Saying hello for the last time in 2008

It's been a busy time with lots of feasting and bubbly and with all my children together - sounds like Old Mother Hubbard but I have only 3 daughters and lots of grandchildren - so it was great!

I feel a kind of impatience to get on with things now and abslutely itching to start painting again - had to put it all away so as we could use the dining room. And my mother (93) has decided to go into a care home, found a lovely place run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, and we're just waiting for the date. So all in all there's plenty to keep me occupied.

I wish you all a really blessed New Year.

Ciao, Evie xx

Creativity

Respect your creativity for thinking outside the box!

More Time

I've been in a sort of limbo since putting my Etsy shops on hold. I'm really amazed at how much time I'm saving and have put it to good use. Here's a fabric piece I made called 'A Wee Garden'.

I'm still trying to build my new art website - it's a tricky process. And I've been painting again, mostly acrylics with a bit of ink, chalk, and pencil. I have 5 canvases not quite finished but if I don't launch my new website, I've nowhere to show them.

It's absolutely freezing here and I only go out for necessities so I have heaps of time for art and enjoying it immensely. Some new books arrived yesterday from Amazon and I need to get their link up here too so I can share with you.

Decision Time

There's been another bank interest cut today in the UK and the pound sterling is now so weak that I decided to put all my items in both Etsy shops on hold. The UK Etsy shops are getting hammered as we are losing out on our item price and the postage too which HAS to be in US$ and it's no longer an up and down thing, it's just down. Just can't do this any more for the time being.

I am going to try and set up a shop here on my blog - that could be a long process as my skills are virtually non-existent.

On a brighter note, I've done most of my Christmas present shopping :-)

Square Lanterns

I've had a lot on my plate these last few days so to cheer myself up, I sewed a wallhanging with appliqued doll holding langterns. The hand embroidery was very soothing to do and I used some beautiful fabrics that I bought at a quilt fair. She's on Etsy. The background is a warm cream but the scanner didn't play ball!!

What a week!

I was in bed but still awake when I heard my iron gate open and the next thing was that someone was trying to open the kitchen door - well my heart was going like the clappers and when I looked out from behind the curtain, there was no-one there but the gate was wide open. And a bike had been moved but probably the thieves were disturbed and fled empty handed. The next morning I found out that someone had tried to steal my neighbour's car and police were called. Now it's getting close to Christmas I suppose the thieves are extra busy looking for stuff they can raise money on.

I was going to do a Christmas Fair last night but snow had been forecast and the venue was out of town so I didn't go. So now I have all this stuff ready....

Lastly I went to my daughter's firm's launch party and was greeted at the door by 2 hunks dressed only in an apron - honestly I've never seen such perfectly formed rear ends in my life - like peaches!!! We drank champers all night and as I hadn't eaten when I got home I was a bit tiddly. Next thing I found myself on the bathroom floor - I'd passed out - got the bruises now.

Ho ho ho - life goes on!!

Getting in the Christmassy Spirit

This year I felt compelled to make something Christmassy - and normally I never do that - I don't even send cards any more although I did send e-cards last year but everyone was too scared of viruses that they never opened them.

Well here are my first mini Christmas quilts and they're on Etsy  -  hohoho!!

Little Person

It's been ages since I posted here - I saw this mannequin and fell in love with it and fortunately they had another which they sold me. It's child size and I love the moveable wooden limbs with jointed fingers but missing the thumbs - but I don't mind, it's lovely. I have to give it (not sure if it's he or she) a name - I'd love to have your suggestions!!

Branching Out

 Would you like to expand your internet presence into something more lucrative? I defy you to say 'no' ;-). I have just downloaded MY PR CHEAT SHEET by Aisling D'Art which I found out about from her Yahoo group - AJ Marketing (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AJmarketing/?yguid=270876399).

I am on a mission - I've registered my new internet name, started a new blog (which won't be up and running for some time) and now am trying to build a webpage - may my guardian angel stay close LOL.

And, you know, I think all my clearing and decluttering has helped me in readiness for this new challenge [and which has given me a sore back bad enough to keep me at home instead of attending a family funeral].

 

 

Change of Heart

I'm just not able to put that cigar box in the bin and so it's got a new function, or will have by the end of tonight hehe!!

Decluttering

I don't know what's going on with me but I've been like a bat out of hell clearing out and definitely getting rid of stuff that at one time I thought was essential. I admit to being a hoarder of boxes (all empty) and I've had this passion since childhood when my mother just threw out a few at a time and I never missed them LOL. But I've made so much space and determined not to quickly fill it up. What a luxury!!

I started making a cigar box handbag at least 2 years ago but never finished it. It was just a trial anyway and it started to get on my nerves -- so OUT it goes!! I am just leaving my table to put it in the bin -- hurrah!!!

The Goths

Would you believe it - I stopped a couple on the street who had 'the look' but they said that theirs was a kind of not defined look, and they were so gently spoken and polite although I had assumed that they were brash, rough, and pugnacious! They were of course clothed entirely in black with huge platform soles and had a variety of piercings (maybe also some hidden lower down but I didn't ask LOL).

Well, finally I'm satisfied with these goth postcards and went with 'romantic' - I had to make 10. I've spent quite a bit of time till I felt they were OK. So when I get my swaps  I'll let you have a look. Here are mine:

It's so hard....

I'm making postcards for a new swap I'm taking part in and the subject is GOTHS - I absolutely love the goth/punk look but when I try to make art with it it's so difficult. I must have changed my mind a dozen times and my wastepaper bin is very greedy LOL. I'll post pictures when I'm pleased with the results. It's enough to drive me to chocolate (since when do I need an excuse hehe).

ATCs

I've made a couple of ATCs for a swap and they're ready for mailing. First time in ages and I really enjoyed it. I'm making them out of mount board now and they never warp and are nice and substantial. Here they are:

New Book

Today a much awaited book arrived Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher. Seemingly I'm a scanner i.e. 'fascinated by something new every week' "start so many things but don't finish all of them" 'should focus on one thing, but which one?' - so I can't wait to start it and will let you know how I get on.

Having a go!

I went to the Quilt Fair on Friday - I'm not a lover of perfect patchwork but the stalls are very enticing with fabrics etc. that you don't see in the shops. So I bought fat quarters, books, ric-rac and had a really good time.

Didn't do so well in the cafeteria - chose macaroni cheese and it was like eating thick wallpaper paste. So I took it back and got a jam donut instead (very healthy hah). Don't you hate it when they say 'well no-one else has complained'.....and I got a reluctant refund!!

Today I'm going to tidy up the garden and plant some bulbs and hope it doesn't rain.

It never rains but ...

... it pours! I got home on Friday completely washed out and just needing to relax - well OMG during dinner had to call an ambulance as my mother was in acute pain (she's 93) and had turned bright red and was doubled up. The paramedic arrived first on his motor bike (sexy leathers!) followed by the ambulance staff. To cut it short, it was a digestive block and eventually it passed with the help of Windeze tablets.

Today has got to be better!!

Creative Souls

View my page on Creative Souls

Teenagers???

I'm having a terrible week so far in my daughter's absence - having had 3 daughters of my own and thinking I can handle anything hah!¬!¬ My grandson (16) seems to think he's living in an hotel, makes the biggest mess everywhere he goes, there's a trail behind him of crumbs, dirty washing, remotes all over the place and the worst is the kitchen - I had to rush home yesterday where my mother (93) was frantic because the central heating had conked out, and when I got back HE had cooked (and it seems he was not alone) I nearly cried having left the flat spick and span (which isn't hard as it's brand new) and it was like a bomb site. OK, feeling better now I've got it off my chest!

Away for a few days

My daughter will be on a course all next week and I'm going to stay at her house to look after my grandchildren.

How do you manage to keep all your picture sites up-to-date?? I haven't even got my blog updated let alone anywhere else. So it's a big job but I'm going to try, at least that's the plan LOL.

I Love Your Blog Award

My dear friend Linda of Altered Visions gave me this award and I'm delighted she included my blog - she's such a wonderful artist and has hundreds of blog friends to choose from - thank you!!!

So mine is going to these fab blogs:

Janene Arts and Gardens

Judy Judy Scott Kinross

Carol Textile Tales

Kim  Something to Say

Elizabeth The Last Door...Down the Hall

 Kat Altered Kat

 Chrysti Art by Chrysti 

Serene Garden Quilt

I've been wrestling with a new art quilt this weekend. One thing I realize is that you need daylight when working with colour. I'd added some sheer fabric and it looked Ok but next day it was just horrible. Luckily because it was needlefelted I could just rip it off. And the rolled edge was anything but easy!! But, anyway, I've finished it thank heavens and it's on ETSY.  

Little Ida

I took part in a collaborative project which was published in Somerset Memories Aug/Sept '08 'With One Image'. The project shows how we all used the same image of a little girl, some are paper, some are fabric. I had made two so as to have one to keep, but now the published one is coming home and I decided to list the other one on Etsy and here is Little Ida:

Oops Forgot....

the link to Etsy for the tweed brooches

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5977599

Some new brooches

I'm in the middle of sewing some beautiful Scottish tweed into brooches - you know how you get inspiration just looking at fabrics, well that's what happened here. My sewing machine was making clickety-clack noises but I couldn't find the problem, so I changed the needle and it didn't help. Then I realized that the bobbin thread was a different thickness from the top - that was it - all's well that end well!!

Energy Low

I've just spent 2 days helping my daughter to move house and I'm so tired. When I got up this morning I couldn't straighten up. So it's been a slow relaxing day!! I did manage to make a brooch from some beautiful Scottish tweed though. Autumn is definitely in the air and the first leaves are falling - Summer forgot to visit us this year!! More tomorrow...

A few new things

I haven't posted for ages so it's time to rectify that. I've been needle felting and made a few brooches and unique necklaces which are on  Etsy,  here are the pictures:

I have also been having a bit of a tidy up. I've started a notebook "WHERE THINGS ARE" because I'm fed up with wasting time looking for things, and I've labelled everything - now I just have to ditto in my glory hole, aka studio hehe!

Birthday

I had a wonderful day on Friday. I started off by staying in my pyjamas till noon, feels deliciously naughty. Had a facial, put aubergine nail polish on and then I shared a bottle of bubbly with my mother. Had a snooze and then got ready for cocktails at a swish place called Tiger Lily. It was happy hour so we drank several - just checking them out, you know LOL. And tipped it all off with a lovely dinner. Taxi home - I was stuffed to the gills but oh so happy!!

At last here are my books

Finally I've got my photos ready for the Artists' Books I made. This first one is covered in bookbinder's cloth. The next one shows the binding and the book is housed in a holder (I like this one the most). Next is a fabric cover and paper pages.

This was the most complicated to make but hard to photograph - the concertina has pages and envelopes and is bound onto soft grey suede (I think this will be ideal as a quilter's book).

No.6 is a fabric book - love how this one turned out! And a couple of simple ones.

Hello

I still haven't posted pictures of my artists' books as they were entered in the weekly exhibition and I have to collect them (maybe tomorrow). Now I have all these new ways of making art all I need is 3 heads and 6 hands LOL.

In amongst my putting away supplies I've used over the past month, I thought it would be all tidy in no time and leave me free to start again. But it still looks like a guddle (mess) so I'll do what I always do, create on the usual 12 inches of space!!

Just when I needed them most..

.. my glasses broke on Monday morning when I was getting ready to go to my last week of summer school at Edinburgh College of Art. It wasn't just a simple leg breaking off - it was attached to a piece of lens. Thank goodness I have prescription sunglasses BUT I've had to wear them whilst the weather is grey and rainy so I look like a first class 'poser'. They'll be ready tomorrow.

The course is 'Intro to Artists' Books' and it's wonderful. I've made a variety of books and will post pictures on Saturday.

I must say that if I'd known that we'd be working with such minute pieces of wire, I mean you could probably fit 2 of them on a pin head!, I probably wouldn't have signed up. I don't have the eyesight and nimble fingers I once had, but I did learn a lot. The first couple of days were frustrating for me and I really wasted them trying to do the impossible. But all of a sudden I was off like a greyhound and enjoying it so much.

Here are the pieces I finished in time for the College exhibition yesterday. This is a found object, probably an inkwell top - I made the chain.

The second piece is something I picked up knowing that I'd use it when inspiration allowed - I wrapped it with pearls.

Assemblage in metals I've been wanting to make for ages - so here was the ideal opportunity. It's a mixture of tin, brass, and embellishments.

And the last piece hasn't come out very well in the picture. It's sheet copper which was punched with a brass frame - this required pickling and darkening to show the design, and various steps to finalize - patience is a virtue!!

All of these are wearable - can't wait LOL.

Great Course

I'm enjoying the metal and wire jewellery course this week. And would you believe there are 3 Japanese women on this course, when I asked if they were related, they tittered!!!

I was holding a piece of copper plate and I missed it with the hammer and got my finger instead - a lovely shade of purple and it's sore too. It's  interesting to see what everyone's making - there's even a tiara. I have a few things started, hope to have them finished by Friday and then I can post photos.

New Group on Yahoo

Gillian Allen, owner of the wonderful Art-e-Zine website, has started a Yahoo group dedicated to sellers as a place to advertise their work, and I'm very pleased that she asked me to be moderator. If you'd like to join go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtComms/ - hope to see you soon!

A Course Next Week

I'm starting a course on Metal and Wire Jewellery next week. For those who have no previous metalworking skills (that's me) a demo will show how wire can be manipulated and how by using basic jewellers' tools, structures can easily be created. I'm very much looking forward to it. Hope I make some things good enough to post pictures.

Last of my samples

I think that the samples I made at the Stitched Textiles course will lead me down some interesting paths. This first piece is the usual  mixture of stamping and Markal paintsticks. I thought I'd rip it into 2 but when I saw that the colours blue and yellow made a nice shade of green and linked it all together. I machined some of it but it's not easy to see in the picture. And finally I made some rosettes with velvet and a sheer fabric, and sewed on some beautiful wool that I found in a charity shop (measures 12x12").

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next two were little pieces I made with limited time on the last day.

And the "piece de risistance" is an image transfer which was quick and perfect (the first timen I've had such success)

A few more samples in textiles

This is a piece of cotton backed frosted material, I drew the design of roses using disperse dye and then some FME and French knots (measures 5x8.5").

This next sample is a design rubbed on with Markal paintsticks over a plastic grid then using Bondaweb I adhered a piece of sheer fabric and then silk tops. I finished it off by hand stitching a number of straight lines following the grid (measures 12x10").

I think the next piece is my favourite. Cotton printed with an Indian block and then various sheers wer stitched over it. Some of the design was stitched with FME and vintage laces were applied (measures 11x8").

Course Work in Stitched Textiles

I've finally got my pictures ready and will post them a few every day giving a little information on how I made them. I have so many supplies to put away that I'm wondering where it all came from to begin with LOL.

I transferred to cotton using a string pattern on a home made block then I added some chunky wool and handstitched black fabric stems (measures 10x11").

I dyed cheesecloth with some leftover dye and soaked it whilst still folded. Then I laid over some sheer fabric and stitched over the pattern adding knitting yarn, bits from a vintage cloth, and some 'blingy' shreds in silver (measures 13x10").

This piece is rubbed Markal paint stick over a plastic grid, then stitched zigzag over string and hand embroidery. I sewed some French knots here and there but I got just as good results making dots with a fabric crayon. (Measures 14x7").

That's it for today, will post some more tomorrow.

Doing a course ...

... full-time all week on Stitched Textiles at the college of art and only 10 in the class. I'm learning new techniques and it's such fun to do something totally new and some of them are 'out of the box'. I have lots of samples but can't post pictures till the end of this week when I'll bring them home. I've finally cracked image transfers onto fabric - and I swear I've used the same technique before and they were useless, but now BINGO.

Gustav Klimt

This year the European City of Culture is Liverpool, and as part of their celebrations they have an exhibition of Klimt's work. So I went down for a couple of days with my friend Annie and we had a wonderful time. I'd seen the more important of Klimt's paintings years ago in Vienna and I was moved to tears by the sheer beauty and brilliance of it. This time was great too and there were different pieces on show including his sketches and it was interesting to see how he went about the painting - a few of his unfinished paintings were on show and although they were sketched roughly, he seemed to work indepth on the faces first.

I needed a couple of days to recover though, not used to all that walking LOL.

Changes

I've not had time to post much lately - my mother who is 93 has been living with me for the past 18 months and is now feeling a bit fragile. She asked me to look for a residential care home as she realizes that perhaps the time has come to give up her independence. So we've found a lovely home not very far from where I live and the staff are wonderful, nice atmosphere, and the menus look great with lots of choices. I can see my mother getting the cook to learn Italian cuisine and get the garlic in. And as long as she has her red wine, she'll be fine LOL.

Not sure exactly when it'll all be in place because there's so much to see to, but quite soon I think.

Swap Box

I altered a little box for a swap and I had to put a little gift  in it. Well, so many ideas running around in my head and some false starts. I was going to make a brooch out of some sea china but that would have meant drilling a hole in it, and I wasn't in the mood to use the dremel. Then I got my polymer clay pieces out but they were all too big. So in the end I made a brooch with the embellisher.

Lovely Brooches

The postman brought me a lovely surprise - my brooches swaps arrived today and they are stunning. It'll be hard to choose to wear just one!! From left to right are: Nancy Hunt-Bartek, Lilla Le Vine, Erica Faith, no name, Amber Dawn - thank you ladies!

I've opened a new ...

... Etsy shop - Shabby Chic Shreds and have started my listings off with a few cuffs. I made some from lovely soft leathers, and some silk ones. This is just the beginning as I have more ideas to turn into the real deal LOL. If you'd like to see they're here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5977599.

The film I saw yesterday as part of the International Film Festival was about the elderly musicians and singers in Argentina and the most seductive tango dancers - I used to go to tango classes and really loved it and now I'm going to dig out the CDs and swan about the house!!

What's on today...

I'm going to the film festival screening of 3 Women, a warm ensemble of contemporary Iran. I'll let you know how it went.

I've been a bit quiet because I've been working on something new for me. I've opened a new shop on Etsy but as I haven't yet listed anything, I won't post the name.

I've also been seeing friends for lunch and quite honestly after a glass of wine I'm in merryland and everything just fades into 'magnana'.

Been feeling ..,.

a bit jaded the last few days. The street market on Saturday worked well and it was such a glorious day too. We all sold a variety of things and it was a great success. But I have to say that it really exhausted me and it's taken till today to be back to normal. And so to top it off, I tripped and fell on the pavement today so now have a swollen and painful knee. The shoes went straight into the bin when I got home and now that I remember, they caused me to fall once before (peep toes) arrgh!!

I've got a few WIPs but nothing finished yet. I've been embellishing but instead of random pieces, I made some landscapes for the first time and now have to finish them off with a bit of hand embroidery.

My new rubber stamps arrived today from Alternative Arts (Teesha Moore) and they are beautiful, sometimes the zettiology range can be very strange but this new range is wonderful.

Experimenting with fibres

I decided to make something I'd never done before so here is my landscape in fabric, fibres, and silk carrier rods. Because I used soya bean fibre at the top, when I ironed it to make it stick, it didn't. So I put some 'super mend' powder on and ironed again and it worked. Then added some knobbly and some thick silky threads and 'c'est fini'. I enjoyed this process!