Sampling marks on the stones.
A piece cut from a sleeve of a boiled wool cardigan. Painted bondaweb ironed on top then hand stitched.
A slice of the sleeve used for this line. Hand stitched
The lines on the stones are becoming Openings.
I am a little clearer about the way forward.
Friends have been staying this week, so no more work on this idea but definitely Openings.
Flicking through this book I saw this drawing by Carolyn Curtis Magri. Lines
My pink chair has settled into a new place.
The garden has enjoyed all the rain. I and my visitors have not.
The white clematis Mrs George Jackman is looking good.
The Foxgloves are attracting lots of bees, even in the rain. I tried to photograph them but the bees came out of the funnels with such speed I could not capture them.
The beginnings of another sample of surface decoration. Sari silk threads embellished on top. Hand stitching added. Not finished yet.
Please look in next week to view
1 Finish above sample
2 Work on Openings
Oh and I think Creative Fairy is back from holiday.
BYE BYE
Re reading this book, looking for inspiration. Something to get my brain in gear. Have got stuck.
Lines. I have been busy again this week and only managing to visit The Studio for small periods of time. Really need to be in it a whole day to crack Lines. Feel I am snatching an hour here and there and as a result repeating exercises, not moving on.
Have gone back to look at the stones I picked up from the beach on Arran. ( A good ideas, says Creative Fairy)
These are drawn in a A2 sketchbook. Larger scale than last week. Kalamkari will be exhibition at Aberlady in 2018 so will try to develop the stones. Still looking for inspiration. ( Creative Fairy has gone on Holiday I think)
Tissue paper glued on. Texture. Could these lines in the stones be openings? Openings to show what.?
Time to start a fabric sample.
Vegetable plot is my delight. I cant wait to pick the beans and harvest the potatoes. Ok I know it is small.
The act of growing my own vegetables and picking them fresh is important to me but as family and friends point out I have shops minutes away selling perfectly good produce. Indulge me.
Early potatoes in a pot. Hope they are not all foliage
and nothing underneath. My tomatoes are thriving
Please look in next week ( to hear if Creative Fairy has come back)
Openings, a whole new line of inquiry.
BYE BYE
2 weeks ago I had a holiday on Arran. A beautiful island, made even better by the glorious weather
Ferry crossing makes it seem like a really big trip even though the crossing takes only 55 minutes. Just time to get a cuppa and get on deck to watch the docking.
I crossed over to the Holy Isle on my last day before catching the ferry home. I went for all sorts of reasons but the main one was to see this.
It is called The Bird of Solace and was commissioned as a memorial for a special woman. The bird landed in the wonderful Mandela Garden on the Holy Isle. I spent a special time with the gardeners Sarah and Sid who have created and lovingly tended this very amazing garden.
The island has some rock paintings but they are too garish for my Scottish taste.
This week Lines and more Lines. No idea where this is going but hoping something will click.
These were made by wax crayoning all over the page then putting another page on top and drawing with a ball point pen. The colour is lifted from the bottom page.
Stones collected from the beach on Arran.
Lines
Making myself draw. This was graphic drawn into with a rubber. An idea is mulling away but not quite clear enough yet. I think felt might be involved.
The shape of a small square within a larger one keeps occurring.
This rose travelled with me when I moved house. I wasn`t sure it would survive being uprooted but it appears to be thriving. It has a strong scent and was one of my husbands favourites.
Please look in next week.
BYE BYE
From this
To this
I am very happy to see the end of the grass. The gardener came and the garden is beginning to take shape. Lots more planting for wildlife. I will need to live another 5 years, 10 would be better to see it mature.
The Peacock came to give approval. Have not seen it all Winter. This may even be another bird as it has a magnificent tail. The other bird was a bit scruffy. Do Peacocks grow new tails in the Spring?
I was at a workshop this week, lead by Ali Ferguson. I don`t do retro, vintage or lace but I loved this.
Very relaxing, moving bits and bobs around. Will finish this but have no plans to make another.
At last have finished this piece for the exhibition. I have spent days measuring and measuring again.
Will hang it for a day or two to check it is ok.
"A good read Kalkata to Dundee."
Look in next week as I begin making samples for upcoming workshops I am leading.
BYE BYE
This pretty beaded purse was a present from a dear friend. I have hung it in the Studio window ( I am still thrilled with the idea I have a studio) to remind me of her many kindnesses. I have been busy coming and going but need to remind myself it is important to make time for friends.
I have been given a set of lino cutting tools. I have never tried this technique.
It takes a bit of thought to work out what to cut away and what to leave.
Preferred the black print. Making sure the printing ink is really smooth is important. Needs more practice.
This is the beginning of my piece connected to the Scottish Embroiderers Guild Regional day. " On the Tay " Hoop project.
Painted with dyes onto Bond a Web and when dry ironed onto fabric.
Set inside a hoop. Thinking about Dundee`s history of whaling. I need a bit more action and less thinking just now.
Some samples from a workshop lead by a Guild member. Interesting ideas for this project from the members who attended.
Had a working day with friends, exhibiting group, Kalamkari. We were revisiting Verdant Works. I am trying to get my head round ideas for our next exhibition, based on this jute museum. I lost the momentum when art work was stored in a shed. Hoping the visit will start the creative juices flowing.
So many interesting machine shapes.
I am drawn to the rolls of string the women wore round their waists. Thinking a long book which will roll up. Just at the very early thinking stage but hey its a beginning.
More ground dug to make borders in the garden.
The fabric birds have a new home.
The wind blew the other arrangement over and the branch broke. I think they will be happy in the ivy hedge. They have been outside since July and are wearing well.
Rediscovered this piece of work when unpacking.
This was started at a James Hunting workshop quite a few years ago. Didn't think I ever used this method of working again but looking at this piece I realise I do patch fabric together with hand stitching. I thought I had started working this way when my husband was ill and I could do little pieces sitting in waiting rooms and join them when I was at home. Subconscious at work. What goes in is mixed around in that soup we call creativity and years later pops up.
Look in next week to see how the thinking is going
1st Phone friends
2 Finish the Hoop ( it is a small piece )
3 Get some paper work started for Verdant Works
BYE BYE
