tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84558820372938799432024-03-13T09:13:12.484-07:00Calico & CreamNaida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-51032327633900313632015-03-22T09:42:00.000-07:002015-03-22T09:42:05.532-07:00A new seedling!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sukkn8iQde_t6q_3_SFB_EBduzaLZ3bf7bCspFIh3YeGfTZRIlREc5WxsSZkNq9w-4U5bJiespI4ViopnX9jYiMZlcGgUZ5u46n1dmRZJKAL0x5qgLv077tAfCsfm9Yb9QTQr3s8avE/s1600/Crocus+Cream+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Sukkn8iQde_t6q_3_SFB_EBduzaLZ3bf7bCspFIh3YeGfTZRIlREc5WxsSZkNq9w-4U5bJiespI4ViopnX9jYiMZlcGgUZ5u46n1dmRZJKAL0x5qgLv077tAfCsfm9Yb9QTQr3s8avE/s1600/Crocus+Cream+crop.jpg" height="361" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a stunner</td></tr>
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-89547380115342000702015-03-12T10:14:00.000-07:002015-03-12T10:29:40.173-07:00Stitch samples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmuLScX98qG_zV-PMFzDLnsV93zQADkeRuapBSGAkWbLZrwhxdRbINIx86695CADDSYg_ojKY3vG7NxYQREPcO0qWGuSIfT7xm9Rfk5xiQrSqaqNzrCTLYjbb3lAHFQyQhGneRs-VFB0/s1600/Couching+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmuLScX98qG_zV-PMFzDLnsV93zQADkeRuapBSGAkWbLZrwhxdRbINIx86695CADDSYg_ojKY3vG7NxYQREPcO0qWGuSIfT7xm9Rfk5xiQrSqaqNzrCTLYjbb3lAHFQyQhGneRs-VFB0/s1600/Couching+crop.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></div>
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Continuing on the theme of line, but relaxing the rules slightly to include 'flat stuff' I've been playing with couching. I very rarely work with black fabric, but the colours on this piece needed it.<br />
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As I stitched I became aware that I was taking inspiration from my old life as a plant biochemist. A world I left many years ago. Looking back through my archived pieces I was struck by how often my subconscious 'design- guru' takes ideas from that part of my experience.<br />
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The couched sample could quite easily be an abstract representation of membrane structures inside plant cells. The painted lines that I initially roller-printed on to the fabric probably enhances that idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt8YDyF3uotXOvlUj3Q4vIJNNy2lal0QxtGI-JYTT6xuBXCHHZJ81X-acclELSt0XUHJQXhLr03gcBoJkIB5WWR_WhZt4hNoskbK4euQifENa86U29hYjMBki8a2__7e5kl6YsEZIdpE/s1600/Canvas+&+Beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt8YDyF3uotXOvlUj3Q4vIJNNy2lal0QxtGI-JYTT6xuBXCHHZJ81X-acclELSt0XUHJQXhLr03gcBoJkIB5WWR_WhZt4hNoskbK4euQifENa86U29hYjMBki8a2__7e5kl6YsEZIdpE/s1600/Canvas+&+Beads.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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A piece I did some time ago, using string, a lot of gold paint and some beads, has the same inspiration, although I'm not sure I realised it at the time.<br />
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My tutor's parting advice when I finished my West Dean course was to make work in sets, or series, so I'm going to tackle a set of small embroideries. Microscope-slide sized pieces on a theme of cell membranes. Quantum Biology is the in thing at the moment - perhaps a little textile art is what it needs!<br />
<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-81903810387559106542015-02-27T07:57:00.000-08:002015-03-12T10:24:15.798-07:00Daily Practice UpdateDay 10 in my self-imposed 3D line challenge and it's going well so I thought I'd share a few with you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2tEsmeHbcTKS1xK7xWc_Z86HeqO5nYQ2l539QRm0M3woAh3FLDzJjKcxkRtmlK11Qq7vntuGmAPZvVN6PBfAKlfA9gKbuGeW3MBiUopVpHzSDeqEpboLsFMamcAFnxPjh_MpJ5oBvSU/s1600/Line+Workshop+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2tEsmeHbcTKS1xK7xWc_Z86HeqO5nYQ2l539QRm0M3woAh3FLDzJjKcxkRtmlK11Qq7vntuGmAPZvVN6PBfAKlfA9gKbuGeW3MBiUopVpHzSDeqEpboLsFMamcAFnxPjh_MpJ5oBvSU/s1600/Line+Workshop+g.jpg" height="320" width="87" /></a></div>
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This could be my favourite so far, buttonhole stitch on florists wire, coiled round a knitting needle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE_gB4mSm2-7JS8chs4KhTWgab-aRL8y4oXZNToIR43zO_4XuR97O67OblnLng_kzULmZKurrjKCMSE67u99_V5V0bvPK_3ub4Pnx6iyQ53lwJEwlz07ZQKyWh8A4uQiPRnDFXxyDf7M/s1600/Line+Workshop+h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE_gB4mSm2-7JS8chs4KhTWgab-aRL8y4oXZNToIR43zO_4XuR97O67OblnLng_kzULmZKurrjKCMSE67u99_V5V0bvPK_3ub4Pnx6iyQ53lwJEwlz07ZQKyWh8A4uQiPRnDFXxyDf7M/s1600/Line+Workshop+h.jpg" height="320" width="124" /></a></div>
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Developing the knitted idea from last week, this time over art straws.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY4jrDzMwcQ-VnK7UTUbyCczwbNWqycQvb_d_S9Pirgn02FxJkn9gj746fdjg5wFlkm_ZXATY-oaTOMUKaQ6GE53UJFeNGIubJE4bAJbO2ySh0xKROrB6OCVUaEWMrmN14PLUoWjWftA/s1600/Line+workshop+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY4jrDzMwcQ-VnK7UTUbyCczwbNWqycQvb_d_S9Pirgn02FxJkn9gj746fdjg5wFlkm_ZXATY-oaTOMUKaQ6GE53UJFeNGIubJE4bAJbO2ySh0xKROrB6OCVUaEWMrmN14PLUoWjWftA/s1600/Line+workshop+c.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></div>
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Kebab sticks wrapped in a variety of perle and gold threads.<br />
Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-52391481275221337552015-02-23T12:31:00.000-08:002015-02-23T12:44:04.942-08:00New BulbsTwo new bulbs have taken pride of place among all the early Narcissi in my alpine house this month. <br />
One is a snowdrop that looks as if its petals have been quilted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0BZB-QkT4m7SMh9p1WmS06nLbsoBIQb63gg85GnsdJJG2k_rZRLQVS4EDrvb87R7jqqvP2InDkiBxiMaTLq-HryDxbV1Tn-JmvpOEdF52vtR5Gzj1AKiDzu8X1sQ99Ebv5k0JkXjmf8/s1600/Gal+Diggory+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0BZB-QkT4m7SMh9p1WmS06nLbsoBIQb63gg85GnsdJJG2k_rZRLQVS4EDrvb87R7jqqvP2InDkiBxiMaTLq-HryDxbV1Tn-JmvpOEdF52vtR5Gzj1AKiDzu8X1sQ99Ebv5k0JkXjmf8/s1600/Gal+Diggory+sm.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galanthus 'Diggory'</td></tr>
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and the other is a spring flowering Colchicum, which is quite unusual!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDdtlxoQXOeKRijUAsWCcCSoHbAOkrpzBBlMVuwhmn2-LnR7uA2CtW42t7vBdN94sVQsSMj6SjMBV7YECZMWFYCl9AVIiSrKbOQNkhhFiIkHXVHt4QzEFDkHZcAHhUEhvmvg02oxzkVo/s1600/Colchicum+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDdtlxoQXOeKRijUAsWCcCSoHbAOkrpzBBlMVuwhmn2-LnR7uA2CtW42t7vBdN94sVQsSMj6SjMBV7YECZMWFYCl9AVIiSrKbOQNkhhFiIkHXVHt4QzEFDkHZcAHhUEhvmvg02oxzkVo/s1600/Colchicum+sm.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colchicum hungaricum</td></tr>
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I can't decide which is the most stunning.<br />
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Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-82841008924551253482015-02-20T09:23:00.000-08:002015-02-20T09:23:37.048-08:00Daily Practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Something of a cross-roads has been reached. I've completed all the courses needed for my Visual Arts Diploma and I've come to the end of all the modules I want to do with the Open University.<br />
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Where now?<br />
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'Finding your own style' seems to be the recommended next step. However one of the points in my tutor's report was that she found my work "refreshingly original", so maybe I'm part way along the style-finding route already.<br />
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Having been nominated for the Art Challenge on Twitter, I found I quite liked the discipline of having to post some work everyday, so I'm going to try a sort of 'daily practice' idea. <br />
Around this time last year I was working on a theme of 3D lines which I very much enjoyed so I'm resurrecting and extending that.<br />
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Today is Day 3, and these are what I've done so far. We'll see how long I manage to keep it up!<br />
Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-17786114174192581042014-12-23T05:07:00.000-08:002014-12-23T06:57:31.459-08:00Re-boot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BdRSms01pr6epgXDLLEfOYzbwqgUEjqcdqSFrM4bRHl6alDcl0PFRhNcn5tDS7JiIvjbwCcy49e9-xzN5aJN2rYLow_5QjbL50G9oTGkQU7e5R_r_OHqTaXo-SlXIfBMqkTwiMTB0kI/s1600/Silk+skin+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BdRSms01pr6epgXDLLEfOYzbwqgUEjqcdqSFrM4bRHl6alDcl0PFRhNcn5tDS7JiIvjbwCcy49e9-xzN5aJN2rYLow_5QjbL50G9oTGkQU7e5R_r_OHqTaXo-SlXIfBMqkTwiMTB0kI/s1600/Silk+skin+sm.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silk Sculpture </td></tr>
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I need to start blogging again!<br />
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I could bore you with a detailed account of how my work has changed over the past months or I could just jump in with a couple of images which show more-or-less where I am now.<br />
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I chose the easiest option.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KntyrRlfxA_fsnCeiq4Z56u94yHIGqfi8030V3tOXWG3_Inqxk8rLPaUqqAutM7SuPzisxsENgGu8gMj3osB4umgFXzopIwx88bFzQS30YD7SdnWSmfaupL7xtlhSewF-x39GZ1_h9s/s1600/James+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KntyrRlfxA_fsnCeiq4Z56u94yHIGqfi8030V3tOXWG3_Inqxk8rLPaUqqAutM7SuPzisxsENgGu8gMj3osB4umgFXzopIwx88bFzQS30YD7SdnWSmfaupL7xtlhSewF-x39GZ1_h9s/s1600/James+1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape</td></tr>
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Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-1121001014575324682014-03-23T11:25:00.000-07:002014-03-23T11:50:19.205-07:00Mixed Media CollageI'm about six months into my visual arts diploma and so far it's been an eclectic mix. My latest short course went under the heading of mixed media collage A nicely vague title which could cover almost anything! What it actually turned out to be was a few days of glorious fun printing, painting, cutting and sticking in a sun filled orangery at the centre of a crocus strewn lawn. You see how I suffer for my art!!<br />
We started with printing inks, rollers and self-made stencils, layering up interesting backgrounds on tissue paper. The acid-free, conservation grade stuff is surprisingly strong. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJJK1WgH9g1UuyTIU54RNIIlB1sevS6DAgf3hWPVqUw1ge_RPIynBgcJEL0oF6pF8WBbmFFV_pvLnTBb9vYFZYyoYrAEUlldFJJ1sHRKhSnsR33M1A4V06Tnihi-wrP_0yj5cu0bUG2s/s1600/Tissue+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJJK1WgH9g1UuyTIU54RNIIlB1sevS6DAgf3hWPVqUw1ge_RPIynBgcJEL0oF6pF8WBbmFFV_pvLnTBb9vYFZYyoYrAEUlldFJJ1sHRKhSnsR33M1A4V06Tnihi-wrP_0yj5cu0bUG2s/s1600/Tissue+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favourite colour palette.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL3EffM5l5_ImkLADDf-5Id1PnTnA9DjtJ0AcKsp_4vSke_Q1r5CML01v74YdQo5PCqOAdrYDCWaz191ZI2am3bHHAycc673AEJjq4YzuwWnMWZ4rXw_JqReh_bfz0ShdTsffUQsui44/s1600/Tissue+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL3EffM5l5_ImkLADDf-5Id1PnTnA9DjtJ0AcKsp_4vSke_Q1r5CML01v74YdQo5PCqOAdrYDCWaz191ZI2am3bHHAycc673AEJjq4YzuwWnMWZ4rXw_JqReh_bfz0ShdTsffUQsui44/s1600/Tissue+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is actually more green in this than the picture shows.</td></tr>
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Next we had a go at making printing blocks, my lino cutting has not improved since school days but I had more success with the 'cut shapes out of stuff and stick them on cardboard' type of block. In fact I made quite a few of those for future work. We used the blocks for adding yet more layers of print to our tissue backgrounds.<br />
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With the left over ink in our roller trays we were shown how to do monoprints. This was entirely new to me and I got slightly hooked on the technique. It really is quite addictive. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQomGkC296XeIYFknyy1mRZn6kPv9D0PrJNVowX66xgHifjIfr2CXKw2XhU_RthRSVXziIc9mWrQK_lFk-dyO7FCR3T8rxgaFxkomaq35swuVI7Q88Phf-lfX6PDO4LJJZ50JQ0nlR5k/s1600/X+Monoprint+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQomGkC296XeIYFknyy1mRZn6kPv9D0PrJNVowX66xgHifjIfr2CXKw2XhU_RthRSVXziIc9mWrQK_lFk-dyO7FCR3T8rxgaFxkomaq35swuVI7Q88Phf-lfX6PDO4LJJZ50JQ0nlR5k/s1600/X+Monoprint+1.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few lines scratched in a tray.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXck7DhUGMYpXXR3f_417jtBVhCbwhrCpDespJBGLAKzclkIp9f3z2wGR-kVRhtowtJtwI6Irc54JQUNFn1ZSliqFDg_At5cuRnC6n-0efVOwL4yGpAxl6ph2uqdtQ9A_N6sRdThjP9k/s1600/X+Monoprint+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXck7DhUGMYpXXR3f_417jtBVhCbwhrCpDespJBGLAKzclkIp9f3z2wGR-kVRhtowtJtwI6Irc54JQUNFn1ZSliqFDg_At5cuRnC6n-0efVOwL4yGpAxl6ph2uqdtQ9A_N6sRdThjP9k/s1600/X+Monoprint+2.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few drops of water added when the ink is gone.</td></tr>
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When I had quite a few prints I started cutting them up and reassembling them on card.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNID0TOrawgXp3XMUvjsGA5vDbubtTIKrHemv9UAvanDNIuGg5fHmOTigTk60RuUNkJ9i7fniJRfu3ZMzSXEF-qxGPt3rfszCXj-s4JdE68rxfcDvQzBZRU3t2ccqP4w_LZDr0_7OBtNQ/s1600/X+Monoprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNID0TOrawgXp3XMUvjsGA5vDbubtTIKrHemv9UAvanDNIuGg5fHmOTigTk60RuUNkJ9i7fniJRfu3ZMzSXEF-qxGPt3rfszCXj-s4JdE68rxfcDvQzBZRU3t2ccqP4w_LZDr0_7OBtNQ/s1600/X+Monoprint.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just playing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAY96jdni4T5zpVYtjnOhFA67hHoq_7gOJXwXV-p8C3DL3bdFRCE9w2yXz9aDACsl0JhGnAtZfMMkdz06MqdRPurbGw1wcazwAVst7WJVkzlmbz5RuK6JH8JUAQFpLRH3AUhPDt7GrXmQ/s1600/X+Monoprint+1bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAY96jdni4T5zpVYtjnOhFA67hHoq_7gOJXwXV-p8C3DL3bdFRCE9w2yXz9aDACsl0JhGnAtZfMMkdz06MqdRPurbGw1wcazwAVst7WJVkzlmbz5RuK6JH8JUAQFpLRH3AUhPDt7GrXmQ/s1600/X+Monoprint+1bb.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer detail.</td></tr>
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I could have played happily for hours, but time was short and we were supposed to be learning collage so I reluctantly swapped the paint for scalpel and glue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sRf1XQ0e_PGCNEAfXSCA6JxKxB5l3p4fLK5M0q2DZgr9Ln6I73kVmTKT1Nkx-a7I78DNiXReQduLjqoBQzVGkdN0GxY9_8sam6n1kJE_MqHBocRnRR56H0o9HM1uY647CsN0cTPCZkk/s1600/Samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sRf1XQ0e_PGCNEAfXSCA6JxKxB5l3p4fLK5M0q2DZgr9Ln6I73kVmTKT1Nkx-a7I78DNiXReQduLjqoBQzVGkdN0GxY9_8sam6n1kJE_MqHBocRnRR56H0o9HM1uY647CsN0cTPCZkk/s1600/Samples.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few small samples.</td></tr>
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I came away with some work in progress for a bigger piece incorporating fabric and stitch. which I will work on now that I've finally caught up with organising all my loose bits and pieces into a sketch book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepKfP6iAa6_vJ6NQf-lIEQohKNN7rqfw9OlUK9C_LD7XjYSd7xKqmBJyzQD2z0qXLTjj1LhkbX7LqP8rirpBTm6LLxQyBXzUYxJ7pyHNG44VY0fWcNUSpmWx2PahDYtxXTqnf7HLYmN8/s1600/X+Background+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepKfP6iAa6_vJ6NQf-lIEQohKNN7rqfw9OlUK9C_LD7XjYSd7xKqmBJyzQD2z0qXLTjj1LhkbX7LqP8rirpBTm6LLxQyBXzUYxJ7pyHNG44VY0fWcNUSpmWx2PahDYtxXTqnf7HLYmN8/s1600/X+Background+crop.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very early stages of a background.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pURozUENv4BN5QTZJOvvleNvtGZGab33rXbvaGZvy-8YbvvqI9oJxTjWVRgtAp_geSgNVGczOe0mZnRr5lx98cqPXl1S6zmWEkJbnURsc902KvffKE7gH2N9ADGxy_t2_x7_VcvjrX8/s1600/Stencil+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pURozUENv4BN5QTZJOvvleNvtGZGab33rXbvaGZvy-8YbvvqI9oJxTjWVRgtAp_geSgNVGczOe0mZnRr5lx98cqPXl1S6zmWEkJbnURsc902KvffKE7gH2N9ADGxy_t2_x7_VcvjrX8/s1600/Stencil+ideas.jpg" height="320" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stencil ideas.</td></tr>
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-10690875061111750842014-03-16T09:37:00.000-07:002014-03-16T14:19:21.348-07:00Fifty Shades of Yellow!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC25AcuNyUR78d5-K_HQiWUCS8BiUVfZXU0YA9tvlqSJ212QE7rh8Et-1HebKBVM3QUXn-kJj3Oyx3473lMgEEGNHukA_eUuQO65tIvTl8HBwelemay3Hq2j5wTa7R0NZBzJdxf_LqUQk/s1600/Rip+van+Winkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC25AcuNyUR78d5-K_HQiWUCS8BiUVfZXU0YA9tvlqSJ212QE7rh8Et-1HebKBVM3QUXn-kJj3Oyx3473lMgEEGNHukA_eUuQO65tIvTl8HBwelemay3Hq2j5wTa7R0NZBzJdxf_LqUQk/s1600/Rip+van+Winkle.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Daffodil ... Rip van Winkle</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Marigolds at the edge of my pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOZ7pQL1C-qJN0oTQtty2hQODhEe7fN-fxP8U9eE0fNbJHKKYeRRmfnhLdbl8Z0EPX_Gz5oBDFtxTVIxcZNMvfaXkYM2PWPFFrO-mqGYYDSEWihIn-vw6bJKd1D5VgLIy8q_sQ9hbNEs/s1600/Golden+crocus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOZ7pQL1C-qJN0oTQtty2hQODhEe7fN-fxP8U9eE0fNbJHKKYeRRmfnhLdbl8Z0EPX_Gz5oBDFtxTVIxcZNMvfaXkYM2PWPFFrO-mqGYYDSEWihIn-vw6bJKd1D5VgLIy8q_sQ9hbNEs/s1600/Golden+crocus.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Crocus all around</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Aconites holding on for the Spring</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowslips on the bank by my pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primroses in my woodland glade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris winogradowii - paler than the earlier danfordiae</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celandine with bronze leaves ... Brazen Hussy</td></tr>
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My garden goes through phases of colour. Mid March seems to be its yellow phase! Even the butterflies are on message, with Brimstones fluttering by whenever the sun appears. Sadly my photography skills are not good enough to cope with the speed at which they move. Flowers are easier ... they sit still!</div>
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-36679576194665542202014-02-16T08:44:00.000-08:002014-02-16T08:52:06.851-08:00Overdue LinesThere's been a bit of a break in my Diploma studies. I had no workshops in January, but now I'm busy gathering stuff together for the February one, which will be multi-media collage.<br />
At the end of last year I had a five day Creative Development course on 3D line. I had such a great time that week making endless samples of three dimensional lines from anything that came to hand that I've been loathe to share the results with anyone in case they don't 'get it'. Our tutor was fantastic and there was absolutely no pressure to produce any finished work, it was just a wonderful opportunity to play. I can't tell you what a joy that was!<br />
These are just a few of the ideas I spent time experimenting with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg593BfGNNUjlXZ16uEOHjm7sb6vdQkzYsNMWHPX1KlddnmdY9qv_qsl4rbA7BwlM1M4VZ-PJ-w_2EoxVO1zoE4AZl5_X-JQRMOmRSGwSD86W4sd1U9gVDBqiZRSEaxm8Tj7r5Ym5AjWrU/s1600/Line+Workshop+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg593BfGNNUjlXZ16uEOHjm7sb6vdQkzYsNMWHPX1KlddnmdY9qv_qsl4rbA7BwlM1M4VZ-PJ-w_2EoxVO1zoE4AZl5_X-JQRMOmRSGwSD86W4sd1U9gVDBqiZRSEaxm8Tj7r5Ym5AjWrU/s1600/Line+Workshop+1.jpg" height="320" width="96" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">String & tubular ribbon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recycled packaging and wire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raffia bundles wrapped with linen twine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Careful placement of stitch gives lines on calico.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florist's Midelino sticks are very bendy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A line of silk cocoon dots.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perle threads on string.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6mhWoObmEt9fozfnsLs-zLo7TiNJUtUmV83rwcgce0kykA0-wR6pWV4d_IGDHzN4SzX_AuE0FSXpYDz_QkdQTbB0uzrFwu05DtkpUdGAEAs9LFiIWsVvZ79X0T3S_1M9JyafvshQdQw/s1600/Line+Workshop+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6mhWoObmEt9fozfnsLs-zLo7TiNJUtUmV83rwcgce0kykA0-wR6pWV4d_IGDHzN4SzX_AuE0FSXpYDz_QkdQTbB0uzrFwu05DtkpUdGAEAs9LFiIWsVvZ79X0T3S_1M9JyafvshQdQw/s1600/Line+Workshop+9.jpg" height="200" width="92" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wires wrapped in painted calico.</td></tr>
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There are others combining fancy knitting and wood or metal grids and plastic, but I don't want to bore you!</div>
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-75434365045375809882014-01-31T04:00:00.000-08:002014-01-31T04:00:43.642-08:00Friday Felt<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSciz6-0jGJpz_cwvhv1CZoAPf1KjmRMDe2udOB1HRPd9KR_a3DEEqKVXw7h1654FtpPWnZau7Bh2c1MGdEtqNqMKpsqJlkVmKTfxg5CSNFk1wbXlXDhmU3hvmbNj4YZAuatZB7yHz70/s1600/felt2+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSciz6-0jGJpz_cwvhv1CZoAPf1KjmRMDe2udOB1HRPd9KR_a3DEEqKVXw7h1654FtpPWnZau7Bh2c1MGdEtqNqMKpsqJlkVmKTfxg5CSNFk1wbXlXDhmU3hvmbNj4YZAuatZB7yHz70/s1600/felt2+sm.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felt Vessels</td></tr>
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These I made a while ago. I've brought them out again because the colours were based on flowers I have in the garden right now - snowdrops and crocuses.<br />
I went through a felt phase some years ago and still have all the gear, but it is such a physical process and I'm basically such a lazy crafter that I very rarely feel moved to do anything other than cover a few pebbles these days.<br />
Making felt really needs to be done standing up and calls for lots of energetic pummeling and whilst I do enjoy the scent of the olive oil soap I find I'd really rather be sitting in a comfy chair and stitching.Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-73896857543945919462014-01-22T09:28:00.000-08:002014-01-22T09:28:25.863-08:00Wordless Wednesday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnpes9W_jnG0QeDdnfwFOVYpriqI-Yp9LKnM6bEawbZOUUGpHOm0_ZYT5-DL4PzEDQjrwdQlZ1Icz28sQbBNKxIsNKzWBWEVIpjo_bzOxPRBk_YaKxX16OPF4BqT9znQV7H0mpHwzno8/s1600/Early+Daffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnpes9W_jnG0QeDdnfwFOVYpriqI-Yp9LKnM6bEawbZOUUGpHOm0_ZYT5-DL4PzEDQjrwdQlZ1Icz28sQbBNKxIsNKzWBWEVIpjo_bzOxPRBk_YaKxX16OPF4BqT9znQV7H0mpHwzno8/s1600/Early+Daffs.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">romieux in alpine house</td></tr>
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-47000861044513422402014-01-08T05:24:00.000-08:002014-01-08T05:28:23.955-08:00Weaving Calico Strips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my most recent 'turning out' session I came across a couple of these. An idea that I had been playing with years ago and just not followed through. With the addition of a bit more calico and at the expense of a few hours of my time, I now have these.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cushion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small bag</td></tr>
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In other news, I've just taken a commission to knit a dress and coat outfit for a three year old girl. The first time I've agreed to knit anything for anyone outside my family in years!Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-43789315772041446072013-12-29T07:13:00.000-08:002013-12-29T07:33:27.572-08:00Revisiting Lace.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past few weeks I've been trying to extend my working space, this has meant sorting through stuff that I haven't used in ages. One of the more interesting things I rediscovered was my old lace pillow and a stash of bobbins. I used to spend hours engrossed in lace making, I even took proper lessons at one point. I'm not sure I'd want to set out on a table-mat or a hankie edging now, but I found I can still enjoy rustling up a few bookmarks.<br />
Lace making is not a difficult process, it is very logical and quite therapeutic. As with knitting, there are a limited number of stitches, but endless combinations. A fully 'dressed' lace pillow can appear daunting, but no matter how many bobbins your pattern calls for you only ever move one pair at a time.<br />
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In other news, my little book for children seems to be selling quite well. <br />
If you'd like a copy and missed the details of how to download it, you'll find them <a href="http://calicoandcream.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/wordless-wednesday.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-40358905196583273322013-12-11T08:17:00.000-08:002013-12-29T07:25:11.116-08:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ8zajE0j-6pXIhiZFE_H-Y3hJqRH9YGZNVlwTHavrTmsZmVYFkhnl8-vP699iaPAwbA15yTLYA01K-UqSYe7yAw06zCreP5XFWSVNPcFOO-xnBBDYfy5iOp14-oFNCV-NqyNzXK4P3c/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ8zajE0j-6pXIhiZFE_H-Y3hJqRH9YGZNVlwTHavrTmsZmVYFkhnl8-vP699iaPAwbA15yTLYA01K-UqSYe7yAw06zCreP5XFWSVNPcFOO-xnBBDYfy5iOp14-oFNCV-NqyNzXK4P3c/s320/COVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jamie-Moves-House-Naida-Willis-ebook/dp/B00HHV6B9E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388328686&sr=1-1&keywords=jamie+moves+house" target="_blank">Kindle version</a> from Amazon<br />
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<a href="http://inkpantry.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=12" target="_blank">PDF format</a> from Publisher<br />
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<a href="http://inkpantry.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=13" target="_blank">ebook format</a> from Publisher<br />
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ibook soon to be available from Apple storeNaida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-33092327776598908832013-11-17T11:21:00.000-08:002013-11-17T11:21:22.893-08:00Autumn Colours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a very long time since I did any work with silk fibres, so I am pleased with the colours and texture that I managed to achieve on this bowl. Leaves are staying on shrubs and trees so late this year that I still have these colours in my garden at the moment, but probably not for much longer.Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-50509593350126167822013-10-25T10:35:00.000-07:002013-10-25T10:35:28.350-07:00Work in Progress<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tkP7Gn2aKrwohLQHq9YNbZFKX_AwIn1I-rGp1CD2rp_XBSBivt_7TATptQ7sg819fl4dBLbAgHqBLrL5Fi4OzpqSJ0KMCJ2bD7BohXV4QW2t_5CvZR4_bI6QOWNalaa7ZfasA2R7MPg/s1600/June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tkP7Gn2aKrwohLQHq9YNbZFKX_AwIn1I-rGp1CD2rp_XBSBivt_7TATptQ7sg819fl4dBLbAgHqBLrL5Fi4OzpqSJ0KMCJ2bD7BohXV4QW2t_5CvZR4_bI6QOWNalaa7ZfasA2R7MPg/s320/June.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeleton leaves, gessoed and painted.</td></tr>
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I came away from my last West Dean course with an absolute mountain of work in progress. We were given so many new techniques to try that there just wasn't time to explore each one as much as any of us would have liked. No matter, I've spent the weeks since happily playing with gesso, mod roc and spray plaster.<br />
We stuck snippets of deconstructed fabrics on to board and gessoed over the top, we applied gesso directly on to the board and made marks in it, or embedded things in it, then we sprinkled stuff on the wet surface or let it dry and painted it with acrylics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdnYAJKxQs56vhamqco1EKcevUSQWlhZXwBIR-MuKql17dSrFrx146jHhLBt-ycB-eaE9ATgWQqrZJosMwEhyvGJE5CqumuTyUTKz5WXNRwE7mUbHNRFTvCrLQI5Gs77VyJVD17yKWO0/s1600/Gesso+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdnYAJKxQs56vhamqco1EKcevUSQWlhZXwBIR-MuKql17dSrFrx146jHhLBt-ycB-eaE9ATgWQqrZJosMwEhyvGJE5CqumuTyUTKz5WXNRwE7mUbHNRFTvCrLQI5Gs77VyJVD17yKWO0/s200/Gesso+crop.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partly sprinkled with sand and ash.</td></tr>
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Our tutor had a great way of applying the paint in several washes with lots of sandpapering back after each one. She also had some interesting warming up exercises, where we would be given an object and asked to sketch its essence. Weird, but fun!<br />
I made a series of samples using crumpled up scrim, hessian with lots of threads pulled out and various plant parts. Some are still waiting to be painted<br />
Naturally, I soon wanted to get away from the flat surface of the board so I made a start on a vessel, using mod roc.<br />
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I'm going to add some extra, scrunched up, bits to give it more texture and I've left some gaps in the plaster so that I can stitch into it after I take the balloon out. It'll look good when its finished. I just need to find a very sturdy needle.<br />
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In other news my first assignment for my present OU module was submitted yesterday and my story book went off to the printers today. The publishers have produced files for Kindles too!<br />
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Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-90171415722577286422013-10-06T05:40:00.000-07:002013-10-06T07:00:53.493-07:00Sgraffito<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been making a lot of these recently, and to be honest I'm not sure why, except that they are fun. When I started I had some idea of joining them all together, but I'm not sure I want to do that now, I rather like them just as they are. What do you think?<br />
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Anyway, to get back to the title of this blog-post ...<br />
Friday was my most recent West Dean day and we were in the Orangery playing with the technique of sgraffito. If you are as old as I am you will remember the scratch art cards that we used to buy as kids where you scratch away the black layer on top to reveal the colours underneath. Our sgraffito day was a posh version of those cards, where we applied the colours of our choice using oil pastels and then covered the whole lot in black acrylic paint and left it to dry for a few minutes before scratching.<br />
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I made a lot of studys of leaves, flowers, twigs, feathers, etc, picked up in the West Dean gardens, but I think my favourite designs of the day are these few abstracts that I did late in the afternoon.<br />
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Next Friday I'm back to West Dean for a long weekend entitled 'Exciting Surfaces and Textures',which I believe will involve polyfilla, so I'm really looking forward to that.<br />
Meanwhile I have an essay to write on the 'Constructions of Childhood' for the OU.<br />
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-81668882292810930032013-09-25T09:34:00.000-07:002013-10-06T05:51:05.397-07:00Studying!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week is all about books.<br />
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I've now been allocated a tutor for my OU module so it's time to catch up with the reading. This is my first level three course and I'm expecting the assignments to be more demanding and therefore more time consuming. However, many of the set texts hold good memories for me so I'm looking forward to revisiting them. I chose children's literature because, as some of you know, my own story for kiddies is being published later this year. The illustrations are being completed right now by a talented Italian lady.<br />
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My diploma course also has a written component. It's not going to be all fun weekends, being creative and learning new techniques. We have to bring our experiences together in a final essay so notes have to be made and other people's work referred to. On the plus side, our student ID card allows us access to the beautiful old library at the college. There are worse places to spend a few hours and if the effort of studying becomes too much the bar is just a few steps away.<br />
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-29282461758212640532013-09-15T10:46:00.000-07:002013-09-15T10:46:17.932-07:00Sunday Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My little patch of Rudbekia has been flowering for weeks now, giving sunshine even on the wettest days. In fact quite a lot of yellow has crept into my garden this year, including the Argyranthemum that I've been using to practice colour mixing, for my sketch-book.<br />
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It's a plant I know as Jamaica Primrose and from new flower to faded bloom its petals pass through almost every shade of pale yellow and cream. Quite a challenge to find the exact tone. For me, acrylics are easier than watercolours.<br />
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I've decided that, in my newly acquired sketch book, 'drawings' should not be limited to pencil and paint. (If I did that I'd never fill the beastly thing.) So I've been adding some 'fabric sketches' to the pages. Continuing the theme of leaves and using odd scraps of organza, I've been playing with a different style of colour mixing.<br />
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It's surprising how much the colours change when the fabrics are layered over each other. I'm having fun with this and have not yet exhausted all the possibilities, so I'll probably be making a few more before I move on.</div>
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The 'paint and stitch on paper' that I mentioned last week is coming along quite well, but not yet ready to post. I chose a lichen encrusted branch on my old quince tree as a suitable subject.<br />
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<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-16004273241167649192013-09-06T09:11:00.000-07:002013-09-15T09:41:16.493-07:00Day Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVhqk5IbOktVVrMITS9bzubbZ0t1qVHl1igRE-ipkMLreHrZzMT4POomFPl1iV8NAQa3XRUGYR5OhW6_uhdtGpbY-z4wtI0j46td-SphQobtkdNfz6SiIgH_WA484KBB11I3k17i_C-Q/s1600/Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVhqk5IbOktVVrMITS9bzubbZ0t1qVHl1igRE-ipkMLreHrZzMT4POomFPl1iV8NAQa3XRUGYR5OhW6_uhdtGpbY-z4wtI0j46td-SphQobtkdNfz6SiIgH_WA484KBB11I3k17i_C-Q/s400/Day+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While Saturday had been mostly black ink and charcoal, Sunday was all about colour.<br />
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We were given a selection of leaves, some naturally variegated and some beginning to show autumn colour and five tubes of paint, two yellow, two red and one blue. The idea was first to sketch the leaves as accurately as possible and then to mix colours for painting our sketches without obscuring our drawn lines.<br />
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I cannot draw, I've never been able to draw, but my sense of colour is quite good so I did enjoy mixing the acrylic paints and keeping them transparent enough for my sketched lines to show through.<br />
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Next we did some collage work, quick responses to specific words, using only two colours of paper.<br />
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After lunch we were into the third dimension! We were each issued with a lump of clay and asked to make sculptural responses to words generated by our tutor. This was working against the clock and entirely on instinct as we were given only three or four minutes to complete each piece. This, to me, was huge fun! Sadly though, as we were working so quickly and the same clay was continually reused, there was no time to record the pieces I made.<br />
Our final mini sculptural challenge was to represent how we were feeling right at that moment. I made two pieces, one entitled 'Tired' and the other one 'Battered'. This resulted in much group laughter and a commendation from the tutor for my honesty! <br />
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Looking back I'm astonished at how much the tutors managed to fit in to our first weekend. We now have a few days to write up our notes, sort out our heads and have a go at a few of the ideas that we have buzzing around. I want to try a combination of paint and stitch on paper, maybe representing lichen on a branch or something similar.Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-21205237937715707422013-09-04T10:01:00.001-07:002013-09-04T13:50:55.684-07:00Day One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All weekends at West Dean start on a Friday evening, with a meal, a chance to meet fellow students and a bit of preparation for the following morning's practical session.<br />
The emphasis over the whole of the introductory weekend was very definitely on drawing. Not my strong point, but I had fun trying to improve! Saturday morning found us out in the grounds searching for bits of shrubbery to use as tools for drawing trees. We'd been issued with black ink and a what I considered to be an unnecessarily large sheet of paper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU7GuCvQFhGU9PnQBFfd35Oww-G0zfJOcANHJPpXAsNvziDcG4SPqj6_twSW1RGvJNMCXFXyDYnBSewK7Kwqh06XRXLLX2TwGU-OuP86cisU98zVqQRtdaT0_wyYKsFv-fCdLnN76EgQ/s1600/Pick+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU7GuCvQFhGU9PnQBFfd35Oww-G0zfJOcANHJPpXAsNvziDcG4SPqj6_twSW1RGvJNMCXFXyDYnBSewK7Kwqh06XRXLLX2TwGU-OuP86cisU98zVqQRtdaT0_wyYKsFv-fCdLnN76EgQ/s320/Pick+Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First choose your tree.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Some people drew a whole tree, or even a group of trees. Others went for a more detailed approach, a particular branch or an interesting part of the trunk. I decided on a couple of branches of a yew tree that were hanging over a laurel bush. The branches were making attractive shapes and I found that the pointed end of a laurel leaf makes a surprisingly good 'nib' for drawing spikey yew leaves in black ink.<br />
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After lunch we were sent into one of the courtyards of the college to draw shadows. This time we were armed with charcoal and another oversized sheet of paper.<br />
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The idea was to lay the paper on the ground and draw round the shadows that fell on the paper. Then move to another area with different shadows and add them to our paper. Then move again, so that we built up layers of shadows, some faint, some dark, some lacy, some bold and straight, all being cast over each other. The finished drawing was full of interesting negative shapes and great fun to do. Although my poor old knees were wishing I hadn't crawled quite so far under that middle bush! <br />
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Fitted around these two major projects were smaller ones involving splashing lots of paint about, in response to some carefully structured words, working as a group to make a huge paper sculpture and using mixed media materials to give our individual interpretations of what it means to live a creative life. <br />
<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-22127125181620521782013-08-21T07:21:00.000-07:002013-08-21T07:21:37.453-07:00It's Finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H919vbn3GJu8WpqhJXuQFEZ0o6ujXXeqov0YzGBGqOWz-9jSKk8iSc4MFr1uDgc3qv7X8oBPuLU5iSfYd3VL1KBTLRim025BV0Pd6CsPqy_tLoXJ6qUC0DWqjxP4aziblWJ8jqMZJS0/s1600/Echinacea+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H919vbn3GJu8WpqhJXuQFEZ0o6ujXXeqov0YzGBGqOWz-9jSKk8iSc4MFr1uDgc3qv7X8oBPuLU5iSfYd3VL1KBTLRim025BV0Pd6CsPqy_tLoXJ6qUC0DWqjxP4aziblWJ8jqMZJS0/s320/Echinacea+crop.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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In the end it turned out more Echinacea than Helenium and the satin stitch gave way to straight stitch, but it was always going to be 'interpretation' rather than 'representation' and I rather like it!<br />
The background colouring is done with fabric paints, the flowers are sketched in with a fine-nibbed fabric pen and the stranded threads are from a selection of autumn colours that I found in my stash.<br />
You can tell I'm pleased with it because I've mounted it tidily in my samples book. Pieces I'm not happy with tend to end up stuck in a drawer somewhere.<br />
Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-1776811048474778842013-08-14T09:11:00.000-07:002013-08-14T09:11:49.822-07:00Work on Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Course materials for my next OU module arrived today, earlier than I was expecting! Gardening and stitching have been abandoned while I work through the list of what's been sent and what I have yet to buy. EA300, Children's Literature, is my first Level 3 module. As well as the course-books there are a dozen set books, most of which I've read, either in my youth or to my son when he was young. The few that I didn't know I bought early on to give me time to read them before the module began and I have managed to do that, so I feel fairly well prepared.<br />
Of course, when I enrolled on this module I didn't know that I was going to be given a place on the Visual Arts Diploma, but I've checked the OU assignment dates and I'm hopeful that the two courses will dove-tail fairly well, without too many clashes. But maybe that's just my natural optimism!Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-5081574264802644882013-08-07T14:58:00.000-07:002013-08-07T14:58:22.782-07:00Sunbonnet Sue<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit of applique fun!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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As some of you already know, on Monday I was given a place on a Foundation Diploma, which if all goes well, could be the gateway to a Visual Arts Degree in Textiles. The Diploma could take as much as two years and the degree a further year on top of that so it's something I've had to consider very carefully.<br />
The Diploma is essentially a part time course, so should fit fairly easily around my Open University studies, although there are bound to be clashes along the way when assignments are due.<br />
There will be those who say I should sit back and enjoy my retirement - grow old gracefully, but the chance has come my way and I think I'd be wrong to waste it, although at the end of a long day at college I may feel differently!<br />
<br />Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455882037293879943.post-60682883643078274092013-07-31T10:13:00.000-07:002013-07-31T10:13:06.660-07:00Applique <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnlVqXVW7lV6C3y-Ughe19Knxrm44lVzdqDX54CnlgZ42jL6fEFES3ezYBfbH2BTt7E3XyhYQ_t4Vzyrk1c-KVNWVQBugoNRQD6JH87mEvbJSKn69FjKx8xxbhk_QpRrKKpHaWZXl2vM/s1600/Applique+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnlVqXVW7lV6C3y-Ughe19Knxrm44lVzdqDX54CnlgZ42jL6fEFES3ezYBfbH2BTt7E3XyhYQ_t4Vzyrk1c-KVNWVQBugoNRQD6JH87mEvbJSKn69FjKx8xxbhk_QpRrKKpHaWZXl2vM/s400/Applique+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been playing with some ideas for applique flowers. The sample above uses some odd scraps from a piece of fabric that I dyed a long time ago. I found it again recently in a basket of abandoned patchwork bits. The colours have faded nicely over time and I like them a lot better now. <br />
These samples will tie in with the field samples I posted in May. Flowers were the other aspect of our local National Park area that I wanted to explore, so this will be the second half of that project. A lot of chalk downland flowers are blue, just like its butterflies, so my old piece of fabric is a good starting point.<br />
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This sample has a bit more 'bling' about it. Both fabrics are brightly coloured and shiny, but the effect is toned down a lot by adding a layer of organza to give what I believe is called shadow applique.<br />
Both samples were made using good old bondaweb, I'm afraid my patience no longer extends to doing it the traditional way.<br />
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In other news, Open University Creative Writing results are now out. I'm very pleased with my grade especially considering that I chose not to submit anything for one of the assignments. My next module, Children's Literature, has a very long reading list so I've started to add the set books to my Kindle so that I can skip through the ones I don't yet know before the course starts in September.Naida Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11878400137285204771noreply@blogger.com0