Dandelions

This post relates to a request from Kathi who is about to do some work based on a photograph of a dandelion. Funnily enough I had thought recently to throw away some of the design boards from what I worked out as being 17 years ago. The stitching is quite heavy and mostly on felt, which I thought related to the subject but which the tutor didn’t like as she thought it killed the light. Some of the sketchs I remember doing in the car whilst waiting for my son to finish swimming lessons; you can see from my last post what he's doing now.

The piece I actually liked, which was based on the delicate tufts of seed heads, was sold and I didn’t unfortunately photograph my work at the time.
Well have fun with those dandelions. I can’t let you sample the dandelion wine I made; I assure you that you had a lucky escape - it was rough!!

TB & TC Brighton - Main Piece

TB & TC Brighton - Main Piece
Originally uploaded by DBO PONDERS

My talented son's work.

garden-inspired ... mosaic monday

garden-inspired ... mosaic monday
Originally uploaded by cathy cullis

My shed included in this pretty mosaic.

Wax Resist

This is a small piece using the original images from the Mayan Glyphs with wax resist. I like the colours and worked bullion knots just because I fancied doing some for the great texture.

I had forgotten how to work these, one of my favourite stitches. I knew there was an easier more successful technique and eventually remembered that I had learned it from Tracy Franklin’s book ‘Contemporary Whitework’; a book which I don’t own but have borrowed from the local library. I had to order it and this time plan to copy the instructions as I am sure to forget by the time I want to work them again.

Most of the machine embroidery was done after the hand stitching.
I used perle thread and some hand dyed cotton thread and quite a large needle with a big eye (don’t know the technical name,probably crewel).

Photography

I am just starting to try and follow through some ideas from my sketchbook course. I like the idea of working on images squashed into small spaces like the Mayan Glyphs which were forms of writing and which I photographed in the British Museum.

I‘ve been a bit distracted from the theme, as usual, but I have been consistently working on an artists’ book for the Closure theme organized by We love Your Books. More about that later; I’m waiting to find out if it is accepted for the exhibition.
I have had great fun with these photographs using some of the faux techniques, such as ‘toy camera’ and ‘Polaroid’ which I linked to in my last post. I recently bought a very old Polaroid camera, but have since realized that the film is no longer manufactured; so I’ll stick to the faux version.

Showcase/Photography

Trying to promote my shop today, mine is the flower in the bottom right hand box.
Here is a link to an interesting photography site where the talented photographer is willing to share fun actions to use on your own photos .

Treasury

Kindly featured in this Etsy treasury by DonataFelt:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=57622

Red Coptic Bind

This is the second of the two books I have made recently using Coptic Bind. I have been motivated to get on and complete them because my son said he would ‘commission’ me to make them and reimburse me for the cost of the paper – that won’t happen but it was worth it for the motivation. As you can see I stencilled flowers on the inside of the cover in silver acrylic to co-ordinate with the lettering on the cover.

The bind on this second book was not as successful; I had some problems getting the front cover on firmly. I do like it though because of the embossed flower and the nice shade of red. I was lucky to be given a pack of paper samples at my drawing class which had just the right colour for the spine. The date inscribed inside is ‘99’ which I am sure must be 1899. I am on the look out for more interesting covers now; I have a couple on the shelf waiting for me to work on them.

Embroidered buttons

So what else can you do on a Bank Holiday Monday? Make some bread,done that; do some cleaning, don't think so; why not make some buttons,I've been fancying that for some time, for no apparent reason.

The colours were determined by the May button swap and the French Knots by the fact that I am practising for the next workshop.The fabric is a nice piece of linen which I found in a Charity Shop. Took me ages to remember how to set a pattern on my old embroidery unit, but its all good for the grey matter.

French Knots

The next workshop at Doodles, Tadley (0118 981 1238) will be on the 13th May. We will be making marks on fabric with bubblewrap and then stitching using variations on the French Knot.

veins and hearts exposed

veins and hearts exposed
Originally uploaded by Robes of Earth

Pleased to have been included in this lovely Mosaic.

Book Binding

At last I think that I have understood Coptic Bind, this has taken some time ,not through lack of studying Keith Smith’s intricate and sometimes confusing diagrams – his books are fascinating but I think it is one of those things that is hard to explain other than by hands on teaching.

The break through came when I decided I was so dissatisfied with my last attempt that I took it out and redid it twice – practise definitely makes better if not perfect.I added a paper spine which I think makes the book handle better, without the gap between pages.

I also used a lot of beeswax on my thread which helps. Now I can go on to try one of the eight or so versions he has of this bind, or perhaps I’ll just stick to the basics. Even if it isn’t perfect I can now say that I understand what I am doing.

If you are interested in a custom made sewing cradle, so useful, you can contact DBO on Flickr; see my links list.

'As Fernando fled his right hand laid hold upon the long flowing robes of his opponent'.

oh so pretty

oh so pretty
Originally uploaded by DaCraftyLady

Button swap

Cross Stitch

Wednesday 22nd April is the date for the next Doodles textile workshop. We are going to play with basic cross stitch and see how the stitch can be varied with different weights and types of thread.Adding beads and wrapping the stitch.

I searched through my files to find examples of how cross stitch can be used, for instance working on waste canvas on top of non-even weave material and withdrawing the threads after working. These are some examples. I made a whole bag once following Palestinian symbols and colour scheme but I don’t have it anymore; shame it would have made a good sample.

Another idea is to use even weave on top of a coloured or stamped background. Here I used a piece of blue tack to make the marks.

Some other examples were stitched after looking at European embroidery and using grids; my current banner is one of the pieces. Some examples make me feel I could do better now, which is a good thing, whilst others amaze me at what patience I had at the time.

page from button phobic book

page from button phobic book
Originally uploaded by pennyleavergreen

Buttons and more.

I am just beginning to realize that there is a lot more that can be done with monoprinting than I have tried before. I thought it was wonderful using a press with monoprinting and found what I could do at home a bit second best, but after using it at City Lit for sketch book work and in my drawing class I am inspired to have another go.

My sketch book theme relates to Mexican art which I saw on a group sketching trip at The British Museum.Recently I was lucky enough to acquire a box of all white buttons, some of them quite old, so I have worked on combining the two themes.I have also used some paper which I made and pages from old books.

There are numerous groups on Flickr related to buttons of all types and descriptions. I can’t work out what the fascination is other than nostalgia as most of us probably had a family button box when growing up; ours was a red oxo tin.

'A story for very Little Girls'

Finally got round to using this book cover to make a book using a selection of papers, including some nice thick watercolour paper.

As you see, I attempted Coptic binding again, not perfect but not too bad. One of the kettle stitches is not right; it is one of those things you can only practise by doing and that takes a lot of paper, not to speak of patience.
The cover was cleaned and the picture given a coat of acrylic wax. In a moment of serendipity I used some baby talc on the leather and it seemed to bring it up nicely.

Photos and more.

There are some nice things to do with your photographs now. I had a gift token for Blurb for Christmas but haven't decided what sort of book to make with my photographs as yet. The picture of the onions with my stitching in the background was a present from one of my sons for Christmas; you can see the link under Photos to Canvas.

The address book has one of my photos on the back and front, it is printed onto a lovely silky material. The link to the supplier is under 'gift ideas'.
Thanks for the comments about the exhibition. I don't have many photographs of the work as it was very crowded and also because we were all given a CD of all the work shown. It was extremley well organized.

Cruel Britannia @ T&P Gallery, Philadelphia May 2009

Cruel Britannia @ T&P Gallery, Philadelphia May 2009
Originally uploaded by DBO PONDERS

Little Women

LITTLE WOMEN!

the 13th Women's Work

Exhibition

The Fairground Craft & Design Centre

Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire SP11 0QN

11th March to Sunday 22 March 2009

(Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)

10am to 4pm

This is an exhibition well worth the visit if you live anywhere near. The works had to be small enough to be displayed in a CD case or to meet certain size restrictions if 3D.
There is a huge variety of styles. We bought two small prints, as everything is reasonably priced and it is nice to have an original artwork.

One of my pieces was selected and is an artist’s book with the title ‘World Stability is Hanging by a Thread’, which is a headline I found in the newspaper. I like it because it feels so nice being made from handmade paper into which I laminated lots of thread.Unfortunately you don't get to touch it.