Fabric Paper Workshop

Just finished my prep to publicise a workshop tonight at the monthly Silk-n-Threads meeting.

We have a weekly Monday club that is a more informal gathering and on the 10th March I am leading a workshop on Fabric Paper. Above shows one of the pieces before I cut it up.

Below is a closeup of the FME of leaves that embellish the fabric/paper.

This is the front of the altered book that I chose to cover with the fabric/paper.

The green cord was from a carrier bag that I rescued before throwing out.The back of the book.

These five images show a range of altered pages inside the sketch book. The book was a 'Teach Yourself Chemistry' publication from the 1960s, do you remember the black and yellow covers of that series? I suspect I thought at the time that by just owing such books I would become sooooooo clever!!!!!!! I was about to throw it at the Charity shop when I thought what can I possibly do with it? I had it in my mind to keep a sketch book of my garden in 2008 so what better way than in a handmade version that utilises my creative juices as well. I blogged about the method I used here and here.More examples will be posted on the Silk-n-Threads blog at a later date.

TIF and Pink Explosion

Finished February TIF, I used the given colour scheme and the concept of What I could remember - Cornish holidays in the 1960s! Didn't have too much time for this challenge so it is a minimalistic version but still effective.

This is what I have been working on most recently. Strips of silk woven into painted tyvek and then blasted with heat gun. this was then FME and machine wrapped cords and beads added as embellishment. It is for the Silk-n-Threads exhibition at Tatton Park 15th march to 1st June entitled 'Year of the Garden'. I wanted to create that overwhelming feeling when there is so much colour in some flower beds during the summer. I think I achieved it.
Close up shows the FME flower heads

North Yorkshire Coast & TIF latest February

These two photos were taken in the Vale of York yesterday on our way home from a three day break at Ravenscar, half way between Scarborough and Whitby. DH thought it time to take me away for some recouperation after the op so off we went and we had a brilliant time. Unlike these two photos we had superb weather, each day being still, sunny but fresh. So this winter wonderland was an added bonus.
This was the view from our room overlooking Robin Hoods Bay. Do you spot the golf course? While he was taking in 9 holes I was enjoying the sauna and swimming pool!

I did take the latest TIF with me but didn't do anything at all. That must be a first but the hotel was so relaxing I never had time!!

Stage 1 - six pieces of cotton in the colour scheme to represent a beach, the break in Yorkshire helped fire up images.
Stage 2 - I have started in the bottom left hand corner by attaching beads and stitching french knots. The batik style spots in the fabric are ideal for creating the appearance of sand and debris.

TIF latest February

I have found the above in my workroom and they reflect very closely the given colour scheme for February Take it Further Challenge set by Sharon Boggon. This month's concept is 'what are you old enough to remember?' So I brainstormed the concept and always came back to my childhood and its precious memories. Family holidays in Cornwall in the 1960s were the annual highlight of the year, when beach holidays meant taking everything but the kitchen sink with you. A small gas stove to brew tea was essential and salad lunches! The colour scheme is perfect for a beach scene so that's where I'm headed this month. It will be a postcard size again and probably applique in design, still working on that.

This is my ATC swop from Susan Lenz as part of the Cyber Fyber swop, it has just arrived in the post.
What isn't visible in the photo is the glint from the Angelina fibres throughout the piece.

This is the postcard, it is such a busy piece that has such deep colours. Susan has done a great job with this initiative. I am working on the swops to return to the States at present so Susan should be receiving them very soon.

Cyber Fyber

Visit this blog Cyber Fyber to find out about what Susan Lenz is up to. It is a blog created by fiber artist Susan Lenz for the upcoming international exhibition CYBER FYBER scheduled January 8 - 20, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. I have just successfully swopped an ATC and fabric postcard with Susan for the exhibition. I have a month to send her my swops. Sounds like a huge task but it has been well thought out and organised. She has some interesting invited guest exhibitors including Dale Rollerson from Oz, Maggie Grey, Sharon Boggon, and Lynda Monk, plus some names that are new to me but having looked at their websites inspiring choices.