Small detail from a detail!!

I've been pondering for weeks about an idea for a quilt challenge that I want to take part in. I'm not sure if we are supposed to put them onto our blogs or websites until after the event, so for that reason I'm only showing a small part of it here. In fact, the whole quilt itself is inspired by a detail from a Moth's wing. I spent a few evenings looking at different images of British Moths, and sketching the shapes and details of the their intricate and fascinating markings. I also love the subtle colours, and managed to dig out some fabric that I had dyed in subtle shades of grey and blue grey. I haven't finished it yet either, but so far I'm feeling pleased with how it's coming along. I started it during my Independent Study Day with C2C on Friday, it is so much easier to lay out cloth and pattern pieces on a  large table, with plenty of space to be able to stand back and see the progress.

On a different note, I went along to Sandown on Saturday for the Quilt Championships, and spent a few very happy hours studying the different categories of quilts, and also browsing the vast selection of books and other goodies! As usual, I spent too much, but came home with some embroidery and machine threads, wadding, and two books. The Found Object in Textile Art by Cas Holmes, and connecting art to stitch by Sandra Meech. Both are absolutely full of inspirational ideas for textile artists, and I'm sure I will be using lots of the ideas from each of them. All I need now is MORE TIME!!!!

See you next time!

When in doubt, PLAY!!

 I've not been feeling very inspired lately, I'm really struggling with how to move forward, so decided to have a day of playing with my fabric paints instead!

I didn't want all the fuss of dyeing, I wasn't in the mood for all the effort involved in that, so just tore up a few small pieces of white cotton, and had some fun.

I spread the paint onto a flat plastic tray, and then made marks into it with a variety of objects. I used some of the cotton fabric dry, and some I dampened down. With the piece on the left here, I placed elastic bands down onto the paint first, and then pressed the fabric down on top. When it was dry, I used silk paint to fill in the white areas.

The photo above is one that I took last week by the River Mole near Leatherhead in Surrey. I'm rather pleased with this, and may try to feel inspired enough to make a small piece of textile art from it. If there were lilly pads on the water, it could almost pass as a Monet!