The title is misleading because there's a little bit of lace thrown in here too, sorry. The cloth piece from yesterday has been cut and layered with a little lace ready to be hand embroidered. Separately, lace, silk and paper have been layered and stitched together to create the other scraps you can see here. All of these pieces will be hand embroidered, enhanced and whilst that is happening (hopefully).....I will get ideas, be inspired for more work, more embroidery, more pages for ''artist books''.
The cloth here is a base of silk muslin with a silk mix laid on the top. When finished this surface will be used to create small stitched samples for my ''artist book'' collection. I have to say....the silk mix does not like the sewing machine or is it the sewing machine that doesn't like the silk mix. I wish I had a ''horrified face'' emoji to insert here. Actually, I just found one.
Suffice to say, my sewing machine isn't speaking to me.
I think it was worth it though. I definitely learnt something and I do have a half passable surface to enhance with hand embroidery.
It's only 3 weeks until the 12 month ''artist books'' adventure begins, hence the play with fabrics, surfaces and paper. I have copied all that information below for you. I'm off to make friends with my sewing machine.
This is not an ''art'' class as you may imagine, my books will be enhanced purely through the use of stitch.
In response to numerous requests and following on from the success of my last ''artist book'' online learning programme I have created a 12 month online learning experience to which you will have unlimited access during the ''live'' 12 month period and beyond. Yes, one sign up, unlimited access...forever.
During our 12 month ''live'' programme I intend to provide video demonstration on a monthly basis with text blog posts weekly. It is possible and likely however that video may be required outside of this timetable meaning video provision is expected to be over and above that originally planned. My classes grow as they progress, they develop as new ideas are formed, I learn from you too, your needs, your progress, that process of learning and interaction invariably affects any teaching plans I have at the outset, allowing me to develop and extend course content as we progress.
Join me whilst I endeavour to fulfil a long held ambition, the creation of a large collection of hand created artist books, journals and ledgers comprising pages of stitch and collage using cloth, embroidered scraps, beads, buttons, lace, pattern and paper. Your pages can be added to any book you wish, make your own ledger with fine paper, with hand made paper, with patterned paper or use a special sketchbook, maybe even a story book. These things will be discussed and considered during our programme of creativity.
***please note. I have only basic book making skills. This is not a book making class in terms of the creation of finely bound sketchbooks, journals or ledgers. My own books will be very basic and simple. I am happy for you to be more experimental and adventurous with your own books. I encourage the pushing of boundaries, the exploration of idea and thought.***
My role is to demonstrate the creation of collaged and textured sheets of paper, cloth and embroidery, to illustrate the creation of stitched scraps for pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling. This in turn will lead to the creation of unique ''artist books'', a library of ideas and inspiration and a valuable resource for the future in terms of design and the extension of embroidery sampling.
Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.
Images of my own ''Artist Books'' can be seen here. From viewing these images you will gain an appreciation of what can be achieved during this programme and beyond.
It's not pink gingham and it's not an artist book. It's a little bit of doodling on some vintage cloth followed by simple embroidery to enhance the doodles along with a few''kind of '' pom poms.
I hadn't realised how delicate the vintage cloth was until I began to embroider onto it. The threads on the back are very obvious, very visible on the front but I don't think they will be as noticeable once this piece is backed or lined. I might even embroider a reverse to go along with this as for now I have no plans for what it will be I'm just playing with an idea.
The second ''collection'' from class is coming together. Surface embroidery on a folded pocket is almost complete. There are still one or two hexagons to add and a small patch of cutwork to create and apply to the surface. Once those things are done I can begin to line this one before finishing it with a few folds and some titivating of the edges.
The button, singular....for this collection is also made. There's mileage in this and I have plans for more buttons inspired by this one with a few ''tweaks'' here and there. For a start.....I missed a trick with that unstitched area of silk fabric didn't I?
There will be a pin pillow too. That is pinned, that's all, just pinned. It's top of my list for serious thinking this weekend.
A large silk and gingham pin pillow, festooned with sequins, the first finished piece from the collection I showed youhere.
This one is a keeper. I know what you're thinking. How many pin pillows does that woman need. What can I say....it's something else to fondle and you can never have too many things to fondle. There is another, smaller one almost finished too and work has started on the drawstring pouch. The buttons were the second thing to be finished. I have used one of those to titivate the back of the pin pillow.
It's all coming together....I am excited about the drawstring pouch, about it being finished and being able to use it although the ''putting together'' stage is quite scary. (for me) so if you could all cross fingers and toes that would be appreciated.
Just before I go....my purchases from the quilt show.
Silk, Broderie Anglaise, sequins, needles, thread cards, pre cut hexagon templates, vintage lace and a little silk ribbon.
I was playing with my artist book yesterday afternoon, fiddling with a button to be more exact, trying to decide where I wanted to put it. I got there in the end. Once I'd started I decided to play with another page and had to control myself to stop this taking over the whole day.
You have seen the sample on the left side before. On the facing page is a little folded lace, draped lace.
Thanks for the suggestions yesterday for blog titles after I had posted this
Do you know how hard it is to think of a title for a blog post every day? No? Just me then? ''two more'' was the best I could come up with today. It could have been ''embroidered scraps'', ''more samples for artist books'' and on and on but we've been there, done that, got several t shirts. Anyway I just had to get that off my chest, the daily angst which is ''thinking up a title for the blog post''.
....you are so funny.
I've chosen one to share with you today (not in the title, I didn't want anyone to think I'd completely lost it) This one is appropriate every day.
''she looked in the mirror and said...you again?''
Do you know how hard it is to think of a title for a blog post every day? No? Just me then? ''two more'' was the best I could come up with today. It could have been ''embroidered scraps'', ''more samples for artist books'' and on and on but we've been there, done that, got several t shirts. Anyway I just had to get that off my chest, the daily angst which is ''thinking up a title for the blog post''.
More samples for artist books then......I'm hoping to have a better idea later today of how much more I need to fill the next one. In truth I could make and make, join little scraps with a little titivation here, a little titivation there for the rest of my days. I'm never in a rush with these.
Last week someone commented on Facebook about the amount of small things I make, samples, scraps etc. so I explained how because I teach a lot samples are essential to my classes but I do also make finished pieces. That comment though, that conversation got me thinking about my artist books and how I would respond if someone asked me why I make them.
To be honest I make them because I love them. That alone, as pieces purely to look at, to turn pages, to appreciate as a decorative object is reason enough for me. But......they also have value for inspiration for future embroidered pieces, for texture, pattern and stitch reference. That aspect is a bonus however. In no way is it their 'raison d'etre'.
A collection in progress. All the embroidered pieces needed to create a drawstring pouch, a large pin pillow, a small pin pillow and six buttons. There will be toggles too but I haven't started those yet. This is work from ''studies in stitch''. Since these images were taken I have finished one pin pillow, the large one, and all six buttons are made. The next step is to back, stuff and titivate the small pin pillow before embarking on the scary bit....putting the pouch together.
I have a plan for that and I have done it before but it's still daunting.
Now I am wishing I had counted the bullion loops and sequins in this work....I guess I can still do that. If I get round to it I will let you know.
This house is covered in pink gingham at the moment, threads, scraps and bigger, embroidered and titivated pieces. Silk too and sequins and bullion loops. Things are coming together in class and tomorrow I will share some images of that, share some images of my pink gingham and silk all damp stretched and wonderful.
Today though, ''artist books'', ledgers, sketchbooks, exploratory sampling, ideas for embroidery......I am trying to refresh, educate myself, regroup, be inspired, all for the next big adventure which is 12 months in which to build a collection of artist books for myself, for reference, for future embroidered works and also just for the sheer pleasure.
I visited the ''Festival of Quilts'' this week and bought some beautiful cloth, a ''silk mix'' which I am desperate to sample with and create another page. That will happen later today hopefully.
(I bought much more than that, later next week I will take photographs and show you)
If you want to join me on my 12 month ''artist book'' adventure you can read more here.
A few ''randoms'' today, recent images of work in progress, work completed and everyday creative stuff. The large piece of silk with gingham and embroidery is damp stretching. That is a ''master sheet'' of items from class. There's a drawstring pouch, two pin pillows and six buttons all embroidered waiting to be put together and have final titivation's added. (you can't see the buttons but trust me, they're there) and yes, you did read that correctly, two more pin pillows. There are four finished pin pillows in these images too. The top three are mine, the last one, the blue and white one doesn't live here any more.
