Flowers and a Gift

For the past few months I have been involved in a Flower inspired book pages swap at the Yahoo group MixedMediaATC_UK and we have now just about reached the end. The final 2 pages are for the front cover and its reverse side. However the two pages I have made will not necessarily go to the same person.

For this first page I made the base fabric by free machining over chopped fabric and waste thread from other projects which I had sandwiched between water soluble membrane. I then stabilised the base by backing it on some painted cotton and handsewed the flower in yarns, finishing off with beads. This is intended to form the reverse of the front cover.

For the front cover I used a piece of my own handpainted fabric which I had already coincidentally used as a practice piece for some flowery shaped free machining. I then added some free machined plant stems and leaves, handstitched leaves and beading. Fingers crossed the eventual recipient will like it. Once everyone has their cover and inside pages the idea is to construct the book and have a show and tell at the group. I am hoping to make 2 more pages of my own to include in the book. I should be making the back cover and its reverse but I have a lovely page from Annette which I am going to use for the back cover. (The second page in her post).

I have had the pleasure of meeting another blogger this week and what a pleasure it was too! The wonderful book and art doll above were a generous gift from Wendy who blogs as Emmelinesplace. The lovely paper in the photo above with the script is tissue paper which you can apparently buy in Lakeland Plastics. I have an idea to scan this and then print it onto fabric. Hopefully I won't get done for copyright if it is only for my use.

I have to show you in detail the beautiful brooch which Wendy made for me. Isn't it beautiful? Thank you so much, Wendy for your generosity, not to mention the great chat we had. We met up at 11.00 and chatted away for 5 hours, would you believe!!? Luckily Wendy lives near me so I think we will be having some lovely creative time together in the future. That's if we can stop talking long enough :o)))

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Before I forget, don't forget to watch the new creative series being broadcast on Sky TV Channel 171 for a 10 week period which is showcasing some of our well known textile artists. If you don't have Sky you can watch the programmes online. The details are here. The series started last week but you can catch up online.

Pretty Post and Shopping

Where did the week go? I can't believe it's Friday already! And I can't even remember what I've been doing all week. Not much on the creating front except for a bit of embellishing to make a background for a piece I can't show yet.

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The postman did bring me a very pretty package from Gina and she had wrapped the contents up beautifully in some lovely Kaffe Fassett fabric and a delicate lacey edging which will be gratefully assimilated into my stash.
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Also enclosed were 2 postcards of part of Gina's work for the Prism exhibition.

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I have to admit to a little shopping this week.....

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These two gorgeous hanks of loveliness were actually bought in Whitby on our Yorkshire break a couple of weeks ago. The fabulous Fandango yarn is a Collinette handpainted cotton and I can see this incorporated into my long-planned seascape when I ever get round to working on it.

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The fabric above was bought on Thursday on a coach trip to Loughborough. I only went into Quorn Country Crafts to buy a lightbulb for my embellisher! Honest guv'! The Egyptian hieroglyphics jumped out at me as I've got an Egyptian inspired piece lurking in my brain and my friend forced me to buy the other three pieces. Honest! She did!! Buy 4 get one free! I had three and my friend had the other two. The blue spotty piece hiding at the bottom has got me very excited and is for a secret present for someone which I won't be able to show you for a little while, although I can't wait to make it so it shouldn't be too long.

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I am absolutely exhausted today after my trip to Loughborough yesterday so I've tried to have a quiet day, especially as I'm going to the Sewing For Pleasure Show at Birmingham NEC tomorrow. Fortunately I'm going on a coach so I won't have to drive. I think I'd be a liability on the road if I was driving. I'm going to be meeting up with one of the girls I swap with at MixedMedia ATC_UK Yahoo group. Wendy excels at altered and mixed media art and her blog is well worth a visit for its inspiration. Wendy and I havn't met up before so I'm looking forward to seeing her. By the way Wendy, I changed my blog photo so you can see me without the hat :-D

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I can now show you what I was working on a couple of weeks ago as it has reached its destination.

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I made this Under the Seascape for Becky in a one to one swap in exchange for the lovely Mr Lizard painting I received from Becky last week. I photographed it on a very bright day so it looks a bit washed out and it is actually square, not bowed as it looks in the photo. Becky is unfortunately in hospital at the moment so I hope you soon feel much better, Becky.

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My resolution for tomorrow at the Sewing Show is to concentrate on the exhibits and not too much shopping so come back next week and see if I've been good or very good!! lol Have a great weekend wherever you are in the world.

Mr Lizard and Mile a Minute

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I belong to a Yahoo group called Mixed Media ATCUK which is run by Becky and around Christmas/New Year time Becky suggested a one-to-one swap between us. Although we didn't want to put any pressure on each other we did decide to aim for the end of February and I am delighted to have received Becky's artwork today. Meet Mr Lizard! Isn't he a striking chap? He reminds me of aboriginal drawings. I like the way the background echoes the shape and style of the lizard, too. My photo has a little flare for which I apologise, the light wasn't wonderful this afternoon. Thank you Becky! My piece is on its way to you so I will be able to show it here in a day or two. (Hmmmm! Did I remember to photograph it before I posted it? Good question!)

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I've had a busy week sewing-wise and I've completed the next two pages for the flower themed book page swap also at Mixed Media ATCUK. I don't know what possessed me, I actually got them finished in a day, not like me at all.

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I did find that I hadn't got a lot of fabrics with flowers and most of the ones I had were red, hence the red theme!

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I think these pages could be oriented any way up so the recipients will be able to decide for themselves. Some aspects look better than others.

Swaps

The postman's been busy chez nous this week. I've been involved in a swap on the Yahoo group Fiber Art Traders and between yesterday and today I have received my 3 bookmarks from my swap partners. I have to say I am amazed at hopw quickly the post is working at the moment. Maybe they're practising for Sssssh! You Know What in December!

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This first bookmark is by the lovely Leilani Pierson who has been published in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. She also sent me some pink yarn. Hmmm! I wonder who likes pink? I can think of one little pwincessy wagon!
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This gorgeous Happy Harvest Indian bookmark is from Norma who lives in Green Valley Arizona. Doesn't that sound a beautiful place? Norma has sent me some very seasonal 5" squares too. Thank you Norma.

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Last but not least is this pretty autumnal bookmark from the lovely Lori.

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All of my art books are going to have very useful bookmarks now so I won't have to worry about losing my place!

Lovely Post!

I have been haunting my letterbox all week and Yay! The postman brought my parcel today! As you know I have been involved in a swap with Susan at Artisbliss. She has sent me this lovely postcard which she has entitled 'Juliet's Garden'. If you click on the link you can read about susan's process. The photograph doesn't show off the lovely golden touches to this card. The flowers at top right are silk flowers. Oops! I haven't photographed the back of the card which is lovely with a golden butterfly embossed onto a stamped background. You can read about it on Susan's blog here.

Enclosed with the card were lots of lovely extras. I really like the variegated organza ribbon and the dragonflies which reflect all sorts of colours.

Thank you for a lovely swap Susan :o)