Knowing us.....

it could be highly possible!!!

At Least......

....you have started stitching!! I am at the moving it about stage!! Anywhoo I'm sure it will all come together.
Won't it be a hoot if working from the book we both finish up doing the same idea!!!

Mmmmmmmm....................

Soon as I started stitching I knew it wasn't quite how I wanted. Oh well, see what I can do to bring it to life

Perusing .................

Your 25th gift is a result of picking up the book again. Only very simple but I found it pleasing to the eye! Hope you do to. Less is more in this case I think.

Maybe....

I would imagine that 'life' has got in the way again for you. We will play it by ear......maybe that should be an Art Quilt topic.
While I am doing this lot of costuming I am going to factor in continuing with other things fibre....only problem is after a days work sewing I don't much feel like getting back into the studio and sewing for relaxation. Perhaps some hand sewing in the lounge is what I need.

Last email

I sent you an email this morning. Perhaps we could incorporate the subject with starting on this project again??

I agree!

Two weeks later I see strike while the irons hot so it is a bit cooler now.

Tonight the book will be my bedtime reading and tomorrow I will make a plan!

I actually have forgotton what is in the book though I recall doing the first drawing exercise!

Pisture is of my Cornucopia which i sent to Lyn. I wasn't going to do much but then thought I should do something at least 'my style.' We finished up in a direct swap as once again there were "I won't swap with LB" participants.

Strike While the Iron's Hot

Let's not put it off. Even if we only do a little it will be better than delaying it even more.

Art Quilt Workbook

Time we got started on this don't you think or shall we leave it until next year?
I don't mind either way.
My friend has left her embellisher here for a week so I will enjoy playing with that!

More postcards....

The other group I was in for this round of Postmark'd Art was Art Deco. I based mine on the lightshades in Unilever House in London. Looks simple but it took ages and ages to do them!

Not showing all 10 as thet are all similar just with a different placement of the colours. For the address side I used some vintage fabric (1970) which were based on Art Deco design.

Postcards

I have sent off the Recycled group for Postmark'art. My view of recycling was to use waste. I needle felted silk throwsters(the ultimate waste) onto samples (bad ones) from a dye workshop about 4 years ago. Then I began running out of throwsters so used some wool left over from a scrumbling class, silk tops from a silk paper making workshop, plus the actual silk paper made of sari silk. Then I discovered the base fabric was twisting so needle felted them to old felt my mother used when she was crafting about 20years ago! Next came pelmet vilene left over from a vessel making class and the cardboard address side was cut offs from exhibition labels.(First time I've used cardboard as I usually use fabric for the address side). I used last years Christmas stamps which I got at a reduced price!!

Atc's

Sitting at the computer looking for a particular photo.....and avoiding going and finishing 6 ATCs that need to be in the mail tomorrow!!! Can't remember if I showed you the recent ones I had done.

Window on White

My friends janet and Isbel are exhibiting these at a Window on White exhibition. This came about when they both attended a course by India Flint and all the participants decided to stage an exhibition. I am their resident geek which is why i get the photos on my computer. Janet's is "Cascade" and Isbel's is "Felted Frock for a Snow Goddess.

Quiltie 2

Picture of quiltie made for Bec. I know she liked lace so I decided to go for the 'pretty' look. Not sure if she is in to arty type things. I did use some Angelina under the lace - gives it a nice subtle sparkle, don't think it shows up in pic. Also used skeleton leaves on the back, misty fused on again with a little bit of Angelina. Anyway its off in the post this morning so will post a pic on my blog when she receives it.

Great stuff....

Love having the music on here....can I add to it too?

I haven't made my quiltie two sided. Not sure how they would be displayed and to be honest in a swap situation it makes a lot more work. Exceptions being when swapped with friends (thee & me springs to mind)!!

Had a great time in Napier. They are a lovely family unit and they always make me feel welcome. Leila has grown and now has a wee personality.

Now home to looming deadlines for ATC swaps and pc swaps!!!

Additions

I've added the Kemshalls website and also moved the playlist to the bottom of the page. It's not so intrusive as it was I think.

Thanks for That

Forgot what link I wanted to put in but it will come to me! I have gone all pretty, pretty because I think Bec likes that kind of thing. Just going to put finishing touches tomorrow. Will take a pic before I send it MOnday. Have you made yours double sided? Not sure if I will this time. Have tried using some Markal paintsticks for the reverse but I keep blinkin smudging them!

Will definitely try and paint some papers on Monday. Those Kemshalls have really inspired me in that direction.

Try Again...

I have altered the settings which now have you as admin as with me, so you can change away and add to your hearts content.

What I want to do is add music......have you been to LyndaH blog? She has music on there. I started trying to add it to ours but confused myself but I will email Lynda and see if she has any hints. Her blog is Lynda in Wonderland.

Photo is of my Quiltie for round 2. Following your Indian influenced one, I have gone African!

Why Won't it do..........

What I want it to do. Wanted to put a link on the sidebar but it won't let me!!!

Been a long time...

Been a long time since I have been here!!

Anyway a picture of your work to cheer the page up!

New Date

That is fine with me as it will give me time to finish all the postcards I've signed up for (12 in total) but 4 different themes, Buttons and Bows, Best Foot Forward (use a foot that you haven't used before (I'm using my pintuck foot), Go Make it
(using one fabric and at least one embellishment you haven't used in the past year) and Fruit ( the phrase (or is it a song title) 'Life is just a bowl of cherries' keeps coming to mind. Also to catch up with my journals. I'm already 2 weeks behind so I've got to try and make 2 this week!!! I want to sign up for another of Sue's classes but I won't until I've done all of the above!!!

I think....

....a new date is a must! Baby permitting of course! Did I tell you that for 3 weeks from 12 May I will be living in Hamilton taking care of ballet studio etc for my friend who is off to your neck of the woods? So, I thought I could take my machine and maybe just concentrate on the one thing....being the Art Quilt book. However, there is a huge problem with that as I won't have my stash with me and you can bet I would take all the wrong things and get 'stuck' because I would know the exact things was at home in a drawer!!!
So how about June 1st???

Just Delayed A Little

We need to re-focus on the Art Quilt project. I know you have things that need to be done and you have places you have to be and people to care for and I have signed up for more committments than I should and I'm behind with my journals. Now how about setting another date or shall we just pick it up when we can. Personally, I think I need to have a date. I am going to go for Saturday 3rd May. That doeesn't mean I will have done anything by then but I will start working through the book again. Perhaps jot down some new ideas. What do you think?

ATC

In an ATC group I am in, one swap was the theme Country of Origin. Here's the Sporran that I made!

Pleased....

I am pleased that my quiltie got to Jo safely and that she liked it!

Onto some baby stuff....I am making bumpers for the cradle and decided on four panels each side (they are white) and I machine embroidered each a different pattern and my idea was to use some doilies on each. These were either done by me, my mother or my grandmother and as Susan & Mark are into recycling and things old, I thought this would look lovely. Wrong!!! It looks awful!!! In theory sounded nice but reality the doileys look too heavy even though they are fine thread. I think it is because the panels are narrow which of course means if I had done them one piece I could maybe only used 3 instead of needing 4 each side. Anyway onto plan B and maybe applique on something cut from a childs print fabric. Don't know but better decide soon!!

Strange how we set this blog up to work through the Art Quilt book and of course we haven't got very far. Things just agetting in the way!!!

Agonising............

Over this quiltie!! As you said in your previous post do we put too much into these things when other people seem to throw things together and that's it!! I am pleased this one is coming your way but even if it hadn't I would have put as much into it anyway. I think I've made the mistake of instead of looking at the 'whole' I've had an idea and done it and it now makes the balance difficult (is the is a 6" square of fabric I'm talking about!!!!) and I haven't even thought about the back. Well tell a lie I have but haven't the slightest idea how I'm going to achieve it. Wing it as usual I suppose. Anyway will be finished this weekend and hopefully in the post by Monday. Will let you know when its on its way.



Was going to Birmingham this morning but just heard there are bad holdups on the motorway due to some accidents and that's not how I fancy spending a Saturday morning so will put it off for another time. I'm sure I'll survive with the supplies I have.

Fabric names.

Thankyou for your kind comments. What you see as scrim, is what I call baby muslin or gauze....it is that fine bandage like fabric. It isn't called muslin in US as they call their cotton/calico muslin. All very confusing. What I am using up at the moment is the cut off bits from the muslin baby wraps I made for Bella. She now uses them as a cuddly and must have one when she goes to bed!
I'll send you a bit of dyed and plain for you to see. I have a wee pile of stuff for you and would love to include Liquid Beadz but they are in Aaron's Emporium in Napier. On my next trip I will get you some. Today I get to make bumpers for the cradle, in white, so that will be rather strange.
Wonder if I actually have white thread!!!!

It is-------

Superb. I love the background stitching and also how the liquid beads lift it. Did you use some sort of silk paper to surround the corset or is it just painted scrim? A really lovely quiltie and I am sure Jo will love it. You are a clever lady.

Finished!

Finally it is finished. The close up of the corner is Liquid Beadz. I bought very fine gold which are a bit dull but they do come with larger beads, much like a regular soup mix of beads and they are more sparkly. I imagine the gel/glue they are in dulls things a bit. You put them on with a palette knife and leave to dry 12-24 hours. I was still able to work on the Quiltie after about an hour and the beads didn't fall off but if you touch them they are likely to stick to you! (Guess how I know)?

I hope Jo likes the rough edge finish....always difficult for a traditionalist to accept. I tore dyed gauzed and just used running stitch in a very rough silk thread.

Now to get it in the post!!

Do I???

Do I do too much when in swap situations? I find I am spending a lot of time on the quiltie yet others just seem to throw something together. I have firstly dyed the fabric, fancy stitched that to felt and this afternoon made a clay corset....painted and burnished it with metallic wax. I have added 3 shisha mirrors (the cheats way as the edging was already done) then a piece of own dyed gauze, then scrunched fibres, three (expensive) glass flowers and some not quite so expensive leaves. Running stitched the gauze on with silk natural thread, hand dyed at some other time, started to add seed beads and still I'm not finished!!!!!!!! Have dyed the fabric for the back and will use a fancy wool (I think) to go around the edge......blimmey I'm tiring myself out just writing.
However I am pleased that I am sending to Jo as she is a lovely lady and I really enjoyed spending time with her in Sydney. Because she has only recently 'found' Quilting Arts I think I am purposely going a bit over board so it is a bit arty for her.
That all said, I realise I don't mind the time I am spending, it is looking really good.

Trying...........

Yes, the post out date is the 11th, so relax my friend.

I do hope everything is OK with Susan. Do let me know.

Done a little bit more on my journal tonight. going to start putting in signatures and pockets etc tomorrow night. Off to London in the morning for my Bernina day!!!

Trying....

Yes we are 'trying' indeed!! I am leaving mine now....on my third idea.....and off over to Napier to see Susan. She has a scan later today which will be very exciting. Hopefully it shows baby in the correct position!!!
Will complete quiltie when I get back....posting date is the 11th isn't it???? Please say it is!! You can send your to me any time you like so don't stress over it.

Oh yes........

I know exactly how you feel. I'm on my third attempt at the same thing!! Are we trying too hard????????????

Another idea....

Think I'm about to change the background for my Quilie!! How can 6" x 6" cause so much thinking?????

Shellac

Shellac is that stuff made with insects (or is it insect droppings???) you mix it with meths and it is I suppose like a varnish....I used it to revamp the old woodwork in this house and I use it a lot in arty farty things.
Like the idea of rubbing.....
just playing about with adding clay words....
Still thinking.....

Interesting

Saw an interesting piece yesterday at a small exhibition of students work at the Bramble Patch. This one piece had very pale painted poppies on a muslin base but also had a free hanging piece of organza/voile with poppy outlines drawn in ink.

Is shellac the 'shiny' stuff (excuse my iignorance). How about adding some rubbings with paintsticks? Perhaps echo the buttons?

Laying it out.

Stitched substrate.....present placement of scrunched and ripped brown paper (wine bag!!!) antique buttons...can I bear to give these away they are off baby clothes of mine!!!! Pile of paper squares topped with 2 squares of leather. Blank calico....thinking printing with words/symbols/stamps.....staining the calico with something....maybe shellac it. Proposed edging torn chiffon scarf held on with seed beads.......

All that is Plan A!!!!

Identity

I love what you have done so far.

I am still umming aahing over mine. Sprayed the fabric and did some pintucks which gave a great effect and I'm going to keep but what next???? I feel, as you do I need an identity, something that is 'me' and I don't know what it is. I don't mean the same every time because that will be boring but something that says 'that's Di's'. For goodness sake it's only a 6" x 6" piece of fabric but it has become something that I need to crack! Do you know what I mean?

I think I'm going to try something different tonight (can't today as we're going to see Dad) but when I get back I'm going to put that piece to one side and start anew. Maybe a la Melody Johnson (but Di) or perhaps even Japanese influenced like Sashiko influenced!

Tell me if you think I'm getting too far 'up myself' won't you?

Quiltie Beginning

Started stitching on my dyed fabric on top of felt (great way to use up odd coloured felt that I inherited from my mother).....had a frustrating beginning as the stitch I wanted to do wouldn't form. Since my machine has that major work on it this is the first time I've tried using fancy stitches. They always used to form properly. I remember now when I tried to do eyelets they didn't join up but I thought it was just me so did something else.

Anyway this stitch is working though not really forming the larger leaf properly. The piece is larger than the 6x6 as I made it big enough that the cut off bit will be the base of a postcard.

Back to stitching....it is rather time consuming!

Tried

Tried to add links but they disappeared....found the info on how to so will keep trying.

I did know....

I did know about the peacock but the only reason I do is because of that pack you sent me couple Christmases ago....the bronze pack that I made that torso for you....anyway in it is a peacock and that got me wondering what the connection was between shisha and peacocks. One of those brain diversions.
I am making the background of my quiltie. Have dyed some fabric and I am going to stitch all over it using an inbuilt embroidery stitch....I don't use them enough. Beryl Taylor has done this on some of her works and it is very effective. I think it is because she then embellishes with gay abandon and it doesn't scream machine embroidery. I am more and more convinced to take things to the next level ,I need to alter the base fabric first. Thinking that somehow I need to own the piece. Adding clay faces became a bit of a signature for me and I'm noticing that is a very important detail. Isbel, my friend has a signature in the shape she makes doll like structures and she also has a signature of beading and copper wire....these things make her work stand out so I want to find mine. Maybe it still is the face thing but I'm learning more about dying which helps with unique fabrics, so maybe that's the key.
The most amazing book has been published on Eco Dying by India Flint....two of my friends took a week long study course with her and they are full of praise. I got to see the book last week and I know I must have it....not only brilliant information/knowledge but one of the best produced books I have seen. You just want to hold it. Look at some of her work....
http://www.indiaflint.com/
We should be putting up links on here....do you know how? I'll see if I can figure it out though any advice much appreciated.

More Play

I had a play with some gold ink spray tonight. Sprayed some on the red silk. Doesn't look anything at the moment but once I've used my new pintuck foot and created some texture it should look OK. Had a few trials and tribulations with the foot but sorted it out after a phone call to friend Jan. I plan to bead some of this and I think I know where I can get some of the dangly coin things to go on it as well. Might get some of that done tomorrow but I am hoping to persuade Jeff to take me to Birmingham. I can stock up on some more trimmings and bits.

Once I've finished this quiltie I am going to get something done with our art quilt. Seems to have gone on the backburner for a while.

National Symbols

Googled Indian national symbols. Did you know the national animal is a tiger, national bird, peacock, national tree, banyan and national fruit, mango? I didn't. You learn something new everyday!!! Not quite what I wanted but useful for quizzes.

I've seen the embellishing machines. Two reasons (or maybe 3) why I haven't got one. One- haven't room in my sewing room (very important factor). Two - £250 is a lot of money if you aren't going to use it a lot and 3 - I really don't think I would make good use of it. However, if somebody asked me if I wanted one for nothing I'd bite their hands. It's one of those things that I would really like but can't justify spending that amount of money on (and anyway I haven't that amount of money to spend!!!). And you definitely couldn't lose it!!!!

Dying the silk.

I put dyes it in an atomiser and spray the silk (the empty bottle from Body Shop Vit E Face mist is ideal)....any kind of dye works though I do have a few silk dyes. I find I get a subtle result and don't need to go through the entire dying rigmarole.

I didn't even make it to the sewing machine today which is a shame but Geoff is out tonight so perhaps I will get in there to play.

Have you tried re ironing the piece to get it to restick? I bought one of those five needled needle felting things....used it once now can't find it! I have friends with embellisher machines that are into needle felting everything. I wonder if you would get bored wiith one of those machines? I doubt I could lose it!!!

Now There's a Thought ........

Manipulating the fabric first sounds a good idea. It would then speak itself as to what to do next. Perhaps I'll play with my new foot, the pintuck. That would then give the surface some texture and create a surface for embellishment. Mind you what I had proposed to use was some silk and I'm not sure about painting silk. Perhaps if I just painted/dyed some fabric the colours I wanted it might be better??? I haven't got any Indian symbols but I'm sure if I google it I can come up with something and then make a stamp from something. Hmm, thats a job for tomorrow.

The picture above is a piece I have ironed on some painted bondaweb. Have done a bit of needlefelting and come to a halt. The bondaweb painting was OK but it seems to be lifting a bit off the fabric. Need to do some more embellishing and machine quilting .

Easter Stitching????

Didn't happen! Susan and Mark arrived on Friday so the usual chit chat and catching up then Saturday was a day out with them. Went 'baby' shopping which was very exciting with of course spending too much!! That afternoon was spent sewing but that was fitted sheets (obviously the flat sheets our generation had are somewhat inadequate) for the cradle!!! Then some mending thay had brought with then appeared. Sunday Mark did some tree work for us then suddenly it was lunchtime and they were on their way! Afternoon was spent watching dvd's and that gave me a chance to do some baby knitting.
Love the colours of your quiltie pile....I always find once I lay out my pile I have to start cutting the bits. Not until I like the colours of course.....smaller bits make it look easier somehow. I like you Raj idea. Do you have an Indian symbol that you could stamp the fabric with? I am reading lots lately that the artist seems to manipulate the fabric first with several layers of things, painting, stitching, stamping and I'm learning to do so myself. Funnily enough it is what I did 4 years ago but then things seemed to get more decontsructed. Or was it just that everyone was dying fabric and adding FME? Art cycles seem to be getting shorter!!!
I have a friend who is doing the most amazing things with stitched paper!
Another Raj thought....could you print your quiltie fabric through the computer with Indian things????
I need to get mine to the start stage!

Quiltie

I've been playing around with bits for my quiltie. I remember saying the word 'raj' kept nagging at me. The photograph is my atttempt at bringing together some pieces and colours that say 'raj'. Allowing for the flash which has turned the red organgey (it really is a dark red maroon) it lacks something and I'm not sure what. I've used silk, gold netting, some fringing, glass beads, couple of buttons and a face. It doesn't have the right 'feel'. Any ideas?

More about blog pictures,,,,,,,,,

I've done all that , write what I want then post my pics and check the box where I want them to go and they still all go to the top of what I have just written!!!!!!! I will have to play when I've got 5 minutes.
Got some nice bits from Crafty Notions today including a mould mat. Fully intended trying this out but went to get changed, sat on the bed and somehow I fell asleep for a whole hour and a half!!!! So another night with not much done apart from read some more of The Labyrinth.

Going to try some ideas out for Chapter 4 next week as I have a few days off.

Posting pics.

Yep you get to chooses where the picture goes. After you write the post then upload the picture you get a choice. From memory it is top, left or right but even though you tell it not to use the same layout each time I think it does remember it so you have to choose each time. To prove I am as clever as I think I am I will proceed to try it!!!!

The picture is just one of a series in a challenge to create art from one A4 piece of white paper....not my work. I'll post some more later, absolutely fascinating.

Sewing and Rugby

What a great combination. Gareth and Erica are coming up from Exeter on Friday and we are going to see the Saints play Exeter on Saturday. We are also trying to decide whether to go to Twickenham for the EDF Trophy final between Saints and Exeter. Be a great day but quite expensive. £30 per ticket plus £15 each for the coach. Nearly £100 before we even have a drink or anything to eat!!

No doubt we'll see Sam, Phil and the girls some time over Easter but I do want to get some sewing in. Got to finish (sorry start) my Quiltie and want to try and finish a UFO I wrote about on my blog. Would you believe they have forecast snow for Good Friday and Easter Sunday!!!!

Thought I would take a picture of a hanging I made a long time ago but it still cheers me up as it's very Amish with the bright colours. I'm having problems with placing my pictures on the blogs. They all seem to go to the top of the post!!! Any ideas?

Days of sewing ahead???

Easter is fast approaching and hopefully that means we can have days of uniterrupted stitching...between eating easter eggs I suppose!!!
Susan & Mark will be coming over but not until Saturday so Friday is all mine!!
However should Alley and children also make an appearance I doubt I'll see the sewing machine. Can't quite decide which I'd prefer!!

Drat

Put my last entry as a Comment!!!

Maybe....

I'm thinking that we should maybe skip a bit of the book. I have done the pear type thing, in fact it was a lot more complicated than that. (It also seems I did it by a much simpler method which I could show you). It also isn't finshed so I am going to haul it out and finish it. I am not interested in going the face in fabric as I much prefer using the actual photo image in my work....or thread painting the face. I want to do the reflective exercises though. I am very excited about working through chapter four.
I hope I'm not putting you off by skipping some and if you want to do them I will work through them with you.
I have some ATC"S to do today and then the decks are sort of clear to get stuck in. I signed up for monthly journal quilts and so far have made half of January's. I have an idea or two for quiltie which I'm hoping won't take long but will look as if it took ages!!!
It's a holiday here in Taranaki today....I leave home for the Exhibiton at 3.30....it's about a 90 minute drive away....so time to get the ATC"S done.

Ooops

Tried posting some pics on here the other night but they ended up on another blog!!!

I took some photos on Friday of collecting up the exhibit dolls but didn't take any of mine. These aren't mine.

Can't wait to see some pictures. I must confess I haven't done anything for the last three days apart from the list for the Quiltie Swap. Heart is not in it at the moment. Even th sewing room is only half sorted. I have a work table piled with stuff!!! Might do something with it tomorrow night. Off to bed now with a book. Labriynth by Katte Mosset?? Good so far.

Still doing some homework.

Still doing a little of the tasks in the book but not much really. Dolls, Goddesses, torso's and corsets are taking up my time. I have made it a rule that every piece I make must have something on it that you have sent me...trim and the like. My Medieval Gnomes don't as I dyed all the fabric for that and they are quite a miserable looking lot and not suited to be embellished with gorgeousness!!!
I have to do an inventory of what is in the exhibition and have decided to photograph them all so that when they get packed up it will be easy for the curator to see which are mine....I hope. Anyway will send some pics or put them on here.....might as well use it for something!

Whew!!

I'll have a study of ears, so glad it isn't other anatomical differences!!

Ears

Apparently it's all to do with the ears. One type has big ears and the other smaller!!!

Why didn't we....

Why didn't we have a twosome blog before? It makes life so easy to just pop in and write something.
I think I am changing my mind about what my theme will be. None of the ones I thought before- now I'm thinking African. I could utilise the lovely batik elephants you sent me at Christmas. Or are they Indian elephants? In which case I could go Indian!!!

Better than sketches

I feel the same, word association works far better for me although I have tried a couple of very childlike sketches. I willl post them tomorrow

Will need to...

Will need to rip out the pages of my journal to scan my so called drawings as they didn't scan very well while in the book. It is hard to sketch 'words' isn't it. I do much better with word association using other words....I could write for hours!!! (If I had hours)!
A friend told me to try covering the scanner with a dark cloth and then it doesn't matter if the lid doesn't close. We shall see.
I am going to make a point of contributing on here when an idea strikes me cos two heads will be so better than one.
Evie

Go with this one I think. We'll work it out somehow

We need some colour...

I made this ATC yesterday.

Time

Any idea how we can change the time....I posted that last one at 5pm (it shows posting at 7.57pm)....is blogger on American time or something??

Snap

We apear to both have set up a blog at the same time!!!
Somehow we both need to be admin in order to be able to change the layout etc otherwise it is only the person that set it up.
Still very new to blogging so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.
I have already lost this post once while trying to get it on the blog!!!
Evie