STITCHED TEXTURES

I fully intended to sit and write a few words several weeks ago but as always the days fly past and another month seems to have completely disappeared. In between times however I did have one very amazing family holiday. We packed the cars to capacity with adults, children and dogs not to mention a stack of provisions. I managed to find a space for some needles, threads and beads but sadly the sewing machine wouldn't quite fit no matter how hard I tried!

The holiday was wonderful, the scenery and countryside beautiful but sadly ended all too soon as does most good things. 

The week before setting off I completed the machine stitching on this embroidery with the aim of finishing the hand stitching whilst away. I managed to achieve my ambition but not by sitting comfortably relaxed in an armchair or outdoors in the sunshine as I had hoped but rather I was perched on a hard wooden seat in front of the biggest window I could find. I should explain that we stayed in an extremely old house built entirely of stone, the walls of which were almost a metre wide. So, when not out and about, swimming, walking or cooking up a storm I found a few moments to stitch and wonder how just a few centuries ago did the women (and men) in dark, gloomy rooms manage to stitch such exquisite work without windows and electric lights?

Poppy and Dahlia Delight

Rose and Pansy Parfait

The latest additions to my floral adventures are now complete and continuing the garden theme are entitled Rose and Pansy Parfait along with Poppy and Dahlia Delight. My set of four hand and machine textured pieces are ready for mounting and framing before carefully storing away to become part of an exhibition next year. I endeavoured to challenge myself in trying different methods of stitching, beading and all things embellishment to add more layers of texture and hopefully I have succeeded. The colours are never quite true when photographed but overall are accurate representations of the originals. As with everything I have enjoyed working on I would now happily repeat the stitching having looked and found a few improvements that I could have made, but that is a stitching story for another day.

Back to the Gelli plate and I have been experimenting with watercolour and oil paints, inks and more mark making. Early days yet as I am still refining my techniques but as with all things painterly there really are no right or wrong ways to work and learn so I will just continue on my journey until I have a series of printed papers that are shouting at me to be collaged and stitched.

The image above is of a few of the more successful pieces from my efforts last week to refine using the Gelli plate for printing on fabric. These were printed onto previously dyed fabrics in order to reduce the number of layers needed to achieve a reasonable and interesting surface design. All the printed fabrics I have so far are perfectly usable but I was hoping to be a little more creative with their use but so far the process does mean that the fabric after printing loses its suppleness and ability to flow or drape when stitched. I have read a few articles on the subject but in the true spirit of experimentation I have now ordered several different fabrics on which to test my sparse knowledge but growing enthusiasm. I suppose I am hoping for my very own eureka moment and you never know I just might be lucky!

Last but not least and completely out of sequence are my efforts at something a little different. It is very much a trial and error piece but as ever I am happy to share my learning curve with you all.

I was out walking with Jackson on a very wet and grimy day when he stopped to admire a clearly delicious smelling tree. I looked upwards to see some beautifully textured bark and a very interesting burl that resembled a cauliflower. I took a few pictures but I was already stitching in my head faster than my legs could carry me home! Several mornings later my interpretation was finished. It is far from perfect but I like the direction in which I am travelling and it certainly warrants further investigation.  

What's not to love about a foxglove!