Collage fun.

It is 2010 since I followed Teesha Moore’s journaling videos on Youtube and I had forgotten what fun I had with her way of collaging from magazines etc. Now we are taking a fresh look at them with one of my groups and I have started playing with various pens and cutting up scraps and scraps of magazines. Most people have made their own sketchbooks using the basics of the method she shows.

 Now it’s added fun to take photos and play around with the images made in an Ipad app or two.

‘Apped, if there is such a word.

Thank you to those who recently bought my book, your interest is appreciated.

Thank you to those of you who have joined the giveaway on the last post. There is still plenty of time to have a go.

Give Away

My choice of topic for a recent article in DownUnder Dale’s emagazine' Threads. In-fusion' was prompted by a request for a stitch workshop for a charity called' Out of the Dark'; the group mentors young people in a variety of ways. There is a showroom and workshop in High Wycombe where old brown furniture which would previously have been discarded is given a new contemporary feel. The trainees are also going out to teach craft skills to groups of young people. We spent an hour and a half trying out some varied stitches and give them their due they tried really hard, bearing in mind that the first challenge was to thread the needle and knot the thread.

I made a small sampler of stitch variations as encouragement.

On my first visit to the workshop I was given a pile of wire reclaimed from old computers etc. and I was shown the huge amount of upholstery fabric which the group is given. This prompted me to make these small bags with wire decoration.

‘Threads. In -Fusion’ is a subscription magazine; Dale works hard to give each edition a special theme with a variety of contributors.

 A new textile based emag by Through Our Hands is amazingly free and both interesting and well presented.

Follow these links to find out more:

‘Out of the Dark’

'Threads. In-fusion'

'Through our Hands'.

Now for the giveaway, if you would like to own one of the small bags I plan to thank those on the followers list, and to celebrate getting over the 300 mark, by making a draw on my birthday 20^th June from those who leave a comment here.

Mark Making

A few photos of recent mark making.

Waiting on my wall until I decide on the next move.

Gelli Play Workshop

We had fun with our Gelli Play Workshop on Saturday. Working in small groups/teams made for a sharing atmosphere. Those who had brought everything but the kitchen sink were able to share their goodies and there was generally a nice atmosphere of give and take.

Thanks to Pat, who also provided tea and cakes, we have some photos as a memento.

Lots of intense concentration.

Excitement during the draw for a free gelli plate.

 People were reluctant to find space in their fridge for the home made plate, which had lasted well throughout the session, but one person volunteered to give it a home and I hope they have lots of extra fun with it.

Looks like that workshop leader went off for a slice of cake! 

Gelli Plate and Recycling

I have been saving some of this plastic packaging up since we had biscuits as a gift at Xmas, honestly we don't usually have biscuits, lots of homemade cake of course. I also started saving other forms of plastic packaging, the only downside being where to store it all. Really interesting patterns when you stop to look:

 I almost threw it away due to frustration with lack of space; planning for a gelli play workshop which I am leading at the end of April, I decided to have a go with it and am I pleased that I did not bin it. I think it gives some lovely free impressions.

 Looking for simple idea for using prints:this is a little book made with two gelli prints glued back to back  and acrylic wax on the cover. Pamphlet stitched with a paper bead added.

 I machined stitched two small envelopes made with scraps onto the back cover by sewing under the flap. 

I put mine into a book press to flatten it, but just use a few heavy books. Its much nicer when flattened.

Slow progress.

'Patched and Pieced' continues its slow progress.

Its good to have something to pick up and stitch when the mood strikes.

Sketchbook Pages

Some pages from my Change Sketchbook, partly to link with this month's theme on Sketchbook Challenge which is about 'polka dots'  - lots of dots and circles in these pages.


Change sketchbook . from J Bowcutt on Vimeo.

Repurposed

In the week I had a very necessary tidy up and threw out, with regret, lots of useful wrapping paper, packaging etc.I found a few pieces left over from when I used to have a craft stall, I gave most of the items away when I decided the fun had completely gone out of it. I came across a small hanging made years ago, when I was obviously well into three dimensional paint;

 I suddenly had the brainwave to make it into a cushion cover, and then started to think of a backing, not necessary as it had a perfectly good backing already, which I simply opened up, cut off the hangers and stuffed with the filling from an old washed pillow. They always get lumpy when washed so I keep at least one to use as cushion filling.

I currently have three excellent books taken out from Hampshire libraries; so good that I am reluctant to take them back but it will have to be done.

 I recommend all three as a good read and inspirational. I hope you have a well-stocked library too.

Gelli Plate and letters.

I have a rather nice alphabet set of wooden type which I bought via Etsy, I had the idea of using them with the Gelli Plate and had some fun with them. I just used them to give a graffiti like impression and was pleased with the results.

Starting to print.

After adding layers of white and then a metallic.

I took photographs and then printed one onto two pieces of TAP paper prior to ironing onto fabric.

 I liked it enough to make it into a small banner hanging. The metallic paint came out as a sort of orangey colour, but I thought it looked Ok, rather like one of those faded posters or walls one sees.

I also printed crops from the photos as small cards and made envelopes with some of the prints.

Over on Sketchbook Challenge this months’ theme has been warm and cool; why not take a look or join in.