everyone driving at a suitable speed, and roadworks that caused no problems whatsoever! Our trip along the M25 and M11 was soon over and the scenery changed as we moved onto the local roads.
The countryside is much flatter than at home, but pretty nonetheless. Two hours later, on the dot, as it were, we arrived at the venue
It always takes a while to get things ready, and I have to admit that we had had enough before we were properly finished, so the final preparations were left until Friday morning
By the time we actually left to travel to our hotel the sun was setting.
This quick shot was also ‘stolen’ as we drove along. We found the hotel with ease, and then, after changing, it was off for a Valentine’s dinner.
Another bad picture to finish. It was, however, a beautiful rose!
January Small Stones #27
Doodle
paint
dry
Tear
arrange
stitch
You may remember the photograph from last week’s small stone. The image has stayed with me all week, and I’ve been playing around with paint and threads. It’s all part of the design process, but I thought you might like to see something from what it inspired. There is a long way to go until a resolved piece is completed. Don’t forget to come back later for the 100 steps series.
