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Wednesday 30 December 2009

Creative Threads







I had every intention of blogging more this week but every time I tried to upload photo's the children beat me to it for various reasons, mainly home work but also UTube and Facebook!



At this time of year it's difficult to be motivated when it's cold and dark, which is why I could quite happily hibernate.
Alternatively I just want to curl up with a good book or watch a feel good film.
Then I start feeling restless like I should be doing something like...cleaning, except I decide to go through my sketch books trying to find inspiration for a new project.
I had some sketches of a statue I did back in the summer and this became my starting point for my thread mask.
A face sculptured in thread, following the contours of the features like a map, the face becomes just a different type of landscape.
I also found time to do some work in my sketch book, just scribbling lots of small pictures, playing with different patterns and colours with oil pastels.
I'm hoping these will keep me busy with my threads well into the New Year!
P.S I have spent most of the afternoon watching feel good films and yes the house is a mess.




















Wednesday 23 December 2009

A Winters Day











Hi,

I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas, anyone who has ever had time to view my blog and of course for any comments, which are much appreciated.


We have managed to escape the worst of the snow here in the Midlands, just a light dusting, but it is still very cold and icy.


This morning we took our dog for a walk across the white frosted fields.



I found so much inspiration for my art work, this field with long grass frosted in wave shapes, the patterns in the headgrow and the pale colours in the sky.
Now I just need the time to sketch !







Saturday 19 December 2009

Embroidery Brooch


It's the count down to Christmas and I finished work on Friday.
I work part time at a secondary school as the art and design technician which is a very varied role to say the least.

The last few days I have been preparing patterns and organizing fabric for the textile students, they start making their designs after Christmas.

I am also advising art students who wish to incorporate a textile element to their work.
So in January it will be extremely busy, I'm even dreaming about how to make certain complicated designs!

I'm looking forward to spending a little time on my own work, exploring different ideas, and a few more blog posts.

Thursday 10 December 2009

Stitched Landscape


I have been working on my landscape and it's getting there.
I'm finding the layering of colours quite interesting now and I'm going to find it difficult to stop!
This has taken so much time and I wonder how you could ever be commercial working to this scale?
Last week I did my first demonstration and talk on my work for a lady I know through my art society.
She organises different workshops every few months in her wonderful art studio.
I found it very rewarding and everyone seemed to have a great time experimenting with fibers and stitch.
Perhaps this would be the right direction for me, still for now it's back to stitching.

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Festive Threads




As to not bore you with my large piece again, which as you know is still in progress, here in contrast is a very small tree.
A dainty little Christmas tree brooch on a rich, red woolen ground.

I also thought you may like to see this wooden bobbin stand which my Mum found for me last week.
It says on the bottom of it "Worsted Bobbin Flange ex Calder Valley Mills Nr Manchester ( circa 1913)".
It was supposed to be a Christmas present but my Mum couldn't wait!