Friday 19 August 2011

Artwave getting closer

well, here I am;
still working towards getting my studio ready
for the Lewes Open Studios:






some very patient stuffed birds
waiting for their tails to be sewn shut


while these two are waiting for someone to come
and take them home with them!

other birds in progress
these are made with clay and hand painted

how cute are these?!
more clay birds covered in various papers and tissue

ready to be strung up with beads
like this
(hand not included)


more mini canvases

that will eventually look like these
I made earlier

I also want to do more
of my usual free machine stitched pieces
similar to this

in this terrible photo
I tried to show you one piece I finished for the show

detail of above picture
was experimenting with silk embroidery

lots more to do!!

oh! and I did get selected to join the
volunteer stitchers for the
Battle of Lewes Tapestry
I start next week
am hoping I can take some photos
of the progress to show you

have a sunny, creative weekend everyone
and thank you, thank you
for stopping by!

Wednesday 10 August 2011

finally finished


whew
finally, after much procrastination and wool drama
I finished the tapestry sample
now.......lets hope it is good enough
to get into the group of volunteers
stitching a tapestry to commemorate
the Battle of Lewes


in between stitching this
or.........looking for the correct wool
I have gone back to making a few more stuffed birds

am done painting my little clay birds too
now, to string them up and add some sparkle!
I tried one
and realised the birds are so heavy
their birdy bottoms stick in the air
instead of their birdy beaks
panic!
and then; clever me
thought about finding some sort of weight
so went to the local fishing equipment shop
they thought I was really strange
(not the first time that has happened)
I guess they are used to people coming in
knowing what the fishing weighty things are actually called
oh; and knowing what size and weight
“can’t I just look at them? hold them in my hand?”

anyway.......got some
and they seemed to be working on my test birdy

after I get that finished;
back to more mini canvasses, I think
I also want to do a few bigger pieces
like I normally do

here are a few photos from the
Southover Grange Gardens
which is not too far from my house
such a beautiful place!
the plantings are so spectacular
and I love how they juxtapose the most
vibrant colours next to each other
(doesn’t really come out that well in the pics)
but.......you get the picture
AND
it all surrounds a lovely Eizabethan house












thank you so much for stopping by
hope you all are having a creative week

and in the States; not burning up
in the UK; not molding....or too badly affected by these riots

I do not even know what to say about all that



Monday 1 August 2011

back to work!

just spent a nice weekend in Germany
in a little town we lived in for 3 years
cannot believe that was 8 years ago!
weirdly; it was cold and rainy the whole time
and then I get back to the UK
and it is sunny and warm!
usually the other way around

the town was having a
Middle Ages Fest

check out that hat!
a lovely felted acorn top


minstrels below the tower


even Middle Agers need a coffee break

some Scots had invaded too
beautiful leather drum on his back
(am sure there is a specific name for it......sorry)

am now back home
and back to getting things ready for the Open Studios

a friend of mine brought in some lovely
needlepoint cushions for the show
they look great against my
Guatemalan blanket
(oh - but you can barely see the actual blanket)


oh look - birds!!
haha
have made these little clay birds
some are painted some are covered
with printed tissue papers

am hoping to put them on ribbons and add
little charms and beads to the bottom


have never done this before.......
so, we'll see how it goes

a strange thing happened recently
I have suddenly become attracted to
her realistic botanical paintings are amazing
but that's not what is attracting me
it is her more whimsical, looser still life pantings

now......I am not a painter -
but I kind of want to try my hand
at least try to get the loose, lyrical feeling
and then add things on top; paper, etc

just a thought......but I need to keep ahold of it
and when Artwave is over
maybe get out a little canvas and try it out!

she is having a big exhibition in Edinburgh
but I think that is a little far for me to get to

might obtain a book of her paintings
to keep hold of the inspiration

so........happy week to everyone
and thank you thank you
to my new followers!
yea