Two for One

My cunning plan to make the silk paper softer by rinsing it and hoping to get the extra glue out of the paper did not work. However all was not lost as I found that I could peel the layers apart and have two pieces of silk to play with. Here are the results I will look at adding some more embellishment to the blue one.
It is true the more you do the more ideas you have, I am much more of a practical person than writing, drawing ideas.

SILK PAPER

 

At  the weekend I had a go at making my own silk paper, but I think I added too much glue. When the fabric dried and I tried to put it underneath the embellisher it did not mash the threads in so well. I have washed the piece in the hope that it will soften the fabric, I will see how it goes, if not then I will chop it up and use it elsewhere.

Continuing with doing some more hand stitching and also I think if I increase the size of the photo it might look better on screen.

So I have installed the latest version of blogger and now having 'fun' sorting out this posting!

I thought I had it right and then all of a sudden it decides to do it's own thing, spent enough time fiddling so that's it for today!

Silk paper and embroidery with a bit of gardening

Such a lovely day I wanted to get out in the garden and tidy up. We have an ash tree that overhangs our back garden and the lawn is covered with leaves. It looks all yellow. So out with the lawn mower to hoover up all the leaves!!All tidy now but with wind and rain forecast it won't last..

Also, my eldest daughter has requested some part of the garden to plant something that she can grow to eat. Never wishing to discourage her, I was sorting out part of the garden and then the hens can go and have a rumage on it. Hopefully it will be fertilised ready for planting next year. Her plan is to grow potatoes and runner beans. We shall see.

In between I have been doing some more hand sewing, got stuck with running stitch. Such a quick and effective way to sew. I think I will see if I have some sparkly thread to put round the spirals. Also would like to do this again but use a felt as a backing. The wadding shows through in places and I find this distracting. I have used a hand made silk paper so it needed some support. No I didn't make the paper, another thing to have a go at!!

Textiles experiments

I didn't get round to posting these pictures yesterday but these are bits and pieces I have been working on. Still finding my way and no clear idea of how they will be finally used, thinking of mounting them on blank canvas ready to hang. At the moment with more time spent indoors and the tele being on - it seems more worthwhile to have something to show for being sat down!!

Textiles

I have just finished two new style books for my folksy site. I have sourced spiral bound books as I thought these might be useful for those who have bits and pieces to stick into journals.
Also got some small sample pieces of hand stitching on the go and bits and pieces of other experimental work, which I will put on tomorrow. I have just started knitting a hat and would like to get the first part started before everyone returns home.
So will leave you with my new projects.

Artists Sketchbooks

I used the fabric I prepared yesterday and made 3 artists sketch books and painted up some more fabric ready for more sketch books tomorrow.
Ready for sale on the folksy website.
Interesting to see what people have bought and their views on the Knit and Stitch, would a weekend in Harrogate be too much of an indulgence? There seems to be things that I have missed which I would liked to have seen. It all felt rather rushed.
On a positive I bought some of the Valdani threads and have used them in the artist books. Really enjoyed seeing the colours unravelled - definitely look at getting some more.

Knit and Stitch and fabric

The fabric I printed the other day is now washed,ironed and ready to go. It has come out lighter than I wanted but with machine stitching it will be changed again. That is my goal for tomorrow, so wait and see.

I went to the Knit and Stitch show on Friday. I have never been on a week day, I thought it would be quieter!! It was so busy - lots of students which is encouraging. Lots of work to see and amazing talent and wonderful things going on in the world of textiles. Downside - it was so crowded, hot and display areas very small.
I really missed having the NEC venue. For me it is easy and cheap to get there with public transport, lots of room to wander round and I think last time it was there they had artists working. A really innovative idea and interesting to see work changing as the time went on.

Exciting

I had the house and more importantly the time to myself today. I have been busy making curtains and a ball dress, so this was free time.

I wanted to get on with some fabric printing. I had a wonderful time.Starting with a taped frame, printing through that and then hand painting the white bits in between.
It took most of the afternoon, it becomes very absorbing and exciting. I love the way the colours blend. I mix up colours that by themselves look quite vivid but once put next to or on top of other colours blend in.

I will make these into covers for the artists sketch books that I sell on folksy.