Day 2.. Free Machining on Soluble Film

25th July 2017

Another great day with Angie Hughes, but first photos from the resist work that I forgot to photograph yesterday!

I really love the overprinting and effects of masking, both positive/negative, will definitely use this technique again.

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Working on soluble film today, actually using quite a thick film over organza...

....it was difficult to see the markings on the film and follow the lines because the machine plate was visible, so made a small hole in a piece of paper which was placed under the foot and taped in place, this made the free machining so much easier to do.

Traced leaf shapes with a biro onto the film/organza, and stitched around using a variety of threads. I didn't have to worry about making all the stitches overlap as the organza made a fabric base....

...cut out, soaked in water to remove the film and placed on kitchen paper to dry, another really useful technique. Might make autumn leaves using various shades of background organza.

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This is a print from my machine stitched tree printed onto the therma pad, over printed with metallic copper acrylic leaf stencil....

....this was covered in a layer of green organza, then gold....

....leaf shapes then stitched around using metallic green thread...

.....more work on this piece tomorrow....

....watch this space!

LOVING THIS COURSE!!

First Day at Oxford Summer School.....

24th July 2017

A brilliant first day with Angie Hughes....

.....started with a demonstration, coffee then printing....

....a thermo block was heated with an iron over baking parchment then it was pressed very firmly over a leaf (vein side up).....

...acrylic paint was dabbed on using a sponge....

....prints were made on calico...

....this was then overprinted with metallic gold...

....a different leaf....

...looks like a tree when printed....

....I am using these as samples for my sketchbook so  trying different methods on my sample...

.....a piece of Bondaweb cut to the block size was ironed on....

....foil was ironed onto the Bondaweb after the backing was removed, peeled off when cool...

...not too sure about the results!

A freezer paper resist was placed over another print...

SO SORRY I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PHOTOGRAPH THE RESULTS!!!

Will try to remember tomorrow.

Next came the method for free machining a tree shape, calico was placed in a hoop then a circle was cut out of the fabric, using straight stitch a fan shape was stitched across the hole....

...I used variegated thread, the stitch was changed to zig-zag and the threads were joined at the base for the tree trunk then threads were joined with the zig-zag stitch to make the branches. I really want need to practice this skill...

...the tree is cut away from the calico...

....and made into a printing block...

......for a background.

This will have a stencilled leaf design, machine/hand stitching to create more colour and texture.

I already have a cushion design in mind to make after the course.

So looking forward to tomorrow.....

Knitting and Crochet

23rd July 2017

Sorry for my lack creative posts but my life has changed and I don't have access to a craft area or my machine at the moment!

I have, however, been quite busy spending precious time with my granddaughter who is now one!
She is such a joy to be around and is always busy, I always sleep well after spending a day with her!!

I have also been quite active on Pinterest, so many brilliant ideas and talented people 'out there'.

When I started yarn bombing in the park I began to crochet as it was easier and much quicker to make strips. The last few weeks I have been learning how to crochet flowers using my oddments of yarn.....

.....I particularly like Sophie Digard's creations and would love to make a throw with fine wool in one of her designs! 

Not sure what these flowers will be used for yet but I enjoyed learning how to make them and am beginning to understand a simple crochet pattern. Progress.

Also been knitting for Alba, often adding my own twist on a basic pattern...

.....knitted in cotton/bamboo yarn with a moss stitch 'rib' and crochet neck band. So easy to slip on when the weather turns cool.

Today I am off to Oxford Summer School for the week with a friend on a course run by Angie Hughes, so hope to learn lots of new techniques with fabrics and heat!!

Watch this space as I record my playing......

An Afternoon at Kew Gardens

12th June 2017

Sorry for my long absence......

I have been very busy knitting items for my granddaughter and spending time with her, such a treat as she always makes me laugh! I have made another baby blanket for a friend's first grandchild.

This afternoon I went to Kew, one of my favourite places, spent a couple of hours walking and enjoying nature, the colours and shapes are so inspiring....

....so many aliums, this seed head was the size of a beach ball...

...unfortunately the windy weather had damaged some...

....this was the size of a football!!

Think you can guess these are one of my favourite flowers and seed heads.

Gardeners planting the formal beds...

....beautiful colours....

...the Hive and wildflower garden to feed the bees...

.....wonderful beds where the bees were very busy...

...well worth a visit!