December bling, with golden eagle

The last journal quilt of the year, in a nod to seasonal bling, is golden eagle.

Three layers of wadding in the trapunto, and I think this is the most successful amount to use to give volume without distorting the appliqué shape.

November went past in a flash.....

…. but a colourful one, with this interpretation of the beak of a puffin.

Four layers of wadding in the trapunto on this one, but really difficult to see when the piece is photographed flat. There is a better impression of the volume in the next photograph.

October, in December

Journal for October was an interpretation of the beak of an avocet.

Two layers of wadding in the trapunto shape.

Dashing through the quilts.......not the snow

With the panto’ commitments over, I’ve returned to finishing off my journal quilts for this year.  Continuing on the theme of abstracted birds, the last four concentrate on beaks.

Crossbill.

Abstract birds, this series of four is about beaks.

 

Hand-dyed cotton fabrics. Experimenting in this series with increasing thickness of machine trapunto using water soluble thread. Very difficult to photograph the trapunto as a flat photo. One layer of trapunto wadding here.

Anticipation of the solstice

When the amount of daylight is so meagre, it is good to brighten up the everyday in anticipation of the light to come after the solstice.

Superb laces in lots of colours from here.

Amid the Brexit chaos, at least there is the Strictly final tonight

Trying to stay calm amid the Brexit chaos, I’ve diverted into whimsy to show my support for the Strictly final tonight. Leftover bits of panto ‘ bling on my artist’s model. Not sure how stable the hat would be during some of those dances.  Good all luck to all.

Last night........last minute

A couple of last minute requests for more panto’ bling for the final performance meant that the panto’ magic table went in to service yesterday afernoon

Result,more shoe trims

and a par of mad earrings

That’s it until next year.

Oh yes it is!

Dress rehearsal tomorrow, so this weekend is spent backstage in the dressing room, with many last minute, textile-related tasks.

Ironing the wings' curtains

Making two throne cushions

Checking the tadpole costumes

Making a golden cape

Checking that all 48 costumes are ready

and not collapsing , like the producer!

She’s OK really, just trying to use body weight to stick down a prop tree!

Panto bling on royal sashes and waistcoat

Time is getting short, so the glue gun had to come out yesterday, after stitching the two royal sashes.

Frogging complete on the waiscoat as well, so all on track now.

Blinging marvellous

My next task on the panto’ costumes is to make orders, medals and general bling to go on the royal sashes. What a great excuse to rummage in the bling box to see what is there.

Metallic painted pelmet Vilene and buckram make a great backing.

Inspiration is striking

Finally a use for some long-ago purchased Angelina fibres

Buttons?

or sequins? Good to be able to re-use the yellow, felt stars from my Stop Brexit banner.

Fungal foray

Incredible inspiration of form and colour from fungi during a walk this weekend

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Hidden inside the middle of a rotting fence post, waiting to be discovered, 

 

Five go-o-ld rings!

Or to be more precise, 5 sets of golden-themed shoe trimmings for the panto’ dancing girls

It is such good fun making these from scraps that would otherwise be discarded. I am a little concerned that the ones second in from the right look more like pan scourers than jewels, but that fits in to the pantomime spirit.

After a very moving event on Friday night, themed around “The Lost Words” I am even more grateful that I have reached my 61st year surrounded my family and friends who make my life glorious and fun.

Sweets for my sweet............

……and panto costumes for the tinies, who are boiled sweets in the finale.  Yards of crystal organza, 

Waiting to be tried for length, after reference to a very useful guide here for children’s shoulder lengths and armhole depths.

Sherbet sweet

A few leftover scraps and strips, plus some buttons have turned in to hat and accessory trimmings  under my needle

Roll on the dress rehearsal.

Two fantastic exhibitions - one free, one to save up for!

Two exhibitions after the art course today.

Absolutely wonderful collages by Marzia Colonna at the Portland Gallery, on until 23 November. The web images, and the catalogue photographs give no idea of the intricacy, texture and structure of the collages. The artist paints her own papers and then uses them in cut and torn strips plus representational shapes to create the work. Very inspirational and free, just press the buzzer on the door. My favourites were, 

Then on a completely different scale, to the Royal Academy to see Oceania, a collection of works from the Pacific Islands, on until 10 December. Beautifully staged, with superb, deep saturated colours on the walls, that really set of the exhibits. The curves and sweep of the canoes in the first room are stunning and are followed by a series of rooms each emphasising a different aspect of the multitude of cultures in the Pacific Islands. Several pieces of textiles, both practical and ceremonial are of interest, particularly the bark cloths.

If you do go, be aware that the video installation “In pursuit of Venus( Infected)” by Lisa Reihana is 64 minutes long.

If you are a pianist, you can book to play on the red,  carved Steinway concert grand piano, called  He Korero Purakau mo te Awanui o te Motu: story of a New Zealand river, by Michael Parekowhai. When I visited, someone was playing a selection of songs from the  Pacific Islands.

Tickets are £20, £17 with an Art Pass, but well worth it.

 

 

Autumn leaves in my sketchbook

This term, I am doing a course on colour with Abigail Downer at the Mary Ward Centre. I really enjoy Abigail's teaching and she is encouraging us to explore this extended autumn in our colour palettes. I’ve combined my love of colour, collage, precision  cutting and leaves in these pages.

and one for fun