Saturday, 16 January 2021

Beefing up the colour on the finished piece

As the confetti chips were leftovers from before I found they were a bit pale for this application. This was supposed to be a misty look but my materials just weren't cooperating.

The solution was to dab paint sticks over the surface randomly? I used red, orange and a burnt sienna. It had to be pushed thru the netting. 



I also finished and bound the edges here, though I may still add some stitching to the sky. The pieces doesn't have the feel of the original but........another itch scratched. 

Time to move on.

Friday, 15 January 2021

Stitching

 Staring with the bottom - Reflection in the water

It was surprisingly easy to tame all the material piled on top of each other. There was very little fabric and mostly wool and other yarns. In spite of the fluffy nature of the construct it compacted easily.

Thursday, 14 January 2021

Some Abstract Improv - 1+ hour

One of the images that's been roiling at the back of my mind is below. I've spent a long time with this one and today the process just fell into my lap.

The colour chips were left overs and the background was an test piece to see if I could use some left over computer printer ink.

Most o the 'wool' was dribbled on in a continuous piece and the 'solid' middle is lightly combed wool.

Pinned with netting, (like confetti work) I'll sit on this a bit while I decide how to 'quilt' it.

 

 

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Odd Jobs

I was looking on line to purchase more Lino block blanks. This time I was ready to splurge on the mounted pieces and even try some of the softer materials. But no matter where I turned I was unable to buy the size or the quantity I wanted. (at a sensible price.)

This block has turned up several times for me in the crafty areas. The pandemic has stripped the shops of materials as people have looked to their hobbies, new and old to get them through these times. 

Even Amazon was no help.

So I turned to solving the problem that prompted this search. Carved lino pieces tend to curl and this affects the print.

We received a ton of styrofoam packaging this year and some of the pieces were flat! As hubby had the contact cement out for another reason I tried it on the foam.

It ate it.

Plan B - Glue gun.

This worked very well. I glued all my carved pieces to the flat areas of the styrofoam and roughly cut them out. Using a very sharp carving knife and a box cutter I was able to pare down most of the unwanted material.


But the edges were annoyingly flaky. So I ironed the edges.


I placed a piece of parchment paper over the surface of my iron and applied the styrofoam edges as you would wood to a sander.

Perfect smooth melted edge.



All pieces were mounted flat, and put away. Another job done.



Saturday, 9 January 2021

You Thought I was kidding - Gluing two threads together.

 

The sample on the right is a light green and maroon thread together.

The sample on the left is black and white.

Running one thread through 'gluey' fingers and then running the two threads together......that was all it took. Thicker  threads should work as well.


Tuesday, 5 January 2021

Post Christmas...............Winter walk

Time for a new project.

The issue isn't what to do, it's always which one will I do first. 

I have a number in mind but this morning I remembered my camera when I walked. The weather has been cooperative and didn't strip the trees of the snow it left during the last snowfall. 

I am very intrigued. The question isn't which one to tackle but more of how to replicate that feeling and image.

I work on these things in my spare 'brain' moments. The best solution I've come up with (without resorting to paint) is gluing? black and white threads together.........

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Enjoy my walk.