Not happy with my design!

 The EGV annual members' exhibition is coming up. The theme is Magical. I have always had a fascination with dragons, so I am trying to come up with a piece that I think is ok. 

So far, I have done one that is using a piece of silk that I painted many years ago, possibly in the 1980s! I'm not certain that it was that long ago but it definitely was a while ago. I haven't done anything spectacular with it, just put some hand sewing on it and mounted it. 

My next idea is also dragon based. I have done a free motion embroidery dragon, with two smaller ones to put on - perhaps. 

But I can't find a background that I like!! It is stopping me in my tracks. 

I made a small quilt based on Ricky Timms' convergence quilt ideas but I think the dragon fades into the background too much. 

I decided that I needed a rock for the dragon to be sitting on but now I think it is too dark and takes the focus away from the dragon.

Note the two much smaller dragons peeking in from the sides. I think I may end up not using them at all. 

I may just put it away and let myself try something different or I may get out lots of differennt  pieces of fabric that I have collected over the years and see if I can be inspired. 

Hopefully, I'll find something that speaks to me. If not, I will have to move on, which I am finding hard to do at the moment. 

Recycling fabrics and clothes

 I was at the Embroiderers Guild, Victoria, Australia last Sunday and was very interested in the display, Presented as part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Fashion Culture Program.

I have some clothes that the moths have loved - almost as much as I have loved them. I have yet to throw them out as I keep thinking I could do something about the holes. So far, I have repaired a few by sewing them with the same coloured thread. I am not good at invisible sewing though, so they aren't my 'good' clothes anymore. 

I am almost ready to try some decorative sewing, seeing that mended clothing is a new trend lately. There were a few that inspired me. 

Plus a couple that used old tablecloths, doilies, handkerchiefs, etc. I have a few of those lying around too - can't bring myself to just throw them away. Some made by my mother, some by me, others unknown source. 

Something to think about. 

There were a lot of other ideas, including stools, seats, toys and soft sculptures. But it was the clothes that took my eye. 

I didn't win - but ...

I was very chuffed to be given a Highly Recommended certificate for my small fabric collage, at the Annual Members Exhibition at the EGV. (I have posted about it previously.) I had entered it in the challenge, it had to have some silk in it and was not allowed to be more than 15cm in any dimension. 

There were some gorgeous other pieces, so I feel very privileged to have been awarded the certificate. 

I might even try to make some more - after the exhibition is over and I have more time to be creative. 

The exhibition is on for another week, till October 23rd. We have had some good crowds and some slower days, probably due to all the rain we have been having and the warnings to stay off the roads if you can. Here's hoping the rain stops for a while and gives everyone a chance to recover.