Sensational Symposium - Onto the Classes

Welcome to neglected blog - life had been a whirlwind of bad weather, sick children, distractions and very little stitching..... But enough.... as promised more on Symposium

So after two days of being an angel it was time for me to get my sleeves rolled up and get going myself.

The first class I did was a one day class with Merrilyn George. I really had a hard time deciding what classes to enrol for at Symposium but I knew I really wanted to do a class with Merrilyn - it was just that I didn't think I could fit in her two day class on Patterns of Polynesia, which one of my friends did and loved. So the class I did with Merrilyn was 'Sacred Art in a Secular Country' which focused on the painting of icons. I wanted to learn Merrilyn's technique for transferring images from the computer to fabric. Then we painted the icons directly onto the fabric. The icon I choose is revered in Russia and Merrilyn told us that she is worshipped as part of the preparation on Friday for the sabbath. She is also regarded as a saint for all things womanly. I was instantly entranced with her, given Friday is the day I try to keep aside for coffee with close friends and then as many dedicated hours in my sewing room as I can squeeze in before the kids get home from school.

I decided that my icon needed to be enhanced with the womanly skill of embroidery to properly play homage to her status - and that's why mine (the icon on the right in the photo above) is still a work in progress..... She will be the patron saint of my sewing room - who could want more?

Next up was two days with Sandra Meech who was over from the UK to teach. I felt very lucky to be in her class - 'Inspired Sketch and Stitch Books'. We were flat out right from the moment we started painting papers and into our sketch books to create surfaces to work on.

We went through most of the exercises that Sandra has in her book, Creative Quilts. The exercises were based on materials that we had to bring to class that we were interested to develop up into textile pieces. It was great fun and gave me tons of ideas - you can see that the curves attracted me, as ever

It was great - and utterly exhausting, and now I just need to get back into that sewing room and get onto it before it all disappears from my grasp

With the best of intentions...

I've afraid the technology card has reared its ugly head again and kept me away from my good intentions - such is life... However I have managed to find some more luscious curves and appealing shots. These all caught my eye this morning, before the early morning Saturday netball game, while enjoying hot chocolate with son two. Wonderful curving ironwork,waiting to be sketched, stitched and enjoyed,
and this fabulous vase with dried hydrangeas - it was cold, the cafe windows were steamed up and the new hat had only just come off my head.
This afternoon I took the children to see Prince Caspian. We all enjoyed it, and I particularly enjoyed the costumes which featured lots of stitching, smoking and gathers done in luscious linen. There was also lots of great New Zealand scenery to be spotted by those in the know - thank you Andrew Adamson for again showcasing our country.

However, I was left with some nagging questions at the end of the film - why do we regard stories about the classic battles between good and evil, with the inevitable violence and mayhem, as a sure fire way to entertain our children?? What drove C.S.Lewis and Tolkien to focus so much on these themes for entertainment? Is it just an extension of the themes of fairy tales? It's great that good triumphs but there always seems to be so much carnage along the way. What messages does that instill? Or am I just taking this, and probably myself, all too seriously??

WIP - Day 2

Maybe it's too early to say - but at the moment the jury is out in my mind.... can't say I'm overly enjoying the stitching at the moment. I'd used steam-a-seam to stick layers together and its tough getting the needle through it. Then again maybe its just getting too late at night for this type of stitching. Time will tell...

These are much more soothing to my eyes at the moment - you'll recognise the next one from my masthead.

Linking texture to textiles

I was flicking through my photos and found some more texture shots I'd taken last year - these both came from LA and then I realised how nicely they linked to some textile pieces I'd done.

They are shapes that translate well into textile works and are fun to do.No doubt there will be more where these have come from in due course.

These slightly blurred images (sorry) are are Artist Trading Cards that I did using the shapes from the roots, which I ended up using as gift tags on presents last year. They were so fun and quick to do.

Fabulous Ironwork

I can't help it - my eye is just drawn to it. A combination of the line and, so often, the curves. Here are more favourites, from Melbourne...
and Napier - I nearly bought this, but couldn't work out how to carry it home without a car (my husband was so pleased!)
These were tempting too - another time I think...
And just to prove I can do something with textiles - here are completed curtains in son number two's room. I've also finished the curtain for son number one (you have to do things simultaneously when you have twins to avoid endless complaints and strife in the house) - so the only outstanding order now is from my daughter...

I am getting so sick of cutting denim!!! Probably time for a new cutting blade....

Those seductive curves

Once you start looking for them they are everywhere - in nature and the creations of others. I always enjoy finding curves while on my strolls around town, and especially when they are made from wrought iron. There is a grace about it I find appealing. They are quite tricky to cut with the same sort of grace using a rotary cutter - more practice is the only answer I think. What a prospect.

Hope you are enjoying the old embroidery - I think this piece may be destined to become a tea cosy some day - its what the shape suggests to me at the moment. Any other bright ideas? Let me know...