And not forgetting Ely Cathedral...

My pictures ar e in the wrong order!!

Here's St Chappelle in Paris (that I mention further down the page in an earlier post!)

Sorry the last post was so long

...it rambled on a bit!! But I have to say I found it really useful as a way of getting my thoughts and ideas out. Looks like I will be using this blog as an online diary - even if no one else is interested or reading I will be!

I have to say a big THANK YOU to the ladies on the Textiles Challenges group as it was their encouragement that gave me the push I needed. Actually starting to work with fabrics and samples has got my ideas flowing again!!

Forgot to mention - this felted fabric is quite sturdy but malleable - would work well for a 3d structure or vessel. I've been looking at Janet Edmond's book 'The beginners guide to embroidered boxes' and that has given me more ideas - especially the book boxes at the back.

Medieval Madness

After some discussion on the online group 'Textile Challenges' about different ways of working I decided to dive in and start playing! I have filled a sketchbook with designs and scribblings on the theme 'Medieval' but had struggled to move forwards. Having gone through GCSE and A level art, along with City and Guilds I am indoctrined to believe that the design comes first. So without a working design I felt lost and unable to start sampling. After some encouragement to 'have fun' and 'break the rules' I have started making some backgrounds for my medieval designs.
Usually I work with bright colours and very simple stitch - this work is a complete change for me. Some bright jewel colours but lots of deep reds and purples with gold and black accents. In addition there is lots of layering and machine stitching. For that added glitz (that I love!) some samples have sweety foils...they'll be posted later!

So...onto the pictures....








I started with a black felt background and felted some wool and viscose slub fibres onto it using the embellisher (Pfaff). I then embellished a diamond grid design over this using purple funky fur wool (the type that has has long straggly fibres). I placed black chiffon over this and machine stitched over the diamond grid design using gold thread. I stitched alternate rows of diamonds - one is black and metallic red, the other is gold and metallic purple. I am now going to burn it back with a heat gun. I have added more stitch in some areas so that less chiffon burns back there (hopefully!!!!)




What you can't really see here is that the surface has become wonderfully dimensional - some diamonds are pushed back whereas others are raised. this has given me further ideas for exploiting this with quilting or stuffing. The design would also work very well with applique, sheers or cut back techniques. I am also looking at ways of breaking up the symmetricallity (is that a word?) of the design - cutting areas back could also work....layering same design but different colours over it? Or individual diamonds / different motifs could be laid over the top - separately or linked into another design - to give the idea of layers. I'm trying to represent the layers of rich ornamentation in gothic cathedrals such as Saint Chappelle in Paris (see below) but also the way that this contrasts with decay and the neutral greys of the stone.

Also found lovely example of this in a tiny section of Ely Cathedral...

Finished ATCS - ready to send

Here's all bar one of my ATCs finished and ready to send......

Loved doing these and i'm going to try the 1" square 'inchies' next as I think they have lots of potential - you can use them on cards, journals, bags etc etc

In keeping with my love of all things pink I got a new PINK Nokia mobile phone today - yummy!!!

My first ATC!!

Here's the first ATC that I have made - I can see why these are so popular - they're addictive! I have about 5 more to finish and I still have a copuple to swap so if anyone's interested......

Fabric for ATCs

Well I started working on Deb's ATC at last! I am making a bigger piece of fabric so I can cut a few more out of it. It is based on the same techniques I used for my masterclass exhibition board - reverse applique and slashing in my favourite acid greens and hot pink!

If anyone else would like to swap ATCs with me I should have at least 3 spare - just let me know.

Inspirational Postage Stamps

In addition to the lovely ATC Deb sent me a little card of one of her quilts and even the stamps on the envelope were inspirational.....

Giving me more ideas for stripes. These will be going in the new journal that I've started.

My First ATC Swap

Here's the first ever ATC I have received - and isn't it great!!!! I saw this on Deborah H's blog (http://akquilter1.blogspot.com/) and asked her if she'd like to swap. She agreed and here we are. Unfortunately I have been bad and haven't started mine yet...but with the Easter break coming up that is top of my to do list.