Not C&G1

Back in September a group of like minded EG members started to meet once a month to share ideas and have a play.Different people offer to lead the workshops,we have done a variety of things from silk papermaking to shaving foam dyeing! I am leading this month with scrap embroidery.Not liking to throw away scraps I bond them to a fabric base then add embellishments and embroidery.The picture shows an A4  piece I have been working on for next week's meeting.I don't know what it will become-maybe a book wrap or a purse or just .......

Third prize.

First I'd like to congratulate Anne and Helen on winning First and Second prizes .I am very surprised and pleased to have won third prize,I really enjoyed the challenge .Thanks to those who have left comments ,they are much appreciated .Thanks also to Sian for the challenge and Ario for the prize.

Backgrounds.

I have had a play around with different methods to create some backgrounds for the next chapter.First a photo of some hand dyed threadsand a few pieces of fabric.I dyed some lace too as I thought I might bond it to some fabric for a background.

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This selection includes rubbings with Markal paintsticks,monoprinting on my new Gelli plate and printing from a thermofax screen.













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                   I have used some calico,organza,scrim,glazed cotton.

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 There are also one or two pieces of painted bondaweb ironed to fabric.I used some procion dye thickened with Manutex and some metallic acrylic paint.



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I have wanted to add comments to other people's blogs but lately seem to be having problems,has anyone else?

Some chapter 3.

threads

I made a start on these a few days ago and was meaning to do more before listing but I got sidetracked by some family tree research!

I sorted out the relevant threads in my stash.






reference books

 I found some books I can use .












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 First sample uses free machine embroidery with straight stitch and a variegated machine embroidery thread.











Second sample uses a similar thread but whip stitch.


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Third sample uses thread as above but with a zigzag stitch.All three samples are on calico and each area is about 3cms square.




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 Sample four uses cable stitch .I used some perle,linen,soft silk and rayon tubular ribbon in the bobbin and machine embroidery thread in the top.In five I set the machine to automatic stitches but still with feed dogs lowered  and gently guided the embroidery ring.I added more to sample 5 using blue variegated thread but this time with feed dogs engaged.



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                                                                                                                                In sample six I used a thicker thread in the bobbin and loosened the top tension.This sample includes automatic and utility stitches,some worked with a twin needle.I think I've explored quite thoroughly and am now ready to move onto Chapter Four.



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 I have sorted out the threads that I can dye, see picture7.I have also sorted some fabrics ,picture 8,I have previously coloured that will fit into this module.I will add others ,as well as using various techniques to add texture and pattern to the surfaces of some of these.



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More chapter two.



papers

 First the selection of papers I created to use in this chapter.











Once again I have included the photo for reference ,so it can be seen how the designs have been developed.

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I enjoyed this activity as it made me think how I could play around  and attempt to re-interpret the shapes and patterns while remaining true to the quality of water.






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Now I 'll need to clear up so I can move on to free machine embroidery in the next chapter.First I 'll sort out the threads I have I can use.I don't think I 'll need to buy any as I have lots of watery colours.







Chapter Two.

I produced some papers last weekend rubbing with candles and pastels over my home -made string and card blocks,I also used some card stencils and brushed over with Brusho.I used cartridge and tracing papers and some acetate sheets. I used some acrylic paint to drag and print across the surface of the acetate .I forgot to take some photos of these papers but have some left ,so will try to do that before they are all used.

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Alongside my interpretation is the photo of water I used for inspiration.All photos are mine, taken in various places some in the UK and some in Europe.The top is torn papers and the bottom cut.All samples are about six inches square.













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        Both of these are cut papers.



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Again these use cut papers.

 

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One on left was cut and on right it was torn.



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These next are taking the images used above and beginning to play around with cutting and rearranging them.I've kept the photo in for reference.I have added in new papers and in some cases a mixture of torn and cut.Each has been modified twice .



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I'm not sure if these are radically different from one to the next but I've tried to keep to the feel of the texture and pattern of the water.





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 I have five more to play with 

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as you see here but I do have lots more photos of water so shouldn't be stuck!

Sketchbook competition entry.

I really enjoyed this challenge,choosing to look into a box of kitchen utensils.This was a very quick pen drawing to establish the shapes.

Some pen details of light and shade.

Continuous line drawings of individual utensils.

Some areas isolated with a viewfinder and drawn in pencil.Alongside some cutouts in black paper to form a border.

A double page,opener drawn large with graphite on one page,then rest of page cut away to reveal rubbings and outlines on page below.

A page of magazine collage of different utensils.

A page of rubbings and cutouts overlaid and overlapped.

Using the embellisher and sewing machine to draw.

Rubbings on different papers of utensils made from wire.

The beginnings of a pattern idea from tracing ,repeating and flipping part of the isolated drawing.













I have other drawings and experiments though am limited here  to the maximum of ten.I think that there is scope for more experiment and exploration.I have already used this last to play with pattern on the computer and may well to go on to use it on fabric.Thank you Sian!