smocking

I am getting slack again with the posting. I have been getting an application together for my work. Two years ago I was poisoned by teflon and my doctor told me to destress my self so I stepped down from my job to an easier less stressful job. so now I am feeling better and I have reapplied for the old job. Twenty pages of application later and it is done and submitted. Now I just have to wait too hear how I went. the competition is quite fierce.
I did have some time yesterday to work on the costume for My Doll. I need to name her but I don't think she is inclined as yet to share that with me. Once she has her hair I will have a better idea. I am smocking the plastron for a dress for her based on an 1880's Bru outfit. I smocked a piece of batiste and I am making it up as I go as too the smocking. I took a day off from the smocking today to read the latest book by my favorite author J. D Robb Salvation in Death. It is the 26th book in a murder series. It is set in the future and the main character is a homicide detective. some laughs, romance and sex tied up in a murder mystery thriller type book.

As you all know I did a workshop with Susie McMahon of Tasmania. In the workshop she supplied the doll body pattern and I sculpted the head from scratch. Well from foil and paperclay actually. In this photo I have got her in her stockings made from finger bandage and her combinations. These are the underwear people wore before 1885. More clothing to come. I've just smocked a piece of batiste for her dress. I'll be getting to that shortly.
I've had Jessica here today while Bronwyn took Caitlin to the movies. She is like a little tornado. All the dolls and teddy bears have to be pulled out and cuddled. I have put my bear with a smocked dress somewhere and she wanted that one of course. She has gone home now and I am trying to recover.

Christmas Day

I hope you have all had a wonderful day. Our house is peaceful again. All the kids have gone home. No1 son proposed to his beloved last week so there was a lot of discussion on wedding etc. We have not met her parents yet and are planning that for the New Year. They are professionals and we are aging hippies. Should be interesting.
Greg has really improved on the gift giving front. He gave me one of those bobbin winding thingy's which I had been thinking I could really use one of them. A pendant he bought purple and silver always a hit with me, a pendant he made of crystals and wood which looks like a little paintbrush and a tool box for my bits and bobs great gifts. I also got a great bag from my daughter. which GD1 told me about weeks ago and then said Don't tell Nan it's a surprise. A hippy shirt some chocolates and a cupcake carrying thingy which is pretty great. Troy bought me the new Enya CD and Matt sponsored a Women's health program in my name with OxFam. all great presents.
Anyway, On my Vintage Cloth Doll Yahoo group there has been a lot of discussion on sugar cookies (In Australian they are biscuits and what they call biscuits we call scones).... Oh yes biscuits. I thought I would give you my family's favorite cookie recipe.
No 2 son nearly died from E-Coli Food poisoning in 2000 and for a long time he was allergic to just about every thing. Wheat, Dairy Eggs, Soy, Peanuts etc etc... so I dug into my MIL's old recipes and found this recipe which is yummy and easy and has no eggs and can be made very successfully with gluten free flour and vegetable margarine. It makes lots.

1 cup butter or margarine
4 cups plain flour/flour substitute
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup milk or water (Milk is better can be soy milk or whatever)
1 teaspoon BiCarb Soda
1 tablespoon hot water.

Rub the butter into the flour (like when you make pastry)
Over low heat Dissolve the sugar in the milk then bring to the boil stirring all the time. As soon as it boils turn off the heat.
Dissolve the BiCarb in the hot water and add to the hot milk and sugar. It will foam up. Tip it straight into the flour/Butter mix
Mix together thoroughly. It will be really runny but as it cools it thickens up. Leave it too cool and then roll it out like pastry and cut into shapes. sprinkle with sugar and put on trays and Bake at 180 degrees C 375 F.

When using the gluten free flour I found that if I added a pinch of mixed spice to each cup of the flour used it tasted like real flour. I also didn't use Guar Gum I substituted some of the gluten free flour usually about 1 tablespoon for the equivalent of tapioca flour. the guar gum is a laxative and Troy couldn't tolerate it.

It is a yummy biscuit like this but I've also rolled it into sausages and then cut it and I've rolled it out and spread it with Nutella and then rolled it up like a swiss roll and chilled it and then cut it. I've added nuts or choc chips and I've made it with brown sugar instead of white and 3 teaspoons of dried ginger. I've also added grated lemon zest and currants and then iced them. I've cut them out with my gingerbread people cutters and made it into a myriad or shapes.
I am going to copy this and some of my son's favourite recipes and laminate them and put them in a folder for them for a wedding present.

Tuesday

I like Tuesday. It is not Monday. Monday can be depressing if it is the start of my work week. I never want to go to work. Sometimes my weekend starts on a Monday and I like that. My work week lasts for 7 days and then I have 3, 4 or 5 days off. Depending on where I am in my roster.
I have not had time to work on Misty today. She is keeping me company here in the library. I Also have to start on Penelope ( the other doll I sculpted) I at least want to get her in some underwear.
Yesterday Greg moved the spare bed into Matt's old room and the book shelves Matt decided he didn't want into the Library. Except for one set that didn't fit and are still in the spare bedroom. I am going to put all the books and folders I have in my studio in there and then I will have space for the boxes of lace, ribbon etc that are on the floor and all over the place.
We are debating moving the lounge into the library and buying a new one or just buying new cushions for the lounge and Greg restoring the antique cedar day bed we have in the roof of the shed. Greg also moved 20 boxes of books into the library and about the same of magazines. I think I will have a cull. Troy will take all the science fiction I don't want and Bronwyn keeps dumping Op Shop romances on me. So I think I will go through them and then take them to my friend who has a secondhand shop. I have been meaning to go and see her at her shop for ages. Over Christmas will be the time to cull and then I right size in here.

Misty

Here's a photo of Misty. I smocked her dress and knitted her shrug out of 3 ply. Her hair is a hand knotted wig ALA Susie McMahon. I am really looking forward to her book.
I still have too make her shoes and socks but Christmas and work are getting in the way of what I really want too do. Matt and Troy are all moved into their new place. We are having discussions on how to reorganize the house. that should probably b organize cause it has never been very organized.

Happy Days Happy Days

Peter Murray has a song on his latest album called Happy Days are coming my way. It's a happy day here. Matt and Troy have finally found a place to move in too. So the last of my chicks is flying out of the nest. Wait while I wipe a little tear away. Tears of sheer joy. Much as we love our children we really loved having the house to ourselves when Matt was away with the Army. So there's no rush for him too move out but I have been bringing home boxes for him and Greg is hiring a truck on Thursday. But there is no pressure.

Vintage Dolls

Vintage dolls are my new interest. I slipped off to Adelaide today to have a look at a vintage doll. He is an interesting boy. He has a paper maiche head. His body is cloth, his legs are cotton, his body and arms seem to be of a fairly loose muslin type fabric and he has a silky fabric underwear type garment sewn on. He has plaster of paris type hands. Which are fairly badly damaged. He is wearing leather boots.
She has a paper miache head. cloth body stuffed with sawdust I think. She has Poland stamped on her leg. any clues to age etc gratefully received.
I have to finish the challenge piece for one of my groups for tomorrow night. I am working on a smocked dress for my little doll I did with Susie and knitting her a shrug. I am not sure about the colour of the dress so I might make another one if I don't like this one when it is finished.

Tuesday

Here it is Tuesday the 9th of December. I am not sure where this whole year went. I am finishing off the legs for the second doll I made with Susie. Her legs were too fat for her body so Susie redrew the legs for me before she went and I sewed them up tonight. They are stuffed and ready too sew on. I am going too make her clothes removable. I have a pattern for some underwear and I am going to at least get her dressed in that. Greg is going to make me a stand tomorrow so she can stand up on the mantel with the other girls. I am going to leave Misty (which is what I have decide my Moxie doll is telling me she is named) sitting down. But the other girl needs to stand up. I am going to get her head on before I go to bed so must go.

Sunday Again

What happened? While I wasn't looking a full week went. Part of the week I went to work. Monday, I went to the Embroiderers Guild meeting and then to work. Tuesday Work. Wednesday, ah I have happy memories of Wednesday. I have been trying to get ready for the long awaited Susie McMahon Workshop. I was fairly ready. I made sure everybody else was ready. I toddled off to pick up Susie at the airport. I was thinking I need a Hi Susie sign but didn't get around to that. Firstly I dropped in to see R. and from there just had to walk into the art shop and pick up the paint etc for Susie's workshop. Yes well. it wasn't ready and even though most of it was on the shelf I had to argue with the shop person who insisted it was out of stock. Anyway I had to leave. I was late to the airport but Susie's plane was late anyway so I had to hang around for a few minutes. I saw Susie straight off she was the only one who got off the plane wearing a cloth doll.
The workshop was wonderful. Susie who stayed with us was lovely. The classes were fantastic. I achieved more than I expected and I am so happy with the results. I took advantage of having the teacher at my mercy and made two dolls. the workshop doll and I sculpted one as well. They are both lovely. I took Susie to the art shop. We did the two day workshop at Hetties Patch. On Saturday we went to Strathalbyn and looked through some shops and then went to Lorell Lehman's lovely doll shop Not All Faeries are Beautiful. Today Susie was our guest at The Cloth Doll Club of SA's Christmas meeting. Susie was lovely and we have decided to have her back next year after her book is out.
The top photo is the doll I sculpted with Susie's guidance. The second photo is my version of Moxie. She isn't finished yet, Duh. The little girl in the red dress was a gift to me from Susie. Yay for me I love her. She has pride of place at the moment on the mantel piece her name is Hannah. I must finish my girls. I must clean up my sewing room. I have misplaced a large box of lace and I want it for finishing the dolls. I want to get them done. then I will finish ...... the list is too long I can't decide. Something.

Still Sunday

What else have I done since WEdnesday. I have developed an interest in vintage dolls and while discussing the upcoming visit from Susie McMahon my friend Sandy told me about a yahoo group on making Vintage dolls so I joined that. Friday, finished remaking the ugly waistcoat and went to lunch with my friend Zoe and went to work.
Saturday I went to the Folk and Decorative Painters of SA committee Christmas lunch. I nearly didn't get there due to the head ache I had but took some pain killers and went back to bed for a bit and off to Adelaide for lunch and then home and off to Murray Bridge for work which means I clocked up about 200 km's in a day. I am a busy bee this week.

Sunday

I am not sure what happened to Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday I must have done something other than go to work. I have finished the ugly waistcoat and renamed it the pretty great waistcoat. I have also nearly finished another waistcoat I started some years ago. It was the thing I made in a stenciling workshop. I just have to put on some buttons or ties and a tie for the back as I was about 12 kilos heavier when I made it and I am not taking it apart to remake. I had intended to spend today stuffing Moxie but I'll do that tomorrow. Must go to work I will take the knitting with me.

Wednesday

today I spent a lot of time on the ugly waistcoat. I also met a friend at Belair for lunch. then some shopping and home to do some more on the waistcoat. It is nearly done. then I can happily get too work on the new dolls I am doing. I don't have any new sites for you but if you look at Susie McMahon's site at the side of here you'll see the doll I am making with her next week.

Tuesday

I did one thing from the list today. I went too the gym. Greg suggested that we go and look at the Hans Heysen Exhibition at the SA Art Gallery. Then we went to Stirling and had lunch and did some shopping at the Organic Cafe. Then home and babysat the Gkids for a few hours always fun. Caitlin thinks that knitting needles are "very dangerous Nan". But she sat for ages stroking the wool "Cause it's like a purple sheep" she told me.
Then home to catch up on emails etc and a little note for you.
My favorite Hans Heysen painting at the Exhibition was The Saplings. Every exhibition we go to we pick an item we would like to take home if they suddenly offer to give us one. It hasn't happened so far but here's hoping.
I bought a book as I do. I love books like I love chocolate books do not increase my butt. I was looking at the Maggie Grey book Textile Transformations and there is a free online class to go with it. As I needed to order some wool and things for my fiber forum class I got the book too.
Which led me too Workshop on the Web which I am still investigating. also Issue 6 of Fibre and Stitch is out or in emailed to me anyway. but I haven't looked at it yet.

Another blog

Here is another dolly blog too look at
Mimi Kirchner
I will try too post something too look at each day

Monday

Well here it is Monday. I didn't go to work today it is a day off, my Saturday. I had good intentions of going to the gym. but I went out for lunch with my son Matt and went to Spotlight instead. Then I thought I would go to the gym this afternoon. but I sewed up Moxie with my friend Teena instead. Ah the gym I thought I'll go now after Teena went home. But Greg distracted me with talk of takeaway chicken, chips and gravy. So the gym can wait. I did sew up the pieces for Moxie. But my list has not progressed since then. I did find a patchwork vest I started years ago and along with a vest pattern I bought recently I decided to play with that instead. I also did another inch of my knitting. What possessed me to knit a jumper in 4 ply. I will show it too you when I am done. It is a knitted and crocheted mixture.

I have added a site to my blog list. Sharron B pointed it out to me on her Blog
the new one is Allie in Stitches

Sunday

Here it is the beginning of a new week. I look at Sunday as the first day of the week. I have 3 days off. the weather here is quite bizarre for the end of November. I am sitting here in a track suit and my ugg boots freezing my butt off.
I have 3 days off work and as they are driving me a bit demented at the moment I am not going in to do any extra days. I may change my mind about that before morning as I could use the money. I should make a list of things to do over the three days and then I would realize I don't have time to go to work.
1. Sew and stuff the bits for the Susie McMahon workshop.
2. Finish the piece for Fiber Forum next year. I am finishing a little thread darning moonscape I made earlier for the auction at Fiber Forum.
3. Order the silk etc for Fiber Forum.
4. Stuff and sew Aliyah.
5. go back to the gym. I haven't been for weeks. My back seems to have settled down so if it plays up again after going to the gym I think I will resign my membership and just get fat and lazy. Fat and lazy has a great deal of attraction at the moment.
6. Make Christmas Cakes for Embroiderers Guild Xmas Extravaganza. I also must take in the stuff for the next exhibition and return that library book and pay for the summer school.

I definitely don't have time to go to work.

Hmmmm

Hmmmm, I am in need of some inspiration on how to dress my version of Sandy Pines Aliyah. I thought a fairy but now I am not so sure. Perhaps a dryad. Is that simply a fairy without wings or is there more to it. I have the 2009 Josephine Wall calendar and there is a dryad in there. Hmmmm perhaps. Brian Froud is sure to have a bit of inspiration.
Then again perhaps something a bit different so to digital images for a bit of inspiration.
Perhaps she should be a Victorian miss or she would make a cute french maid for that next exhibition. Hmmm perhaps I'll just go to bed and sleep on it. I'll have all that time at 3.00 am when I wake up and lay there and think about the world in general and nothing in particular. Hmmm...?

New Machine

Well I have finally got too play with my new machine. I have sewn all sorts of things including a near miss with my finger and the BSR. I love the BSR. It is a basic stitch regulator. Very handy. I am finishing something off for a friend and I also have a new doll on the way. I have been trawling for inspiration on how too dress her she is Sandy Pine's Aliyah.
I also have to do a self potrait in fabric for a display next year and have to get it done by September 2008. Yes I am running a bit late with that one but will get too it. I have the plan in my mind and just have to do it. Well should do it now.
Have a look at this site for digital images.

Today

Today has been another crazy day. I still haven't had a chance to play with my new machine but I am going to The Bernina 440 Club at Allmake tomorrow so I'll get a chance then.
today I got up late and toddled off to town to Doing Dolls and Quilts to hand out the patterns for the Susie McMahon workshop. We are making the doll above Moxie in December.
Jackie is joining us for the workshop and was good enough to host an info session for those doing the doll. She is also moving out of her premises so I took the opportunity to buy some very nice voile and stock up on 20mm wooden beads and soem round rings for dorset buttons. Then wasted a couple of hours food shopping. I did buy a new magazine that I hadn't seen before called Textiles Anyone? this is an Australian and New Zealand Textile Craft Directory. Yes a list of suppliers, tutors, groups and guilds. Some very interesting reading there.
I am hoping to get some serious cleaning up some in my workroom so I can start another project. I am going to finish something first. I have to finish quilting the squares for Caitlins quilt so that will be next I think. I have started Sandy Pine Pattern Aliyah. She is very pretty and I have a plan for her. Sandy is a member of The Cloth Doll Club of SA she is our wonderful newsletter editor and I would be lost without her. I am President and if she resigns so am I.

Some details

Titania is the Tilly in the Tub pattern by Christine Treleaven reduced to 70% and dressed. Her blanket is a piece of hand dyed cheese cloth and the feathers are a packet from Spotlight glued on. I painted the silk for her nighty and smocked it and then embroidered the ribbon roses and leaves. Her hair is a wool/silk roving wrapped around foam rollers and sewn on like beads. Her bank is a cardboard box filled with the foam stuff plumbers used and some extra shaping done with toy stuffing. Covered with a piece of my own handdyed cotton and cheap flowers from Neds etc. I am going to do some more work on her bank as The SA Embroiderers Guild have asked for her for the display in March at The Botanical Gardens

Titania finished

Well at last she is done. I finished Titania for the Craft and Quilt Show. The group shot is the dolls I displayed. The center shot is of Titania the little fairy is one I made some years ago and she was in the display for kids to pick up and hold. Kids always want to touch the dolls, adults too and it is nice if there is a few simple dolls for them to pick up and feel.

We have four prizes for entering and 3 were decided by viewers choice. Number 4 was the Presidents Challenge and this will be a lucky draw for all those who entered a new doll which fit in the theme for this year.
The theme for our display was "There is a Fairy(Magical Creature) in the garden". Unfortunately there was not a huge response to having a themed section so we probably won't do that again. The committee (I am president) thought we would offer an incentive to participate and introduced the Presidents Challenge. The rules are
• A new doll finished between November 2008 and November 2009 that has not been displayed before.
• Must fit the theme set by the President which will be announced in the February Newsletter.
• All participants will receive a ticket for each doll entered and a lucky draw will be performed at the December Meeting 2009.

Our next display is at the Hahndorf Doll and Teddy Bear Extravaganza and I have set a Challenge for that too. To dress/decorate a doll mannequin or make/dress/decorate a dress form.
I hope there will be a bit more interest in that.

I have also been in the local paper with my dolls and am going to be in the Weekender. Local free paper. I was also on the TV but that was for work. I am a celebrity(SO not).

Happy Day

What a lovely day I have had. Lovely couple of days actually. The Craft and Quilt show is on in Adelaide. My cloth doll group has an exhibition there are photos to come. Also I have 7 pieces in the SA Embroiderers Guild Exhibition which is also part of the Craft and Quilt Show. I have spent the last two days talking to craft people of all types. As you will have read earlier on this blog my darling husband thought a while ago that sewing heavy curtain material with teddy bear jointing thread would be fine to do on my sewing machine. He was wrong. I got it back today from the repair place, All Make Sewing Center in Adelaide. I bought it there and they have always serviced it for me and treated me very well. While there I was lusting over the Quilters Edition Bernina and the owner of the shop offered me a great show deal for one with a good trade in for mine. When I got home I mentioned to Greg that I thought this would be a great way to invest the money I am getting from work. Blow me down HE AGREED!!!!!
I am so excited. I am going to get it this week instead of waiting till later in the year after the price goes up. Yay for me.

A DollMaking Journey

Here's another blog to look at
A Doll making Journey

Don't forget to check out the links.
I have finished my Titania, I am off to set up our display at the Craft and Quilt Show,

India Flint

Here is the blog of India Flint. My textile friend Sandy of the Twisted Stitchers Group went to Geelong Fibre Forum and did a workshop with her. I am a long time admirer of this Lady's work.
Mum proudly brought me back India's felt book from Canada, which I had been coveting for a while and was a great gift to receive. I didn't have the heart to tell her that India Flint lives about 20 minutes from me. I love all her books (India's) they reinforce the need to tread lightly on this Earth It's all we've got.
What a shame the big countries such as the USA, India and Russia to name a few and not the only culprits don't put as much money into saving this planet as they do in trying to get off it. My theory is that there is intelligent life in the universe and we don't qualify. This intelligent life is keeping us Earth bound. why would they let us get out there and muck up a whole universe when we can't look after this planet and it's inhabitants. Shame on us and Shame on the space seekers.

Today 27th October

Well what a busy day I've had.
I had a lovely weekend away at Adare Conference Center at Victor Harbour. We have decided to do it again next year. With the emphasis on painting but we did decided to open it up to anyone who would like to join us. So I shall start to spread the word to the other groups I am in in case they would like to have a weekend away too. The food was fantastic, the scenery incredible, the hot water didn't run out and the venue was great. The staff were so great, nothing was too much trouble. I was practically comatose from an overdose of wonderful food and good company.
Today I got interviewed by the local paper as a local artist for the upcoming Craft and Quilt fair. I had a lovely two hours here at home with the reporter and she took photos. I was able to get in some advertising for all the groups I am in which is a bonus. I was also able to dribble on about my love of Textiles in Art which is my favorite thing. In addition to that I have painted the miniature paper mache dress makers dummy I bought. I have joined the Adelaide Hills Doll Guild. They are re-introducing the Doll Extravaganza under a different name. Anyway the mannequin thingy is for that. I still have to make a hoop skirt thingy for it. There will be photos as the work progresses. I also plan to sit tonight and finish the dress for my doll. I didn't end up working on her on the weekend.

Titania

I am going away for the weekend with my painting group. I was a bit concerned the flu would keep me home but I am recovering. We are off to lovely Victor Harbour. I am going to veg out and relax. I have another 12 flower faces to do and I am going to work on Titania's night clothes.I've decided to return to my original plan for Titania's outfit. So I sewed up her outfit yesterday and put it through my smocking pleater. I have pulled it up to fit and just need to sew it now. this won't take long but then the decorating begins and that will take a bit of work.

Hyper LInks

I am still having trouble with hyperlinks. so this is an experiment. I am going to Fibre Forum in Ballarat this is the link
Fibre Forum

Success at last I am not sure why I was not succeeding but got the notes off
Stitchin Fingers

New Doll

It's a while since I added a photo of Titania. Yes she is still naked. I am going to work on her dress next but I couldn't get into the studio without nearly falling on my butt. So some serious cleaning up has taken place. I had it firmly in mind what to do with her costume but I have changed my mind. So this afternoon will be devoted to dressing her. She is going to lay on a bank cause she is Titania sleeping. The bank is still not going well but it will work out in the end.
Matt is home from East Timor and house hunting with Troy.
When he moves out we are taking the single bed from the library and putting it into his room. We'll put up more book shelves then and yay unpack the rest of our magazines and books.

Brain Storm

I had a brain storm. I have got Titania together. I have painted the fabric for her dress. I need to make a bank for her too lay on. So I cut up a cardboard box, got a can of the spray foam stuff plumbers use and thought I can spray it and then mold it around the doll. the can says there is 9 - 12 liters of foam stuff. I followed the directions. Screwed on the nozzle thingy. Pushed the trigger and the wretched stuff came out of everywhere but where it should have.
The Studio Assistant(Husband) and I had already had words over how to do this. So I had to go and ask him too help. Well he had no more luck than me. So now I have this pathetic little pile of something that resembles white dog droppings. So the brain storm was a fizzer.
Now I am planning some creative sculpting with wadding and stuffing and fabric. There will be lots of glue and possibly a huge mess. I had managed to cover the kitchen table with my creative efforts and was going to clean up but The Studio Assistant who is becoming as creative(untidy) as me said don't bother and got the trestle table out of the shed for me. So now I have two tables going. Must get organised. I should have called my blog that.

TreeTop Colours

I have added another link to my favorites list. I was searching for silk paper instructions. After all variety is the spice of life. Tree Tops Colour Had lots to look at you'll find it in my links list as I still can't get hyperlinks too work on my pages. I am off too work in a little while and I am trying to prepare some stuff for my No Limits group at the Embroiders Guild on Thursday. It is the highlight of my month and my turn to demonstrate.

Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists

I Just received Ray Slater's book. Cloth dolls for Textile Artists. What a lovely book. It has lots of good ideas for doll makers and textile artists. I have been struggling with how to dress my newest doll and I am inspired by this book. Ray also gives very good instructions for making a wired doll and I'm going to have a go at that as well. I had hit a bit of a dry spell and I am inspired again. Just have to find sometime to do it.the other books I mentioned in my last entry where just what I wanted too. I feel a productivity spurt coming on. About time too.

Books, Books and more books

I love books, they are my passion and my addiction. I am an unashamed book addict. I blame my parents and grandparents. They all were/are readers. My kids and grandkids are readers. I have addicted my husband to reading too. It should spread all over the world.
In todays mail I received the catalogue from Can Do Books.
www.candobooks.com.au
They have a great range of craft books in addition to lots of other stuff including a huge range of patterns.
I bought
Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists
Handmade Silk Paper
Sashiko Style
Ertes Fashion Designs
Making Kimono & Japanese Clothes
Japanese Kimono Designs
I should have the books next week and I am beside myself looking forward to that.
I have done some workshops since my last blog. One on gold work and using tyvek, angelina fibre and stuff. Photos soon too follow. Also did one with Ruth Black from Scotland on felting and ancient textiles. Very interesting. Both great fun. I have finished the four sample pieces I started with Alison. Part of the class was too design an embroidery and I have the design. I want to finish my doll before I start that. I have made her wig and put her hair into curlers. Her eyelashes keep coming off so have to fix that. And I have to make her dress. I am on a dead line here and I want to get her done and start the embroidery. I also have to put about 20 more beads onto the gold work I did with Mary Black a few weeks ago. Then that can go into the finished nearly box. I am not sure what too do with them yet they are supposed to be brooches but I am not going to make them into that. I also have to put the handles on a bag for Friday nights door prize at the Folk Art group. Must get cracking. I hope those books don't turn up before then.

Fibre Forum - Ballarat

Today started out blah and thankfully has improved. I got up late as I worked til midnight. My back is still giving me grief and that is what drove me out of bed. A hot pack, large amounts of coffee and crumpets helped that. the sun is shining here today and I sat in my family room in the sun for a while. Neighbor across the road came knocking at the horrendous hour of 9.30 and caught me still in my P.J's and dressing gown. He came to tell me that the house next to him is being torn down and there are 3 smaller houses being built there. He wanted to assure me that they would be good houses like his. which is a lovely new brick house. As ours is an older fibro one I wonder if he thinks ours is not so good. Too bad we like it. Anyway so now we will have 8 houses where there where a few years ago 3.
Oh well. I have washed some calico and hung it on the line to dry. I have a gold work class on Friday with Alison Cole which will be wonderful. I have to get the frames ready for the work. She suggested using a 10" hoop so we could chop and change without too much effort but I have 4 square frames so I will just use them. I prefer the square frames any way. I then decided to console myself in regards to the influx of neighbors and made my favourite dessert. Creamed rice and thickened up some of the plums and berries I bottles last summer to go with it. Comfort food indeed.
But the best part of the day was finding an email from Glenys Mann regarding Fibre Forum. I got my first choice workshop at Fibre Forum next year. I don't know if I was just lucky or if the note on the Catherine O'Leary workshop about making prefelts put people off. I know that my friend who goes too was put off by the prefelt thing. However in the notes regarding what to take there is no mention of prefelting. I am really looking forward to this. If you want too take a look here is the link
http://www.mannmaid.com.au/ballarat.html

Felting and Frames

Another day of sewing machine frustration so I went for another walk. The wetlands is just down the road. I had hoped to go to my embroidery group in Adelaide but as my hip is still sore I decided against it. I have to go to work tonight and driving 100 km's round trip today and then another 90 tonight round trip to go to work would have stretched the friendship too much.
I decided to ignore my lack of enthusiasm and found a piece of needlefelting that I had started. I bought some hat forms a few months ago and DH made me a thingy to hold multiple felting needles. This has never really worked properly so today I got it out and pondered it. I think the holes are too big so that when I am using it the needles move off being straight and then the whole thing doesn't work properly. I shall ask him to do another with smaller holes. He has also finished some square frames for me. The type you lace the work onto so it is drum tight. We are investigating starting a business selling them as I couldn't find any one is Australia selling them. More work to do on that next week.
The needlefelting is going well but slowly with one needle. It is going to be a bag. Photos to come.

Sewing machine nightmares

Here it is another day of sewing machine frustration. I had my machine serviced not long ago and then DH decided to recover a chair for some one and thought that teddy bear jointing thread would be just the thing to sew the heavy fabric. I think he has done something horrible to my tension. so if I can't get it right today it is going back to the shop for another service.
I have hit a quiet time. I have lots of half finished things and not a shred of enthusiasm for any of them. I am still having trouble with my hip. Been to the chiropractor 5 times in 2 weeks and it is not getting any better. I was resting it but this has not helped so I am going to do what I usually do and ignore it. Today I went to the gym and then did the 2 Kilometer walk at the local wetlands. It is a lovely sunny day here and the wind is like ice. Still there where lots of birds on or around the wet lands. No 1 granddaughter tells me that if it is in the water it is a duck and if it in the sky it is a bird.
Work is busy and leaves me little time for my art work. I am still going for my art classes which are great fun.

Thursday

Still at home, I have been out though. Went and babysat the Granddaughters for an hour while Greg and Bronwyn (Favorite Daughter) went and picked up the trampoline for Caitlins Birthday on Saturday. She wants "lots of presents and Chocolate in a cake". Direct quote from her.
I have laid out a scarf to felt and I am trying out the needlefelting thingy Greg made me on a bag to match the scarf. It needs a bit of adjusting but is working well. I have my 3 monthly check up post hysterectomy today and Greg is driving as My hip is still giving me grief. Then off to the Chiropractor to see if he can get it back in the joint. I found a pack of Panadeine forte from the operation so I have popped one of those and the pain is much less.
so all in all a quiet day. We have our art class tonight which is fun.

Another Day

Well here I am two days in a week. Wow, today I am at home. I moved wrong and put my hip out. I have been to the Chiropractor and I will go again tomorrow. I have too take it easy and not get cold, to avoid muscle spasms. So I am staying home from work tonight. I have been cruising the web a bit today. Looking at the workshops for Fibre Forum Ballarat 2009.
www.manmaid.com.au

I have entered the ballot with my choices of Catherine O'Leary or Carol Ventura. Yes both felting one crocheted and the other nuno. Apart from that I have used a rubbing plate and a gold shiva stick to dress up the fabric for Titania's nightie. I think it will be smocked. I am contemplating the finished results. Greg is making slate frames for embroidery and also some wooden thingy's to close capes and scarfs. Photos soon. But if you read this and want to enquire email me.
stitch1peta@yahoo.com.au

Today

Here it is nearly a month since I posted, so much for posting every day. I am back at work which is a big drain on the textile art time availability. I have a great job which allows me to juggle time off to suit me. Yay. Tomorrow night is Twisted Stitches how quickly that came around. We are doing a bit of a round robin. Choosing a different colour each month and adding on to the piece we were given last month. We agreed that nothing was sacred so if I decide to hack something to bits and resew it the owner would have to grin and bear it. This months colour is yellow. Here's my bit of yellow. I used hand dyed fabric then topped it with a bit of gold organza. I have pushed the gold organza through a bit of mesh and then ironed vliesofix onto it and then ironed that onto the yellow fabric. I painted a piece of tyvek yellow and then added yellow hot fix Angelina which I ironed straight onto the tyvek. It sticks together very nicely. (Got this tip from Art Quilt Monthly from Unique Stitching which is one of my links)Then I machine stitched a grid and then cut it into squares and ironed it again. The tyvek shrank nicely. I then machine embroidered the square down. The little knots are a strip of the gold organza, a strand of variegated yellow embroidery thread and 3 mm yellow silk ribbon. I tied this into together and knotted it about 3 cm's apart doen the length and then sewed it on and then cut between the knots. Great fun. You can see this more clearly in the top photo.I hope Sandy likes it. I haven't worked out how I am going to put it into her piece but I will take before and after shots.
I haven't done any more on my dol but I have painted the fabric. I had it all planned out how too make her costume but I have changed my mind and now need to think about it again.

This Week

What Have I done this Week and What I Will Do.
I have done a lot of work on my new doll. Her face is finished, her body has one arm attached and quite a realistic pair of boobs. I have sewn the feet and have a left and right leg which is always good. Later today I will stuff them and might even get them sewn on. I do have Twisted Stitches tonight so that will slow me down a bit.
I am still thinking about her hair and how to place her for display.
I started painting some silk for her outfit using a technique from Fibre and Stitch. I’ll show that when it is done and before I cut it up. I am thinking a smocked dress would be pretty good.
I have spent a few hours playing with my granddaughters.
I spent quite a lot of time writing my Presidents Report for my Doll Clubs newsletter. I also had to write a Presidents report for the year as our AGM is coming up. I also worked out the challenges for the rest of the year and the format for our last Funday for the year in September. I doubt that we will continue with the monthly meetings, we don’t get a lot of members at them and petrol and time are precious commodities. It depends on what the new committee want to do as half of the current committee aren’t continuing and I am not running a meeting every month next year. Hopefully someone else will want to be President and I might have a shot at the newsletter as I have been writing a fair chunk of it this year to help out the current editor.
Greg and I went our last night for takeaway and then too see 'Mamma Mia' which was excellent.
I have read the new Nora Roberts ‘Tribute’ which was excellent as always and I have started to read ‘The Complete Idiots Guide to Getting your Romance Published.’ As that is a long time goal of mine and my daughter had the book so I borrowed it. It is actually a good read.
Washed, hung out and brought in two loads of washing. Quite a milestone as I am post-hysterectomy and haven’t done anything housework wise for months. I did this without any pain which is good but I did break something on the machine and now it won’t spin which is bad.
Cooked lots of Matt’s favourite foods as he is home for a week from Army stuff in East Timor.
I didn’t shop for food which I will have too do tomorrow as I go back to work on Thursday, so tonight we are having curried veg and rice which is fine as we both like vegie food and I didn’t get anything out of the freezer meat wise. Matt is staying with his girlfriend so he won’t be forced to eat vegie but he wouldn’t care anyway.
I am going to research SALA South Australian Living Artists as a advertising venue for our Quilt Exhibition next year. Attendances in November have fallen off for the last few years so moving it to another time of the year is our first port of call.
This week I am going back to work on Thursday and on Thursday night Greg and I are starting our art classes. We don't have anything we both do to discuss and let me tell you we don't have anything in common either.
then Friday I have work and then the Folk and Decorative Artists meeting. Then work on Saturday and Sunday. I am determined to have this doll together by Sunday and progress on her outfit as well. I need to plan out her shoes I have an idea but don't know if it will work or not.
Just another normal week here.

Tilly in the Tub

Here is a photo of Tilly's head, she is going to be a sleeping fairy for our display in November. I am using the Tilly in the Tub by Christine Treleaven. I have reduced the pattern as she is quite a big old girl. I got her eyelashes from our local discount store (Cheap as Chips for the Aussies) they cost $2.00.
I have made her body and I am going to stuff it tonight. I found a piece of silk in my stash and I am going to paint that for her costume.
My inspiration is from Shakespeare. 'I know a bank where the wild thyme grows and Titania sleeps'.
I know that Titania is supposed to be the beautiful fairy queen but Terry Pratchett fans know that the fey can be devious and my Titania is aging gracefully.
I was going to wait up for No 1 son's plane to land. He is coming home for 10 days from East Timor. His plane was delayed and he missed his connection in Sydney so he will now be landing about 8 am. His girlfriend is picking him up and bringing him up here. All the family are coming for dinner tomorrow night. Corned Beef with white sauce and then lemon meringue pie for dessert. His favourite. In fact all my kids would nominate corned beef or a good roast lamb as their favourite.

Saturday

Today I have started to paint a head for a doll. I am using Tilly in the Tub but dressing her. She is asleep but you'll have to wait and see. I am also changing her feet a little. I put a lycra overlay on her face. I also finished a flat face for my goddess doll. I painted it with textile medium to see what happens. Hopefully I haven't mucked it up. It is taking forever to dry. I also finished the last of my straight stitch pieces. I am now planning how to put them together.

Re My Day

Well I am not blogging every day but i am trying. Today I have tidied up the house a bit. I ahve searched the net and I have started to write my bit for the SA Cloth Doll Club Newsletter. I have tried to find a venue for a workshop later in the year and I have cooked an Apple and Pecan Scone loaf for tea tonight. It's been a busy day. I have also mounted my paisley piece on a frame so I can finish it. I drew all over it last night with a gold leaf pen. I am going to finish what I have started on it before I do any more on it. I also have too decide how to mount it. Too frame or not too frame. I also stamped on the orange piece for my Twisted Stitchers Group, I just need to stitch on it now. I surfed the net for a bit and found two new websites I like that are the top two on my links list. The day is not over yet and I have already had a busy day.

Sunday

Well here it is another week gone. Today was a fun day for my cloth doll group. Only 10 of us but we had a good time. Every one had a go at the flower face and have promised to bring them back completed. They will be part of our display in November.
Petrol is getting so expensive and we have decided to return to our bi-monthly meetings next year.
I have done little else today. Greg is cooking a roast and I am surfing the net.
I decided to plan out my work and I am going to expand on the stitch along that is happening on the Stitchin Fingers site. I am going to do a traditional sampler of each stitch and then stitch 3 pieces with that stitch. For my first stitch I am using straight stitch. I have stitched the samples. I already had a small black stitch house I did years ago and I am using that for the traditional piece. I have nearly finished my third piece it is a little garden done using all straight stitches and I want to finish that tonight and then start on my fourth piece. The fourth piece is going to be a paisley stitched on felt I made with a shisha mirror included. I have the design. I have bought a large folder from my favorite scrapbooking shop for this work. I am going to make a cover for it but that is still in the planning stage.

A flower a day

Today I have been working on a pattern for my doll group. Every year we exhibit at the Stitches and Craft in November. This year we are doing a Fairies in the Garden Display. The back drop will be a painted panel with Flower Fairies attached.
This is the prototype, inspired from a flower on Stephanie Novatski's blog

Stitchin Cloth Dolls

http://www.flickr.com/groups/stitchin_cloth_dolls/

Here is the link for the Flickr group I created to go with my favourite Stitchin Fingers Group.
I love to look through that group but sometimes it is hard to keep up with the photos. So the Flickr group idea was born from another Stitchin Fingers group.
Today I am working on my mirror for the Fibre and Stitch challenge. I am then going to incorporate the mirror with a cloth doll piece I have been planning for a while. I want the mirror to look like a fairy's mirror. Then as I am ready to make another doll I am going to make a fairy to look in the mirror.
I have lots of ideas for dolls but this one is probably the oldest. So I dug out a piece of felt I dyed to use as the base and I had a piece of lutrador I painted ages ago. I have gone over that with a green stamp pad and I will make leaves for the mirror frame. I want it to look like Flowers leaves and vines are scrolling over the frame. Greg is going to make a stand (I'll let him know that soon.)
I have started journalling my ideas in an A5 book but I am going to get an art diary this week and go the whole hog. Greg and I are going to start attending art lessons. The art lessons were one of the goals we set when we were avoiding divorce. Like many couples we found we didn't have much in common anymore and we both wanted to take art lessons so here we go.

Today

I've decided to try to blog everyday. Today I went with a friend to check out a local gallery. The owner is keen to have more textile art works so I am inspired to create again. I cruised through some flickr pages and more of the Stitchin Fingers web group and my favourite blogs.
I spent the rest of the day reading and making peanut and choc chip cookies and right now I have a tray of pumpkin roasting for Roasted Pumpkin Soup for dinner.

TAST sampler

TAST sampler, originally uploaded by stitch1peta.

The Sampler I did last year for TAST

A WIP complete

I have completed the stitching on a WIP I started last year. I was following Sharon Boggan of In A Minute Ago Take a Stitch Tuesday the photo of that is above. This year I made a New Years Resolution to use things I already have and to finish a WIP for each new piece I started. I found the sampler and decided that even though I am not involved in the Take it Further I could indeed take this piece further. Here's the result. I have decided to frame it. This required a mat but I wanted to used stuff I already had so I used the left over backing from the Fractured Circles I made and then did some more feather stitch over the edges and they were a bit wobbly. The extra feather stitch has disguised that to my satisfaction.
I have set the Studio Assistant (Husband) to making a frame for this piece.
I am getting over my hysterectomy so Greg has been staying home with me making sure I don't do anything I shouldn't. I have been crocheting and knitting to break up the reading. But this week I have been doing some embroidery too.

Doll and Mushroom

Here are two of my pieces, the doll is part of the Town Hall Exhibition for the SA Embroiderers Guild. The Mushroom is off with them too for the Botanical Gardens Exhibition.
The doll was dressed for a doll group challenge to dress a doll without a pattern. The skirt is two pieces of cheesecloth nuno felted together and the top is a rectangle of nuno felt with two arm holes cut into it then stitched at the front with bought ribbon flowers. Her hat matches it was my first attempt to felt around a ball. Which was not a great success as a vessel as it was intended but looks cute as a hat.

Silk and Wool Fibres

I recently bought The Wild Women book from The Thread Studio and this inspired me too make this bag even though it is nothing like anything in the book. I used the technique for felting around a resist from the book Uniquely Felt (also from The Thread Studio).

I have been having a great time with silk and wool fibres. I have quite a stash of these. I have bought them from all over with some of my favourite sites not in order of preference as I couldn't really pick a favourite.

http://ribbonsmyth.com/ - for ribbons and other stuff.

The Thread Studio.

Essential Textile Art.

Unique Stitching.

Using Silk

I have succeeded at getting the photos to load. Thank you to all those who advised me. The top photo is a blurry shot of the set of three Silk pieces three I did for our exhibition. The second photo is of the centre piece.

The white silk paper I made using silk and instructions from Unique Stitching. The gold stitched work is a mixture of silk rods, threads and throwsters waste. This was all sandwiched between a sheet of solvy and a sheet of romeo from the Thread Studio and machined all over then rinsed out. I glued it all to the canvas with Chromacry Atelier medium.

I am receiving the Art Quilt Collection from Unique Stitching. I receive a pack each month of a different technique or product and notes on how to use them. This only costs $10.00 a month. Money well spent.
The first month was silk paper, second was metals, third was water colour paper, fourth was silk rods and throwsters waste. Fifth is paint.

Mixed Up Media

I spent some time today driving to Yankalilla and helping with the setting up of the Mixed Up Media Exhibition. I would have liked to have had more finished but the exhibition looks great.

Days like this you need to cruise around some blogs.
Trish Bee's Art Callenge is a blog with lots of stuff on it for mixed media worth a look.

http://trishbee.co.uk//

Also Sue Bleiweiss of Fibre and Stitch http://webpages.charter.net/sbleiweiss/index.htm has a really great blog.

Quote: A truly creative person rids him or herself of all self-imposed limitations.
Gerald G. Jampolsky

What your name means.

I found this on blogthings. I thought I'll look at this it will probably ba a lot of rubbish. Boy was I wrong it is like it was written for me. Except the bit about not rocking the boat, I don't mind rocking the boat if it needs it. Sometimes the boat needs a good rock.

What Peta Means
You are influential and persuasive.
You tend to have a lot of power over people.
Generally, you use your powers for good.
You excel at solving other people's problems.
Occasionally, you do get a little selfish and persuade people to do things that are only in your interest.
You are friendly, charming, and warm.
You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat.
Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.
You are a seeker.
You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.
You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations.
You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.
You are quite passionate and easily tempted.
Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

Rain

I can't believe it. I thought we had a leaking pipein the front garden that was hitting the window. I was wrong it is rain, I am being very generous there as it is barely enough to notice and the drops hitting the window aren't even running, but it is the closest to rain we have had for so long. It is so much cooler it is lovely. I have got my Twisted Stitchers Group tonight. We get together once a month. We have to take soemthing to do with lutrador tonight. I have some I've painted and a I used a piece of the metallic lutrador that Alvena Hall gave me to make a litte piece for my Transformation wall hanging or book I am making.

Exhibition

Things are going well for my part of the exhibition. I have not finished as much as I had hoped too. However tough.
The Exhibition is called Mix It Up. It is on at the Yankalilla Showground over Easter. There is also a big Art show on and we are inthe other hall.

Alvena Hall

Today I went to a workshop on Rainbow Paper and Tyvek with Alvena Hall. I have admired her work for a long time. She was an excellent teacher and I now have some very nice bits and pieces to show for it.
I had not used such things as rainbow paper before and while it was interesting and I am quite happy with what I ended up with I will not rush out and buy some. I have gallons of paints and dyes etc and I think I can do a lot of what I want with them.

I have used tyvek before and I don't think I learnt anything new there but the other stuff made up for it.

Alvena showed us some of her machining tricks which I can't really explain. You had to be there.
I have finally downloaded and printed the manual for my camera and my next goal is too master it and teach it who is boss around here. Then photos, lots of photos
Peta

Quick bits

I am treating this as a bit of a diary which I am sure is the idea. Haven't done anything much art wise today. I went to work and then the gym. The Battle with the Big Bottom is going well. I have only lost 100 grams this month but I have lost 12 centimetres and I can actually feel some muscle developing in my arms which is a victory. I feel better too. I have coped really well with the heat. This time last year I was still slightly insane from teflon poisoning and felt like crap. So a big victory.
Art wise yesterday I realised the colours of yesterdays creations blend too much and I need to put in some contrasts. I found a piece of white silk paper I made and I am auditioning that. So far so good. I also pulled out the scarves I made. they need a bit of extra love so the yellow and white one was the guinea pig.I free machined all over it which distorted the nice rectangular shape but made it much more interesting. I am still using only what is in my stash so I have to con sider what to do with the others to make them more interesting.
The learning of the new camera is going alright I managed to get a great photo of Jessica but the photos of my new work are blurry. I have to print out the manual for the camera and read it. Anyway here is a photo of my youngest granddaugter.

Day 2 - Adventures with Stuff

It is cooler here today, the temperature has dropped from around 40 degrees at 3 pm to around 27 now. I am sitting in just the right spot to catch a lovely breeze. This time last night It was still 36 degrees.

I have painted another piece of lutrador as I didn't make the other piece big enough I had a jar of copper paint that I used with the gold.

Greg the Long Suffering has just come in from the shed where the love of my life has fossicked around and found me some excellently rusted nails. Next I am going to ask him to find me some rusty wire but I don't want to push my luck too far today.

The felt dyed really well and the mulberry bark as well. I found a sculpy initial I made for a necklace which was way to big. The colour fits in with my colour scheme. I still have to do something with the purple tyvek but I am not sure what. I also found some dyed cheesecloth (scrim) that fits in with the colours. The abaca tissue has been returned to the stash as an orphan it wasn't quite right.

Working out how to add photos, has proved another adventure. Firstly I have a new camera bought from Ebay and the instructions are all in french, then there is the added lack of photographic talent. So the first photos are not worth putting up here.
Just as I was about to take more photos SIL rang to say he'd cut himself so we raced up the street and there he was bleeding from a fairly major cut on his foot. Ironing boards are dangerous. He was using it too stop the No 2 GD from getting out of the lounge and it was on its side and he managed to cut himself while stepping over it.
Luckily his Mum was on the spot so Greg and I stayed with the granddaughters and She took him to hospital, they patched him and said too come back tomorrow. So now the photos will have to wait until tomorrow as well. I am going to download the english version of the manual and print it off. Of course I am running out of ink so that will go on the list of To-Do's for tomorrow.

First Things First

Here's my First post. I wonder if I am suffering from heat induced mania. But for good or bad I am off for a foray into the wide world of blogging. It is so hot here today 40Degrees Celsius. I have moved the trestle from the family room into the lounge. It is cooler there and DH doesn't mind or so he says. I can see the TV and still talk to him. The kitchen table is covered with paint stuff and the lounge is covered with the copies of Fibre and Stitch. I am waiting for some painted tyvek to dry and I've been searching for inspiration on the blogs. I found some at http://purplemissus.blogspot.com
Which hopefully will get my mind moving. I was going for a purple colour scheme for a diary bag I've been planning. That's changed now as I remembered the orange wool felt I bought a few years ago and hadn't used. I have overdyed it using Jacquard Acid dyes I bought from Unique Stitching in Canberra and I found a silk fibre pack I bought from The Thread Studio years ago and still haven't used. The wol is sitting out on the verandah in the sun, a little experiment to see if it is hot enough out there to set it. I did a small piece in a seperate bag and I'l rinse that first to see if it has set before I rinse the rest. I'll post some photos when everything sets and dries which shouldn't be long in the heat we are having.
We are praying for rain. Which the grape growers may not want as it is nearly their harvest season but too bad to them.