Monday 1 June 2009

Refreshing the Palette

Well..what a wonderful reaction to my news.
Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. I have tried to reply to everyone but not managed it so here is a big thank you for all the nice things you said.

I have been re-stocking with all my favourite colours from Silken Strands.
Yummy Natesh Titania variegated threads.



I have decided, and its a bit of a confession ...I hate the process of dyeing.



But I LOVE the outcome!

Now I'm ready for action again.
I found some pieces of felt in more than one colour and made some more not-as-huge but fun brooches.


Oooooh! Its just too much fun putting the threads and fabrics together!



More delicious colour indulgence.
A bespoke bag to go to Sweden.



Now on a less bright theme:
I know when you go to the seaside you should leave only footprints bring home only memories, but I don't think this modest haul will diminish Blakeney spit too much.
Lovely stones, one like a seal, one like a bird's egg and a stripey one,some shells and bits of flint.


Now what do you think of this?



My husband picked it up and when we brought it home we realised it could be an arrowhead.
I thought perhaps some modern day person had made it to illustrate the technique, but the edges, whilst 'carved' to be sharp, were actually worn smooth by the sea.
Does that make it ancient?

Back to business.
I have been asked to think about a man brooch, so I am playing.
I'm using up all the pieces of felt I've made to demonstrate in workshops.
I made these more masculine 'shapes' from a navy blue and red piece.
,


Here they are displayed on some very small, 4x6 inch, deep-sided box frames.
I don't know whether to keep them as brooches or leave them on the frames to make them into pieces for the wall.


Once again, the red is a photographic failure.
Its actually a lovely zingy orangey and red mottled piece.

SOLD!

I had a lovely surprise in the post too.
A parcel of generosity from Whitney Anne.

Lovely cotton velvet and some Stef Frances threads.
Isn't she kind?
Thank you so much Whitney-Anne


I have been nominated for the 'One lovely blog award' by Dana from the Quilted Librarian.
I can't seem to upload the picture.
Now I love receiving awards but I am supposed to nominate fifteen, yes fifteen others!
I hope you will not object to my throwing it open to any of you lovely people who commented on my last post. It was so lovely to have such a great response to my showing off.

Some time ago Lisette at Textile Seahorse gave me a Sisterhood award. She couldn't upload the picture and neither can I! Its for blogs that show gratitude/attitude and again there are rules..I have the done the linking back but I am supposed to nominate 10 yes 10 more!
The same offer applies to
anyone who commented on my last post. If you follow the links to the original blogs you will see the rules.

(Running total=25)
I'm really really sorry (hangs head in shame) but someone else tagged me in the last month and I can't find it.
If it was you please let me know because the least thing I have to do in thanks is link back to you.

And finally.......
Maggie Grey has very kindly written a lovely review of the 'Embroidery 2000' exhibition at Lytham.
You can find it on her workshop on the web exhibition pages.

Phew! What a messy post.
If you stuck with it, thanks.
x

22 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Messy post? I think not!! I love, love, love colour and your post is full of it...so...it's a sensory delight.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Love your man brooch, we can still see the colours are very vibrant. It also looks fab on the frame

Love your threads and your velvet dyeing and really nice to see your thought processes!

Hope you have a great week ....

Elizabeth said...

I ahve finaaly gotten my copy of Quilting Arts in the Post and devored your wonderful article!! you did a fabulous job and your work is just so incredibly lucious!! i love the man brooches and would wear any one of them myself as I am not a very girly girl. But men would not wear the flowers!! they are fabulous as well. I love to visit your blog as I am always so inspired - my fingers start to tingle!!
Big hugs!

Elizabeth

I would say that you ahve found quite a treasure in that arrowhead- good sharp eyes!!!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

How wonderful that you have been published in Quilting Arts!! Well done, and well deserved! You have a lovely eye for colour and I am a fan of your work!

lilylovekin said...

The hand dyed fibers and fabric make all the difference in the world so keep up the messy awful work. It pays off in the end. I love the new pieces you have listed on etsy. Oh by the way my little brooch came it is gorgeous I pinned it on my lampshade on my bedstand.

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

Hi Jackie. Congratulations on the publication. I haven't received my copy yet but am looking forward to reading it. I feel the same way about dyeing, hate the process, love the results. And I like the man brooch mounted. It's very pretty with those dark and vibrant colors.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Jackie,Your brooches look great as wall art, the shapes and colours are so beautiful.
It all looks so exciting at your house I would love it!x

Jude said...

They do look rather nice mounted don't they!!
So, do you have to dye all your velvet?

Heather said...

I'd call it a great post - lovely pics and interesting words. I didn't know you could still get Natesh threads, I've had some of mine for 20 years! I'm with you on the dyeing. How can you go to a beach and not pick up a treasure or two? You should send your arrowhead to Time Team - they'll know. You man brooches are too good for men!! I'd want mine on the wall where I can see it all the time.

chrissythreads said...

Thank Goodness, someone else who admits to hating dying! I get funny looks from some of my friends when I say I don't like it. I'm hopeless at it- the results are alright but I've been known to dye the wall, the microwave (actually we set light to that by mistake at college -oops), the cat litter tray -even the dog (gave him a case of turquiose freckles once). Now painting fabric I can do!
ps. Man badges- can you make them mouth sized with sticky tape at either end?

jude said...

wow, everything here is exhilarating, i love how your pieces look like they were plucked from an old carpet or something....

Jacky said...

Love those threads, love those dyed velvets, love your brooches (especially that "masculine" one) and I think it looks fantastic on that tiny canvas. I think a little grouping of them on a wall would look amazing!

Messy post??? Fun post I think.

Jacky xox

marie said...

fabulous! love the new work! wow man brooch? how clever! : )

Jenny said...

I'm still looking for a copy of Quilting Arts, usually our local newsagent can get them, but I think I will have to send for one this time. I must say, I love dyeing but my family hate the smell. I think I'm immune to it.

Bev Longford said...

I too love the man brooch, look forward to seeing it turn up on your estay shop. Really like the idea of displaying it mounted. I am one of those who hangs about but doesn't often comment, but I always enjoy my visit, so interesting to follow along, and so much wonderful colour. Bev

Sandy said...

I hate the dyeing process too but love the surprises at the end. I read your QA article and enjoyed it.

jeanette, mistress of longears said...

Love the link - I don't think I had seen your felt piece before and find it's so fascinating to see you develop!

jennyflowerblue said...

Hello you, what an exciting time you've been having! Feel all over awed by the article, you're so famous! I like the idea of a man badge and know a couple of sartorially elegant gents who could carry one off a treat.

Linda Vincent said...

I can't believe how prolific you are Jackie! And everything is special and perfect. Love the ones you've mounted on a canvas - very rich and yummy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jacky
I love the brooches on the canvas great idea ,Your work is so amazing .Your brooches are works of Art.
The dyeing looks lots of fun ,I often wondered where you get such amazing colored velvet .

Love from sesga xxx

Robin Olsen said...

Great article in Quilting Arts! Love these reds you are using and how wonderful to think of them wall-sized.

Thimble Fingers said...

Hi Jackie, I've just recently tagged you in the last month ... was searching for textile art and found your wonderful site ... so inspiring, love the designs and colours. I'm currently doing my C&G Embroidery Level 3 and have just started a blog to post my progress ... www.thimble-fingers.blogspot.com if you're interested. Keep up your brilliant blog ... just love it!
Julie (from Australia)



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