Poppy

My header image which I have now decided is finished, I will probably make it into a little lined bag at some point; I am quite keen on these at the moment and I have been collecting nylon zips in Charity shops.

I have mainly used Cretan Stitch, some of Spirit Cloths' method of backstitch, and some triple seeding stitch, on a backing of thin wadding.

These bags are always useful, and the last one has made a good case for my Kindle; using a piece of indigo dyed on my Access Course and a piece of cyanotype print, which I was into the last time we had a sunny summer; how long ago was that?

One of my books will be in the Sheffield International Artists' Book Prize Exhibition being held at Bank Street Arts in Sheffield, from 11th October to 5th November. Take a look here for details.

I will show you some images if any come on line, as I shall not be able to get up North to see the exhibition myself. There is no selection process, but you are encouraged to donate the book to their growing collection of books. A good thing about the exhibition is that it is an exploration of the way in which to display artists’ books as much as anything else and all books will be there for visitors to look through.
Don't forget the Summer Giveaway - see my side bar.

Brushes

Brushes, a photo by stitchworks-jackie on Flickr.

They are dirty and old, which I suppose proves I use them sometimes.

Bala

We spent a recent long weekend in North Wales centred on Lake Bala for the long distance swimming and boating which I took no part in, despite encouragement to have a go. I did take lots of photos of the beautiful scenery; we were in a house high up overlooking the lake and hills.

I used one of my photos for the sketchbook challenge, July’s theme being ‘Elements’ and I sort of stretched the idea for Earth to use the shapes in the distant fields.

‘Design Matters’ TV has had a recent episode showing how to use water soluble pencils and then InkTense crayons on fabric. I having been using these for some time and my book for ‘We Love Your Books’ made use of them but one useful tips was to iron the fabric onto freezer paper first in order to make it easier to work on the surface.

Drawn with ink, crayoned,' activated' with fabric medium, machine and hand stitched.

Still lots of time to join the Summer Giveaway mentioned in the previous post.To be clear you need to comment on the Giveaway Post to be in the draw.

The cucumber ‘paper’, despite some good tips and advice, was a disaster. We have lots of home grown cucumbers so if we get a glut I may have another go.

Summer Giveaway.

It is time for a summer giveaway. I promise it will not be one or even two of my old tin cans, despite them being part of a valuable collection.

To be in to win one of two prizes you will need to:
1. Leave a comment on this post.


2. Join the Followers List if you are not already on it.

I will make the draw, which will be random, at the end of August.
If you have trouble with Bloggers’ vagaries re commenting you need to sign in and untick the ‘stayed signed in box’, which will then take you back to the comment box.

Again my annual grouch, if you are kind enough to like my images so much that you wish to download them, it would be nice to comment and say ‘hello’. I know these remarks make no difference, because I am regularly aware of downloaded images, without the recipient bothering to comment.  I suppose I should just be flattered.

I want to recommend a book by Julia Manheim called ‘Sustainable Jewellery’ published by A&C Black, London. It was a random find in my local library and is all about jewellery made from ‘found’ materials, including old cans. There are some fascinating images in it and  it is well worth a look.If you follow the link it will take you to the book on Amazon, where you are able to have a look inside.

Bath time

Bath time, a photo by stitchworks-jackie on Flickr.

Paper

I had a go at pulp paper painting at the Hackwood Festival; these things are always so much easier when someone actually shows you how to do it, rather than reading a book which seems to complicate matters. I once tried learning tatting from written instructions and although I mastered it in the end it took me hours(by the way, I have not idea how to do it now, though I still have the lovely little shuttle somewhere).Well painting with pulp is child’s play, at least how I did it. Especially as the tutor had already spent hours pulping the recycled paper and colouring it!

 I was inspired to make some paper, which I haven’t done for a long time, and with the tips given me by Anita Bell the whole process was less messy and more successful. Firstly keep all the equipment damp, including the cloths and deckle, and best tip, use a sponge to take off some of the water before couching the paper, not too much as otherwise the paper will stick on the frame.

The first time I tried this process I remember having pieces of wood and bricks in the kitchen to make a sort of press. Now I layer in between my blankets and there is less water about in general.

 I did get air bubbles, and some pieces not pulped sufficiently, but I like my paper, so much so that it may take some time to actually work with it. The colour came from teabags and turmeric boiled up together. I also have an old liquidizer which works better than the food processor.

If you would like to see some excellent images of work by paper makers take a look at IAPMA..

I am also trying to make some paper from cucumber slices, but I don’t think my little book press is man enough for the job; I suspect it may go mouldy before I have a sheet of ‘paper’.