Doing Blackwork

Today's date: 20/5/20.
Where does the time go? Oh yes, we are in lockdown, even though it is easing. I think it is easing for younger people more, us oldies still have to be careful and not take risks.

Anyway, I have enrolled for a correspondence blackwork intermediate course through the Embroiderers Guild, Victoria. It hasn't got me in as much as my tapestry weaving did but I am hopeful.

The lockdown laws are eased a little but that hasn't made any obvious changes to my life yet, just the chance for a couple of non-emergency (thank goodness) appointments.

So ... the blackwork.
We are currently on the module in which you design your own motifs. I have quite enjoyed that even though it is a bit more precise than I am used to doing. It reminds me of the doodling but you do it on graph paper. And then you have to translate that to the fabric. This is where you discover if your design wasn't quite accurate!

I did the first of my own design motifs today (and yesterday - as I said, it is slow!). It was cool but sunny so I sat in the glasshouse to take advantage of the lovely weather.  And it is very peaceful there.

It has a bit of a space module feel to it, to me. But that's ok, I am quite fond of science fiction.

I thought I would put in some links to past posts about doodling and blackwork. As I often say, this blog is a visual diary for me - searchable. I came across some great links (for me) and was reminded of things that I have done in the past that are relevant. Eg, here.
(I am putting this in for me - so I can find it again.)

Where to next?

Today's date is sort of interesting: 10/5/20. All multiples of 5 but that is about all. If I were in the USA, it might be more interesting, 5/10/20 - each number doubled. But we don't do our dates like that so I will just have to put up with multiples of 5.

Anyway ... lockdown may lift a little bit tomorrow. Not sure what it will look like but don't see that a lot of the things I do will come back soon. My exercise class requires a train trip, which I am not all that keen to do yet. And the space may limit the number of participants, which will probably impact the financial viability of offering the class.
I am pretty sure my textile groups will not resume in the short term, for similar reasons, so much of what I go to will still be unavailable. Some other things may come back, some may not. We will have to wait and see.

I have completed my first lesson in Blackwork, have finished my sampler. We had a Zoom meeting this morning and then I had a private phone conversation with the tutor. So much new learning - apart from the actual sewing.

I have done some things ok and others are not quite right but it doesn't matter on a sampler, it is for learning - what a relief to be told that!

I also enjoyed playing around with a design on some graph paper. That was interesting, having to be constrained by the geometric shapes. I may even lash out and do the actual sewing of the design!!

Now I just have to get the motivation to get onto lesson 2, which sounds a lot more complicated. But I will give it a go this week. There is nothing in my diary for the next 10 days! I 'should' be able to find the time to do the exercises - just need to find the motivation.

I have also looked at the final teacher/inspirational person on the TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge group and was very interested - even a bit inspired. Not enough to start anything yet but getting there.
It was Christine Chester and her challenge reminded me of doodling and I could also see some applications to the blackwork designing part. So I will have to have another really good look.

May the 4th

May the 4th be with you!
And ... 4x5=20
 How could I not post today?

So, what has been happening? Not much! Still in lockdown and winter is closing in.
We usually have nice weather in May, and it is forecast for the next few days, so I will try to get out and about.

I see that the Premier's Active April has been extended into May, to keep us interested in moving, getting exercise, etc.
So far, it has been fairly easy to go for a walk every day but as winter approaches it may become harder.

I have been doing an online course with Tara Axford. It requires lots of photo taking, some printing on paper, including gel plate printing and then cutting it up to make collages based on our photos.

I have been a bit slow to get going, partly due to the tapestry. I really miss the regular weaving, the contemplative, absorbing aspect of that. But I have been trying to get more involved in the online course.

I have LOTS of photos of the surrounding areas. As we are encouraged not to use our cars, to go anywhere much, I have been focussing on local parks.

It has been a challenge to pick an image to work on for the collage. But I am please that I have started, even if they are not the world's best collages. It is just for my own interest, my own development.

Actually, I was struggling with it a bit but then happened to see some art quilts on Pinterest and realised that they are quite similar to some of my ideas. So I will try to be less realistic and let the photos just inform my work rather than be the strong basis. That's the plan, anyway.