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

Oh yes it is!

It's panto season again, and this year I am sewing 4 costumes, all with stripes . Yikes!

Triple yikes when the stripe is unbalanced , the designer wants chevrons going in different directions and the designs include tucks and darts.

Panto costumes always need a bit of bling.

Ready for first fittings