123 challenge June

Using the word 'Change', washi tape and blue!  I am loving these 123 challenges, but only just getting them finished right at the last minute.  I must allow myself a bit more time next month.  I have used lasercut timber lettering for the main word.

Trying something new

I have been wanting to learn to crochet for a while now, and have been looking for a place to learn.  All things 'Grannie' are so wonderful.  So when awesome girl Kate mentioned she was doing a class at this little coffee place in Melbourne Street called E is for Ethel (which I have been meaning to get to also!), I knew it was meant to be.
I had an absolute ball and the first thing we learnt was what I was wanting to learn anyway - 'The Grannie Square'.  Now, mine is a bit of a wibbly wobbly square, which I am hoping will improve with practise.  I didn't seem to be able to follow the pattern very well, as I found it a bit confusing (however, I'm sure that is me, not the pattern).  I think I just have to work on my tension.

As you can see I haven't learnt to finish off yet, but I thought I had better stop there or I would end up with a Grannie rug from one square!  So, all those experienced crochet'ers out there, if you have any hints and tips, please feel free to pass them on.  I would love lots of help :0)
I also took some photos of the pendants I have made, but the photos were a bit blurry, so will try again.

Using up scraps

If you are anything like me you have lots of scraps of paper lying around the studio.  I haven't made my own paper for such a long time, but decided it was time to clear out all those little bits and pieces of paper which I can't bear to throw away!  The good thing about making your own paper is that you never know what it is going to look like and is always a cool suprise!  This one was made with black tissue paper, gold wrapping paper and just white scrap paper.  Love that it looks like marble!  Next time I make a batch i will remember to take photos of the process and will post these too.

Studio glimpse

I love looking at other people's studios, so I thought I would give you a bit of a glimpse as to where I do my creative stuff.

I think I have a bit of my Grandma in me.  When she died they had to sort through drawers full of colour co-ordinated fabric.  This is only a portion of my fabric, but it's all the pretty stuff that inspires me!

This is a great find I found in an op-shop for $20.  It sits between my mixed media desks.  On the right is where I do my scrapping and journals and to the left is my computer set up.  I have yet to paint it, but because I am impatient I had to set it up and use it straight away!!  It holds all the stuff I use regularly and is within easy reach.

Top of cupboard.  I have inserted an IKEA divider and some wooden containers for my pens/textas/pencils etc..

Underneath this is a drawer which holds ink pads, scissors, double sided tape, glue sticks and the like.  I intend to paint it white and I have the most fantastic roll of 70's contact that I want to use to line the drawer.

Finally, a little look at where I make my jewlery (I will be putting some in the shop very shortly).  The drawers are very sentimental to me, as my Papa made these and I remember them in my Father's workshop as a child.  Now they have passed on to me to hold all my treasures.
I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse in to my Art space.

Worn and rusted

A while back I buried some fabric in the back yard, forgot it for 5 months and this is what happened.  Not the bugs!  I added them later.

I also rusted some fabric and added the drawings via a technique using a hot press.

I used an ink pen to do the drawings and then photo copied them onto a special paper which allows you to heat transfer directly onto fabric.  This process is quite tricky as you need to move fairly quickly and know exactly where you are going to position the picture on the fabric.  As I only had a limited amount of this fabric that I had rusted it was a 'hold my breath' situation that it worked.

I then used some of the buried fabric to hand stitch onto the piece to add a bit of dimension.
I can spend hours doing the ink drawings.  I love it so much.  There is usually a medium or process that makes you feel that you have been transported to another place.  This is mine.

Carved stamps

Finally got around to getting a decent photo of my first carved stamps.  I used an ordinary eraser, and did a simple design for the first one, using a lino cutting tool.  I had to remember to make sure I wrote the word on the second one backwards (one discarded stamp later), so it is a bit wonky and out of balance.  Next time I will write it out on paper first. I kind of like wonky though.  Will do a few more for practice and then attempt some larger ones.

Treasure found!

I can not believe what I found!  My local op shop was calling me yesterday and look what treasures I discovered.  Some I will be able to use in my mixed media pieces, some will be for my friend's girls dress up box and the rest will be sorted and played with and coveted.  A use will be found eventually!
The fun was in the opening and sorting - which happened very shortly after this photo was taken!