Serendipity with Felt and Paint!

This latest technique of mine came about by accident. I had 'bonda webbed' an inkjet print from one of my photos onto some felt, something I learned from a workshop with Maggie Grey. Unfortunately, I used too much water, and the image all but washed away. I decided to try and rescue it by adding paint, and it worked really well. I used a combination of acrylic and watercolour, and was very pleased with the results. However.........

........when I tried it again, straight onto some virgin white felt, the paint was difficult to get to 'stick' to the fluffy surface, and the colours were muddy. Why I wondered, was this second attempt such a failure? I had a bit of a think, and then decided that it must have something to do with the bondaweb and paper residue left behind from my first, successful attempt. I sorted out some chinese watercolour paper that I've had for years and never used, bonded it onto the felt, washed off the top layer, dried it and started again with the painting. Hey presto! it worked a treat, and here are the results. 

That's not quite the end of the story though. I have also discovered, and really like the 'relief' effect this technique gives. Once I've added all the free machine stitching, I give the whole thing a steam press from the back, which must slightly shrink the felt against the stitching, giving a really textured depth to the surface of the finished piece. 

It's so satisfying when something like this happens, and especially when it feels like a technique I will be more than happy to continue to use. The first two images are still life flowers from my imagination, and the Cormorant above is my journal quilt for March, inspired by a photo I took in Dorset a couple of years ago.

Couldn't resist adding the image above showing the reverse of the Cormorant. He doesn't look very happy does he? Oh well, maybe he doesn't like being photographed eh!!

Hopefully see you next time.

Altered Books, (but what are they for?)

A few more Gelli prints that I made today. Such fun, I just love doing them and so far all I've really used them for is to cover the pages of some very small, 9cm square, board books for children. You can see one below.

I print on photocopy paper, and then give the prints a coat of acrylic wax. This makes the paper a bit stronger, but reasonably easy to stick down onto these pages.

This one (above), was printed on a heavier 100% rag paper, but a bit more difficult to stick down.

This little book was my first, and I decided to add some pages of parchment paper in between the board pages. I felt that the book needed to be used in some way, otherwise what are they for?

It was a bit fiddly adding the extra pages, so I didn't do it for the next two.

Now, although I really enjoy making these little altered books, I do have a problem with trying to decide what they are for! I'm a rather practical sort of person, and everything needs to have a use in my eyes. I was recently told that they should be looked upon as pieces of art in themselves, and I really like that idea, but somehow, I still can't get the thought out of my head that a book is for reading, or for telling a story, or for giving information. I'm working on it though!

Finally, I have also been making paper beads. Quite easy, and lots of fun, and they are great to use for other arty projects.

Fingers crossed the beads remain stuck on!!

Thanks for joining me yet again.

Airy Skies and Valentine's Hearts

February's journal quilt, 'Soaring Seagulls'. I had started a larger piece for a challenge with Contemporary Quilt this year, but my sewing machine decided that free machine stitching through layers of tissue paper, cheesecloth and paint, adhered with matt medium to voile before being layered with a cotton background, was just a step too far! I had already managed to persevere and stitch an area that was large enough for this piece above, and maybe another small textile, but my poor machine was going to suffer, maybe to my detriment, so I decided to give up on it. Anyway, that is how February's jq came about, Below is the cloth, partly prepared and ready for the stitching, Oh well, we live and learn!

 Still keen on my original idea, I've prepared another piece of cloth, ready for those soaring seagulls. This time, just watered down acrylic paint on white cotton, I have masked out the gulls, and Have layered with the more traditional wadding and cotton backing, and have started to quilt the background. Still a long way to go, and I probably won't be showing any more pics now until it's finished. The theme is 'Elements', so hence the huge expanse of airy sky!

Valentine's Day approaching fast, so I have made some cards and a few small framed pieces for our local Corner Gallery. or look on their facebook page The Corner Gallery & Gifts

This one has a small ceramic heart that I have made and painted, and stuck down onto an embellished paper heart before stitching onto the machine embroidered background.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you're having a good weekend, wherever you may be.

Swans, snow and Spring!

This year, our (Contemporary Quilters' Guild of The British Isles) journal quilts are 12" x 6" and we have to decide whether we are going to make them portrait or landscape, Our decision needs to be followed through for the year. As you can see from above, mine are going to be portrait.

I'm considering continuing my bird theme for the whole set of twelve, and for January, decided to choose the swan as my first choice of the year. I have used rag paper coloured with acrylic paint by printing onto the surface from my gelli plate. I have then embossed for texture, adding highlights of gold paint onto the raised areas. The swan is reversed appliqué using lace, and I have quilted the swan and the rag paper with free machine stitch. 

We had our first snow of the year here in Surrey today, always lovely for the first few hours, but once the novelty wears off, I find my thoughts are turning towards Spring and a longing for warmer days.

Hurry spring, hurry!

A good spot for a tea/coffee break!

Tafa is 5 years old this week, goodness where have those years gone I wonder! Anyway, I became a member soon after, and I am just one of over 500 members from 44 different countries worldwide. I think this is one of the things I love about this organisation, just to be able to browse through all the links and to see what other textile artists and makers are producing from so many diverse backgrounds and cultures.

It is definitely well worth a good long look, but as my post heading says, you'll need to make yourself a large cup/mug of your favourite beverage before you settle down, and depending on the time of day or evening, maybe even a glass of something a little bit stronger! The Tafa link is here, and I have also provided a few links to some of my favourites here  here  here  here and here, but to be honest, there are so many to choose from, just pop over to Tafa and explore for yourself. ENJOY!

There and Back...(to see how far it is!!!)

I made this wall hanging of the solar system for our grandson for Christmas. He's three and a half, but loves to look at the night sky, the moon and the stars. This is something that he can enjoy now, and continue to do so as he gets older.

My second piece inspired by Hundertwasser above, I'm not so sure about this one, so may make changes at a later date.

I have also made another triptych similar to the first one I posted about before Christmas. This one was a belated Christmas gift for a friend.  I have shown the photo above of the three sections before they were stitched together, as they are easier to see, and below you can see them after they were hand stitched and ready to stand.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I get up to most days!

Done!

Done! I decided that this didn't need a crow after all, it stands alone as a mandala type piece, so I finished it off today, and I'm now planning my next piece. I've included a few close-up shots below, and you can probably see that it's really quite rough, the edges of the fabric are fraying, but it is the look I wanted.

I spent the rest of today making a few more stamps, and also had a go at cutting a lino type print of my robin. I think I need to buy some better cutting tools, but I did enjoy doing it, and tested out my stamps a few times as you can see from the photos below.

Finally, I made some experimental stamps from the clay that needs a 15 minute bake in a low oven. It is very lightweight, and easy to roll out and takes a good impression from whatever is pressed into the surface. I also thought I'd have a go at making some jewellery to see what it turns out like. It can be painted and varnished, so it will be interesting to see how they turn out.

Here's wishing you all a peaceful and creative week.

Still Playing!

The three above are the way it's going, but maybe without my friend Mr. Crow....(or is it Mrs.?)

The four below were the results of my playing this morning, but were soon abandoned!

Big sigh!! but I'm determined to get there in the end, so thanks for following me on this one!