Time to Make

Magpie Studies. Various pens, continuous line

I've written several times before about the difficulty of finding time to make my own work; the ideas are there but having the time and 'head space' to be able to produce the work I want to is often difficult. Recently, however, I have had some time and space in which to work on my art in a more focused way and I can't explain how good it feels to be making art again. A lot of the work I'm making isn't great but that's part of the process, getting my skills back up again and exploring ideas. Being selected for the Open Up North exhibition was a real confidence boost and at the moment I feel motivated and inspired.

Transfer painting. Fabric paint on paper

I'm also trying to not over-think my work. I often manage to think myself out of things when perhaps it would be better to just go for it. It is important to me that the work I make is beautiful, I think this is what draws people in and I want to create something that people want to look at but it is also really important that the work has meaning and in the past this is where I have thought myself in and out of so many ideas that I've ended up not making anything. There are still lots of ideas I'm exploring in my work and the conceptual side of my work remains very important to me but I am trying to allow the viewer to be the one who decides what the ideas are (or maybe they will decided there aren't any.) In other words, I'm trying to get my ideas out without worrying about whether other people will 'get' what I'm trying to say because after all art is very personal and very subjective.

Magpie drawing. Gel pens on tracing paper, continuous line

Anyway, I thought I would share some of my recent sketches. They're all preparatory studies for a textile piece I'm working on at the moment and which I'm rather excited about. In light of the previous paragraph I'm not going to tell you the concepts behind the work but I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can leave me a comment below or contact me directly.

Lace study. Gel pen on black paper

Tea Plant study. Silver gel pen on paper

Now, back to the studio...

I love cutting and sticking

Collaged Bird

When I was at University my Mum explained to her friends young daughter that I went to a big school to learn about cutting and sticking, I've always rather liked this explanation of my profession and it is probably more accurate than I would like to admit. As last weekend was so lovely I decided it should be devoted to all things enjoyable so I worked on a couple of cutting and sticking projects. Collage is such a satisfying way of working and is so versatile, it can be used to create great artworks or to breathe new life into old containers and anyone can do it.

In progress

Hopping around 

Lace motifs form the wings

I made the bird quite a while ago now, it was going to be a part of an artwork but I changed my mind about what I was doing so he has sat on my shelf unfinished for ages. The body is made from newspaper wrapped in masking tape with wire legs and a card beak and tail.

Lace eyes

Painted legs

Adorning my bookshelf

To complete him I first covered him with a layer of white linen scraps (from an old tablecloth) and then a layer of lace scraps. I found some lace motifs to use for his wings and eyes and then painted his beak and legs white to finish him off. He seems to me to have his own character, I'm always surprised how something handmade can develop it's own character but things do and this bird is a cheeky and inquisitive kind of soul.

Fabric collaged flowerpot 

In progress

Detail

I picked up the terracotta flower pot (with plant) for 20p from the bargain shelf, the plant has been resuscitated and I have embellished the pot with a selection of pretty fabric scraps and some ribbon and it is now adorning my desk, along with my terrariums full of cacti and succulents. It matches nicely a pair of candle holders I made from old jars a couple of months ago. Again they are covered with fabric and ribbon and look very pretty lit up from within.

Fabric collaged jars (candle holders)

Detail

Viewed from above

Applique and Embroidery Workshop #3

Happy shiny stitching!

This morning was the third of my Applique and Embroidery workshops for Prism Arts No Borders programme. This time we were in the Library itself rather than the community room which was lovely and light and great for people watching!

The space before everyone arrived

Lovely piece picking out colours and making patterns

I had a great turn-out today including most of my textiles group from The Heathlands Project, there was lots of stitching and chatting which is as it should be. It was lovely to see everyone getting stuck in to the work and also having a good natter with people. There was some lovely work produced and I'm getting really excited about putting everything together to make the final installation.

Reverse applique with lace

Adding buttons

More shiny things!

A lovely lady who was in Carlisle for the day came and joined in the workshop. She used to work as an artist but had stopped due to a chronic condition, at the end of the session she said she felt inspired to have a go at some textiles work and make art again. It was one of those 'this is why I do it' moments for me; I was so pleased I could help someone by sharing my skills and passion for something I love. The lady said she had been feeling very negative and down recently but that taking part in the workshop had re-ignited her enthusiasm and made her feel much better. That, for me, shows just how powerful the arts are and how important they are on a personal level.

Beautiful detached buttonhole stitch piece

Applique with lace

Animal applique

No resolutions, just some crochet

Crochet Collar

Rather than bore everyone with a post about new beginnings, resolutions and so on I've decided my first post of 2013 shall bore you with pretty crochet instead. At least there are nice photos.

Back view

Front detail

Over the holidays I like to make more frivolous things, especially for myself. So, this holiday I've made myself a pretty crochet collar and a dress (potentially to be worn together.) Before Christmas I tend to spend a lot of time making stuff for other people which is great and I enjoy it but afterwards I like to be a little bit selfish!

Indigo dress

Dress sleeve detail

I really enjoyed making this collar. I got the pattern from Ravelry and it's simple and easy to follow and I'm really pleased with the results. I used a 4 ply cotton yarn in a plum purple colour and a 4mm hook. The dress was from a New Look pattern and was an interesting make as there were lots of darts and shaping bits involved. I used a denim type fabric in a dark indigo and as a consequence my hands looked like smurf hands afterwards!

Cool shadows

Pattern detail

More cool shadows

Crochet hearts

I've also been playing around with making some crochet hearts, ready for Valentines day maybe?

Happy New Year everyone!

Crowning Glory

My Crown!

At work on Friday I felt like making a crown, so I did. I used my tried and trusted method of crocheting strips of plastic bag and then melting them with the iron. I just used a simple border pattern and used lace to fasten it at the back. It's not quite such a random thing to do as it may first appear. For our summer project this year I want to do some headgear making workshops so I'm starting to get samples made to give people ideas. I will also be making hats, wigs, fascinators and whatever else I can think of!

Detail of plastic lace

On a head

Detail

On my head!

Lovely Lacey Birds

New Dress (needs a press)

I bought this dress in the sale last summer with the intention of customising it but it has sat in my to-do pile for a while. A couple of months ago I used a printing block I'd made to print some birds on it but because I used a dark green they didn't show up too well. Then last weekend I was looking at the lace bird cushion covers I'd made and thought that it would be a good idea to use the same technique on the dress. So I did. I used the printing block as my template to cut out the lace birds and I used fusible adhesive web to attach the lace to the dress. I then secured the birds with free machine embroidery and gave them buttons for eyes. I'm really pleased with this dress now, I got lots of comments when I wore it to work this week and I think it will become one of my favourites.

One bird

Halter-neck  purple jersey with lace birds

Another bird

Five birds

Top bird

Beautiful Buttons!

Lots of buttons

A little while ago I bought some little shaped cutters for fimo (polymer clay) and this week I have been using them to make pretty buttons. I believe that most things can be improved by adding buttons so it made sense to start making some of my own. I'm very pleased with the results and if you like them I've put some up for sale in my folksy shop. Some of them I pressed lace into to see whether I could get a nice texture and whilst they didn't come out quite as I expected I do rather like the result, I can see myself getting a little carried away with button making!

Stars

Lace Hearts

Lace Hearts, detail

Swirly Hearts

Swirly Stars