Miniature

 I finally got back to the sewing machine today. I was inspired by a call for entries for Petite textiles at Wangaratta. 

I am also influenced by having visited Como House when they had the Doll House collection exhibition. I think it finished this week. 

So today I worked out a method that might work. 

I found some photos that I thought I could use. Then I drew the basic shapes using Inktense pencils. I probably didn't need to do that as I then covered the piece with other pieces of fabric. But it gave me the general idea of the image. 

I ironed the background onto some adhesive interfacing, then put Vleisofix on the front and put the tiny pieces of fabric on. (I had collected some pieces of organza that had been being thrown out when I was at Ballarat last year, from the Bojagi class). 

The size is about 6.5cm which is tiny. But it is probably still too big for a doll house. However, I have worked out how to do it - and I didn't need a hoop! The interfacing was stable enough. 

Even though it is small, I need to keep working on how to reduce the size. Maybe I will try thinner cottons next time. But I am pleased that I tried. Maybe something will come of it. 

Now to work out how to frame it. 

How did that happen?

 I missed the date yesterday! 22/1/22. I'd better be more on the ball next month! 

I suppose it is part of the Covid discombobulation, summer holidays thing - time loses meaning. 

Anyway, I have finished my tapestry. It hasn't turned out all that well, I used colours that were too similar for the background and foreground. But I did experiment with soumak weaving, with some success. That is the area of the tapestry that has the bulge, I'll have to think about that in future - if I do that sort of weaving again. 

I think this image would work on a bigger scale. There was too much detail for such a small piece. It was going to be A5 but has turned out a little wider as I had a bit of trouble getting the edge even. I kept putting in more till it worked. 

And I'm relatively happy with my dog and human figures in the bottom right corner - they were hard to do so small. They are also hard to see in this image. Oh well. 

Doing it sideways was also a challenge.

If I decide I really don't like it, there is plenty of time to try another. The challenge doesn't close till the end of April. 

Now to tidy up - I really can't be bothered with that. I'm quite pleased with myself for having cut off the tapestry and done the sewing up! I will admit to steaming it also, to try to get rid of the bulge - and to try to get the bit that is more than 20cm down to the correct size. It was the edge under the soumak, so I will have to take that into account in the future also. 

Sunflowers for 2022

 I was given some sunflower seeds again last year and planted them a little bit late - a week or so after Melbourne Cup Day. We have had success in past years with them in a particular garden bed, that used to be a fish pond on the wall. Recent years have not been so successful though due to the fruit trees growing and throwing shade. However, the nectarine tree was heavily pruned last year so the garden bed was in full sun for a lot of the day. (Not so great at present, in the hot summery days.)

The garden bed had other plants in it - asparagus, celery, parsley, e.g. They did well but were throwing shade over a lot of the space and, maybe, outcompeting the sunflowers seeds. 

Anyway, there are 4 that survived. Two are giant russians, one is a giant (but less gigantic) bronze and I can't remember what the other one is. That one is yet to flower. 

I don't think I will be doing any artwork based on them, I am all out of oomph for new designs. But I have taken some photos, just in case. 

Suffering in the heat. 

Propped up and recovering.

                                  

Making it up as I go - as usual

 I have started a new small tapestry. It is for the online group challenge that I have entered for several years now. It used to be the AusNZ group but New Zealand has its own group now and our organisers are (understandably) tired. So they have said that it will be the last challenge - unless someone steps up and takes on the job. It is a huge job, so I am not holding my breath that someone will take it on. 

I am very grateful to the organisers for the many years they have put in. It has given me a theme to work towards, something that I seem to need. 

The theme this year is Sense of Place - I have had trouble coming up with an image. I ended up using a photo I took on the Aqueduct Trail above Warburton - I actually have a LOT of photos from there. 

The size of the tapestry is no larger than 20cm square. The photo I am using would work on a much bigger scale. To make it easier, I tried drawing the image using water colour pencils. I left out quite a bit of detail but it is still fiddly. 

'Based on' the photo is being kind. And I have added a person and dog that were in another photo, just to give the perspective. Not sure how I'll go weaving them, especially so small. 

Initially, I was only going to do the ferns but then I decided that what really appeals to me is the sheer size of the trees and the ferns. I am going to insert a person (probably) to give an indication of the scale. The main fern is very large.   I am doing the weaving from the side, so I can decide about the human figure towards the end. As I said, I am making it up as I go, to some extent. 

To get started, I thought I would work on one section first. This has left me with a large area that will need to be attached. As I am not sure how I am going to do the ferns, I am not sewing the slit up as I go, which is what I usually do. I am leaving myself the opportunity to pull out my ferns if I don't like how they are going. I have decided to try some Soumak. It will be interesting to see how it goes. 

I accidentally did one bit with only three strands of wool and that seems less bulky so I will persevere with that. But the first bit was done with four strands and I am not going to go back and pull it out - I have pulled so much our already that I am over it.  And it might not matter - I hope.