African Raffia Weaving Completed

Just finished sewing together the sides of the woven strips to create a triangular stick.

This is my interpretation of an African Fly Swatter

Here is a Maasai Beaded Fly Swatter

So you can see where I was coming from design wise!

And here are views of each of the three sides

Thanks once again to Mary Sleigh for introducing me to the delights of African textiles.

I will now put an end to this line of design work for the time being as I have priorities in other areas, especially the C & G course work, BUT now I have found them I doubt that the methods, stitches and design work of the African textiles will be too far away.

Ballet

I never grew up in a dance environment, I only had Pan's People, Legs and Co. and the rather raunchy ones off The Kenny Everett Show to influence me. The only ballet I had seen was while in Sixth form, the one that most children are introduced to ballet with - The Nutcracker. Even when my daughter was of an age to attend dance classes she showed no interest and had gymnastics and swimming lessons instead. As a child I did not miss it, I remember saying to myself that it didn't matter that I didn't appreciate or understand ballet as I would when I got older. What a sensible child I was because last night I got it!

I experience something amazing, whether it's because my daughter had been at a workshop at the ENO, Coliseum all week and had been telling me about the goings on, or maybe it was the quick tour behind the scenes before the performance. It could have been Bizet's music, the costumes, the set or the Roland Petit choreography, all where wonderful...

...so here's to being a grown up and finally understand what the hell is going on!

Raffia Weaving update

Here is the third panel with some embellishment.

I intend to add some buttons and then join up the sides.

Then I will have a completed Chieftan's Ceremonial Stick to find a home for...

Probably in the loft next to the boxes containing the Unwearable Apron and the Spiral Hat!

Hand Weaver's Gallery and Studio visit

So yesterday I visited the Hand Weaver's Gallery and Studio.

It was like walking into a sweetie shop, the colours and choices of thread was amazing.

I had an ideal of the colours I wanted and my budget - always an important thing to set before going to these places! - and then I shopped...

Something for myself

Something for the business...

and of course for coursework

Linen, Tencil, Paper/visose, Japanese Koyari paper yarn and ramie/viscose

Yes, Jenn, Course work is still where I left it. I have been very busy with completing five orders since returning from Urchfont. I may not be physically doing anything at the moment for C & G, but it's all up in my head awaiting time to put them on paper! Seeing the other Module Fivers posting work usually gets me worried and burn the midnight oil!

Really enjoying the Sketch Book project - squeezing in a few drawings each morning either side of the school run make me organised and more dedicated to using sketchbooks.

Sketchbook Update

Adding Shadows

Today's challenge will be fun as I have a long thin sketchbook, not the standard book form.

Off to the Hand Weavers Studio and Gallery in London today, as suggested by Mary Sleigh

and then later to the Coliseum for ballet!

Cultured Me!

Sketchbook Update

Yesterday's Sketch Book Task

I decided the Stone was going nowhere,

not rolling or gathering moss! - so I changed to a Pear

I did some preliminary sketches to get to know my new object

I added a green wash to the outside of the Pear instead of colouring in the piece of fruit

I used some of my "home made " surface

Close up of the "home made "surface

which by complete accident holds a mantra to live by while doing this project

- and maybe for life?

"Reclaim Your Free Time!

Get Started!"

Raffia Weaving update

So I was holding the two woven pieces while sewing on some embellishment when it bent in half along the sewn edge. "Hmmm 3D" thought I. "Chief's ceremonial stick?"

So out came the weaving kit again and I wove a third panel

Embellishment now taking place on this new panel...the end is in sight, honest!

Sketch Book Day 4

While waiting for today's instructions I did a few detailed sketches and then drew on a created surface I had made at the weekend. How's that for serendipity?

The created surface is a separate project I have set myself after getting fed up with being handed bits of paper. It seems such a waste and I wanted to find a way to recycle them. The criteria for the project is that the pieces of paper MUST be handed to me and NOT picked up from somewhere. Once a suitable amount have been collected I sew them together and cut and sew until it is A3. I then painted with gesso and cut down to A5 so that they can be put into a sketch book bought for the project.

So I thought I would check out the surface while waiting...

Now I have my instructions I shall blog later with the next installment.

Guilfest in the rain

My civilised Glastonbury happened last weekend

and I had a great time, as usual, even if the umberella

made too many appearances.

My Husband met his favourite Dancing Men, The Fez Heads

Here is my Adonis with Adonis Kebab

Does any one remember Dr. Robert and the Blow Monkeys?

I was transported back to the 80's singing along to two of their hits, "Digging Your Scene" and "It Doesn't Have to be This Way".

Ziggy Marley did his Father proud with a fine selection of his own and his Father's hits.

Andy Bell fresh from "Pop Star to Opera Star" and two gigs in Scandanavia made my day.

Bopped til I dropped and sang my heart out. LOVE, Love, Love their music and have them blasting around my workroom on a regular basis. I last saw them in the 90's and Andy was as good on Sunday as he was then. Vince was his usual enigmatic self. And I saw a "first" - the Roadie tuning the computer before they came on! Only Erasure!!!!

Headlining was James Blunt... I was worried I would have to explain to my friend's husband that she wouldn't be coming home as she had "gone on tour" with him as she disappeared down the front of the crowd half way through his set!

Daughter was sent to chaperone and return her to base camp at the end of the show!

Husband, not a great fan of Erasure or Mr Blunt, was seen heading to the other stage to see Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers and John Lydon and PIL.

He was able to tick his "See before they Die" list!

Summer Sketch Book Challenge

My attemps at the Sketch Book Challenge...

Take one stone...

and brew a cup of tea,

stain the sketch book's pages

Use a waterproof fine liner

Move on to pencil...

Trying not to lift the pencil from the page

I await Day 5...